The Duke's Alliance: A Soldier's Bride

by Fenella J Miller

  He had left his civilian clothes here when he had bought his colours, they still fitted him well enough. It was fortunate indeed that gentlemen's fashions did not change so rapidly as those for the ladies. For their first ceremony he had worn borrowed clothes, so at least he would be wearing his own garments this time.

  Beau appeared and was unsurprised to see him. 'Good morning, Perry, have you recovered from your night-time excursion?'

  'Not only that, I have much to tell you, and all of it good.' He quickly ran through what had happened and what Sofia wanted.

  'I think this will be a blessing rather than a marriage service, so there is no necessity to have the banns called and it can take place whenever we want. We shall use our own chapel and you are right to limit the guests to ourselves.'

  'Would you object if I raided your hothouse? I wish to go laden with gifts when I visit her later.'

  'I am disappointed that you feel you have to ask my permission. I am merely the custodian of all this, I do not have exclusive rights to anything.' He pointed at the empty tray which no one had come to collect. 'Shall I delay breakfast as you have already eaten?'

  'That was hours ago. I am making up now for my lack of food over the past few days. Will you come with me to choose flowers and fruit for Sofia?'

  'I will not. I shall use the time to plough through the remainder of this paperwork. I am glad that Bennett was able to return from his duties in London but I believe that he has departed already and will not be back until the House of Lords rises in two weeks' time.'

  'Then I shall quickly pen a note to go with what is sent. By the way, I do hope your black eye has gone before Christmas.'

  His brother's smile was somewhat forced. 'As Sofia fared worse than me I am prepared to forgive and forget.'

  Perry arranged to get back in time to break his fast, for a second time, and returned to his apartment to put on something against the bitter cold. Zorro followed him into the orangery and appeared intrigued by the exotic smells and bright colours. They perhaps reminded him of his former home.

  He wandered about admiring the blooms and fruit but had no notion which would make the best gift.

  'My lord, can I be of service to you?' The head gardener hurried up and touched his forelock.

  'I need a basket of fruit and a vase of flowers to be taken to Lady Peregrine. She is visiting with Lord Aubrey at the moment.'

  'Leave it to me, my lord, I will select the items myself and have them taken round as soon as they are ready.'

  'They need to be there as soon as possible – before I go around myself.'

  'It will be done as you requested, my lord.'

  He whistled to the dog who bounded over looking a little guilty. Perry decided not to investigate what his dog had been doing. He had a suspicion that Zorro had left a nasty surprise for one of the gardeners to find.

  He wasted a further half an hour before returning to the breakfast parlour. His brother had yet to appear but the food was there and he was sharp-set. He was in the process of heaping his plate when Beau strolled in.

  'You are looking more cheerful, little brother, and your colour is better too.'

  'I am hopeful that in three weeks my beautiful bride will be restored to me. I shall only inform her about our future living arrangements then. I do not wish to influence her in my favour but have her take me back as I am.'

  'A noble sentiment, but I do not think you can take the risk. From what you have told me she has already forgiven you – after all she would not have suggested that you remarry if she was intending to return to Spain.'

  'I shall take your advice, Beau, and tell her everything I have set in motion when I go to see her shortly. I am relieved you have not set the alterations in motion in the west wing as that would be a wasted expense. Would you ask Carstairs, when he returns, to sell the two estates I inherited. I wish to be financially independent when we move next year.'

  'What do you intend to do with the money when you have it?'

  'I had thought to invest in a manufactory or two – the people need work and this will be a way of satisfying my need for an income and my people for employment.'

  His brother looked shocked, as well he might, because no Sheldon had ever been involved in trade before. 'I have a small interest in a shipping company. Why not investigate that first?'

  'I take it that shipping is acceptable whereas manufacturing is not.' His brother frowned and Perry raised his hand to prevent the pithy retort that would be coming his way. 'As long as I don't have to sail in one myself I am quite open to putting my money in import and export instead. However, even with insurance I don't think my money will be as secure as it would be in a factory.'

  'I refuse to discuss such matters when I am eating my breakfast. I had been meaning to tell you that your hound has been attracting a deal of attention in the neighbourhood.' Beau waved his fork in the air. 'Why don't you look for a suitable bitch to breed with him?'

  'I rather think Zorro will find his own mate, and that there will be a surplus of puppies by next spring.'

  'In which case, I shall get my kennelman to find me a couple. I have become quite attached to your dog.'

  Conversation ceased whilst they both ate heartily. The time, when they had finished, was just after ten o'clock, so he must attend to his appearance and then present himself next door. This time he would go to the front as a visitor would, not to the terrace entrance.

  'Are you dining next door again, Beau?'

  'I thought to invite Bennett and Grace, Carshalton and Madeline, as well as Aubrey, Mary and Sofia. I think your wife will have no objection to spending time with you in company.'

  'Thank you, your kindness is much appreciated. I shall see you at dinner.'

