Page 76 of Alone with the Beastly Duke
It was at this moment that the constables came.
“How did they know I was here?” Jasmine asked, surprised.
“I told my coachman to call for them,” he responded.
“But how did you know that I was being held here?” she asked.
“That is a long story and I will need to tell it to you on our way back.”
Axel gathered Jasmine in his arms as the constables took Toby and Pip away. Jasmine had never felt more protected than she felt at that moment, cradled in the arms of her knight in shining armor. He still had his arms wrapped around her protectively as the carriage carried them home.
ChapterTwenty-Five
Axel was a tad disappointed when the carriage stopped in front of the Thornhill’s residence.
Of course, Jasmine wanted to see her family, but more importantly, he did not want this moment with her to end. If he had had any doubt before about the effect that Jasmine had on him, his doubts had been cleared now. He knew now how much he cared for her.
When he had first learned about her going missing, he had felt terror, even more than he had felt when his former wife had died. It had been as though an integral part of him had gone missing. Axel knew then that living without her would be nearly impossible for him.
He could not live with himself if anything were to happen to her.
“We are here!” he announced as he helped her get down the carriage.
He itched to still hold her hands, to hold her in his arms, but he knew he could not possibly do that without her father calling for his head. They had not even gotten to the entrance of the house when the door was yanked open, and Jasmine’s family streamed out, worry etched on their faces.
“Jasmine!” her mother gasped, hugging her tightly.
Axel looked on proudly as Jasmine was reunited with her family. After things had settled for a moment, Jasmine’s father came over to him.
“Hexington, I have judged you harshly,” he apologized. “I can only ask that you forgive me.”
“No, please. You did only what a good father would do,” Axel responded.
The Countess also walked over.
“Your Grace, thank you for getting our Jasmine home safely. Who knows what would have happened to her if you had not been there to save her,” she said.
Axel nodded. “Jasmine was already doing a fine job of saving herself before I got there,” he said. “All I had to do was get the constables to arrest the criminals.”
“His Grace is simply being humble. He knocked the scoundrels out with just a blow,” Jasmine said.
“Wow!” Cassian gaped.
“I cannot believe it,” Daphne said. The twins were obviously impressed by Axel’s feat and that gladdened his heart.
“Your Grace, how can I be as powerful as you are so that I may be able to knock out ruffians should they try to abduct me?” Cassian asked.
“I could teach you boxing if you so desire,” Axel replied.
While the family rejoiced, Axel signaled at William and sneaked outside to speak with him.
“Your Grace,” William started as soon as they got out of earshot, “you have no idea how grateful I am for what you have done.”
“It is fine. I would do it again in a heartbeat,” Axel said, and he meant it. He would go to the end of the world and duel giants if it was to save Jasmine.
“I have to ask you a question, though,” Axel said.
“I am all ears, Your Grace,” William replied.
