Chapter Thirteen

G awain rose and held his breath while awaiting Cherish’s answer, although he knew she was going to accept.

She loved him and had already told him so. And he surely had to be in love with her if her irritating insistence on facing her uncle had only made him more determined to protect her.

Indeed, it seemed everyone was holding their breath while awaiting her answer, even her toad of an uncle, whose face had gone from apoplectic purple to ashen gray.

Ah, yes. This confirmed to Gawain the man had been stealing from his niece and was now about to be found out. Not only found out, but about to face the wrath of a Silver Duke who would soon be married to his niece.

Stupidly, if Northam had simply left matters alone and allowed Cherish to remain at the party, Gawain might not have been pushed to propose.

No, that was not quite right. He might not have been pushed to propose at this very moment, but his heart had known Cherish was the one for him the moment he set eyes on her. He had been too stubborn to acknowledge it and instead continued the farce of matching her to his nephew, when all along he knew he could never let this precious girl belong to anyone but him.

Well, they belonged to each other now. They both knew it and felt it, only he had been an idiot to resist the obvious.

“Cherish?”

Why was she taking so long to accept him?

Did she need reminding that marriage to him would make her a duchess and untouchable by her uncle? He also suspected that an accounting would reveal she had independent means, perhaps was even an heiress. He could not imagine her loving father ever purposely leaving her destitute. Of course, he could not pass on the entailed properties to her, but there had to be sufficient assets outside of the entailment that would have been left in trust for her.

Not that Gawain cared what she brought into their marriage beyond herself, but he was not about to let anyone steal what was rightfully hers.

“Do you remember the question?” He arched an eyebrow and grinned, for she looked deliciously bemused, and he did not want her thinking he was in jest.

She let out a breath and smiled up at him. “My head is still a bit foggy, but I do remember the question. It is not something I ever expected to hear from you.”

He nodded. “I know. I’m sorry I ever left you in doubt.”

“Oh, do not keep him waiting,” Margaret said with an impatient squeal. “Cherish, you must tell him what is in your heart.”

“He knows it already, Margaret.” But Cherish nodded. “Your Grace, there is no one for me but you, for it is you that I love. Not your title. Nor your wealth. Just you. I shall be delighted to be your wife.”

Cheers broke out all around them, and cheering loudest were Fiona, Reggie, and Margaret, who was hopping up and down and clapping. “I knew it! It had to be love, for you are the kindest and loveliest person, Cherish. I am so happy for you.”

“Thank you, Margaret.” Cherish gave the girl another heartfelt hug.

“Do I get one, too?” Gawain asked, his chuckle deep and resonant.

She nodded and rushed into his outstretched arms. “Thank you,” she whispered with a shudder of relief that coursed through her lithe body as he wrapped his arms around her. “We shall work it out later.”

Work out what? Did she believe he was merely pretending? That it was only a ruse to protect her from her uncle and he would beg out once the danger to her had passed?

He intended to disabuse her of the notion as soon as they had a quiet moment.

“This calls for champagne!” Fiona pushed forward to hug him. “Smartest thing you’ve done in your life, Gawain.”

Lady Albin stormed off. Reggie cast him a knowing look, for he had been the one to insist Lady Albin would never give up on him until he married.

Gawain was relieved to be done with her. But he felt no joy in seeing her brought down. For all her faults, they had a history, and he did not wish her ill. She had gone off in a huff, but he’d seen into her heart for just a moment, and she had looked defeated as well as angry.

What was going on with her? He might have helped her out had she told him the truth instead of resorting to mean tricks and selfish ploys. Perhaps he would seek her out at some point over the next few days to question her before she returned to London.

But his priority was now Cherish.

After all, it was not as though his proposing to Cherish had shattered his former beloved’s soul. If she felt devastated, it was only because she had failed in her objective, whatever that objective was. It had nothing to do with losing him.

But that glimpse of her with her defenses down concerned him.

However, his greatest worry was for Cherish, since she would remain vulnerable until he married her.

Her uncle was standing quietly for the moment, no doubt thinking hard about how to thwart Gawain. But it was never going to happen. He meant to obtain the license this very day and marry Cherish tomorrow morning.

He turned to Cherish, who appeared quite pensive, and placed a hand gently on her shoulder. “Having second thoughts already?”

She looked up at him, her eyes dancing with mirth. “Not about you. I have done nothing but dream of you since the moment we met. I am so filled with happiness, my heart is about to burst. But did you see that look on Lady Albin’s face as she ran off just now?”

