The Duke's Alliance: A Soldier's Bride

by Fenella J Miller

  She choked on her cider and by the time she had finished spluttering and coughing they were joined by his wife and two daughters who had come to see what all the fuss was about.

  'Thank you for the drink, Don Pablo, and for your wise words.'

  The sun was setting, it did so quickly here, and would be dark shortly. She had still not decided if she would go through with her outrageous scheme. Perhaps if she spoke to Perry, congratulated him on his new companion, she would have a clearer view of the way forward.

  She saw Juan outside the house. 'Is Perry in, I wish to see his hound? Everyone is talking of nothing else.'

  'I've no idea where he is, he went towards the horses an hour ago. I was about to go and look for him.'

  'I'll go.'

  *

  Perry gave the horse his head and attempted to relax in the saddle and trust his safety to his two companions. Marron whickered, increased his pace to a brisk canter and he was finally able to breathe normally. His keen hearing picked up the sounds of the town. He was back without mishap.

  It took him longer to remove the saddle and bridle than it usually did as his hands were shaking. He lifted the bar, the gelding trotted through and Perry dropped the wooden pole back. 'There, mission accomplished. Come along, Zorro, I need a drink and I expect you do too.' There was a stream that ran through the meadow and more than enough grass to feed his horse, so it was only the dog he had to take care of.

  'Perry, I've come to meet your friend. I'm surprised I've not seen him about the place before, he is certainly memorable. Where did he come from?'

  Sofia was at his side fussing and fondling the animal who was quivering with pleasure and his long tail was slapping against his leg. 'I didn't think to ask. Juan gave him to me – shall we go and ask him together? Zorro, take me home.'

  The beast ignored his command as he was enjoying the attention he was getting from her. He repeated the command more sharply and this time the animal reacted. His head came up and his tail dropped and he set off in what Perry hoped was the right direction.

  'I assume we are heading towards my home,' he said to Sofia.

  'Not only that, he has ensured you do not walk into the well as you did this morning. That animal is quite remarkable. Did you introduce him to your horse?'

  'Actually, I went out on Marron for an hour. Don't look so horrified, sweetheart, I was perfectly safe. You know what this means?'

  'Then you are more likely to kill yourself sooner than later?'

  He chuckled. 'That, of course, is perfectly possible. However, it means I am now more independent, will be less of a burden to you and everyone else here. Did Juan tell you I have recalled one or two details of my previous existence?'

  'My mother told me, it's the talk of the square. I'm delighted for you. I pray that your sight will also return soon.'

  He slung his arm around her shoulders. 'As do I, if you are as beautiful as I think, then I cannot wait to see you for myself. I have been wondering, what kind of fellow am I?'

  'You have hair the colour of ripe corn, deep blue eyes and, if it wasn't for the scar running across your forehead, you would be a prodigiously handsome gentleman.' Her tone was teasing and he loved her for it.

  'And you? Describe yourself.'

  'I am taller than most young ladies, I am sufficiently rounded to distinguish me from a boy, I have dark hair and my eyes are a mixture of green and brown.'

  'As I thought, quite beautiful. Did you know that you smell mostly of flowers?'

  'And what else, pray?'

  'Horses and saddle soap.'

  She poked him sharply in the ribs with her elbow. 'That was most ungallant of you, sir, I am mortally offended.'

  They were still laughing when they arrived at his modest home. Juan had overheard their banter and joined in the merriment. When they asked him where he had discovered Zorro he didn't answer straight away.

  'Tell me, why the hesitation? Did you steal him?'

  'Not really, but the person I bought him from might not have been his true owner. I didn't enquire too closely.'

  'As long as money exchanged hands I am satisfied the dog belongs to me. I am hungry, something smells appetising. First, I wish to feed Zorro. Do we have anything suitable in the kitchen?'

  'There's no need to feed him, he catches his own dinner. Take off his harness and he will go in search of it. He'll not run away. He's yours now whether you want him or not.'

  Perry turned to speak to Sofia but she was no longer there. She had slipped away without saying farewell and this was unlike her. Something was wrong and he was determined to discover what it was.

  Juan ate with him and then returned to his own home which he shared with half a dozen siblings, grandparents and parents. He supposed he should invite the young man to take one of the spare bedrooms, but he liked his privacy. The house was too small to share with anyone, even someone he liked as much as he did this young man.

  Zorro was still out when Perry was ready to retire. He didn't know the exact time, but he was pretty sure it must be after midnight as the village was quiet. He had left the back door and gate unlatched so the dog could come in when he returned. Fortunately, the privy was only three steps from the kitchen door, the earth closet was in the lean-to next to the scullery and he could find his way there and back without danger of falling over.

  A veranda ran along the back of the house, as it did for all the others in this row, and could be accessed through a door in the sitting room which was the length of the building.

  He used the scullery as a washroom, it made things simpler for him. There was always clean water in a jug and a pottery basin standing close by. He stripped naked and washed himself from top to toe. Pity there wasn't a lake nearby he could swim in… Good God! That was something else he could do that he hadn't known about until today.

