“Did my uncle cause any further trouble?” she asked, having no idea about his purpose as he led her away from the others.
“No, love.”
She laughed and looked up at him. “Did you meet my ogress of an aunt?”
“Yes,love. And she was every bit the ogress you warned she would be. But I easily handled her and her equally unpleasant husband.”
“I knew you would. You are simply marvelous.” She cast him a breathtaking smile. “Did she attempt to give you trouble?”
“Of course, but her own staff quickly shut her up. They did the same to her husband, too.”
“Truly? Oh, dear old Potter. I’m sure he led the way. What did he say to them?” She suddenly gasped. “Did he put himself at risk? They are a vindictive pair. I cannot—”
“All’s well.” Gawain shook his head and laughed. “I told your staff that if Northam sacked any of them, they were to come to me and I would provide work for them. Every last one of them came forward to help gather your belongings, even down to the scullery maids.”
Cherish cast him another of her radiant smiles. “You are brilliant! But Northam Hall has a staff of twenty-five who will now all need jobs.”
“No, love. Northam may be furious with them, but he and his wife value their comforts beyond anything else. He quickly realized that no one would be left to attend them, nor would anyone reliable come forward to replace those he had discharged once word got around about what he did. Everyone is safe, at least for now. But I did tell Potter to let Fiona know if Northam makes any trouble. What do you think of that,love?”
“I think you are a chess master and checkmated him brilliantly.”
He sighed. “Are you not going to remark on my endearment for you?”
She gave a merry laugh. “I was wondering what that was about. Am I truly your love? I dared not hope, because I love you so very much and was worried you had only proposed to me in order to save me from a dismal fate. But you seem content with our situation. Are you, Gawain?”
“I am.” He drew her into his arms as they reached a private spot in Fiona’s garden, one that was hidden by a copse of trees and also provided a lovely overlook to the cove and its glistening waters in the distance.
A gentle sea breeze wafted around them, causing the branches to bow and sway with a soft rustle of leaves. “I had already made up my mind to marry you, Cherish. I was going to find the right moment to tell you how I felt before your idiot uncle ever came along and forced my hand.”
Her eyes widened. “You were?”
He nodded as he held her in his embrace, for he was in no hurry to let her go. “Yes.”
“Why? What made me different from the other women in your life?”
“I’m not sure I can describe it. I think it was the sum of you. Your warmth, your honesty. Your beautiful smile and beautiful eyes. It was in the way you made me feel whenever Iwas around you. I liked having you beside me. I liked talking to you. Whenever you walked into a room, everything suddenly felt good and right.”
She nodded. “This is very much how I felt whenever around you. Safe. Wonderful. Meant to be. I love you, Gawain. But you know this. I’ll do my best to make you happy. But what shall I call you? Bromleigh or Duke is too formal. Sir? That also seems too formal.”
“I agree, it denotes someone subservient addressing me, and you shall never be that. As my wife you shall stand as my equal.”
“That is quite forward thinking of you,” she remarked, obviously pleased.
“I am not so old yet as to be stuck in my ways.”
“Nor am I,” she said, then reminded him that she was old enough to be considered a spinster. “Gawain is a wonderful name, but your friends and family also call you that. I ought to call you something special for your ears alone.My dearest.Yes, that might do if you don’t mind, for this is how I feel about you, and will do so forever.”
“My dearest,” he said in a whisper and caressed her cheek. “I like it. I’m sorry I did not think of it first, for this is what you are to me as well. But there is one more thing we must do to seal this betrothal.”
She looked up at him, her smile more radiant than the sunshine surrounding them. Her hair shone a lovely molten gold as she stood in the dappled light, looking so achingly beautiful he could barely catch his breath.
The breeze off the water delicately mussed her lively curls as she stood gazing up at him. “There is athingto do? What have I forgotten?”
“You haven’t forgotten anything,” he said, watching her purse her lovely lips. “But I have yet to kiss you.”
She inhaled lightly. “No one ever has done that before. Is it not the saddest commentary on my life? You’ll be my first kiss.”
“All the better, and I am determined to make it special for you.” The surf below crashed against the rocky outcropping as he spoke, reflecting the turbulence of his feelings. It struck him just how deep and powerful their love could grow over time.
