Page 68 of Trapped with her Cruel Duke

“Of course, Your Grace,” the footman replied dutifully before leaving the room.

“You are a menace,” Christian growled down at Jack, but the words died in his throat as he realized the kitten had disappeared. “I am not crouching on the floor to look for you, so you had better come out this instant.”

He waited, but there was no movement beneath the chair.

Lord knows what Louise will do to me if I lose the damn thing.

Groaning, he bent down and knelt on the rug, lowering himself so that he could look beneath the chair. The kitten was sitting right in the center beneath the low-hanging fabric, staring at Christian as though he had forced him to hide there.

Christian sighed, extending his arm underneath the chair to try and retrieve him.

“Whatever are you doing, old man?” a voice drawled beside him.

Christian knocked his head violently against the wooden base of the chair as he tried to retreat.

“Goddammit,” he growled as he drew back and looked up at Gabriel’sveryamused face. Gabriel was holding a plate of fish in one hand.

“Traditionally, one does not barge into a man’s library without a warning,” Christian muttered as Jack, having smelled the fish, trotted out happily.

Gabriel put the plate on the rug, and the cat began to eat the fish with relish, his little purrs filling the room. He watched him with what couldalmostbe adoration on his face.

“I did not wish to disturb your game,” he replied.

“It was not a game. The creature is intentionally tormenting me.”

“I can see that. Very fierce, indeed,” Gabriel mused.

“Not that I do not always enjoy your company,” Christian said as he rose to his feet. “But what are you doing here?”

“I came to see if you had followed up on the list I gave you of our members’ outstanding payments. I know you prefer to deal with such things yourself, but you have been somewhat distracted of late. I had intended to offer to take the burdensome task off your shoulders so you can concentrate on your wife.”

Christian scowled at him. “Yes. I sent the letters this morning, as a matter of fact. I am sure they will pay up forthwith—they usually do.” He brushed his hands over his knees, frowning at the dust that had accumulated there, and looked up at his friend as an idea occurred to him. “Seeing as you are here, however, we are going to Hyde Park.”

Gabriel raised his eyebrows. “Whatever for? I do not wish to catch anyone’s eye. Promenading is almost as bad as a ball, and I have had my fill of tedious conversations for the week.”

“Youwill not be required to speak to anyone. But youwillbe accompanying me.”

“And where is your lady wife? Can you not take her with you?”

Christian’s neck flushed slightly as Gabriel’s dark eyes danced with humor.

“My, my, we are under the thumb. Why has she gone to Hyde Park, if I may ask?”

Christian stalked past him and out of the library, instructing a servant to watch the kitten while he was away. Gabriel followed at a leisurely pace, watching him with amusement as he put on his gloves and hat, which the butler had obediently brought over.

“She is with my brother. Are we going or not?” Christian snapped.

“You cannot go alone? Are you afraid you might look desperate for her attention?”

“You are insufferable this morning, I see,” Christian grumbled.

“Hmm. All right, I will go with you,” Gabriel relented with a long-suffering sigh. “But you owe me a favor. If I get approached byanyladies, you will buy me a case of that whiskey I had at your wedding. I declare it is the best I have had in an age.”

“You can have abottleof it if that happens, but I am not buying you a case. Besides, I shall protect you from the marriage mart.”

Christian marched out of the house, knowing his friend was following him from the gentle chuckle that drifted through the air.

Has Hyde Park doubled in size?

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