  He groped on the floor and collected his clothes so he could take them up with him, then reconsidered. He would leave them out to be laundered and put on something fresh in the morning. With his boots in his hand and not a stitch on he walked through the kitchen and into the main part of the house. The ground floor consisted of a dining room and drawing room – if one could designate it with so grand a name. The flagstones in the hallway were cold beneath his feet as he headed for the stairs.

  As he approached them he froze. Someone was pushing open the front door. Was it the true owner of the hound come to reclaim him?

  *

  Sofia decided that it would be better if she didn't speak to her mother about her plans for the night. Only if she found herself to be increasing would it be necessary to mention her misbehaviour. Perry was getting back his memory, shortly he would know who he was and be able to send word to his family. Then he would return to his previous life and forget he ever knew her.

  She was determined to create memories that would carry her through the rest of her life tied to a man she was fond of and respected but could never love. Her night-time ablutions were more thorough than usual – his mention that she smelt of horse had rankled and she was determined she would smell only of flowers when she went to him.

  Once she was clean she was faced with a dilemma. Normally she wore breeches and boots like the men but she could see removing them might be awkward. Then she smiled at her silliness – it didn't matter what she wore as he couldn't actually see her. There was no need for her to be embarrassed in the slightest.

  Also, if she happened to be seen in the square in anything but her usual garments this would give rise to speculation. So, unglamorous though they might be, a clean shirt, waistcoat and breeches would be what she wore. Her boots were loose-fitting as she had lost weight since she had been living in the village which would make removing them easier.

  She snuffed her candle and stretched out on the bed waiting for her mother to be sound asleep. Mama, once in the land of nod, was impossible to wake. There was little chance she would hear her daughter leave the house or return later.

  The other proble
m she had to overcome was that of the dog who would probably bark when she went into the house. This would rouse the neighbours and give Perry time to collect his thoughts and send her away. Then to her delight she saw the animal vanish into the olive grove when darkness fell. With luck he wouldn't return until dawn. It was impossible to tell if Perry had retired as he didn't use candles, his house was always dark unless he was entertaining.

  Perry had been celibate since his arrival and from what she had gleaned from eavesdropping on the married women a gentleman who had not laid with a woman for some time was more easily seduced. She crept downstairs and slipped out of the back door. It was a full moon, bright enough for her to see her way across the square. She was tempted to enter via the back door but didn't wish to trip over anything. The route to his bedroom would be simpler if she entered through the front.

  Doors in the village were rarely locked and she prayed this was the case tonight. Gently she lifted the latch and began to ease the door open. Moonlight flooded in and to her shock Perry was standing no more than a yard from her. This would not have been a problem if he had not been as naked as a jaybird.

  Her eyes widened. She had never seen anything so magnificent. This made things so much easier. Without hesitation she stepped in and closed the door firmly behind her. She heard his sharp intake of breath. He knew she was there.

  They were in complete darkness which was a blessing as seeing him the way he was had made her hot all over.

  'I can think of only one reason you are here, darling girl, and I give you fair warning that if you don't turn tail and run this minute it will be too late. I might be blind, but my other senses are aroused.'

  'I wish to spend the night with you before you go. I shall marry Carlos, he will take me even if I am carrying your child, so you have no need to worry on that score.'

  He moved so fast she had little time to react. His arms encircled her and crushed her to him. His heat burnt through the thin stuff of her shirt. Almost roughly he caught her braid and pulled her head back so he could plunder her mouth.

  She was dizzy with excitement, pressed herself closer, knew she had made the right decision. Then there was a gust of fresh air and she was sitting on her backside in the dirt outside his house. She heard the bolt slam across making it impossible for her to return unless she went around to the back. This would mean a long trek in the dark.

  One could only enter the courtyard at the back of his house via a narrow passageway and then through a small gate in the stone wall that ran along the rear of all the houses on that side of the square. These pretty areas were filled with orange and lemon trees, pots of flowers and had a veranda upon which the occupier could sit and enjoy the evening breeze.

  After brushing down her breeches she scrambled up unsure whether to return home or try again. He wouldn't expect her to be so bold as to attempt a second entry after he had so rudely ejected her. In future he would certainly lock both doors so this was her only chance.

  As she entered the narrow alleyway she saw that Zorro was ahead of her. She increased her pace, slipping and stumbling in the darkness but the beast had vanished by the time she arrived. She pushed open the gate and found herself face-to-face with a solid obstacle.

  'What a determined young lady you are, to be sure. I thought I made it plain just now that I do not intend to seduce you…'

  'It is I who wish to seduce you – there can be no objection to that as I am the instigator of this assignation.'

  He was still without clothing. Tentatively she reached out and rested her hand on his chest, wanting to touch his skin, if only the once. There was a sprinkling of coarse hair in the centre which intrigued her. Her other hand joined the first and began an intimate exploration of his chest. He wasn't soft like her, but hard. He was holding his breath.

  'God dammit to hell! There's only so much a man can take.' He picked her up, kicked the gate shut and strode through the house as if he had perfect vision. He bounded up the stairs and shouldered his way into a bedchamber. Too late to change her mind. He had warned her and she had ignored his words. She should be frightened; she had heard the first time could be painful, but instead she was as eager as he to make love.

