Page 44 of Trapped with her Cruel Duke

“Louise, you arenottaking that thing home with you.”

“Then we shall remain in the rain until dawn,” she replied stubbornly, sticking out her chin and hugging the kitten close to her chest.

“Can’t you be reasonable, wife?”

“I cannot believe you would leave this poor creature to fend for itself on a night like this.”

“All right, fine!” he hissed, his eyes darting to the doorway, where Jarvis was watching their exchange with amusement. “But if thatthinggets under my feet, it will be out of the house within twenty-four hours. Is that understood?”

Louise climbed into the carriage, deliberately choosing not to answer him.

“Thank you,Your Grace. We are both most grateful.”

“You realize that if I die from fever after standing in the cold all night, it will be that kitten’s fault.”

“Then you had better go inside,” she said smartly and pulled the door closed behind her before the carriage took off.

She felt the warm lump in her arms snuggle deeper into her coat, and despite her soaking-wet dress, she tried to ensure that it was warm, feeling it quivering beneath her fingers.

She glanced back as the carriage slowly moved through the pouring rain and was surprised to see Christian still standing outside, showing no inclination to go back into the club. He had an odd expression on his face, as though he were trying to work something out.

Louise sat back in her seat and stroked the kitten in her arms, a smile that she could not explain playing on her lips.

CHAPTER 18

By the time Louise arrived home, she was shivering violently. The carriage had offered little protection from the cold, and she kept the kitten close to her breast as she walked into the house.

Fenwick was standing by as she passed her hat and gloves to a footman, but she struggled with the cat in her hands.

“Fenwick, would you assist me, please?” she asked.

The butler stepped forward and held out his hand for her gloves, his face contorting in consternation when he was handed a small ball of wet fur. He stared at the cat and then at Louise. It almost looked as though he were hiding a smile.

“I found her in the rain on the steps of the club. I could not just leave her behind. Could you tell my maid to draw me a bath, please? I am chilled to the bone.”

Louise felt a sharp pang of guilt for giving such an order at a late hour, but she was so cold she did not think even her bed would warm her. The butler, however, did not look in the least bit annoyed by the request, nodding to a maid who scurried away.

“I shall have a bowl brought to your bedchamber, Your Grace,” he said, his fingers gently stroking the kitten. It was mewing unhappily again, and as Louise took it back from him, she frowned.

“A bowl, Fenwick? What do you mean?”

“I believe the kitten may need a bath too, Your Grace. It is rather cold.”

Louise smiled at him. The butler’s eyes twinkled as he watched the cat. It was clear from his expression that he had no objection to the new addition to the household.

“Very good, Fenwick, thank you.”

“Shall I have some fish sent up? I believe there is still some from supper.”

Louise’s smile grew. “Do you like cats, Fenwick?”

“Very much, Your Grace. My mother had cats all her life. This one looks very small. It cannot be more than a few months old.”

“Some fish would do very well, thank you.”

Louise ran up the stairs, and she felt sharp claws dig into her arm as the kitten looked around it with interest. Although it had been asleep in the carriage, it was now wriggling violently, trying to explore. She put it on the floor after she entered her room and watched its tiny legs move across the floorboards, its claws clicking against the wood.

“I hope you like your new home,” she said fondly as she removed her sodden dress, goosebumps rising on her skin.

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