The tall-case clock against the far wall struck the hour. Dammit to hell! If he was to change his raiment and be down in time for dinner then he had better get on with it. He refused to put on evening clothes but had agreed to spruce himself up a bit and not appear in the items he had been wearing all day.
Instead of going to his apartment he walked down the passageway and knocked on the bedchamber door of his future wife. He needed to speak to her immediately.
The door opened and he stepped past the maid not waiting for permission to enter. ‘Sweetheart, I'm sorry to disturb you.'
She was in her shift and every curve and roundness was evident beneath the thin material. Most young women would have been horrified by his intrusion but she laughed.
'Please come in, my love,' she said with a sweet smile.
As he was already inside the chamber, he laughed out loud. 'Baggage. Your sister has twisted her ankle – I don't think it's too serious – but I'm concerned about her involvement with that captain.'
She gestured to her maid to leave and snatched up her bedrobe and pulled it on before answering. 'What happened to alarm you?'
He explained and if he'd hoped she would dispel his concerns he would have been disappointed.
'Oh dear! Where young ladies are concerned an attractive officer in a red coat is to be avoided at all costs. Sarah's not like me, she's a romantic and could well imagine herself in love with him having spent only an hour in his company. I thought him an intelligent and well-spoken gentleman. I wish now I'd not invited him to stay.'
‘As do I, sweetheart.’ The fact that he rescued her will just add flames to the fire. That's not the only problem. I underestimated him and now believe he hasn't been fobbed off so easily. I fear that Patrick will be apprehended and forced to re-enlist.'
'It was inevitable that they came to look here first. We would have been better sending him to one of the estates in the north.'
'As always, my darling, you have come up with the perfect solution. I'll send him to Scotland. I noticed I have a property in Edinburgh and I doubt they would ever find him there.'
'From what you've told me, Richard, he could still be arrested at any time even after his time is done. How are you going to put this right?'
'I shall write to London, to Horse Guards, and hope I can persuade them to let the matter drop. If I offer to pay a substantial sum to recompense them for his loss then I'm sure I'll be able to get him released without charge.' He frowned. 'Maybe it would be better to deliver the letters in person.'
'Then as soon as we can be rid of these unwanted guests you must go immediately. I can deal with any problems that might arise in your absence. Which reminds me, my mother's becoming unbearable. Perhaps you should send her away as you once threatened to do. Mr O’Riley can act as her escort.'
'Are you saying that you don't wish her to attend our wedding?'
'Frankly, if her behaviour doesn't improve then I would prefer her not to be there. I cannot credit that being denied the opportunity to gamble has caused this change in her.'
'Remember I told you about the man who actually punched his commanding officer when he was denied the right to gamble. I think we must live with the bad temper and hope that in time she will adjust to the new reality.'
She looked at him, her eyes wide. 'You're being remarkably sanguine, my love, and I thank you for it. I think she's the least of our problems now. I'll go at once to speak to Sarah and see how she does. Fortunately, as she has sprained her ankle, she must remain upstairs tonight. In the circumstances I consider this a good thing.'
He turned to leave then reconsidered. In two strides he was across and swept her into his arms. 'Waiting for our wedding night is becoming more difficult every day.' He kissed her and she responded. Somehow he managed to untangle himself before things got out of hand. 'I love you, darling girl, but my willpower is evaporating like snow on a summer’s day.'
'How poetic, Richard, but your comparison makes no sense at all. Go away and let me get dressed.'
He was still chuckling when he met up with the young captain. His smile faded.
'Your grace, Lady Sarah wishes to speak to you.' He nodded and walked past as if he owned the place, not waiting for a response.
Richard walked into the sitting room that Sarah shared with her sister and found her resting on the chaise longue with her injured ankle elevated and wrapped in what looked like a wet cloth.
'You wish to speak to me, sweetheart? How can I be of assistance?'
'It wasn't Captain Marchand's fault that I had this accident. It was I that rushed into the maze after him not the other way around.'
He perched on the end of the daybed and folded his arms. ‘If that remark is supposed to reassure me, young lady, then you're short of the mark. It has done the reverse.'
She didn't meet his eye and fiddled with her sash. 'I cannot imagine why I went after him. I didn't think I was the sort of girl to be overwhelmed by an attractive man in scarlet regimentals. Obviously, I was wrong.' She looked up, her eyes glittered and he felt a brute. 'You have no need to worry about my behaving immodestly again as I have every intention of remaining in my room until both officers have gone. I apologise for my behaviour.'
'You’ll do no such thing, little one. Stay here tonight if you wish, but I'm quite prepared to carry you downstairs. Tomorrow you should be able to put weight on that injury but I'm still prepared to act as your transport if necessary.'
'I might have given the wrong idea to Captain Marchand and I'm too embarrassed to see him again.'
'I can assure you he will treat you with the utmost respect. You will not be alone with him again so there's no danger of you doing anything inappropriate.'
*
Sarah managed a feeble smile. 'Thank you, Richard, for being so understanding. You have every right to be angry with me.'
'I couldn't be angry with you for more than a moment. Now, do you wish to go down to dine or are you having a tray upstairs?'
