Page 14 of Trapped with the Beastly Duke

“Do you know the purpose of his visit?”

Abigail shook her head. “I am unsure, Miss. All I was told was that he wished to speak to you.”

Rose felt the world spin and would have fallen if Abigail had not caught her. “The Duke wishes to speak to me?”

Abigail nodded. “Indeed, he does. He is in the drawing room, waiting for you, and Her Ladyship instructed me to make you ready in haste.”

“Of course.”

Rose’s heart raced, but she forced herself to appear calm.

Presentation is everything.

“Help me dress.” Rose gestured to an elegant but simple gown.

It will bring out my eyes. I recall reading somewhere that men liked pretty eyes.

“I must be most presentable to His Grace.” Rose tried to keep her voice even.

“Indeed.” Abigail nodded, helping her out of her nightdress.

Rose’s mind whirled. “Pray, Abigail, tell me everything you know of the Duke. I know servants oft hear what others do not.”

Knowledge is power. I must understand what he wants, what kind of man he is, if I am to take control.

Abigail paled. “Everything? Miss Pembleton, I fear much of what I have heard would be quite distressing to any young lady.”

Rose held her maid’s gaze. “Everything. And as quickly as you can. I know they say he killed his own father, but do they say why?”

Abigail swallowed. “Some say it was for the title and power alone. Others say they fought over a woman. Some say it was just because he enjoys killing. They say even as a young lad, the Duke took great pleasure in cruelty and violence.”

Rose listened as Abigail hastily detailed every rumor she had ever heard about the Duke of Emberly. The stories ranged from the mundane to the fantastic. Some claimed he was a changeling, a human child swapped for a fairy infant. Some claimed he had eaten his own twin before they were born, coming into the world holding the other babe’s arm.

There was a rumor that he kept his family imprisoned in Emberly Castle while he enjoyed the freedom of London. Another that he only ate raw red meat. Another person claimed that the man was prone to fits of violent rage and that he locked his family away from him for fear he would one day kill them, too.

Throughout each story, there was the thread of violence and the consensus that his malevolence was unleashed the night the previous Duke of Emberly died. No one could recall much of the current Duke before the events of that night, and even fewer had seen him in the eight years since.

As Abigail recounted each salacious rumor, Rose found herself thinking about her mother’s words.

Uncontrolled rumors quickly control us.

Rose could see the truth in those words. The Duke, for whatever reason, had allowed eight years’ worth of rumors to spread and grow. She would not allow the same to happen to her.

Once she was ready, Rose took a steadying look at herself in the mirror. She looked pretty but unassuming. She would haveliked more time to prepare, but already a half hour had passed. The Duke’s cold eyes flashed in her mind, and she flinched.

I do not want to anger him.

She made her way to the drawing room, Abigail following close behind her. The house seemed unnaturally quiet, and as Rose opened the door, she tried to ignore the sense of dread that washed over her.

The Duke stood before her, his arms folded behind his back. His dark hair was swept away from his face. He seemed to dominate every part of the room, his height somehow making the normally spacious area seem small and crowded.

His face was an impassive mask. In the light of day, his eyes seemed the color of amber. Yet, there was no warmth in their depths.

“Miss Pembleton.” The Duke inclined his head towards her.

Rose curtsied in response. “Your Grace. Pray, forgive me. I did not mean to keep you waiting so long. I was not expecting your visit.”

“There is nothing to forgive.” The Duke’s face remained stony, cold, and distant. “I did not give you advance notice of my visit. It is therefore only to be expected that you may not be ready to receive a caller. I must apologize for not giving you prior notice, as would have been proper.”