The Duke's Alliance: A Soldier's Bride

by Fenella J Miller

  'Why hasn't your brother come back? He has been gone this age.'

  'We can hardly abandon the wedding breakfast to go in search of them. I shall send Juan to enquire if I can find him amongst the throng.'

  Then the duke appeared and smiled. The initial worry that the older gentleman had succumbed to an apoplexy was removed, but for them to be absent must mean something else had occurred.

  'Good, I'm glad that you are here. Don Pablo had distressing news from a messenger who arrived just before your wedding started.

  'He has family in a small village higher in the hills and it seems a band of deserters, comprising of both French and English, has invaded the place and taken control. Many of the men were killed and the women and children are now enslaved.'

  'They must get word to whoever is leading the English cavalry and have them go at once to their rescue.'

  'Exactly so, Perry, Don Pablo has already sent word to them. He intends to meet up with his son and his men in the hills which is why he didn't attend your wedding. Mrs Appleby left the church because she thought her future husband had suffered an accident or something worse. She will be joining you here as soon as she can.'

  Sofia looked anxiously at her new husband but he shook his head. 'No, sweetheart, my soldiering days are over. I shall leave it to men better equipped than I to do the rescuing.'

  'Does that mean we are not to go in search of your missing friend before we begin the long journey to the coast?'

  'It does not. We shall leave at dawn as planned. I am doing no more than Beau did for me.'

  'I feel I must point out, little brother, that O'Reilly is not related to you so perhaps does not require your personal intervention.'

  'O'Reilly has been with me since the start. I have spent more time with him in the past two years than with any other person. He would do the same for me. I shall brook no argument on this.'

  His brother shrugged and changed the subject. 'Sofia, from this I take it you have no intention of attending the nuptials of your parent?'

  'I know it sounds undutiful, but as my mother was prepared to miss my own wedding then I feel no obligation to attend hers.' This sounded shallow and petty but it was too late to retract. The two men exchanged disapproving glances which made her decide not to explain what she had actually meant.

  She had married into this family and must make the best of it, but she had no intention of becoming a subservient wife however much that infuriated Perry. What the duke thought of the matter was no concern of hers – she had married Perry not him and he must learn to keep his opinions to himself.

  The day was spoiled and no amount of merriment could mend it. Her mother arrived full of apologies but it was too late for that. Sofia smiled as if she forgave her, but she didn't. To miss one's only daughter's marriage for such a flimsy reason was inexcusable. She couldn't wait to leave this place. Mama had made her priorities clear – a future husband was more important to her than her own flesh and blood.

  *

  The celebrations went on into the small hours but Sofia complained of having a headache and retired long before the last guests departed. Beau joined Perry on the veranda before they went up.

  'I am sorry that this has not been the happy event you had hoped for. You will be having a second ceremony and I shall make sure this one is memorable for the right reasons.'

  'I am disappointed in her. I thought her kinder. She will regret departing tomorrow without setting things right with her mother.'

  'The French will be gone from Spain soon and then Don Pablo and Mrs Appleby will be able to travel to England. If you are determined to leave at dawn we had better get some shut-eye first.'

  They both knew the marriage would not be consummated tonight as Sofia had made it quite clear she would be unavailable. They had the rest of their lives to be intimate, he was prepared to wait until she was ready however long it took.

  He had no regrets about marrying her, but he did have worries that the union might not be as harmonious as he would like. He loved her, but wasn't sure that would be enough once they were back in the more restrictive environment of Silchester.

  He didn't go into the marital bedroom, he took another empty chamber, stripped off his clothes and fell naked into bed. As he was drifting off to sleep a fact that he had been trying to ignore came to the forefront of his mind.

  If he had met Sofia in different circumstances he would never have become involved with her. She was the opposite of everything he had imagined his future wife would be. She was wild, dressed and behaved more like a young man than a young lady of quality, and he doubted she would fit comfortably into his life once they were in England.

  He was a gentleman, he had made love to her, he had had no option but to marry her afterwards. He would have done so even if he had disliked her so the fact that he loved her to distraction was a definite bonus. No doubt with his guidance and the examples of her sisters-in-law she would adapt to her new life and become the bride he had dreamed of having.

  Chapter Ten

  Sofia heard Perry walk past the bedroom and her heart broke. He couldn't have made it plainer. He was regretting this marriage as much as she was. If only he had agreed to wait until she saw she had her monthly courses before insisting they tied the knot.

  Perhaps if she was not increasing they could have the Catholic service set aside? He must be thinking the same thing which was why he hadn't joined her. As long as she made sure she kept him at arm's length until they were in England and she could consult a lawyer, it might be possible for her to return to Spain.

  Tears trickled down her face. There was nothing for her here, she would never come back. So, if she was not to be Lady Peregrine then she would be forced to throw herself on the mercy of her grandmother. She shuddered at the thought. She would rather be with Perry, however difficult this might be, than forced to marry someone she didn't love.

  At least they had strong feelings for each other even if they were both regretting their hasty marriage. There were so many things she hadn't discussed with Perry – she had no notion where she was to live, how he would occupy his time in future and what his expectations were for her.