'I think I prefer to stay here tonight but if I cannot walk unaided then I would be grateful to be assisted in the morning.'
He ruffled her hair as he walked out and she thought, not for the first time, how lucky her sister was to be marrying him. She rather thought her interest in the captain had been because Richard had once been a major in the army himself.
The connecting door to her sister's bedchamber opened and Amanda walked in looking particularly beautiful in a dark green gown with light green embroidery around the hem, neck and sleeves.
'I love that ensemble, Amanda, have you dressed to impress our visitors?'
‘Of course I have. I am the future Duchess of Denchester and cannot be seen abroad anything but perfect. Are you quite sure you don't wish to come down? I heard Richard offer to carry you and I'm quite happy to help you change as there's still time.'
'No, I've made a complete nincompoop of myself this afternoon and intend to remain here until the military gentlemen have left.'
'Fiddlesticks to that! They could be here for several days and I'm not having you hiding in your bedchamber for that long. You will come down tomorrow whether you wish to or not.'
Sarah was quite relieved that her sister had insisted. 'Then I will agree. I'm hoping I shall be able to walk with just your arm to lean on. I really didn't enjoy being carried about the place.'
'Is that so? I think I would have found the experience pleasurable. I must ask Richard to carry me somewhere so that I can make up my mind.'
'You must go down, Amanda, it would not do to be tardy. Especially as our mama is in such high dudgeon at the moment.'
'I shan't remain to entertain them with a performance on the piano however much I might be asked. I shall be back as soon as dinner is over.' With a cheerful wave she drifted out of the room and Sarah could hear her laughing and talking to someone in the passageway.
Her cheeks coloured as she realised it was the captain. Why was he in their part of the house when his rooms were on the far
side? Surely he hadn't intended to visit her? That would be most irregular. Despite her determination to cordially dislike him her heart skipped a beat or two. She sighed and settled back to think about what had occurred that afternoon.
It wasn't as if she hadn't been introduced and danced with several eligible and handsome young gentlemen whilst in London, but this was her first – if one didn't count Mr O’Riley and Richard – encounter with an actual officer in uniform.
The evening seemed interminable and her usual healthy appetite deserted her and she was only able to pick at the delectable morsels sent up to her on a tray. Miss Westley, who had once been governess to herself and Amanda, came in to see her.
'Lady Sarah, you have hardly touched your tray. Does your ankle pain you so much you cannot eat?'
'I find that I'm not hungry tonight. We rarely have guests to dine. I would so liked to have been there.'
'That was your choice, my dear, as I know that either his grace or the captain would have been only too pleased to carry you downstairs.'
'Did you see them? I'm surprised you weren't asked to join the party.'
'Good heavens, a governess does not dine with the family unless it is to make up numbers. Now, let me remove that tray and I shall read to you. I have brought down the latest novel that arrived only yesterday from Hatchards in London. I've read the first chapter and am already engrossed.'
'I hope you don't intend to start the second and leave me to guess what happened previously.'
'Don't worry, I've no intention of doing that.'
Despite the fact that the story was exciting, the hero dark and disreputable, the heroine in dire need of rescuing, Sarah could not enjoy the book. Her ankle ached deplorably and she fidgeted and sighed until Miss Westley put the book down.
'I shall go at once to the kitchen and find you a soothing tisane as you are obviously in a lot of discomfort. I wonder if we should send for the physician.'
'It's not broken, just sprained and painful. What I'd really like is some lemonade if there's any to be found. I know there are lemons on the trees in the orangery and I'm sure that Cook could easily make me some if you would be kind enough to take her the fruit.'
'I'll leave the book here, Lady Sarah, you might find it more appealing if you read it to yourself.'
The governess, who was also a dear friend, hurried off leaving her alone. She flexed her foot and immediately regretted it. She leaned across and rang the little brass bell that had been put beside her by her maid.
'How can I help, my lady?'
'I need to use the commode. If I hop and you hold on to me, I think I can manage to reach it without falling again.'
By the time she was done she was biting her lip wishing she was safely in her bed. Her abigail tutted and fussed but eventually was able to assist her into the bedchamber.
'There now, my lady, you sit on your bed and I'll help you disrobe. Your ankle is ever so swollen and blue – I do hope you haven't broken it.'
'So do I, but I'm beginning to fear that I might have. I'm hoping that when her grace or Lady Amanda come to see me later that they will fetch me some laudanum.'
'Laudanum, sweetheart? Is your ankle so painful that you need to take that?' Richard came in carrying the tray of lemonade. It was typical of him to play the role of servant. He stood on no ceremony and did as he pleased which was one reason she was so fond of him.
'I don't like to make a fuss, but the pain is far worse than it was and I cannot move it at all.'
He frowned and put the tray down. 'I should have looked at it myself and not taken your word that the damage wasn't serious.'
Her maid hastily folded back the sheet from the bottom making sure that no more than her ankle was visible.
'Devil take it! I fear that could be more than a sprain. Small wonder you're in agony – it needs to be splinted just in case.' He rubbed the tears from her cheeks with his thumb. 'Be brave, sweetheart, I've set bones for my men many times and can do it as efficiently as a sawbones. Sit tight and I'll fetch what I need.'
