Page 51 of Trapped with the Beastly Duke

“Well, you are small,” Alexander teased. “But it is more that you remind me of a falcon. Powerful, strong, but easily underestimated. You are loyal, yet you need your freedom. And if you are treated well, you will return.”

Rose felt something stir within her, and she reached out and took his hand in hers. “I wish I saw myself the way you do.”

“As do I.” Alexander’s eyes met hers, his lips slightly parted.

Rose let out a yawn, covering her mouth as she did so. Alexander smiled and covered his own yawn.

It must be late.

“I should leave.” He glanced at the open door.

Rose sat up straighter. “Please, stay. I… I do not wish to be alone.”

For a moment, she worried that he would leave. Instead, he nodded. He met her eyes, glancing from the bed to the floor, and she patted the space beside her.

Alexander hesitated a moment, before lying down beside her. His wintery scent filled the air, and she felt herself relax as she breathed it in. Instinctively, she moved closer to him.

“When I was young, after a bad dream, someone would hold me until I fell back to sleep,” Rose murmured sleepily.

“I can hold you if you like,” Alexander offered in a soft voice.

“I think I would like that.”

Alexander wrapped his arms around her, and she curled into the warmth. She closed her eyes, feeling his strong body against her, and fell asleep.

When she woke up in the morning, she was confused by the heaviness around her. Alexander’s arms engulfed her, and the warmth of him against her back seemed to calm her. His breath tickled the back of her neck, the sound deep and low.

She felt something stir within her. Hope.Her stomach growled.

Hope, or perhaps hunger?

She moved, trying not to wake him up as she extricated herself from his arms. His eyes opened, and he smiled at her.

“Are you sneaking away,” he asked, his voice thick with sleep, “like some thief in the night?”

“Well, I am a poor thief if I am sneaking out of my own bedchamber?” Rose smiled at him. “I was simply hungry and did not wish to wake you. You seemed so peaceful.”

Alexander propped himself up on his elbow. His hair was mussed from sleep, and she resisted the urge to tuck a stray lock back into place.

“That is most considerate of you.” Alexander’s stomach growled, and Rose laughed. “It seems we both need to eat. I shall dress and ask the servants to prepare breakfast.”

Rose nodded, watching as he rose from the bed and strode towards the door, grabbing his sword as he did so. He hesitated and looked back at her, as though he might say something.

Rose raised a questioning eyebrow.

“I shall see you at breakfast,” Alexander said after a moment and then left.

Rose stared after him, replaying what happened the night before. It seemed almost like a dream, and yet it was real.

He stayed with me all night.

Rose smiled but felt a swirl of nerves within her.

Did he stay only because I asked, or did he really want to?

She frowned, trying to puzzle out the maelstrom of feelings within her. She barely noticed as Abigail entered the room andhelped her dress. Her thoughts were full of Alexander. His scent. His comforting presence. How kind he was when he woke her up. How nice it had been to talk to him.

I want more nights like that. And days. I did not know I could feel so cherished.