Chapter Nine

G awain flinched as he stood with the others watching Reggie assist Cherish onto her docile mare. Fiona must have loaned the girl one of her riding habits, because he did not think Cherish would have brought one with her for this house party. Also, the fabric was a bold maroon color, one he did not think Cherish would ever choose for herself. But that hue suited her complexion, bringing out the rose of her cheeks and warmth of her eyes. Not to mention it fit her glorious body to perfection. Well, perfect in his opinion, because it fit just a bit too tightly around the bodice and gave a hint of her spectacular attributes.

Cherish was about the same height as Fiona, but a little fuller in shape. Nicely full in the bosom, Gawain thought.

He frowned, for any pleasure he had felt a moment ago was now gone as he watched her struggle with her fear. She turned ashen as she mounted the horse and almost lost her balance when it took a slight, lurching step forward.

Gawain hopped the fence and strode forward to catch her before she slid off. Or was she purposely about to jump off? He did not want her to give up before taking even one turn around the meadow.

“Your Grace,” she said with noticeable relief, and reached out for him to help her down.

He caught her by the waist and propped her back up. “You can do this, Cherish.” He patted the docile mare who was growing agitated because she sensed Cherish’s fear. “What’s her name?”

“Sugar,” Cherish said, her lips tensely pursed. “Please, help me down.”

“Not yet,” he insisted. “You’ve only just started. I know it is hard for you, but I have faith in you. Give it a try. Reggie and I will not leave your side.”

His nephew, who had been holding on to Sugar’s reins, nodded.

Gawain now turned to the mare and spoke to her in his most soothing voice. “There, there, Sugar. Behave yourself. That’s a good girl.”

Once he had calmed the mare, Gawain turned to Reggie. “I’ll hold the reins while you climb on behind Cherish. Take a few turns around the meadow so that the horse feels comfortable with both of you in the saddle.”

“I’ve got the mare, Uncle. You had better get on with Cherish, since you have a commanding way with people and horses that instills trust. I don’t think she will trust anyone but you.”

Gawain wasn’t sure whether the she referred to Sugar or Cherish.

He studied Cherish. Her eyes had a wild look to them, wide and slightly glazed. He recognized this sign of panic, for he’d seen it in young soldiers their first time on a battlefield. Cherish was in no danger here, but she had been thrown off a horse once and probably suffered a more serious injury than she had let on. A sprained wrist and a bump on the head was what she had told him.

What he believed she had suffered was a serious concussion and an instinctive fear of horses no one had ever taught her to overcome.

Her lips remained tightly pursed and were as devoid of color as her ashen face. “Cherish, I am going to ride with you. Is that all right?”

She nodded.

He easily mounted behind her and wrapped her in his arms, encouraging her to lean back and hold on to his arms. As she did so, he felt her entire body tremble. He knew how to make a woman quiver with pleasure in the bedroom, and ached for this to happen with Cherish. But here and now, she was simply overwhelmed with fear.

He understood how difficult this was for her and admired her attempt to overcome a dread that stemmed from the darkest recesses of her memory.

“Reggie is going to lead your mare in a slow circle around the meadow. He will keep tight hold of her tether so she won’t run off or do anything to frighten you. Once you are comfortable, he will let go, and then you and I will circle the meadow on our own. All right?”

“Sugar is a sweet horse, Cherish,” Reggie assured her, careful to keep the docile mare to nothing faster than a walk. Any slower and the horse would fall asleep, Gawain thought.

But he was not going to remark on it because it would embarrass Cherish. Her fear was real and not to be taken lightly.

She kept her eyes closed all the while they rode around the meadow. Gawain wanted her to open them. “I have you, Cherish. I am not going to let you fall. Open your eyes now. You can do this.”

She buried her head against his shoulder. “You must think I am so stupid.”

“Not at all. You were a child when your accident happened, and that horse was probably too much for someone as little as you to handle. Tumbling out of the saddle was not your fault, nor did it show any lack in you.”

He continued to speak to her calmly as Reggie led them around once again. This time, Cherish kept her eyes open. But he felt her tense every time Sugar took the tiniest misstep.

“The ground is uneven, that’s all. Sugar is docile and will not bolt. You are in charge and she knows it. She will listen to your instructions.”

Cherish turned slightly to stare up at him. “You are the one in charge. I am the coward she wants to throw off. Please don’t be angry, but I don’t think I can do this on my own.”

“Yes, you can. Give it time. I’ll stay on with you and we are going to take another turn, just us. Reggie, hand me Sugar’s reins.”

