The Duke's Predicament (The Reluctant Duke Book 3)

by Fenella J Miller

  She wriggled away from him laughing. ‘I’m quite capable of doing that for myself, sir, I suggest you take care of your own needs. Parading around as you are is not respectable for a man in your position.’

  His smile was wicked. ‘The last thing I intend to be tonight, darling, is respectable.’

  ‘There will be no more nonsense until I’ve eaten. For the first time in weeks my appetite’s returned. We shall talk whilst we eat like sensible people.’

  They cleared the delicious supper that had been left for them and drank both pots of coffee. Over the meal she told him why she’d wanted to return to the Dower House.

  ‘Radley Manor belongs to Sarah and Paul now and it makes sense for Mama to remain there so Paul’s mother is under the same roof as him. I didn’t feel comfortable there and am happy to be home again.’

  He slowly put down his cutlery, wiped his mouth on the napkin, and turned his chair so he was facing her. There was an expression on his face that she didn’t recognise. Her heart began to beat faster. Was he really angry with her or was she worrying unnecessarily?

  ‘That’s not what’s been making you unhappy, my love. I worked it out, eventually, for myself. You’re disappointed that there’s no sign of a baby as yet.’

  ‘What use am I to you if I can’t provide you with an heir?’

  ‘I married you because I couldn’t live without you, because you changed my life, because I love you to distraction. I don’t give a damn whether we have a quiver full of daughters and no sons or the reverse. I do want children with you, but that’s not the reason I married you.

  ‘I’d be content with none if I didn’t know how miserable you would be without little ones around your feet.’

  He reached out and brushed away her tears with his thumbs. ‘We’ve been married three months…’

  ‘We must let nature take its course, sweetheart, I’m certain we’ll have a family eventually. To be honest, I’m relieved rather than the reverse that so far you’re not increasing. I don’t want you to produce a baby every year and the amount of time we spend…’

  ‘There’s no need to go into detail, Richard. I hadn’t thought of it like that. Mama only had the three of us and even though she no longer shared a bed with Papa after Beth was born, there could have been half a dozen children in the intervening years.’

  Imagining her parents doing what she and Richard did made her feel decidedly uneasy. In fact the whole conversation wasn’t to her liking. She changed the subject.

  ‘Do you think that Patrick has really re-enlisted?’

  ‘It’s possible, but would be contrary to everything he said to me. That reminds me, if he does come back he too will be somewhat surprised to find he’s been evicted.’

  ‘He can hardly live here if Hannah is doing so after they’ve terminated their engagement. That reminds me, you have a pile of correspondence to deal with. I put it on the bureau by the window.’

  He strolled across and the silk bedrobe, which was all he had on, clung to his shoulders emphasising their breadth and musculature. She was naked beneath her robe and despite having eaten enough to feed a small army the thought of tumbling back into bed with him made her tingle all over with anticipation.

  ‘God’s teeth! That damned general, the one who caused all the trouble for Patrick, is dead. Horse Guards have decided not to pursue the matter and he’s no longer considered a deserter.’

  *

  Patrick set out for Corunna exactly a month after he’d fallen ill with the ague. He’d paid the family well for looking after him but was now eager to get back to England and try to convince Hannah that marriage to him without children would be better than no marriage at all.

  He’d come to the conclusion during his convalescence that she’d not make any hasty decisions. She wouldn’t move on, pretend she didn’t love him, as he’d initially feared and become betrothed to the quack. He was weak as a kitten, scarcely able to sit straight in the saddle. Bruno sensed this and plodded ahead refusing to do more than jog even when asked to do so.

  The Señora had said it would be weeks before he was fully recovered and that he should take things easy until then. His life had been saved by the administration of a tisane made from something called Jew’s bark. He’d heard about this in India but had never suffered from the ague so had taken little notice of its miraculous properties.

