Page 5 of Trapped with a Wicked Duke
Rose's pulse quickened as she took in the handsome stranger. The chiseled lines of his jaw and the breadth of his shoulders made her heart flutter. She tried to hide her nervousness as shedismissed his offer of help, but he seemed insistent on assisting her, nonetheless.
As he led her inside the carriage, she could feel the heat of his hand on hers and the strength in his grip. She tried to pull away, but he held fast.
"David, help the horse. Attach its lead to the carriage, and I shall have Mr. Granby see to its leg," the stranger said to his driver.
"Yes, Your Grace."
Your Grace? Who is this man?
He turned back to Rose. "You need help, Miss," he said in a gentle voice. "I would be remiss if I did not stay by your side until you were fully recovered."
Rose's mind raced as she tried to decide whether or not to trust this stranger. The alarm had been sounded at the castle, so it was only a matter of time before someone caught up to her and found her on the road.
"My name is Thomas Wallace, Duke of Everness," he introduced himself, his deep voice sending shivers down her spine. "I was traveling from London to my northern estate when I spotted you falling from your horse."
Rose could feel herself being drawn in by his charisma, his smooth words and gentle town putting her at ease. "I am RoseHudson, daughter of the Earl of Thornhill. Thank you for your assistance, but truly I am fine. I would hate for you to make a fuss."
"You have a feisty spirit for a lady," Thomas said, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "It is refreshing. Most women would be crying and in need of smelling salts after such a fall."
Rose felt a blush rise to her cheeks as she met his gaze. "Thank you, Your Grace," she said softly. "I am not one prone to the vapors. I have a strong constitution."
"And those eyes of yours," Thomas continued, "they are stunning. It is a shame they will be wasted on a boring man."
Rose's head lifted sharply, and she raised an eyebrow. "How do you know that?"
Thomas chuckled. "Your attire speaks volumes. It is quite clear you have run away from something." He continued to drink at her appearance. "That dress hints that it is for a wedding, and based on the speed at which you were running your horse across the meadow… well, I assumed that you were a runaway bride."
Rose shifted in her seat, feeling a bit uneasy under his scrutiny. But Thomas's charm was undeniable.
She decided to concede his point. "Yes, it is true. I was to marry a man that I have neither set eyes upon nor spoken to in my life. I found it simply untenable, so I decided to leave."
Thomas let out a loud laugh. "I was right. You do possess a feisty spirit. I applaud your decision. I feel the need to assist you in your time of distress. I offer you the hospitality of my estate for the night and a change of clothing. You cannot make your escape unless you don some sort of disguise. The dress gives your plight away, you know."
Rose hesitated, but then she realized that she would not make it far with an injured horse. She decided to accept his offer. Perhaps he would lend her a horse in the morning, and she could continue her journey. She appreciated his understanding of her situation, and he seemed a perfect gentleman. It was good fortune that he had ridden by when he had.
"Thank you for your kindness," she said. "I hope I am not keeping you from another appointment."
"Not at all," Thomas said with a twinkle in his eye. "A runaway bride is much more exciting than anything else on my schedule."
Rose felt a small smile tug at the corners of her mouth. She appreciated his playful nature, and it made her feel more at ease. "Well, I hope to be a runaway bride for only a little while longer," she said, laughing softly.
Thomas's smile grew wider. "And where are you running to, My Lady?"
"Anywhere but here," she said, her tone turning serious. "I have a need to escape the life my parents have chosen for me."
Thomas's expression grew thoughtful. "And what life is that?"
"A life of obligation and duty," she said, her voice filled with a hint of frustration. "I have no desire to marry someone I do not love."
Thomas nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. "I understand completely. Duty can be a heavy burden. Yet I find myself unable to part with it at times…"
Their eyes met, and for a moment, the world around them seemed to fade away. Rose felt a connection with Thomas, a sense that they were both looking for something more in life.
As they rode through the countryside, Thomas engaged her in conversation, his deep voice and easy laughter filling the carriage.
Thomas leaned back in his seat with his hands folded over his chest. "I had my own mishap on the back of a horse when I was just a lad. I was eager to prove my worth to the other boys in the village, and Mr. Jenkins had a magnificent stallion that I was determined to ride. So, I snuck into his stable one day and climbed onto the horse's back."
He chuckled and shook his head at the memory. "I was so proud of myself, but I soon realized that I was in over my head. The horse took off galloping through the fields with me hanging on for dear life."
