'But I have been bred to it, Mama. I grew up, knowing what was expected of me. Sophie is an innocent, she knows nothing of my world. She is a veritable hoyden, she climbs trees, rides like a man―has never used a lady's saddle―and I do not even know if she can dance!'
'She might learn.'
He shook his head. 'No. she is totally unsuited to be a duchess.'
'Why?' She challenged him. 'Tell me!'
With something very like a growl, he jumped up and began to pace the floor.
'Because… because she is used to living in isolation with only her family for company, cooking her own food, even growing her own vegetables! I have seen her with dirt in her fingernails, and flour on her nose!'
'And how does that make her unsuitable?'
He waved a hand. 'All this, this grandeur. It would suffocate her.'
'We are not very grand today,' his mother pointed out.
'You know what I mean. There would be no respite. She would be expected to manage every one of my houses, and to host huge parties at whichever residence we might be using at the time. And then there is the London Season. Visits to Court. Balls, parties.'
'All the things that you most dislike,' she said shrewdly.
'Yes.' He scowled.
'Perhaps you might enjoy them more if you were not the object of every matchmaking mother and her daughter. If you had your duchess by your side.'
He shook his head. 'She would have no notion how to go on.'
'But we are agreed she could learn. And if she loves you, Perry, as much as you love her, do you not think you should let her decide?' He looked at her and she smiled. 'There is no reason why she should not be an excellent partner for you. You say she is intelligent, so I am sure she could learn what is expected of her. I would be very willing to help her, too, if she would allow it.'
Perry hesitated, then he shook his head. 'I have known others marry outside their own sphere. Lady Flintley told me that Honoria had been raised to be a nobleman's consort. Years of training to know and accept one's place, one's duty―'
The duchess tutted. 'That does not always answer. Your father knew his duty. He had been trained for it, all his life yet there is no denying that he made a complete mull of his time as duke. He turned his back on his responsibilities, spent lavishly and refused to face the truth when the money began to run out. I tried to help, to guide and advise but he was a…difficult man. Perhaps, instead of accompanying him to London for the season, and on those endless visits to friends, I should have spent more time here with you at Cullenmore.'
'You did what you thought was right, Mama.' Perry returned to the sofa and put his arm about her shoulders. It was his turn to offer comfort. 'From what Rafford has told me, you did manage to curb some of Father's more outrageous excesses.'
'I wish I could have done more.' She sighed. 'We have left you with a daunting task, but with a little economy you will come about. You do not need to marry a fortune, Perry.'
He shot her a quick, rueful look. 'But you must admit that it would help. Perhaps you could find me a suitable bride.'
'Not if your heart is engaged elsewhere.' She hesitated, then said slowly, 'I knew my place and my duty when I married your father, but it did not make our arranged marriage any happier. Who is to say a love match would not be more successful? I think, at the very least, you should give the lady the opportunity to decide for herself.'
Listening to his mother, Perry was almost convinced. It was what he wanted above all else, to have Sophie by his side, but how would she cope in this or any of his other houses, managing the army of staff who had their own hierarchy? Would she be cowed by Barton at his most magnificent, or terrified by Mrs Logan, the housekeeper, who Perry freely admitted had terrified him as a boy? And then there was the endless round of calls, whichever property they were living in at the time.
Visiting sick tenants and workers, paying duty-calls upon neighbours, patronising the local assembly rooms, sitting on the boards of the local charities―he had vowed to do many of these things himself, to dedicate his life to the service of Cullenmore, as his grandfather had done, but would Sophie understand what was involved? Would she be dazzled by the thought of the coronet and not realise the daunting amount of work that was required?
The duchess read something of his doubts in his face because she rose, pulling him to his feet.
'Enough of this for now,' she told him, tucking her hand into his arm. 'You may escort me to my room and I shall take a little nap before I change for dinner. But promise me you will think over what I have said, Perry. Being a duke has its duties, but it has many privileges, too, that you might enjoy, with the right consort.'
