Page 58 of Trapped with her Cruel Duke

“I have a section in my book dedicated to thistles, in fact. Iadorethem. I was hoping to procure a sunflower so that I might draw it.”

“I would be happy to send you a cutting of one of my own, Your Grace. I am staying with my cousin, and I have several growing in the hothouse at his estate. He has told me that they are quite taking over, but I have no interest in reducing their number. I am hoping that I might introduce some butterflies to the space and see how they fare.”

“Oh, that would be wonderful!” Louise exclaimed, glancing at Christian with excitement as he watched on with a rather bemused expression.

Christian stood back and watched Louise with fascination. He had witnessed her speak about plants before and did not think he would ever grow tired of seeing the spark in her eyes when she expanded on the subject.

He glanced at Lord Fiorelli, who was nodding his head enthusiastically and absorbing her every word. Christian frowned, noting for the first time how young the man was. Even as they spoke of something as innocent as butterflies, Christian wished he had not introduced them to each other.

Does she have to smile so much?

He listened to their conversation idly, aware that Louise’s knowledge of plants was far-reaching and broad. Even with a man as learned as Lord Fiorelli, she held her own, asking pertinent questions and even elaborating on whatever he spoke of, eliciting an expression of quiet awe from him that set Christian’s teeth on edge.

It was growing colder, and after almost thirty minutes of vigorous discussion, Christian was becoming restless. He glanced back at the swirl of the dancers in the main room. They had been at the ball for a few hours only, but he was already eager to leave.

Not so long ago, he would have gone to the card room or entertained himself with Gabriel or Isaac and spent many long hours drinking brandy. Now, looking at his exquisite wife, the swell of her breasts, and her narrow waist, he simply wanted to drag her into a room and quench the lust that was thrumming through his veins.

Am I truly considering leaving one of the most exclusive balls of the Season just to be with my wife? Apparently!

He allowed the conversation to continue for another ten minutes, interjecting at intervals with an agreement or a question but counting down the seconds until a pause would come and he could interrupt.

Finally, Lord Fiorelli was hailed by a man who came onto the terrace, and he excused himself with much regret, assuringLouise that he would write to her soon and send her a plethora of specimens and seeds for her collection.

Louise was flushed and vibrating with excitement by the end of their conversation, and Christian was itching to draw her attention back to him and him alone.

“Thank you!” she gushed as she watched Lord Fiorelli leave.

Does the man have to be so handsome? Surely, there is some flaw in his character that I do not see.

“I have never met a man like him before. He is soknowledgeable. And he spoke to me as though I were his equal.”

“And why should he not? Your knowledge rivaled his own in certain areas,” Christian replied firmly.

“I am no expert, Christian. All my knowledge comes from reading, not an education in entomology and botany.”

“That makes it all the more impressive. You have applied yourself in your own time, whereas Lord Fiorelli’s education—as grand as it may have been—must have been bought and paid for. You should not underestimate the effort and dedication you have shown in furthering your knowledge in such a way.”

Her eyes twinkled at that, and he could tell that she was pleased with what he had said. His posture relaxed just a little now thather eyes were back on him, and he intended to make them stay that way.

“Duchess, I believe it is time that we left.”

She raised her eyebrows at him. “So soon?”

He took her hand and lifted it to his lips, pressing a kiss to the back of it.

Louise pulled in a long breath as he did it, never breaking eye contact, and she could not have missed his meaning as he straightened and said with determination, “Immediately.”

CHAPTER 23

Louise bid her farewells to Charlotte and Sybella, who had both danced a great deal and were in high spirits.

Christian seemed in great haste to leave, and she could not understand why. Many at the ball would remain until the early hours, and she had not been able to dance at all, much to her disappointment.

As they made their way down the steps to their carriage, Christian’s body was practically vibrating with energy, and she hesitated as he opened the door for her before the footman had a chance to.

“Are you quite well?” she asked, looking at him in confusion.

“Get in the carriage.”

---