Page 58 of Cherish and the Duke
She nodded. “Is it not obvious? My uncle has been cheating me, although I do not know exactly what he’s taken from me because no one will tell me. It is becoming clear to me that they have all been in on it. My father’s solicitor, his banker, and my toad of an uncle and his ogress wife. This is why my uncle thinks to keep me confined to our home while his two accomplices will not respond to my letters.”
“They’ll respond to me, that’s for certain. Stay here while I wring his bloody neck and get the truth out of him.”
“You? But you are a Silver Duke.”
“So what?”
“You are not going to be around to protect me beyond these next few days. So kindly do not stick your nose in this and let me deal with him on my own.”
“No,” he muttered, disengaging himself from her and giving her another useless warning glower to stay put. “Do you think I will ever allow anyone to hurt you, whether now, or a year from now, or a decade from now?” That said, he turned and strode down the hall, looking as marvelously fierce as any warrior of legend. All he lacked was a suit of shining armor.
But Cherish did not think he needed one as he marched off to slay her evil dragon.
Was it any wonder she loved this Silver Duke?
Chapter Twelve
As Gawain marchedout of Cherish’s bedchamber, he heard Cherish’s uncle start up the stairs in search of her. The oaf’s heavy footfalls clomped on each step as he continued to shout her name. “Cherish! Where are you? Do not make this worse for yourself!”
Gawain was not a praying man, but he was now feverishly praying Cherish would use some sense and let him handle this matter while she remained safely hidden in her bedchamber. He came face to face with her uncle just in time to prevent him from advancing beyond the stairs. They’d reached the landing at the same moment, but Gawain was a big man and easily able to block this oaf’s path.
“Take another step, Northam, and I shall toss you down the stairs headfirst.” He folded his arms over his chest and positioned himself at the top step in order to pose an impenetrable barrier between Northam and his niece.
“You had better do as he says, Uncle,” Cherish said, softly padding up behind Gawain as she clearly ignored all his warnings to keep herself safely tucked away.
Blast the girl.He ought to be angry. Hewasangry. But he also wanted to hold Cherish in his arms and protect her with his life.
Not that he felt either of them were presently in serious danger of losing their lives at the hands of her bellowing uncle.The man was big, but out of shape and no match for Gawain. However, Cherish was little and did not stand a chance of defending herself.
He had no idea what Northam might do to her once he got her back home. He fully expected the cur would beat her for defying him. Surely Cherish had to know this.
Gawain would kill him if he ever raised a hand to her.
He nudged her firmly behind him. “That is far enough. You can talk to him from there.”
She sighed, but did not try to skirt around him again. “Uncle, why don’t we all go into Lady Shoreham’s study and discuss this misunderstanding like reasonable adults?”
“You defied me!”
“How? I am a grown woman capable of making my own decisions. I have every right to choose my own friends, and I resent your coming here and upsetting us all by howling like a banshee at this hour of the morning. I am no runaway child. Nor am I an idiot, so do not insult my intelligence by pretending you care whether I live or die.”
“Your father left me in charge of you,” Northam growled as he lunged for her.
Gawain held him off and ordered Fiona’s footmen, who had been chasing her uncle and now stood just behind him on the stairs, to restrain him. “Take him into Lady Shoreham’s study and hold him there until I arrive. If he struggles, you have my permission to toss him headfirst over the railing.”
That quieted the man. He gave no struggle as they marched him away.
Gawain turned to Cherish. “Why must you be so contrary? I am trying to protect you. Stay up here until further notice.”
“Why must you be so pigheaded? You have no right to order me about. I am coming with you.”
“No, you are not.”
Her eyes widened and she clenched her fists. “You really are being insufferable, you know.”
“Me? I seem to be the only one using any common sense. Can you not see he is dangerous to you?”
She cast him a pained look. “Of course I see it. This is precisely why it is important for me to hold my ground now.”
