‘Yes, Max. Yes, I will marry you.’
* * *
The vision of that enchanted night faded. Instead of a hot dry desert wind, gritty with sand and perfumed with spices, she felt the chill rain-laden breeze of an English summer on her face, and with it came the more prosaic smell from the cows in the nearby fields.
Beside her, Max gave a low growl. ‘And here is another of your admirers coming now.’
Ellen had already seen the portly figure of Mr Rudby approaching on the opposite path. She hoped they might pass unnoticed, but the gentleman was already picking his way across the road, waving his cane to slow the approach of a lumbering ox-cart. Moments later he stood before them, beaming and smiling as he removed his hat and swept a low bow. They were obliged to stop. Formal greetings were exchanged, but since Max was particularly uncommunicative it was Ellen who responded to Mr Rudby’s friendly overtures, agreeing that last Friday’s ball had been vastly enjoyable and that Monday’s ball at the Dragon would have to work hard to match it.
‘Although if you are there, Mrs Furnell, it cannot be other than a success.’ Mr Rudby beamed at her. ‘Perhaps, ma’am, I should take this opportunity to reserve the first two dances with you for tomorrow night. I felt dashed put out when General Dingwall stole the march on me on Friday.’ His twinkling eyes shifted from Ellen to the Duke. ‘If you are not already engaged, that is.’
‘Yes, she is already engaged,’ barked Max.
Ellen bridled. ‘I have not yet made up my mind to go.’
Max bared his teeth and said smoothly, ‘But if you do, you are already promised to me, are you not?’
Anger flashed through Ellen. Her chin came up and she glared at the Duke.
Mr Rudby laughed. ‘Ah, I see how it is and I shall withdraw from the lists. But only temporarily,’ he said gaily. ‘Let me warn you, Your Grace, that Mrs Furnell is the reigning queen of our little society and has any number of admirers ready to do battle for her favours.’
‘I am aware,’ replied Max, at his most urbane. ‘But I am confident I shall prevail. You see, I have a distinct advantage over my rivals.’
Mr Rudby looked nonplussed at the Duke’s smiling reply, but he recovered quickly and gave another laugh.
‘Well, well, we shall see.’ He touched his hat. ‘I shall not keep you standing any longer in this chill wind, although you will permit me to say, Mrs Furnell, that it has brought an added sparkle to your eyes. Would you not agree, Your Grace?’
‘Has it?’ Max swept an indifferent glance over her. ‘I had not noticed. Good day to you, sir.’
Thus dismissed, Mr Rudby went on his way. Max offered Ellen his arm again, but she resolutely ignored it and set off at a brisk pace, her dainty figure rigid with indignation. He waited, knowing she would not remain silent for long.
‘You were very uncivil to poor Mr Rudby.’
Max shrugged. ‘He considers himself a rival.’
‘And why should he not? Are you so puffed up in your own conceit that you think you only have to walk into a room and every man will give way to you?’
‘What has really upset you?’ he retorted. ‘Is it the fact that I saw off your admirer or that I refused to endorse his fulsome compliments?’
‘Compliments mean nothing to me. Especially yours!’
Even as she spoke she was schooling her face into a smile to greet a passing acquaintance. Then another couple stopped to speak. Max recognised them from the ball at the Granby and nodded to them, then waited impatiently for Ellen to exchange pleasantries.
‘Are you friends with everyone in this dashed town?’ he muttered as they moved on again.
‘A great many of its inhabitants, certainly, which is why I take such exception to your possessiveness.’
‘Let us be clear,’ he growled. ‘I will not have you flirting with all and sundry.’
‘I do not flirt.’ She paused. ‘Anyone would think you were jealous.’
‘Ha, what a nonsensical idea.’
Quite ridiculous, thought Max. He was not the jealous type. Even in those early days, when he had thought himself hopelessly in love with Ellen Tatham. He remembered those first two weeks they had been together in the desert. The son of one of the Mameluke beys had been very taken with Ellen and had done his best to woo her with gifts and promises of riches. If Max was going to be jealous of anyone it should have been that handsome devil, but it had not given him a moment’s uneasiness.