Cherish held her breath.

“You are going to pass out if you don’t breathe,” Gawain gently teased. “I will never let go of you until you tell me you are ready. I give you my word of honor.”

“What if I am never ready?”

“Then I will hold you forever.” The words rang surprisingly true as he spoke them, in so many ways other than merely riding. He could hold her throughout his life. Throughout marriage.

Their marriage.

Gawain was amazed the notion did not terrify him.

Still, it was ridiculous to think anyone could lose their heart to another upon a few days’ acquaintance.

After completing several circles, he tugged on Sugar’s reins to draw her up. They had gone in a slow circle and then a faster circle so that the horse had almost broken into a trot. They could have gone around a few more times, but Cherish was still fearful and trembled the moment he urged Sugar to speed up the littlest bit. And yet she was the one who now insisted on continuing because she was so determined to overcome her fear.

He thought she had done well for herself this first time out. “I’m proud of you, Cherish.”

“Oh, dear heaven. I am so pathetic. Are we done for the morning?” she asked, sounding hopeful.

He nodded. “Yes, almost. I am going to get off now, but I want you to remain in the saddle a little while longer.”

She gasped. “Without you?”

“Yes, you don’t need me. Sugar is just going to stand in this spot with you in the saddle. I have her reins and will be right here with you.”

“All right.” She tried to sound brave, but those beautiful brandy eyes of hers were still wild, and her voice shook as she spoke. Her distress was evident to all.

“You can do this, Cherish.” Reggie gave her an encouraging nod.

“I should be able to,” she agreed. “I will. All you are asking me to do is sit on a horse. Even a child can do this. I don’t know why I am so scared.”

Because her last tumble off a horse almost killed her, Gawain knew. He took hold of her hand and gave it a light squeeze. “These things take time. No one expects you to overcome this in a day.”

The onlookers had not walked away.

They were a nice group and were calling out encouragements to Cherish. Lady Margaret was particularly kind to her, and Gawain realized he might have been too harsh when first judging the little peahen. She lacked Cherish’s intelligence, but was otherwise a pleasant and cheerful girl.

He noticed Reggie smiling at Lady Margaret. The girl blushed and smiled back.

What was Reggie doing? Had he not told Gawain just last night that he might court Cherish if he did not? So why was he tossing those grins at Margaret?

He would have a talk with the boy later. They would have plenty of time for heart-to-heart discussions if Katie would not leave and he were stuck sharing a bedchamber with Reggie for the rest of the week.

The annoying reminder made him think of Katie. Where was she?

Not that he cared to see her again, but he did not like the thought of her roaming around Fiona’s house unchecked and thinking up mischief.

When Cherish asked again whether she could get down, Gawain nodded. “All right.” He helped her to dismount.

She cast him a dismayed smile. “I thought I would do better. Look at me—my hands won’t stop shaking.”

He took them in his once more. “You’ll do better tomorrow. I promise you. Each day will get easier.”

The others now joined him and Cherish while Reggie led Sugar back to her stall.

“You got back up on the horse, and that is enough success for today,” Fiona insisted, and Lord Durham agreed.

“You were marvelous,” Lord Fellstone said, and Gawain stifled the urge to punch him. Of course, this was the jealous ape in him coming out. Fellstone had done nothing untoward. No, all he had done was admire Cherish and… Bollocks , was he going to offer for her before the party ended?

Lady Margaret hopped up and down beside them and clapped her hands. “Cherish, you were brilliant.”

Cherish laughed and gave the girl a hug. “Thank you, Margaret. But I was awful and cowardly, and utterly inept. Thank you all for being so kind to me as I struggled.” She turned to Gawain. “I marvel at your patience. I am truly sorry if I disappointed you.”

“You could never, Cherish. No apology required. And Lady Margaret is right, you were brilliant. Same time tomorrow?”

Her laughter was as soft as the breeze surrounding them. “Are you that much of a glutton for punishment to put yourself through this ordeal again?”

It struck him that he would do anything for this girl. “Yes. Let’s just say I enjoy a good challenge, and you are certainly that.”

While Fellstone, Reggie, and Durham now rode off for their quick jaunt in the surrounding countryside, Gawain returned to the house with the ladies.

He could have gone for another turn with the men, but preferred to see what Katie was doing. He spotted her seated in the parlor with a circle of friends and admirers. Most of Fiona’s guests knew her, since she was popular among the ton elite. “How kind of you to assist that incompetent girl on her horse.”

