Page 30 of Trapped with her Cruel Duke

“I see. Well, breakfast is ready when you have finished conversing with the flowers.”

“I’ll have you know that conversing with the flowers is much more enjoyable than speaking to most people in Society.”

“Because they do not answer back?” he asked sardonically.

“Because they listen,” she murmured softly.

She made to walk past him and head into the house, but he didn’t move. She rolled her eyes as she was forced to brush against his body through the thin strip of grass between the beds. A bolt of desire shot through her as his hand came up to steady her, and her gaze met his as she eased her way by.

“Your parents will be here this afternoon,” he said in a low, intimate voice.

“Yes, thank you. I am aware,” she answered shortly, trying to disguise the need he elicited in her.

The sun came out later that morning, and it was a warm enough day for them to have tea outside.

Christian could hear the low murmur of voices as he reached the doors to the gardens. Lord Northbridge was speaking to Louise, his hand folded behind his back in a strict manner. For a man who hadn’t a penny to his name, he was remarkably good at appearing respectable.

Christian stepped out into the warm spring air. Both Lady Northbridge and Louise had shawls around their shoulders, but Lady Northbridge was admiring the gardens with much enthusiasm.

He wondered whether his mother-in-law shared his wife’s love of plants and resolved to stay out in the gardens for as long as possible to ensure the ladies were entertained.

Lord Northbridge glanced behind him as Christian emerged, a familiar disdain flashing across his face before he gave a polite nod. Louise, to Christian’s surprise, seemed rather relieved by his appearance, and he moved quickly to her side, before bowing to Lady Northbridge.

“Good afternoon, Lady Northbridge, Lord Northbridge. You are most welcome.”

As they all moved to the table set out on the terrace at the edge of the lawn, he caught a glimpse of their reflections in the large glass windows looking out over the gardens. The Dawsons were all pale, classically English in their looks, whereas his darker Italian heritage was on obvious display. Christian looked at Louise’s father just in time to see him studying him with a sharp glare.

“And is your husband treating you well?” the Earl enquired, his eyes still fixed on Christian.

Louise stiffened, her bright blue gaze darting to Christian before she pursed her lips. “Of course, Papa,” she replied as the servants came out of the house, bearing tea trays laden with cakes.

Christian watched as the teacups were placed before each of his guests and the tea was dutifully poured. A cake stand piled high with beautiful delicacies was put in the center of the table, with two milk jugs on either side.

He waited patiently until the servants departed and then looked at the Earl with an expectant look. “How did you expect me to treat her?” he asked. “I have not yet had the opportunity to gamble her away on a hand of cards.”

Louise made a choked sound in the back of her throat as he picked up his teacup, very deliberately keeping eye contact with the Earl as he did so, waiting for the inevitable explosion.

To his dismay, the Earl seemed utterly unperturbed by his comments, but Lady Northbridge blushed profusely. His feelings of satisfaction were quickly soured by guilt.

“I am most glad to hear it,” the Earl said pompously, leaning over the table, plucking amacaronoff the stand, and popping it into his mouth. “One can never tell.”

The weighted comment made Christian’s blood boil, and heedless of the ladies present, he could not hold back from making his feelings known.

“My Lord, you appear to have forgotten yourself. Just because I have married your daughter does not give you the right to insult me in my own home!”

“You have glorious gardens, Your Grace,” Lady Northbridge interjected loudly as her husband opened his mouth to snap back. “Such magnificent cherry trees. I am not used to seeing such large specimens in London gardens.”

Christian kept his eyes on the Earl for just a little longer before focusing on his mother-in-law. “It is all my mother’s work, I assure you. Although my Duchess has plans to expand the gardens, I believe.”

Louise leaned forward as though to elaborate on some of those plans, but her father interrupted her before she had a chance.

“I hopeyouhave not forgotten yourself, Your Grace,” the Earl barked. “We have business to attend to, or did you think I simply came to have tea with you?”

Occasionally, Christian would get so furious that his anger would plateau out. He had always been aware of the Earl’s arrogance, but now that he knew him better, he sensed something more lacing his interjection.

The Earl of Northbridge wasfrightened. He was sitting in the presence of someone who had complete control over him, and it was clear that he wanted to affirm his authority—it was the only card he had left to play.

Christian was not inclined to allow him to get off so easily.

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