Because he had thought then that Ellen was in love with him.
He heard her sigh. ‘Pray let us not argue. This charade is not easy for me. Your riding in my carriage yesterday did not go unnoticed. I was quizzed upon it at church this morning and now your escorting me through the streets will add fuel to the flames of gossip.’
‘It is nothing to what will be said when they learn that you are my wife. The flames will become an inferno.’
‘But I shall not be here then to feel the heat.’
There was something in her voice he had not heard before—a note of defeat that disturbed him. This was not the laughing, fearless girl he had known. Nothing had daunted her, not even being in a foreign land and surrounded by warring tribes. For almost four years he had thought only of his own loss and never considered that she, too, might be suffering. He had been angry at her betrayal and imagined her living a happy and carefree existence somewhere, possibly under the protection of a rich lover. He knew now that was not the case, that she had truly believed he had deceived her.
And she had every reason to think that. At that time all the evidence pointed to it.
He pushed aside the uncomfortable feelings of sympathy. He would admit she had some reason to feel aggrieved, but the damage was done. He would not allow her dominion over him again.
‘I agree arguing will not help,’ he conceded. ‘But it is necessary for us to spend time together. I hope we can manage that without ripping up at one another each time we meet.’
‘I hope so, too,’ said Ellen, but she sounded doubtful.
They had reached Paradise Row, where the road was busy with carriages and the pavement full of walkers enjoying an early evening stroll. A few more yards brought them to her house. The door opened immediately, as if the servants had been looking out for her. Max acknowledged, albeit grudgingly, that she was well regarded by her staff, as well as by her acquaintances.
She had regained her composure and now said in a cool, friendly manner, ‘I will not invite you in, Your Grace, for I know you are anxious to return to your friends.’
Max was well aware that many eyes were upon them, including the butler’s seemingly indifferent gaze, as he lifted her hand to his lips. He would leave them in no doubt that he was making the golden widow the object of his attention.
Chapter Five
No one watching Ellen go about her morning tasks the following day would have thought anything amiss, but as she discussed menus with the housekeeper, tackled her accounts and spent an hour at her correspondence she was constantly on the alert, expecting Snow to come in at any moment and announce that the Duke of Rossenhall had arrived to see her. Yet when there was no such announcement, she felt a prickle of dissatisfaction. Despite his determination to keep her as his wife he was showing very little interest in her. Since that first, fraught interview he had not asked her how she had lived for the past few years, nor explained his plans for their future.
She voiced her concern to Georgiana, when she brought Lottie to play with Jamie that afternoon. Since it was a fine day they took the children for a walk on the common and as the little ones ran about them, Ellen broached the subject of the Duke’s reticence.
‘I would like to know what he intends to do with us,’ she said, a frown knitting her brow. ‘It is a very delicate situation, his family must be informed and that should perhaps be done before
anything else.’
‘What of your own family?’ Georgiana countered.
Ellen smiled. ‘My stepmother will be delighted to know I am reconciled with Jamie’s father. Oh, she will want to know if I am happy, and James, of course, but that will be her only concern. As for my Tatham relatives, I have no doubt that as soon as they hear the news, all their previous animosity will be forgotten in a positive flurry of obsequious attentions that will be embarrassing to behold. Max’s family, on the other hand, are likely to be appalled.’
‘Well, you need not worry too much about them,’ Georgie reassured her. ‘From what Fred has told me Max’s family consists of aged aunts and uncles who never cared a jot about him.’
‘Ah, how sad,’ exclaimed Ellen.
‘Fred says that to the old Duke the boys were nothing more than a commodity. Thankfully Max was army-mad and he made that his life.’
‘Until he became Duke.’
