Page 55 of Trapped with her Cruel Duke

Louise handed him her empty glass without hesitation and made her way through the crowd. Christian’s eyes did not leave her until the two women embraced.

“My God, I never would have thought it,” Gabriel muttered.

Christian glowered at him, but Gabriel merely gave him a smug look.

“Do you deny it?”

“Deny what?” Christian grumbled.

“That you can hardly take your eyes off the chit.”

“Don’t call her—” Christian broke off, reining in his temper as Gabriel bounced on the balls of his feet in apparent glee. “She is not achit. She is my wife, and I would ask you to remember that.”

“How could I possibly forget? Lately, she is all you speak about.”

“That is not true.”

“It is. You are a fool if you think otherwise. I never would have thought that the Iron Harridan would tame the Duke of Egerton.”

“Would you be quiet?” Christian hissed, placing the empty glass Louise had handed to him on the tray of a passing servant. “If nothing else, I hope that her nickname will fade now. She has done enough to distance herself from it.”

“She is on your arm—that has to count for something. It certainly makes her more intriguing. Perhaps I should ask her to dance.”

“I will cut off your toes if you try,” Christian gritted out.

Gabriel snorted loudly. “I am going to find Arkley,” he drawled. “He is far more agreeable than you, at present. I shall leave you to your observations.” And then he disappeared into the crowd.

“Go to the devil,” Christian muttered.

But despite his friend’s taunting, he was unable to move far from his charge.

He hung back, watching Louise speaking to the ladies around her, strangely jealous that eventheyreceived her attention while he did not.

CHAPTER 22

It was glorious to see Sybella.

They had only been apart for three days, but with the myriad activities and adjustments Louise had experienced following her wedding, she was thrilled at the sight of a friendly face.

“Your Grace,” Sybella said humbly as she pulled her into her arms. “I do not believe I will ever get used to that title.”

“Please use it sparingly,” Louise insisted. “I am still just Louise to you.”

“You are aduchess,” Sybella said proudly. “No matter the circumstances, that carries weight.” She ran her eyes over her friend. “You look well, despite everything. How is marriage treating you?”

Louise glanced behind her at Christian. “I am not sure on that point,” she said, turning back to Sybella. “But I am very lucky to have loyal friends. I am so pleased to see you.”

Sybella smiled. “And I you. I have thought of you often in the last few days and was hoping you would attend the ball.”

“My father hasalwayswished to receive an invitation to this event—he would be green with envy that I am standing here.”

“As well he might be,” Sybella muttered bitterly. “You are here because ofandin spite of him. Never forget that.” She stepped a little closer to Louise and lowered her voice. “Have you heard from your mother?”

Louise’s heart swelled at her friend’s concerned expression. Sybella was the only person she had confided in about what she had witnessed between her parents.

She glanced around furtively, ensuring that no one was eavesdropping.

“She is well, I think. She packed a great number of books on botany and the like in my trunk, for which I was very grateful. She always puts me ahead of her needs, and I intend to repay her for it. I have so much work to do on my encyclopedia; it feels rather overwhelming, at present.”