  God knows where that poor family had obtained some, but he’d paid them handsomely and she’d given him a small pouch with the bark in it in case he suffered from this again. He recalled some poor fellow who’d died from it and sincerely hoped this was his last brush with mortality for a while.

  Being killed in battle was something a soldier expected – but to die from a fever was a different thing entirely.

  Somehow he remained upright and able to point Bruno in the correct direction but it took him twice as long to return to the port as it should have done. He wasn’t entirely sure of the date, but thought it to be the middle of October by now judging by the weather.

  This time he couldn’t stay in the same inn as he was no longer a military man. He wasn’t entirely sure where he should go. The way he was feeling it was quite likely he’d be robbed, if not worse, by one of the nasty looking coves that hung about the port looking for easy pickings.

  He had his pistol but doubted if confronted he’d have time to prime, load and fire it. There were definitely two rough looking villains shadowing him. Like vultures circling a dying animal they sensed that he was vulnerable.

  He straightened his shoulders, deliberately pulled out his weapon and made it ready to fire. He then glared across at the men hoping to attack him and pointed his gun at the nearest. His other hand rested on the hilt of his sword making it abundantly clear he could deal with both of them before they could do him harm.

  They slunk away but he was certain they’d be back if he didn’t find himself somewhere secure for the night. He didn’t want Bruno stolen either. He tensed as a man called out to him to stop. Was this voice known to him?

  ‘Mr O’Riley, I can’t believe my good fortune to find you here and thus save my having to travel to Cuidad Rodrigo in search of you.’

  John arrived at his side but his happy smile faded to one of concern. ‘My, sir, you don’t look too clever. Here, lean on me and I’ll help you dismount. Give me your pistol. Don’t want it going off half-cocked, do we now?’

  His valet was talking to him as if he was a child unable to make decisions for himself. He was too unwell to remonstrate. He remembered little after that until he woke up with John sitting beside him.

  ‘How long have I been out?’

  ‘A week, sir, so I’ve sent for reinforcements. You’re in a bad way and I doubt I’ll get you home without assistance.’ He pointed to a jug standing on small wooden table by the bed. ‘I boiled up some of that bark and it worked a treat.’

  Patrick’s head began to clear. ‘Reinforcements? Who?’

  ‘I wrote to his grace and two stout coves turned up this morning. One’s taken Bruno out for some exercise and the other’s sorting out the laundry and such. I reckon between the three of us we can get you safely back.’

  The way he felt at the moment he seriously doubted he’d ever get out of bed again. Having never been ill in his life before he had no faith in his ability to get over this. A bayonet in the arm, a sabre slash on the thigh – he’d recovered from those in no time.

  ‘Why are you here? Who sent you?’

  ‘Miss Westley did. I’ve a letter for you.’

  Patrick broke the seal and read the contents. She loved him still. She wanted to wait for him and would marry him as soon as he returned. He closed his eyes knowing in that moment he would recover as he now had something to live for.

  The men Richard had sent were not from Denchester but hired in London. They hauled him out of bed regardless of his wishes and half-dragged, half-marched him around the room twice a day. He was plied with soup initially, then solid food and given wat
ered wine to drink.

  The rough treatment had angered him initially but within a few days he was more or less upright and able to leave for England. His clothes hung on him and for the first time in his life he allowed someone else to shave him.

  John shared a small cabin with him and took care of his needs like a mother hen. He slept through most of the journey just waking to relieve himself and eat. When they docked he was considerably better and able to walk down the gangplank without aid. He wasn’t so sure about his ability to ride the fifty miles to Denchester. They parted company with the extra men as he no longer needed their assistance.

  ‘We’ll stop here tonight, then I’ll hire a carriage…’

  ‘I’ve a better idea, John. I’ll travel by stagecoach and you can ride Bruno. We’ll overnight at the Saracen’s in Chelmsford and again at the Red Lion in Colchester.’

  ‘That’s all very well, sir, how are we going to get from Ipswich to Denchester with only one horse?’

