Page 85 of Trapped with the Beastly Duke

Rose shook her head. “His wealth will not be yours. He has a brother. I am just his wife. Marrying me will not confer his title upon you.”

“Oh, I know that.” Lord Verimoor grinned wickedly. “But marrying his wife who is carrying his child almost certainly would. I would be regent until the child comes of age.”

“What? I am not with child.” Rose was horrified.

“Notyet.” Lord Verimoor’s eyes were cold. “But we shall soon remedy that. And who would question whether the child is mine or his? After all, I am a kind soul. Of course, I would take in a poor, innocent widow and her unborn child. Of course, it would need to be a boy. But no matter, I am sure I will think of something.”

“I will not let you do this. You will not get away with it.” Rose’s eyes filled with tears.

“My dear, I already have.” Lord Verimoor laughed. “Within the hour, we shall be at the inn, where I have arranged a room for us.”

Rose’s heart stopped. “A room?”

“Yes, one single room, for you and I to share.” Lord Verimoor held her gaze. “After tonight, you shall be shamed throughout the land. No one will believe a word you say. And though the scandal will merely brush me, everyone will believe that I have won your heart and stolen you in the name of true love.”

“You are despicable.” Rose shook her head. “I hate you. I will always hate you.”

“You say this now, but rest assured, you will come to love me. In time.”

“You are delusional.” Rose turned away from him.

She thought of her sisters, of her mother. Her new family at Emberly. Olivia and the twins and Marie. They had already lost their father, and now the same man had stolen their brother from them.

Her life was over. As soon as Lord Verimoor took her into the inn, there would be nothing left. Her family would be ruined.Alexander’s family would be bereft. And there was nothing she could do.

Darkness crept over her.

I would rather die than let him have me.

She looked at Lord Verimoor, searching for some kind of weapon. She would have to be quick. But what did it matter if she got a little bit bruised? It would all be over soon.

She saw the hilt of a dagger sticking out of his boot, and took a deep breath.

At least I will be with Alexander again.

The thought calmed her. Gave her hope.

Something huge and heavy slammed against the carriage. Lord Verimoor and Rose were flung from their seats. The horses neighed, and a man yelled. Desperately, Rose tried to free herself, but she could not escape her restraints.

The door of the carriage swung open. A figure towered over them. The scent of the first frost of winter washed over her.

Alexander.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

A Promise Kept

As soon as Alexander had seen the carriage in front of him, all rational thought had left his mind. He barely remembered leaping from his horse mid-gallop towards the moving carriage. He collided with the side of it, one hand grabbing the roof while the other grabbed blindly for some other support.

His hand found the coach driver, and he clasped his coat, tugging the man towards him as he fought to steady himself.

The collision rocked the carriage, and the driver jerked the reins as Alexander pulled him out of his seat, forcing the horses to stop. Alexander flung the man to the ground, then leaped down and wrenched the door open.

Two figures lay before him. Lord Verimoor, dazed and confused, lay against the side. Rose lay on the floor, her eyes wide, her cheeks tear-stained, her feet and hands bound. There was a red mark on her face.

With one hand, Alexander reached into the carriage and flung Lord Verimoor to the ground. “I will deal with you in a moment. If you try to run, I will cut you down where you stand.”

Carefully, gently, he moved towards Rose. He pulled her out of the carriage and then untied her hands and feet.