  This was something they would discuss when they could be alone together. Going in search of this Irishman would be an exciting adventure, something to remember when she was trapped inside a pretty gown pretending to be something she was not.

  The following morning she was down and ready to leave before the men arrived. She greeted them as if there was nothing wrong. 'Good morning, I have packed food for the journey, and your breakfast is waiting for you on the veranda. I have already eaten mine.'

  Perry strolled across and kissed her on the forehead. Hardly a passionate embrace, but exactly what she wanted. 'Have you got your belongings? If not, you will need to return to your mother's house and fetch them.'

  'I've already done so, and Smith and Jenkins are preparing the horses as we speak. Marron is to be used as the packhorse now that you have such a magnificent animal to ride, Perry. Hopefully, Zorro will be able to keep up with us.'

  The duke smiled warmly. 'Then all we have to do is take our own saddle bags with us and we are ready to depart.'

  'Juan has already done that, your grace…'

  'Enough of the formality, my dear. You are my sister now and I shall call you by your given name and you must do the same for me.'

  Perry laughed, a welcome sound and it made her feel a little more cheerful. 'You have thought of everything, sweetheart. Is there any need to enquire if the necessary equipment has been added to our personal belongings?'

  'There is no need, Smith and Jenkins have taken care of that. I heard that the attack on the French yesterday was successful and the English have the gold. It has been sent back to Wellington with an escort and the remainder of the cavalry have joined Don Pablo and the partisans to take care of the deserters.'

  This information was received without comment from either of them. She had expected them to be p
leased, but they appeared more interested in their breakfast than in what she had told them.

  She rode away from the town she had spent the past two years in without any regrets. Her new life was with Perry. Hopefully they would be blessed with a large family and this would occupy her time and give her something useful to do.

  There was no one around to see them depart, to wave goodbye, and the further they travelled the more she regretted her childish decision not to wake her mother and say goodbye. Too late to repine. She would write a loving letter as soon as she had the opportunity and repeat the invitation for Don Pablo and Mama to make a prolonged stay in England.

  Perry had chosen to ride alongside his brother and they were leading the small cavalcade, Smith was leading Marron so Jenkins had taken up position next to her. The hound loped along beside her and she was glad of his company.

  'Jenkins, my husband appears to know the direction to go in. Am I to assume he has had information about the whereabouts of this O'Reilly?'

  'He's heard from one of the partisans about a band of roving French cavalry now living in a deserted village. They have half a dozen English prisoners who are being used as orderlies, grooms and such.'

  'There are only five of us, how does he think we can rescue his friend against so large a number?'

  'Beggin' your pardon, my lady, I don't reckon his lordship expects you to be part of this venture.'

  Being addressed for the first time by her new title was disturbing. She had been Sofia to everyone in the town, but now she was someone else entirely. She intended to make the most of the next few weeks of comparative freedom and, whatever Perry and his brother thought, she was going to be part of this rescue.

  'Can you fire that rifle from the saddle, Jenkins?' Better to change the subject than argue with one of the duke's servants.

  'No, my lady, it's best to be on the ground.'

  'I see. Do you know how far away this village is?'

  'A day's ride, ma'am, no more than that.'

  She squeezed and her horse moved smoothly into a canter so that she caught up with Perry and his brother. 'I should like to ride with my husband, Beau, so could I ask you to drop back?' He guided his stallion to one side and allowed her to pass. No words were exchanged and she thought this odd. What had they been talking about that made them both look so grim?

  Her heart was thudding. For the first time since she'd met him she was nervous about speaking to Perry. Then he reached over and took her hand and raised it to his lips the way he always did. His eyes told her all she needed to know.

  'I was hoping you would come and join me, sweetheart, I expect you have questions about our future together.'

  'Actually, I'm more interested in how you intend to rescue your man when we will be seriously outnumbered.'

  'We have the element of surprise, but far more important, I have two of the best marksmen the army has ever produced. Jenkins and Smith will make this work for us if it comes to a fight.'

  'I see that you are wearing that sword again. I thought you returned it.'

  'I did, but Don Pablo sent it back. I'm glad that he did, because it might well come in useful.' He released her hand and his smile was sad. 'I have to tell you that my vision is still impaired. I can see well enough looking forward, but nothing at all on either side unless I turn my head. Therefore, you will not be obliged to follow the drum after all.'

  'You told me that yesterday when you said you would no longer be a soldier. I wish it were otherwise for both of us as I don't think you will enjoy being a gentleman of leisure any more than I will being a pampered wife with little to do.'

  'There is nothing we can do so we must accept what we cannot change. We are to live at Silchester Court with Beau. My twin, Aubrey, will reside in the eastwing when he returns from his gallivanting around the globe and we still take the west. The house is so vast we could go a month and never see each other unless we wished to.'

  For a horrible moment she thought he was referring to himself and her. Her shock registered on her face and he laughed out loud causing his magnificent horse to shy. He dealt with the situation whilst continuing the conversation as if nothing untoward was taking place.

