The Duke's Alliance: A Soldier's Bride

by Fenella J Miller

  It was taking longer for his eyes to clear and give him back his perfect vision than he had hoped. He could see perfectly well when looking forwards but his peripheral vision was definitely impaired. He had to turn his head in order to see anything on either side of him.

  If this didn't go then he would be no use as a soldier and would be obliged to resign his commission and return home – but to what? He had a substantial estate a few miles from Silchester Court but that wouldn't keep him occupied. Even being married to Sofia wouldn't be enough to prevent him from becoming bored. Perhaps when Aubrey returned, which he must do eventually, he would take his new bride on a world trip to visit exotic places like India and the Spice Islands.

  They were not a family who stood on ceremony but even so his future bride was going to find it extremely difficult becoming the wife of an aristocrat, making morning calls and attending supper parties would seem tame after the life she had been living these past two years.

  He slept well, a soldier learned to sleep when he could and he still had that facility. He was roused by a voice calling him from the bottom of the stairs. Why hadn't his dog barked?

  He rolled out of bed and hastily pulled on his breeches as he didn't think his future mother-in-law would appreciate the sight of him buck naked. He was still pulling his shirt on over his head when he reached the head of the stairs.

  'Perry, Sofia hasn't slept in her bed last night. Is she with you?'

  A lump lodged in his stomach. 'No, she's not.' He was busy tucking in his shirt as he spoke. 'Give me a moment, ma'am, whilst I finish dressing and then I will be downstairs and you will have my full attention.'

  Another thing a soldier could do was dress and be ready to fight in minutes – often lives depended on his speed. Only officers bothered to remove their outer garments, troops slept in what they had on. Small wonder the smell of unwashed bodies followed the army around.

  'I'm ready. Have you checked her horse is there? I know that Sofia likes to ride at dawn. In fact, I'm certain she has gone out on her horse and taken my dog with her.'

  He ran to the paddocks and checked the tack room then realised he didn't know which saddle and bridle belonged to her as he had never seen it. However, he didn't need to know as there were none missing from the pegs.

  Mrs Appleby arrived puffing and red-faced. 'Does Sofia ever ride without tack? Do you know which of these horses belongs to her?'

  'I don't know about riding bareback, I've certainly never seen her do so, but then I'm rarely down here as I am not overfond of horses. I couldn't tell you which one is hers as they all look the same to me. You need to ask one of the men.'

  Perry raced back to the town and hammered on the door of Don Pablo. It was opened immediately by a serving maid. He ignored her and stepped in shouting for attention. Nobody got up early in Spain so he directed his yell up the stairs.

  A few moments later the don appeared in his nightshirt with his hair unkempt. 'This had better be urgent, my lord, I do not take kindly to being disturbed so early in the morning.'

  Once he had explained the urgency everything changed. 'I'll be with you in a moment, Perry, my son, I have a very bad feeling about this. She should have been back at first light as she never stays away so long that she worries her mother.'

  'It's a damned nuisance the young men are already out as we could do with their help to search for her. Have there been reports of French activity nearby?'

  'This is what my men have gone to investigate. The English army is moving forward and attempting to drive the enemy from our land as they did for the Portuguese. We are doing everything we can to assist. We have suffered enough over the past few years at the hands of those bastards and want our country back again.'

  'I'll get our horses saddled. I have my pistol but I wish I had a sword.'

  'Wait there, I can supply you with one. I shall be but a few minutes dressing, there is little point in you going ahead.'

  Perry prowled around the entrance hall impatient to be off. Why was it that nothing happened for weeks and then everything changed? The priest would be here by lunchtime and they were supposed to be married soon after. His future mother-in-law was already in the process of arranging a second celebration. He had intended that he and Sofia would leave the following morning, hopefully with at least two or three of the fierce partisans if they had returned in time.

  True to his word, Don Pablo clattered down the stairs a few minutes later. 'This way, my son, the armoury is at the rear of the house.'

  He was handed a magnificent Toledo steel blade, the hilt beautifully engraved and the scabbard covered in emerald green leather. He held it reverently before buckling it around his waist.

  'I thank you, sir, I shall take good care of it and return it in good order.'

  'It is yours to keep, my wedding gift to you.'

  Although his companion was twenty years his senior he appeared much younger and was able to move as fast as he was. Perry whistled for his horse and the animal cantered over.

  'Now, that is a useful trick. I shall suggest that in future we train our animals to react in the same way.'

  Marron was ready first but objected strenuously when he attempted to mount with his sword swinging at his waist. By the time he had calmed the beast and managed to scramble into the saddle the don was also mounted.

  'It will be full light shortly, if anything untoward has taken place we need to have discovered it before then. Follow me, I know the route that she often takes on her dawn rides.'

  They dodged and wove through the olives and the vines for what seemed like miles before eventually emerging onto a well-worn track.

  'I am most concerned that we haven't seen any sign of her. I expected to find her injured somewhere with her horse beside her. This is where my land ends.' He pointed with his whip. 'If you continue in that direction it will eventually take you to the next town. In the other, if you travel far enough, you will come across the first of the villages the French have occupied and fortified.'

