Page 54 of A Bride for the Wicked Duke

“I hope you are not missed.”

He laughed again. “She will not be happy that I have abandoned her, that is for sure. And I am certain to find myself on the wrong side of her most wicked tongue. But when I tell her the reason…” His smile grew and he took her hand once more, holding it tight. “I have no doubt she will forgive me.”

Lord Mildenhall was indeed a kind man. He was also not unattractive, perhaps a tad plain in the face and unassuming physically, but there was nothing wrong with him. Any lady should have been beyond pleased to find herself the apple of his eye.

Aurelia was trying her best to be that lady. It was just that…he is so darn proper and perfect, a little too polite and saccharine.And she could not help but notice that this was perhaps the tenth time he had mentioned his mother to her, always spoken about as if the world revolved around the woman and he was just lucky to be a part of this world.

It was all excuses, she knew. Again, she should have been thrilled for it. But Aurelia did not feel anything for Lord Mildenhall, save boredom and apathy. And that was the problem.

“I will not keep you,” he said with more laughter, as if something funny was uttered. “I would hate to be a burden.”

“You never could be.”

He beamed. “The truth is, I am glad I ran into you, as I was hoping that I might…” He clicked his tongue and blushed. “Oh, look at me! My tongue has swollen to twice its size, such the wreck I am.”

“That is fine,” she assured him. “Say what you are thinking.”

“I am embarrassed,” he laughed.

“You ought not be.”

“What if you say no?”

“I cannot imagine that I will.”

“You promise you will not judge –”

“Just say it,” she snapped, only to catch her tongue a moment too late. She grimaced, and cursed silently, for that was precisely what she had been tryingnotto do. However, she could not help but think now of what the duke would say if he saw her act in such a way… or rather, what he might do.A spanking would surely be in order.

“I was hoping I might call on you tomorrow,” Lord Mildenhall finally said with some bravery. “If you will have me.”

“Oh…” She blinked. “I… I do not see why not.”

“Wonderful!” He took her hand with both of his and squeezed them. “Shall we say midmorning? I will be there as surely as the sun is to rise on the morrow.”

Aurelia’s stomach twisted with regret. To look into his eyes, she could see how excited he was. And that was enough to tell her the reason he wished to call on her. Again, this was a good thing. It was what she wanted! But that regret… that sadness… it refused to abate.

“I look forward to it,” she forced herself to say.

“As do I, Lady Hawkins.” He kissed her hand again, nice and wet, and she grimaced at the feel of his lips on her skin.

He was kind and he was caring. He was gentle and he was eager. But he was not the duke, and he never would be. That, Aurelia hated to admit, was a problem that she might never overcome. A shame then that it made no difference, for she knew where tomorrow would lead.

For my sister, for my family, for those I love because I will never experience love myself. Not the perfect outcome, but the best that I can hope for.

ChapterNineteen

The day was cloudy. Rain threatened to break through the bleak grey that sat heavy in the sky. In the distance, there was a low rumbling of thunder which Aurelia could sense to be creeping closer and closer by the minute. Soon it would be upon them, and she could not help but think of how prophetic it all felt.

Nonetheless, when Lord Mildenhall arrived as he had promised that he would, Aurelia’s mother had insisted that they adjourn to the back garden. It was far too windy for such a thing, and Aurelia felt herself shivering from the stiff breeze which attacked them incessantly. But she did not complain or see any reason to. By this point, it felt too late.

“My mother cannot wait to meet you,” Lord Mildenhall said. “She has spoken of nothing else.”

“As we cannot wait to meet her,” Aurelia’s mother spoke quickly, not giving Aurelia a chance to speak. She seemed to have noticed earlier that Aurelia’s mind was elsewhere, and was determined to keep her daughter from saying anything that might undo what they both sensed was coming. “We will have to host the two of you for supper.”

“She would love that.” Lord Mildenhall looked to Aurelia and smiled. “As would I, for that matter.”

Aurelia forced a friendly smile but could not find the enthusiasm to speak. A part of her hoped that in doing so, Lord Mildenhall might change his mind, assuming her lame or disinterested. She also knew this to be folly, for he was as eager as ever, likely to take her silence as a sign of how smitten she was.

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