Perry gave her his word. Her arguments made sense to him, and by the time he delivered her to her dresser, who was waiting in her bedchamber, he felt much happier. Perhaps, just perhaps, he and Sophie could make this work! Suddenly, he felt the need to work off some of the restless energy that had been building within him. He glanced out of the window: the sun was shining and the sky was almost as clear as when he had glimpsed it from his bed that morning. He decided he would take Dulcie for a gallop in the park. He need not change for dinner for at least an hour―two, if he warned Holby to have everything ready for his return. He ran quickly back down the stairs, eager to be out in the air.
*
The duchess was making her way to the drawing room when she heard the urgent summons of the doorbell. She thought nothing of it, nor the subsequent sound of a diffident male voice requesting to see the duke. However, it was interrupted by a much younger voice, and the urgent tone caught her attention.
'We need to see his grace immediately. It is of the utmost importance!'
The entrance hall at Cullenmore was double height, with a wide central staircase leading upstairs to the principal reception rooms, and by moving only a little from her path, the duchess could look over the balustrade and into the hall. A liveried servant had opened one of the double doors that led to the front drive and two boys now stood in the hall, the younger one hopping from one foot to the other with impatience.
The footman muttered something, which the older boy waved aside, saying with an assumption of confidence that the duchess thought rather strained, 'He will see us, I believe. Pray tell him that Hugh Coutras and his brother are here.'
It was clear the name meant nothing to the servant, who positioned himself in front of the boys to prevent them entering further. She noted that Barton was making his stately way towards the little group.
'We need to see the Duke of Cullenmore,' declared the youngest boy, not a bit cowed by the butler's imperious demand to know what was going on. 'And no, we are not expected but―'
His older brother shushed him and put a hand on his shoulder.
'I regret that his grace is not at home.' Barton's voice carried clearly, bouncing off the stone walls. Perhaps you would care to call tomorrow―'
His words were met with a barrage of protests. The duchess leaned over the balustrade.
'Barton.' She did not raise her voice, but with a lifetime's training behind him, the butler heard her immediately and looked up. She smiled. 'I am on my way to the drawing room now. Pray have his grace's guests join me there.'
Without waiting for a response she swept on and was seated in a wing chair, arranging her skirts becomingly when the butler ushered in the travellers. She observed them with interest as they made their bows. Brothers, undoubtedly, both fair-haired and blue-eyed, the older almost a man and looking ill at ease. His younger brother she guessed to be no more than twelve years of age and less intimidated by his surroundings or his hostess. She looked at the butler, her brows raised. Barton did not fail her.
'Master Hugh Coutras, your grace. And Master Armand Coutras.'
She smiled at them and invited them to sit down. Neither boy moved.
'We need to speak to the duke,' said the older one, Hugh, clutching his hat before him.
'My son is out riding, but we shall send
word to have him fetched back immediately, and perhaps, while we wait, you would like a little refreshment.'
Armand's face lit up.
'Oh yes, if you please, your grace. We had to leave before breakfast this morning and we haven't eaten anything much today, save for some pretty poor fare at the inn when we stopped to rest the horse.'
Eyes twinkling with amusement, the duchess nodded to Barton, who went off to do her bidding, then she turned back to her guests.
'Now then, let us not stand upon ceremony. Sit down on the sofa where I can see you and tell me all about yourselves!'
*
By the time he reached the house, Perry was in a fever of apprehension. He had been at the far side of the park when Wragg had ridden up to say that Hugh and Armand had arrived. The groom was unable to tell him anything more and he had galloped back to the stables, his mind going over all the possible emergencies that would warrant the boys travelling seventy miles to see him.
He strode quickly from the stables and made his way directly to the drawing room. He could hear voices and went in quickly, pausing in the doorway to take in the scene. His mother was in her favourite wing chair and regarding her guests with some amusement. Hugh and Armand were seated on one of the sofas, a table pulled across in front of them, its delicate burr walnut top completely hidden by a number of plates which were all empty, save for a few stray crumbs.
