Chapter 20

Chapter Twenty

V iscount Whitley approached the grand doors of Oakdale Manor, his boots crunching softly against the gravel path.

He had come to meet with Philip to hear about the results of his meeting with Lord Keldbrooke.

However, a footman met him at the entrance, bowing his head. "My Lord, His Grace is not home at the moment," he informed him, lowering his gaze as he spoke.

Oliver frowned slightly. "Not home, you say. Has he gone far?"

Before the footman could respond, a soft voice interrupted them. "Oliver?"

Aurelia descended the stairs, her pale pink gown trailing behind her. She moved with grace, though her expression betrayed her weariness. There were faint dark circles under her eyes, the kind that spoke of a sleepless night.

"Philip is away on business," she explained, offering the Viscount a small smile. "But you do not have to depart due to his absence. Please, come in."

Oliver hesitated, studying her. "You look as though you have not slept, Aurelia."

She stiffened for a moment, then quickly covered her face with her hands, embarrassed at being so easily read. "It is nothing," she muttered, her voice muffled.

The Viscount gave her a kind smile. "Nothing, I am sure, but perhaps tea might help."

Aurelia let her hands drop to her sides, nodding softly before turning to the footman. "Have tea brought to the drawing room, please."

They moved inside, the heavy doors closing behind them as they settled in the drawing room. Aurelia sat by the fire, staring into the orange flames as if she was hoping to lose herself in them. Oliver sat across from her, his gaze sharp.

"Aurelia," he began after a long silence. "May I inquire what troubles you so?"

Aurelia sighed, fidgeting with the edge of her sleeve. "I do not wish to burden you with it, Oliver."

"I would not have asked if I did not wish to know," Oliver said gently. "Come now, you have been kind enough to entertain me while your husband is away. It is only proper that I return the courtesy."

Aurelia hesitated, biting her lower lip as she debated with herself. She took a deep breath. "Philip and I…we were doing well. He has been kinder to me lately, more open." She paused, glancing at Oliver, who nodded in encouragement. "But during yesterday's evening meal I raised the subject of my father. I needed to know the truth, and Philip he refused to speak of it. He simply said I must stay away from him."

Oliver's brow furrowed. "He said nothing more?"

"Nothing," she mumbled, her voice laced with frustration. "I am torn, Oliver. I do not know where my loyalty should lie. My father is my only family, but Philip is my husband. What am I to do?"

The Viscount shook his head. "It is unfair of Philip to keep you in the dark. You deserve to know at least a little of what is happening."

Aurelia looked up at him, her eyes pleading. "I know you know something, Oliver. Please, tell me."

She needed to know what her father had done that made everyone wary of speaking about it. She needed to know to free herself of the confusion that bound her.

The Viscount sighed, leaning back in his chair. "I do, but it is not my place to tell you. Philip should have explained what transpired, but as he has refused…I will tell you a little, though only what I believe is necessary."

Aurelia straightened up, her heart pounding in her chest. "Please," she urged softly.

He studied her for a moment before nodding. "Do you remember those men, the loan sharks, who came to your father's house some time ago?"

Aurelia nodded slowly. "Yes, I remember. They were trying to force him to pay them for some debt he owed."

Oliver's lips pressed together into a grim line. "Your father…has been heavily involved with men like them for years. He has accumulated substantial debt and to reduce it, these unscrupulous men force him do tasks for them…unsavory ones."

Her heart sank. "What do you mean?"

"He forged documents for them," the Viscount explained in a measured voice, much to her disbelief. "Your father is a nobleman, known to love his daughter, known to be a family man. No one would suspect him. That is what made him the perfect accomplice."

Aurelia's hands flew to her mouth, her eyes wide in disbelief. "No…no, that cannot be true."

"I wish it was untrue," Oliver said, his voice laced with sympathy. "But I have seen the evidence myself. Your father, Aurelia, is not the man you thought he was."

Aurelia shook her head, her tears threatening to spill over. "But he…he always cared for me. He showed me such affection, such love. How could he…"

Oliver looked away for a moment, his gaze hardening. "He showed you that affection to cover his tracks, Aurelia. I am sorry to say, but that is the unfortunate truth."

The silence that followed was suffocating. Aurelia sat frozen, her mind reeling from the revelation.

Her father, the man that Aurelia thought had always loved and cherished his daughter, had deceived her.

"I…I don't know what to believe anymore," she whispered, more to herself than to Oliver.

"I understand," he offered, his voice gentle. "It is difficult to reconcile the man you knew with the one I have just told you about. But you must be careful, Aurelia. Your father is not someone to be trusted, and Philip…he is only trying to protect you."

Aurelia blinked back her tears, her heart heavy with doubt. "But why would Philip not tell me this himself? Why keep me in the dark?"