  Perry stood in his stirrups and could see that the track divided a few hundred yards ahead in the direction that led to the French. 'Where does the other route go?'

  'Eventually it will lead back to our town, but it climbs before it meanders in the right direction. I think we should investigate that before we try either of the other paths.'

  Chapter Eight

  Beau followed his guide for several miles and then he was looking down into a small valley between the foothills and saw the town. This was a relief as his shoulder was aching from being obliged to lead the spare horse. This place was bigger than he'd expected, more prosperous, and obviously hadn't been targeted by the French for some reason. Possibly this was because it wasn't on the direct route that the soldiers took and wasn't worth the effort.

  As far as he knew the French army stole what they needed and from what he could see there was plenty of food available down there. He called out to the young man in front. 'I'm curious as to why the French have allowed you to prosper when they are constantly looking for supplies.'

  Carlos reined in and swung round in his saddle. 'We are sufficiently far off the beaten track for them not to be aware of us. They have taken over or destroyed most of the villages an hour or so away but so far we've been lucky.' He smiled, his teeth white in his tanned face. 'It also helps that we have made sure we stay put when they are marching across the hills.'

  'I assume there are several better tracks that they can use.'

  'There are, sir, and the bulk of the Frenchies are now on the other side of the mountains, thank the good Lord for that. The next army that will pass will be yours and they don't strip the land but pay their way.'

  There was smoke coming from several chimneys and he could hear goats bleating, dogs barking and children crying. The houses were stone built, looked sturdy, there was a small square with a well surrounded by the larger houses and then a second marketplace where the dwellings were less substantial.

  Both the mark
etplace and the smaller square were dotted with people going about their business. He hoped Perry would be as delighted to see him… he winced inwardly. His younger sibling might never be able to actually see him. This was a tragedy for a young man who was so active, who had made his life in the military.

  This must be why he had developed a fondness for the English girl. Perhaps, in the circumstances, he would not interfere in this matter but let the two of them make a match of it if that is what they wanted. If she was prepared to take him penniless and blind then she must truly love him.

  He looked around with interest as they approached what had been Perry's home for the past few months. Sylvester pricked his ears and increased his pace, the gelding behind was not so eager and Beau's shoulder was almost dislocated.

  This horse was unlikely to wander off now they were so close to civilisation so he released the reins and trusted to the animal's good sense. He flexed his shoulder and hoped he'd not done it any permanent damage.

  The townspeople paused and stared at him as he rode past. He was used to being the centre of attention and ignored it. No doubt his stallion was impressing them, they were unlikely to have such superb horseflesh in this neck of the woods. The fact that there was a second riderless, equally magnificent, beast trotting along behind him must also be arousing their curiosity.

  Carlos led him to the smaller square which he had seen from above. The man pointed to a modest house. 'That is where your brother resides. I'll leave you to introduce yourself. Allow me to take your horses and see to their needs.'

  Beau dismounted and handed over the reins. His companion had already collected Billy, the bay that he had brought over for his brother, and had no difficulty leading the two away even though they towered over his smaller mount.

  Only as they disappeared did he realise he had left his belongings on Billy. He could hardly yell after the man, that would be unconscionable. He would send someone to fetch them shortly – he could manage perfectly well without his things for the moment.

  He smiled wryly as he strode across to knock on the door of the house that his brother had been residing in for the past few weeks. It was quite possible there wouldn't be a someone to send. He waited impatiently but no one answered the door.

  Then a woman called him and he turned around to see an attractive woman of middle years, dressed in the Spanish way, hurrying towards him. 'Are you looking for Perry?' She stopped and her cheeks coloured. She dipped in a formal curtsy much to his embarrassment. 'I beg your pardon, your grace, I can see now the resemblance to Lord Peregrine.'

  He bowed hoping to demonstrate he wasn't so high in the instep as to expect the people here to bow and scrape to him. 'And you must be Mrs Appleby, Carlos explained to me that you and your daughter saved my brother's life. I take it he is elsewhere.'

  'Please, your grace, will you come to my humble abode and I shall tell you what I know. I am sure you would like to freshen up and eat and drink before you go in search of him.'

  Beau was mystified as to how his brother would need to be searched for when he was blind. All this could be explained to him when they were out of the sun which was already unpleasantly hot, even at this time in the morning.

  'Forgive me, ma'am, but I must fetch my saddle bags. Stupidly I let them disappear with my horse…'

  She spoke rapidly to a boy fetching water at the well. He understood enough to know that she was sending him to fetch his things.

  'Thank you, I should now be delighted to accompany you.'

  The inside of her house was cool, the thick stone walls keeping out the heat. It was surprisingly spacious, and was twice as long as it was wide. 'If you would care to follow me, your grace, there is a washroom at the rear of my house. You will find everything you need in there. If you require any other facilities that is next door.'

  Apart from having to duck his head when entering the wash place he found it to be perfectly adequate. What he would really like to have was a strip wash under a pump but he could hardly do that here as the water was carried in buckets from the well. Also, he needed his clothes before he could remove his soiled garments.

