Page 63 of Cherish and the Duke
“First of all,” Gawain said, barely containing his rage, which was mostly directed at himself for having everyone believe he was cold as ice and his heart could never thaw to accept another person into his life, “she is beyond the age of consent and free to marry whomever she wishes. Second, I do not need your consent to question your solicitor about the old earl’s bequests to his daughter. In fact, I shall order an accounting done this very day on her behalf.”
“You have no right!”
“How much did you pay his solicitor to collude with you in cheating your niece? You do not fool me for a moment, Northam. I know what you are doing to her, as does she. Thedifference is that she is powerless against you, but I am not. You shall not get away with stealing her inheritance.”
“You cannot threaten me! I am her guardian. You are nobody to her. I shall bring you up on charges in the House of Lords!”
“Cherish, please…let my uncle beat him unconscious,” Reggie called out.
“I’ll assist,” Fiona added.
Durham, Fellstone, and several other guests insisted on joining in.
Cherish’s uncle turned his rage on all around them. “You shall all be brought up on charges if you dare set a hand on me!”
“Enough of this farce,” Gawain said, the glint in his eyes now revealing the depth of his own fury. “I assure you, Lord Northam, your actions today will reach royal ears. When I am through with you, you will be on your knees groveling at my feet and begging for mercy.”
“You are bluffing.”
“I never bluff.” He turned back to Cherish. “Tell me what the Northam staff ought to pack for you. Reggie, Durham, and I will ride over with your uncle to see that it is properly done. And I believe there is jewelry of yours he and his wife have taken. Write down which pieces, and I shall personally take them into my custody.”
By this time, most of the house party guests were making quiet bets among themselves as to what was going to happen next. Would Gawain punch her uncle? Would her uncle attempt to punch Gawain again? Would Cherish leave with her uncle?
The one thing not wagered on was whether Gawain would marry her. It was not in consideration, of course. As everyone was eager to point out, he was a Silver Duke and marriage was out of the question. And why would Cherish think any differently? After all, he had rejected Lady Albin, so what chance did Cherish ever have of gaining an offer from him?
But they were all wrong.
He wanted her more than he had ever wanted anything or anyone in his life. He wanted her even though she was irksome and stubborn, and had not listened to a word he said while he had been trying to protect her.
In truth, he was proud of her for wanting to stand up to her uncle. At the same time, he was frustrated and mad as blazes that she wanted to do it on her own.
He would have turned into a veritable beast if her uncle had set a hand on her.
“Cherish,” he said softly, running his fingers through her hair to lightly brush the strands behind her little, curled ears, “there is one more thing we need to clarify before I leave to collect your things.”
She nodded. “I’ll make my list right away. There isn’t much I want from that house. He’s already ruined most of it.”
“No, you mistake my meaning.”
She looked up at him, truly having no idea what he was asking. “My list is short and I will prepare it quickly. Is this not what we are talking about?”
“No.” Gawain shook his head and cleared his throat.
“Oh, then what do you need me to do?”
Bollocks.
He so badly wanted to kiss this girl.
“Cherish,” he said with a soft ache to his voice, running his knuckle lightly along the line of her jaw, “I need you to marry me. This is what I need you to do and what I am asking with all sincerity.”
She blinked. “What?”
A collective gasp rose from the crowd, after which they all turned silent so that one could hear a pin drop.
Cherish blinked again. “Are you serious?”
“Never more serious or determined about anything in my life.” He heard more gasps as he bent on one knee before her.