  ‘It’s only five miles. I’ll ride and you can walk.’

  ‘Fair enough. You look a deal better than you did two weeks ago but I’m not sure you’re up to riding even five miles. And another thing, sir, you won’t want to see Miss Westley looking like you do. We’ll go straight to the Dower House and not tell her you’re back until you don’t look like you’re going to kick the bucket at any moment.’

  ‘Does she know how ill I’ve been?’

  ‘Only his grace knows that. I didn’t write to her. Better that you tell her when you’re on your feet.’

  *

  Hannah decided it would be less stressful travelling by stagecoach from Margate to London as she was without a male attendant. There was too much opportunity for her to be waylaid by an opportunist whilst aboard the sailing packet.

  A letter to her grace had been posted yesterday so would arrive several days before she did. There would be no smart carriage to convey her back this time but she was confident she and Ellie would manage both journeys without problems.

  It was with considerable relief that she finally disembarked in Ipswich five days later. Ellie went in search of the landlord and was able to hire a small carriage and driver to convey them the last five miles. It would be late by the time they arrived at Radley Manor but as they were expected that should be no difficulty.

  The door was opened by a footman she didn’t recognise. He stared at her as if she wasn’t anticipated.

  ‘I am Miss Westley. This is my home and I am back from Margate. Stand aside and let me in at once.’

  The man looked bemused but did as she asked. There were voices coming from the drawing room and she recognised one of them as Sarah’s.

  ‘Take my trunk to my chamber.’ She smiled encouragingly at Ellie, waiting for her to take her travelling cloak, bonnet, gloves and reticule. ‘Do I look respectable enough to go in as I am or should I leave it until tomorrow?’

  ‘I’d leave it until tomorrow, miss. They’ll be going up any time and not expecting visitors.’

  She looked around but the footman and her trunk had vanished. Good – she could retire and greet her friends when she was rested and dressed in something clean.

  The bed was freshly made, there was water in the jug in the dressing room. Ellie lit a candle from a wall sconce outside the bedchamber and then lit the others in the room. She was completing her ablutions and waiting for Ellie to appear with her nightgown.

  ‘There ain’t anything here, miss, none of your things in the closet. No sign of your trunk neither.’

  ‘I’m too tired to worry about that now. I’ll sleep in my petticoats and you must do the same. Everything can be sorted out tomorrow. I expect our things have been moved to another bedchamber for some reason.’

  ‘It’s ever so strange, miss, her grace knew you were coming.’

  ‘She did indeed, it’s a mystery but not one I wish to solve tonight. It’s good to be back after so long and with any luck John will return with a letter from Mr O’Riley in the next week or two.’

  Chapter Fifteen

  Hannah slept fitfully and was up before Ellie appeared with the necessary hot water. She was mystified by her grace’s actions as hadn’t she already been moved from her chamber on the nursery floor to this one not so long ago?

  There could be only one explanation. After discovering that someone she considered to be a close friend had behaved so immorally she had moved Hannah’s belongings back to the nursery floor or possibly the servants’ quarters.

  Hastily she pulled on yesterday’s gown, arranged her hair and decided to investigate for herself. Better that she removed herself to her new abode without embarrassing her grace. She had no choice but to remain here, however difficult it was, until Patrick replied.

  She slipped out through her door. There was the faint sound of maids scrubbing the floors downstairs but not a whisper from any of the family chambers. There had been a pretty clock in the room but that too had gone so she’d no notion of the exact time, but thought it must be around five in the morning.

  She must be careful not to wake Beth or her new governess. She halted midway up the flight of stairs. She wasn’t thinking clearly. Her grace could hardly put her on the nursery floor as someone else was occupying that space. She reversed her steps uncertain what to do next.

  There was no option but to return to this bedchamber until the family were up and then confront the problem head-on. From this point forward things were back the way they should be as far as she was concerned. There would be no further use of given names. She’d never been comfortable with the idea of addressing his grace as Richard so had not referred to him at all by name.

