The Duke's Alliance: A Soldier's Bride

by Fenella J Miller

  'Godspeed, your grace,' the ship's captain said and bowed.

  Beau thought the man was glad to see the back of him and his charges. Beth, Miss Elizabeth Freemantle, his cousin, had proved an indifferent traveller and had spent the entire journey confined to her cabin complaining bitterly about the seasickness. Being the Duke of Silchester had given him a decent berth but not much else.

  The four horses he had brought with him had also proved problematical as they had also travelled reluctantly. He had purchased these animals especially for his rescue mission to find his younger brother, Peregrine, who had been listed as missing somewhere in the no man's land between Portugal and France.

  Once Beth and her long-suffering maidservant had disembarked, along with their numerous trunks and boxes, he sent his groom to hire a carriage to convey the two of them to Vitoria where she was to marry her betrothed, an officer in Wellington's army.

  He had persuaded his brother-in-law, Lord Carshalton, to part with two of his employees for the duration of this visit. Jenkins and Smith were former soldiers and had served on the Peninsular and would be essential if he was to find Perry behind enemy lines. They might be long in the tooth but they were fit and exactly what he needed.

  'Cousin Beau, please do not ask me to travel anywhere today. I must have at least one night on dry land to recover after that appalling experience on board ship.'

  'Beth, my dear, it has already taken me far longer than I'd hoped to get here. I'm not prepared to delay any longer. Therefore, resign yourself to continuing your journey in a carriage today. We shall overnight at the first decent village we come across so will not be travelling for more than an hour or two. Surely you wish to get to young Sullivan as soon as possible?'

  Mentioning the young man she was to marry was sufficient to change her frown to a sunny smile. 'You are quite right, I cannot wait to see him and become his wife. How long do you think it will take us to travel from Oporto to this place where he is?'

  'It is at least two hundred miles so I imagine over the kind of roads we must travel it is going to take us ten days at least.'

  She sighed theatrically and mopped her brow. 'Is it going to be so unpleasantly hot all the time?'

  He laughed. 'My dear girl, I did warn you that here is much hotter than it is in England but you would insist on coming. I am sure you will become acclimatised in time. I should dispense with such elaborate gowns and wear something light and simple in future.'

  He turned away as Jenkins approached on the rangy chestnut gelding. 'Your grace, Smith's found something I reckon will do nicely. He's just giving it a bit of a spruce up before the ladies get in. He'll be along in half an hour.' The man grinned. 'Got a decent enough coachman to agree to come with us. I reckon he was eager to get away from his nagging missus.'

  Beau had had the foresight to have the luggage carried to a less crowded part of the docks where they could wait in relative comfort and shade. He was holding the reins of his own mount, Sylvester, a giant black stallion, and the one he had brought over for Perry. This animal, almost as big, was a bay and went by the name of Billy. Both horses had been fed and watered once they were on dry land and now seemed comparatively calm.

  'Excellent. When we are on our way you need to ride ahead and find us somewhere to stay tonight.'

  Jenkins touched his forehead politely and guided his horse in a tight circle and trotted off in the direction from which he had come.

  Eventually they were on their way, trunks tied securely to the rear of the carriage, his own belongings in the saddle bags. Billy was being used as a temporary packhorse. It was damnably hot and he had not been riding for more than an hour before he discarded his topcoat. God knows how the soldiers managed sweltering as they were in their thick serge uniforms and carrying practically their own weight in equipment.

  The route they were travelling was busy with carts and the troops that had just arrived on the same ship they had. The soldiers had been disembarked first, which was only right as they were about to fight for King and Country, and so had several hours start on them.

  Despite the baking heat the men they saw marching seemed cheerful enough and stepped aside to allow them to pass when necessary. Smith was leading Billy and Jenkins rode with his friend. Neither of the men seemed inclined to speak to him unless forced to and he wasn't sure if this was because they were in awe of his title or because they didn't much care for him. Possibly they resented having been dragged away from their comfortable life with Carshalton and hadn't volunteered, as he'd been told, but been ordered to accompany him.

  Whatever the reasons, it was of little importance to him. As long as they did their job, which was to guide and protect him when they started searching for Perry, he would be content. He had no wish to socialise with his servants – not a good idea for a man in his position.

  The inn where Jenkins had reserved rooms for them was adequate, clean and relatively comfortable. The food was well-cooked and even Beth didn't complain.

  'We shall be starting at dawn, Beth, so I suggest you retire now.'

  'I intend to do so, I am quite fatigued. Good night, Cousin, and thank you again for allowing me to travel with you.'

  He smiled and she left him to his wine. It was good, a local brew but perfectly acceptable. The establishment was heaving with military personnel. The officers had eaten in a different room for which he was grateful. Beth was a lovely young lady and he had not wished to spend his time fending off unwanted advances from the gentleman concerned.

  When he had heard from Horse Guards that Aubrey's twin, Perry, had failed to return after a mission behind enemy lines he had decided he would go and look for him himself. He had more resources and time than the army were prepared to spend on one missing intelligence officer.

