Page 88 of Trapped with the Beastly Duke

“Damn it, Maxton! Can you not hear that?” Alexander yanked his arm back. “Rose needs me.”

“No, she needs you to stay where you are.” Nigel shoved him into his seat. “This is women’s work.”

Alexander dropped his head in his hands. “God, it is torture. How much more of this must I endure?”

Nigel smiled good-naturedly and poured him a healthy measure of whiskey. “Only the Lord above knows. But you will do no good by interrupting. You must let things run their course. Or so I am told.”

In a distant room of the castle, Rose was having a similar conversation with her mother.

“I do not think I can do this,” she cried, squeezing her mother’s hand. “I cannot go on.”

“You can. You can, and you must.” Lady Cotswalts shook her head. “Come on, it will all be over soon.”

“God, I am sorry that I ever put you through this,” Rose panted.

Lady Cotswalts grimaced. “Do not think of that now. You just need to focus on what comes next.”

Rose groaned. “It hurts.”

“I know. And think, I had to do this three times.”

Rose let out an anguished yell.

Her yell seemed to pierce through Alexander’s soul, as his head whipped towards the door to the study. He glanced at Nigel, who shook his head, and downed his whiskey.

“You need another drink.” Nigel poured a healthy measure, paused, and then added more whiskey to the glass.

“But what if she is hurt? What if…” Alexander trailed off.

“Rose is young. She is healthy. Do not worry.” Nigel shook his head. “You need a distraction.”

“I do not think anything could distract me from this.” Alexander glanced up at the ceiling.

I hope she is safe.

“Tell me about that rose bush by the maze.” Nigel gestured towards the gardens. “Was that the one you ordered a year ago?”

Alexander nodded, recalling the memory. “We planted it together. The day after… Well, the day after that unpleasantness with the Earl.”

The expression on Nigel’s face darkened, but he said nothing. “It has grown big and strong.”

“I wanted it to be a symbol of our love,” Alexander murmured softly.

He and Rose had each cut a lock of hair and twined them together, then buried them beneath the bush.

“Our love will strengthen it,” Rose had said, slipping her hand in his.

“I hope that our love strengthens you now,” Alexander whispered, staring at the closed study door as the memory of that day faded away.

In her room, Rose gasped and clutched at her mother. She was panting with exhaustion, sweat dripping down her forehead. For a moment, all she could hear was the sound of her own breathing.

Then a cry ripped through the air, and she felt a rush of relief.

My child.

Something small was placed in her arms. She looked at her mother.

“You did it, my girl. You did it.” Lady Cotswalts pressed a kiss to the crown of her head. “You have a baby.”