Page 17 of His Godsent Duchess
"I do not drink tea," he repeated, irritation lacing his tone. "And I dislike repeating myself."
"Understood," she muttered, adding a spoon of sugar into the cup anyway. She then placed a slice of peach cake onto a plate and spooned some cream onto it. Taking the cake to him as he placed the last book on the shelf, she said, "You left before dessert."
He turned, his brows rising in surprise. "What is this?"
"You left before dessert," she repeated.
He accepted the cake with reluctance, setting it down on a desk. Taking a bite, he picked up another stack of books, his expression thoughtful but guarded.
After arranging the books, the Duke returned to the desk and ate several more bites of the cake. Christina smiled softly, watching him. He picked up a book that appeared to be missing a cover and began arranging the disarrayed sheets. Christina felt a pang of guilt.The book wouldn't have been destroyed if I hadn't allowed the children to use them as forts.She held back a sigh and decided to speak.
"Annie used to have a sparkle in her eye, but it is now gone," she said quietly.
He met her gaze, his eyes curious. "Why did the sparkle leave her?"
Christina gave a little shrug and lied. "I don't know." Telling him the truth would not earn her his approval, and she needed that right now. "I hope your daughters will help Annie become herself again. They can be a bit rambunctious, and with Annie's calm and good sensibility, they might learn to be calmer too."
The Duke finished his cake and brought the plate to the tray, then stood in front of her. Before he could speak, she blurted out, "Are you seeking to intimidate me?"
She regretted it immediately when she saw his eyes flash. "If I agree to allow your sister to visit, there will be rules that you must follow," he said sternly.
She nodded, feeling both relief and trepidation.
"There is to be no playing and shouting," he continued. "The library is still out of bounds, and if the girls want some sunshine, they are allowed a half-hour walk in the gardens under Miss Peversly's supervision."
The mention of the governess irritated Christina, but she didn't let it show. "How long will you permit Annie to stay?"
"However long she likes," he replied.
This pleased Christina, and she curtsied before him. "Thank you, Your Grace."
The corner of his mouth curved, but not quite into a smile. She wondered what would make him smile and found herself curious to see it. "Do you ever smile?" she asked.
"No," he replied flatly.
"Do you ever laugh?" she teased, trying to coax a reaction from him.
He gave her an incredulous look before realizing she was teasing him. "Rarely," he said, his eyes softening slightly.
"That is a shame," she said with a playful smile. "Laughter is good for the soul."
"Where did you learn that from? Mrs. Darlington-Whit's Seminary?"
"No, I learned it from somewhere better, from my old nurse."
Their gazes hold for a moment, and Christina feels that familiar blush staining her cheeks. Clearing his throat, he returned to the book that lacked a cover, and she followed him. When he picked up the torn cover, she asked, "Are you going to bind it yourself?"
His expression immediately grew cold, as if to remind her that she was responsible for its ruin. She felt a pang of guilt and could see how much he cared about the books in the gentle manner in which he was handling them.
"I'm sorry about the boo?—"
"I don't want your apology," he cut her off.
Christina wondered if this was the same man she had an almost pleasant conversation with moments ago. Sighing, she decided to leave the room but not before stopping to pick up the tea she had put sugar in earlier. She glanced over her shoulder and found the Duke's eyes on her.
"I will not waste good tea," she said with a shrug.
Then she left the room, closing the door softly behind her.