“You noticed?”

She nodded.

“Do not be fooled by her, Cherish. She never loved me. However, I sense she is in serious trouble. I wish she had confided the problem to me. I would have helped.” He shook his head and sighed. “You are the immediate concern, and I mean to fix your situation as soon as possible.”

Her smile slipped a little. “Is this why you proposed to me? Out of a sense of duty to protect me?”

“No, Cherish. I’m sorry. That did not sound very romantic, did it? Let me get rid of your uncle first, and then I shall do better.”

Everyone marched into the dining room as Fiona’s footmen set out the glasses filled with champagne atop the buffet. Northam refused to raise a glass in toast. Gawain ordered him carted outside and held by two of Fiona’s burliest footmen. He understood the man was in no humor to celebrate an engagement that would soon lead to his demise, but the oaf was not going to ruin his and Cherish’s special moment.

Gawain waited until her uncle was hauled off. Only then did he turn to Cherish. Her eyes sparkled as she took a sip of champagne, and she looked lighter and more carefree than he had ever seen her. Not that he had seen much of her, for they had only met a few days ago.

This fact ought to have frightened him, but it did not. As foolish as it seemed, his heart had recognized her importance at once. In that moment, all his impenetrable walls had come down for her.

He joined in the cheering when several guests offered up a toast to their happiness.

Reggie’s turn came, and the boy had a wicked smirk. “The tables are turned, Uncle.”

Gawain grinned at his nephew. “Watch what you say, Reggie.”

“And lose this precious opportunity? Not on your life.” Reggie downed his champagne and then held out his glass for another serving. “You see, my friends, this Silver Duke came to Shoreham Manor determined to have me betrothed to a young woman of his choosing. That young woman was Lady Cherish. But it seems his plans went awry, because she stole his heart instead of mine.”

A collective chuckle ran through the crowd.

Reggie raised his glass again. “I wish you every happiness, Uncle Gawain. I know you shall have it with Cherish, for you chose wisely, even if it was unexpectedly for yourself.”

Gawain allowed a few more toasts and a few more jests, but put an end to this distraction as the well wishes got bawdier. “Reggie, Durham, I think it is time for us to escort Lord Northam home.”

The two set aside their glasses and marched Cherish’s uncle to the stable to retrieve their horses.

Before following them, Gawain planted a kiss on Cherish’s forehead. “I will see you later.”

“Oh, but my list! Well, it does not matter. Take anything you find in my bedchamber. I do not care about anything else.”

“Not even the sentimental pieces of jewelry?”

She shook her head. “No, the cameo brooch you gave me is more than enough, and I will treasure it always. I do not want anything Lord Northam and his wife have touched.”

“All right,” he said, pleased that she thought so highly of the brooch he had bought her the other day. But this was among the reasons he had fallen in love with her—for her sense of what was valuable and what was not.

Well, he’d loved everything about her from the moment they met. Perhaps this explained why he had yet to be hit by a sense of dread at the prospect of marrying Cherish. What would his fellow Silver Dukes say to this surprising turn of events? He would see them soon enough and find out, although he was sorry indeed they would not be here for the wedding.

He, Lynton, and Camborne had been friends a long time and close as any brothers. He knew they would wish him well, but not before giving him a hard time for breaking their bachelor bonds. However, he would wish them the same good fortune were they ever to find their right match.

It did not take him, Reggie, and Durham long to ride over to Northam Hall along with a wagon in which to load Cherish’s belongings. He doubted she would have much, since her uncle had been going out of his way to deprive her of all the trappings of her status ever since he took over responsibility for her.

Cherish had not cared about these slights nearly as much as she ought to have done. It simply was not in her nature to take offense or hold grudges. However, Gawain was not nearly as nice as she was and felt nothing but outrage on her behalf. He was not about to let her uncle’s cruel attempts to deprive her of her dignity and worth go unpunished.

As for that punishment, he would take his cues from Cherish, for he did not wish to overset her. Still, he would go after that oaf even if it was not done as thoroughly as he truly wished. He understood that Northam was her only family, and Gawain had to respect her feelings even if he considered her too softhearted.

He would not be happy, but Cherish’s happiness was more important.

He smiled thinking of her. Despite her quiet manner, there was an air of confidence about her, a spirit that her uncle had not been able to destroy. She had a sweet nature, but was no little mouse to be pushed around. He liked that unmistakable confidence in herself. As irritated as he was with her lack of fear for her own safety, he was also greatly relieved to see this spark of determination shine from within her.

