Beyond the Duke's Domain: Ducal Encounters Series 4 Book 4

by Wendy Soliman

  ‘Walk with me,’ he said, slipping from his saddle but knowing better than to help her down from hers. Ariana was infuriatingly independent in all respects—hence his current dilemma regarding something far more important than jumping down from a horse’s back.

  She dismounted with her usual graceful economy of movement. Amos tied the horses’ reins over their saddles and left them to pluck at the lush grass. Having blown off steam, they wouldn’t wander far.

  Amos and Ariana strolled stiffly side by side, their usual lively and spontaneous discourse conspicuous by its absence. Amos still struggled to think of the right way to convince Ariana to leave Cutler’s downfall to the men. She didn’t help his cause by remaining wordless, probably aware that he would counter anything she had to say on the matter and unwilling to give him an opening. The disrespectful romp had never been more challenging, but she ought to be aware by now that Amos could be just as stubborn.

  Battle lines had been drawn.

  They found smooth boulders and seated themselves, neither speaking as they absorbed the absolute stillness of a lovely summer afternoon in rural England, disturbed only by birdsong and the rattling of the horses’ bits in their mouths as they chomped at the grass.

  ‘I wonder what Raph makes of all this after the horrors he has endured,’ Ariana remarked eventually.

  ‘One might ask the same question of you.’

  ‘It’s not the same though, is it? Well, I assume not. Raph won’t talk about what he has seen and been required to do in the service of our country, but I know it cannot have been safe, or pleasant. I do know that he was required to search out pockets of insurgence and spy on the activities of some of his fellow countrymen who don’t support the current regime.’ She let out a protracted sigh. ‘He will be haunted by his demons, I expect, but I hope he will find some peace of mind now that we are reunited. The past is the past and it serves no purpose to harbour resentment or dwell upon regrets.’

  She had offered him the opening he sought, and Amos knew that he would have to grasp it. ‘You can help in that respect by leaving Cutler to—’

  ‘To you big, brave men who know how to look after yourselves.’ She smiled at him, but there was little warmth behind the gesture. ‘How effective has that method proven to be up until now?’

  ‘That’s unfair, Ariana,’ Amos replied mildly.

  ‘Sorry, perhaps it was. My difficulty is that I cannot argue with you without being swamped with guilt. Were it not for you, I wouldn’t be in a position to argue with anyone about anything, and you are using that advantage against me, which is infuriating.’

  Amos chuckled. ‘I rather think you just turned the tables on me and that I am the one who should be consumed with guilt.’

  She sent him a wry look as they continued to gaze at the view, seated a respectable distance apart, lost in their respective thoughts.

  ‘You do realise that the duke will never have a better opportunity to rid himself of Basingstoke,’ she remarked.

  ‘But he will not take it at the cost of your virtue, or worse. He will not countenance such action, and neither will I.’

  Amos glanced sideways at her, wondering how she would respond. Accustomed to her fiery Latin temperament, he expected an explosion and made a poor job out of hiding his surprise when it wasn’t forthcoming.

  ‘You are angry with me,’ she said quietly, ‘but that doesn’t account for the fact that you have been keeping your distance. That happened before Raph’s arrival.’ She turned to face him and offered up a perplexed countenance as she impatiently pushed aside an escaped strand of hair. ‘What have I done to earn your displeasure?’

  As she so often could, Ariana had managed to catch him unawares, and Amos took a moment to consider his response. ‘I am no longer responsible for you.’ He inwardly winced at the banality of the statement.

  ‘I dare say that comes as a relief.’ There was no mistaking her injured tone. ‘But there is nothing to say that we cannot still be friends. The children will notice if there is an atmosphere between us.’

  Amos expelled an elongated sigh. ‘You are trying my patience by deliberately avoiding the subject that matters,’ he said. ‘Basingstoke is a ruthless individual who resents Zach. He will see you as an opportunity to even a score, especially since he has already expressed a desire to…’ Amos threw back his head and closed his eyes. ‘I have already failed to protect my wife, the mother of my children, and I am required to live with my guilt.’ He grabbed her hand and squeezed it with considerable force. ‘If anything were to happen to you, I don’t think I would survive the loss. Not for a second time.’

