The Marriage Truce

by Ann Elizabeth Cree

  Dev stepped forward. A slight flush stained his cheeks. ‘I beg your pardon, Maria. I fear it was all done rather quickly.’

  ‘I see.’ Her tone implied she did not see at all. She glanced at Sarah and her eyes softened a touch. ‘My dear, I will own I hardly expected to see you again under these circumstances.’

  ‘I am sorry,’ Sarah whispered. She had risen and regarded Lady Coleridge with a mortified expression. How could she have forgotten that Mary’s mother still lived at Lacey Manor, not far from Ravensheed?

  ‘I have no idea why,’ Lady Coleridge said. Her gaze swept over Sarah’s flushed face. ‘How are you, my dear?’

  ‘I…I am fine.’

  ‘You have met Sarah?’ Dev asked. He moved closer to Sarah’s side.

  Lady Coleridge smiled a little. ‘If you recall, I have known her from before. She stayed with us for a week before your betrothal ball. And, of course, Mary spoke of her very often.’

  ‘Yes.’ A shadow passed over his face.

  Sarah glanced away, feeling an interloper. How could Lady Coleridge bear seeing her in Mary’s place? And to hear of such news through a letter rather than directly from them! She must feel they had both betrayed her daughter’s memory.

  But there was nothing in her face that indicated any such feeling when she spoke to Dev. ‘And you had an accident before your wedding. Hardly the way to start a new marriage.’

  ‘It was nothing to signify,’ he said stiffly. ‘Will you be seated? You are welcome to take nuncheon with us.’

  ‘I cannot stay. I am on my way to Kentwood to call on Caroline, but I wanted to assure myself of your well being. I couldn’t quite make out what Beatrice said about your injuries. She crosses her lines dreadfully.’ She turned to Sarah. ‘What did happen, my dear?’

  Dev spoke before Sarah could open her mouth. ‘A few bruised ribs, that is all.’

  ‘And a rather nasty gash across your head from the looks of it,’ Lady Coleridge said. ‘I wonder that you returned home so quickly. But then, you have never been reasonable. However, that’s not what I came about.’ She fixed a stern look on Dev. ‘There is bound to be a great deal of talk over your rather hasty marriage. Particularly in this case. You will need to introduce your wife properly. Perhaps a small dinner party.’

  Dev looked taken aback, as if the thought had never occurred to him. ‘That is not necessary.’

  She snorted. ‘Nonsense. It will be considered most odd if you do not. Unless, of course, you plan on hiding your wife away.’

  ‘Hardly, ma’am.’

  ‘We will discuss this as soon as you are recovered,’ she said firmly and then looked over at Sarah. ‘I really cannot stay long. Perhaps you would not object to walking with me for a moment.’

  ‘No, of course not.’ Sarah followed her from the room, not daring to look at her husband. She would not be the least bit surprised if Lady Coleridge meant to reproach her for her hasty marriage.

  She accompanied Lady Coleridge to the hallway. Lady Coleridge paused in front of one of the carved tables. There was nothing in the gaze she turned on Sarah that suggested censure. ‘So, my dear, perhaps you will tell me now what happened to Devin?’ She smiled a little. ‘He is my godson as well as my son-in-law, so I feel a certain responsibility towards him. His mother was my dearest friend, you see.’

  ‘Yes.’ Mary had told her that, something that made Sarah feel even more wretched. Under the circumstances she felt she had no choice but to be honest. ‘He was assaulted the day before the ceremony by two men who beat him. His ribs were badly bruised, as was his face.’

  Lady Coleridge was clearly shocked. ‘Beatrice said something, but I thought I had misread…oh, heavens! A robbery?’

  ‘We are not certain,’ Sarah said cautiously, not wanting to alarm Lady Coleridge more than necessary. ‘Nothing was taken.’

  ‘And you still were wed?’ She appeared incredulous.

  ‘Yes,’ Sarah said unhappily. ‘He insisted, although he was far from well. And then he would not stay in bed and decided we must come to Ravensheed yesterday. I could not stop him.’

