Chapter 24

Rose stood by the crackling fireplace in William's study, her shivering form huddled close to the warmth emanating from the flames. The firelight danced across her damp hair and soaked dress, casting flickering shadows on the walls. She rubbed her hands together, trying to bring some warmth back to her chilled fingers. Yet, despite her state, she couldn't help but smile the entire time, remembering what William told her.

He himself stood nearby, equally drenched. His once crisp attire now clung to him, dark and heavy with rain. "We should get out of these wet clothes," he said, eyeing her, his own once crisp attire now clinging to him, dark and heavy with rain. "I could call for a maid to help you disrobe in the guestroom and you can—"

"I… I would like to stay here, with you," she said shyly, her cheeks flushing a beautiful, deep red.

"With me?" he asked, sounding as if he were, just like her, still in a haze after what had happened. "Of course," he nodded, looking around. He began to peel off his sodden garments, as she watched him. His coat and waistcoat hit the floor with a heavy thud, followed by his shirt. He tossed the wet fabric aside, focusing on the task of getting dry.

Rose turned away slightly, her fingers fumbling with the buttons of her dress. The thick, wet material resisted her efforts, and she bit her lip in frustration. Seeing her struggle, William stepped closer, his presence both comforting and commanding.

"May I?" she heard him ask.

"Mhm," she nodded.

Rose felt a shiver run through her, not from the cold, but from his proximity. His fingers worked deftly, and soon her dress slipped from her shoulders, pooling at her feet. She wrapped a blanket from a nearby chair around herself, feeling a mix of relief and vulnerability.

William moved back to the fire, adding another log to the flames. The fire flared up, casting a warm glow over the room. He grabbed another blanket and draped it around his shoulders, then turned to face Rose. For a moment, they simply looked at each other, the intensity of their earlier confession lingering in the air.

"You know, you were right," she heard his voice again.

She raised an eyebrow, watching him take a seat in the armchair opposite her. "About what?" she wondered.

"That I shouldn't remain alone here, hiding myself away from the rest of the world, and especially from the villagers," he explained. "This is all my fault."

"No," she told him, repeating herself because she felt she needed to hear those words again. "You are not responsible for what other people do or how they feel."

He didn't say anything to that. Instead, he continued to muse aloud. "I can't help but wonder if I could have changed something. If I had gone into the village and spoken with the people there, these boys would have gotten to know me better, and they might not have listened to Stephen. I would also have had the chance to listen to the villagers, to understand why they hated me so. I could have made things right with them, Rose. And if I had done all of that, you never would have been in any danger, none of this would have happened."

She hastily got up and walked over to him. Her hand was clutching at the blanket draped around her shoulders, while her other hand rested on his shoulder.

"Everything turned out fine, Your Grace," she reminded him.

He frowned. "But it could have ended horribly. And… Your Grace. Can you just call me William?" He smiled. "After all, I did bear my emotions to you. Your Gracing me now seems… too much."

His words made her laugh. "Of course… William." She then continued a little more seriously. "You are right. Things could have ended horribly… for all of us. But we were fortunate that they did not. We should learn from such lessons, make sure that they never happen again."

"You're right," he nodded.

"And tomorrow could be the first day of you making sure that they never happen again," she advised.

"How?" he tilted his head at her, unsure.

"Come to the village tomorrow," she said simply, although she knew that for him, that would be the most difficult thing in the world. Still, she hoped that he could grow from this situation and learn from his mistakes.

"To the village?" he echoed. She could tell that he sounded frightened, and she understood that. However, the thought still made her smile. He didn't hesitate to risk his life for her. He didn't hesitate to save the life of a man who wanted to destroy his own. None of those things frightened him into inaction, yet this one did.

"Yes," she nodded, taking him by the hand. "Come to the market. Just… take a walk. Greet a few people."

He inhaled deeply. She could see that he was torn, that needed reassurance and someone to be by his side. She wanted to show him that she would be that someone for him, not only to tell him that.

"Isn't it too late?" he wondered. She could see doubt in his eyes.

"It is never too late," she reminded him. "Never too late to do the right thing, just like you did by the waterfall. You didn't let your friend fall, no matter what he did to you. Not many people would do that, William."

