Page 43 of Trapped with her Cruel Duke

“I was meeting with the constable investigating Marcus’s disappearance,” he revealed softly.

Louise felt a shiver of unease run through her. “Is there any news?”

Christian studied her for a few seconds before he sniffed and cocked his head. “Nothing. The constable wrote to me recently to tell me that they had found Marcus’s carriage, but they had not discovered a body. I was trying to ascertain if he views the case as closed or if they will continue the search.”

“And will they?”

Christian paused. “They will not.”

Louise’s shoulders slumped. This could only mean one thing…

She was desperate for Marcus to be safe, but her hope was dwindling.

“Come,” Christian said darkly, “we must get you home.”

He clicked his fingers, and a servant materialized with her coat. Christian took it and held it out to her. Louise frowned at him but did not argue, turning to allow him to drape it over her shoulders. His hands lingered on her for just a moment.

The rain was coming down in sheets as she looked out the door; the dim light from the oil lamp highlighted the deep puddles and oozing mud on the street.

As the sound of horses’ hooves approached, Christian walked out into the deluge, careless of the fat raindrops soaking him through in seconds. He waited for the carriage to arrive and waved away the footman who opened the door for her.

“Are you making sure that I leave?” she asked.

“I did tell you what would happen if you remained,” he growled. “Perhaps I should come with you in the carriage.”

“And what would you do if you did,Your Grace?”

Christian stepped up to her, raindrops running down his sharp cheekbones, his eyes flashing. “Perhaps we should find out.”

Louise sucked in a breath, uncertain yet thrumming with desire. She was about to climb into the carriage when she heard a faint sound that she could not place.

Despite the rain, she turned around, hearing Christian’s sigh of exasperation as she listened carefully.

There it was again. A mewling little noise, like a child in pain, but half as quiet. She looked around for its source, conscious of the silent street and the ominous shadows moving in the distance. It was not wise to linger in the street at almost one o’clock in the morning, but she could not help it.

Suddenly, she thought she saw something moving across the corner of the step. Edging closer, she saw a tiny bundle on the edge of the step, soaked to the bone, its little eyes peering up at her plaintively.

“Oh my goodness, Christian. Look! It is a kitten,” she gasped, crouching down, careless of the mud staining her skirts and holding out a hand. “Come here, sweetheart.” She clicked her tongue. “Come on, sweetie,” she whispered. “It’s all right, I won’t hurt you.”

She remained in a crouched position for several minutes. The rain soaked through every layer of her clothing, but she refused to move. She was utterly drenched. She crept forward as Christian let out an exasperated growl.

“Would you get in the damn carriage, Louise? This is ridiculous.”

But she would not be deterred. Asher hair slowly came loose and fell about her shoulders, she remained where she was, waiting for the animal to trust her enough to approach her.

Eventually, after what felt like hours of coaxing, she was finally able to get close enough to it to pick it up.

It was impossible to discern what color the kitten was. It was shivering violently, mewing every now and then in fear, and its fur was so soaked that it simply looked black.

“Now, what will you do with it?” Christian asked in a frustrated tone. “You are not taking that back to the house. I like things in order… and free of fur!”

Louise cradled the kitten in her arms. “What would you have me do? Leave it here to die?”

“The creature is hardly our concern. I imagine its mother abandoned it—it might be ill or the runt of the litter.”

“Do not listen to him,” Louise cooed at the little furball in her arms. “He doesn’t know how special you are, does he?”

When she looked back at him, Christian was watching her with a strange expression, but he shook it off and glowered at her.

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