Page 48 of A Bride for the Wicked Duke

ChapterSixteen

"You wished to see me?” Aurelia began as she walked into the office. She left the door behind her open purposefully.

“Close the door,” the duke commanded of her.

“Oh…” She hesitated. “Are you sure? I cannot be gone for too long.”

“Close the door,” he said again.

She did as she was bid to. The sound of the door closing had an effect which she had anticipated but was made no easier to rationalize because of it. The same way she always felt when she was alone in the duke’s presence. Part excitement. Part worry. Part hope, because despite knowing that she could not succumb to him as she so wanted to do, she also prayed that she wouldn’t be given the option.

“You looked to be enjoying yourself tonight,” the duke began. He stood in the center of the room, arms folded across his thick chest. He spoke with a casual tenor, not accusing, not probing either.

“I am, thank you.” She stayed by the door, not daring to walk further into the room.

“Lord Mildenhall,” he continued. “You two seem to be getting along.”

“Is that a problem,” she said sharply, followed by a grimace as she knew the duke would not like that. Also, she did not want to suggest that she cared about what he thought.

“Did I say it was,” he said.

“He is kind,” she said with a soft smile, doing her best to appear at ease. “And interesting. I was enjoying speaking with him very much.”

“And I am glad to hear it.”

Aurelia frowned as she studied the duke, trying to ascertain why he had asked to see her.What could he possibly want? I know what I wish for it to be…

Aurelia was no fool and she knew well enough what tonight was really about. The duke might not have said as much to her, but she reasoned it out quickly. All these single lords gathered together in one place. Her invitation, one which would not have been extended before she and the duke had agreed to their arrangement.

He was trying to set her up. That was all it could be. Not satisfied with the progress she was making, he had decided to take the initiative and fast-track the process. It was a clever move, she hated to admit, and indeed Lord Mildenhall seemed interested in her. A boon, it should have been, as Lord Mildenhall was indeed kind and friendly and interesting enough. What was more, he appeared interested in her. No sense that he was forcing the interaction, and every sense that he was probing her gently as a suitor might do before announcing his intentions as such.

Still, it did annoy her slightly. The implication being that he thought her so hopeless that she could not find a suitor herself.Does he think I am that undesirable?That much of a lost cause that he has to do all the work for me?Although if that was the case, why had he called her to his office…

Her heart beat quickly. Part confusion. Part excitement. Part… lingering desire to relive their last lesson because at the end of the day, whatever was the duke’s intent, Aurelia was only human.

“There are a few things I wish to speak of,” the duke started as he approached her. She stood tall, calm, refusing to even consider that something might happen between them. “Concerning your behavior tonight.”

“Oh?”

“You have been doing rather well.” He stopped before her, two feet away, trapping her between his body and the closed door. “Since you have arrived, I have been watching you…” Her heart raced at the thought. “… and the fact that you have gained Lord Mildenhall speaks to how far you have come in such a short amount of time.”

“That is…” She frowned as she tried to read where he was going with this. “That is good, no? Is that not the entire point?”

“It is,” he said with a nod. “If you keep this up, I see no reason that Lord Mildenhall will not insist on courting you. And he is a man of great worth, more than capable of paying off your debts.”

“Alright…” Still, she had no idea where this was going.

“All that is to say, I am proud of you.” A soft smile took his lips.

“Oh….” She blinked. “That is…” A frown now as she searched for what this was truly about. “That is very kind. And if you are able to put in a good word for me with Lord Mildenhall, obviously that will be to both of our benefit.”

“Consider it done.”

Nothing was said for a moment after that. Aurelia studied the duke intensely, certain that this could not be the only reason he had asked to see her.Surely this conversation could have waited. As to pull me away as he has done might cause unwanted suspicion. Yet he seemed content with his words, almost relieved as she read it.What does he want?

“If that is all…” Still facing the duke, she reached behind her for the door handle. “Lord Mildenhall will be expecting my return.”

“Of course,” he said. “That is…” He hesitated, biting into his lip. Brow furrowed, she saw something pass behind his eyes, a look she knew only too well. A look that excited her in ways she was quickly becoming accustomed to.

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