Oliver hesitated, then said, "Because he does not wish to see you hurt. Divulging your father's crimes would only bring you more pain."

Aurelia looked up at him, her mind whirling with conflicting emotions. "I do not know what to do."

Oliver leaned forward, his eyes sincere. "Trust Philip, Aurelia. He may not always show it, but he has your best interests at heart."

Aurelia stared into the fire, her thoughts a tangled mess. Could she truly trust her husband after all the secrets he had kept from her? Or was she doomed to remain torn between her loyalty to her father and her growing feelings for her husband?

She was lost in thought when the door to the drawing room was pulled open and Philip stood before her, his dark green eyes narrowed.

"What in Christ's name are you both doing?" Philip thundered, his voice hard and filled with restrained fury.

He stared accusingly at Aurelia and Oliver, who sat across from each other at the tea table. Though they were merely conversing, the scene appeared far more intimate than it truly was.

Aurelia rose from her seat, startled, her eyes wide with surprise. Oliver also stood up, though he was far more composed, his expression a mix of concern and apology.

"You arrived just in time," Oliver said evenly, attempting to ease the tension in the air. "I have been waiting for you."

"That does not answer my question," Philip snapped, his sharp tone now directed at his wife.

His eyes narrowed again as they met Aurelia's, the weight of his emotions bearing down on her. He had only been away for an afternoon and she was already having tea with another man.

He couldn't help the unyielding and irrational waves of jealousy that washed over him. Anger simmered beneath his skin and a fierce possessiveness gnawed at him. He felt a desperate need to pull Aurelia close and remind her to whom she belonged.

"We were having tea," Aurelia's voice cut through his brooding thoughts, soft but firm.

Philip licked his lips and furrowed his brow as he examined her face for signs of deception.

"Having tea while waiting for your arrival," Oliver added, his tone calm, though his eyes flashed with understanding.

Philip exhaled sharply, nodding once, but he was clearly unconvinced. His gaze lingered on Oliver for a moment longer before he ordered curtly, "Wait for me in my study. I will be with you shortly."

Oliver glanced at Aurelia, his expression apologetic. He mouthed a quick "Good luck" to her before making his way out of the room, leaving the Duke and Duchess alone.

The tension thickened as the door closed behind Oliver, the air between Philip and Aurelia crackling with unresolved emotion. Philip's jaw was clenched, his steps slow and deliberate as he stalked toward her like a predator approaching its prey.

"You truly know how to drive me mad," he said, his words resonating with a low, deep growl.

Aurelia felt her heart race as he approached. Her instincts screamed at her to run away and put some distance between them, but her feet remained rooted to the spot.

She lifted her chin, trying to steady her breathing. "I do not know what you are going on about," she replied in a steady voice, although she could now sense the electricity flowing from his body a mere breath away.

Philip stopped in front of her, close enough that she could feel his warmth. His eyes darkened as they bored into hers, full of frustration and an emotion she couldn't quite identify.

"What were you doing alone with Oliver?" he asked, his voice quieter now but no less intense.

"I was seeking answers," she replied confidently, her hands clasped together in front of her. "Answers that you refuse to give me."

Philip blinked, taken aback by her directness. He tilted his head slightly, his lips pressing together into a thin line.

"Seeking answers?" he repeated, nodding slowly as if weighing her words.

"Yes," she said, meeting his gaze head-on. "And if that is all, I will return to my chambers."

She stepped away from the table, bowing her head slightly as she turned to leave. But she hadn't made it more than two steps before Philip's hand shot out, gripping her arm and pulling her toward him.

A soft gasp escaped her lips as he backed her up against the closed window, his solid frame caging her in. His breath was hot against her skin, and his scent was reminiscent of rainy forests.

"You cannot simply walk away from me like that," Philip murmured, his voice husky and thick with possessiveness.

His free hand moved to her waist, his fingertips lightly digging into her side. "I do not appreciate my wife being alone with another man even if he is my friend."

Aurelia's breath hitched and her mind clouded with desire despite herself. She could feel the strength of his body and the intensity of his gaze knocking the air from her lungs.

"I am your wife," she whispered, her voice trembling but defiant, "not your possession."

His hand slid lower, grazing the curve of her hip, making her shiver in response. "You are mine ," he growled softly, his lips almost brushing against hers. " Never forget that."

Aurelia felt a rush of frustration, longing and anger blending into an urgency she struggled to control. She wanted to push him away, to fight the overwhelming need that pulsed between them but her body betrayed her. A small whimper escaped her lips and Philip's grip tightened ever so slightly.

He leaned closer, his lips grazing the skin of her neck. "Do you understand, wife ?"

