Page 36 of Trapped with the Beastly Duke

In truth, it had taken him several hours to create this little adventure for his brother and sisters. But he did not say this, he simply nodded and continued walking.

“You must love them a great deal to go through such effort,” Rose noted softly.

Alexander nodded. “I do.”

“Why do you do it?” she asked.

Alexander turned to her, expecting to see judgment in her eyes. He stiffened. Yet, when their eyes met, all he could see was genuine curiosity.

No, that is not right. This is… This is something else. She wants to understand.

“In truth, I am not the one who came up with the game. My father used to create such things for Olivia and myself, especially when we were younger.” He swallowed and turned away from her. “They are some of my fondest memories, and I wanted Marie, Natalie, and Peter to experience that joy.”

“They must have been very young when he…” Rose trailed off, the word hanging in the air between them.

When he died.

Alexander shook his head as if to clear his thoughts, and answered without turning around, “Marie was only two. The twins were infants. Born a few months before. They will never know him. This felt like a way to keep some part of him alive.”

Alexander felt a lump rise in his throat and forced it down.

She will think I am weak.

Something soft and warm touched his forearm. He glanced down to see Rose’s delicate hand on his skin, and then their eyes met. Where he expected pity and judgment, there was none. All he saw was genuine sadness and kindness.

“Your father sounds like a wonderful man,” she murmured.

“He was.” Alexander’s throat tightened.

“I would have loved to meet him,” Rose said sadly. “I wonder if he would have approved of me.”

Alexander smiled. “I have no doubt that he would have given you his most sincere and warmest approval.”

Rose returned his smile.

Alexander realized that she was still holding his arm. The warmth of her touch seemed to soothe something inside him. He searched her face, trying to find some sign of the revulsion he was sure she must feel. Yet, there was nothing.

All he saw was Rose. Her kind face, the smile that was so ready to appear that it made his heart clench in his chest. There was nothing but warmth and compassion. At that moment, the silence that stretched out between them felt fragile and innocent. As though something was beginning.

Something warm and curious stirred within him, tinged with confusion and disbelief.

What is happening?

“That is the first time I have heard you speak of your father. You must have cared for him deeply.” Rose’s voice was gentle but tentative, as though she were puzzling something out.

Alexander stiffened, the hairs on the back of his neck standing on end. “I do not speak of him often.”

It is too painful.

The connection between them seemed to stretch, becoming brittle and sharp. Alexander felt something coil within him. He held her gaze and knew what her next words would be before she said them.

Do not ask me.

“What happened the night your father died?”

Those seven words broke the silence, and the fragile bond between them shattered.

Chapter Thirteen