He said quickly. 'I came as soon as I heard. What is it, Hugh, your father? Is he ill?' Something tightened in his chest. 'Sophie?'
'No, no, Papa is perfectly well,' said Hugh. 'We are all well, your grace.'
The boys had both jumped up but he waved them back to their seats and pulled up a chair for himself, close to his mother.
Armand looked at him. 'You did say, if we needed your help to come to you.'
Perry shook his head. 'I said to write, brat, not turn up on my doorstep. What if I had had been elsewhere, how would you have managed, so many miles from home? How did you get here, by the way?'
'We hired a gig from Hyndmarsh,' said Hugh. 'I did not think it right for Hercules to attempt such a long journey.'
'And besides Owen would have wanted to know what we were about,' added Armand. 'And then he would have insisted on telling Papa.'
'You mean your father does not know you are here?' Perry demanded.
'He would have stopped us.' The boy fixed him with anxious eyes. 'But we did leave him a note, explaining why we had to borrow some of the housekeeping money.'
A laugh escaped the duchess, which she quickly covered with a cough. Perry shot her a frowning look, but the boys did not appear to notice.
Armand said earnestly, 'Papa would have said it was none of our business, but it is, Perry. That is why we had to come. It is Sophie, you see. You must save her!'
Fear coursed through Perry. Had Grieves flouted his orders and returned to Hyndmarsh?
'Perhaps I should leave you to discuss this in private,' said the duchess quietly.
'No, please stay, Mama. Whatever has happened I am sure your advice would be welcome.' He turned to Hugh. 'You had best tell us everything.'
'Sophie has received an offer of marriage,' said Hugh. 'From Mr Bonworth.'
'I see.' So, nothing perilous, then. Sophie was in no danger. But Perry still felt a chill. He said carefully, 'Surely that is a cause for celebration.'
Armand sat forward, 'She does not love him, Perry.'
His mouth twisted. 'You cannot know that, brat.'
'But I do! Sophie always said she would fall in love with a handsome prince.' Armand gave a grimace. 'Not a stationer!'
Perry felt no desire to laugh.
'She likes him,' offered Hugh. 'She says Mr Bonworth is a very kind man, but she is marrying him because of us. Because she thinks she is not needed at the castle any longer.'
'Now why should that be?' asked the duchess.
'Armand and I will be going off to school soon.' Hugh looked up at Perry. 'I pray you will not misunderstand, your grace. We are very grateful for the opportunity, the fund you have put in place will allow us both to go on to university, which is Papa's dearest wish, and ours, too, of course. But with the extra help in the house now, and the gardener, Sophie has very little to do. Papa still spends all day with his books and Sophie says the new housekeeper can look after him as well as she ever did.' He added sagely, 'I think she is lonely.'
'But she doesn't love him,' Armand repeated. 'He has been a-courting her and I heard him offering her a comfortable house and a carriage.' He looked disgusted. 'Sophie says it is a very good match, but it isn't, Perry. Sophie is a princess, you know she is!'
'Hush, Armand.' Hugh gave his brother a nudge and cast an apologetic look at the duchess. 'I beg your pardon, it is just one of the silly games we used to play on the island. But I do think she is making a mistake, only she won't listen to me. All she will say is that she must do something with her life, and marrying Mr Bonworth is as good as anything.'
'Please say you will come and speak to her, Perry.' Armand beseeched him. 'She will listen to you, because you are her friend.'
Perry was silent. He could feel the weight of the boys' expectations, but he had caused enough harm at Duke's Folly, it was better for him to stay away. All his good intentions had so far caused Sophie nothing but pain.
'Of course, the duke will speak to your sister,' said the duchess. She met his eyes, a faint smile in her own. 'He would never let down a friend.'
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Sophie was up betimes. She had barely slept a wink and knew her father would be the same, with the boys being away from home overnight. Hugh's note had said very little, save that they had gone to Cullenmore and not to worry about them, but of course that was impossible.
