Page 84 of Trapped with the Beastly Duke

“What?”

“Yes, that was my doing. I sent my men to retrieve the former Duke’s seal and kill him and his heirs.” Lord Verimoor scowled. “But the damned fools failed.”

Rose’s head swam. “You killed his father?”

“My men did, yes.” Lord Verimoor smiled.

“Why? I’d only ever heard the former Duke was a most generous and benevolent man. What ill could you wish upon him?” Rose shook her head.

“Ahh, how naïve you women are. I wished no ill upon them. I simply wanted more than I had.” Lord Verimoor smoothed back his hair again and lounged in his seat. “You see, I always knew I was special.”

Rose did not dare say anything. She did not trust herself to speak. She felt numb.

Alexander. Oh God, Alexander.

“You know I am the only son? I am the youngest in my family, yet the only boy. Before me, my mother birthed seven daughters.Seven. Can you imagine?” Lord Verimoor shook his head. “And, of course, when I was born, my parents wept with relief.”

“I’m sure they did,” Rose drawled, unable to stop herself.

Lord Verimoor pursed his lips. “And, of course, I soon came to understand my place in the world. My sisters, everyone in my life, all of them doted on me. But it was a hapless servant who taught me the true power I held.”

“What do you mean?” Rose was not sure she wanted to know the answer, but talking seemed to keep him at bay.

“Well, when I was young, I made a foolish mistake and broke a priceless family heirloom. I knew my father would be furious. Ihad a servant who cared for me, and I confessed to her. She told me that with a face like mine, no one would ever think ill of me.”

He laughed. “Indeed, she herself did not believe I could have done such a thing. So I blamed it on the stable boy. And then I decided to see just what my pretty face could accomplish.” He rubbed his hands together in glee. “You see, people are only too willing to believe the best of a pretty face. They think beauty is the same as morality.”

“Not all of us think this way,” Rose murmured.

“No, indeed. You and I… we know the truth of the world.” Lord Verimoor laughed. “You know, you are the only woman who has ever told me no? And more than once, mind you.”

Rose scowled. “I can continue to tell you no. You seem to rather enjoy it.”

Lord Verimoor slapped his hands on his thighs and guffawed in delight. “You see, this is why I knew I had to have you. There is something special about you. You… You are a challenge. And I do love a challenge.”

“Then why did you not stop me from marrying the Duke?” Rose asked as she risked a glance out the window, hoping to see where he was taking her.

Not that escape will be possible with my hands and feet bound as they are.

“I could not. Your scandal made you a most unwelcome prospect.” Lord Verimoor shrugged. “I was furious, of course. The damned man had bested me yet again, but I was wrong. His marrying you was the best thing I could have hoped for.”

“I do not understand.” Rose frowned.

“You see, while the Duke was a recluse, there was no way I could possibly get my man close enough to him to do him harm. Yet, you, you beautiful gift…” Lord Verimoor stroked her face. “You got the fool to open up his castle. All I had to do was waitand watch. After all, what were a few more months, when I have been waiting nearly eight years?”

Rose felt sick. Her stomach churned.

It is my fault that Alexander is dead. Oh God, I shall never forgive myself.

“And then I saw you at the ball. Saw you withhim. And I knew I had to have you.” Lord Verimoor gestured around them. “It was as though God himself was giving me a sign. So, I made the arrangements, and set my plan in motion. My man has been following your dearlatehusband for days.” The words were like a knife to Rose’s heart. “Learning his habits, his weaknesses. And on the day of the ball, I gave him instructions. He was to kill the Duke the next day.”

“Why wait?” Rose asked, disgusted.

“I did not want to risk you coming to harm. I needed to ensure you were not at Emberly Castle when the Duke was killed.” Lord Verimoor smiled. “You see, my man is a simple creature. He likes violence and rather doesn’t discriminate. He had told me that you often walked in the park on Thursdays. And even if you had not journeyed there today, I had plans in place to lure you out of the castle.”

“You are a monster.” Rose was horrified.

“No, I am just one of the few men in this world who is willing to do what needs to be done. Some of us were not born dukes. Why should someone like him have such riches and power?” Lord Verimoor’s face was contorted with rage. “It should be mine. He has done nothing with them. Done nothing to earn them. It should be me.”