  ‘Of course not,’ Lady Coleridge said. She covered Sarah’s hand with her own. ‘Oh, my dear, I fear you will not have an easy time of it. I understand Jessica is with Beatrice and that makes it more difficult for you. But you may apply to me if you need any sort of assistance.’

  Tears sprang to Sarah’s eyes. ‘You are too generous.’

  ‘My dear, I am not. Mary always spoke of you so highly—you were the dearest friend she had ever had.’ Her face softened.

  ‘And she was mine.’ Sarah’s guilt only increased. How could Lady Coleridge treat her so kindly?

  But there was no blame in her blue eyes, only kindness. ‘I will leave you for now.’ Her voice had returned to its normal briskness. ‘Perhaps you will be so good as to take tea with me soon. And then we can speak of Mary, if you would not object.’

  ‘No, I would very much like that.’

  ‘Very well.’ She took Sarah’s hand. ‘And you may tell me how you came to be wed to my godson if you wish.’

  Sarah watched as the footman opened the door for Lady Coleridge. She stepped out into the rain where her carriage waited in front of the door. Sarah remained motionless for a moment and then slowly returned to the dining room. Dev stood at the window, his back to her. He turned. ‘I apologise. I had no idea my mother-in law would come to call so unexpectedly. I hope she said nothing to distress you.’

  ‘No. She was so very gracious. Much more than I would ever expect her to be.’

  He frowned. ‘Why would you expect otherwise?’

  ‘Because how could anything be more dreadful than seeing—?’ She stopped.

  ‘You’re doing it again. Leaving your sentences unfinished. Than seeing what?’ he asked softly.

  ‘’Tis nothing.’

  ‘Not if it makes you look like that. What were you going to say?’

  She attempted a smile. ‘It really was nothing at all.’

  ‘Sarah.’ He took a step towards her, his expression dangerous. She knew he would not let her go without an answer.

  She took a breath. ‘I can’t think of anything worse than seeing me here.’

  His brows crashed together. ‘What the devil makes you say that?’

  ‘Because…because I am not Mary.’

  He stared at her for a moment. ‘No. You are not,’ he said shortly. And she saw the pain in his eyes.

  ‘I am so very sorry,’ she whispered.

  He looked at her blankly. Then said, ‘I’ve no idea why.’ He turned away, his shoulders bowed.

  He had completely shut her out. And Sarah could do nothing but walk from the room.

  Chapter Ten

  Sarah sipped her chocolate and gazed out of the window of the sunny pleasant morning room. The sun was shining for the first time since she had arrived at Ravensheed a week ago. After the first day she had decided to take her breakfast in this small room with its cheerful green and white wallpaper and a sweeping view of the front drive.

  For the first time since her arrival, she felt almost hopeful. For what, she had no idea. She’d seen little of Dev for the past few days. If not in his study, he was closeted with Mr Dalton or riding somewhere on the estate. Their only contact was at dinner where they attempted a semblance of polite conversation.

  He treated her with exquisite formality and Sarah had given up trying to shake him out of it. So she answered his questions in a voice as coolly civil as his. She had no idea how she was to keep her promise to Jessica. Not when he made it so clear he wanted nothing to do with her.

  Last night he had announced he was leaving for London today. She had suddenly been gripped with a sense of panic, the same sort of panic she had experienced as a small child when her mother had left her for a few days with an aunt. But she’d forced herself to smile at him and pretend that she did not mind at all being left in a house where she knew no one. Perhaps if she had some role to play in his hous
ehold she would feel more at home. But he had said nothing and Mrs Humphries seemed to run the house with a grim efficiency.

  She finished her toast and eggs and shoved her plate away. She supposed she would become used to dining by herself and keeping her own company. But it didn’t keep the thought of years ahead from stretching out into loneliness.

  She must stop this. She should find something to do. She had thoroughly explored the house and spent numerous hours in the library. The rest of her belongings had arrived and yesterday she had arranged her room. The day before she had sat in the garden for a few hours when the rain had let up and had done a watercolour of one corner of the garden. She had not found it very satisfactory but Mrs Humphries had admired it and so Sarah had given it to her.

  She rose. Perhaps she could explore the estate. From one of the upstairs windows she had caught a glimpse of an intriguing-looking tower in the distance. She could not, absolutely would not, give in to despair.

