Page 71 of Trapped with the Beastly Duke

“But Father’s bad investments… If I did not make a good match, what hope was there for my sisters?” Rose bit her lip.

“There is truth in that, but I never wanted for you to give up your happiness.” Lady Cotswalts smiled sadly. “You are wonderful just the way you are. Staying with you and the Duke, I do not remember seeing you like this. So happy and so… well, so yourself. I had forgotten.”

“In truth, these last few weeks, I have felt more like myself than I have in years. I had not realized just how much of myself I had lost, and I feel like I am finally reconnecting with the Rose I was meant to be.” Rose smiled, even as her chest tightened at the thought of Alexander and his sudden coldness.

“But why do you seem so troubled?” Lady Cotswalts cocked her head. “Surely it can only be a blessing that you arediscovering yourself. I am only sorry that my persistence has kept you from finding your true self for so long.”

Rose grasped her mother’s hands. “You do not need to apologize, but I find it brings me some peace. Thank you.”

“It is nothing, and no less than you deserve. But tell me, what is it that troubles you so?” Lady Cotswalts gently stroked her daughter’s hair in a way she had oft done when Rose was a child and in need of comfort.

“I worry that perhaps Alexander… does not want me,” Rose blurted out.

“And what has given you cause to think this?” Her mother raised an eyebrow. “Has the Duke said this to you?”

Rose took a steadying breath and began to recount to her mother all that had transpired between her and Alexander. How he had seemed to be warming up to her. How the last few weeks, it felt like there had been hope and renewed joy between them.

“And then last night, it was as if someone had erased these last few weeks. Gone was the warm and caring man I had come to know, and instead, I found myself with a cold, distant stone. It is as though he no longer wants me. Or cares for me at all.”

Lady Cotswalts looked thoughtful. “Perhaps the message he received was particularly distressing? Or… Well, when did this start?”

“I am not sure. I only caught sight of him leaving with his friend, the Duke of Glassley, as I ended my dance with Lord Verimoor.” Rose shuddered. “I confess, while I may not have chosen this life, I will be eternally grateful that I was spared from becoming Lord Verimoor’s wife. I am surprised his ego could fit through the ballroom door.”

“Rose!” Lady Cotswalts laughed, even as an odd look flashed across her face, and she shook her head. “Goodness, I had forgotten what a temper you could have. It is rather a refreshing reminder.”

Rose smiled at her mother, though her brief relief was eclipsed by the thought of Alexander turning away from her once more. “I wish I could be angry with Alexander, and I suppose I am. But I am also just confused and hurt. I do not understand why he is acting this way.”

“Well, it may be that seeing you dancing with Lord Verimoor has unearthed some unpleasant and unexpected feelings within your good Duke.” Lady Cotswalts tapped a finger against her lips thoughtfully.

Rose’s eyes widened, and she snorted. “Are you suggesting that Alexander was jealous of Lord Verimoor?”

“Perhaps.” Lady Cotswalts sighed. “Men are rather odd creatures. And jealousy can make them behave in truly ridiculous ways.”

“But there is nothing to be jealous of. Alexander is ten times—no, one hundred times the man Lord Verimoor is.” Rose shook her head. “Besides, if he was jealous, why did he push me away? It feels as though he is trying to force me into the arms of another man.”

“I cannot say for certain, and in truth, I would not want to guess.” Lady Cotswalts gave her a kind look. “But what he is or what he was feeling matters little, at this point.”

Rose raised an eyebrow. “I do not understand.”

“Rose, I have just heard you tell your sister how all of your life, you have put others above yourself. And now, you speak to me about your husband and worry about what he could be feeling. Yet, you have failed to ask a vitally important question.”

“And what would that be?” Rose did her best not to sound petulant.

“You told your sister that you have fallen in love with the Duke. Is this true?” Lady Cotswalts asked somberly.

Rose swallowed and nodded. “It is. I love him.”

“Then the question is, knowing that you love him, what do you want?” Lady Cotswalts took each of her daughter’s hands in her own and squeezed them lightly. “This is your life, my girl, no one else’s. It is up to you to pursue your own happiness. And that starts with understanding what you want, and fighting for it.”

Rose considered her mother’s words for a moment.

What do I want?

The answer came a moment later, crystal clear.

Alexander.She loved him, and she wanted him. She wanted a life with him. A future.A family.

Heat rushed to her cheeks as she turned to her mother and asked, “Do you know where Alexander is now?”