Chapter 28

A Promise Kept

As soon as Alexander had seen the carriage in front of him, all rational thought had left his mind. He barely remembered leaping from his horse mid-gallop towards the moving carriage. He collided with the side of it, one hand grabbing the roof while the other grabbed blindly for some other support.

His hand found the coach driver, and he clasped his coat, tugging the man towards him as he fought to steady himself.

The collision rocked the carriage, and the driver jerked the reins as Alexander pulled him out of his seat, forcing the horses to stop. Alexander flung the man to the ground, then leaped down and wrenched the door open.

Two figures lay before him. Lord Verimoor, dazed and confused, lay against the side. Rose lay on the floor, her eyes wide, her cheeks tear-stained, her feet and hands bound. There was a red mark on her face.

With one hand, Alexander reached into the carriage and flung Lord Verimoor to the ground. "I will deal with you in a moment. If you try to run, I will cut you down where you stand."

Carefully, gently, he moved towards Rose. He pulled her out of the carriage and then untied her hands and feet.

"Alexander?" Her voice was soft and cracked. "Is it really you?"

"It is." Alexander kissed her hands softly. "It is me."

"How did you find me?" Her eyes filled with tears.

"Your maid. She told us everything." Alexander pulled her to him. "Hush, you are safe now, my love. I will always keep you safe."

"Oh, Alexander. I thought… I thought he had killed you." Rose sobbed into his chest.

"He planned to, but I caught his man just before the ball." Alexander cupped her face in his hands. "The magistrates have him now."

He held her close to him, breathing in her citrusy scent.

Rose.

He heard horse's hooves behind him and whirled around to see Mr. Hartwell riding towards them.

Lord Verimoor appeared to have recovered and lunged at Alexander. Rose screamed, but Alexander was ready. He caught Lord Verimoor and slammed him against the side of the carriage.

"Go on. Kill me." Lord Verimoor's face was red with fury. "Kill me."

Alexander shook. He stared into the angelic face of the man before him. He turned to Rose and saw the mark on her cheek. It would be so easy to kill the man. No one would say he did not deserve it.

Alexander was a duke. He had a right to defend his lands and his family.

"I could snap you like a twig." His voice was soft, dangerous. "I should snap you in half, end your life the way you did my father's."

"Then why don't you do it?" Lord Verimoor choked out.

Alexander's eyes met Rose's. He saw the fear and anger. He saw the pain this man and his violence had caused her. He finally understood what it was like to be a monster.

"I am not like you." He flung the Earl to the ground as Mr. Hartwell leaped down from his horse. "I take no pleasure in violence."

"Then you are a coward," Lord Verimoor spat as Mr. Hartwell bound his hands behind his back.

Alexander shook his head. "No, I am not. I simply know that death would be too good for you."

Lord Verimoor's eyes widened. "What do you mean?"

"We have your man, your letters." Alexander grinned. "We know everything, and I have my wife and her maid as witnesses to your debauched nature."

"You're going to spend the rest of your life behind bars." Mr. Hartwell smiled. "But first, I think you will spend some time in the stocks. I hear the people love pretty faces there."

"But I am an earl!" Lord Verimoor paled. "You cannot do this to me."

"Oh, but I can." Alexander drew himself up to his full height. "I am a duke, and you have done me and my family a great harm. It is well within my right to decide on your punishment."

"Then send me to prison." Lord Verimoor struggled against his captors.

"We will." Alexander looked at Rose. "How long do you wish him to remain in the stocks before his sentence begins?"

Rose looked at Lord Verimoor with such fury that Alexander was surprised the man did not burst into flames.

I hope never to make her that angry.

"Eight days." Rose smiled and turned to him.

"Eight days. You heard her, Mr. Hartwell." Alexander smiled. "I believe the kitchens have some food that needs disposing of. Perhaps you could send a few runners to collect it for me."

Mr. Hartwell nodded. "Of course, Your Grace."

"You will regret this, mark my words!" Lord Verimoor called, but Alexander ignored him.

Instead, he turned to Rose and gently stroked her face. "Did he do this to you?"

Rose nodded. "Yes. After I spat in his face again."

"I should have struck him." Alexander half turned, but Rose caught his hand, shaking her head.

"He is not worth it." She kissed each of his knuckles. "And he will have an adequate punishment."

"Nothing will ever be enough for the harm he has done." His breath caught in his chest. "When I think of what he might have done to you…"

"But you saved me." Rose's voice broke. "You saved me."

Alexander held her tightly. "I promised I would always keep you safe."

Rose began to weep. He held her tightly, although he couldn't suppress the tremors coursing through him. He whispered quiet words of comfort, breathing in the scent of her and letting her feel his warmth. When she had stopped, he gently cupped her face in his hand and kissed her forehead.

"Will you take me home?" Rose asked.

Alexander nodded and then glanced around. Through some stroke of luck, his horse was standing nearby, grazing on some grass. He led her to the beast.

He mounted his horse easily and then pulled her up in front of him. "It shall be a slow journey home."

"I do not mind," she murmured against his chest. "I know you will keep me safe."

"Always," Alexander whispered.

He clicked his tongue, and his horse began to walk. As he held Rose in his arms, and the sun slowly began to set in the sky, he felt as though his life were finally beginning.

At last, I am free.

When they reached the grounds of Emberly, Alexander helped her down from the horse. He held her in his arms and carried her to the castle.

A small crowd was waiting for them. Both his and Rose's family descended on them. Everyone clamored to be close to Rose. They wanted to know she was safe.

"Rose? What happened?" The question was repeated over and over as Rose's mother and sisters fought to touch some part of her, as if to reassure themselves that she was safe.

Olivia, too, seemed desperate to be close to her friend.

As their families peppered her with questions, Alexander held Rose close, keeping them from overwhelming her.

My body is your shield.

He moved so that he was between them and her. The feel of her head nestling into his shoulder released a tension he had not realized was there.

"Please, Rose needs space and time." Alexander met each person's gaze as he made his way through the small crowd. "I will tell you everything, but for now, please, give us a moment."

He tried to sound reassuring, breathing in the familiar scent of Emberly mixed with Rose's citrusy scent. Warmth spread through him, and his shoulders relaxed. She was safe, and they were home. Everything was right in the world.