'Perhaps they wanted to thank the duke for all he has done,' Sophie had suggested, trying to reassure her father. 'The agreement about the castle, the trust fund for their education and the extra staff. his grace has been extraordinarily generous.'
'Yes, yes, but they could have written to him.' Her father had tutted anxiously. 'To arrive unannounced―there is no saying what he might think of their disturbing him. These great men can be very fickle, you know.'
Sophie had no answer to that, but she did not think Perry would turn them away. However, she still spent the night worrying.
She dressed quickly and went downstairs to join her father for breakfast. She had only just taken her seat in the parlour when Owen brought in a message bearing the duke's seal.
'Thank heavens, they are safe,' Papa assured her, quickly scanning the letter. 'But this is from the duchess. She says she will escort the boys back to us today.'
So Perry might not have been at home. Sophie held on to that thought throughout the day as she prepared the house for a visit from the Duchess of Cullenmore. She convinced herself that she would rather not see Perry again, but when she saw the boys and then the duchess alight from the elegant barouche she felt a huge jolt of disappointment. Then, when Perry appeared, the violent reversal of her feelings made her feel quite dizzy.
He jumped down nimbly after the others, achingly handsome in a corbeau-coloured coat, his long legs encased in buckskins and topboots. Sophie wanted to turn and run back to the house, but he was already greeting her father and presenting him to the duchess. She had no choice but to step forward and sink into a curtsy.
She heard a gentle laugh, and the duchess reached out and pulled her to her feet, making Sophie blush vividly when she said gaily, 'Miss Coutras, my son has told me so much about you that I feel I know you already.'
Her father suggested everyone should step inside and Sophie knew her duty. The small parlour had been swept, cleaned and polished for their exalted visitors. The silver teapot and spirit stove were in place ready for tea to be prepared and a platter of fancy cakes was waiting, plus more substantial fare that she knew would be appreciated by her brothers.
Once everyone was comfortably settled in the parlour Sophie busied herself making
tea, but her hands trembled when she heard her father invite the duke and duchess to take dinner with them.
'That would be delightful,' the duchess responded. 'We have already sent ahead to the Beaucliffe Arms, bespeaking rooms for the night, so we do not need to rush away.' She smiled at Sophie. 'But I pray you will not worry yourself over feeding us, Miss Coutras, your brothers will tell you that we eat very simply when we dine en famille.'
Sophie stretched her own mouth into a smile. Of course she had prepared for the eventuality, sent Owen to the town to buy whatever he could, but she had hoped to be spared the necessity of feeding a duchess, even a simple meal.
The social niceties being settled, the duchess suggested that Hugh and Armand should tell their father why they had gone to Cullenmore.
'I am sure you are impatient to ask that question, Monsieur, and I hope you will forgive the intrusion of a relative stranger, but our families have been involved for such a long time that we feel a responsibility for you.' She added with a twinkle, 'I must say, for myself, I am very pleased that your sons chose to come to us with their worries.'
Sophie watched as her father inclined his head.
'Vraiment, I should indeed like to ask why they sought out the duke, madame.'
Armand flushed bright red and looked towards his brother.
'We thought Sophie should not accept Mr Bonworth's offer,' said Hugh, not looking at anyone.
'I do not see that that is anyone's business but my own,' exclaimed Sophie, sitting up very straight. 'I refuse to discuss it here!'
The duchess surprised her by agreeing.
'Quite right, my dear. Let us talk of something else. Monsieur, I was telling your sons that I have never been to Duke's Folly before. I am quite enchanted. Do tell me what it is like to live and work in such a delightful place.'
Nothing could have been more calculated to set her father and the boys talking. Sophie listened as she poured the tea and asked Hugh and Armand to take the cups to their guests. That way she could avoid looking or speaking to Perry, who was sitting across the room. When the duchess finished her tea, she refused Sophie's offer to refill her cup and rose in a whisper of silks.
Duke's Folly Page 14
