Page 42 of Trapped with the Beastly Duke

He studied her face, trying to find some weakness in her resolve. She held firm.

Sighing, Alexander said, “I agree to your terms.”

Rose nodded with satisfaction. “Excellent. Have you already been to the stables?”

He shook his head. “No, not yet.”

“Good, then there will be no need to tell the grooms that you are not going to London, after all.” Rose tilted her head to the side. “I am assuming you are not going to depart tomorrow?”

Alexander felt himself flush. “No, I shall remain at the castle.”

“Very well. In that case, let us return to the castle and dine together.” Rose paused, looking for a moment as though she might take his arm.

Alexander froze, but she did not move any closer to him. Instead, they walked side by side in silence. It was not quite a companionable silence, but nor was it the oppressive quiet that had dogged their marriage thus far.

As they approached the castle, Alexander glanced at Rose. He took in her face in the twilight. Her eyes and jaw still held that same fierce determination. The corners of her mouth were upturned, not quite a smile. She radiated satisfaction.

I married a warrior.

He found that the thought was not unappealing.

Chapter Fifteen

Transformations

Rose took her seat at the now-empty table as Alexander summoned a servant and asked for food to be brought to them. Her righteous anger had faded, leaving a giddy exhilaration in its place.

I cannot believe I did that.

She glanced at Alexander, only to find that he was watching her. His face was full of concentration, as though she were a riddle he was trying to solve. Their eyes met, and she flushed, but she did not look away.

“You look as though you are puzzling over some great question.” Rose meant her voice to sound light, teasing, but the words came out earnest and curious.

Alexander nodded unselfconsciously. “You have surprised me. I cannot recall the last time someone spoke to me that way. I had not expected such behavior from you.”

“In truth, I would not have expected it from myself either.” Rose hesitated. “But I do not regret my outburst.”

“Nor should you.” Alexander’s lips quirked up. “You spoke with honesty, conviction. And you were not mistaken.”

“Thank you.” Rose found that she meant it.

“I shall write to Mr. Black tomorrow and inform him of our intentions. We shall need to discuss staffing arrangements, of course. And arrange to have various things brought up from London.” Alexander paused as a servant laid a plate in front of him. “I shall tell Mother that we plan to live here permanently.”

“I am sure she will be most pleased.” Rose smiled at the servant in thanks. “Will you speak to her this evening?”

Alexander nodded. “Once we have dined, I shall seek her out.”

The sound of cutlery on china filled the room as Alexander and Rose tucked in their meal.

“Did you mean what you said earlier?” Alexander’s voice broke the silence.

Rose tilted her head in confusion. “I said a lot of things. Could you perhaps be more specific?”

“That you could see the potential of the estate,” Alexander clarified, gesturing vaguely around them with his fork.

“Oh. Yes, I did. Well, I do.” Rose smiled. “It is as if the place is hibernating, and all it needs is to be woken up.”

Alexander raised an eyebrow. “And how do you propose to do that?”