Page 11 of The Duke’s Bride (The Duke’s Alliance #6)

Viola was moved by the sight of her turbulent daughter walking peaceably beside Mr Sheldon. It was quite obvious that there was absolute trust between them – they had come to an understanding. Thomas was about to get up but she touched his arm and shook her head. He nodded and sat back once more.

‘Elizabeth, Mr Sheldon, I am delighted to see you in accord.’

Her daughter glanced up at him for reassurance and then seeing approval on his face finally released his hand and stepped forward to stand in front of her.

‘Mama, Thomas, I most humbly beg your pardon for my atrocious behaviour. I cannot promise I shall never behave so again, but what I can promise is that I shall do my very best not to. Mr Sheldon has given me some good advice and I intend to follow it.’ Elizabeth then curtsied first to her and then to her son.

‘Thank you for apologising so sincerely. You were forgiven before you had left the room by both of us.’

Her son jumped up and flung his arms around his sister.

‘You’re my favourite person in the whole world and there’s nothing you can do that would make me change my mind.

’ He released her and grinned up at Mr Sheldon.

‘Can we have a lesson now, please, sir? I have practised and practised and believe I have mastered the new fingering.’

‘If your mother is agreeable, then I am happy to oblige.’

‘Yes, go at once to the music room. Thank you for making the effort to ride over. It is much appreciated by all of us.’

He followed Thomas from the room and she could hear the boy chattering and laughing in a way that he had never done before.

Whilst his father had been alive the twins had been kept away from him, remained on the nursery floor as much as possible.

Only when Rupert was away from home did they venture down – if she wished to spend time with them she had to do so without letting that monster know.

He did not want her any more himself but was not prepared to share her attention even with his own children.

She held out her arms and Elizabeth fell into them. ‘Mama, why am I so horrible? Is it because I take after our papa? He was a horrible man too. Thomas and I were glad when he died.’

For a child of her age to say such a thing was deeply shocking. She hugged her close and tried to reassure her.

‘Neither of you look the slightest bit like him. You both have my colouring, so I think it highly unlikely you have inherited any of his less pleasant traits. Remember, my love, you are in control of yourself regardless of who your parents are. If you behave badly then it is up to you to curb this.’

‘Grandmama told the vicar’s wife that I am horribly spoilt. Is that why I get in such a rage and cannot bear to be thwarted?’

‘Eavesdropping, Elizabeth, is not acceptable. One will always hear things one does not want to. I do indulge you both – that is my prerogative – but from this moment on we shall work together to help you and your brother learn to behave as you should.’

Her daughter wriggled onto her lap, not something she had done since she was in leading strings. ‘I love you, Mama, almost as much as I do Thomas. I also love my grandmama but not as much.’

‘And I love you, my darling girl – nothing will change that.’ She stroked Elizabeth’s soft, golden hair and tightened her hold. With a sigh of contentment, the child fell asleep. They remained in this way for an hour and then her daughter began to stir.

‘Shall we go and listen to your brother playing? But first can I ask you to pull the bell strap and order coffee and pastries to be served in here in half an hour?’

‘I think Mr Sheldon was shocked that Thomas and I prefer coffee to anything else. Is it bad for children? Was that why he was concerned?’

‘I think he was more surprised than concerned. It is certainly unusual for children to like coffee.’

When she offered her hand, her daughter took it – this too was a rare occurrence. Surely it could not be the influence of a music teacher that had changed her daughter so radically?

She had expected to hear the wonderful sound of the piano as they approached the room but this was not the case. She increased her pace. Elizabeth let go of her hold and ran ahead, as eager to discover the reason for the silence as she was.

The door was open and the room was empty. Why had the lesson been cut short? She sincerely hoped nothing had gone awry between Mr Sheldon and her son. She would be disappointed if there was no reason for there to be any interaction between them in future.

‘Look, Mama, Thomas has left us a note.’ This was waved triumphantly above her daughter’s head.

‘Read it to me then. I wish to know where they both are.’

‘If you are looking for us, you will find us on the nursery floor. I have taken Mr Sheldon to see our soldiers. The piano is not good enough for me any more. Does that mean you will buy him another one?’

