Page 59 of Cherish and the Duke
He held her back when she tried to descend the stairs.
“Why won’t you allow me to confront my uncle?”
“Do you really need to ask? Do you still not get it? He may have quieted for the moment, but he is a raging bull and you are a…” He groaned. “You are a kitten.”
Her mouth dropped open to form a perfectO, and she let out a soft breath. “Is this what you think of me? A helpless kitten? I resent that! I can fight my own battles.”
“Blessed saints, you are a stubborn thing. You cannot even ride a horse, and you think to take on a raging bull?” He wanted to howl in frustration. Could anything more go wrong this morning?
Her expression turned pained once again. “That is not fair.”
“I know. Forgive me, Cherish. But I am so worried about what he might do to you. Knowing when to retreat is just as important as knowing when to march forward and fight. But this is something you do not seem to comprehend. If I had a key to your room, I would hide you inside and keep you safely locked away until I am finished with your uncle. Why are you meddling when I am trying to get rid of the fool on your behalf?”
Her uncle was just the sort to fight dirty, too. The churl would not hesitate to hurt Cherish. Why did she refuse to see this?
“Stop treating this as a lark,” Gawain continued. “Can you not see he is too incensed to be reasonable?”
“Of course I can. But I am outraged, too. What right does he have to tell me who to see or where to go or what to do? I have no intention of confronting him alone. I want you with me. I amdelighted to have you by my side, especially now that you are so puffed up like an enormous bullfrog.”
“A bullfrog?” Was this what she thought he was doing? Croaking warnings at her?
She sighed. “If you must know, you make my insides melt.”
He groaned.
“I’ll be all right,” she said softly. “He won’t dare put a hand on me while you are standing beside me.”
“Which entirely begs the point—what will he do to you when I am not around to protect you?”
“This is precisely the reason why I must take the lead in confronting him. If you do it, he will walk all over me once I am back at Northam Hall.” She pursed her lips, obviously concerned about what might happen to her once she returned home.
They were such sweet lips, and all he wanted to do was kiss them. Well, that would have to wait until the danger to her had passed.
Yes, he was going to kiss her. So much for his brilliant matchmaking plans. That scheme had completely blown up in his face. He wanted this girl and was not about to let anyone else have her. More important, he could never allow anyone to hurt her.
“I am not going to fight with you, Cherish.”
She nodded. “Good, let’s go. Fiona’s footmen ought to have him tied down by now.”
“No one has tied him down. Stay behind me and do not utter another word.” If she thought this meant he was about to let her have her way, she was mistaken. He marched downstairs, intending to confront Northam in the privacy of Fiona’s study. However, guests were already gathered in the entry hall, curious as to what was happening.
He was certainly providing plenty of entertainment fodder. Two circuses going on at once. Had Fiona sent Lady Albin packing yet?
He ignored everyone’s questions as he made his way to the study. Northam’s bellows carried beyond closed doors.
To Gawain’s dismay, the footmen were once again wrestling with Cherish’s uncle. Gawain motioned for the hapless footmen to release Northam. “But do not leave. Remain behind me and do not allow that cur anywhere near Lady Cherish.”
The door remained open once he walked in, because all the onlookers now crowded the doorway and spilled into the entry hall. Those in the back now craned their necks, eager to hear what was about to be discussed.
So much for privacy or discretion. The London gossip rags would have to print double editions to fit all the scandals happening at Fiona’s house party.
“You ought to be ashamed of yourself,” Cherish chided her uncle as the crowd parted for her, allowing her to follow Gawain into the study.
Gawain nudged her behind him. “Quiet.”
“Of all the gall,” she muttered, and was about to pop around him again, but he held her firmly back in place. It was easy to do, since she was little and his hands were big enough that he only needed one to keep her pinned against him. As he did so, he grazed her arm and felt moisture on the fabric of her sleeve.
Her elbow was bleeding again.Bollocks.He wanted to get this scene over with so he could tend to her properly and make certain she rested.
