Page 16 of The Duke’s Bride (The Duke’s Alliance #6)
With their purchases safely wrapped in paper twists they stepped out into the winter night. Suddenly Elizabeth pressed close to her. ‘Why is that man staring at us? I don’t like him at all.’
Viola glanced across the road and her daughter had not been exaggerating. A tall, thin gentleman wearing a many-caped greatcoat was watching them through narrowed eyes. She had never set eyes on him before but he appeared to recognise them.
‘I am not overfond of being stared at, so shall we hold hands and run as fast as we can back to the inn where we shall be warm and safe inside?’
So shocked was she by the unpleasant encounter that she allowed the children to devour their treats before their supper. Once they were safely asleep in the large bed they were to share with her, she went in to join her mother and explain what had happened.
‘I fear that man has something to do with the information we had about Sir Frederick looking for a distant relative of Rupert’s in order to put him in control of our wealth and livelihood.’
‘I hardly think that likely. You have an overactive imagination like your children. We shall be in London tomorrow and be safe in your own house.’
‘But will we be? Unlike Fenchurch Manor I have not replaced the staff who were loyal to my husband. If someone is looking for us, is hoping to do us harm, then he will find us easily there.’
‘Good heavens, child! Will you listen to yourself? What maggot has got into your brain to make you think you are in danger from anybody? Even if, by some remote chance, there is a distant relative who believes he has a claim on you and your children, he would have to go to court in order to get that ratified. I cannot believe there is any judge in the world who would allow a perfect stranger to step in and take control of the estate in this way.’
‘I sincerely hope you are right, Mama. However, I shall not go to Grosvenor Square as planned, but to Heron Square, to the hotel that Mr Sheldon is staying at.’
She sent her maid to give the coachmen their new instructions. The fact that there might be no room for such a large party, a carriage and horses, was something she would not dwell on. For some reason she believed Mr Sheldon would be able to smooth things out for her.
As she fell asleep that night, she realised meeting him at this time was fortuitous. The fact that she had only known him for a few short weeks was irrelevant in the circumstances. He was more than capable of keeping them safe and preventing any unwanted stranger from interfering with their lives.
The journey into the metropolis had begun to pall even for the children by the end of the second day. They trundled over the cobbles behind diligences, carriages and coaches until they turned down towards the river.
‘Viola, this is not the sort of area someone of your status would be accustomed to staying in. However, I shall be perfectly at home as I have visited warehouses and sailed in ships that dock nearby.’
Thomas, who was kneeling on the seat, his nose pressed against the window, yelled in her ear. ‘Look, Mama, it is Mr Sheldon. He is waiting for us and he has Brutus with him.’
This was extraordinary news indeed. She looked in the direction he was pointing and her son was correct. ‘He must have brought the dog with him for some reason. He will explain everything once we are safely settled.’
The carriage rocked to a standstill outside a smart hotel. Mr Sheldon opened the door himself and kicked down the steps. ‘Welcome, my lady, madam, and children. Your chambers await. Your servants arrived a few hours ago, which has given me time to make arrangements for your carriage and team.’
He reached in and lifted the children out and they remained obediently beside him whilst he handed her and her mother down. ‘I have so much to tell you. Do I have a private sitting room in which we can talk?’
‘You do indeed, my lady. Mr and Mrs Grimshaw, the owners of this place, are beside themselves with excitement to have an earl, a countess and a lady staying with them. I believe they have sent some unfortunate guests elsewhere in order to make room for your party.’
He offered his arm to her mother, who gratefully took it, and he led them inside. The vestibule was spacious, impeccably clean and the furniture highly polished; everywhere she looked, she was pleased.
Mrs Grimshaw, a stout woman in navy bombazine, bustled forward and curtsied.
‘Welcome to our humble hotel, my lady. You are most welcome. You have the best rooms and I am sure you will be comfortable here. Your servants have good accommodation in a box room adjacent to your own apartment.’ She curtsied again, almost overbalancing in the process – it was obviously not a movement she was familiar with.
‘If you would care to follow me, my lady, I will conduct you personally to your chambers.’
The suite of rooms they were taken to were excellent.
The fires were lit in both bedchambers and the sitting room.
The linen was fresh and smelt of lavender.
The children had small beds set up for them behind a screen at the end of the commodious chamber she was to sleep in.
Her mother was equally delighted with her own accommodation.
‘Thank you for your welcome, Mrs Grimshaw. I should like the children to have a nursery tea in the sitting room as soon it can be arranged. Mrs Alston will have her supper on a tray and I shall dine in here.’
‘I have left a menu that will inform you of what will be available this evening. If you would care to peruse it and send word down to the kitchen, you can be sure you will get your choice. My chef’s famous in these parts and we have a large dining room for non-residents and residents alike.
If you change your mind and would prefer to eat downstairs then I shall reserve you a table. ’
Sally, the nursemaid, took charge of the children, leaving her free to send for Mr Sheldon and explain her worries.