Page 10 of The Duke’s Bride (The Duke’s Alliance #6)

‘I can assure you, Mama, I have no more interest in marriage than he has, so I can see no obstacle to us continuing our acquaintance.’

‘It has occurred to me, my love, that he could be a widower himself or…’

‘I have no wish to discuss this subject a moment longer. I wish to enjoy my breakfast without interruption.’

At ten o’clock the twins burst into the drawing room. ‘He is coming; we saw him cantering down the drive. Mr Sheldon will be here at any moment. I am to have my piano lesson today after all,’ Thomas said as he danced from one foot to the other.

‘I do not like Mr Sheldon, Mama. I insist that you send him away.’

Viola put down her book and stood up. ‘You will not speak to me like that, young lady. Go to your bedchamber at once and remain there until I give you leave to come out. Your behaviour is unacceptable and inappropriate for a young lady of your station.’

Her daughter hesitated. Then her cheeks flushed. With a sinking heart Viola knew Mr Sheldon was going to witness the most appalling tantrum. She would not blame him one jot if he refused to stay and teach Thomas.

The fact that this gentleman had ridden to Fenchurch Manor today rather than wait until it was suitable for a carriage meant he was as eager to resume the lessons as her son was to participate.

Thomas grabbed his sister’s hand. ‘Don’t do it, Beth, please don’t, not when Mr Sheldon is coming. He will be horrified. You must go upstairs and behave yourself and allow me to have my music lesson.’

Elizabeth snatched her arm away, clenched her fist and punched her brother in the face.

He reeled backwards and fell heavily to the floor.

Viola dropped to her knees to attend to him but was hindered by Elizabeth’s flying fists and feet.

The child had lost control of her senses and seemed determined to injure her brother.

Then Mr Sheldon was there. He picked up her screaming daughter and vanished up the stairs, ignoring the blows and kicks he was receiving. If ever a little girl deserved a spanking it was Elizabeth, but she knew he would not go back on his word.

* * *

Beau walked into the first room he came to.

It was not a child’s bedchamber but it would serve the purpose.

The fact that there was no fire lit and it was decidedly chilly was all the better.

Elizabeth was still screaming as if she were being murdered but she was no longer kicking or punching him.

He dropped her to the floor so suddenly the racket stopped and her legs folded beneath her so she was sitting at his feet.

There was a bentwood chair close by, which he picked up, turned and straddled, then folded his arms across and rested his chin on them. Her cheeks were scarlet and tear-stained but she looked anything but unrepentant for her misbehaviour.

He stared down at her but said nothing. She was obviously expecting a bear-garden jaw and in the growing silence she began to fidget.

Then she attempted to get up and he reached down and gently pushed her back to the floor.

This was repeated several times over the next twenty minutes.

He was waiting for her to calm down, for her face to resume its normal colour, before he attempted to talk to her.

After the sixth time she pulled her feet under her and folded her arms across her chest. ‘Why don’t you smack me?’

‘I do not believe in physical punishment if it can be avoided.’

She almost smiled.

‘You certainly deserve a sound spanking, young lady, but I would not have given you one even with your mother’s consent. I am no relation to you therefore it is not my place to discipline you or your brother.’

Her interest was piqued as he had hoped. ‘Might I be permitted to get up please, Mr Sheldon?’

‘You may, but you will sit on that chair opposite me and remain there until I give you permission to get down.’

She nodded and was soon curled up looking at him thoughtfully. She really was a most remarkable girl. ‘Are we to freeze together in here?’

‘I shall not do so as I am warmly dressed. It is unfortunate that you only have on your gown and pinafore. So, for your sake I hope this conversation can be completed speedily.’

‘You could always light the fire then we can converse in comfort.’

‘We shall proceed as things are, my girl. It was the most unedifying spectacle I walked into. Are you in the habit of kicking and punching your brother whilst screaming like a banshee?’

She had the grace to look away. When she looked up again there were tears trickling down her cheeks.

‘I have never done that before. I love Thomas more than anything in the world. He is my twin – my other half. Please, please, will you let me go and apologise to him and my mother for my dreadful behaviour?’

In one smooth movement he was crouching next to her and offered her his handkerchief. ‘There, that was not so difficult was it?’

She sniffed loudly and blew her nose. ‘I do not mean to be horrible – something comes over me and I cannot control it.’

‘Then, little one, I suggest that when you know your anger is about to overwhelm you that you absent yourself from the situation. Then return when you are calmer, apologise and talk things through as we are doing.’

‘You are a kind man and I thank you for your understanding. I do not deserve it as I have shown you disrespect and have both punched and kicked you.’

‘And you, Elizabeth, are wise beyond your years. Have you started to write your journal?’

‘I found that tedious, sir, so have decided to write a book instead.’

He could not prevent his look of horror and she giggled. ‘I am not going to write sermons; they are even more tedious than writing a journal. I only read them to appear interesting.’

He joined in her laughter. ‘You have certainly succeeded in that, as it has been a topic of conversation between myself and your mama. Come, I am sure you wish to find your family and make your apologies.’

She jumped off the chair and held out her hand for him to take. It wasn’t an imperious gesture but one of friendship. ‘Will you come with me please? I believe that if they see that you have forgiven me and we are now the best of friends they will be more ready to accept my regrets.’

Hand in hand they made their way to the drawing room.

Thomas was sitting with his mother and, apart from a bruise on his cheek, appeared undamaged from his encounter with the little termagant he was leading in.

Strangely she kept hold of his hand and didn’t run to her mother or brother as he had expected.