William’s arms were still around her, holding her close. The protective embrace had shifted into something more charged, more dangerous. She could feel his breath on her face, could see the conflicted emotions flickering in his eyes. His gaze dropped to her lips, and for a moment, she thought he might kiss her.
The air between them seemed to crackle with unresolved tension. Rose’s mind raced, torn between the guilt of her brother’s actions and the undeniable pull she felt towards William. The world outside the broken window faded away, leaving just the two of them in a charged, breathless moment.
“Rose,” William murmured, his voice a low rumble that sent shivers down her spine. He leaned in slightly, his eyes darkening with an emotion she couldn’t quite decipher.
She could barely think, her senses overwhelmed by his closeness. “William, I...”
Before she could finish, a knock on the door interrupted her. “Your Grace, are you all right?” It was Mr. Hancock.
The sudden intrusion broke the spell. William stepped back, his arms falling to his sides, his expression quickly shifting to one of controlled composure. Rose felt a mixture of relief and disappointment as the charged moment dissipated.
“We’re all right, Mr. Hancock,” William announced, walking over to the door and opening them. “Please, see to it that the window is secured and have someone investigate outside.”
Mr. Hancock nodded and hurried off, leaving Rose and William alone once more. The tension lingered, but now it was tingedwith the awkwardness of their interrupted moment. Rose straightened her dress, her mind still reeling from the rush of emotions.
“I… I should go,” Rose managed to muster. “It is late and I don’t wish to keep you any longer.”
There was a longing look in his eyes, a visible struggle as if he were battling with himself over something unsaid. He seemed on the verge of speaking, but then he took a deep breath and said, “Rose, I think it would be best if you stayed here tonight. It might not be safe outside. It was probably children who did this, but we can’t be sure.”
Rose’s heart pounded in her chest. She desperately wanted to get away, to make sense of everything that had just happened, but she couldn’t reveal the real reason she knew she’d be safe outside. She could see the genuine concern in William’s eyes, the worry etched into his features.
“All right,” she agreed quietly, and half an hour later, she was left alone in the guest room.
Her thoughts drifted to the look in William’s eyes as he had urged her to stay. There was more than just concern; there was a depth of feeling she couldn’t quite name. She felt a strange mix of fear and excitement, a longing she didn’t fully understand. The touch of his fingers still lingered on her skin, a reminder of the connection that had sparked between them.
Chapter 13
William lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, unable to find any semblance of sleep. His mind was a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions, all centered on Rose. The feeling of her in his arms, the intense connection they had shared, and the unspoken words that lingered between them haunted him. Frustrated and restless, he decided to head to the kitchen for some tea, hoping it might help calm his racing thoughts.
As he entered the dimly lit kitchen, he was startled to see Rose already there, a cup of tea in her hands. She looked up, equally surprised to see him.
“Rose,” he said softly, stepping closer. “I… I didn’t expect to find you here at this time of night.”
She gave him a small, tentative smile. “I couldn’t sleep,” she admitted.
“Me neither,” he replied. “Too much on my mind.”
She just nodded at that. In her eyes, he could see a rush of empathy and understanding. He had a strong suspicion that they were both thinking of the same thing.
“This evening has been… eventful, to say the least,” she told him.
He nodded, moving to prepare his own cup of tea. He turned his back to her for a moment, but he knew that she was looking at him. He could feel the heat of her gaze on the back of his head. When he finally turned around to face her again, her doe-eyed gaze was still on him.
“I’m sorry,” he said.
“You?” she asked with a raised eyebrow. “Why would you be sorry?”
“I’m sorry that you got caught up in whatever childish prank took place this evening,” he clarified. “It is not the first time this has happened.”
He thought she would look away, just like she did before, but she didn’t. The connection between them was palpable, an unspoken understanding lighting up the way.
“I am used to the local children treating me like a monster that needs to be driven out from time to time, but it must have been frightening for you, and for that, I apologize.”
Rose set her tea aside and walked over to him. As she did so, he could feel his heart pounding with her every step. She reached up, gently cupping his scarred face in her hand. The touch was tender, filled with compassion and something deeper that neither of them could deny.
“I don’t see any monster here,” she whispered, her eyes locked onto his.
William's breath caught in his throat. The sincerity in her words, the warmth in her touch, it was almost too much to bear. He had spent so long feeling isolated, believing the worst of himself because of his scars and the responsibilities thrust upon him. But in this moment, with Rose, he felt seen. Truly seen.
