He rested her forehead against hers, speaking softly. “Every time you do that, I feel like you are caressing me with your gaze. Please, never stop doing that.”
“Never,” she whispered back, kissing him sweetly on the lips.
“I shall go and open the door,” he told her. “Mr. Hancock will fetch you some dry clothes. I can’t have you catch your cold in these wet ones.”
She loved how attentive he was, how caring. That was yet another trait of his that the villagers knew nothing of. Hopefully, that mistake would be rectified soon. About half an hour later, William was seeing her and Henry off in his carriage, waving goodbye.
“I will see you tomorrow at the market?” he asked as she leaned through the open window.
“Most certainly,” she said, blowing him a kiss as the carriage drove off slowly.
In the dimly lit carriage, the rhythmic clatter of wheels on the cobblestone road was the only sound for a few moments. Rose sat beside Henry, who was fidgeting with his hands, his face a mask of guilt and curiosity. The silence between them grew heavy until Henry finally spoke.
“Rose, I… I am so sorry,” he said again.
She turned to him, her expression softening. “It is all forgotten, Henry. I know you were doing what you thought was for the best.”
Henry nodded, though the worry in his eyes remained. “But Mr. Trent... I never thought he would go that far. I was so scared for you.”
“I was scared too,” Rose admitted, reaching out to squeeze his hand reassuringly. “But it’s over now, and we’re safe.”
Henry seemed to mull over her words, then glanced at her with hesitant curiosity. “And... you and the duke... I saw you two kissing. Are you... are you in love with him?”
Rose felt a flush rise to her cheeks, the memory of their kiss making her heart race anew. “William and I... we have feelings for each other, but it’s not something that can be easily explained.”
Henry tilted his head, his curiosity piqued. “But do you love him?”
Rose realized that it truly was that simple. “I… I do, Henry,” she acknowledged it loudly. “I was fighting it before, thinking that a duke could never be with someone like me, just a maid in his mansion. But when I’m with him, everything feels right.”
Henry’s young face showed a mix of understanding and determination. “I think he loves you too, Rose. The way he looked at you, and how he tried to save you... he cares about you a lot.”
Rose smiled softly, her heartwarming at her brother’s words. “I know he does, and that makes me happier than you could ever imagine.”
The carriage ride continued in companionable silence, the bond between brother and sister growing stronger in the shared understanding of the night’s events. As they neared their home, Rose felt a glimmer of hope amid the uncertainty. She knew there would be more challenges ahead, but she hoped that together, they would overcome them all.
Chapter 25
William knew that they were all staring at him. It would have been a futile exercise to even try and convince himself otherwise.
He had put on some clothes in which he felt best, not his Sunday best. He wanted to fit in, although he was aware of how odd that sounded. He had been doing everything in his power to keep away from the public, and now, he was doing exactly the opposite, and all because of Rose.
He strode through the bustling market, the cacophony of vendors hawking their wares and the chatter of townsfolk forming a lively backdrop. He kept his head high, though he could feel the curious and sometimes, suspicious gazes of those around him. He had expected this, of course, but that didn’t make it any easier.
The market was a vibrant array of colors and smells: freshly baked bread, ripe fruits, flowers in full bloom. It was a stark contrast to the somber halls of his manor. Yet, despite the pleasant surroundings, he felt the weight of every stare. People whispered as he passed, their words indistinct but their tone unmistakable. They were all stunned by the sight of him, the enigma of the haughty nobleman who had been to blame for all of their hardships.
But William was determined. He had promised Rose he would try to step out of his comfort zone, to be among the people, to show that he was more than the monstrous duke they thought him to be. He kept his focus on his goal, moving towards a flower stall. He knew that Rose would be coming soon, and he didn’t want to appear before her empty-handed. It was a small gesture, but he wanted to bring her something beautiful, something that reminded him of her.
He headed towards the stall in a determined stride, and as he approached it, the flower vendor, a plump woman with a warm smile, looked up at him in surprise.
“Uhm… good day,” he said with a polite nod.
“Your Grace,” she recognized him immediately, although he had no doubt it would be so. Strangely enough, there was no hostility in her voice, only curiosity. “How may I help you today?”
“I was uhm… hoping to purchase a bouquet. Something… special.”
Her eyes sparkled even more with inquisitiveness, but she didn’t ask further. She simply nodded. “Might I suggest a lovely bouquet of roses, lilies and a few sprigs of lavender?”
“Yes, please,” he nodded. “Those would be splendid.”
