Page 22 of Trapped with her Cruel Duke

Christian chuckled. Willis was one of the most cheerful men he’d ever met and one of the busiest. He had come to London without a penny to his name and now represented some of the finest clients the ton had to offer. Christian considered himself lucky to be among them.

“Might I bend your ear for a spell? There’s a glass of brandy in it for you.”

The solicitor’s skin was already flushed from too much drink, but he clapped him enthusiastically on the shoulder and nodded. “Anything for my favorite client. I shall return, boys. Dummy me in, won’t you!”

There was a chorus of groans from the Bridge table he had just abandoned, but he paid them no mind as Christian led him to two chairs before the fire. As they sat down, Christian produced the deed and handed it over.

Willis was a pleasant man, but he had little patience for small talk when it came to business, so Christian got straight to the point.

“I have won the deed to the Earl of Northbridge’s townhouse. I know the man doesn’t have two pennies to rub together. I wanted to ask if I would be able to entail it to my wife.”

Willis, who had begun reading the document, looked up at him and raised his eyebrows. “You are speaking about the former Louise Dawson, the Earl’s daughter?”

“I am.”

“Whyever would you do that?”

Christian gripped the arms of his chair, keeping his temper in check. It would not occur to many men, Willis included, to give any property to a woman, but he was determined to do it.

“Her father sold her to me, Willis, without so much as a backward glance over a hand of cards. She would have been left homeless if he had lost in any case. The man has no interest in caring for his family. I intend to ensure that she has some capital behind her should anything happen to me. He is mired up to his neck in debt—I would not wish her to be touched by that.”

“And yet you married her following an agreement over a hand of cards.” Willis’s bushy eyebrows lowered.

“That is none of your concern. I intended to protect the lady. The game became an auction within the same room. I have long since wanted to knock down the Earl a peg or two. I achieved that, and now I wish to do right by her.”

Willis clearly wasn’t happy about the circumstances, but he made a sort of gurgle in the back of his throat that Christian interpreted as acquiescence.

“Very well.” He squinted at the document. “It is easy enough for me to draw up a marriage settlement. We could create a trust for her entitlement, including the deed to the townhouse, to protect the assets from mismanagement or claims by third parties like her father’s creditors. We could also arrange for the townhouse to be passed on to her, or ratheryourchildren, should anything happen to her.”

Christian’s stomach clenched at the reminder of how long Louise intended to leave him without an heir. The mere thought of not being able to touch her for a full year was horrible enough. When Willis frowned at him, he schooled his features into a neutral expression and nodded.

“A trust would be ideal.”

“Do you wish to restrict the Earl’s access to the property in the meantime?”

“No. I would not wish to disrupt Lady Northbridge’s life. She is close to her daughter.”

“Very well. I’ll take this with me tonight, have a copy drawn up, and return it tomorrow. I’ll have the settlement with you by the end of the week.”

Christian felt the tightness in his chest ease, and he held out a hand. “My thanks to you. You are, as ever, quite indispensable.”

“Hmm. Well, I shall bill you accordingly, of course, and I still haven’t had my brandy.”

Christian huffed a laugh and beckoned a servant over, bidding the older man goodbye as he ordered a large measure of brandy for himself.

As he left the cardroom, he detected a familiar scent in the air, and all the tension came thundering back within a few seconds.

A woman was approaching him, her hips swaying in a subtle way he knew well. A dark, shimmering blue gown hugged her comely figure, and her blonde hair was arranged in a complicated style about her head. Christian’s hands clenched into fists instantly, and the reaction surprised him.

What he had told Louise was true—he had no intention of taking a lover. Yet, having the evidence of his past misdeeds thrown in his face the day after his wedding was irritating, to say the least.

Lady Cynthia Carruthers was a beautiful widow who frequented the club. Her figure and sensual charm had once attracted him like no other, but now it left him feeling cold.

“Good afternoon, Your Grace.” Her eyes ran over his figureveryslowly.

How did I ever find this woman attractive? In comparison to Louise, she is positively plain.

“Good afternoon, Lady Carruthers,” he greeted stiffly. “It is good to see you at the club again.”

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