Chapter 2

The Beast Of Emberly

A lexander Rokesby, the Duke of Emberly, was not the kind of man who was known to fall victim to persuasion, especially if the request went against his own wishes and better judgment. For most of his life, he sought to be as unbending and as unyielding as steel. Yet, even he had his weaknesses.

Such as an inability to refuse even the most foolish of requests from those I hold dear to me.

Balls and other such social engagements had never held any sort of appeal for him, even before his life had changed nearly eight years ago. Flashes of memory came to the forefront of his mind. The flash of steel. Someone screaming. Blood. So much blood . The cold, unseeing eyes of a dead man.

No, I will not think of that night. Not now.

He shook his head, forcing himself to return to the present moment.

Yet, there was little comfort to be found. As soon as he had entered the ballroom with his sister and mother, the whispering and staring had started.

I will not lose my temper. I will not. These people are of little importance. Their pettiness will not cow me. I have no need for their good opinion.

He glanced at his younger sister, Olivia, who was holding his arm. Of his four siblings, she was the closest to him both in age and in bond. She stared around the room, her head held high, smiling at the gossipmongers with such genuine warmth and affection that Alexander swore he could see some of their hearts thaw.

Olivia caught his eye and squeezed his hand. "Thank you for coming with me, Brother dearest. I do not think I could have done this alone."

"You would have had Mother. I'm sure that would have been sufficient." Alexander inclined his head towards their mother.

Olivia had inherited her disarming smile from their mother, and Alexander could not help but think that if the two women had come alone, then there would be less whispering and pointing.

"A mother is not the same as a brother." Olivia shook her head at him. "And in any case, I am sure that an evening away from your dreary London townhouse will do you a world of good."

Her words were the same she had used all those weeks ago to convince him to attend the ball in the first place.

"You never do anything fun, Alexander, and I want you there," she had said weeks before. "You are my older brother and dearest friend. I do not want to go without you."

"I am sure my company will only be a burden, dearest sister." Alexander touched the scar that ran along the side of his face.

The scar had faded to a pale, thin line in the years since he had first received the wound. It split his right eyebrow in half and ran across his face, culminating in an indent in his upper lip.

At least it doesn't hurt anymore.

He shook his head, trying not to think about the blade that had given him his monstrous appearance.

The smell of blood and sounds of screams seemed to well up within him. He heard the dying gasp of a man, felt the slick, warm blood on his fingers.

I did what I had to.

"Brother, how can you say that? You, who have always kept me safe!" Olivia reached towards him, her eyes imploring. "Please, please say you will come with me. I am sure it will be a delightful evening. Besides, Emberly House is altogether too dreary to be shut in it forever."

"I am hardly shut in the house forever." Alexander folded his arms across his chest, feeling his temper rise. "I am oft away for business. And I visit Emberly Castle almost biweekly."

"That is hardly the same thing as a social engagement. Life should be lived, my dearest Alexander, not viewed." Olivia gave him a flat, unimpressed look that made his chest tighten.

Alexander turned away from her, guilt and anger overcoming him. "What would you know of it? What have you seen of life? There is nothing for me, and I will speak no more of this. Go to the damned ball, but pray, do not beg me to attend with you. I have better things to do."

He heard her sharp intake of breath and expected her to do as he asked. Shame and fury coursed through his body as he waited for the telltale sound of the door closing.

Instead, he felt her warm hand on his arm.

Olivia spoke quietly, her voice full of kindness. "Brother, how are people supposed to see the truth if you will give them nothing to see? If you would but give them the opportunity to know you as I do, then that would put all the silly rumors to bed once and for all. I am sure of it."

Alexander moved away from her touch, guilt cutting through his tempest of emotions, quieting his rage. "You only see the good in me, and I love you for that, but the world is not like you. You are too good and pure." Sighing, he turned towards her. "I must apologize. I should not have lost my temper. You did not deserve such treatment. Will you forgive me?"

I am a monster, and you simply cannot see it.

"I will always forgive you, Brother dearest." Olivia hesitated, then grinned impishly. "But if you would like to make amends, you will escort me to the ball."

Alexander gaped at her, then laughed.

"Fine, I shall do as you ask. I will accompany you to the ball. Though do not expect me to dance."

Olivia threw her arms around him, and hesitantly, Alexander allowed her to embrace him.

"Oh, Alexander! Thank you! I am sure you will enjoy it, too! I will tell Mother." She hugged him once more and left the room.

The first music notes brought Alexander back to the present. His mother and sister had positioned themselves near the dance floor, each holding a drink and smiling warmly at those around them. For his part, he made no attempt to smile.