Her uncle looked sallow and deflated as they rode to Northam Hall, obviously contemplating his mistake in coming after his niece and dreading what would transpire next.

Good. It was time the tables were turned and this man paid for his wrongdoing.

Gawain had met the Northam Hall butler and several others on the Northam staff when he stopped in the other day. “Good morning, Potter. We have come for Lady Cherish’s belongings.”

The man’s eyes rounded in surprise, but he hesitated not a moment before nodding. “At once, Your Grace.”

Lord Northam was not pleased by his own head butler’s compliance. “Anyone who assists Bromleigh shall be sacked on the spot. Not a thing is to be touched. She owns nothing. Not a gown or a shoe buckle. It all belongs to me!”

Gawain frowned. “Be quiet, Northam. I am keeping count of every petty, vindictive word out of your foul mouth. If you think this will not come back to bite you in the arse, then you had better think again.”

He turned to the butler. “Get her things packed at once, Potter. Ignore your master’s threats. I shall hire anyone he sacks for doing the right thing.”

Upon hearing those words, the Northam servants came out of the woodwork like ants. They ignored their master while he ranted and raved, and paid no heed to the equally unlikable Lady Northam when she lumbered down the stairs and began to shriek at them in outrage.

The servants took care as they packed Cherish’s possessions. The Northam footmen then loaded them onto the wagon Gawain had brought along for this purpose. “Well, Northam? Are you going to discharge your entire household? Even your cook and scullery maids came out of the kitchen to assist me. It will serve you right if you and your wife are abandoned entirely and left to fend for yourselves.”

“Blast you, Bromleigh,” Northam grumbled, and stormed back inside without a word to his staff, for it was obvious he dared not lose any of them.

Potter looked back at Northam’s retreating form and then turned to Gawain in dismay. “Too bad he kept silent. There is not one of us who wishes to serve him. Lady Cherish is another matter. We would lay down our lives for her. Your Grace, may I be so bold as to ask what is to become of her?”

Gawain smiled. “She is to become my wife.”

“Your wife?” The old butler’s eyes turned moist, and he cracked a broad grin. “I speak for the entire Northam staff when I say that we wish her every happiness and know she will have it with you. This is excellent news. You will not find a finer lady.”

Gawain nodded. “I shall convey your regards to her. Send word to Lady Shoreham if Northam dares to mistreat any of you after I’ve gone. She will let me know.”

“Thank you, Your Grace. That is very generous and much appreciated. Alas, I fear he is too enamored of his comforts to risk an uprising from his staff. I expect we are safe enough from his threats and bluster. Unfortunate, but there it is.”

Gawain and his companions made it back to Shoreham Manor in time for lunch. He was ravenous, but had to attend to a delicate matter with Cherish first.

She must have been fretting as she watched for his return. Gawain’s heart melted when he saw her standing on the front steps with her hands clasped in front of her and a worried look on her face. He noticed that she had changed out of her gown into a fresh one, for there was no bloodstain on the sleeve.

Good, for that scrape had concerned him. He’d thoroughly cleansed it, but did not like that it had bled again during her confrontation with Northam.

She lit up upon noticing his smile of conquest. He pointed to the wagon, which was filled with her belongings.

Fiona, Margaret, and a dozen other guests hurried out to greet them, but Gawain had eyes only for Cherish. Lord, would he always turn soft as pudding at the sight of her? Was this what love did to a man? This was something new for him, a feeling he’d never experienced in the forty years of his life.

Upon reflection, he had never once felt this way with his first love, Lady Albin. That youthful affair could best be described as passionate, intense, too often volatile, but certainly not a mature love to last a lifetime.

Gawain dismounted, handed Odin to one of the grooms, and then strode to Cherish. “Come with me,” he said, taking her hand to lead her into the garden, where they might have some privacy.

She felt so right walking beside him, her hand soft and little as it was swallowed in his. He felt good just being with her.

In addition to changing out of her bloodied gown into a finer one, she had attended to her hair. No doubt Fiona had sent her maid to Cherish with specific instructions. Her hair was stylishly drawn back in a ribbon, but left long and loose to cascade down her back. Not at all proper for going about London, but perfect for a country house party.

Especially practical if he wished to untie the ribbon and slide his hands through those silken strands as he kissed her.

