Page 26 of Trapped with the Beastly Duke

Alexander paused as he read the title of the book in his hand. “Rob Roy.” He furrowed his brow. “My father heavily favored Scott’s work. Though I confess, I do not care for it.”

At the mention of his father, a look Rose could not quite decipher flashed across his face.

Anger? That does not seem quite right.Perhaps I should change the subject.

Before she could say anything else, Alexander said, “I hope you find the selection of titles to your satisfaction.”

Rose blinked and realized that he was referring to the books in the drawing room. In truth, she had already read all of them twice over but had been too shy to ask Mrs. Thomas to purchase more. Yet, it did not seem prudent to say this to her husband.

“Yes, there is quite the range.”

That is true, it is more than simply novels at least.

The Duke nodded but said nothing further. The air around them seemed to thicken, becoming stifling and oppressive.

“Might you return the book?” Rose asked, feeling as though she might explode.

“Pardon? Oh. Yes.” The Duke glanced down at the book in his hand, as if surprised to find it there, and hastily handed it back to her. “Of course.”

Their fingertips brushed, and he jerked his hand back. Once more, the air thickened.

“Well, I have business to attend to.” The Duke inclined his head towards her. “Good day.”

“Oh, yes, of course.”

Rose didn’t know if she was relieved or disappointed as the Duke turned away from her and walked into his study, slamming the door behind him.

It is as if he does not know how to close a door any other way.

She sighed and felt a familiar sadness wash over her.

What did you expect? He told you from the start that you are no more than an obligation to him.

She ached for companions. All her life, she had been in the company of her sisters and mother. They had shared jokes and jests, their hopes and dreams.

As she made her way through the corridor towards the drawing room, she saw one of the armed guards coming into the hall.

“Your Grace.” The man bowed to her, one hand on the pommel of his sword.

“Colonel Briggs.” Rose smiled, ignoring the discomfort at hearing her new title.

You’d think after two months, it would feel less strange.

The first time she had encountered the armed guards, she had been deeply unsettled. What kind of man needed armed guards? She didn’t dare ask the Duke and felt that asking the guards themselves would be most inappropriate.

“Tell me, how is your wife?” she asked.

She had hoped that getting to know the guards would alleviate her discomfort and make her feel less like a prisoner in her own home. It had half worked. She no longer felt uncomfortable around them, but she couldn’t help but feel trapped.

Though that may have less to do with them and more to do with the reality of my situation.

Belatedly, she realized that Colonel Briggs was speaking to her, and flushed.

“I do beg your pardon, Colonel, but would you be so kind as to repeat what you said?” Rose let her embarrassment show on her face.

The man smiled and did as she asked. “Oh, she is doing much better now. The peppermint you suggested was most effective for her stomach. I cannot thank you enough!”

“Think nothing of it. I am just relieved that it has helped!” Rose exclaimed. “I trust she is fully recovered?”