‘A very reluctant one. The brothers were not close, but I think Max had always hoped there was time to change that. Fred says he always spoke of Hugo with respect and affection. He was devastated when Hugo died and I do not believe he wanted to return to his childhood home after that. It was only when the old steward died at the end of last year that Max began to take an interest in his inheritance. Until then he had left everything in the hands of his widowed sister-in-law, who still lives at Rossenhall.’
‘Do you mean the Duchess would have dealt with everything after her husband’s death, even the correspondence?’
‘She is the Dowager Duchess now that you are here,’ Georgie corrected her, smiling. ‘But, yes, very possibly. Why do you ask?’
‘Oh, no matter. I wonder what she will say when Max tells her about me?’ murmured Ellen.
‘Well, it is a very romantic story,’ said Georgie. ‘Star-crossed lovers, losing one another in the confusion of war.’
Ellen kept silent. That was the story Max had told his close friends, but she could not be sure it was what he intended to tell his family. She needed to talk to him, to prepare herself for the inevitable gossip.
‘How is Frederick?’ she asked. ‘Will you be attending the ball tonight?’
‘He is very well recovered from his excursion yesterday and determined to go. He took a chair to the Sulphur Well this morning, saying he wanted to save his energies for this evening.’
‘Would you not prefer him to stay at home?’ said Ellen, catching the anxious note in Georgiana’s voice. ‘I am sure his friends would happily visit.’
‘I would prefer it, but Fred so enjoys going out. Dr Ingram sees no harm in it, indeed he is in favour of Frederick getting about as much as possible, while he can. We know there will come a time when he will not be able to do so. I only pray when it happens that he will not linger, for he will hate it.’
‘Oh, Georgie.’ Ellen squeezed her arm in silent sympathy.
‘Yes, well, that time has not yet come and Fred is anxious to see what you will wear tonight. He wants it to be another of your London gowns that will put the rest of the ladies in the shade!’
Ellen laughed, glad to discuss something as frivolous as fashion and forget more serious matters for a while.
* * *
The Dragon was not quite as prestigious a venue as the Granby and stood a little way out of High Harrogate on the Skipton road, but its balls were equally well attended. The dancing had already commenced by the time Ellen arrived. She found Frederick sitting on the benches at the far side of the room, watching Georgie and Max on the dance floor. His foot was tapping in time to the music and he greeted Ellen with a cheerful wave as he moved up and made room for her to sit down.
‘Have you ever seen such an infernal crush?’ he asked, trying and failing to look indignant. ‘As soon as it is known we have a duke in our midst then everyone turns out in the hope of meeting him. And all those matchmaking mothers are throwing their daughters in his way! Not that any one of ’em has a chance,’ he added, with satisfaction. ‘Determined bachelor, is Max. Dashed uncomfortable for the poor fellow, though, to have every eligible female on the catch for him. Thank goodness he has you and Georgie to dance with tonight, that will keep him out of their clutches.’
‘You are not afraid that Max might want to dance with an eligible young lady?’ Ellen ventured. ‘Confirmed bachelors have been known to change their minds, you know.’
‘Not Max!’ Fred was adamant. ‘He has had the prettiest women in the land throwing themselves in his way and never shown the slightest interest. If the diamonds of London society cannot tempt him then I do not think Harrogate will have anything to offer.’ He realised this was not very complimentary to his companion and added quickly, ‘I include you amongst the diamonds, naturally, ma’am, but I know from Georgie that you ain’t in the market for a husband, any more than Max wants a wife. Oh, Lord, have I offended you?’
Ellen laughed and patted his arm.
‘Not at all, sir. How could I be affronted when it is no more than the truth? But do, pray, tell me a little more about your friend. Has he always shunned society?’
‘Well, he was never one for balls and the like. When we were boys all he wanted to do was to be a soldier.’
‘And was he a good soldier?’
