Page 58 of Her Rogue of a Duke

That might have hurt most of all.

“You insufferable chit,” Gerard seethed, glaring at her beneath dark eyes, his voice low and dangerous. “I’ll silence you for good.”

She let out a scornful laugh. “Ah, yes, display your valor,” she goaded him. “Strike a defenseless woman. It is all you are good for anyway!”

With a furious roar, he lifted his hand, ready to strike.

Francesca closed her eyes and braced for the slap. She was not going to cower in front of this man. She knew this would hurt, but she was no coward, unlike Gerard.

Yet, a few moments passed and the blow never landed. Instead, she heard a thump and a shout of surprise.

Opening her eyes, Francesca let out a shocked gasp.

Joshua stood before her and Gerard, his fist still poised in the air. Before she could say another word, he slammed his fist into Gerard’s temple, sending the man spiraling to the floor. He hit his head and was knocked unconscious.

Francesca’s gaze frantically darted between the Duke and her cousin. “Joshua!” she exclaimed. “What…?”

“Find a rope,” Joshua commanded. “Something to bind him. He will not stay down for long.”

Blinking, it took Francesca a moment to fully comprehend his words. When they finally sank in, she darted from the entrance hall to the cellar, where she knew she would find a rope. There was a coil hanging on the wall and she snatched it and hurried back.

Reaching Joshua, she handed him the rope and he immediately went about tying Gerard's limbs, ensuring he would not move when he inevitably regained consciousness.

Once her cousin was secure, Francesca let out a long breath of relief. It was only then that she was able to fully take in Joshua’s ragged state. He was covered in dirt and grime, with blood matted in his hair. He was nearly doubled over, barely standingstraight with his hand clutching his side and his face contorted in exhaustion.

“What in good heavens happened to you, Your Grace?” she asked, rushing to his side and offering her arm for support.

Joshua seemed lost in his thoughts. His eyes fixed on hers abruptly with an intensity that spoke of deep realization, and then he muttered, “Even a wilting flower...”

Francesca's eyes widened as she instinctively finished the sentence, “…can still reach the sun.”

He suddenly clasped her within his embrace, enfolding her tenderly in his arms. Francesca let out a yelp, but then slipped her arms around him, returning his embrace.

“All these years,” he murmured, his voice choked with emotion. “I have been looking for you for all these years. Why did you never reveal yourself? Why did you keep your identity hidden for so long?”

Francesca pulled back coyly so she could look up into his eyes.

“I… I had always planned to tell you,” she confessed, “years ago, when I was younger. I even held affection for you then. But you were so dismissive, so distant. When I had finally built up the courage to speak the truth, you let slip about the woman who had saved you. And you painted her in such idealistic strokes. I could never see myself living up to that image you cherished, soI remained silent. I did not see any point in revealing the truth and disappointing you…”

Joshua reached up and tenderly cupped her face in his hands, his thumbs gently tracing her cheeks. “You foolish woman. I was hoping it was you,” he whispered. “I prayed with all my heart that it was you…”

Francesca slipped her hands up his chest and clutched the buttons of his muddied shirt. “It was always me,” she murmured with a broken smile.

“I love you,” he whispered, touching his forehead against hers. “I love you, Francesca, with everything I am.”

Her eyes widened and her lips parted at the sincerity of his declaration. “I… I love you too,” she stammered. “Joshua, I…”

Before she could finish, Joshua’s lips met hers in a fervent, insatiable kiss. She clung to him, her desperation rising to meet his own.

Their kiss felt as though it sealed a newfound understanding and acceptance, their hearts finally united after so long had been spent silently yearning over each other.

But the blissful moment was abruptly shattered by Gerard's groan. Francesca and Joshua turned to see him regaining consciousness. His eyes fluttered open as he tried to sit up.When he realized that his hands and feet were tied, his eyes widened and he began to struggle against his bindings.

“Let me go, you imbeciles!” he demanded. “Release me right this moment!”

Joshua shook his head. “I am afraid that is out of the question, old boy.”

“This is not over,” Gerard hissed venomously, just as a commotion of screeching wheels and heavy boots descended upon them from outside. At the sounds, his expression shifted to one of smug satisfaction. “Ah, the constables. Right on time.”