Lady Cherry Derbyshire had a nice ring to it. She would be able to carry off the position of his wife perfectly.
He coughed.
“Miss Hammortree?”
Cherry started and looked up. Blushing to the roots of her hair, she put the book down and stood, dropping into a quick curtsey.
“Lord Derbyshire. Beg pardon, sir, I didn’t hear you come in.”
“My sincere apologies.”
Derby approached her, pleased when Cherry straightened up and looked right at him. Even five weeks on she was still looking him in the eye. He liked that.
“I heard what Miss Velazquez said about you.” He stopped before her, just out of arm’s reach. “I just want you to know that it’s not true.”
“Which bit?” Cherry raised an eyebrow. “About not being wanted or about being as bad as my parents?”
“Both. I’ve met your parents and I can truthfully say I would be happy if I never saw them again.” Derby said honestly. “There is something about them that I don’t like.”
Cherry gave a sardonic chuckle.
“If I told you the stories you wouldn’t believe it.”
“Try me.”
And Derby meant it. He had heard lots of stories about Yorkie’s brother and sister-in-law and he didn’t like them or know what to make of them. But, he was sure, what Yorkshire saw was only brushing the surface.
Cherry sat, Derby sitting opposite. With some discomfort at the start, Cherry told him everything. From the verbal abuse to the physical abuse, the forcing to court abusive men and threatening to send her away whenever she didn’t do as they said. As he listened, Derby felt the shock and horror growing.
The Hammortrees were truly despicable people. How Cherry managed to turn into an amazing, vibrant woman when she had parents like them he had no idea.
He was at a loss when Cherry finished, staring at her like he had never seen her before.
“I never knew it was that dreadful.”
“It is. I’m just glad Uncle Yorkie is a good man.” Cherry sighed. “I wish he was my father.”
Derby wished he was as well. Frederick Hammortree was indeed a good man. Cherry took after him in many ways. He sat forward, never taking his eyes off Cherry.
“And you are wanted.” He said softly. “Lucy and Michael adore you. They’re much more relaxed and I’ve seen them smiling more. You’re a good influence on them.”
Cherry nodded. Then she swallowed.
“And what about you and Lady Derbyshire?”
“She was the one who hired you; she can’t complain if you’re doing a decent job.” Derby smiled. “And I’m glad she did with what you’ve done for the children. But don’t tell her I said that; she’ll keep going behind my back if she realizes this went well.”
Cherry chuckled and put a finger to her lips.
“I promise. Your secret is safe with me.”
And the secret look they shared had Derby’s heart squeezing. He was going to ask her to marry him. There was no doubt in his mind.
***
Cherry felt lighter as she carried on about her day. That time in the library with Derby had been special. She had poured out everything about her parents and Derby hadn’t discarded it. He had listened, and he had believed her. Then he had said he was glad she was there.
The glances they had given each other, the looks, had gone from cordial to something else. Cherry was sure of it. Was Lord Derbyshire flirting with her? She was beginning to think that he was. Was that a terrible thing in their society? If she was the social class level a governess normally was, absolutely. As the niece of a marquis? It was the most normal thing in the world.
It came as a shock to Cherry to realize that she was falling in love with the earl. She had never expected it to happen that she could feel love for someone who could be a potential husband. And yet it was happening. The idea of marriage kept popping into her head and Cherry was beginning to wonder what it would be like to marry the Earl of Derbyshire.
She was still having daydreams about it as she sorted Lucy’s laundry in her room when Lady Derbyshire found her. The dowager countess stood in the door to her granddaughter’s room and watched her with icy coolness as Cherry turned away from the dresser and squeaked in surprise to see her standing there.
“Lady Derbyshire.” Cherry curtsied. “My apologies, I didn’t know you were there.”
“I thought that was the case.” Lady Derbyshire said blandly. “Our minds do tend to wander, don’t they?” Then her voice hardened. “And I think yours has been wandering a bit more than it should.”
“I beg your pardon?”
Then Cherry saw Isabella appear in the doorway behind Lady Derbyshire. She tensed. This was an ambush. What were they up to?
Chapter 9
I sabella scowled at her.
“Don’t play sly with us, Miss Hammortree. You know exactly what we’re talking about.”
“I honestly don’t.” But Cherry could guess. If Isabella was there, it had to be about Derby. “What is the problem, Lady Derbyshire?”
The dowager countess sighed. It was a sigh Cherry had heard from her own mother when she was disappointed.
“When I agreed with your uncle that you looking after my grandchildren would be a good idea, I didn’t realize you’d be keeping your eye on my son as well as the children.”
“Pardon me?”
“You’ve turned his head.” Lady Derbyshire shook her head and tittered. “And that will never do.”
Cherry’s curiosity was confirmed. They were here about Derby. If he knew they were here, he would be furious.
“I’ve not turned anyone’s head, Lady Derbyshire.” She said as calmly as she could.
“I’ve seen it.” Isabella pointed out. “You’re turning him away from me and I won’t tolerate it.”
That was so ludicrous Cherry had to swallow to stop herself from laughing.
“Lord Derbyshire has declared several times over the past two years, in front of me as well as in private, that you won’t be marrying him.”
