Page 57 of Trapped with the Beastly Duke

Rose pursed her lips. “The rumors will not vanish on their own.”

“I do not expect them to.” Alexander frowned. “What do I care what they say about me? It matters little.”

“Yet, it is not just you whom such things affect.” Rose did her best to keep her voice gentle. “It affects your family, too.”

Alexander sighed. “As more people see my family, they shall be given the chance to shine.”

“It will be easier for them to do so if you give people a reason to doubt the rumors.” Rose shook her head. “Some of the things people say about you are most ridiculous. But if you refuse to rejoin Society, then even the most ludicrous of stories will catch the imagination of the ton.”

Alexander frowned. “Then what am I to do? You saw the way they looked at me the night we met—you heard the whispers.”

“I did. And I saw how their curiosity was sated at our wedding.”

“There was plenty of whispering and gossiping there.”

“Perhaps we should start small, then.” Rose pursed her lips thoughtfully. “Throwing a ball at Emberly Castle at this point would be too much spectacle. Our wedding was a spectacle, and while that was appropriate, what we need now is… something more ordinary.”

“Ordinary?” Alexander sounded doubtful. “What exactly are you proposing?”

“That we attend the Marquess’s ball. Together.”

“I do not think it is a good idea.”

“Please, Alexander.” Rose met his gaze, determination welling up in her chest.

I will not let these people continue to see you as a monster. Not when I know the truth now.

“Let us try it. It is just one ball. Let me use everything my mother has taught me and show the ton that the rumors about you are nothing more than childish fancy.”

Alexander bit his lip. “And if you cannot do this?”

“If I am unsuccessful, I shall never ask you to go to another ball again,” Rose relented. “But I do not think it will come to that. It is about presentation. The ton thinks you are some monster, driven by demonic fury. So, we must show them a man.”

Alexander sighed. “I do not think this will work. But if it is important to you, we shall go to the ball.”

“Wonderful.” Rose beamed at him. “It will be excellent, just you wait.”

Alexander looked doubtful. “I hope you are right. Let us speak of something else. Tell me about your plans for the gardens.”

Rose began to tell him about her plans for the grounds and how she had found a few living trees in the orangery. “And I think with some careful planning and attention, we should be able to save them. As they are not young, if we are very lucky, we shall see them bloom within a year.”

“You truly are a marvel.” Alexander smiled at her, and an odd look crossed his face. “I cannot believe I am so fortunate.”

Rose blushed but said nothing. She was going to show the world thatshewas the fortunate one. She would not let the tonbelieve the stories about Alexander. One way or another, she was going to free Alexander and herself.

There will be no “Beast” of Emberly Castle.

Chapter Twenty

The Flower Shop

On the morning of the Marquess’s ball, Alexander had decided to make a journey to a flower shop. The idea had come to him as he had breakfasted with Rose that morning.

“One of the orange trees has sprouted new leaves.” Rose’s eyes were full of delight.

“That is wonderful news.” He smiled.

“I wish I could think of something to do with that patch of earth beside the maze. Yet, everything seems somehow wrong.” Rose frowned. “At first, I thought perhaps hydrangeas, but no. Then I wondered about planting some apple trees, but that also seemed wrong. Do you know what used to be there?”