“I… I…” she started, nearly giving in.
“You need sleep,” the Duke said firmly. “And something to eat. Here, let me.” He held a hand out for her to take. “Please.”
Rose eyed the hand with trepidation. She wanted to take it, and she knew that she should do so.
However, her eyes lifted from the hand to the man to whom it belonged, and anger spewed through her. Who was he to pretend that he cared? Who was he to come to her suddenly and act as if he had her best interests at heart? He did not care. He was not worried. And whatever this was, she would not fall for it.
Is that stupid and stubborn of me? Yes, yes it is. Do I care? Not at all.
“I don’t want your help.” She slapped the hand away. “Nor do I want your pity.”
“I am not pitying you –”
“As I said, we both know what this marriage is, and I don’t expect you to pretend otherwise. Because why, exactly? A sudden moment of guilt? Did your friends bully you into it?”
“I was worried about you.”
She laughed. “And I don’t believe it. Now, if you do not mind, I think it is time for bed.” Rose fixed him with a final, rueful glare and jumped to her feet.
And then she fell back down.
It felt as if the floor was rising and the ceiling was sinking in concession. Her knees buckled, the strength in her body gave way, and she collapsed like a rag doll before she could say so much as a word.
“Rose!” The Duke acted quickly.
He swept her into his arms, his large and powerful arms wrapping around her waist and pulling her into his chest before there was a chance for her body to hit the floor.
“Oh!” she cried out, still in a daze, still not entirely sure what was happening. On instinct, one arm wrapped around his neck, and before she knew what was going on, he was holding her, and she was holding him.
Time seemed to stop.
Rose looked up and found the Duke’s green eyes holding her. In them, she saw now the concern and the worry that he had hinted at earlier. And she could feel the truth of it in the way he held her, how desperate he was to keep her safe. To protect her.
It was not an act. It was not born from guilt. It was real.
“I- I do not know…” she stammered weakly, her body trembling in his arms.
“You are not well,” he said, still holding her to him. “Please, let me help you.”
“I don’t need,” She swallowed. “Your help.”
He laughed, and she realized it might have been the first time she had heard such a thing. “You really are that stubborn?”
“Are you surprised?”
“No, I guess I am not.” A smile took his lips, grew slowly, and reached his eyes so they sparkled.
Rose’s breathing was heavy. Her body was weak. She could hardly think or even more. Yet, her heart began to thud loudly, a warmth spread through her limbs, and in that instant, she was transported back to the first time she had seen the Duke. A feeling that was alien to her, for so many reasons.
“Maybe I do need to rest,” she said softly, looking away because she could not stand to hold his eyes.
“And something to eat,” he said, just as softly.
“Perhaps just a little.”
“Can you?” Gently, he helped her to her feet, and when he let her go, Rose gasped, because it felt like he was tearing a piece of her away. “You can stand?”
Her legs wobbled, but she managed to stay on her feet. “I can.”
