Page 8 of Trapped with her Cruel Duke

Louise took a few minutes to gather herself before leaving the study.

Moving to the mirror above the fireplace, she checked that she was not overly flushed and that her hair was still neatly pinned to her head. The memory of the Duke’s fingers moving through the loose strands haunted her as she set the ribbon back in place. She shivered as she thought of how close he had been, his hot body pressed against hers.

The only other man who had come so close to her before was Lord Fortescue, and that experience had filled her with revulsion. But the same could not be said about the Duke. His smoldering gaze, partially obscured behind the wolf mask, had been menacing and thrilling all at once. It surprised her how much the danger in his countenance excited her.

She turned her back to the mirror, straightened her gown, and prepared to return to the ballroom. Before she did so, however, she looked once more around the room. It was the neatest studyshe had ever seen. Every item on the desk looked like it had been measured to fit. Nothing was out of place—just like the Duke himself.

Nervously, she moved to the door. They had been alone in the study for many minutes, and she was concerned that she would emerge to yet more gossip about her conduct.

When she stepped back into the main ballroom, a few curious eyes followed her as before, but her absence did not appear to have been noticed.

The tall form of the Duke was on the opposite side of the room. He was speaking to a man wearing a bull mask, and he looked entirely at ease.

A new dance set was in full swing. Bright, sparkling masks glittered in the candlelight in the center of the room. It was a jarring picture after the quiet, pulsing heat of the study.

The room was uncomfortably hot, and the reality of what her father had agreed to weighed heavily on her shoulders. Louise glanced around the room in search of her mother and spotted her beside the refreshments table. She paused, watching Lady Northbridge’s quiet stillness. An intense feeling of sadness filled her at the sight.

Her mother was lonely in so many ways and rarely happy. She looked lost, like a friendless child in a playground. Louise quickly headed toward her, noting the relief that filled her mother’s eyes when she spotted her.

“Is all well?” Lady Northbridge asked hurriedly. “I was worried.”

Louise pulled her mother to a more secluded corner, pretending she needed her to help with a button on her dress to avoid attracting attention.

“Papa has promised me to the Duke,” she stated simply, carefully watching for her mother’s reaction.

Lady Northbridge’s eyes widened, and Louise was relieved to note that the news seemed to come as a shock to her.

“What on earth do you mean?” her mother asked darkly. “You cannot bepromisedto him. That is quite impossible.”

“I am not mistaken, Mama.”

“You must be,” Lady Northbridge insisted quietly. “Your father does not intend for you to become the Duke’s mistress, surely!” Her fingers fumbled with her skirts, her eyes darting around the room as though searching for an escape.

“Not quite.” Louise placed a hasty hand on her arm. “The Duke intends to marry me, or so he says.”

Lady Northbridge stilled and looked back at her, a change coming over her that made Louise’s heart sink a little.

“Marriage?”

“Yes. The Duke believes that Papa had something to do with Lord Marcus’s disappearance, though I have no notion as to how he came to that conclusion. I believe the deal for my hand is a way to manipulate Father into revealing the truth.”

The music seemed louder suddenly, the noise of the crowd dimming as Lady Northbridge’s gaze remained fixed on the Duke. Her eyes followed him as he walked around the room and spoke to some of his acquaintances. There was something in her gaze that Louise struggled to read—a new light she had not seen before.

Her mother took her arm and walked back toward the dance floor. “I confess, that changes things,” she whispered. “Are you certain his intentions are honorable? I will not give my only daughter to a man who would defile her.”

“It seems so. He said we would be married ‘without delay.’ I believe he intends for us to marry in haste.”

They stopped, and Lady Northbridge turned to Louise, the same tension in her eyes as she held Louise’s hand.

“I know this must be a shock to you, dearest, but there are worse fates in this life, believe me. This will give you a chance to get away from your father for good.”

Louise sucked in a sharp breath at that.

“I know you were close to Lord Marcus and you wish to know what has become of him. Perhaps this is the way. At least you know the Duke’s family is well-connected and well-liked. He may not be his brother, but he cannot be that bad.”

“He is nothing like Marcus. Marcus is sweet and kind. The Duke is cold. I don’t believe I saw an emotion pass over his face.”

Except lust.

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