Page 56 of Cherish and the Duke
In a matter of days, no less.
“Never mind, that is just my misery talking,” she said. “You’ve known me less than a week. Even I think it is too much to ask of you in this short time.”
He reached out his hand and lightly touched it to her hip. “You struggled when walking earlier. Let me see your hip. I need to make sure it is merely bruised and nothing worse.”
She gave a mirthless laugh and skittered back a little on her bed. “No! That is indecent.”
“Keep the rest of your body covered up, but I must look at you, Cherish. You might have fractured it when you fell backward. You took a bad spill, much worse than you are letting on.”
“The hip is just bruised.”
“Cherish, you are hurting all over.”
“I am not,” she insisted, which did not sound convincing at all, since she was now sniffling and wincing every time she moved.
He cast her a look of exasperation. “Stop being stubborn, will you? You are incapable of hiding your feelings from me…or anyone, for that matter. I am not going to look at your rump. I give you my word of honor.”
“You have already seen too much of my heart and probably too much of my body. It is more than I can bear just now. Please, go away.”
“No. We need to talk and you need to stop scowling at me.” He rose and crossed the room to close the door, an outrageous act that would certainly seal her ruination.
She frowned at him. “Open it at once. Are you mad?”
“Possibly, but we still must talk, and I do not wish us to be disturbed.”
“What sort of a conversation are we going to have while I am half naked and we are alone in my room?” She curled her hands into fists, determined to punch him if he thought to take advantage of their situation. “Being in love with you does not mean I will allow you to take liberties. Go downstairs. I will be along in a few minutes.”
Whatever he meant to say to her next was drowned out by a sudden commotion downstairs. The shouts filtering up from the entry hall were loud enough to reach their ears despite the door being closed. “What in blazes?” the duke muttered, striding to the door he had just closed and flinging it open. “Stay here, Cherish. Let me see what is going on.”
Fiona’s housekeeper rushed in just as he was about to step into the hall to investigate. “Your Grace,” she said, emitting a soft cry. “Oh, this is simply awful.” Her face was ashen as she stared in dismay at Cherish.
Cherish’s breath caught. “What is it, Mrs. Harris?”
“Your uncle… He is here.”
Her stomach churned. “What? But he isn’t due back for another week yet.”
“I’m so sorry, m’lady. But he’s here, quite angry, and charging through the house in search of you. The footmen are trying to restrain him, but he is in quite a temper. Oh, Lady Cherish, you mustn’t come downstairs. Your Grace, keep her safe. Don’t let that ogre get his hands on her. There’s no telling what he will do if he finds her.”
Cherish scrambled off the bed and stood shakily. “I am not going to hide like a coward and allow him to ruin Fiona’s party. I had better—”
The duke growled, interrupting her. “Are you mad? Did you not hear what Mrs. Harris just said? You are to do nothing at all.”
“How can you expect me to sit here like a helpless lump while he storms through Fiona’s house?”
“You were almost trampled by a horse not an hour ago. Is this not enough excitement for you in a day? I will deal with him.”
“You? No, I must take care of this.” She cast him a look of defiance that he promptly ignored while he peered down the hall again to make certain her uncle was not approaching. But she could hear the horrid man still bellowing and slamming doors downstairs, creating chaos while on his rampage. Fortunately, the hour was early, so most guests were still safely tucked in their rooms, although his noisy presence must have awakened them all by now.
“Cherish, do not argue with me. Promise me you will stay here while I deal with him.”
“No. If you go downstairs, then so will I.”
He strode back to her side and gently nudged her onto the bed. “Don’t you dare. Why are you being so stubborn? Don’t you realize you are in danger?” He put an arm around her waist when she shot back up and tried to dart past him.
She frowned at him. “I am not a child who needs to be coddled. Let me go!”
“No.” This time, he drew her up against his body and held her fast when she tried to escape his grasp. “Do you hear me, Cherish? You are not to go to him. Nor will I allow that man anywhere near you.”
