Page 60 of Trapped with the Beastly Duke

“See that you find him. And bring him to the magistrates when you do.”

“We will.”

The guards set off after the murderer.

Alexander turned around. He wanted to go after them, to hunt down the man who had killed his father, but he had a promise to keep. And he did not intend to break it.

I am going to a ball.

Why did the thought of chasing down an armed, dangerous murderer seem less terrifying than an evening with the ton.

Chapter Twenty-One

The Ball Is Here

As Rose sat across from Alexander in the carriage, she noticed a stiffness in him. His shoulders were squared, as if readying himself for a fight, and his honey-colored eyes were distant.

“You seem preoccupied. Is it tonight that troubles you or something else?” Rose tilted her head.

Alexander grimaced. “It is a little of both. Something happened while I was in town, but I do not wish to trouble you with it. In fact, that is the reason I was delayed this evening.”

Rose frowned. “Perhaps I wish to be troubled.”

Alexander shook his head, his smile tight. “I would rather not discuss it. There is too much I do not know, and I find that it only adds to my nerves.”

“Your nerves?”

“I am not sure that this was a prudent idea. The last ball I went to… well, it was somewhat of a disaster.” Alexander tuggedat his collar. “You must remember how they reacted when I entered.”

Rose nodded. “I do. And they shall probably react similarly when we arrive. But that does not mean we should not attend. Besides, not everything that came out of that night was so awful.”

Alexander smiled, his eyes soft. “That is true.”

The carriage rolled to a stop, and Rose took his hand in her own. “It is time.”

Alexander swallowed, and she thought that he looked as though he were heading to the gallows. She resisted laughing and instead squeezed his hand as they made their way into the ballroom.

“His Grace the Duke of Emberly, and her Grace the Duchess of Emberly,” the master of ceremonies boomed.

There were gasps from all around them. In the distance, the sound of glass shattering cut through the whispers. Servants darted forward, desperate to clean up the mess but unable to get through the crowd, which seemed somehow frozen in place. Rose felt Alexander stiffen beside her.

Rose surveyed the room, thinking back to the list she had made with her mother and Jane the day before.

Rose had frowned at the guest list laid out on the table in front of her as she said, “Well, Miss Carstairs must be within earshot. The woman loves to gossip, and we can use that to our advantage.”

She had been in the drawing room. Sitting beside her was her middle sister, Jane, whilst her youngest sister Emily sat in the window seat, staring out at the gardens. Lady Cotswalts was pacing as she listened to their plans.

“But Miss Carstairs likes tawdry, sensational gossip. That is hardly going to help you and the Duke.” Jane frowned, drumming her hands on the edge of the table. “Saying thatthe Duke isn’t some malevolent villain is hardly an interesting tidbit.”

Rose sighed. “I know. But in this instance, you must also remember that there is power in silence. If Miss Carstairs has nothing interesting to report, that in and of itself will be a triumph.”

Jane’s eyes widened.

Lady Cotswalts nodded approvingly. She pursed her lips thoughtfully and then said, “Though we need to make sure we spread some positive rumors as well.”

“I am aware.” Rose gestured to the list before her. “This is why I have tried to gather a list of attendees. We can assume that some will not attend, but from what the Dowager Duchess has told us, it is likely that most of the ton will be in attendance.”

She paused, running a finger over the paper before her. Jane peered over her shoulder, while their mother tapped her chin in thought. Emily was humming to herself as she looked out the window.