  There was a polite knock on the door scarcely five minutes after he'd arrived and the youth bowed and handed him the saddle bags. Even something as simple as washing filled him with pleasure. He rather thought he had been tense ever since he'd had the news that Perry was missing. Knowing his brother was safe, and relatively well, removed the weight from his shoulders. There was no longer any need for urgency and he was quite happy to take his time over his ablutions.

  When he emerged a considerable time later Mrs Appleby appeared above him on a balcony that ran the width of the house. 'If you would care to join me here, sir, I have refreshments ready.'

  As there was no sign of the daughter, Sofia he thought she was called, he must suppose that she was out somewhere with his brother. He would make polite enquiries about this family whilst he ate. Mrs Appleby was perfectly acceptable, she had good manners and excellent diction. Her garb might be a tad outlandish, but it was hardly surprising she had chosen to blend in.

  He found his way to the veranda and could see why she had suggested they sit there. The entire area was shaded and looked out over the valley and towards what he supposed would be France somewhere the other side of the mountains.

  'This looks and smells quite delicious. This will be the first meal I have eaten using cutlery and crockery for several days.'

  'I imagine eating around a campfire is not something you are accustomed to, your grace.'

  'How true, ma'am, but despite what you might think of me, I have actually enjoyed the experience.' He took a bite of the delicious pie and then became more interested in his food than in the conversation. The impromptu meal was washed down with a tart, dry cider.

  'That was excellent, I am replete. Might I now ask exactly where my brother is? I assume he is with your daughter as he could not be wandering about the place on his own.'

  Her smile was triumphant. 'He recovered his memory and his sight yesterday. Did you not think it strange that I knew your name and that you were a duke?'

  His jaw dropped at his stupidity. He had been so overjoyed at the thought of seeing his beloved brother again the significance of her using his title had gone over his head. Then the true implication of her first sentence registered. 'He isn't blind? He knows who he is? I can't believe what I'm hearing. Carlos obviously was unaware of this fact or he would have told me himself.'

  'The men had already left when this happened. Now, Perry… I beg your pardon, Lord Peregrine…'

  'Please continue to address my brother as you have always done, do not stand on ceremony for me.'

  'Perry has gone in search of Sofia. You must understand that things are done differently here, especially since the war began so many years ago. She rides out with the partisans, wears men's clothing, and has the same freedom as the young men. She often rides at dawn when it is cooler and must have done so today, but she has failed to return at her usual time.'

  His joy changed to concern. 'There is a French company travelling through the pass not far from here. They are transporting coinage, no doubt to pay the troops. I hope to God she did not come in contact with them.'

  *

  An unkempt man emerged from the bushes and snatched her from her horse's back. Sofia opened her mouth to scream but he put his hand across it and dragged her back until they were both hidden from the track.

  'Hush, missy, no need for all the fuss. I'll not hurt you.'

  He spoke English and immediately she stopped struggling. 'I am Sofia Appleby. Who might you be?'

  His gap-toothed grin was infectious and she returned his smile. 'I'm Jeremiah Smith, miss, at your service. What the bleedin' hell are you doing out here on your own?'

  They were now in a hollow away from the track and she could see his horse tethered close by. She was about to insist she went in search of her own mount when there was the sound of hooves and Pedro pushed his way thro
ugh the dense thicket and happily trotted over to join the much larger animal.

  Again Smith swore and she couldn't restrain her intake of breath. He chuckled and touched his forehead. 'Beggin' your pardon, miss, barrack room language. Was a soldier until I did my time and found myself a comfortable billet back in England.'

  'And I apologise for being ridiculous. I take it there are French soldiers ahead and that is why you brought me here?'

  'The buggers are a couple of hundred yards from here, if you'd gone much further you would have been seen by their sentry. Dressed like you are, I reckon they'd not have treated you like a lady.'

  His blunt words sent a shiver down her spine. He'd no need to elaborate as she knew exactly what happened to Spanish women unfortunate enough to be captured by the French. Smith explained what he was doing there and who he was travelling with.

  'Perry's brother is here? The Duke of Silchester himself? He will be overjoyed to find him fully recovered.' She was about to say that his grace might well not be so pleased about discovering she was to marry into the family today, then realised this would be a highly unsuitable conversation to have with a man who was obviously a servant of some sort from the way he spoke.

  'I fear that Perry might well come in search of me. He cannot be allowed to blunder into the French. They would shoot him on sight.'

  'Don't you fret, missy, I'll not let that happen. You stop here along with the horses, you'll be safe enough. What direction will Lord Peregrine be coming from?'

  She pointed and he nodded. 'I'm an ex-rifleman, a skirmisher, I can move about without being seen if I have to. I'll make my way back and stop him before he's in any danger.'

  'The English cavalry could be here at any time. I'm praying that he might see them and discover for himself what is going on.'

  He didn't answer and disappeared through the low-growing scrub leaving her alone. If her foolishness led the man she loved into danger she would never forgive herself. The horses were happily grazing and didn't need her attention. She had not been sitting in the hollow for very long when she began to feel uncomfortable.