The Duke's Ward (The Reluctant Duke Book 1)

by Fenella J Miller

  He hid his smile. This was a polite way of saying that the young man thought his master needed to wash the grime of the journey from his person.

  'Nothing to eat, I'll wait until dinner, but send something to drink. Have hot water fetched to me immediately.'

  His valet had remained in Town so he would have to do for himself. He paused at the bottom of the stairs that led to the upper floor and could hear Beth chattering away to the nanny. There was no sign of Amanda, but he wanted to see her when he was presentable and not in his dirt.

  Fortunately, he'd had the foresight to leave a goodly part of his wardrobe behind. Freshly garbed he went in search of her. She wasn't anywhere downstairs – in fact not inside at all as far as he could see. He headed to the nursery, not unduly worried at this point, to speak to Beth.

  She flung herself into his arms and he returned her embrace. 'Look, look what I picked for Nanny.'

  There were several vases of bluebells and primroses and he admired them. 'They're quite beautiful, sweetheart. How clever of you to arrange them so prettily. I'm looking for your sister. Do have any notion where she might be?'

  'She was walking in the woods with me but I came on ahead of her.'

  'How long ago was that, Beth?'

  'I don't know the time. Nanny, have I been back for long?'

  The elderly lady stood up, her face showing her concern. 'It's more than two hours ago, your grace. Lady Amanda should have been back by now.'

  'Then I'll go and find her for myself. Don't look so worried, little one, I'm sure she's just enjoying the sunshine and the solitude.'

  He took the stairs two at a time and ran at the double to the woods that divided the grounds of the Dower House from the Hall.

  It was darker under the trees, and cool. He stopped and listened but could hear nothing apart from birdsong and the occasional rustle of a small animal in the undergrowth. He cupped his hands around his mouth and yelled her name. The noise sent birds flapping into the air squawking their protest at this rude interruption of their peace.

  He yelled again, and again got no response. He was seriously concerned now that she'd met with an accident. Hadn't the last letter sent by the housekeeper reported that Amanda was neither eating nor sleeping properly since her return?

  He wasn't overfond of canines but now wished this family kept dogs. They would find her more quickly than he could. He jogged along the path looking from side to side for evidence that the girls had passed this way. He stopped every so often and called but got no response.

  He'd been searching for almost an hour without success. He would have to return and organise the staff as he wasn't going to find her on his own. Then, as he turned, he saw a flash of yellow on the far side of the path. He was across in seconds. His heart all but stopped. Spreadeagled, still as death, face down in the dirt, was his darling girl.

  *

  Amanda could hear someone calling her but couldn't find the energy to sit up and answer. She was so comfortable where she was, the soft dirt made an excellent bed and she hadn't slept for days. She turned her head and settled back into a deep sleep.

  The next thing she knew she was being scooped up into Richard's arms.

  'Darling, sweetheart, speak to me. Are you hurt?'

  His frantic calls finally dragged her from the land of nod. 'I'm perfectly well, I just want to sleep. Leave me alone.'

  'Idiot girl! I've been searching for hours thinking you'd met with an accident, whilst you were just sleeping.'

  Then she was in the air and he was striding back to the house with her clasped to his chest. Having never been carried by anyone since she was out of leading strings, she rather enjoyed the sensation. She was vaguely aware of a fluttering of maids and footmen around her but was then unceremoniously dumped onto her bed.

  'Your clothes are sodden – your maid will get you changed and then we must talk. I'll wait in your sitting room.'

  Her limbs were heavy, her eyes refused to stay open and Mary slipped a nightgown over her head rather than a fresh gown.

  'Let me sleep, I'm so very tired. I'll eat when I wake.' She closed her eyes and was instantly, deeply asleep.

  It was dawn when she eventually opened her eyes, the shutters and curtains were drawn and the room was dark. She was about to jump out to find the commode when something stopped her. After her eyes became accustomed to the gloom she saw that she wasn't alone. Richard was asleep in a chair beside her bed. He was unshaven, looked positively rakish, and the ice around her heart began to melt.

  Carefully she moved to the far side of the bed and tiptoed to the dressing room. When she returned he was still asleep and she paused to look at him. What was he doing here? She wasn't at all unwell. It was a mystery as to why he'd thought it necessary to spend the night in here with her.

  She was ravenous and even the kitchen maids wouldn't be downstairs yet. There was only one thing for it, she would put on her dressing robe and go down and find herself something to eat before she fainted away for a second time from lack of sustenance.

  Her hand was on the door when he spoke from the chair, making her squeak with shock.

  'If you think I'm going to allow you to parade around the house as you are, you have another think coming. I suggest that you get back into bed at once and allow me to fetch you a tray.'

  'I'll do no such thing. You don't know where anything is in the kitchen and you would take far too long. I haven't eaten for days – that's why I fainted.'

  He was on his feet so swiftly she scarcely had time to react. Without a by your leave he picked her up and carried her back to bed. 'Stay where you are, young lady, I'll not be long.'

  Although his words were softly spoken there was an edge of steel to them and she knew it would be unwise to argue on this occasion. She dozed against the pillows and was roused by the delicious smell of coffee, freshly made toast and something else she couldn't quite name.