  Several hours later, Sarah realised she was hopelessly lost. The sloping lawn had given way to a patch of woods where she’d found a stream. She had sketched for a bit and then started walking again. She followed the stream and then veered off in the direction of the tower she had spotted from the house. And now she stood at the edge of a pasture and realised she had no idea in which direction Ravensheed stood.

  It hadn’t helped that her thoughts had wandered completely away as well so she had not made note of any landmarks.

  ‘Good day.’

  She gasped and spun around. Behind her was a man mounted on a grey horse. ‘I beg your pardon. I did not mean to startle you.’ He smiled, a pleasant smile that crinkled the corners of his eyes. He was dressed in the clothes of a country gentleman, but their perfect fit and elegant cut proclaimed their London origins.

  ‘I fear I was not paying any attention.’

  ‘You appeared to be quite lost in thought.’ He leaned forward, his gaze impersonally assessing her, a little curious. Then comprehension dawned in his eyes. ‘You must be Lady Huntington.’

  ‘Yes.’ She lifted her chin. Although he looked the gentleman and had an open, trustworthy face, she felt at a distinct disadvantage. ‘And you are…?’

  ‘Charles Kenton. My property runs next to Ravensheed. Which you are on,’ he added quite kindly.

  Sarah coloured. ‘Oh, dear. I…I am very sorry. I was walking and wanted to find…’ She bit her lip. “I fear I am rather lost.’

  ‘There is no need to apologise. I doubt very much you wish to poach anything. And not often do I come across such a lovely trespasser.’

  Her colour deepened, even though there was nothing at all suggestive in his gaze. ‘Perhaps you could tell me the way back to Ravensheed.’

  ‘I will do even better. I’ll take you myself.’ With a graceful movement, he dismounted, and caught up the reins in his hand.

  ‘That is really not necessary,’ Sarah said, not wanting to put him to the trouble. ‘I am certain you must be quite busy, Mr Kenton.’

  ‘Not at all. Actually, I was on my way to Ravensheed to deliver an invitation to dine with us tomorrow night.’ He smiled at her. ‘How did you come? Through the trees? Then it’s no wonder you were lost. There’s a path along the edge of the pasture. It leads directly to your husband’s property and then continues on towards the stables.’

  His kind, impersonal manner was reassuring. She finally relaxed and smiled tentatively back at him as he fell into step with her, the horse ambling along behind. ‘Thank you.’

  They walked along the pasture, the sun warm and friendly on her face and arms. Her companion talked easily about his own property, Kentwood Hall. He informed her that the tower she had looked for had been part of the original Ravensheed manor. It had burned down nearly half a century ago. And she started to feel a little less lonely and for a moment nearly forgot she was married to a man who did not want her. Until Charles Kenton suddenly stopped. ‘We are nearly at the stables.’ The smile left his face. ‘I do have one question, Lady Huntington.’

  ‘Yes?’ Her stomach was starting to knot again when she realised she was nearly home. Which was ridiculous.

  ‘Why is your husband allowing his new bride to wander around on her own?’

  Dev frowned at the housekeeper. ‘What do you mean, Lady Huntington has gone out?’ he snapped.

  Mrs Humphries pursed her lips. ‘She left the house, my lord. By herself.’ She looked at him with clear disapproval.

  ‘When?’

  ‘Nearly three hours ago.’

  Three hours ago? A shaft of fear pierced him. Where the devil could she have gone that would keep her away for so long? His gardens were extensive, but hardly a three-hour walk. Surely she would not have gone much further. Or had she decided to run away?

  ‘She had a paper and pencils,’ Mrs Humphries added grudgingly.

  So, she had gone to sketch. Common sense reasserted itself—she would hardly have been planning to run away with only her drawing implements.

  But what if she was hurt?

  He took his leave of Mrs Humphries and quit the house, then headed towards the stables. He would find her if it took all morning. He had no intention of leaving for London until he did.

  He had meant to depart at least an hour ago, but had been delayed by a problem that could not wait until his return. He had spent most of the morning in his study as he had every day since the second day of his return. However, his damnable conscience wouldn’t let him depart without bidding her goodbye. Not that it would matter to her.