She gently caressed his cheek, touching his scars tenderly, tracing her fingers over them as she drank in the sight of him. "You are a good man. I was not wrong about that. I was not wrong about anything regarding you."

"You weren't?" he smiled.

"No," she smiled back. "Remember when you saved me from that boar, and when you brought me back here?"

"How could I forget?" he grinned mischievously. "That is when all of this started."

"Yes, and when I asked you to come to the light," she reminded him again. "I wanted to see you, and I saw you. I saw your scars, but I also saw your eyes, and through them, into you. I have never seen a more brave, more beautiful person than you."

"Rose…" he whispered her name in a way that made it sound like a prayer, like a word of most sacred origin, one that might make all of his wishes come true. And that was what she wanted.

He wrapped his arms around. Forgetting all about her blanket, she released the grip she held over it and hung her own arms around his neck. Gently, his fingers traced the lines of her own scars, making her entire body shiver with delight. Just like him, she had always tried to hide her scars, never showing them to anyone.

But with him, it was different. He could see her, just like she could see him. The real him and the real her. Somehow, they managed to find each other, and against all odds, not let go.

As if sensing her own desire, his lips pressed against hers in a tidal wave of passion and longing. The world outside ceased to exist; there was only the two of them, the heat of the fire, and the unspoken emotions that had been simmering between them for so long.

As their kisses grew more passionate, Rose felt herself being gently guided backward until her legs met the edge of a plush couch. She sank down onto it, pulling William with her. He hovered over her, his body pressing against hers as he braced himself on his arms. They paused for a moment, breathing heavily, their eyes locked in a silent exchange of desire and consent.

His hand caressed the delicate curve of her neck and collarbone as his lips followed the path of his hands, planting kisses along her skin that inflamed every inch of it. Rose arched her back, her fingers tangling in his hair as she pulled him closer, her own kisses trailing along his jawline and down his neck.

Their breaths came faster, mingling in the heated space between them. Rose's hands roamed over William's back, feeling the play of muscles beneath his skin, the wet clothes forgotten in the urgency of their embrace. His hand moved down to her waist, slipping beneath the blanket to caress the bare skin of her side.

Rose gasped, her body reacting instinctively to his touch. She pulled him down further, craving the weight of him, the solidity that made her feel safe and desired. His touch was unlike anything she had ever felt before, and she knew that she had been craving it all that time.

Their kisses grew more fervent, their bodies pressing together with a newfound urgency. William's hand moved lower, exploring the curves and hollows of her body with a reverent touch. Rose responded eagerly, her own hands mapping out the planes of his chest and shoulders, the firelight casting a golden glow over their entwined forms.

They lost themselves in each other, the rest of the world falling away as they surrendered to the passion that had been building between them. Every touch, every kiss, spoke of a love that had finally been given the freedom to blossom. They no longer needed to hide how they felt, and in that moment, nothing else mattered.

She could feel his manhood pressing into her, needing release, just like her. She wanted to belong to him, body and soul. She didn't want to wait a moment longer. She couldn't.

Her hand reached to his manhood, hidden underneath the blanket. She felt him rock hard, pulsating with need, its tip beading with unshed desire. Her mind exploded with yearning, wanting to know what it would feel to have him inside of her. Her insides throbbed, teasing her. Her entire body was awash in sensation, in anticipation of what was to come.

As Rose and William lost themselves in each other, their heated embrace was suddenly interrupted by a sharp knock on the door. They froze, their heavy breathing and the crackling fire the only sounds in the room. Reality crashed back in, and Rose sighed, pulling herself away from William with a mixture of reluctance and resignation. She instinctively grabbed the blanket and covered her entire body with it.

"I am guessing it is Mr. Hancock with Henry, most likely," he murmured, glancing toward the door.

She gazed at his profile, his Roman nose, his jawline, thinking how utterly handsome he was. And… hers. That thought made her smile.

"I suppose we shouldn't keep them waiting," he said, turning to her and seeing her smile. "What is it, my dear?"

She smiled even wider. "I'm just… looking at you."

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.