  The French were slowly being driven back towards their own country by the brilliance of Wellington. He could not imagine his younger brother was dead – he was certain he would somehow know if this was the case. Aubrey didn't even know Perry was missing as he was, as far as he knew, somewhere on the other side of the globe in the family yacht on an extended wedding trip.

  Beau was well prepared for this venture. The only thing that bothered him was the fact that he had had to bring his funds in gold and silver coin. Naturally, this had been spread amongst the saddle bags of himself, Jenkins and Smith. Hopefully, if they were attacked at least one of them would be able to hang onto their share of the money.

  He also had his pistols and the necessary paraphernalia to shoot them. Jenkins and Smith had been riflemen and they carried these weapons attached to their saddles. All three of them also had a stiletto secreted in their boot. If it came to a fight with the French army they would be vastly outnumbered and no doubt shot as spies. However, he thought they could hold their own against any riff-raff or deserter that they came across.

  He spoke excellent French and passable Spanish so he hoped he would make himself understood to any partisans he might meet in his search. He was pinning his hopes on the fact that Perry was with the partisans somewhere in the mountains and had not been able to rejoin his regiment for some reason.

  He had three months at the most to find his brother before the winter set in and he was determined to do so or die in the attempt. His first task was to deliver Beth to her future husband but after that he would be free to start his investigation.

  *

  Weeks passed and Perry had still not regained his sight. Unfortunately, neither had he any notion as to who he was. The only thing he remembered was that his given name was Perry but apart from that he could remember nothing about his past, his family, or why he was in Spain in the first place.

  His hearing had sharpened as had his sense of smell but that was no compensation for not being able to see. 'God dammit to hell!' For the third time that day he sprawled on his face after walking into something he hadn't anticipated being there.

  'There's no need to swear, Perry, that is getting you nowhere.' Sofia didn't attempt to h
elp him up as she knew that would enrage him further. She was no more than an arm's length from him. Her scent was unmistakable – something floral heavily overlaid with saddle and horse.

  He surged to his feet and reached out before she could react. His hands caught hold of her shoulders and he pulled her close. 'I'm a useless lump of a thing, it would have been better if I'd perished along with my horse.'

  'You are hurting me, Perry, please let me go.'

  Instantly he released her. 'I apologise, sweetheart, but I notice you didn't disagree with my assessment of the situation. I'm a liability and an expensive one at that. I can do nothing to help the village and yet they still have to feed and clothe me.'

  'Is that what's upsetting you? You had sufficient gold in your saddle bag to pay for your lodgings for a decade. The fact that you handed it over to Pablo without being asked endeared you to everyone. Because of your generosity we shall all benefit this winter.'

  She took his hand and led him like a child to the paddock in which the horses and donkeys were kept during the warmer months. There was a large barn to stable them during the freezing, snow-filled winter months. Only the wealthiest owned a horse – the rest made do with a donkey for transport.

  'We shall ride, that is one thing you can do as well as anyone here.'

  'I find it deucedly strange that I can converse in Spanish as well as English and can ride a horse when I don't know anything else.'

  'It's in God's hands, there's nothing you or I can do about it. I think it's still possible you could recover your memory. Once you do so then we will be able to send word to your family who must be desperately wondering what has happened to you. You might not be able to see, but there will be a place somewhere you can live happily.'

  Perry could even tack up his horse without assistance, and he trusted the Spanish animal not to take him anywhere he didn't want to be. Marron, Spanish for brown, greeted him with a wicker. This gelding was his, it had been agreed by the village elders that some of the money he had given them had purchased it.

  As long as he had Sofia riding with him he was confident he'd come to no harm. She would call out when they were approaching an obstacle or about to trot or canter and this was enough for him to remain safe in the saddle.

  The only time he was truly happy was when he was away from the village, away from what he thought were pitying faces, with the girl he had come to love beside him. This love was doomed to failure as he could never ask her to be his wife. Even if he knew his true identity he could not burden her with a husband who was blind and had to be taken about the place like a child in leading strings.

  'I must leave here, sweetheart, I can't remain any longer.' He pulled gently on the reins and his horse came to a standstill. He waited and she rejoined him.'

  'What is it? Why have you stopped?'

  'Did you not hear what I said? I don't belong in your village and I am standing in the way of your happiness. I can never marry you and whilst I'm here you have been putting me first and ignoring Carlos.'

  *

  Sofia knew why he was saying this but she was a believer in the old adage that love conquers all. She had been in love with him since the first moment he had opened his eyes all those weeks ago. Despite the fact that he was blind, he wasn't helpless, he was a strong and handsome man. Perhaps if he had not appeared so mysteriously she might have considered Carlos as her future husband, but now that could never be.

  She edged her mare close to his gelding so their knees were touching. She stretched across and took his hand. 'Why do you say that? My mother would be delighted if we made a match of it – she thinks you are a true gentleman. She has never wanted me to marry Carlos even though she intends to marry his father as soon as I am settled.'