‘Lord, yes. Max’s family had no use for him and they were very happy for him to risk his life and add a little more glory to the family name. You look shocked, ma’am, but it is the truth. His father was a cold, proud man who cared more for his rank than his children. Hugo was very much the same, a cold devil, only Max cannot be brought to see it.’
‘Was he very attached to his brother?’ she asked him.
‘More so than Hugo deserved,’ said Fred darkly. ‘My mother has lived in Rossenhall all her life and she has always maintained that Max was the best of the family. She wrote to me when he became Duke, saying she hoped he might turn the Rossenhall fortunes about. Things have been in decline for years, apparently, and never a push made to do anything about it.’
Ellen thought of the laughing carefree man she had known in the desert. ‘He has spent his life as a soldier. This must be a big change for him.’
‘Aye, and it’s not what he wanted, that’s for sure, but he will do his duty and I have to say I am glad he has quit the army. He was always a reckless fellow. To tell the truth I am surprised he came through it all without a scratch. He was an excellent officer, but quite careless of his own safety. He was involved in some special mission in Egypt and Nubia a few years ago, trying to curry favour with the locals against the French. It’s my belief the army thought his being a duke’s son would give him more standing with the local chieftains, but it came to nought.’ He paused for a moment, then shook his head. ‘Max has never talked of it, but I think it must have been a bloody business, for he was never the same after that. He began to volunteer for everything—the more dangerous it was, the better he liked it. It was as if he had a death wish. But he was a dashed good commander and the men loved him. They would have followed him anywhere and he always did his best to look after them. Why, you only have to look at me. He rescued me from the jaws of hell and brought me home against all the odds.’
He grinned at Ellen and she smiled even as Max’s words echoed in her brain.
It was my fault he took that bullet.
She turned to watch the dancing, content to sit and think over all she had heard, but it seemed that now Fred had started talking he did not want to stop.
‘I believe he took his brother’s death very hard. It was so unexpected, you see. Hugo never had a day’s illness in his life. His wife had lost a couple of babes at birth, but it was thought there was plenty of time yet to produce an heir, so when he broke his neck in a riding accident the family was deeply shocked.’ He added grimly, ‘They would rather it had been Max. They had always considered him expendable.’
&n
bsp; ‘Oh, do not say so!’ exclaimed Ellen, unable to keep silent any longer.
‘I heard ’em say so, many a time.’
‘That is quite dreadful.’
‘Aye, ain’t it? But Max was the younger son and in the army, too. I suppose it was only natural that they should think he was the more likely one to die. But he survived, against the odds. Sometimes in war it is like that, those who ain’t afraid of dying seem to have a charmed life, and there’s no denying that Max put his life in danger to save me, when the dratted Frenchie made me the present of his musket ball. Max came back for me and carried me to shelter, even though we was under fire from all sides. It was solely down to his efforts that I managed to get back to England. And I am very grateful to have had these past two years with Georgie and little Lottie.’ He straightened in his seat as the music ended. ‘Not that it would do any good to tell him as much, ma’am. Much better to tease him.’ He looked up as Max approached with Georgie on his arm. ‘Well, sir, have you finished romancing my wife?’
‘She won’t have me,’ replied Max promptly. ‘She prefers you, which I think shows a distinct lack of judgement.’
He was still smiling when he turned to Ellen to ask her to dance, but the laughter had gone from his eyes and Ellen felt the chill.
‘Aye, madam,’ cried Fred gaily. ‘Dance with him, an you will, that I may have my wife to myself for a while.’
Ellen accompanied Max to the dance floor, her mind going over everything Frederick had told her. Had her desertion made Max so careless of his own safety? And then to lose his brother. The thought filled her with a profound regret that she had not been there to comfort him. She shivered.
Max’s gloved fingers tightened on her own. ‘Are you cold, madam?’
His question brought Ellen back to the present. She realised with a little jolt of surprise that they had gone half the dance without exchanging a word or a smile.
‘I am a little tired,’ she confessed. ‘Would you object greatly, Your Grace, if we were sit out the second dance?’
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