Page 81 of Trapped with the Beastly Duke

“And what about Rose?”

“He had her. She spat in his face. Tried to run.” Tears welled up in the maid’s eyes.

“And did she get away?” Alexander felt a prickle of hope swell in his chest.

She spat in someone’s face. Oh, my Rose.

The sight of the maid shaking her head wretchedly dashed his hope. “She might have, but the one who had me let me go tocatch her. She told me to run, to find you. I did not want to leave her.”

“Of course, you did not.” Olivia clasped the maid’s hands reassuringly. “You did the right thing. Without you, we would have been none the wiser of Rose’s… situation.”

“Who has her?” Alexander asked, fearing that he knew the answer even as the question escaped his lips.

Something to grant him power that would require your death… It cannot be.

The maid hesitated. She opened her mouth, but no words came out.

“Damn it, tell me! Who has my wife?!” Alexander roared.

The maid flinched, all color draining from her face. “Lord Verimoor.”

Alexander staggered back. Her words confirmed what he had already known. It was happening again. The world around him seemed to spin, and he pressed a hand against the wall, barely aware of anything else.

Lord Verimoor.

“He said that he wished to marry her. That in a few days, she would be his, and that her husband… Well, he would be dead.” Abigail glanced at him, shaking violently.

Alexander let out a bitter laugh. “Well, I am not dead. And his thug has been apprehended.”

Olivia gasped and clamped a hand over her mouth. Before she could say anything, a knock sounded at the door. Without waiting for an answer, Jane walked in. Alexander barely spared her a glance.

He has Rose. Rose. I should never have let her out of my sight. Oh, curse me for being a fool.

He was shaking. The smell of blood filled his nostrils. Screams rang loud in his head.

There were voices. Olivia and Jane were speaking. Alexander shook, his fists clenched. Images of Rose and Lord Verimoor swam before him.

No.

“Alexander! Alexander!” Olivia’s voice seemed distant. “Are you listening to me? We must do something!”

“Your Grace!” Jane bellowed, and everyone turned towards her, their jaws slack.

Alexander stared into her face. Her eyes were full of the same fury that Rose’s had held the night before. The same brave determination. He swallowed.

“Your sister tells me that some madman has kidnapped my sister,your wife.” Jane held his gaze, her entire body shaking. “Is this true?”

Alexander nodded. Not trusting himself to speak.

“Then why are you doing nothing? My sister has spoken of your kind heart and gentle nature. Yet, the world tells me you are a violent brute.” Jane took a deep breath. “Rose told me the world is wrong. She said that you are brave and loyal.”

“My brother is no killer.” Olivia looked indignant, but Alexander motioned for her to stay calm.

“I do not care if he is a killer or not. He is my sister’s husband, and he is standing here, doing nothing while she is being taken to God knows where.” Jane’s fury warred with her fear.

Alexander shook his head. He felt bile rise in his throat. His mind felt foggy. Sluggish and unclear.

Rose. Rose. Oh God, what have I let happen to you?