Page 4 of A Bride for the Wicked Duke

Rosalind looked to push the argument further, as if hoping Aurelia might agree and have the carriage turned around. But there would be no changing her mind. She had come too far for that.”

“We are here,” Rosalind said after some time. “Aurelia...” She took her friend by the hand and squeezed it. “Are you sure you want to do this?”

“Not really,” Aurelia sighed. “But I have no choice.”

She bade Rosalind to wait in the carriage for her as she climbed down, finding herself in a dark street surrounded by slovenly buildings and broken homes. She had the address memorized, one which led her down some stone steps to a doorway beneath a random building. A guard stood outside, but he waved her in without any trouble.

The inside of the building was filled with cigar smoke and the stench of liquor. There were tables spread across the room, each featuring a card game of some sort, all attended to by dozens of drunken men. None paid her any mind as she wandered through the tables, her eyes searching for a man she did not know.

That was her plan. To seek the owner of this establishment, he who the debt was owed to, and beg for more time. Was it a well thought-out plan? Did Aurelia have any idea if it would work? No to both. But again, she had no choice.

“He’s out the back,” she heard a gruff voice snarl from behind the bar. “But he’s busy.”

“I don’t care if he’s busy,” a rough looking man snapped at the bartender. “I need to see him – I got his money! Tell him, I got his --”

“I said he’s busy!” the bartender snarled. “But sit your ass down and I’ll let him know.” The bartender nodded toward a thick-set thug, who was quick to turn and hurry across the room.

That must be it! The owner of this hellish place...

Aurelia followed the thug through the crowded room, toward the back, and then down a short hallway where she spied the thug knock once one a closed door. She came to a stop, her breathing heavy, her heart racing, her good sense screaming at her to turn and run. But the door opened, and the thug walked inside, leaving the door ajar.

She had no choice. This is what she came for. Danger be damned, Aurelia swallowed the lump in her throat, ignored her conscience’s cries please for sanity, and charged for the ajar door, throwing it open and stumbling inside.

“What is the meaning of this!” a voice demanded which had Aurelia bulking. “Who in the devil are you?”

Aurelia saw the man who had spoken. He who was the owner of this establishment. Her mouth dropped open. Her eyes widened. And she wondered for a moment if she was dreaming.

It was His Grace, the Duke of Sutherford, and the last man in all the world who she would have ever expected to find in a place like this. Let alone being its owner.

ChapterTwo

"Who are you!” The thug came for her. He was well over six-feet tall, as thick as an oak tree, and as mean looking as a rabid dog cornering a kitten.

Aurelia yelped as she scrambled back.

“Thomas,” His Grace said quickly. “It is fine.”

“Fine!” Thomas swung about in surprise. Aurelia too, could not help but gawk. “No one is meant to be in ‘ere! He can’t just --”

“I said it is fine.” He did not raise his voice. He did not threaten. But the duke radiated command and power in a way that made the savage thug cower and shrink back. “Leave us,” he then ordered.

Thomas didn’t look as if he wanted to. He scrunched his face and looked between Aurelia and the duke, growling as he did, before conceding and lumbering toward the door. “I’ll be right outside,” he said.

“I am sure it will be fine,” the duke said simply. “Close the door. And I am not to be disturbed, is that understood?”

Thomas mumbled what might have been agreement before stepping outside and slamming the door closed behind him.

Aurelia’s heart was racing, and she was sweating through her disguise. The plan had worked, she was alone with the duke, although now she wondered if that was such a good thing. The office was austere, little more than a desk and a fire-lit hearth and a few shelves crammed with books and other trinkets. On the walls were hung various animal heads. But what Aurelia took note of were the noticeable lack of exits...

As for the duke. He was seated behind his desk, dressed down in commoner garb, puffing on a pipe and drinking a mug of ale; both of which Aurelia might have never expected to see him do. Although she would have never expected to see him here either! He studied her from across the room, a smirk on his lips, his blue eyes dancing in the flames.

“I --” She stammered and coughed, very nearly speaking with her real voice, forcing it deeper. She was a man, after all. “I am sorry for barging in like this.”

“Are you, now?”

“But I needed to speak with you at once.” Her legs were trembling, but she forced herself to walk deeper into the office. “And I knew no other way to contact you.”

The duke said nothing as he studied her. His gaze was piercing, and Aurelia looked away, feeling her cheeks flush.What is he doing here?It was all she could think. His Grace was a man of esteemed reputation, respected by all, never putting a foot out of place because he simply wasn’t the type!I knew it was all a lie... although even I could never have guessed just how much.

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