Page 64 of The Duke's Second Bride

Christian did his best to give him an encouraging nod. “Go on,” he said.

Luke cleared his throat in a way very reminiscent of his father. “Th-the mountains were c-c-cold …” He eyed his father warily at the stammer.

But Christian maintained an encouraging smile.

After a moment, Luke smiled back. Then he turned his gaze once more to the book.

“… coldest in the m-morning. By midday, th-they were still cold, but just bearable enough to allow for …”

As he continued to read, his stammer all but faded into nonexistence. After a few more paragraphs, he reached the end of the chapter, closing the book with a satisfied smile. He looked up at his father, beaming.

Christian grinned back at him. He reached out to ruffle the boy’s hair—a bit stiff in his movements, perhaps, but Luke rewarded him with an even brighter grin.

Perhaps, Christian thought to himself,I will never be a perfect father.

But this felt like a start.

CHAPTER 23

It was late afternoon by the time Edith left. The sun was beginning to lower in the sky.

After waving goodbye to her friend, Ava headed straight for Christian’s study.

When she got there, he was sitting at his desk.

God, he looked so handsome. Those blue eyes of his were as intense as always, this time focused on his paperwork. Ava recalled the night before, when he had set that same focus to the task of pleasuring her.

Just the thought of it was enough to make her blush deeply, as though heated from within.

At the creak of the door opening, he looked up to see her. Immediately, his face lit up with a subtle smile, brightening his entire demeanor.

“Ava,” he said, and the sound of her name in that low, rich voice sent a ripple of pleasure through her. “Good afternoon.”

“Good afternoon,” she said. Then, “I was looking for Pudding.”

He arched a brow, and Ava noticed he was very still in his seat, barely shifting at all.

“He is not here,” he said. “I have not seen the infernal creature all day.” He glanced downwards, then back up.

“Is that so?” Ava smiled, then tossed her head, beginning to walk around the edges of the room rather than directly towards Christian and his desk. “What a pity. I could have sworn Mrs. Wentworth had said she had seen him run down the corridor outside this study.”

“I do not doubt it,” Christian said.

As subtly as he could, he slid his chair closer to the desk. Ava pretended as though she did not notice the movement.

“And yet he is in none of the other hallways,” she continued, feigning disinterest in him and the desk in favor of looking over the many, many books that lined the room.

“Then perhaps you should ask Luke,” he replied smartly. “I imagine the boy would know where the cat is better than the housekeeper.”

“No, he isn’t with Luke.” She continued her slow examination of the walls and shelves of the room. When she glanced back at Christian, he had a sly smile on his face that mirrored her own. “Nor is he in my room.”

“Well, then,” Christian said. “I have not the faintest idea where he could be. You ought to keep better track of your pets.”

She gasped in mock offense. “How dare you!” she said, beginning to cross the room towards him. “Why, I love that cat more than life itself. And …”

She rounded the desk, revealing that, sure enough, Pudding was sitting on her husband’s lap, curled up and seemingly asleep, based on the lack of purring that accompanied this contented tableau.

“It looks rather as though you may be beginning to develop a bit of a fondness for him, too,” Ava said triumphantly, looking down at the cat, then back up at Christian, who looked slightly embarrassed at being caught out, though not entirely displeased.