The whispering appeared to die down, and for a moment, Alexander let himself relax. But then the next two dances came and went, and still no one had approached his sister. Oh, some had nodded in her direction, but no one had made any attempt to introduce themselves. He saw the hurt on Olivia's face and felt his heart break.

Alexander was about to tell his sister and mother that he would leave and see them later when a familiar voice caught his attention. He turned and saw a man of average height with sandy brown hair and green eyes making his way towards them. Alexander recognized the loping gait of his dearest friend and held up a hand in greeting.

"Rokesby!" Nigel Maxton, the Duke of Glassley, clapped Alexander on the back. "What on earth are you doing here?"

"Isn't it obvious, Maxton? I am clearly dancing." Alexander grinned at his friend. "Though I confess, I hadn't expected to see you here."

Nigel laughed. "You know full well that I never miss a ball. Actually, I was with a few of the old Eton crowd, and I'm sure they would love to?—"

Alexander shook his head. "I have no desire to see anyone from our Eton days."

Of the many friends he had had at Eton, Nigel had been the only one who had remained by his side.

The man is a more loyal and honorable friend than I deserve.

"Of course, I understand." Nigel gave an easy smile. "I fear I have been frightfully rude and not extended my greetings to your companions."

"Ah, yes, of course." Alexander stood to the side, allowing Olivia and his mother to see the addition to their group. "I am sure you remember my mother?"

"Duke! It is so lovely to see you." The Dowager Duchess held out a hand to Nigel. "It has been far too long. Tell me, how is your mother? You must tell her to visit us soon. I have missed our conversations as of late."

"You are too kind, Duchess. My mother is well, and I shall convey your wishes to her when I return home." Nigel took her proffered hand and bowed over it. "Perhaps you could visit Glassley? I am sure Mother would be only too happy to accommodate you and your family."

"That would be most agreeable. I shall write to your mother on the morrow, it has been far too long." The Dowager Duchess smiled at him.

"And I am not sure if you remember my sister, Lady Olivia Rokesby. It has been some years since you last saw her." Alexander gestured to Olivia.

"Of course, I remember your sister!" Nigel smiled warmly at Olivia. "Though I confess, you have changed since I last saw you. No longer a girl, but a woman in full bloom."

Olivia flushed but returned his smile. "I hear that time oft has that effect on one."

"Indeed, it does. I must only apologize, for I fear time has not been as kind to me as it has been to you." Nigel's eyes softened. "I trust it is your influence that has convinced our recluse to leave his cave?"

Olivia nodded. "Of course. I insisted he join us. To be quite candid, I feared that if he remained away from Society much longer, he would become quite a feral creature."

"I am not some rabid dog. I simply do not enjoy languishing in the company of others." Alexander frowned at his sister. "Save the few people I care for."

Olivia shook her head at him, exasperation clear on her face as she exchanged a look with Nigel.

"You know, when I first saw him, I assumed I must be dreaming," Nigel mock whispered to Olivia and the Dowager Duchess. "For it seemed as if some giant was descending the stairs, rather than my good friend."

"I am sure it seemed more likely a giant would grace us with his presence than my dearest brother." Olivia giggled. "You see, Alexander, you have been gone from Society for so long that people think you are a mythical creature!"

"Indeed." Nigel laughed and clapped his hands together. "Tell me, My Lady, would you do me the honor of a dance? Perhaps you can tell me what witchcraft you have used to lure our good Duke out of hiding, so I might try it myself."

Alexander felt a rush of affection towards his friend that only deepened as he saw the joy on Olivia's face.

I will never be able to repay this kindness.

As Olivia met his eyes, Alexander nodded his approval and felt his heart swell as his oldest friend began to dance with his sister.

Perhaps this evening will not be a complete disaster.

Despite that thought, his hopes came crashing down. No sooner had Olivia left his side than he caught a few strains of whispered conversation.

"I hear he killed his own father," one voice whispered. "Ate his heart."

"Apparently he stabbed him while he was sleeping," another said.

"A beast, truly. A vile creature. Just look at the scar on his face."

"Why did he come? Can't he see how he is holding his sister back?"

"He will be their downfall. What a beast."

Beast. The word swam in his head, seeming to eclipse everything around him.

Killed his own father. He will be their downfall.

His jaw tightened. That anyone could believe such ridiculous things should amuse him, yet he could feel his anger growing.

He swallowed hard, digging his fingernails into his palms as he curled his hands into fists.

I must not lose my temper. I will not ruin Olivia's debut.

"Mother, I shall return in a moment. I am in need of fresh air." Alexander did not wait for a reply, instead turning sharply on his heel and walking into the gardens.

His anger ripped through him. He wanted to roar his fury, to grab the rumor mongers and shake them. In his mind's eye, he saw his father shaking his head in disappointment.

But how was he supposed to save his family from himself?

After all, I am a monster.