Page 91 of A Duke for Stealing
“We are Everett’s insurance policy,” Hugo replied, a menacing grin spreading across his face as he looked down at Maxwell.
“Can’t have you ignoring His Grace’s demands, can we?” Dominic asked, cocking his head as a devilish smirk twitched on his lips.
“I did not start the rumor, I only heard it,” Maxwell pleaded.
“Does not matter,” Hugo said with a shrug. “You were the one stupid enough to believe it. Now you will be the one to fix it.”
Dominic then snatched Maxwell by his jacket. Both of Everett’s friends looked into the room and nodded to him before proceeding to drag Maxwell away. Everett nodded back, thankful that despite his recent temper, his friends were still loyal to their brother-like bond.
“Rose,” Everett said softly, turning his full attention to her once Maxwell was gone. He caressed her cheeks, and hated that he winced when his touch met her jaw. “Are you sure you are well?”
Pure love shone in Rose’s eyes as she looked up at him, making his knees weak with joy. Then she closed her eyes and, for a moment, sagged into his touch. He let out a breath and kissed her forehead, unable to hold back such tenderness.
Then his heart wrenched painfully as she slowly raised her head and stepped back from his touch. She then took two more, wrapped her arms tightly around herself, and when she opened her eyes again, her eyes remained on the floor.
“I should like to go home now.”
Her voice was so soft, so meek, that it broke Everett’s heart further. He nodded as he reached his arms out toward her, but as he did so, Rose took another wary step back. It was then he realized. She still did not trust herself around him. She still did not know how deeply he was in love with her.
“Of course,” Everett murmured, his shoulders sagging in defeat. “We shall leave straight away.”
He then turned to Ophelia, who, for the first time, looked at him not with malice but with pity.
“Would you be so kind as to help her to the carriage?” He implored. “I shall run along and ensure that it is ready for our departure.”
“Of course,” Ophelia replied.
Everett’s heart then finally shattered as Ophelia went to his wife, and he watched as Rose willingly went into her arms instead of his. He hurried away to fetch the carriage, not able to bear the longing to be in Ophelia’s place. In the carriage, his heartache only worsened as Rose sat silently across him, still holding herself tightly. He hated the red marks on her jaw. Hated that he hadn’t been there to stop Maxwell from touching her in the first place.
It would never happen again, though. Not even Rose distrusted him the rest of his life. Not even if she openly despised him or ridiculed him. He was not letting her out of his sight ever again.
“Lady Rose!” The twins greeted her in their usual manner, rushing to hug her. They both stopped short, however, as they saw the sad looks on both Rose and Everett’s faces and the bruises on Rose’s jawline.
“Lady Rose, are you injured?” Leah asked.
“Shall we nurse you back to health?” Diana added.
“I am perfectly well, my darlings,” Rose answered, her tone weaker. Everett noted how her smile was even weaker, and he moved to his knees before the girls.
“Lady Rose just needs a rest,” he told Diana and Leah. “Would you two please run along? I promise she will come to you as soon as she is able.”
The twins, usually so full of questions, only obediently nodded this time, and after saying ‘feel better, Lady Rose’ in unison, they both hurried up the stairs to their nursery.
“Rose, please,” Everett implored, rising to his feet. “Allow me to escort you to your room. I will not touch you, if that is what you wish, but I beg you to allow me this.”
Everett held his breath as he waited for her answer, and it came out as a shuddering gust of relief when she answered with a simple nod. As promised, he did not place a hand on her, but he kept his pace to hers and had a hand hovering at her back, just in case.
“Thank you,” Rose murmured when they reached her rooms, “For saving me.”
She still wouldn’t look at him.
“Do not thank me,” Everett replied, his tone thick with disgust, “It is my fault that such an opportunity was even open for Maxwell to take. I should have never given you a reason or need to leave my side.”
Rose’s brows dipped as her chin wobbled, but she did not answer.
“There is something I need to say to you, Rose,” Everett went on, “Something I have needed to confess since you returned.”
“Please,” Rose whispered, looking more weary than ever, “Can we wait until tomorrow?”
