He asked pertinent questions, listened to the replies and made notes before doing an examination. 'I need you to be in direct light, my lord, so would you bring a chair to the window?'
Perry did so willingly as to fetch a servant would have taken so much longer. 'You must be truthful, sir, nothing less will do whatever you discover.'
He was asked to turn his eyes this way and that, look up and down, but that was all.
'Done, my lord. I can categorically assure you that you are not going blind. Your sight will not get worse but I doubt that it will improve either. You have a slight inflammation caused by possibly having sand in the eyes at some stage. I recommend that you bathe them in tepid salt water twice a day.'
Until he was given this good news Perry had not realised how worried he had been. 'Thank you, I am grateful for your knowledge and advice.'
They shook hands and the visit was completed. How could something so short and simple have made such a difference to his life? He wanted to gallop back to Silchester and share the good news with his wife first, and then his family. He would have to make do with a brief note and then he would set out on his business trip and make it as brief as was possible.
He completed the journey in three days which had allowed Billy time to recover between each stage. He was relieved to discover there was not general unrest in the area but merely a disgruntled employee who had taken to arson for revenge after being legitimately dismissed from his position as gamekeeper.
The manor house was beyond salvation and he spent a busy few days speaking to an architect and arranging for a modern house to be built in its place. The tenants were satisfied with his offer to replace their lost possessions and pay the rent on a new property for a year.
Carstairs arrived the day after him as he had travelled by mail coach but was soon fully informed and Perry was confident Beau's man of affairs could get matters brought to their conclusion without his assistance.
'I must return to Silchester tomorrow, is there anything else I have to sign before I go?'
'Nothing, my lord, everything is ready. Do you intend to put in tenants when the house is built?'
'Why do you ask?'
'The house that is replacing the old is larger, will have all modern conveniences and you have also asked for the gardens and park to be designed by Capability Brown. I cannot think such luxury is necessary for a tenant.'
'You are right, I wish the house for myself. I think we will be better here where things are more relaxed. I have been assured that the house and grounds will be completed within the year. Do you agree with that assessment?'
'It depends on the weather, my lord, if there is a hard winter it would delay things. If you are prepared to employ the maximum number of labourers, tradespeople and so on I am certain the building would be weathertight by the summer. Perhaps Lady Peregrine might like to visit then and decide for herself how she wants the interior to be finished?'
'I think that an excellent notion. Make certain there is a competent foreman in charge of the building.'
Satisfied he had done all he could he returned to the fine hostelry he was staying at. He had been away for a week, it seemed like ten times that length of time. He intended to leave first thing in the morning; this meant he would be back at Silchester on the fourth day, as long as the weather remained as mild as it had this past week.
He was eager to tell Sofia of his plans for their future. His sister, Giselle, had married Lord Rushton and moved a considerable distance away from Silchester, his twin had only recently returned from gallivanting about the world for a year or more, so no one could object to him setting up home in Derbyshire.
It was a stunning part of the country, close enough to the lakes to visit there, and he was certain his family would wish to make a prolonged stay during the summer months. He and Sofia would spend the festive season at his ancestral home so there could be no objection to his plans from anyone.
*
Sofia was determined not to mope about the place whilst her husband was away. He had written her a brief note saying that the eye doctor was confident his sight would not get worse which was a relief to everyone. She now had two letters in his handwriting and reading each in turn made him seem closer to her somehow.
When she had got up the day after their argument, if it could be called that, she had been devastated to find he had already departed. Her husband was expected to be away for three weeks, that would make it almost December, and she sincerely hoped he would not be delayed by bad weather.
She spent her days visiting with her relations and getting to know them better. She was universally welcomed, her opinion respected, they could not have done more to make her feel part of their extended family. She had yet to meet Giselle who was unable to travel as she was in an interesting condition.
Over breakfast the day after Perry had left she put a suggestion to Beau. 'I should like to travel to see Giselle and Rushton – would that be possible?'
'You cannot go alone, my dear, but I should be delighted to accompany you. I have not seen either of them since the summer. Rushton is my closest friend, you know.'
'I have made enquiries and I understand it would take two days to travel there. This means if we leave tomorrow we can be there, spend a week visiting, and then be back in good time for when Perry returns.'
'I shall set things in motion immediately. Speak to your maid, she and my valet must leave today if they are to be there before us. I shall send a letter by express to tell Rushton we are coming.'
Being a duke made everything so much easier for him, Sofia decided, as she sat in luxury on the opposite side of the family travelling carriage. Mind you, if he had been impecunious and not wealthy, even being so high in the instep could not make things happen as quickly as they did.
The weather remained clement and they made good progress. She was interested in the countryside but was not silly enough to engage her companion in trivial conversation. Beau was not the sort of gentleman who would enjoy such a pastime.
Now, if Perry was here the journey would pass so much more speedily, they would laugh and talk… Her cheeks flushed at the thought of what they had done the last time they were in this carriage. 'When is Giselle's baby due to arrive?'
