Page 41 of Trapped with the Beastly Duke

She is right. Damn it, but she is right.

“Of course, you do not.” Rose said, a mix of sadness and determination in her words that seemed to cut right through his soul. “You have barely spoken more than a few sentences to me. You have spent months avoiding me, and then, today, you showed me a different side of you. It may have only been a moment, but that was enough. Your sister insists there is more to you. I see the love your family has for you and that you clearly have for them. I will not return to our life in London.”

“What are you saying?” Alexander frowned.

What does she want?

“I have said you do not have to return with me. You may remain at the castle as long as you wish.”

Rose shook her head. “I do not wish to return to the silence. The the coldness and emptiness. Ours is a marriage in name only, but does that mean we are to remain strangers for the next thirty or forty years?”

Alexander swallowed. “What are you proposing?”

“I wish to get to know you. And for you to get to know me.” Rose’s eyes were soft, full of an earnestness that seemed to break through his defenses.

“Why?” he whispered without thinking. “Why would you wish to know me?”

Rose tilted her head, frustration etched on her face. “Because I cannot bear this any longer. We are not only man and wife but Duke and Duchess.”

Alexander was baffled. “I do not understand.”

“I have only been at Emberly Castle a few days, and already I can see how much potential there is here.” Rose looked around the estate, her eyes full of wonder. “Your sister spoke of what the gardens once were. Your mother mentioned at least a half dozensimple repairs that are needed. This place is our home now. And a duke and duchess have a duty to their estate. How am I to perform that duty without the aid of a duke? We have a chance to revitalize Emberly, to become a team.”

“And you need to get to know me to become a good duchess?” Alexander was nonplussed.

“How else am I to understand your vision for the future? And how else are we to overcome the awkwardness between us?” Rose threw her hands up in frustration. “I am not asking you to love me, Alexander. I am simply asking for the chance for us to get to know each other. To be more than strangers. Is that so very unreasonable?”

“And how do you propose we do that?” Alexander cocked his head.

What potential does she see?

“Firstly, we should reside at the castle with your family. There is plenty of space for all of us, and I see how your family longs for your company. Besides, a duke should be in his duchy for the majority of the time.” Her tone made clear this was not something she was willing to negotiate.

Alexander only just stopped his jaw from dropping. “You expect us to remain here, permanently.”

“Yes. I see no reason we should not live here.” Rose’s eyes held a challenge.

He felt some part of him recoil—though if it was in anger or fear, he could not tell.

Live at the castle. Walk the halls every day.

His heart began to race, yet he could not argue with Rose. He had no logical reason not to live at the castle.

If Rose had insisted that his family could not remain in the castle with them, that would be an entirely different matter. But that was not the case.

She expects them to stay, welcomes their presence.

He nodded, feeling as though he was walking to the gallows. “Fine. We shall move to the castle. That was your first proposal. I believe you have more to share?”

“Indeed. We will eat supper together every night. And take walks about the grounds, just the two of us.” Rose held his gaze, and Alexander could see the hope in her eyes.

His heart twisted, and he swallowed. “My family will sup with us.”

“Yes, unless they are away. And if they are away, I still expectusto dine together.” Rose smiled. “Unless, of course, neither of us is in the castle. Though I expect you to do most of your work from the estate—as is befitting of your station.”

Alexander pondered her words.

I had not expected such strength from her, nor such conviction.