Chapter 24

Chapter Twenty-Four

P hilip sat in his study, the morning sun filtering through the window as he immersed himself in estate business, when Mr. Wimbledon appeared in the doorway.

"Your Grace, Mr. John Smith has arrived to see you," the butler announced.

"Let him in," Philip replied, straightening up in his chair.

A moment later John entered, tall and slim with a fresh face that often led others to assume he hailed from noble stock.

"Your Grace," John said, bowing slightly, his gaze steady.

Philip closed the document in front of him and rose to his feet, moving to the window behind his wingback chair. He gazed out the window, gathering his thoughts.

"Is there anything you need me to do, Your Grace?" John asked, maintaining a professional tone.

Philip turned slightly. "I want you to cease following my wife."

John blinked in surprise. "Is there a reason why, Your Grace?"

Philip recalled the discussion that had altered his perspective.

"I must say," Thomas quipped, leaning back in his chair with a playful grin on his face, "it is refreshing to see you so open with the Duchess. Who would have thought the Duke of Oakdale could be so…affectionate?"

Kenneth chuckled, nodding in agreement. "You are positively besotted, Philip. It suits you."

Philip shrugged, a smile breaking through despite his attempts at seriousness. "Perhaps I am. Aurelia is…different. I never expected to feel this way."

Thomas interjected, "Have you told her the entire truth about her father? I suspect she deserves to know."

Philip sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "No, I have not."

A sudden silence filled the room.

"Why not?" Thomas pressed, his eyebrow arched. "You should tell her, share the burden, Philip. That is what marriage is about—overcoming hardships together."

"Thomas is right," Kenneth added, leaning forward. "The new Duchess is quite smitten with you. She deserves to know everything. She is your wife now. Shielding her from the truth will only create more distance. Trust her. She will stand by you."

The words had struck Philip deeply. At that moment, he had felt a veil lift from his eyes and he understood that withholding the truth was not the path forward.

Turning back to John, he said, "I trust Her Grace. I believe she will not meet with her father."

John remained quiet, his expression uncertain.

"What is it?" Philip asked him.

"It's not my place to question your decisions, Your Grace," John said. "But I will do whatever you ask of me."

"Good. I want you to investigate Keldbrooke. Monitor his movements and report back to me," Philip instructed.

John's brow furrowed. "What do you intend to do with Lord Keldbrooke?"

Philip's lips curled into a mysterious smile. "That is something I will address in due time."

John nodded, though a trace of concern lingered in his eyes. "As you wish, Your Grace."

Philip stepped out of his study after John had left and walked onto the manor's grounds in search of his wife, feeling a sudden need to be near her. As he made his way through the winding paths of their garden he spotted her among the vibrant flowerbeds, picking flowers and placing them into a basket held by her maid.

The sight of her surrounded by bright and cheerful colors tugged at his heart. He detected a hint of sadness in her demeanor, likely due to the departure of their friends the day prior.

"Aurelia," he called, a smile breaking across his face.

She turned, her surprise evident as she blinked at him. "Philip! I did not realize you would be out so early. Is there something you need?"

"Perhaps biscuits and tea to boost my efficiency?" he replied, adopting a playful tone.

"Really? I could have Eilidh fetch some for you!" she suggested, her eyes twinkling.

Philip laughed as he stepped toward her. He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her against him. "Not quite. What I truly need is not biscuits or tea."

She furrowed her brow in curiosity. "Then tell me what you need. Whatever it is, I shall ensure the maids bring it to you."

Shaking his head, Philip leaned down slightly, his eyes dancing with mischief. "Are you certain?" he questioned, and she nodded. "I want you to come up to my study. That is what I need."

Aurelia's cheeks flushed a deep red and she buried her face against his shirt, momentarily flustered. "Philip! I am all dirty from the garden."

"I hardly mind," he said, chuckling at her embarrassment. "In fact, I find you rather charming this way."

Aurelia pulled back slightly, her expression a mix of playfulness and shock. "You cannot be serious!"

"I can and I am," he replied, his tone light again. "But I came down for a reason beyond mere jest."

"What is it?" she asked, her interest piqued, her hands pressed against his chest.

Eilidh, who had been quietly observing them from a distance, dropped the basket she had been holding, sensing the couple's need for privacy. With a slight nod of understanding she retreated, allowing them their moment.

Philip's mirth faded as he met Aurelia's eyes. "I wanted to let you know that John will no longer be following you."

"Really?" Aurelia's eyes widened with surprise. "You have called him off?"

"Yes," he confirmed, feeling relief wash over him. "I realized that having him follow you was not a sign of trust. I trust you, Aurelia. I do not wish to imply otherwise."

Aurelia's face lit up with a smile, a mix of relief and joy washing over her. "What prompted this change?"