  'What have you brought me? Is it ham?'

  He put the tray on the sideboard on the far side of the room and then fetched the side table and put it beside the bed. 'Wait and see – I'm a resourceful fellow and quite capable of making us both a decent breakfast.'

  Her stomach gurgled loudly and they both laughed. When the tray was put beside her, her mouth watered. Not only were there succulent slices of pink ham but also fried eggs to go with them.

  'There's enough here for six people, Richard.'

  'Then that's fortunate as I've no intention of going downstairs to fetch anything else.'

  By the time they were replete there was very little left on the table. She looked longingly at the empty coffee jug and smiled her most beguiling smile. With a long-suffering sigh he gathered up the dirty plates and cutlery, piled them on the tray and set out for a second time.

  Another young lady would be panicking that because a gentleman had spent the night unchaperoned in her bedchamber she was thoroughly compromised. Amanda was made of sterner stuff. Nobody, apart from staff, and they were loyal to the core, knew anything about it so it made no never mind to her.

  Richard had found her in the woods and fetched her home and then watched over her all night to see that she was safe. The fact that he'd been a serving soldier, had fought in many battles, killed dozens of men, no longer seemed so important.

  Being an officer was an important job for without them leading their men tyrants and dictators would run rampant across the world. Had it been this that had frightened her into reneging on her promise or something else entirely?

  He returned with a fresh jug of coffee and refilled her cup.

  'That was the most delicious meal I've ever eaten. I don't think I knew what real hunger was until today. Thank you for your kindness and for bringing me home. I fear I would have remained there fast asleep if you hadn't come.'

  'I doubt you'd have come to any serious harm, my love, the staff would have come out before it got dark and found you eventually. I'm just glad I arrived here when I did and saved you from an unpleasa
nt experience.'

  'Why are you here, Richard?'

  'I received a letter telling me you weren't eating or sleeping and I wished to talk to you, see what was bothering you so much that it was affecting your health.'

  He was looking at her in a particular fashion and a wave of heat settled in a most unusual place.

  'I can tell you why I've been so distressed. I decided when I first met you that charming as you are, I could never marry a man who'd killed for a living. I accepted your offer and then realised I couldn't go through with it.'

  *

  'And now? Have you had time to reconsider? I know that you love me as much as I love you and it seems ridiculous that your scruples are keeping us from being happy.' She wouldn't meet his eyes and he knew this was the time to broach the subject of what took place between a man and wife in the intimacy of the marriage bed.

  'Sweetheart, I don't think it's the fact that I'm a soldier – I should say more accurately that I was a soldier – I believe it was seeing me unclothed that frightened you.'

  She raised her head and nodded slightly. 'I think that maybe you're correct. I've never been so shocked in my life.'

  'I take it that your mother has never explained to you what takes place on your wedding night?'

  'Of course not. She would be horrified at the thought of mentioning something so… so unsuitable for an unmarried lady to hear.'

  He couldn't hold back his chuckle. 'There would be little point in her explaining it once you're married as you would know the details for yourself.

  'There's nothing to be afraid of, my darling. The act of love that takes place between a husband and wife is as natural as breathing, but far more pleasurable. I promise that I'll never hurt you and you would never be asked to do anything that you didn't enjoy.'

  She was silent for several minutes and he let her mull over what he'd said. Belatedly it occurred to him that she probably didn't know how the mechanics of it worked.

  'Do you want to know exactly what takes place?'

  'I certainly do not. Time enough discover the details when, and if, I ever get married to you or anyone else.'

  This was the outside of enough. He'd thought the matter settled between them after their intimate conversation.

  He reached out and removed her coffee cup from her hands and then placed an arm on either side of her shoulders and stared down at her flushed cheeks.

  'Do you love me?' She nodded but seemed unable to answer him. 'Then you will marry me.'

  'I'm not sure if I want to marry you or anyone just now. I like being an independent young lady and would be obliged to give that up if I become a bride.'

  Before either of them could move the door flew open and her mother sailed in. 'Not marry Richard? I should think you will, young lady. In fact, I think the sooner the better after what I've just witnessed.'

  There could not have been anything more compromising than the scene that his future mother-in-law had witnessed. Even his beloved knew she now had no choice in the matter.

  Smoothly he stood up while still keeping hold of Amanda's hand. 'You may be the first to congratulate us, your grace. We have decided on a June wedding.'

  Amanda instead of agreeing or even protesting said something else entirely. 'Mama, what on earth are you doing here? Shouldn't you be escorting Sarah around Town?'

  'We all decided that we had had quite enough of city life and much preferred the countryside. The ball has been cancelled and Miss Westley sent our apologies to all those from whom we had accepted invitations. Our luggage travelled with us and our trunks are being unpacked as I speak.'

  Chapter Eighteen

  Richard was unceremoniously bundled out of the room leaving Amanda to face the wrath of her mother alone. She would much prefer to have this confrontation when on her feet and fully clothed.

  'If you would care to wait in the sitting room, Mama, I'll get dressed and then I can join you.'

