Page 36 of Alone with the Beastly Duke
Axel gave a dry laugh as a bid to pretend that Jasmine’s statement about his late wife had not hurt him.
“I assure you, Lady Jasmine. I do not take offense,” he lied.
Why would he take offense? After what he had done, he definitely deserved whatever perception she had of him.
“I need you to know that I do not find the idea of marrying you repulsive,” she said earnestly.
Axel nodded. “Thank you, but I do not think I need to know that.”
“I know that the Ton does not like you, but I believe they only misjudged you,” she continued.
Axel chuckled. “And what made you think that a ton of adults with more experience than you misjudged me?”
“Because I have spent time with you, and I can tell that you are the kindest man I have ever met,” she said.
“Well, what would you say if I told you that everything the Ton says about me is true?” he asked her as if in a challenge.
Jasmine gasped before she set her brows in a tight furrow.
“You are jesting, Your Grace, are you not?” she asked.
“I presume you will never know,” he replied.
“I refuse to believe that you are a child-eating monster,” she declared.
Axel laughed out loud. “Is that what they say about me?”
“I am surprised you have never heard that before,” she replied.
“I have heard that I am a half-giant. I have also seen mothers pull their babies away from me, but I would never have imagined that they would say I eat children,” he said.
“Are you hurt by the fact that they think you are a monster?” she asked. She looked at him with such care and tenderness that surprised him.
“Of course, I am hurt. Why would I want anyone to think that I am a monster?” he replied, dabbing at his eyes.
Jasmine rushed toward him and held his hands.
“Please, do not be sad. The people of the Ton are not particularly known for their wit. And like my sister, Rose, would say,‘The Ton is filled with a bunch of pretenders who have no mind of their own’.”
Axel laughed at Jasmine’s impersonation of her sister’s voice.
“I am simply toying with you. I would never waste a breath over what the Ton thinks. Also, your sister seems like a very smart person,” he observed.
“Indeed, she is. She is easily the smartest among us all, and I am constantly in awe of her brain,” she replied.
“You must be very proud of her,” he replied.
“Indeed, I am,” she said, but Axel could not help but notice a tinge of sadness in her voice.
“Now, let us do what we have come here for,” he suggested.
Axel took out a watering can from under a tree and went to the pond, filling the can with water. He was just tightening its lid when he saw Jasmine walk toward him; another watering can in her hand.
“What are you doing?” he asked, even though he could tell what he wanted to do.
Jasmine shrugged. “I want to water the flowers.”
“Oh, you should not. You are a guest in my house, and I would rather you do not engage in any menial labor,” he insisted.
