Page 77 of A Bride for the Wicked Duke

Gerald nodded and readied himself to finally speak directly with Lady Hawkins. Although before he did, he realized there was one more thing he needed to say. “Concerning your debts –”

“Do not worry about that,” Lord Grayhill hurried to cut him off. “I am perfectly capable of finding the resources to cover my family’s affairs.”

“Yes, well, that might not be needed,” Gerald said, allowing himself a smirk. “The gaming house to which you are indebted. The thing is…” He grimaced. “It might surprise you to learn that I am its owner.”

Lord Grayhill’s face dropped. “What?”

“It is a long story, and I will regale you with it another time. But for now, just know, there is no need for you to worry about such things as what is owed. Let us just say that your debts are covered.”

Lord Grayhill shook his head. “I do appreciate it, Your Grace, but I am through with trading my sister’s livelihoods as if they were coin. You are owed and I will find a way to repay. You have my word on that.”

Gerald looked upon Lord Grayhill with a sense of quiet awe and respect. Almost any other man would gladly take the easy win, and he hadn’t considered for a second that Lord Grayhill would be the type to deny him. It was for that reason that another idea came to mind.

“Perhaps we can find a middle ground,” Gerald began. “My good friend, Lord Blackwood. You know him?”

“Of him.”

Gerald chuckled. “He is my partner, and I know that he is always looking for intelligent, able bodies to assist him. And it just so happens that I am thinking twice now about my future in that particular industry. Perhaps the two of you can come to a deal, of sorts.”

Lord Grayhill frowned as he looked at Gerald, likely trying to work out if this was a most generous offer or some sort of trick. But that frown soon straightened and he gave a short nod of respect. “We can talk about it later. For now…” Again, he indicated toward the room where Lady Hawkins was waiting. “I think you have more pressing issues to deal with.”

“Yes…” Gerald felt his stomach twist as his nerves peaked. “I think you are right.”

He had crashed a wedding. He had ended an engagement. He had stood tall in the face of a bereaved groom. All in the name of love. Yet he realized just now that as challenging as that had all been, the final task which lay before him would be quite possibly the hardest thing he ever had to do.

I love her and I know that she still loves me. If that is not enough, if still she sees reason to reject me, so be it. At least this way I will not die wondering. Happiness or sorrow, it is time to face the truth of who I am like I never have before.

And so it was that Gerald took a final breath and started to where Lady Hawkins waited.

ChapterTwenty-Seven

Aurelia paced the small room in a state of utmost bewilderment that even now, minutes after the fact, she still had no idea what to make of what had just happened.

A part of me is thrilled. A part of me is furious. Another part refuses to believe any of it! What do I do? What can I even do? How is this happening!

Her mind raced and she struggled to breathe as she walked the small room, back and forth, going over in her mind the events of the day. She knew they should have brought her joy, for the duke had come to her and expressed his love. Was this not what she wanted the whole time? Is this not exactly what she had been praying on?

Yet it felt too little and too late. She was angry about that, for why had he not said something sooner, rather than waiting until the literal last second? Was this a game to him? And did he truly mean it? And even if he did, could she simply forgive him and accept his love after all he had put her through?

In the end, she supposed she would find out how she felt when she saw the duke next. As she paced, as she wallowed and rose and collapsed and fought through her confusion, she decided that she could not possibly understand how she felt or what she wanted until she spoke directly with the duke.Only then will I have my answer. Will my heart, hopefully, tell me what I want…

The door to the chamber opened suddenly. She froze still, back to the door, heart racing as she heard the duke enter and close the door behind him.

For a moment, nothing was said, and she could feel him watching her as the tension between them mounted. Hardly able to breathe. Hardly able to think. She reasoned that she would not talk first. He had come here. He had broken her engagement. This was on him.

“Lady Hawkins…” His voice was soft and unsure. “I… I am so sorry.”

That did it.

A fire ignited inside of Aurelia. It was typical in many ways, as the duke had always managed to stoke such feelings inside of her. But she let that fire grow as his apology echoed in her head, seizing on it and then holding it to her tightly because she felt she needed the anger to see her through this moment.

That was when she spun about and saw him standing there. He wore a soft smile, a look in his eyes that suggested he was misreading her reaction entirely. Indeed, that smile grew and he held his arms out for her, no doubt expecting her to throw her body into him to they might embrace and put all this behind them.He wishes!

Aurelia stormed across the room and without hesitation slapped the duke across the face. “How dare you!”

The action rocked him, and he blinked back his surprise as his mouth fell open. “What –”

She slapped him again. “Now you come to me! Now, on my wedding day, you think it is appropriate to… to… to ruin everything! Why not last week? Why not a month ago! Is this a joke to you! Does my life mean to you that little!” She went to slap him again.

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