Of course, Gawain expected she had been watching and probably seething at the sight of him holding Cherish. “It isn’t incompetence, but something far more serious. Any man who has fought in battle will understand what I mean.”

A few of the guests surrounding Katie nodded. Most had no idea what he was talking about.

He had no intention of elaborating, and walked on to see to the removal of the rest of his belongings out of the bedchamber Katie had now taken over. He had only brought clothes enough for the week, so it would not take long for Fiona’s staff to transfer them to Reggie’s quarters.

He felt mildly sorry for Reggie to now be stuck with him for the remainder of their stay. But this would also ensure the lad did not invite ladies into his bed, or sneak off into anyone else’s bed, without Gawain knowing about it.

If Reggie seriously intended to court Cherish or that sweet but bubble-headed Margaret, then he should simply make his choice and not be dallying with anyone else.

By the time the switch in rooms had been made and Gawain had taken the time to wash up and change out of his riding clothes, luncheon was about to be served. He had hoped for casual seating arrangements, but Fiona planned a formal luncheon for them. He was not surprised to be assigned his usual seat at the head of the table, but cast Fiona a glower when he found Katie seated beside him again.

His cousin shot back a look that warned Katie was his problem, and he had better deal with her or Fiona would toss them both out. Well, he knew his cousin was not about to toss him out. Nor was she likely to do anything about his former love, who had already become a favorite at this house party.

Cherish was seated beside Reggie once again, and both were at the opposite end of the table along with Fiona, Durham, Margaret, and Fellstone. They seemed to be enthusiastically engaged in conversation and were all smiles.

One would think this merry little group had been friends forever.

Blast the girl.

Cherish was once again laughing at every one of Reggie’s stupid jokes. When Reggie was not talking to her, then Fellstone had his turn regaling her with his witticisms.

Blast them both for being charming and attentive to her.

Gawain grumbled when Cherish laughed at another of Reggie’s stories. He had not heard a single, stupid woodpecker laugh out of the lad. Yes, all was falling into place quite perfectly, and he could not feel worse about it. His stomach churned and he lost his appetite.

Katie leaned closer and cast him an insincere smile. “She is too young for you, Bromleigh. Is it not obvious she prefers Reggie over you? And if not Reggie, then Fellstone has this horse race won. You are completely out of the running.”

“It is none of your concern, Lady Albin.”

She sighed. “Ah, so formal with me? You are still angry with me. But I do not wish to see you hurt, Bromleigh. Lady Cherish is not for you.”

“But you are?” He took a sip of his wine, and then set the glass down because he had no appetite for wine either. That she should refer to him as Bromleigh even in private conversation instead of merely as Gawain was also irksome and another indication of her admiration for his title and not him . “It is time you moved on and found yourself another duke who might be more receptive to your advances.”

He noticed her composure slip the slightest bit. Was he finally getting through to her?

“You are serious about never forgiving me, aren’t you?” Tears welled in her eyes, and her lips began to quiver so much he almost believed she was hurt by his remarks and might still hold feelings for him.

But he knew her very well, and was not surprised when he caught that flicker of triumph in her eyes when she thought he was softening toward her. Yes, it was all artifice and manipulation with her. Since she was so keen on titles, he used hers when addressing her now. “Lady Albin, you betrayed me and you know it. I may find it in my heart to forgive you someday, but I will never forget what you did.”

“You are cruel, Bromleigh.”

“I am just being honest.” He sighed and shook his head. “Must we continue this farce? It is pointless. Please, stop wasting your time with me. Just go.”

She called a footman over and held out her glass for more wine. Once he had filled her glass, she held it up in a mock toast. “My dear Bromleigh, I am not nearly ready to give up on you yet.”

Were she a man, Gawain would have simply grabbed her and tossed her out. But he had never raised a hand to a woman and would not start now. Katie had to leave of her own accord or at Fiona’s demand. She was never going to leave at his request.

However, he was not certain Fiona would confront Katie. His dear cousin seemed inclined at the moment to cause him misery.

Well, that would teach him to attend house parties.

If anything could be salvaged from this week, it would be Reggie’s future. The lad seemed to be coming along nicely. In fact, he was showing more sense in these past few days than he ever had in the years since Gawain’s sister had died. Having acquired this newfound maturity, would Reggie appreciate Cherish’s worth and decide to marry her?

This had been Gawain’s plan all along. He had thought it clever at the time. Now…not so much.

What would he do if Reggie proposed to Cherish?