  *

  Sofia spent longer on her appearance than was strictly necessary when she was intending to spend a quiet morning in the house. Polly finished dressing her hair and stood back.

  'There, my lady, that new style is perfect on you. The modiste will be arriving soon with the samples and fashion plates for you to choose your new gowns.'

  'You have my measurements so there is no need for me to do more than look through the styles and materials. I'm expecting Lord Peregrine at any moment, therefore, if she arrives whilst he is here you must have her bring everything to my sitting room and I will come as soon as I can to make my selections.'

  As she was admiring her appearance in the long glass there was a loud knock on the sitting room door and Polly ran to answer it. There was the sound of voices and the scuffle of feet next door and then her maid rushed in beaming.

  'This is the note that has come with the other things, my lady.'

  'What other things?' She moved swiftly into the sitting room and stopped, her mouth rounded. An enormous, beribboned basket of exotic fruit stood on the central table and a huge vase of hothouse flowers had been placed on the bureau at the other side of the chamber.

  She unfolded the note.

  My darling Sofia,

  Here are some small tokens of my love – courtesy of the duke's hothouse. I am counting the seconds until I can come and see you in person.

  Love everlasting

  Your husband Peregrine.

  His missive was as extravagant as his gifts. She could imagine him writing it, his eyes gleaming with amusement, and loved him for it. Perhaps waiting three weeks to forgive him was a trifle longer than it need be.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Perry examined himself from every side and declared to his valet that he was satisfied. His measurements had been taken and they had been posted to Weston's in London where he had all his jackets made. They would make up his requirements as speedily as possible and then they would bring the almost completed articles down to him to have a final fitting.

  His Hessians were so shiny they reflected the light, his neckcloth was elaborate, his shirt of the finest lawn and his jacket a deep blue that he was told matched his eye colour. He could do nothing more to impress he
r. His heart was skipping about as if it had become detached. He had faced a regiment of French soldiers calmer than he was feeling now.

  The door opened as he approached and he was bowed in by a smart footman. 'My lord, Lady Peregrine will be happy to receive you in the yellow drawing room.'

  Perry nodded and strode through the house to the smaller reception chamber that was preferred to the more formal drawing room when there was no company. The door was open and he walked in. He was not the only one who had made an effort with their dress. Sofia had on a stunning confection in pale blue with a darker blue sash and embellishments around the hem and sleeves. She had never looked more beautiful.

  He had rehearsed over and over what he was going to say, how he was going to apologise again but all this was forgotten. In two steps he was beside her and she threw herself into his arms.

  'I forgive you, Perry, if you will forgive me for being so silly. I agreed to marry you knowing who you were and what that would entail and I have absolutely no right to cavil now.'

  'You are the most important person in my life and I will do anything to make you happy. If you want to live in Spain then that is what we shall do.'

  'I will reside wherever you are – whether it's here or anywhere else. I love you and will be a better wife in future.' She smiled up at him, her eyes damp, and he was overwhelmed. Then she drew back a little. 'I said I will be a better wife but I cannot promise to be an obedient and conventional one.'

  'I don't give a damn what sort of wife you intend to be, as long as you are my wife that is all that matters.'

  He pulled her closer and covered her mouth with his. Only the arrival of the refreshments saved them from doing something quite outrageous.

  When he told her about the house she was overjoyed. 'That is exactly what I should like. I know it is a long way from here, but we can spend Christmas at Silchester every year and your family can visit during the summer months.'

  They spent a delightful two hours together until it was time for him to leave. Mary would not be able to use her sitting room until he did depart. 'Sweetheart, would you consider moving back into...'

  'You will discover, my love, that Polly has already transferred my belongings. You will also see that they are in your closet as I do not intend to spend another night sleeping on my own.'

  'You will have to change for dinner. Are you doing that here or next door?'

  She detected his intention and smiled. 'I am not such a pea-goose as to appear in your bedchamber before it is time to retire. I have my evening gown here. Go now, my love, and I shall see you at dinner.'

  He left feeling ten feet tall. He thought he would take Zorro for a long walk and return with an hour to wait before he could change for dinner.

  *

  Beau stood up, stretched, and tossed his pen into the fire as he had done with it. Finally, the backlog of paperwork was done and he could turn his mind to family matters. He was hopeful, no, confident that Perry and Sofia would soon be back together. He would watch carefully when they were dining tonight and see how they reacted to each other.

  Things were in hand for the family house party and Rushton and Giselle would be arriving next week with their daughters as they intended to stay for several weeks. He believed Giselle was finding it hard being so far from her family and he thought that she might convince Perry that moving away would be a mistake.

  Of course, he had supported this notion of moving to Derbyshire, he would do anything for any of his siblings. What he would rather they did was remain at Silchester Court. If they moved to the north of England he would be lucky to see them more than once a year, especially if they started to fill their nursery.

  There was an hour before he had to change for dinner, it was already dark so too late to ride, so he would find his brother and persuade him to play a game of billiards. There was something he wanted to discuss with him before he mentioned it to the others at dinner.

