It was not long before he left Fiona’s stretch of property and crossed onto the Northam estate. He was curious to see where Cherish was born and raised. She spoke of her home with love, but what was there for her to love about it now that she was confined to what amounted to indentured servitude because of her uncle’s callousness?
He rode through an apple orchard, and then up a neatly maintained drive toward a big white house that was beginning to show signs of neglect. Whatever Cherish had poured of herself into this house would soon be lost because of her uncle’s stinting nature.
Men such as Northam would never understand the devotion and effort it took to maintain one’s properties. He was the sort to spend his generous inheritance indulgently on himself and then blame others when his well ran dry.
It bothered Gawain that the oaf could not spare even a shilling for Cherish’s needs.
He dismounted and strode to the front door.
An elderly man, no doubt the head butler, opened it in response to his knock and immediately came forward to greet him. “Are you lost, sir?” he asked politely.
Gawain shook his head. “No, I am the Duke of Bromleigh. Your neighbor, Lady Shoreham, is my cousin.”
“Ah, of course. Then you must be acquainted with our mistress, Lady Cherish. She is spending the week with Lady Shoreham.”
Gawain smiled. “Yes, I am.”
The butler’s eyes immediately brightened. “A lovely girl, isn’t she, Your Grace?”
“Yes, quite lovely. I did not mean to disturb anyone. Lady Cherish mentioned her uncle and his family were away, so I thought I would ride by and see if all was in order.”
The old man, who now introduced himself as Potter, nodded. “The house is not quite as fit as it was under Lady Cherish’s charge, but we are managing. I do hope she is having a pleasant time at the house party.”
“She is the belle of the ball,” Gawain said, truly meaning it. He had noticed glimmers of her radiance from the very first day, but it had taken until last night for her beautiful inner glow to shine through.
“I’m so glad, Your Grace. She is a lovely girl. We are all quite fond of her.”
“It is easy to see why. She has charmed us all.” He was not about to impose further, but changed his mind and decided to accept the invitation when Potter asked him in and gave him a quick tour of the house.
“You will notice Lady Cherish’s touch throughout the home,” the man said, pointing out feminine trappings here and there. However, they were not overdone. The house had an elegant look to it and was clearly decorated with a light, feminine hand.
“I’m surprised Lord Northam’s wife hasn’t made any changes,” Gawain remarked.
Potter shook his head. “Oh, sir. Those are coming. Hideous redecorations, if you ask me. Poor Lady Cherish. It is as though they are purposely undoing everything beautiful she designed.Well, forgive me if I speak out of turn. Lady Cherish is well aware of my thoughts.”
“Has she spoken to Lord and Lady Northam about their plans?”
“Yes, Your Grace. But she is helpless to stop them. Her father is no longer earl, and the new earl has no interest in what she says or thinks. It is very hard on her.”
“I see.” Gawain had now observed all he needed and bade Potter a good day. He rode back to Shoreham Manor at a lazy lope, since it was still fairly early and most guests would only now be waking.
As he rode his horse back to the stable, he noticed Reggie leading a docile mare out of a nearby stall. Lord Fellstone and Lord Durham were following closely behind him with their own mounts, while Cherish, Fiona, and Lady Margaret, along with a few other early-rising guests, were gathered by the nearby meadow. Gawain realized they were there to cheer Cherish on as she attempted to overcome her fear of horses.
He was not needed, but had no intention of missing this moment. In truth, he wanted to be the one she turned to for assistance and support.
But it was too late to offer now. Reggie was proud as anything to help her.
Lord Fellstone also appeared interested, judging by the avid way he was eyeing her. The wretched fellow had claimed two dances from Cherish last night. Fiona had also partnered Fellstone with Cherish for supper, seating him to the left of her while Reggie had been seated on her right.
And here Fellstone was again today. Did the man have nothing better to do than fuss over Cherish?
A dismaying thought crossed Gawain’s mind. Even more dismaying because he, with his Silver Duke high-handedness, had brought this upon himself.
Now that he had competition from these younger men, would Cherish want him?
Chapter Nine
Gawain flinched ashe stood with the others watching Reggie assist Cherish onto her docile mare. Fiona must have loaned the girl one of her riding habits, because he did not think Cherish would have brought one with her for this house party. Also, the fabric was a bold maroon color, one he did not think Cherish would ever choose for herself. But that hue suited her complexion, bringing out the rose of her cheeks and warmth of her eyes. Not to mention it fit her glorious body to perfection. Well, perfect in his opinion, because it fit just a bit too tightly around the bodice and gave a hint of her spectacular attributes.
