Page 30 of Cherish and the Duke
“Well, it is true. Who can resist Gawain? But he was no cad. He was born noble and would never hurt a genteel young lady in that way. He wanted to marry her. He thought she wished for the same or he never would have claimed her inthatway.”
Cherish tried not to ache over what her friend was revealing. “Obviously, something went wrong between them.”
“It wasn’t his doing, that I can assure you. He loved her and would have moved heaven and earth to marry her. But she went to London for her debut Season and not three months later came home married to the Earl of Albin. Gawain was devastated. She had been proclaiming her love for him all the while, but he now realized she had been lying to him all along.”
“Perhaps her family situation required her to—”
“Make the sacrifice and marry Albin? No, she was quite secure. But now she has doubled or tripled her wealth and gained a title, too. She never once told Gawain she was sorry. In fact, she was surprisingly mercenary about it all. She assured Gawain that she did not love Albin, and then told him they could be together whenever Albin wasn’t around.”
“Good heavens,” Cherish said, placing a hand to her stomach as it roiled, “even I know he would never do such a deceitful thing, and I’ve known him less than a week.”
Fiona nodded. “I am completely overset by her sudden reappearance. We were doing so well in our plan and now it has been completely undone.”
“Yourplan, Fiona. It was never mine.” But Cherish ached so badly inside, for she had held on to a slim hope of gaining his love.
Well, it would never happen now.
Fiona resumed her pacing and then paused again to stare at her. “Perhaps we ought to go along with Gawain’s plan and match you to Reggie.”
“No.” Cherish shot off the bed. “First of all, it isn’t fair to Reggie. Second of all”—she emitted a long, ragged breath—“I have fallen in love with him, Fiona. Oh, how could I be so stupid as to lose my heart to that Silver Duke? I knew your scheme was dangerous, but I could not stop myself. There were moments I thought he might like me in return, but it was all fanciful wishing on my part. I see this now.”
“No, you were not imagining it,” Fiona said, coming to her side and taking her hands in her own. “He does like you. Very much, I’m sure. I’ve noticed how he responds whenever you walk into a room. His eyes light up. And he turns into a jealous ape whenever some other man dares approach you.”
“I’ve never seen it.”
“Because he tries to hide his feelings from you. So typical of him,” she muttered, shaking her head. “But I know my cousin and see right through him. There is something between the two of you, I am certain of it. If only she hadn’t walked back into his life to interfere.”
Unfortunately, the womanhadshown up, and Cherish did not know what to do about it. “How can I compete with someone he once loved that fiercely?”
Fiona pursed her lips and frowned. “By being you. Gawain is older and wiser now, and more cynical. He has to know better than to ever trust her again. But he trusts you, as well he should. You are loyal and honest. Frankly, you are good to a fault. You have to fight for him, Cherish. We cannot let that horrid woman win.”
Cherish hated when her friend got that determined look in her eyes, but said nothing when Fiona released her handsand resumed pacing while she thought aloud. “We have several things working in our favor. First, Gawain will never forget what she did to him. She is the one who betrayed him and turned him into the cold Silver Duke he has become. Second, and more important, I doubt she has changed her character. We must use this to our advantage. He has to see her for the mercenary and unfeeling woman she has always been.”
“But what if he cannot or will not see through her feminine wiles? He is a duke now, and she will certainly accept his offer of marriage.”
“Assuming he proposes to her.” Fiona gripped her by the shoulders. “He never will if he is in love with you. This is a war, and you need to fight it. Only you are capable of defeating her.”
“Fiona, how am I ever to do it? I am not an accomplished flirt. I have no dazzling gowns. And I am no competition for her in looks.”
“You are completely wrong about all of it, especially in the matter of looks. You are far prettier.”
“Says my best friend who is wonderful and supportive, and blinded by the fact that she adores me,” Cherish said with a chuckle. “Honestly, Fiona. You have to look upon the situation objectively. It is a lost cause.”
“Never say such a thing. You cannot give up before you have even tried. Gawain would not want you to.”
“Gawain, is it? One look at her and he has forgotten I exist.”
Fiona sighed. “Let’s just see how this evening progresses. Perhaps we are in a panic over nothing.”
Cherish knew the danger was quite real.
She wanted to fight for him, but she was so inexperienced around men. Nor was she the sort to shimmer and glitter around them like a sparkling butterfly. She was a miserable failure at the art of flirtation. How was she ever to win his heart?
Well, she could not be anything other than herself.
He had already been hurt deeply by one woman lying about her feelings, so Cherish was not going to make that same mistake and put on a false face to tempt him, no matter how well intentioned her motives.
Fiona was already digging into her armoire and sorting through her gowns. “Oh, yes. This one will do quite nicely.”
