Page 1 of Trapped with a Wicked Duke
Chapter One
Rose sat in front of the vanity of her room, surrounded by her mother, sisters, and a flurry of maids. The room was filled with the sweet fragrance of flowers, as the morning sun shone through the large windows, casting a warm glow on the elegant furnishings.
The Countess of Thornhill beamed with pride, admiring her daughter. "My dear, you are the most beautiful bride I have ever seen," she said, adjusting Rose's carefully coifed brown hair. "You remind me of myself when I was a bride."
Jasmine sighed, looking at her mother. "I remember feeling so nervous and excited on my wedding day," she said wistfully. "But I was envious of the love that our parents shared. I never thought I would find such love for myself, but now I have Axel and a little one coming along."
Rose smiled nervously, still feeling overwhelmed by the attention and excitement of the day. She glanced over at Daphnewho was admiring her own attire in the full-length mirror. Daphne was in a lovely gown of green silk that matched her twin brother Cassian's coat and waistcoat in a matching shade of green. Her thoughts then drifted to her older brother, William. They had often been at odds. Rose just did not understand why he was allowed to do as he wished simply because he wore trousers, while women were relegated to home and hearth with little attention paid to their intelligence and wit. Their sibling rivalry was well-known throughout theton, and the two of them delighted in matching wits.
Jasmine, who had recently married the Duke of Hexington, took Rose's hand and smiled warmly. "I am so happy that our sisterly relationship has been restored," she said. "I promise you, Rose, you will love being married. Axel and I have a love like our parents, and I know you will find the same happiness."
Rose looked down at her hands, her fingers twisting in her lap. "Do you think that my husband will appreciate my experiments and love for plants?" she asked, but her mother quickly dismissed her concerns.
"As a countess, you must let go of such juvenile pastimes and focus on making your husband happy and being a proper countess, my dear," the countess said, as she patted Rose's hand.
Daphne, Rose's younger sister, chimed in. "Cassian told me that the Earl dislikes flowers and he made all his staff cut the flowers from his estate because he is allergic, did you know that?"
The countess sighed. "Daphne, do not heed Cassian's larger-than-life stories. You are soon to be debuted and married yourself, and it will not do to spread such ridiculous things."
Rose sat in silence, her mind a jumbled mess of conflicting thoughts and emotions. She did not want to be married, least of all to a man she had never spoken with before and who was so much older than her. And if the rumors were true, how awful her life would be confined to the house and bound by children. She shuddered at the thought. She wanted to be free to do as she pleased and prove her worth to the world, not cooped up like a hen in a henhouse.
"Let us go, my dear," the countess said, as she took Rose's arm and led her toward the door. "It is time for you to make us all proud by becoming a countess just like your mama."
As they walked down the hallway, the countess chattered on about how her daughter would shame all those old ladies of thetonwho had dared badmouth her firstborn daughter for her two unsuccessful Seasons. Rose's sisters, Jasmine and Daphne, listened with eager ears, but Rose only half-listened, her mind preoccupied with her own internal thoughts.
"And have you heard about Lady Margaret's engagement?" the countess continued as they walked down the grand staircase. "Her husband-to-be is a baron. Her match hardly compares to the one we have managed to secure for Rose."
"Mama, I heard he is quite wealthy though," Jasmine added, as she took a seat by the window.
"And handsome, too," Daphne said with a giggle. "Oh, I cannot wait to have my debut next year!"
Rose rolled her eyes, surprised at her sister's fixation on gossip and ranking. "I thought you were more interested in your books, Jasmine," she said, taking a seat next to her.
Jasmine chuckled. "I am, but even I can appreciate a good love story. Besides, it is not every day a lady of thetonmarries for love."
"True," Rose said, a wistful look in her eyes. "I can only imagine what it must feel like to be loved so deeply."
The countess smiled, looking at her daughters with pride. "You will know that feeling soon enough, Rose. Your father and I have made sure to secure the best match for you."
"I know, Mama," Rose said, a hint of frustration in her voice. "But I just wish I had a say in my own future."
"I know you may be feeling apprehensive, my dear," the countess continued. "But who knows, you might even grow to love your new husband."
Rose could not imagine feeling such a strong emotion for a stranger. "Why must I marry at all? I could remain a spinster and care for my new nephew or niece." She cast a look toward Jasmine's large belly. "I would be a wonderful auntie."
Jasmine laughed, "Yes, but my little one would be tanned and covered in grass stains from all the time spent romping around in the gardens if you were their nanny."
The countess smiled, "Now, now my dears, let us not get too carried away. We have a wedding to attend, and a future to look forward to."
She placed a hand on Rose's shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze. "Remember, Rose, this is a new chapter in your life, filled with love and happiness."
"I know, Mama," Rose said, her voice softening.
The countess smiled, "Sometimes things happen for a reason. Just trust in the journey, my dear. Everything will fall into place." She strode forward. "Come, girls. Let us go into the sitting room. The carriage will arrive momentarily to take us to the chapel, but in the meantime, let us take a moment to relax before the ceremony."
The sitting room of Thornhill Castle bustled with activity as the maids fluttered around and prepared for the guests who would arrive for the weekend of wedding festivities. The room was elegantly furnished with plush velvet sofas and armchairs, arranged in a semicircle around a large stone fireplace. The walls were adorned with paintings and tapestries that added to the grandeur of the room.
The maids were busy arranging vases of fresh flowers, plumping cushions, and straightening curtains. The sweet fragrance ofroses and jasmine filled the room and added to the warm and inviting atmosphere. In the corner of the room, a piano had been placed, ready for the musical entertainment that would take place after the wedding breakfast. Everything was perfect for a wedding, but it only added to Rose's gloom.
