Page 87 of Trapped with her Cruel Duke

After denying that he needed her all this time, the notion of life without her was unbearable. How did she become so vital to him?

He slowly walked away from the house as the last tendrils of smoke drifted away into the night. The acrid smell of charredwood and fabric burned his nostrils as he descended the steps and crossed the garden toward his family.

“Is everything well?” he asked as he reached them.

His mother was staring at the blackened walls of the house. The fire had shattered the glass panes of the terrace doors—it was an unpleasant and gloomy sight.

“How did this happen?” she whispered.

“I do not know,” Christian replied somberly, “but we are all safe. That is what matters.”

Louise stepped forward then, and the kitten in her arms mewed at him as she stared at the destruction before them. Her face was a mask of uncertainty and fear, and all Christian wanted to do was take her in his arms and hold her. She did not look at him, her back rigid.

“Your Grace?”

Christian turned to find Fenwick standing before him. Beside him was a stable boy who could not have been more than fifteen.

“Would you tell His Grace what you told me, Larkin?” Fenwick prompted.

The boy gazed up at Christian, looking terrified to be in the presence of his master.

“What is it, young man?” Christian asked.

Larkin twisted his cap in his hands and glanced at Fenwick before he eventually mustered his courage and began to speak.

“I was out seein’ to the horses, Your Grace, and I heard someone movin’ outside. I thought it was odd, as all the horses were away for the night, so I went out to see who it was. I saw a man runnin’ away. The man who came with the lady.”

Christian frowned at him. “The lady?” He looked at Fenwick.

The butler’s expression was grave. “Larkin was working when Lord and Lady Northbridge came for tea, Your Grace.”

Christian clenched his hands into fists at his sides. “You are certain it was the same man?”

“Yes, Your Grace.” The boy nodded once. “I always remember a rude cove.”

Fenwick made a noise in the back of his throat, and Larkin stopped talking.

Christian swallowed and glanced at Louise, whose eyes were wide with shock. She looked as pale as a ghost.

“Thank you, Fenwick,” he muttered. “Please ensure that Larkin is rewarded for his honesty.”

“Of course, Your Grace,” Fenwick said and bowed as he retreated.

Christian turned back to his mother and brother. Marcus’s face was dark with fury, his eyes hard and cold.

“The Earl did this?” he hissed.

“So it would seem,” Christian murmured, but his attention was focused on Louise.

She was as still as a statue, watching the retreating figures of Larkin and Fenwick.

“Louise?” Christian said gently. “Are you all right?”

She turned to him, the expression on her face one he had not seen for several days. The Ice Queen was back, and the cold, steely look she gave him made his stomach churn.

“I never would have thought my father capable of this,” she mumbled, her eyes glistening with tears. “How could he do this?Whywould he do this? I can only apologize to you, Your Grace.” She swallowed as she looked back at the house.

Christian was about to scold her for using his title again, but as he studied her face, she did not seem entirely present. Her eyes were glazed over, staring ahead of her in shock.