  Chapter Five

  Perry thought that if this was his last day on earth he could die a happy man. He propped his head on his elbow and listened to Sofia's soft breathing beside him. He'd never have made love to her if he thought his previous concerns that he might already be married were still valid. From today he would make no further effort to find out who he was and even if he did recover his memory he had no intention of leaving the woman he loved to distraction.

  As far as he was concerned she was his wife, he didn't give a damn for the legalities, for what others might say. When the priest took up his position, he would join the queue of other couples and say his vows. The fact that he didn't know his name might present a problem if he was living in England – but here nobody cared about such things. They judged you on what they could see and not your bloodline.

  The shutters rattled as a gust of wind hit them, this was followed by the patter of rain. He had been going to gently awake his sleeping beauty and then escort her back to her house. They would both be drenched if they did so now so they might as well remain where they were in the comfort of his bed.

  He didn't need to be able to see to know she was the most beautiful girl in the world. He entangled his hand in her hair. This was long, silky and had the scent of lemons. He sighed with pleasure. Thank the good Lord he had not tumbled into bed unwashed as he frequently did.

  His lips curved as he relived her arrival. Would she still have continued with her plan if he hadn't been naked? He'd better get some sleep. It would be dawn in an hour or two and they must both be dressed to see her mother and explain the situation before she realised her daughter had been elsewhere all night.

  As he was drifting off to sleep a series of vivid images filled his head. The first was of a young man who fitted his own description exactly, yet somehow Perry knew it wasn't himself he was looking at. Then a tall, dark, older man smiled at him. He too looked familiar. Then a kaleidoscope of pictures of girls, large houses, and horses flashed through his head.

  These were his family. He didn't try to hang onto the visions but allowed himself to drift further into his dream. He heard a voice saying, 'Lieutenant, Lord Peregrine Sheldon, to see you, sir.'

  He sat up so abruptly he woke his partner. 'What is it? Do I have to leave now?'

  'No, my darling, you will remain with me until morning. Have I told you how much I love you?'

  She snuggled closer and kissed his shoulder. 'Many times, my love, but actions speak louder than words.'

  Perry forgot what had woken him and a considerable time later finally was able to sleep. He was roused by Zorro barking furiously.

  He tumbled out of bed and dragged on his breeches and boots. 'We have overslept, sweetheart, Señora Rodriquez and her daughter are trying to get in to make my breakfast. I intended that you would have returned home before this.'

  He could hear her quickly dressing on the other side of the bed. 'Are you ashamed of me?' The tone was light, but he detected a slight hesitation in her voice.

  'You are my wife as far as I'm concerned and we shall have the matter legitimised when your priest arrives at the village. I know for a certainty that I have never been married so am free to wed you as soon as I can.' The animal was still making a racket to wake the dead.

  'I'll go down and calm Zorro – he needs to understand I shall be living here in future and he must also obey me.'

  She was gone before he could protest. He moved to the door to overhear what was being said in the kitchen and he laughed. The señora was more concerned about the dog than the presence of Sofia in the house.

  He cursed as he fumbled for his stockings, and pulled on his spare shirt. Where the devil were his boots? Then he remembered he had tossed them aside last night and they would be somewhere in the courtyard.
/>
  Sofia let the dog out and then her light footsteps echoed on the stairs. 'Here are your boots, Perry, do you need assistance putting them on?'

  'Absolutely not. I'm glad it's stopped raining and that the sun is out.'

  His words hung between them as they both understood the significance. His vision was beginning to return.

  She flung herself into his arms and he kissed her fiercely and almost gave into the temptation to tumble her back between the sheets.

  'What can you see? I can't believe you might be regaining your sight.'

  He blinked a few times and turned his head back and forth. 'I can distinguish light from dark, but little else.' He paused wondering if he should tell her that he now knew who he was. Then she spoke again.

  'You don't have to marry me, you know. I told you last night…'

  'If you say that again I shall not be responsible for my actions. We are getting married and you will then be Lady Sheldon. I have several siblings and am convinced I have a twin.'

  She became rigid in his arms and stepped away from him. 'My lord, I am delighted you have recovered your identity. I shall not marry you. I would never be accepted in your family after the life I have lived out here. My family was on the periphery of society, but I am well aware I am so far beyond the pale even marriage to you could not make me acceptable.'

  'That's nonsense, and you know it. You are marrying me. Now, do you wish to breakfast here or shall we go immediately and give your mother the good news?'

  *

  Beau left the army late afternoon determined to travel as far as possible before being obliged to make camp. Smith was leading the packhorse and Jenkins scouted ahead to make sure they were not going to come face-to-face with a roving French company or any other danger. There were brigands and rogues, as well as both French and English deserters, roaming this land. He was at more risk from attack from these than he was from the French.

  The partisans, fighters of a guerrilla war, would hopefully be less likely to murder him. The local population hated the French. These invaders took their food and horses without payment and tortured and killed indiscriminately those that were suspected of helping the English or the Spanish resistance in any way.