Page 83 of Trapped with her Cruel Duke

He was in the entrance hall, removing his hat and gloves and murmuring quietly to Fenwick. He glanced at her when she approached, but his expression gave nothing away.

Several scenarios were running through her mind, from Christian killing her father to her father ruining him with a single word.

Fenwick took his leave, and Christian crossed the entrance hall toward her, raising his eyebrows as though he were confused by her presence. Her anger flared at his casual demeanor.

“Why are you looking at me as though nothing happened? Do you not know how worried I have been?”

Christian closed his eyes, his jaw flexing as he folded his hands behind his back. “I told you that I would deal with it, and I have,” he said, sounding exasperated, and then walked toward his study.

“Stop walking away from me!” she thundered, following him into the room and slamming the door shut behind her. “Tell me what happened between you and my father. I have been worried sick for hours. I have no idea what you were doing, what you said, or how you chose to act. You will tell me this instant!”

She was panting by the end of her tirade, but when his eyes locked onto hers, she felt the familiar pulse of desire at the heat in them, and her anger melted away.

“What would you like to know?” Christian asked, taking a step toward her.

“What did you say to my father?”

“I told him that he would keep you out of our business, and he has agreed. That is all.”

Louise opened her mouth, staring at him in disbelief, and then scoffed. “That is all, is it? He simplyagreed?”

“He did. Were you expecting something more interesting? I believe you specifically told me that you did not wish for us to come to blows. We would have if it had been left up to your father, believe me.”

Lousie looked him over, fearful that he might be hiding some injury.

Christian let out a hollow laugh. “Ah, now you are concerned about my welfare. How touching. Considering I have married you to exactrevengeon your father and nothing else, I am astonished you care at all.”

“You did not deny it!”

Christian’s eyes widened comically before they narrowed as he took another step toward her.

“I believe, Duchess, that my exact words were that your insinuation offended me deeply. Or do you only listen to your father’s opinion on the matter?”

“How am I supposed to listen to yours?” she retorted. “You give nothing away. Even when we spend time together, you barely speak to me, and if I ask you what it is I can expect from you, all you tell me is that we have anarrangement. How am I supposed to understand what you want from this marriage when you do not choose to play a part in it!”

Her chest was heaving now, the fears in her heart coming out in a raw and vulnerable way that she had not intended.

Christian snarled as he took a final step forward and gripped her upper arms tightly, roughly pulling her to him.

“Do you understand this?” he shot back, before lowering his head and claiming her mouth.

It was a harsh and brutal kiss, and Louise melted against him, powerless to prevent it as his heat enveloped her and his tongue plunged into her mouth.

She moaned as he walked her back to the door, grunting as her back hit it and his hands tangled in her hair. All she could feel was his tongue and his fingers gripping her flesh, not allowing her to move an inch as he devoured her body and soul.

After what felt like an age, he finally pulled back and drew in a gasping breath, resting one hand beside her head against the door and staring at her with blazing eyes.

Louise shivered as he slowly slid his hand down the door, before pushing away from her and straightening his clothes. His movements seemed hurried and uncertain.

“I did not marry you for revenge.” His voice was flat but sincere. Guilt welled up inside her at the hurt in his eyes. “After everything we have shared, did you truly believe that to be the case?”

Louise hesitated, studying his face for any signs of deceit.

Does he truly care for me? It is in times like this that I can almost believe he feels the same for me as I do for him.

Christian smoothed down his waistcoat and fiddled with his cuffs. There was something awkward in his manner that reassured her. He was rarely awkward, always knowing what step he needed to take next. Now, he looked ruffled, and all she wanted to do was reassure him.

His cravat had come undone in the frenzy of their kiss. She stepped forward, slowly raising her hands to his neck, and he watched her with a frown.

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