Yes, Fiona was sharp and did not miss a trick. Cherish looked beautiful and suitably prepared for that first kiss he now intended to give her.

“Did my uncle cause any further trouble?” she asked, having no idea about his purpose as he led her away from the others.

“No, love.”

She laughed and looked up at him. “Did you meet my ogress of an aunt?”

“Yes, love . And she was every bit the ogress you warned she would be. But I easily handled her and her equally unpleasant husband.”

“I knew you would. You are simply marvelous.” She cast him a breathtaking smile. “Did she attempt to give you trouble?”

“Of course, but her own staff quickly shut her up. They did the same to her husband, too.”

“Truly? Oh, dear old Potter. I’m sure he led the way. What did he say to them?” She suddenly gasped. “Did he put himself at risk? They are a vindictive pair. I cannot—”

“All’s well.” Gawain shook his head and laughed. “I told your staff that if Northam sacked any of them, they were to come to me and I would provide work for them. Every last one of them came forward to help gather your belongings, even down to the scullery maids.”

Cherish cast him another of her radiant smiles. “You are brilliant! But Northam Hall has a staff of twenty-five who will now all need jobs.”

“No, love. Northam may be furious with them, but he and his wife value their comforts beyond anything else. He quickly realized that no one would be left to attend them, nor would anyone reliable come forward to replace those he had discharged once word got around about what he did. Everyone is safe, at least for now. But I did tell Potter to let Fiona know if Northam makes any trouble. What do you think of that, love ?”

“I think you are a chess master and checkmated him brilliantly.”

He sighed. “Are you not going to remark on my endearment for you?”

She gave a merry laugh. “I was wondering what that was about. Am I truly your love? I dared not hope, because I love you so very much and was worried you had only proposed to me in order to save me from a dismal fate. But you seem content with our situation. Are you, Gawain?”

“I am.” He drew her into his arms as they reached a private spot in Fiona’s garden, one that was hidden by a copse of trees and also provided a lovely overlook to the cove and its glistening waters in the distance.

A gentle sea breeze wafted around them, causing the branches to bow and sway with a soft rustle of leaves. “I had already made up my mind to marry you, Cherish. I was going to find the right moment to tell you how I felt before your idiot uncle ever came along and forced my hand.”

Her eyes widened. “You were?”

He nodded as he held her in his embrace, for he was in no hurry to let her go. “Yes.”

“Why? What made me different from the other women in your life?”

“I’m not sure I can describe it. I think it was the sum of you. Your warmth, your honesty. Your beautiful smile and beautiful eyes. It was in the way you made me feel whenever I was around you. I liked having you beside me. I liked talking to you. Whenever you walked into a room, everything suddenly felt good and right.”

She nodded. “This is very much how I felt whenever around you. Safe. Wonderful. Meant to be. I love you, Gawain. But you know this. I’ll do my best to make you happy. But what shall I call you? Bromleigh or Duke is too formal. Sir? That also seems too formal.”

“I agree, it denotes someone subservient addressing me, and you shall never be that. As my wife you shall stand as my equal.”

“That is quite forward thinking of you,” she remarked, obviously pleased.

“I am not so old yet as to be stuck in my ways.”

“Nor am I,” she said, then reminded him that she was old enough to be considered a spinster. “Gawain is a wonderful name, but your friends and family also call you that. I ought to call you something special for your ears alone. My dearest. Yes, that might do if you don’t mind, for this is how I feel about you, and will do so forever.”

“My dearest,” he said in a whisper and caressed her cheek. “I like it. I’m sorry I did not think of it first, for this is what you are to me as well. But there is one more thing we must do to seal this betrothal.”

She looked up at him, her smile more radiant than the sunshine surrounding them. Her hair shone a lovely molten gold as she stood in the dappled light, looking so achingly beautiful he could barely catch his breath.

The breeze off the water delicately mussed her lively curls as she stood gazing up at him. “There is a thing to do? What have I forgotten?”

“You haven’t forgotten anything,” he said, watching her purse her lovely lips. “But I have yet to kiss you.”

She inhaled lightly. “No one ever has done that before. Is it not the saddest commentary on my life? You’ll be my first kiss.”

“All the better, and I am determined to make it special for you.” The surf below crashed against the rocky outcropping as he spoke, reflecting the turbulence of his feelings. It struck him just how deep and powerful their love could grow over time.

Poets spoke of love eternal. Gawain could see himself feeling this way about Cherish.

“Ready?”

She nodded. “I have been waiting for you all of my life.”