She could hardly speak, her heart racing as her body arched into his as though it craved the very touch she wanted to resist.

"Yes," she finally managed, her voice barely audible.

Philip exhaled, a satisfied smile playing on his lips. He remained motionless for a moment longer, inhaling the sweet scent of her, the tension between them tangible.

Then, just as suddenly as he had cornered her he pulled away, his hand leaving her hip as he turned around and walked toward the door.

He paused at the threshold, casting a final glance at her over his shoulder.

"Do not forget what I said," he murmured, before disappearing into the hall.

Aurelia stood frozen by the window, her breath coming in shallow gasps. Her mind whirled with thoughts of Oliver's words, of Philip's possessiveness and of her own uncertain feelings. She pressed a hand to her chest, trying to calm her racing heart.

Everything had simply left her more confused than ever.

Philip sat in his study, a deep frown etched onto his features as he watched Oliver casually pour himself a cup of tea. The fire crackled in the hearth, but the warmth did little to ease the tension in the room.

Without looking up from his cup, the Viscount broke the silence. "If you have something to say, Philip, best get on with it. Glaring daggers at me is of no help."

Philip narrowed his eyes, irritated by the feistiness in his friend's tone. This was a serious matter, at least to him.

"What did you tell her?" he huffed, his voice clipped.

Oliver raised an eyebrow and took a slow sip of his tea.

"Not much," he replied, his tone light as if the matter was of little consequence.

He set the cup down and finally met Philip's gaze.

Philip leaned back in his chair, his arms crossed over his chest, his expression betraying his simmering frustration. "You must have said something, or I would not be asking."

Oliver sighed, leaning back in his chair as well, clearly more at ease with the situation than Philip. "When I arrived and found you were not home, I was about to leave. But Aurelia…she appeared troubled."

Philip's jaw tightened, his eyes narrowing further. "Troubled? By what?"

"By you, of course," Oliver said with a slight chuckle, though it was clear he wasn't making light of the matter. "She mentioned that you two had an argument. It was not difficult to see that something was weighing upon her."

Philip clenched his teeth. The idea of Aurelia confiding in Oliver, even about something as minor as an argument, unsettled him.

Oliver's eyes softened as he continued. "Philip, your wife cares about you more than you give her credit for. You may not see it, but it is there. You should start believing that instead of letting wild imaginings fill your head."

Philip's silence was telling. What could he say? He knew Oliver had no interest in Aurelia beyond friendship, but the mere thought that she might seek solace elsewhere, that she might even seek someone else to warm her bed, rattled him deeply.

After a long pause, Philip finally spoke. "I can manage my family," he stated, his voice laced with defiance as he jutted his chin.

Oliver smirked, raising his hands in a gesture of surrender. "I do not doubt that, but there is a right way and a wrong way, my friend. You gain nothing by keeping her in the dark about what is going on. She will only become more confused."

Philip glared at him but said nothing.

Oliver's words rang true, however, each time Philip contemplated telling Aurelia the full details of her father's dealings, the weight of it became unbearable.

She was already torn between her loyalty to her family and her loyalty to him. Philip feared what might happen if he added more to that burden.

"You think you know so much," he muttered, a hint of bitterness creeping into his tone.

Oliver shrugged. "I am not claiming to know everything, but I do know this: Aurelia is not someone you can keep in the shadows. She is smart, Philip. She will unearth the truth one way or another."

"Have you appointed yourself as her savior?" Philip shot back, a hint of jealousy in his voice.

Oliver shook his head. "Do not be ridiculous. I am not here to swoop in and save anyone. I am just pointing out the obvious. The more you push her away, the more you risk losing her. And, from what I have witnessed thus far, you care more deeply for her than you are willing to admit."

Philip clenched his jaw, resisting the urge to lash out. He hated the way Oliver could see through him, as if he was reading his thoughts.

"She is my wife," he said, his voice low and dangerous.

"And I am well aware of that," Oliver replied calmly. "Which is why I am telling you to stop letting your pride and fear get in the way. She is not going anywhere unless you give her good reason to leave."

Philip clenched his hands into fists. He wasn't used to feeling vulnerable, but the truth was the thought of losing Aurelia distressed him greatly.

"Look," Oliver continued, his tone softening. "I am not here to interfere. Whatever is going on between you two, that is your business. I just hope you see that shutting her out is not the solution."

Philip remained silent, though he was clearly pondering over his friend's words.

Oliver took another sip of tea before setting the cup down with a satisfied sigh.

"By the way, this tea is excellent," he commented, trying to lighten the mood.

Philip's lips twitched, but he didn't respond to the attempt at humor. He would never admit it, but Oliver was correct in everything he had said.

If I do not want to lose what little affection Aurelia has for me, I must change.