Page 55 of Cherish and the Duke
“Quite a while, apparently, since she is reluctant to go. I have no idea what she wants of me, or why she refuses to be honest with me. But it seems being truthful is no longer in her repertoire, assuming it ever was. This makes me all the more determined to thwart her objective.”
“She wants to marry you. That is her objective.”
“If so, it is not for any reason other than she wants something from me.”
She nodded. “I am constantly amazed by the stupid things people do. Whatever her motives, she is better served by simply telling you the truth. Well, I am one to talk, since I have made an utter mess of my own situation. How long was I asleep?”
“No more than half an hour, I expect.”
“That long?”
He arched an eyebrow and grinned. “Yes, that long. And Lady Albin is still here. She is a leech who will suck the blood out of anyone foolish enough to draw close. As we are all finding out, she is hard to dislodge once she sets herself in a place. But this is Fiona’s home, and Fiona has finally had enough of her. She’llhave Lady Albin out within a few minutes, I’m sure. It cannot be long now. I would assist, but I think my presence will only inflame the situation. Reggie is taking charge.”
“Good for him.” Cherish studied his expressively handsome face and the frown now on it, which was quite severe. “You were once in love with her. What are you feeling now?”
He shrugged. “I suppose if I feel anything, it is relief. I cannot help thinking what my life would have been like if she and I had married. Ours would never have been a happy union. You saw her behavior. Is this how a duchess conducts herself?”
“For the most part, those of your rank can do whatever they want.”
“You are an earl’s daughter, born just as entitled as she was. Yet there is only caring and compassion in you despite your difficult circumstances. She has everything and tramples on it. Perhaps I ought to thank her for marrying Albin and setting me free. She did me a great favor in spurning me.”
He poured brandy onto one of the clean cloths the housekeeper must have brought in while she was sleeping, and doused it so that it was thoroughly soaked. “This will sting, Cherish. I’m sorry, but it cannot be helped.”
She closed her eyes and emitted a yelp when he applied the cloth to her elbow. “Is this revenge for the horrid way I spoke to you earlier?”
“Never. You are too sweet for me ever to hurt you.” His voice softened to a silky rumble that shot more tingles through her. “You had every right to be angry with me. Did you mean it when you said I had claimed your heart?”
“What do you think?”
He cut a strip of bandage and tied it around her elbow. “I think you see me clearly for who I am, not a duke but a man who is quite a bit bullheaded and cynical, and who trusts few people.I’m glad I have stolen your heart despite my faults, and I would still like to hear the confirmation from your lips.”
“Why must you hear it again? Are you not tired of hearing constant love declarations from the women you have spurned? I think you are sufficiently filled with conceit and do not need my admission of love to further inflate your already swelled head.”
“Ah, Cherish. You certainly know how to flatter a man,” he said, chuckling at her sarcasm.
She sighed. “Is it any wonder I am still a spinster? The women all flock to you like moths drawn to firelight, and it galls me that I am no different.”
To repeat her hopeless declaration of love would only serve to further humiliate her. Oh, how she wished to feel nothing for him.
But she adored everything about him.
“I’m glad you care for me, Cherish.” His gaze was still fixed on her, the smoldering heat in his eyes completely unraveling her resolve. But she had to be strong and not succumb to him.
Why was he here? What did he want of her?
And why was Fiona taking so long to join them?
She shook her head, trying not to wince. “I won’t say it again to you. I have made enough of a fool of myself. It is your turn next.”
“To pour my heart out to you?”
He did not look in the least inclined, but she ought to have expected no less from this Silver Duke. Still, it wounded her to know she was not at all special to him, even though he made her feel that way. “Do you have any feelings for me?”
“Of course I do. You are lovely.”
“Lovely enough to marry?” She wiped away the tears that had formed when feeling the sting of the brandy applied to her elbow, although some of those tears were for herself and her hopeless situation.
Why did she have to fall desperately in love with him?