  Lady Sarah was definitely home from her wedding trip as she’d heard her talking to someone last night. Presumably the dowager duchess was also back from Bath with Mrs Marchand and the house would once more be full. Without Patrick she was lost, had no place in this family or any other. If he rejected her offer then she would seek employment knowing that she would get a glowing reference whatever the circumstances of her leaving.

  Ellie burst in an hour later. ‘We’ve come to the wrong house, miss, her grace went back to the Dower House two weeks ago. They will be expecting us there.’

  ‘Then who is living here?’

  ‘Lady Sarah and Mr Marchand, also her grace and Mrs Marchand. Your trunk’s here now so you can change your gown and I’ve pressed everything in it. Someone will have told Lady Sarah so we can’t creep off again.’ Ellie wasn’t usually so talkative but this extraordinary turn of events had loosened her tongue.

  ‘At least I can meet her looking smart. I’m sure they’ll let us use a carriage to transfer but it won’t be until after breakfast I expect.’

  Dressed in one of her new gowns, her hair now dressed in a more becoming style, she was ready to descend and apologise for her unexpected arrival last night.

  *

  Amanda was at the breakfast table with Richard when a footman came in with a note from Sarah. Puzzled at this early arrival of correspondence she opened it and perused the contents.

  ‘Good gracious me! I neglected to inform Hannah that we’d moved and she went to Radley Manor.’

  ‘As she failed to give us her address in Margate then you could hardly have done so, my dear. It must have come as somewhat of a surprise for your sister to have Hannah arriving on her doorstep.’

  ‘That’s what’s so amusing, my love. Sarah didn’t know until just now that she had a guest. A new footman let them in last night and Hannah retired immediately. She must have been so shocked to discover her belongings had vanished mysteriously from what she believed to be her room.’

  ‘Dammit to hell! I’ve done precisely the same thing myself. When I arranged for…’ His voice trailed off and he swore again much to her annoyance.

  ‘Do go on, Richard, what did you arrange? Please refrain from using such bad language when you explain yourself.’

  ‘I got letter from John asking for my help. Patrick’s very ill, h
e’s been struck down with the ague and twice now has almost died. I didn’t want to worry you.’

  Her breakfast threatened to return and she swallowed hastily. ‘I understand why you refrained from informing me, but you promised not to keep secrets from me anymore. I’m upset that Patrick’s so unwell but far more upset at your perfidy. Excuse me, I no longer wish to share a table with you.’

  He was on his feet and moving towards her before she was halfway to the door. He knew better than to physically restrain her but stood in her way quite pointedly.

  ‘Please, Amanda, don’t let us fall out over this. My omission was done with the best of intentions.’

  ‘I’m sure it was. However, I’m going to my apartment as I don’t feel at all well. Kindly get out of my way.’

  His eyes narrowed. His expression was glacial. ‘I accepted your overstepping your position by transferring my household here and this is how you repay my forbearance?’

  ‘Feel free to move back to Radley Manor if you wish to, your grace, I am remaining here.’ She waited staring straight ahead, not daring to meet his eyes, until he stepped aside.

  She stalked through but instead of going upstairs she went outside. She would walk in the cool privacy of the woods until she calmed down. Presumably, Hannah and her maid would arrive sometime this morning and they would expect to speak to her. Therefore, she couldn’t remain outside for more than an hour.

  After wandering about breathing in the damp, fresh smell of the moss, the lush grass and the ferns that grew under the canopy of trees she was ready to return. She would be civil to Richard, she could hardly be anything else, but he wasn’t forgiven for breaking his word yet again to always include her in his decisions.

  Legally she was his property, had no rights at all, so how could she in all conscience complain when he behaved as any other husband? Was she wrong to rail at him for excluding her from his life? The painful conclusion to this question was that he had every right to behave as he wished and she had no recourse but to accept it.