Page 28 of A Bride for the Wicked Duke

She wished to snap at him. To show him exactly what it meant to be angry, seeing as that was how he saw her anyway. And she might have, was she not careful to stay calm so as not to provoke him as she had the other night. That was what mattered the most.

Also, even Aurelia had to admit that at times she could be a tad... rough about the edges. She had a tendency to speak without thinking. She hated being talked down to. And having grown up in a household of six siblings also, two of whom were the apple of her mother’s eye, it stood to reason that she found it difficult not to speak her mind. If for no other reason than a need to be heard for a damn change!And that is not even to mention my mother and the enjoyment she seems to take from fat shaming me.

All of this was fine when she had no desires to ever marry a man. But now that she did, even she had to admit that it made things rather difficult.

“What do you have in mind?” she asked simply.

The duke smiled, clearly happy to see her not rising to anger. He pushed himself off the table and walked toward her, only to stop suddenly, leaving half the room between them in a way that felt purposeful. “We do not have time for a complete make-over, nor do I think such a thing is necessary. We are not trying to change you, merely...” He considered with a click of his tongue. “Merely mask some of your more verbose tendencies.”

“Meaning?”

“Meaning that I am going to instruct you,” he said, letting the statement sit between them for a second. “Privately.”

Aurelia didn’t know if she should be insulted or grateful. “Instruct me? What does that even mean? I am not a pet dog.”

“I never said that you were,” he assured her. “And again, I am not trying to cause offense --”

“Perhaps you should consider not being so offensive then,” she snapped, again catching her tongue a second too late.

The duke stopped talking and looked at her. There was a warning in those eyes, a silent reprimand which she sensed he wanted to vocalize but was working hard to keep at bay. Again, the dynamic of tonight was different to the last time, a noticeable effort from the duke not to let her get to him.

I should take this as a good thing. At least it means he likely realizes that the last time he went too far. Only... would it be so bad if he went that far again?

“Think of them as lessons,” he continued once he was sure she would not interrupt. “Nothing too taxing, I assure you. Simply a means to refine some of your more...” He chuckled and shook his head. “Your more peculiar habits.”

“Such as?”

He tilted his head as he looked at her. “I am wondering now, growing up, did your family have a governess? Someone to instruct you.”

Aurelia grimaced with embarrassment. “We did not. It was...” Her cheeks flushed. “It was not an option.”

“Why is that?”

“Why do you think,” she snapped again, this time not caring.

For once, the duke was not put out by her anger. He nodded understandingly, his tone softening. “I take it you could not afford one.”

She did not answer, looking away with shame.

“It is nothing to be ashamed of, Lady Hawkins.” He took a step toward her, she caught her breath, he stopped. “Nor is a governess entirely necessary. But it does explain a few things.”

She snorted. “I am aware.”

“Your sister, especially,” he joked. “I see now where she gets it from.”

Aurelia laughed before she could help herself. “Eveline is... well, she makes me seem tame, doesn’t she.”

“Perhaps when I am done with you, I might provide her with lessons also. Although by the time I am done with you, I dare say you might be able to instruct her.”

She rolled her eyes. “You might as well teach a cat how to fly.”

“Anything is possible.”

“She is not as bad as she seems,” Aurelia said softly, feeling guilty now for making fun. “And she does try her hardest – she wants to do what is best for us. She has a kind heart.”

“Something she also gets from you, no doubt.” He sounded as if he meant it. And when she looked at him, she could see in his eyes that he did. “It has not escaped my attention, the reason you are doing this.”

“I told you why.”

---