Page 25 of Trapped with the Beastly Duke

“I shall retire to my rooms. Please tell Mrs. Thomas that I will take my evening meal in my study.” He inclined his head towards her. “I wish you a good evening.”

With that, he turned around and strode up the stairs and then into his study.

The hardest part was over. All that was left was to avoid his wife as much as possible and to focus on his work.

Now, to get through the rest of your life.

He wished the thought did not seem like such a daunting prospect.

Chapter Nine

Loneliness At Last

Rose was so absorbed in her book that she barely noticed where she was going until she collided with something hard, and warm.

“Ooof.” She stumbled and dropped her book. In her haste to retrieve it, she collided once more with the person, losing her balance completely.

Strong arms caught her, steadying her before she could fall. The scent of the first frost of winter washed over her, and she looked up to see the Duke.

He let her go, moving away from her so quickly that it was as though he’d been burned. Rose felt a stab of pain in her chest but could not understand why.

“Are you hurt?” He cocked his head, his words at odds with the neutral expression on his face.

“Oh… I, erm, no.” She felt her cheeks redden and forced herself not to fidget or look away from him. “I did not expect tosee you, Your Gra—I mean, Alexander. I thought you were still in the North.”

Alexander’s face could have been carved from stone. “I returned early. Did Mr. Black not notify you?”

Rose racked her brains, trying to remember.

I do not want the man to be punished.

“Oh, yes, I remember now. It is my own fault, I mixed up the dates in my mind.”

Silence stretched between them, and Rose tried to remember the last time she had seen the Duke. It had been nearly two months since their wedding, and she had scarcely seen him more than a handful of times.

I think we last spoke perhaps a fortnight ago?

“Are you well?” the Duke blurted out.

“Yes,” Rose answered without thinking. “And yourself?”

“Yes.” The Duke noticed the book on the floor and stooped to pick it up, a frown on his face.

Rose felt panic rise in her chest.

Oh God, please, do not let it be damaged.

She held her breath, cursing herself for not being more careful. She had seen a servant break a vase a month before, and the fury on the Duke’s face had been frightening.

“You enjoy reading?” The Duke’s question caught her by surprise.

“Pardon?”

“Do you enjoy reading?” The Duke cocked his head.

“Oh, erm, yes. I have always loved books and learning about new things.” Rose flushed, wondering how he would react to this information.

Is the Duke a man who thinks that reading and learning are not suitable for a lady?