“I’m wearing him down.”
Lady Derbyshire glanced at Isabella and then gave Cherry a look that said she had better not argue.
“I have made an agreement with Isabella’s father.” She said as if her word was final. “He helped us out financially shortly after my daughter-in-law’s death. In return for allowing us to use his money, Isabella was to marry my son.”
So that was why Isabella kept coming back. Not only did she have Lady Derbyshire whispering in her ear that it was agreed upon, but also her father. Derby had been shoving her away without realizing he was trapped in an arrangement he had no idea about.
“And you did all that without consulting your son. Again.”
Cherry emphasized the ‘again’. Isabella’s eyes narrowed. Lady Derbyshire scowled.
“Derby doesn’t know what he wants. He has never known what he really wants since he was a child. But I do know what he wants, and that’s a wife.” She openly sneered at Cherry. “And that certainly won’t be the governess.”
Cherry clasped her hands behind her so neither woman would see her hands clenching into fists. She wanted to swing at them but she wasn’t about to hit an old lady. Isabella, on the other hand…
But not here and not now. Derby may not have any liking for Isabella Velazquez but even he might object.
“Even though my family is higher up the social ladder than either your family or Miss Velazquez’s?”
“Even that.” Lady Derbyshire then smirked, glancing at Isabella. Though the younger woman was still glaring at Cherry, there was a triumphant smug look in her eyes. “Besides, it’s already been sorted. The wedding is taking place on Sunday during the morning service. My son is marrying Isabella and there’s nothing he, nor you, can do about it without making himself to look like a fool.”
Cherry felt like Lady Derbyshire had come across the room and slapped her across the face. She was still trying to get her son
to marry against his will? Surely there was a law against that. And Derby was a grown man. She couldn’t do this, surely?
From the look on her face, Lady Derbyshire was sure that she could. And Cherry knew she wouldn’t be able to dissuade her.
“I wasn’t planning on doing anything about it.” She said as calmly as she could. “I have nothing towards Lord Derbyshire in terms of feelings and emotions.”
Isabella snorted.
“Now why don’t I believe that?”
“Isabella, please.” Lady Derbyshire laid a hand on Isabella’s arm and sighed. “This is my fault. It was a mistake bringing her here. It seemed like a promising idea at the time and I did like you, Miss Hammortree. But you’re much too pretty. I should’ve picked someone a bit plainer.”
Cherry had never heard anyone make a compliment sound like an insult. She smarted. Lady Derbyshire shook her head and ushered Isabella from the room.
“I want you out of here by the time the wedding comes around. Derby and Isabella will not be needing your assistance.”
“Pardon me?”
“Michael will be going to boarding school, where he should’ve gone all along, and Lucy is going to a convent in Cornwall.”
Isabella giggled.
“She’s going to love it there.”
Cherry couldn’t believe it. They really would split the family up.
“You can’t do that. Derby would never allow it.”
“I think you’ll find that I can and I have.” Lady Derbyshire sniffed. “On second thought, you’d better pack your bags now. You are too likely to forewarn Lord Derbyshire. It is best if you go now. I’ll notify the maids to pack your bags.”
Then she left, a smirking Isabella following behind her. Cherry stared at the closed door, wondering what had just happened.
***
What had happened? Had he said something to upset her? Derby couldn’t understand it. When one of the maids came in and said Cherry was leaving, Derby had been trying to figure out why. They seemed to have developed a rapport, a comfortable feeling between them and Derby wanted that to stay. But now she was leaving.
What was going on? Derby was sure he hadn’t said something to upset her, not something that would make her leave.
It had to be his mother. Derby couldn’t see it any other way. Lady Derbyshire had told Cherry to leave and told her a bunch of lies.
That was confirmed moments later when Bass came in and told him what he had heard between Lady Derbyshire, Isabella and Cherry. Lady Derbyshire and Isabella had actually set up the wedding ceremony for Sunday service? They seriously thought he wouldn’t object to it or wouldn’t walk out to save face?
They had to be mad to think that was ever going to happen.
Derby knew enough was enough. He didn’t care about a deal with an odious man who was sadly related to Isabella, he didn’t care about a wedding that had been set up without his consent. All he cared about was getting Cherry to stay and getting his mother and Isabella Velazquez to leave.
The first thing he told Bass was to remove Isabella from the house. While that was happening, he was going to talk to his mother. Lady Derbyshire came swaying into the room looking like she had won a battle. Derby bit back a growl and prepared for a fight.
“Don’t you want to come and say goodbye to Isabella, Derby?” She asked brightly.
“No, I don’t. I’ve told you many times I don’t want her in the house. What part of that didn’t you hear, Mother?”
Lady Derbyshire didn’t even respond to that. She didn’t even acknowledge it as she went over to the couch and sat, smoothing her skirts out.
“She’s coming back tomorrow morning. She suggested that you two go for a ride in the countryside.”
Derby groaned. She really wasn’t getting it into her head.
“Mother, would you give up? I don’t want to marry Isabella.” He swung away and kicked at his desk leg. “I can’t believe that I’m a man in charge of a huge estate with a title and you’re still trying to control me. I’m approaching forty in a couple of years! I’m not twelve!”
