Page 29 of Cherish and the Duke
Chapter Seven
Fiona rushed intoCherish’s bedchamber as soon as they returned from their shopping excursion. “Trouble,” she said, her face looking quite pale as she shut the door behind her and then leaned against it with a groan.
Cherish had been about to stretch out on her bed and read a book, but she immediately set aside her reading material and rose to rush toward her friend. “What’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?”
“I am in the pink. It isthatwoman.”
Cherish shook her head. “What woman?”
“Did you not notice a fine carriage draw up beside ours just as we were leaving town?”
“Yes.”
“Then you must have seen the brazen hussy who popped her head out of the window and called to Gawain. Shameless, evil woman.”
Cherish arched an eyebrow. “Friend of yours?”
“Do not even jest about this.”
“Very well. Yes, I saw her. She is quite beautiful. Who is she?”
“She is the widowed Countess Albin now, but she was Gawain’s childhood sweetheart, Katherine de Montville.”
Cherish’s heart sank into her toes.
No, not merely sank, butplungedto her toes.
She sat down heavily on the bed. “Oh.”
“Oh, indeed. She is going to ruin all our plans.”
Cherish felt numb.
How was she ever to compete with this woman who was classically beautiful and obviously wealthy, if her elegant carriage and the gleaming jewels dangling from her wrist and throat were any indication? This meant she had been provided for by a husband who understood his duty in protecting the financial security of his loved ones.
Why couldn’t her father have been such a man?
But her toad of an uncle had fooled them all, pretending to idolize and adore his elder brother even though they were only brothers of the half-blood. He had hidden his jealousy well.
But she and her parents were also to blame for allowing this situation to befall her. They had been naïve and simply accepted the vile toad despite telltale signs they would have spotted had they been the least bit cynical.
Well, too late now. What was done was done.
She turned her thoughts to Lady Albin. Cherish had caught a mere glimpse of her, but it was enough to notice how sophisticated and exquisitely striking she was with her catlike green eyes, a perfectly formed nose, creamy complexion, and stunning, dark curls. And now to be told she and the duke had known and adored each other all of their lives?
How could she compete with this?
Fiona began to pace across the exquisite Aubusson carpet that covered the hardwood floor of her bedchamber. “Blast the conniving woman. She cornered me and I had to invite her to supper this evening. I’m so sorry, Cherish. This is an awful turn of events.”
Cherish felt too numb to respond.
Fiona paused in her pacing and stared at her. “I hate that woman for how badly she hurt Gawain.”
“What happened between them?” Cherish asked, barely managing a breath.
“Plenty, I’m sure. I mean, she could not have been a virgin when she entered into her marriage.”
“Fiona!”
