Page 90 of Trapped with the Beastly Duke

Lady Cotswalts nodded. “Yes, they did business together. In fact, I first met you when you were a very young child, shortly before Rose was born. Though I doubt you will remember it.”

“So, you knew both my parents?” Alexander did not move from the doorway, his head spinning.

“Indeed.” Lady Cotswalts smiled. “I knew them well. And when I saw your mother at the ball… well, it seemed the obvious solution.”

“You both planned this?” Rose shook her head in disbelief. “I thought you got on rather well.”

“Well, it all worked out in the end.” Lady Cotswalts strode towards the door and hugged Alexander. “Congratulations, dear boy.”

“Thank you.” Alexander shook his head. “For everything.”

“Do not think this conversation is over, Mother!” Rose called after her, but Lady Cotswalts appeared not to have heard.

My mother will never stop her meddling now. Good luck to Jane and Emily.

Shaking her head, Rose met Alexander’s eyes. “You know, she will never let us forget this.”

“I imagine not.” Alexander moved closer to her but then hesitated. “I cannot believe she knew my father.”

“It truly is a small world.” Rose glanced down at the bundle in her arms. “Would you like to see your son?”

“My son?” Alexander’s eyes widened.

Rose nodded, tears filling her eyes. “He is beautiful. Come, hold him.”

Alexander approached them, looking almost timid. “What if I break him?”

“You will not.” Rose smiled as he gently took the babe from her arms.

In his powerful arms, the child looked miniscule. Alexander held his son with such tenderness that Rose thought her heart would break. He gently rocked his son in his arms.

“Good day, little one,” Alexander murmured. “Welcome to the world, my darling boy. I hope you take after your mother. Courageous and kind and beautiful.”

“I hope he takes after his father.” Rose smiled. “Brave and handsome and loyal.”

There was a pause as their son began to snuffle softly. Alexander sat beside Rose, letting her lean against him. Hegently kissed her forehead, before gazing back down at their son. “This little one needs a name.”

“I had given it some thought…” Rose bit her lip. “What about Arthur? After your father.”

His breath caught in his throat. Silence fell over them. Eventually, he said, “Arthur Rokesby.”

Rose gently took his hand and squeezed it.

Together they gazed at their son. Little Arthur let out a small yawn and nestled more deeply into his swaddling cloth.

“I love you,” Alexander breathed.

“I love you, too.” Rose leaned against him. “And I am so glad my mother helped us find our way to each other.”

Alexander laughed.

“Though I will never tell her that.” She laughed softly with him.

And slowly, their laughter became louder and louder, filling the halls of the castle. At long last, love had returned home. And a new chapter was beginning.

The End?