‘It does indeed. But more importantly, my love, it means we shall all go to London together. I think it important your brother and Mr Sheldon can try the instrument for themselves.’

‘We have never been there. I am so excited. When can we go?’

‘I shall have to discuss this with Mr Sheldon before I can make a firm decision. I can see no reason why we could not go immediately the roads are clear. I have no wish to be in Town once the Season starts.’

On the way to the nursery floor she was obliged to explain exactly what she meant by this and her daughter, who had as little interest in her appearance as she did, seemed satisfied with her answer.

To her astonishment she found Mr Sheldon lying prone, theatrically defending his troops from a violent attack on the other side of the carpet from Thomas.

This gentleman did not seem the sort of person to enjoy playing soldiers with a child.

However, from the ease with which he interacted with both her daughter and her son she must presume he had nieces and nephews somewhere.

‘They are having so much fun. Do you think they would mind if I joined in?’

Mr Sheldon answered without looking up. ‘I could do with some help, sweetheart. Your brother is soundly trouncing me.’

In a flash Elizabeth was sprawled beside him, eagerly giving him tactical advice on how to position his troops before the next bombardment from her twin.

‘I am not needed here. There will be refreshments served in the drawing room in one hour. I would like you to join us, Mr Sheldon, if you are not in a rush to depart.’

When he looked up and his smile did something strange to her insides. ‘I should be delighted. Fighting battles is hungry work.’

It would be midday at least before the game was over and the children normally had luncheon in the nursery.

Today they could eat with the adults as a special treat.

She thought pastries and coffee would not be sufficient for any of them after so much excitement.

A message was sent to Cook that cold cuts, bread and cheese, hot pasties, pickles and accompaniments were to be arranged on the sideboard along with the pastries that were already ordered.

As a rule, meals were always consumed in either the breakfast parlour or the dining room but this was her household and she could do as she pleased. Her mama bustled in from her visit to an ailing villager and greeted her with a delighted smile.

‘I am told that Mr Sheldon is here, that he rode over. I can hear no piano music – where is he and where are my grandchildren?’

‘They are fighting a fierce battle in the nursery and will be down in an hour. Luncheon, just this once, will be served in the drawing room and the children will eat with us.’

‘I have not seen Brutus today? He is usually here to greet me if he is in the house.’

‘Now that you mention it, I have not seen him since he was let out first thing. I shall send word to the stables for a groom to look for him. I do hope he has not gone to Sir Frederick’s kennels again. He threatened to shoot him if he saw him hanging around his hounds.’

Word was sent outside but the dog had not been seen for several hours. This was highly unusual; the dog never stayed away so long from his owners. She could not go to The Rookery, the home of Sir Frederick Watson and his wife, unaccompanied.

She flew upstairs and burst into the nursery. ‘Mr Sheldon, I apologise for interrupting, but I urgently need your assistance. Children, you continue with your game. We are eating luncheon in an hour in the drawing room and, as a special treat, you may join us.’

This was enough to keep them happy despite losing their adult companion so abruptly. As soon as they were out of earshot she explained the predicament.

‘So, you see, sir, we must go at once. If that man has killed their dog it would be a tragedy of the highest order.’

* * *

Beau had no need to enquire as to why the dog should have ventured somewhere he was so unwelcome. There must be a bitch on heat and this would bring in dogs from miles around.

‘How do you propose to go there? Thomas said that nobody rides since his father broke his neck falling from a horse. A carriage could not get through the lanes today.’

‘I realise that, Mr Sheldon, and have sent down to the stables for my mare to be saddled as well as your stallion. Does he have a name?’

‘Titus, and he is one of the best horses I have ever owned.’ As soon as he had spoken he realised he had revealed too much about his real background. ‘Tell me more about this Sir Frederick – is he a violent man?’

‘He has a similar disposition to my husband. I am sure that he abuses his own wife and also his children. A thoroughly unpleasant individual. I will not call him a gentleman as he is not worthy of that title. He keeps his own pack of hounds and it was hunting with these that Rupert came to grief.’