Reggie appeared eager to embrace the task as he ran off to find Durham.
Gawain then strode to Fiona’s study to write the necessary authorization letters while Cherish went in search of Fiona. She found her in the dining room having breakfast with several of her other guests.
Cherish drew her aside and quickly explained what had happened.
“Those beasts! I hope their carriage rolls off a cliff with them in it,” Fiona said, outraged on Cherish’s behalf. She then gave Cherish a fierce hug. “What a way to start your marriage. Are you all right?”
Cherish nodded. “Yes, truly. I am angry, of course. But I am not dealing with this on my own any longer. I now have a true family to support me, and it is a great weight lifted off my shoulders. Those two will get their comeuppance.”
She knew Gawain was even more incensed over their actions than she was. Being a Silver Duke, he was going to act immediately and fiercely. Was this not part of his appeal?
He strode out of the study with a frown on his handsome face. “These are done,” he said, indicating the letters he held. “Are Reggie and Durham ready yet?”
Cherish nodded. “They’re grabbing a quick breakfast while waiting for you. Gawain, I see you are champing at the bit to go with them, but they will get the job done. Neither my father’s solicitor nor banker will get away with their crimes. I am most concerned with the Northam Hall farms, for those are the profitable properties. I have no idea what he has done to them, and those need to be restored as fast as possible.”
He had to be thinking of her as weak and ineffectual in some respects, for she was afraid of horses, had allowed her father to dismiss her as a helpless female even though she had run Northam Hall on her own for several years, and then allowed her father’s half-brother to make a servant of her and almost steal her property. But she also knew how to manage an estate and make best use of its potential. She hoped he saw her as something more than incompetent.
Well, she knew he did, for he had never once looked at her in a condescending way. In truth, he looked at her with love in his eyes. It was very nice to feel the warmth of his gaze now that they were married and he was no longer hiding his feelings.
Fiona was fussing over Reggie and Durham as they marched out of the dining room and met them in the entry hall. “I’ll have my cook put together food and ale for your journey,” sheinsisted. “What about your clothes, Reggie? Shall I help you pack?”
“Gad, Fiona,” he said with a grunt. “All done. I am a grown man, not a six-year-old boy.”
Durham grinned. “Me too. All done. But you are welcome to burrow through my unmentionables if it pleases you.”
Fiona pinched his shoulder. “Do not make fun of me.”
“Ouch!” He gave his shoulder a rub. “Who’s making fun? You’ve known me most of my life. If not you, then what other woman would I trust with my unmentionables? There comes a point in a man’s life when he begins to think about such things.”
“Oh, really? Stop grinning at me in that simpering way. It is most unattractive. And do not lump me in with your sordid conquests. I’ve seen the sort you escort about London. Your taste in women is execrable, Durham.”
“Did you ever consider I might have someone perfect in mind?” Durham maintained his irreverent grin as he stared at her.
She pinched his shoulder again. “Get to the stable and stop leering at me. I powdered your bottom when you were but a babe, you insolent clot.”
Margaret and a few other guests joined them as they all shuttled to the stable.
Cherish ought to have felt miserable, but she could not summon any bad feeling when she had Gawain by her side, a new friend in Margaret, and just realized Durham was in love with Fiona. Maybe—just maybe—Fiona cared for him, too. So what about the difference in their ages? If it did not bother Durham that she was older, why should it bother Fiona? There could not be more than six or seven years between them.
Fiona was still fussing over Durham and Reggie. “Don’t forget to stop at coaching inns along the way for some proper, hearty meals. The fare at those inns is usually quite good. You’llhave to stop at regular intervals, since your mounts will need rest and tending. And be careful. These are wicked, wicked people you are dealing with.”
Cherish stepped forward to thank them, and Gawain did the same. “The Bromleigh townhouse is fully staffed and all is at your disposal.”
“Thank you, Uncle.” Reggie cast Gawain an impertinent grin. “I intend to make full use of your excellent stock of brandy once our assignment is done.”
Their little group now circled Reggie and Durham as they all stood beside the stable.
Cherish tried not to be obvious about keeping well away from their enormous beasts who were as big as Gawain’s horse, Odin.
Gawain was ever aware of her fear and did not make a point of it. He led her aside and took her in his arms. “You’re shivering, Cherish.”
“I’m trying very hard not to, but my body doesn’t seem ready to cooperate. I must be such a disappointment to you.”
“A disappointment?” He turned her to face him and kissed her until her legs turned to water.
It was a thoroughly inappropriate and wonderful kiss.
Fiona, Margaret, Durham, and the houseful of guests at the stable with them were watching and cheered Gawain on. That kiss would have thoroughly compromised her had they not already been married.