'In the spring some time, I believe. This will be my sixth niece or nephew. Which reminds me, my dear, have you had any further thoughts about finding me a bride?'
'Actually, your grace, I have.'
He raised an eyebrow and his mouth curved, but he said nothing. If she wasn't already married and hopelessly in love with his brother she would find him disturbingly attractive when he was being charming.
'Well? I am all agog.'
'My thoughts are that you have no more intention of joining in with such nonsense than I have of doing it.'
His laughter filled the carriage. 'I am relieved to hear you say so. I am happy as I am, my dear, I enjoy my own company and am free to do as I please and to be as curmudgeonly as I wish.'
She smiled sweetly at him before answering. 'Married or not, sir, you will continue to do what you want and expect everyone else to fall in with your plans. You are, after all, the Duke of Silchester.'
'I am indeed and I can tell you with all honesty that there are times when I wish I was not.'
'I am astonished to hear you say so. What is it about your life that you do not like?'
'I'm one of a handful of aristocrats holding a dukedom. We are expected to behave in a certain way, those we meet feel obligated to treat us differently. Only with my family can I let down my guard. Sometimes I am tempted to abandon my life altogether – to leave Bennett to run the family.'
She stared at him, for a moment too shocked to speak. 'Are you saying that you wish to… intend to kill yourself?'
He reacted as if stung by a hornet. 'God's teeth! Of course not – that is a coward's way out. No, I would not do that to my family and especially not to my brother who would hate to take on the title.'
'
Yet you are prepared to make his son do so?'
'Touché, my dear Sofia. No, I merely meant that I should like to live a simpler life somewhere I could be accepted as a gentleman, not bowed and scraped to.' He warmed to his theme. 'Any young lady I am introduced to treats me differently. Perry knows without a shadow of doubt that you love him for himself, not for his title and his wealth. If I could have the same certainty, then I might consider matrimony.'
'You could always travel the country incognito.'
'An interesting suggestion, my dear, but not one that I am about to take up. I had thought I would enjoy the excitement of travelling, of camping under the stars every night, but as you are aware I could not wait to get back to civilisation.'
'Good heavens, I was not suggesting you became a pedlar. You could be a botanist recording the flora and fauna of an area for posterity.'
He chuckled. 'That would be an excellent suggestion, Sofia, were it not for the fact I have no knowledge of the subject and am an abysmal artist.'
'I shall give it some thought. There must be something you can pretend to be that would allow you to travel in comfort.' She closed her eyes and let her mind drift hoping inspiration would strike. Instead her head was filled with images of Perry and she was determined to put matters right between them when she returned to Silchester.
Their last conversation was engraved on her memory. How could she have said such dreadful things? She would get her comeuppance if he took her at her word and instead of returning directly from the north he went to London in search of a female companion.
*
When Perry was still some distance from Silchester he was met by Zorro who greeted him enthusiastically covering his breeches with more mud than they had on them already.
'I'm pleased to see you too, my boy, but why are you so far from home? I am astonished that you knew I was coming – but you are a clever dog and never cease to amaze me.'
He had been fortunate in his journey as the weather had remained dry and he had been able to ride across country most of the way. Billy showed no signs of tiring even after travelling so far. He pushed the horse into a gallop and completed the last two miles at a rattling pace arriving at Silchester in a flurry of gravel.
The dog had been left behind but was perfectly capable of finding his own way back and would no doubt arrive shortly. He tossed the reins to a stable boy who had heard his precipitate arrival.
'Walk him until he is cool, no water whilst he is so hot.'
He strode into the house, not expecting a rapturous welcome, but for the butler to gape at him as if he was an apparition was the outside of enough.
'As you can see I am home a week earlier than expected. Would you inform his grace and Lady Peregrine that I will join them as soon as I have removed my dirt?'
'My lord, his grace and her ladyship are not in residence. They have gone to visit Lady Giselle and are expected to return at the end of the week.'
This was disappointing news. There was no point in haranguing Peebles, he would restore his appearance and then go and visit his brother. It was his own fault, he should have told them he intended to come back early.
He sent a footman to tell Aubrey he was coming and was infuriated when the response to this message was that Aubrey and Mary were also away from home for a few days. Then his irritation turned to amusement. He was behaving like a petulant child. Everyone had expected him to be away for another week so they could hardly be blamed for not being there when he had arrived earlier.
Sofia's absence would explain why the hound had been wandering about the place. The animal must think he had been abandoned. His poor valet was now trundling back in the smaller coach that was used for this purpose, so he would have to do for himself until he returned.
Hot water came without him having to send for it. He stripped to the skin and washed the grime from the journey from his person. Instead of putting on fresh garments the threw back the covers and tumbled into bed. Exhaustion after his long ride overcame him and he slept the clock around.
