Page 96 of Trapped with her Cruel Duke

“You are not merely pleased to have tamed the Iron Harridan?” she asked, the bitterness in her voice palpable.

Christian drew her to him. “I do not need to tame her,” he murmured. “She was quite perfect just the way she was,” he said tenderly. “But if you ever think of leaving me again, I will not hesitate to punish you.”

Her breath caught in her throat as he slowly lowered his head, giving her the chance to pull away. She watched him warily but finally closed her eyes as their lips met in a passionate kiss.

They remained at Northbridge Manor for some time as they all had tea together, the burden of the Earl’s presence visibly lifting off the Countess’s shoulders.

Louise felt off balance and unsure of everything, but Christian remained at her side for the rest of the day, attentive and caring to a fault. Indeed, he was rarely more than a few feet from her.

Marcus, for his part, was an entirely changed man. The distance and stiffness in his posture had melted away. He laughed easily and seemed hugely relieved that Christian had accepted his relationship with the Countess.

“Where will you go?” Christian asked eventually.

The weather outside had improved greatly, and bright sunshine streamed through the windows.

“I thought about the house in Buckinghamshire. It is small compared to the one in Derbyshire and not too far from London. I would not wish for Althea to be too far from Louise.”

Christian saw Louise smile at Marcus gratefully, but for the first time, he did not feel jealous.

There truly is nothing between them. What a blind fool I have been.

“I think that would be an excellent idea,” Christian agreed.

“You would not mind?” Marcus asked worriedly. “I know that it will be splattered all over the gossip sheets soon.”

Christian waved a hand. “Society has never accepted us fully, Marcus. We have been traveling upstream all our lives and still prevailed in the end. I would rather my brother were happy and content than placating that nest of vipers. My wife and I will weather the storm when it comes.”

Lady Northbridge bowed her head. “You are too kind, Your Grace.”

Christian shrugged a shoulder. “I am simply sorry you have already weathered your own, My Lady. This townhouse willalways be available to you should you ever return to London. It is in my possession and will remain so.”

Lady Northbridge and Marcus glanced at one another happily, and Christian felt lighter than he had in an age.

“You should take Jack with you,” Louise said softly.

Marcus turned to her, placing his teacup on the saucer before him with a surprised look. “What? No, I could not possibly do that.”

“He prefers you to me and finds peace with you. The city is no place for a kitten to grow. Moreover, you have always wanted a pet, Mama,” Louise said gently as her mother attempted to mask her excitement about the idea.

“But would you not miss him, dearest?” Lady Northbridge asked.

“I would,” Louise confessed. “But I would rather he had a large estate to scamper around, and there are so many carriages here that he might injure himself if he ventures outside. Besides,” she added mischievously, glancing at Marcus, “it will give me a reason to visit.”

Christian laughed, as did Marcus, and the lightness he felt bloomed into something new and bright and clear as he looked at his wife.

She is the most beautiful creature I have ever seen, and she is all mine.

EPILOGUE

The streets were dark by the time they headed home.

Louise settled on the bench opposite Christian, aware that his eyes rarely left her as they traveled through the dark streets.

She still did not know how to feel about what he had said. She had spent the last few days convincing herself that he had no feelings for her and that she could never expect a connection to grow between them. Discovering that he returned her feelings filled her with elation and fear in equal measure.

Does he truly want me? Or did he just tell me what I wanted to hear?

They rode back home in relative silence as her doubts and worries spiraled through her mind. She watched Christian for most of the journey, just as he watched her.

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