  He opened his eyes again and released her hand, wondering if he had taken complete leave of his senses. He had kept his true feelings for Ariana bottled up all this time. Now was definitely not the time to tell her the truth. ‘And then how would the children feel?’ he asked, throwing her earlier words back at her in an attempt to lighten the mood.

  Her shocked expression and the tears that sparkled on her curling lashes moved Amos considerably. Ariana was one of the strongest women he knew; she’d had to be. He’d seldom seen her cry. It simply wasn’t her way, as attested by the fact that she stubbornly refused to allow her current tears to fall.

  ‘Now who is being unfair?’ she asked softly.

  ‘I know.’

  ‘I shall never forget the gratitude I owe to you, Amos, but this thing…I thought I had managed to put it all behind me but when Raph told me that Cutler is still getting away with what he does, it brought all the feelings of anger and insecurity flooding back.’

  ‘He shouldn’t have told you.’

  ‘It isn’t the sort of thing that could have been kept from me.’ She turned to face him, her expression considering rather than combative. ‘I suppose you think that you and the duke should have been the first to know.’

  ‘Clarence, as you must be aware by now, has his methods.’

  ‘You think that he told Raph because he would want to procure revenge on my behalf?’

  ‘That’s part of it, but he probably knew that your input would be vital, since you are the only one acquainted with Cutler and his methods. Indeed, you are the only one who knows what he looks like.’ Amos ground his jaw. ‘I shall be having words with Clarence. Sometimes he allows his duty to override more important considerations.’

  She chuckled. ‘Much good may it do you.’

  Amos offered up a resigned smile. ‘Even so. Sometimes Clarence exceeds his authority.’

  ‘Or perhaps he considers us females to be as strong if not stronger than men in certain situations and credits us with a little intelligence.’ A speculative expression graced her features. ‘It may have escaped your notice that news of Cutler’s behaviour and Basingstoke’s intentions have not sent me into terminal decline.’ She sat a little straighter. ‘Quite the reverse, in fact. Being aware of Basingstoke’s involvement makes sense of the odd things that have bothered me for some time.’

  ‘Just promise me that you won’t take matters into your own hands or attempt to do anything until Adler has completed his enquiries. And even when he has, do nothing without talking to me or Raphael about it first.’

  ‘I can and will make you that promise,’ she said, meeting his gaze and holding it. ‘But that is the only undertaking I am prepared to enter into.’

  Which was no answer at all, but one with which Amos knew he must be content. He was distracted by those sparkling emerald eyes that smouldered with luminescence and a challenging element of sensual disobedience so soon after filling with tears. This wild, untamed beauty whom he admired and desired with every fibre of his being would always forge her own path. Reining her in would be as difficult and unjust as stopping Falcon when the urge to run free overtook him. Amos’s own eyes, he suspected, had turned dark and predatory in response to her challenge, to compromises verbally agreed between them—and vitally to those that had not been mentioned.

  ‘Good,’ he said softly, taking her
hand and pulling her to her feet. ‘We had best get back.’ Before I forget myself completely and say what is in my heart.

  Amos knew as he mounted up and turned Falcon in the direction of the Park that now wasn’t the right time. Perhaps that time would never come. Perhaps he wasn’t prepared to risk his heart for a second time. The pain of Crista’s loss was still too raw for it to be possible. Besides, Raphael probably had plans to take her back to Spain, and Ariana was doubtless keen to go. He couldn’t be sure because he had deliberately not asked the question, but he knew from his own experience that running away from one’s roots was seldom the answer. He had been drawn back to England after a year of self-imposed exile, and not just because he knew that his children needed him. This was where he belonged.

  And Ariana did not.

  When they rode back into the stable yard, Raphael was loitering, probably waiting for them. He raised a brow when Ariana dismounted and he observed her boy’s attire.

  ‘I can only keep up with Lord Amos if I ride astride,’ she explained, tossing her head, ‘and even then only barely.’

  ‘Nice animal,’ he said, turning his attention to Cinnamon.