  Perry was reading a journal in the drawing room and was only too happy to abandon it to play a frame or two. 'I have ordered two new jackets, four pairs of breeches, half a dozen shirts...'

  'Enough, I have no wish to hear about such mundane things, little brother. There is something I want to talk to you about. I would value your opinion as it was Sofia's suggestion.'

  'Go on, I'm intrigued.'

  His brother listened with growing incredulity to the idea that the Duke of Silchester intended to remove himself from Silchester and live incognito pretending to compose music.

  'Devil take it! I thought it was I that had bats in the attic, Beau. You would hate it. You have spent your entire life being treated like a demigod, everyone bowing and scraping, being a commoner would just not suit you.'

  'I was not intending to live in a hovel, Perry. The estate where I intend to live is small but profitable. I have been studying the accounts this afternoon. Elveden Hall has six bedrooms, four reception rooms and the usual servants' offices. There is also sufficient stabling for my needs and a reasonable park surrounding it.'

  'You do realise, Beau, that would mean you were living in half the space that Aubrey and Mary have? A fraction of what you are used to here. I doubt it is even the most prestigious estate in the neighbourhood and you would have to allow others to have precedence when you socialised.'

  'You think I could not do it for six months without scampering back here to be fêted and lauded?'

  'I bet you will not last six weeks, let alone six months. Surely you are not serious with this suggestion?'

  Until his brother had been so dismissive Beau had not come to a firm decision about his venture. However, he could never resist a challenge. 'I take your wager. I shall leave when the house party breaks up. As Bennett is busy with Parliamentary business I am relying on you and Aubrey to run the estate together – you will have Carstairs to assist, naturally.'

  Perry slapped him on the back. 'Our house will not be finished until the summer so we must remain here anyway. Do I have your permission to move into your master suite in your absence?'

  He was about to refuse but then thought better of it. 'Certainly, I wish you and Sofia to be happy here.' The sound of the gong echoed down the passageway – there was a large static one in the hall but a smaller one was always rung outside the billiard room as they would not hear the other from here.

  'At last, the afternoon has dragged by...'

  'Thank you for suggesting that I am less than satisfactory as a companion, little brother,' he said with a wry smile.

  His valet went about his business and Beau let his thoughts drift. If this deception was to work he would have to leave his man behind, he could not involve any of his employees. He would find himself another manservant once he was established.

  In six weeks' time he would be leaving his luxurious existence for something less exalted and he was excited at the prospect. Perry knew that he was loved for himself and not his pedigree, he envied him that. Not that he was looking for love himself – far from it – the real reason he was eager to go was to escape from the cloying atmosphere. His entire family were moonstruck with their partners and he would be glad to be away from it all for a few months.

  The small estate had been well managed by the tenant, a gentleman called Richard Silverstone. It was unfortunate the man had died so suddenly, but serendipitous for him. The house was fully staffed and ready for occupation – all he had to do was send word of his coming. He would write the letter before he retired tonight.

  *

  'There, my lady, I am done.' Polly did not sound overly pleased with her efforts.

  'I know wearing an evening gown to a family dinner is perhaps making me overdressed, but this ensemble has a particular significance for myself and Lord Peregrine.'

  The girl dipped. 'Will you be requiring me later, my lady?'

  'No, you may have the rest of the evening off. I shall ring in the morning when I require your services.'

  'Thank you, my lady. Once I have tidied here, I shall
make sure that everything is ready in your apartment next door.'

  Sofia had no need to pinch her cheeks or bite her lips to bring colour to them. She had never looked better. Her eyes glowed with anticipation, her hair was glossy and her gown perfect. She had intended to wear her wedding dress for the second ceremony but had changed her mind. This event no longer had the same significance, tonight would be the renewal of their commitment to each other.

  Mary called from outside the door. 'Are you ready, my dear? Aubrey is impatient to depart as he has heard the carriages arriving. We shall wait for you by the terrace doors.'

  She carefully hooked the loop of material sewn to the end of the demi-train over her wrist. She was then ready to depart. 'I'm coming. I apologise if I have kept you waiting.'

  Aubrey was pacing the drawing room but his expression changed from impatient to admiration when she appeared. 'You look beautiful, Sofia, that is a particularly lovely gown.'

  'Is this the one you were married in? It is quite spectacular. I am thankful that we both dressed to impress tonight or we should be put in the shade by your magnificence.' Mary gave her a brief kiss and then they dashed the short distance across the terrace and into the drawing room of Silchester Court.

  They had not bothered with heavy outerwear even though the temperature had fallen and the flagstones were frost-covered. Aubrey had no protection at all and she and Mary both wore an evening cloak. The vast chamber was empty but she could hear voices in the grand hall. Perry and Beau were greeting the Sheldons and Carshaltons.

  As she hesitated Aubrey put his arm around her waist and whisked her out to join the others. Perry sensed she had arrived and turned. He abandoned his brother-in-law and strode across to her.