  'No, my dear girl, I shall sit beside you and we will talk in here where we can be private.' She settled her bulk on the chair that had just been vacated by Richard. 'Can I assume that you and he have sorted out your difficulties and are now ready to tie the knot?'

  'I know I've no other choice after what just happened, but the truth is that I'm still not sure it's the right thing for either of us. We scarcely know each other and physical attraction is not a sound basis for a long and happy marriage.'

  'Indeed, it is not, my dear. However, yours is a true love match and one would have to be blind not to see it. I know why you hesitate. You're remembering the coolness between your father and I.'

  'I am. It's none of my business so please don't think you have to explain to me.'

  'I know you idolised him, Amanda, but whilst I was carrying Beth he set up his mistress in Ipswich. We swore in church to be faithful to each other and when he so publicly broke those promises it was too much. From that moment on he was no longer welcome in my bed.'

  'I'm so sorry. It must have been hard for you.'

  'Somehow it had been easier to accept his infidelities when he kept them in London but bringing her so close to home was too much.'

  Amanda's breakfast threatened to return when she realised the full import of these words. 'Are you saying that the times he took me to London it was to visit her?'

  'I'm sorry to shatter your opinion of him, but he took you with him as a smokescreen. He was very fond of you, of course, but the only person he truly loved was himself.'

  These were harsh words indeed and difficult to hear, but it explained so much. 'So that was why he allowed you to gamble as you wished and paid your debts without a murmur?'

  'Exactly so. Life is so much easier for a gentleman, my dear, they can take a mistress without fear of being ostracised by their peers. Their word is law both inside and outside the house and there's nothing we females can do about it.'

  Amanda smiled wryly. 'In which case, Mama, why should I get married?'

  'Richard is quite different. He is a good man through and through, will never betray you, will protect and love you as you should be loved. He might look like your departed father but there the resemblance ends.'

  'Thank you for sharing these secrets with me. I must get up and go and find Richard. I need to tell him that I've changed my mind and will marry him after all.'

  'I hardly think you are in a position to debate the point, my girl, after having him in here all night and then practically in bed with you when I walked in a while ago.'

  'He would never force me into anything I didn't want. Whatever you might think, if I didn't care to marry him then that would be the end of the matter.'

  Her mother tutted under her breath and then left Amanda to the ministrations of her maid. Another young lady might have spent an hour or more getting ready, making sure she looked her best for this auspicious occasion, but all she could think of was finding the man she loved and telling him her feelings.

  She scarcely noticed what she was wearing but trusted Mary wouldn't send her out looking anything but her best. She flew through the house searching for him, but he was nowhere to be found. She paused in the hall wondering where she could look next. Why wasn't he waiting eagerly for her to join him?

  Then she saw him outside on the lawn staring up at the roof. What was so interesting out there that it had taken precedence over herself? Curious to know, she rushed out without changing from her indoor slippers.

  'Richard, what's so fascinating on the roof? I've been looking for you everywhere.'

  He turned and his smile sent fire through her veins. 'My darling, might I politely suggest that you don't yell across the garden like a fishwife in future? It's hardly becoming in my future duchess.'

  'Fiddlesticks to that! I shall shout as much as I want and there's nothing you can do about it.' This was a remarkably foolish thing to say as his expression changed and in two strides he had her trapped within his arms.

  'Is there not?' His mouth closed over hers and she was transported t
o a place she hadn't known existed and any residual doubts evaporated under the heat of their passion. A delightful time later he raised his head, his eyes dark and his cheeks flushed.

  'You were asking me about the roof. There appears to be a cat and her kittens living up there.'

  He pointed and she saw he was correct. As they watched Mr O'Riley appeared at an attic window with a sack in his hand. After a deal of mewing and yowling the felines were safely in the bag and he'd returned to the attic.

  'That was most entertaining, my love, don't you think?'

  'What I think, Richard, is that for the second time I've ruined a perfectly good gown.'

  They returned to the house with his arm firmly around her waist and she was so happy she thought her feet were actually travelling above the ground.

  'I forgot to say, I do wish to marry you and it's nothing to do with my mother or being compromised.'

  'Well, that's a relief as our kiss was witnessed by two dozen outside men and as many inside.' His smile was wicked as he continued. 'If you didn't marry me my reputation would be gone and that would never do as I'm the Duke of Denchester.'

  'So you are, my love. Are you still a reluctant duke or have you come to terms with your new life?'

  'I don't give a damn about the title, the estates or the money I inherited. If I hadn't come here, I would never have met you. I love you, and will always do so. We're going to be so happy together.'

  'I love you too and promise I'll be the best wife I can. If we're to get married next month there's so much to plan and only six weeks in which to do it.'

  'The sooner the better, darling girl, for I doubt I'll be able to stay out of your bed any longer than that.'

  THE END

  The second book in The Reluctant Duke series will be out in the autumn. Will Amanda and Richard get their wish and be married in June? Can the Dowager Duchess keep her word and stay away from the card tables? Has Patrick O'Riley been recognised whilst in London and is he in danger of being hung as a deserter? All will be revealed in November.