  His fingers closed over hers. Her hand looked lost in his. 'How can I marry you when I don't know who I am? Good God, I could already be leg-shackled. I could not risk it, sweetheart, however much I should like to.'

  A wave of heat travelled from her toes to her crown at the thought of what she was about to say. 'Things are different here. We have no priest since Father Reynaud died two years ago, so at least one couple has decided to live as man and wife without the benefit of clergy. It could possibly have been years before the bishop was able to find a priest prepared to come here and they did not wish to wait.

  'I don't care if eventually it turns out you cannot remain here with me, that you have obligations elsewhere, I wish to share my life with you for as long as I can in the fullest way possible.' There – she'd said it. She was offering to be his mistress, something she would not even have contemplated when she left England two years ago.

  She watched his expression change. His eyes might not see but they still flashed and changed colour according to his mood. His voice was gruff when he eventually answered. 'You would live with me as my wife even though I am blind and cannot take care of you as I should?'

  'I love you, you love me?'

  He raised her hand to his mouth and kissed each knuckle in turn making her tremble inside. 'I love you more than my life. But I cannot accept your offer, my darling, you have not thought this through. There could well be children and they would be bastards. I could not do that to you or to them.'

  There were tears in his eyes and hers brimmed too.

  He shook his head. 'If I thought I would be remaining here, that no one is looking for me, then things might be different. I'm certain there is someone I'm close to. Sometimes at night I can almost see them. You must see, my angel, that I have to go. When Don Pablo and the men return I shall ask them to escort me to the English army. It's possible someone there might recognise me.'

  She had no option but to tell him what the village elders had decided. 'Carlos thinks you might have been a wine merchant.'

  'Yes, that is possible but for some reason I think it incorrect.'

  He dropped her hand and turned his horse towards the village. For the first time he went ahead of her trusting today to his animal's instincts to get him home safely. If he was to leave it would break her heart. If spending the night in his arms meant she would be left carrying his child then so be it. She would have something tangible to remember him by.

  She would marry Carlos and become a good wife to him even though she could never love him as she ought. Word had come from a traveller that finally their new priest was on his way to the village and should be with them before the snow. Already families were preparing for marriages and baptisms – many of them coming a year or two later than they should be. She would speak to her mama about her plans and if she was not too horrified, then she would set things in motion as soon as may be.

  Chapter Three

  Beau and his small party arrived safely at the English camp after an arduous and unpleasant journey of almost four hundred miles. He had been carrying a special licence which he handed to Sullivan. His cousin was mercifully asleep and had not yet emerged from the stationary carriage. Once she was awake he would have no further opportunity to speak to her betrothed.

  'I am assuming that you have the ceremony arranged? I fear I cannot delay more than a few hours before I continue on my journey.'

  The young man, looking splendid in his dress regimentals, bowed. 'Not only do I have the service organised, your grace, there will also be a wedding breakfast held in the Officers' Mess.'

  'Which one of the tents would that be? Also, although it is none of my concern, where will my cousin be residing?'

  'I have a splendid little house in which we will both live. I also have a cook and maid to take care of everything so Beth will not have to worry about such matters.'

  'Excellent. I have grave reservations about the wisdom of allowing you to marry her whilst still on active service. However, too late to repine – I'm trusting you to keep her safe. I want your word that when she is increasing you will send her home immediately.'

  The lieutenant bowed. 'You have my word, your grace. In the last letter Beth and I exchanged we discussed that very point
and she would like to return to Silchester Court and reside there with you until I am able to return.'

  'I would have thought she would wish to live with her mother or perhaps live with your parents – but I should be delighted to have her back.'

  Their conversation was brought to a dramatic halt as Beth tumbled from the carriage squealing with excitement and threw herself into Sullivan's embrace. His cousin was led away chattering and laughing, her maid close behind, and two unfortunate soldiers ordered to stagger along with the boxes and trunks.

  An officer, a major from his epaulettes, saluted and bowed. 'Your grace, it is an honour to have you here. The wedding is to take place outside the cottage in an hour from now. That will give me ample time to give you all the information that I have about the disappearance of your brother.'

  Inside the tent it was no cooler than out. Beau had expected to find it immaculate, everything in its place, but the opposite was true. The place was strewn with items, but he was relieved to see they were not of a personal nature but military related. Maps, documents, notebooks, a compass, a spyglass, a sword and a pistol covered the small wooden table, the canvas bed, the stool, as well as a large part of the floor space.

  Major Robertson was unabashed by the untidiness. He smiled and swept the papers from the bed and stool so they could sit down. 'Forgive the chaos, your grace, I don't have time for military precision and I can't let an orderly see what I have here.'

  Beau perched on the stool before answering. 'One would assume, sir, that most orderlies would not have the ability to read and write therefore your information would remain secret.'

  'Unfortunately, they will all deny being literate as this could lead to extra work, but you would be surprised at how many common soldiers can decipher enough to make them dangerous. I don't suspect them of being traitors, of wishing to sell the information to the French, but they will gossip about what they know and there are always spies somewhere in a camp this large.'