  'I am, you pea-goose, referring to not being obliged to see anyone apart from ourselves if we do not wish to. I am fond of my family, but have no intention of living in their pockets.'

  'You must tell me about all of them. I am looking forward to being part of a big family and having a plethora of brothers and sisters as well as nieces and nephews to mingle with.'

  He told her everything she wanted to know and by the end she could almost believe she had met each one of them so vivid were his descriptions and lively his anecdotes.

  'We must stop here and rest the horses. I can see fresh water in that small valley and there is sufficient grass to keep them happy.' He swung round in his saddle and pointed. That was all he needed to do for the others to understand.

  Jenkins and Smith took care of the beasts, her husband and his brother made themselves comfortable on a flat rock and waited for her to prepare them something to eat. She did so with good grace, she could hardly expect either of them to wait on her.

  They moved on an hour later and continued in their leisurely way. Jenkins frequently rode on ahead, or dismounted and scrambled up the nearest hill to check they were alone on the track. Twice they saw a donkey loaded down with panniers travelling along the main route, which occasionally they could see from the little used track they were on.

  Their party was now riding single file and in silence. Occasionally she saw an eagle or a hawk diving for prey. She loved the mountains, she was going to miss this wild and beautiful countryside when she was living in flat and boring England.

  They didn't make camp until dusk. She was an excellent horsewoman and could spend all day in the saddle without coming to grief. From the winces and groans she heard coming from Smith and Jenkins they were not so lucky. Riflemen travelled with the infantry on foot, they must be less used to riding than the rest of them.

  *

  Perry had instructed Smith to prepare the meal. Sofia had been willing to feed all of them at lunchtime, but it wasn't fair to ask her to wait on the servants in the evening as well. The fire gave a welcome warmth and soon the smell of roasting meat made his mouth water. Zorro was already earning his keep by fetching them rabbits.

  The saddles were used as seats and he was sitting next to her. 'This is an interesting wedding trip, sweetheart, but I promise I shall take you somewhere better once this is over. Is there anywhere you would particularly like to see before we return to England?'

  'I would love to go to Seville, Madrid or any Spanish city that is free of the French. I travelled extensively with my father but only in rural areas.'

  'I am not sure that will be possible, my love. We need to be at Oporto before bad weather starts or we will not get a ship home. I have no wish to stay here for months.'

  She nodded and smiled but he wasn't convinced by this effort. 'I need to see someone who knows more about my eyes. I fear my vision could deteriorate again without the correct treatment.'

  Her expression changed to concern. 'Of course we must go home immediately you have located O'Reilly. We have the rest of our lives to travel. I never had a Season. Do you have a house in Town? Perhaps we could spend some time there so I can visit the theatre, museums, and lectures.'

  'No balls, parties or routs?'

  'I should not say no to any of those, but equally I should not be disappointed if there were none. I'm not like other young ladies, I prefer to be outside not flirting with a gentleman on the dance floor.'

  'If ever I catch you flirting with another gentleman there will be hell to pay, madam. However, you may flirt as much as you like with me.'

  They continued to exchange pleasantries and then Beau, who had been giving them some privacy, strolled over to sit down beside them. 'My men are not used to spending so many hours in the saddle. I sincerely hope we are close to
our destination.'

  Perry decided it was time to arrange the rugs on the ground to make a rudimentary bed for them both. It would be much warmer curled up together and he was looking forward to holding her in his arms all night for the second time even if they couldn't make love.

  Smith was no longer with them, he assumed he had gone to scout the area as they must be within a few miles of their destination. Jenkins dished up a tasty stew and this was washed down by a skin of rough red wine for the gentlemen and coffee for Sofia.

  They disappeared in turn to do what was necessary and then the campsite settled down for the night. She didn't object to their sleeping arrangements, in fact seemed pleased she was to share his blanket.

  As soon as they were comfortable he turned her to face him and began to kiss her. At first she responded but then stiffened in his arms. 'No, not here. There will be nothing of this sort between us until we are sleeping in the privacy of our own bedchamber wherever that might be.'

  'I wasn't intending to do more than kiss you, my love, but I shall respect your wishes. I meant to ask you, did you bring your lovely wedding gown or has that been abandoned?'

  She sighed and relaxed into his embrace. 'I have it safely in one of my saddle bags along with two other gowns and the necessary underpinnings. I'm hoping I shall have the opportunity to wear it again soon as it is the most beautiful gown I have ever owned.'

  He was disappointed she hadn't said she wished to keep it because it was the one she had got married in, but at least she had brought it with her. He had been thinking about her wish to see a Spanish city. Salamanca was on their route to Oporto and this had been freed from the French vermin after a vicious battle which had taken place just before he had set out on his last mission.

  They would stay there for a week or two so they could replenish their wardrobes and hopefully mix with the highest echelons of Spanish society. The city would still be suffering from having been occupied and then violently liberated, but people were resilient and hopefully he would be able to show her the stunning architecture and cathedral. He thought they had been undamaged during the fight.