Philip took a moment to collect his thoughts. "I reconsidered the arrangement and it no longer seemed appropriate. It was unfair of me to do that to you," he admitted.

Aurelia smiled at him. "I trust you just the same," she said in evident sincerity.

She leaned in, pressing her lips to his in a tender kiss that lingered, igniting a glow within him.

As they parted, Philip felt a rush of joy at her declaration. "It pleases me greatly to hear that. I believe that I made the right decision."

Aurelia gazed up at him, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "Is there something else do you desire?"

"Just you," he replied, his voice softening.

"You already have me," came Aurelia's reply.

Philip's heart swelled with hope. "Then let us return to my study."

"I would like that very much," Aurelia said, her smile radiant as they walked hand-in-hand to the manor.

Philip took his leave nearly two hours after their encounter as he had pressing matters to address. Once he had left, Aurelia felt it was the right moment to slip out of Oakdale Manor.

Her heart raced as she considered her plan.

On the night of the dinner party, after Beatrice had excused herself to the retiring room, Aurelia had confided in Catherine, expressing her desire to meet with her father.

"I need closure," she had said earnestly. "To achieve that I must see him."

Catherine had been supportive and had agreed to arrange a horse for Aurelia just outside the estate to avoid raising suspicion. She had also promised to send a discreet message to Lord Keldbrooke, instructing him to wait at a nearby inn. Aurelia could not have been more grateful to her friend.

The prospect of finally confronting her father filled her with a mix of apprehension and resolve.

I must do it no matter what.

Gathering her skirts, she made her way through the halls of Oakdale Manor and slipped out into the fresh air. The sun shone brightly, invigorating her spirit as she mounted the horse Catherine had arranged for her.

Aurelia had only ridden horseback a handful of times, and each time Philip had been right behind her. Now she had to do it herself.

"Hold steady now," she whispered to the horse before she kicked it slightly and they started moving.

Aurelia's heart pounded with anticipation as the familiar sight of the duchy whizzed by in a blur. She was determined to learn the truth about her father and this time no one could stop her.

Upon arriving at the inn, Aurelia dismounted and approached the door with clammy hands. She didn't know what to expect, but she reminded herself that she had come too far to give up.

The inn's atmosphere was warm and inviting but her mind was focused solely on her father. She approached the innkeeper, her voice steady. "I am here to see Mr. Godwin. Is he in?"

The innkeeper, a kindly older man, nodded and gestured toward a narrow staircase. "He has reserved a small room on the upper floor, My Lady. Just follow the hall."

With a grateful smile Aurelia made her way up the stairs, her heart racing as she approached the door. Taking a deep breath, she knocked softly.

"Come in!" came her father's voice, filled with familiarity and longing.

She opened the door and there he stood.

Lord Keldbrooke rushed forward, enveloping her in a tight embrace that took her by surprise.

"Aurelia! I have missed you dearly!" He pulled back slightly to look at her, his eyes bright but troubled. "That monster, Philip, keeping you away from me…I cannot understand it!"

Aurelia studied her father's face and registered the signs of age and stress that had crept in since their last meeting on her wedding day. His clothes were rumpled and his hair was disheveled, yet he seemed oblivious to it all.

"I have missed you too, Father," she said, her voice softening despite the urgency of their situation. "We must talk. I must know what happened between you and Lord Gabriel."

Lord Keldbrooke's expression shifted as he released her and gestured toward a chair. "Sit, sit!" he urged.

When she did he turned to her with a strange glint in his eyes.

"What did Philip tell you?" he asked, peering at her.

"What Philip told me is of no concern. What matters is what you tell me," Aurelia told him, taking his hands in hers.

"I am asking, my dear, because he has convinced you that I am the villain. But Aurelia, I swear to you, I was trying to protect you!" His voice rose, tinged with desperation.

"Cut to the chase, Father. What really happened?" Aurelia pressed, releasing his hands and folding her arms across her chest.

Lord Keldbrooke's face contorted and he became teary. "I never meant for any of this to happen. I was backed into a corner. I had no say in the matter."

"What matter? What did you do?" Aurelia demanded, her heart racing as the pieces began to fall into place.

Lord Keldbrooke's voice trembled. "It was all to keep you safe! I never wanted to hurt anyone, but the more I tried to dig out the deeper I sank. I thought if I could just hold on, things would go back to the way they were."

Aurelia opened her mouth to speak when the door to the room was suddenly thrown open, slamming against the wall with violent force.

Standing in the doorway was Philip, his expression thunderous with rage.

"Aurelia!" he exclaimed, his eyes narrowing as he took in the scene before him. "What is the meaning of this?"

"Philip!" Aurelia gasped, her heart racing as she turned to face her husband. "I can explain…"