  He had been avoiding her. He had no idea why, except there was something about her quiet politeness that unnerved him. She’d retreated from him completely. He tried to tell himself that was what he wanted. It was a marriage of convenience, after all, a forced marriage, and there was no reason that they needed to be more than civil to each other.

  Except it made him feel a stranger in his own home. And he thought of her constantly.

  He rounded the corner of the stable and stopped short.

  Sarah stood with Charles Kenton, a smile on her face. Then Kenton said something that caused the smile to fade from her face. Jealousy, sharp and possessive, shot through Dev.

  He stalked forward. ‘I see you’ve met my wife, Kenton.’ It took all his discipline to hang on to his temper.

  They both started, obviously too engrossed in their conversation to have noticed him. Sarah paled. Kenton merely looked at him in his calm manner. ‘Yes, I have had the pleasure of making Lady Huntington’s acquaintance. I found her on my property. She had lost her way. So, I brought her back.’

  On Kenton’s property? She must have walked more than four miles. He fixed her with his most formidable look. ‘What were you doing so far from the house?’

  He was startled to see brief anger flash in her eyes, but she lifted her chin and stared back at him, her expression defiant. ‘I merely wished to see the property and I went too far, my lord.’

  My lord? He reined in his temper. Aware that Kenton was observing them with more than a little interest, he turned to Kenton. ‘Thank you,’ he said dismissively. ‘I will see to her.’

  ‘I trust so.’ Kenton’s gaze held a touch of censure that suddenly reminded him of his housekeeper’s. ‘If she was my wife, I do not think I would be quite so careless.’ He smiled at Sarah and pulled a note from his pocket. He gave it to Sarah, his hand touching hers and lingering far longer than Dev thought proper. ‘Lady Huntington, I will see you tomorrow evening. My mother and sister look forward to making your acquaintance.’

  ‘Thank you, Mr Kenton.’ She smiled back at him, but it faded as soon as he was out of earshot.

  ‘If you will pardon me, I believe I will go to the house,’ she said coolly without looking at Dev.

  Dev caught her arm. ‘What did he mean, he will see you tomorrow evening? And what is in that note?’

  ‘It is an invitation to dine at Kentwood.’

  ‘You’re not going,’ he said flatly. ‘Furthermore,
we are going to discuss this matter now.’

  She looked up at him. He nearly reeled under the anger in her face. ‘Discuss what matter? The invitation? Very well, I will not go. And will you release me? You are hurting my arm!’

  He dropped her arm. ‘You are not to leave the house again without a proper escort.’

  She merely looked at him. ‘So I am to be kept a prisoner, then.’ Her voice had that remote calm that made him want to strangle her…or kiss her.

  He thrust the thought away. ‘Hardly. As long as you have a footman or a maid with you, I have no objections. And as long you stay within the confines of the park.’

  ‘A prisoner, then. Very well, my lord.’ She glared at him, clutching her drawing pad to her chest as if it was armour. ‘If that is all, I shall return to my cell!’ She whirled around and stalked off.

  He started to reach for her again and dropped his hand. ‘Sarah!’ She paid no heed and he caught up with her in a few long strides. ‘Listen to me!’

  She stopped and stared at him. ‘Why? I suppose you wish to tell me I cannot leave the house! Or perhaps my room without suitable escort!’

  ‘No! Damn it all! Do you think I am so unreasonable?’

  Her eyes flashed with barely suppressed fury. ‘Yes! And will you please refrain from…from swearing at me?’

  ‘I beg your pardon. It is only…’ He paused and glared back at her. ‘I hadn’t the least idea where you were when I returned to the house. Mrs Humphries said you’d been gone nearly three hours and I thought…’

  ‘Yes?’ She raised her chin in challenge. ‘Perhaps you would finish your sentence, my lord!’

  He took refuge in his scowl. ‘You were lost.’ He was hardly going to admit he feared she had decided to run away.

  ‘I was, but Mr Kenton kindly brought me home.’

  The mention of Kenton irritated him more. ‘That is the point. You are not fit to take off on these damnable rambles. Nor do I want you consorting with Kenton.’

  ‘Oh? I am not fit? Are you accusing me of insanity?’