“I made the arrangement--” Lady Derbyshire began but Derby cut her off.
“I don’t care what plans you made. I know about the deal and it was not with me. Furthermore, I did not ask you to help with the financial issues. We would have been fine.” Derby leaned against the table and folded his arms. “All you have to do is rescind the offer. I’ve got the money to pay him back.”
“I can’t,” His mother gasped. Her face went pale, “it will embarrass me.”
“It’s embarrassing to me that you’re trying to be in charge and make it look like I’m being led about by the hand like a little boy.” Derby shouted.
Lady Derbyshire flinched. Then she scowled and jabbed a finger at him.
“You are being a little boy with this. Isabella is a lovely girl and she will be perfect for you.”
“No, she won’t.” This was it. His mother was going to pitch a fit but Derby didn’t care; he didn’t need her permission. “I know who will be perfect for me and she’s not here.”
His mother looked stunned. Then her eyes narrowed and her face twisted into an ugly snarl.
“You mean Cherry Hammortree? How can you say that? She hurt Michael and then she lied to you about it. She’s a useless governess. All she does is bat her eyelashes at you and you come running.” She snorted. “You really think she loves you?”
“You always have to lie, Grandmama.”
Chapter 10
D erby jumped. Lady Derbyshire started and turned in her seat. Lucy was in the doorway. She was pale but there was anger burning in her eyes. Derby straightened. He hadn’t heard her come in.
“Lucy? What do you mean?” He asked.
His mother’s reaction was different. She stood and shouted at her granddaughter.
“Don’t you talk to me like that, young lady!” She bellowed.
Derby had never seen his mother like this. She had never lost her composure before. Lucy winced, but she didn’t back down. She moved further into the room, never taking her eyes off her grandmother. Derby could see she was burning with anger.
“You always lie to get your own way and you think everyone will take your side if you tell enough people. Cherry never hurt Michael. Michael was pushed, yes, but she never touched him. It was never her fault.”
Michael was pushed? Derby had heard it from Cherry when it first happened but after his brother sneering at it and accusing Cherry of covering up for her incompetence, it had never been spoken of again. Michael refused to say anything about it and even Lucy was tight-lipped about it unless Cherry’s character was attacked.
“But Michael won’t tell me who did it.” Derby pointed out. “I can’t help him if he won’t say.”
Lucy sighed.
“Because he’s scared, and he didn’t think you’d believe him. Uncle Peter didn’t believe Cherry, so he kept quiet. But she’s always around and he’s scared.” Derby then noticed that his mother was fidgeting. “While Michael was being treated by the doctor, I was in the lounge and she came over to me. She said that Michael and I wouldn’t be able to run from her.” Lucy’s jaw tightened, and she sounded like she was about to cry. “She said she’ll make sure that we’re cut off from you forever and we were going to be sent away after the wedding.”
Then she burst into tears. Derby’s heart went out to his daughter. He went to her and hugged her gently.
“Oh, darling, don’t cry. I would never send you away. You know that.”
“I know.” Lucy sniffed and straightened up. “But it scared us enough to keep quiet, especially after how Cherry was treated when she told you.”
Derby believed her. Cherry was the most honest woman he knew. But he could understand Peter’s disbelief pushing them into silence.
“Who pushed him?” Derby glanced at His mother, seeing that she was tensed up, looking like she was about to run. “Lucy? Who pushed Michael?”
Lucy sw
allowed but her voice didn’t waver.
“Your intended. Isabella Velazquez was fed up with getting no attention from you--”
“That’s a lie!” His mother shouted but Lucy kept going.
“So she pushed Michael, hoping that when he lay there injured she could sweep in and be the caring, worried adult and nurse Michael back to health to get into your good graces. She hoped that looking after your son would make you fall in love with her.” Lucy looked up at Derby with clear, angry eyes. “But Cherry spoiled it by getting there first. Doing her job.” Then she surprised Derby by spinning around and yelling the accusation at his mother. “You were there when she pushed my brother! And you were both angry that it didn’t work!”
Derby felt like someone had taken the carpet out from under his feet. He had no idea this was happening. Why did no one tell him? And then he looked at his mother and saw that it was true. Lady Derbyshire may have been able to talk her way out of most things but her expressions always gave her away.
She had known exactly what Isabella had done. There was a good chance she had put the idea into the girl’s head.
Derby felt sick.
“Isabella has never done that!” Lady Derbyshire screamed. “You are such a little liar!”
Then she moved so fast Derby didn’t see her move. Lucy cried out as Lady Derbyshire slapped her across the face. Derby jumped between them and stepped up close to his mother, his anger barely held back. He wouldn’t hit his mother but he was tempted.
“Enough!”
His mother glared back at him. Then it dawned on her that she had pushed it too far. She had never hit Lucy before and that was the tipping point for Derby. That, coupled with everything else she had done in the last month, solidified her future in Derby’s mind.
“Your reaction says everything, Mother.” He snarled, causing His mother to cower back. “You will not harm my daughter. Ever. And you will not dictate to me who I am to marry or not.”
Regency Romances Page 135