He got up the next morning with his day planned. He would go and see Carshalton, he had been a career soldier until inheriting the title, he would understand how difficult it was to become a civilian. Possibly his sister Madeline's husband would give him advice that would help him settle.
It was bad form to call before breakfast had been eaten, but the family did not stand on ceremony. His arrival was seen by a vigilant servant and a groom was waiting to take Sultan from him. The front door was opened by Madeline and she flew down the steps and into his arms.
'You must be lonely with everyone away. Come in, Grey is out on estate business but should be back by lunchtime. I am about to eat breakfast – will you join me?'
'I would be happy to. How are the babies?'
'Growing up fast. I'll take you up to the nursery after we've eaten if you would like to see them?'
After spending an exhausting hour playing with the children Perry was more cheerful, resigned to the fact that he had to fill the next seven days without the company of his wife.
'I wanted to talk to Grey, but that will have to wait until he returns. Tell me, how difficult has it been for him to adjust to living like a gentleman and not a soldier?'
'After all the excitement when we were first married and his grandmother was trying to have him assassinated one would have thought my husband would find life dull. I think he had enough excitement to last a lifetime. Jenkins and Smith had to be promised their own accommodation in return for travelling to look for you.'
'I thought as much. I had always thought to spend my life as a soldier, rising up the ranks, and only returning to England when I was too old to serve. At no time did I intend to marry or become a civilian.'
'The fact that you could be severely injured or killed at any moment did not bother you?'
'It goes with the job. I fell in love with Sofia when I didn't know who I was, if I would ever recover my memory or my sight.'
'Are you saying that you regret your marriage?'
'No, I love her and cannot live without her. What I regret is the fact that I fell in love at all – she is unhappy here and she told me she would never have become involved with me if she had known who I was.'
'You are talking in riddles, brother. I cannot see why you cavil at this marriage. You love each other, that is all that matters and you must both adjust to your new lives. I cannot believe you are so selfish you would rather have remained lost to us.'
'Beau came to find me and he would not have given up until he had done so.' He strolled towards the fire and warmed his hands. 'Which reminds me, why did he go with Sofia? I understood from Grace that once these first few months of her pregnancy are done she would be able to travel. Therefore, they will come to Silchester for Christmas which is only a few short weeks away.'
'If you were not there to escort her she had no option but to ask Beau to accompany her. Forgive me, the housekeeper is hovering at the door and she wishes to speak to me.'
Perry left his seat and went to stare out of the window. Grey was taking an unconscionable time to return and his main purpose had been to talk to him, although he had enjoyed talking to his sister in the meanwhile.
He wandered towards the door intending to tell his sister he was leaving but, as he approached, he heard a male voice. He paused, not wishing to intrude, and overheard something he should not have done.
'I saw Perry's horse in the stable. Is he here to see me?'
'He is. Did you know Beau had accompanied Sofia to Essex?'
'That is not good news. I think your brother is rather taken with her and she with him. Being closeted in a carriage together for three days…'
'Are you suggesting that something improper might take place?'
'Never. Silchester would not do anything untoward. I was thinking that if Sofia is not happy she might well compare her husband with him and find Perry falls short. That would not be good for either of them.'
Perry backed a
way. His throat was tight. He couldn't swallow. Had it come to this? Was he going to lose his wife to his brother?
Chapter Eighteen
The few days that Sofía spent getting to know Giselle and her husband reinforced her determination to make her marriage work. She would not allow Perry to be the only one in his family to have an unhappy union. Rushton was a lot older than Giselle but he did not treat his wife like a child but as an equal. She liked that about him.
Her brother-in-law spent his days out and about with his friend leaving her alone for a considerable amount of time as Giselle was stricken with nausea on and off all day. She didn't come down for dinner so Sofia decided she would have a tray in her room rather than eat alone with two such formidable gentlemen. She was sure they were relieved.
This gave her far too much time to think. One of the things she dwelled on, after her beloved husband, was what Beau should do in order to escape from his duties for a few months. She no longer thought of this as a way of him finding himself a wife, but to allow him to find his own version of contentment.
The gentlemen didn't suggest she rode out with them so she went out on her own every day and enjoyed her rides. Essex was rather flat and uninteresting compared to Spain and she wished with all her heart she had been able to travel to the north of England. She had heard there were hills and mountains there which would remind her of her previous home.
On the morning of their departure Giselle was feeling a lot better and they were in the small drawing room together waiting for the carriage to be harnessed. 'I do apologise for neglecting you so shamefully, Sofia. I am looking forward to spending time with you when we come for the Christmas period. It is a great shame that Perry didn't come this time – I am the only member of the family not to have seen him since his return.'
'Thank you for being so hospitable. I am not with child, I hope I am able to give Perry the family he wants.'
'Do not be disappointed, Sofia, sometimes it can take several months to conceive.'
'Aubrey's wife has not done so after two years. This is no problem for them as they do not wish to have children – but we do.'
The Duke's Alliance: A Soldier's Bride Page 16