  ‘Lord Amos loans her to me.’

  ‘I am glad I have found you. We should talk.’

  ‘Not now, Raph. I am late for the children. Excuse me please, gentlemen.’

  And she was gone, leaving Amos alone with her brother, who probably wondered what the devil they had been doing riding out alone for so long. Amos wanted to reassure him, but none of the words that sprang to mind seemed appropriate, so he remained silent on the point.

  ‘I’ve no idea how to handle her,’ Raphael admitted as the two of them walked back to the house together. ‘Give me insurgents to sniff out any day of the week. I know where I stand with them.’

  Amos offered up a sympathetic smile. ‘I would advise against laying down the law, if that’s your intention. Ariana has had to fight for herself and Martina and trusts her own judgement.’

  Raphael scowled. ‘Surely you don’t approve of her making herself a target for that rogue of a captain, or for your unscrupulous neighbour, either.’

  ‘Lord above, no! She cannot be allowed to place herself in danger—but one thing I have learned about your sister since her arrival here is that the more you tell her not to follow a particular course, the more likely she is to do so.’

  ‘She is stubborn, determined to have her way.’

  ‘It’s more a case of possessing a burning desire to prove her own worth.’

  ‘Spanish women are supposed to do as their menfolk tell them to,’ Raphael said, blowing air through his lips.

  Amos laughed. ‘So are Englishwomen, but you won’t need to be beneath this roof for long before you come to the conclusion that the ladies in this family fail to oblige. Endlessly challenging, infuriating and determined, the whole damned lot of them.’

  ‘I have not had an opportunity to tell you how sorry I am about your wife,’ Raphael said gravely.

  ‘Thank you. We have both experienced our share of tragedy, you and I, but life goes on. That wasn’t what I wanted to hear in the aftermath of Crista’s death and it still sometimes infuriates me. It’s the main reason why I went away. No one knew quite what to say to me and I had no idea how I was supposed to respond when they did find the words to express themselves.’

  ‘If you had not come home when you did, I don’t want to dwell upon what would have happened to my sisters. I shall be forever in your debt.’

  Amos slapped the Spaniard’s shoulder. ‘The pleasure was entirely mine,’ he said as they entered the hallway and parted company.

  Zach followed Frankie back to their private rooms after the party on the terrace dispersed.

  ‘What’s worrying you?’ he asked without preamble, leaning against the door jamb with his arms folded, watching her.

  Frankie sat at her dressing table and fiddled with her hair. ‘What makes you suppose that anything is?’ she asked.

  Zach sighed. ‘Is this the stage we have reached in our marriage?’ He couldn’t keep the bitterness from his tone as he walked further into the room. ‘You are no longer able to be honest?’

  ‘Oh, Zach, no!’ She left her stool and threw herself into his arms. ‘Don’t be angry with me. I can’t bear it.’

  He placed a finger beneath her chin and tilted her head backwards, concerned to see tears swamping her eyes. ‘You have been on edge for several weeks now and hiding it from me. I should have noticed sooner but I have been preoccupied myself.’ He closed his arms around her. ‘Tell me what it is.’

  ‘I’m…’ She cleared her throat and swallowed several times. ‘Anna isn’t the only one who is increasing,’ she stuttered.

  ‘Then who… You cannot. The doctor said…’ Zach felt his entire body vibrate with fear. ‘It’s impossible.’

  She shrugged. ‘Apparently not. The doctor said it was exceedingly unlikely, but not impossible. Clearly, he didn’t make allowances for the intensity of your passion. Or mine.’

  ‘This is a disaster!’ Zach cried, releasing her.

  ‘I knew you would be angry. That’s why I didn’t tell you. I am well aware that you think our family is complete.’

  ‘That isn’t it at all.’ Zach shook his dazed head and scooped her back into his arms. ‘It is your wellbeing that concerns me. I have not forgotten the problems you had bringing Louis into this world. If anything were to…’

  ‘Shush, it will be all right. I have done this several times before.’ She smiled up at him and placed a chaste kiss on his lips. ‘There, now you know and I can tell everyone else.’