She managed to smile. 'I can do nothing else, Richard. May I have some laudanum or do you disapprove of its use?'
'My men would drink a flask of cognac to deaden the pain. I think you would be better with a small amount of laudanum.' He left the sheet folded back, smiled reassuringly, and bounded out of the room.
Despite her pain her lips curved as she heard him yelling through the house. Five minutes later there were running footsteps outside and her sister burst in.
'You should have told me how much pain you are in, my love. Richard has gone to find the items he needs and I have your pain relief.' Amanda carefully tipped a few drops into a glass of lemonade and handed it to her. 'Our mother is playing cards with the officers.'
'Then I don't expect her to visit me tonight. I'm so sorry to have caused this upset. It took you weeks to recover from your broken leg and I've no wish to spoil your nuptials.'
'Nothing will do that, Sarah, I can assure you. I'm certain that I saw a bath chair in the attic and I'll have it brought down for you. Even if you cannot walk you'll not miss my marriage.' She squeezed her hand. 'Anyway, it might not be broken. Richard is being cautious.'
He came in and set about the unpleasant task of splinting her ankle. Amanda held her hand and she did her best not to whimper but the pain was so severe her head swam and everything went black. When she came around he was done. From somewhere they had found a basket cradle upon which to place the covers so they didn't touch her injury.
'You will have to stay off that until a doctor has seen it. I'm sorry to have hurt you, little one, but you will be more comfortable now.'
*
Paul enjoyed a hand of cards as much as the next gentleman but after an hour he was beginning to find the intensity of the dowager alarming. Her eyes were gleaming and every trick she took, even though they were playing for pennies, appeared to increase her determination to win.
'Now, gentlemen, shall we make this more interesting? The duke and my daughter have now gone so we can please ourselves.' She then suggested they played for more than he could afford and certainly way above the means of Robinson.
'Unfortunately, your grace, we have not the wherewithal to increase the stakes.'
'I am prepared to accept a written note for any debts you might have accrued over the evening.'
He had no wish to cause offence but he wasn't going to be bullied into doing something he didn't want to. He put down his cards and Robinson did the same.
'I thank you for a pleasant evening, your grace, but my ensign and I have had a long day and are going to retire.'
He was on his feet, bowed, and was heading for the door before she had time to protest. Their exit was so precipitous he almost collided with his host.
'I was coming to find you.' He glanced over his shoulder and his expression changed from pleasant to alarming. 'Lady Sarah has possibly broken her ankle so I have stabilised it with a splint. Excuse me, gentlemen, I need to speak to my future mother-in-law.'
The duke stepped into the drawing room and closed both doors firmly behind him. 'We are de trop, shall we take a stroll in the garden before we go up?'
'Yes, sir, I need to clear my head.'
They didn't speak again until they were safely outside and walking across the damp grass. 'Thank you for extricating us from that situation, sir, we could have lost a fortune tonight if you hadn't done so.'
'Her grace is, I believe, a hardened gambler. However, I'm certain his grace would have stepped in before we were in above our heads. He's obviously aware of the problem.'
'I've not met a duke before but I'm certain that he doesn't behave like one.'
Paul smiled in the darkness. 'He is an officer first and an aristocrat second. I like the man but I'm convinced that he's harbouring our quarry. Mr O’Riley, his man of affairs, sounds remarkably like Riley in appearance apart from his hair being brown and not red.'
'How can we prove that as we haven't met h
im before?'
'Unfortunately, I must write to Horse Guards and have them send someone here who knew him in his former persona.' He swore under his breath. 'Not that that will do any good as I'm certain he won't return here until after we've departed.'
'So what are we going to do?'
Paul was about to tell his young subordinate but decided against it. There was no need for both of them to be cashiered.
Chapter Four
Richard strode across the drawing room and towered over the Dowager Duchess. 'Madam, I thought I made it abundantly clear that you will not play cards for money.'
She remained silent for a moment fiddling with the cards and the pile of pennies in front of her. He was hopeful that his stern reprimand would be enough. Then she surged to her feet sending the card table crashing to the floor.
'How dare you speak to me like that? I will not tolerate such insolence from you or anyone else. How I wish to spend my time and my money is none of your concern.'
He ignored her outburst and calmly righted the table – he left the cards and coins for the servants to collect. 'I think that you forget to whom you speak. I am the head of the family and my word is law if you wish to remain under my roof.' The last time they had had words about her gambling she had packed her bags and left his house.
Her mouth twisted. She was so enraged he scarcely recognised her. 'I think that you forget that I have my own resources and my own estate in Northumbria. I will no longer reside with you. I shall leave tomorrow.'
This was the first he'd heard about any private income or an estate in Northumbria that wasn't under his control. 'You would leave without seeing your daughter married? Why should you punish Amanda for something that's not her fault?'
He'd hoped mentioning his forthcoming nuptials would be enough to defuse the situation but it had the reverse effect.
'You have control of my daughters and they care nought for my opinion nowadays. I shall take the travelling carriage…'
The Duke's Decision (The Reluctant Duke Book 2) Page 3
