Page 115 of Waking Roslyn

Rose smiled. “You weren’t gone long at all.”

“And you’re still improving?” she asked, nervous.

“Yes. I’ve told you, it keeps feeling better.”

“I know, I’m just—” The duchess blinked hard.

Roslyn nodded. “I keep worrying that the heaviness will come back, but it’s not. See?” She pointed her fingers toward the foot of her bed, and I watched in awe as her toes wiggled back and forth underneath the covers.

With Roslyn’s attention fixed on her mother and the duchess obviously needing the extra reassurance that Roslyn was all right, I decided it was time to find Thomas and get on with our investigation.

I walked toward the door and turned back only long enough to catch Rose’s eye and wave farewell, then I stepped out into the hallway.

I pressed my hands into my eyes, realizing that I hadn’t slept in twenty-four hours. Oh well. This couldn’t wait.

Halfway down the corridor, I saw His Grace step into the hallway and come toward me. I stepped aside and stood at attention, waiting for him to pass.

Perhaps I should have been used to his more personal approach to things, but I wasn’t. So when he stopped and looked at me with what I could only describe as a fatherly gaze, my surprise likely showed all over my face.

“You’re not taking care of yourself, John.”

“I’ll be well enough, Your Grace. I just had to be certain that Lady Roslyn was in good health.”

“Your health matters too,” he pointed out.

“She’s all that matters,” I blurted, and regretted the words instantly. They were too true, too vulnerable, and they caught the duke’s attention.

His eyes narrowed as he studied me with calm intensity. The moments stretched, but still he just stared. “You’re in love with my daughter, aren’t you?” were the words that finally came out of his mouth.

I choked a little, but all I could answer was, “Quite, Your Grace.”

“Hmm.” His scrutiny intensified. It was disconcerting because he didn’t seem the least bit angry, but the way he stared made it seem like he was sorting out some complicated puzzle.

“The morning that Roslyn was poisoned,” the duke began slowly, “her mother made a comment over breakfast.”

I waited, assuming this story would lead to an important ending.

“She said it was a shame that Roslyn couldn’t simply marry a commoner the way that I had.”

I reared back, wondering why he would mention such a random thing. Though I had admitted to being in love with Roslyn, it seemed an odd jump for him to mention marriage in the very next moment.

“The reason they are targeting Roslyn instead of me is because I cannot inherit. Marrying Violet made my inheritance unlawful. So if Roslyn were to marry a commoner…”

I blinked and suddenly wondered why no one had mentioned this before. Why hadn’t she just done that in the first place? Once she’d been old enough, why not marry so far below herself that she made her inheritance of the crown impossible, and move on with life?

Granted, it wasn’t that simple. She was only seventeen. It was cruel for me to expect that a young woman would sacrifice herself on the altar of marriage to someone she did not love. Even if it meant protection.

But still. It would be protection.

Had she considered it? When her mother mentioned it that morning, had Roslyn laughed at the silly notion, or had she stopped to think of it as a real option?

I would marry her. I would. This day. This minute. Not just to protect her, but because I could think of no greater joy than joining my life with hers.

When I finally looked back at the duke, he gave me a tight-lipped smile. “It’s something to think on” was all he said before taking his leave and striding down the corridor.

***

My thoughts were a roiling sea as I went downstairs. Marriage could save Roslyn. Marriage to someone like me could make her safe. It was a tempting fantasy to dwell on, but I had other things to do. As much as I wanted to swoop in and insist that she marry me for her own protection, my conscience wouldn’t allow it. I couldn’t suggest she choose me for such practical reasons. No. First and foremost, I needed to capture the men responsible for putting Roslyn in such a position of fear. Then if she wanted to marry as an extra layer of protection, I would enthusiastically volunteer.