  Zach scowled. ‘Has that charlatan of a doctor confirmed your condition?’

  ‘There’s no need. I know. I have been in this condition enough times before.’

  ‘Even so, I will have him attend you tomorrow and see what he has to say for himself.’

  Frankie smiled. ‘He is not the one to blame,’ she pointed out.

  ‘I can see that you are determined to turn my hair completely white before I reach my dotage,’ he said.

  ‘You really don’t mind?’ she asked in a tiny voice.

  ‘I don’t mind the prospect of another child in the least. All I care about is your welfare, and well you know it.’ Zach sat himself on a settee and pulled her onto his lap. ‘You realise that I shall not allow you to lift a finger from this moment on until you are safely delivered.’

  ‘And I shall do precisely as I’m told.’

  ‘Ha!’ Zach kissed her, aware that she was in urgent need of reassurance, but he still felt deeply troubled.

  ‘What brought Clarence here?’ she asked, when Zach broke the kiss and finally let her up for air.

  Zach told her everything and Frankie listened without interrupting.

  ‘You are worried about Ariana involving herself, I assume,’ Frankie said when he ran out of words. ‘Which is why you have been so forthcoming, instead of keeping things to yourself in an attempt to protect my sensibilities, as you usually do when something unpleasant occurs. You hope that I might be able to make her see sense.’

  ‘I certainly don’t want her going up against Basingstoke,’ Zach replied, shuddering. ‘I can’t think why her brother told her about Cutler.’

  ‘I’d wager that Clarence encouraged him to do so. Not that it could have been kept from her for long, and she would have been furious if she thought she had been excluded. She has, I suppose, earned the right to be kept informed.’

  ‘Amos and her brother both looked appalled by her suggestion of somehow confronting Basingstoke.’

  ‘As am I, although you have to admit that the gentle touch is sometimes more effective, provided she is well protected. Basingstoke has never displayed his true colours in front of you. He is far too wily to pit his authority against yours. He knows he is unpopular in the district and that you are respected. But if he’s attempting to impress Ariana, that would be a different matter. He might have wanted a dalliance, to put it
delicately, but having to see her in the district and being unable to get anywhere near her will have fuelled his passion. Perhaps he now has different plans for her.’

  ‘Marriage?’ Zach flexed a brow and simultaneously shook his head. ‘He hasn’t shown the slightest interest in that institution since his ambitions in that regard were thwarted. And if he does marry, he will have to do so for money.’

  ‘Haven’t you ever fallen helplessly in love, your grace?’ Frankie asked with a whimsical smile.

  ‘Only once, darling,’ he replied, ‘but I didn’t need to marry for money.’

  ‘Ah, but what would you have done if you had needed to and the object of your desire was penniless?’

  ‘You have to know that nothing would have stood in my way.’

  ‘My point precisely,’ Frankie replied, smiling.

  ‘And one that I doubt anyone else has considered.’

  ‘I want Ariana to remain safe, but in her situation I would be anxious for revenge too; especially since Cutler still has the temerity to operate in this part of the world. It must seem that he’s taunting her, and that she is fated to bring him to justice herself. I am sure I would feel that way.’

  ‘Perhaps her brother will sweep her back to Spain once Martina is married.’

  Frankie smiled. ‘I very much doubt whether Ariana would allow herself to be swept anywhere she prefers not to go.’

  Zach permitted his surprise to show. ‘But she is Spanish. Surely she will want to return to her homeland?’

  ‘What is there for her now, other than unhappy memories?’ Frankie’s eyes sparkled. ‘If you ask me, she has more pressing reasons to remain here.’

  ‘You are thinking of her dedication to Amos’s children.’

  Frankie shook her head, clearly exasperated. ‘I expect you are as keen as Ariana to put Basingstoke in his place. He has been a constant source of concern, a perpetual thorn in your side, these past ten years.’

  ‘I admit that I will shed no tears if he is exposed for the degenerate that I know him to be. And if he has committed crimes, I shall personally ensure that he is brought before the next session of the Assizes, earl or no. Once he has been exposed, I dare say those who know about his various activities will come forward. He doesn’t know how to engender loyalty.’