Page 23 of The Duke’s Bride (The Duke’s Alliance #6)

Beau was becoming entangled in his own prevarications and he decided that as soon as they were safely back in Suffolk he would explain the whole to her. He had not told her many direct lies but he was guilty of lying by omission and he was not comfortable with that.

He wrote four letters to close friends of his in the government and asked them to do what they could to prevent this travesty of justice taking place.

They would assume he was writing from Silchester Court and would reply there.

This necessitated a quick note to Carstairs asking him to forward any letters that arrived from these particular people.

Music no longer consumed him; it would always be an abiding interest, but his passion was now for Viola and her enchanting children.

His ancestral home was outdated and needed modernising.

The east and west wings, which had been converted to accommodate the twins and their wives, had kitchens that were close enough to the dining room to allow the food to arrive hot.

As soon as he was home he would set in motion the much-needed improvements but he would do nothing until he had persuaded his beloved Viola to marry him.

The more he thought about his reasons for dissembling, the flimsier they seemed.

Why should a rational person wish to live someone else’s life?

He was not a commoner, he had been born to rule, and pretending he was otherwise was the height of folly.

It had taken him far longer than he had anticipated to complete his correspondence and he scarcely had time to change for dinner. He rubbed his bristly chin and thought that if he wished to look his best he must shave for a second time that day.

There was a small dressing room and closet to the left of the large bed and he heard movement in there.

Bishop popped his head around the door in a most casual manner that would have irritated him a few weeks ago but now he quite enjoyed the informality.

This relaxed attitude was something he would take back with him when he returned.

‘I have hot water here, sir, and am about to set out your garments for tonight. I thought the dark blue topcoat and light blue waistcoat might be acceptable to you?’

‘Splendid fellow. I need a shave. I barely have enough time to do this and change my raiment. We are to dine downstairs tonight and a table has been reserved for six o’clock and it is already after five now. I need you to purchase yourself a sturdy mount. Can you do this before the morning?’

‘No problem at all, sir. I know exactly where to find such an animal.’

* * *

It was the gentleman’s duty to escort the ladies of his party to dinner but in this case he must stand aside and allow her brother to do the honours. He emerged from his bedchamber as Mrs Alston emerged from hers.

‘There you are, young man; you must take my arm as I am a trifle unsteady on my feet today.’

‘It will be my absolute pleasure, ma’am. I am quite prepared to carry you if you would prefer that.’

She chuckled as she put her arm through his. ‘I might hold you to that, Mr Sheldon, if I imbibe too much claret tonight. Mr Alston and I were not blessed with our children early in our lives. I am now approaching my sixtieth birthday, which is a venerable age, do not you agree?’

‘It is indeed. You wear your years well, ma’am, and I would have put you no more than forty.’

‘Now that is doing it too brown, sir, but I thank you for your compliment as I do not get many of those nowadays. You have made a big impression on my grandchildren. I have never seen them so content before.’

‘I am not comfortable with infants but I enjoy the company of older children. Lady Fenchurch has given me permission to protect your family and I give you my word as a gentleman that nothing untoward shall happen to any of you whilst I draw breath.’ He had spoken too vehemently but it was too late to retract his words.

Like her daughter, Mrs Alston was sharp of wit and looked at him with a knowing smile.

‘So that is how the land lies. There is something you should know – you will think me a busybody to interfere in this way, but better to speak now before it is too late.’

‘I beg you, ma’am, do not reveal any secrets that Lady Fenchurch would not wish me to know.’

‘Fiddlesticks to that, young man. My daughter suffered complications when the twins were born and she is unable to have any more children. You must not pursue your interest if you wish for children of your own.’

Mrs Alston had not the right to mention such a thing to him.

He stared down at her, his disapproval apparent in every inch of him.

‘It is not your place to discuss such things, madam.’ The remainder of the journey was completed in stony silence and he removed her hand from his arm as soon as they were on the ground floor and there was no danger of her tripping on the stairs.

He stepped to one side and nodded. She took the hint and turned away, her face pale and her shoulders hunched. A wave of shame engulfed him. What was he thinking to speak to his future mother-in-law in that way? He was behaving out of character and that was inexcusable.

‘Mrs Alston, please wait.’ He stepped in front of her and reached down and took both her hands, horrified to find they were trembling.

‘I should not have spoken to you like that. I apologise most humbly for my appalling rudeness. I understand why you told me such an intimate fact – you were just trying to prevent heartache on both sides. I can assure you, ma’am, the lack of children of my own will not bother me.

Can I ask you not to mention this conversation to your daughter?

I have not yet reached the point where I think I could speak to her… ’

‘You are forgiven, Mr Sheldon. At the risk of having my head bitten off a second time I will tell you that Viola is halfway to falling in love with you. I believe that you could speak to her without fear of being rejected when we are safely home.’

The constriction in his chest disappeared and he was able to breathe freely once more. ‘Then it shall be our secret, ma’am, until then.’ He reclaimed her hand and in perfect harmony he escorted her the remainder of the way.

The dining room was busy but they were bowed to their table, the menus handed out as if they were the only ones present that evening. The evening sped by and he enjoyed every moment of it but had no recollection of what he had eaten or drunk when it ended.

He assisted Mrs Alston to her feet but she refused to take his arm. ‘Richard, you must escort me back as Mr Sheldon brought me down.’

Beau was delighted with this arrangement.

He delivered Viola to the entrance to her sitting room – it would not be polite to stop at her bedchamber door, however innocent the move might be.

‘Goodnight, I have enjoyed this evening and hope you will dine with me at Elveden when we are returned to Suffolk.’

‘We shall be delighted to, sir; you are a most entertaining companion. I have ordered breakfast to be served at seven o’clock in my sitting room and we will be downstairs within half an hour of that time.

It will be full light by then and there will be no danger to my horses or the dog from travelling in the dark. ’

She gazed up at him and it took all his self-control not to bring her into his embrace and kiss her. That must wait until they were betrothed, but it was going to be damned difficult. Instead he raised her gloved hand to his mouth and pressed a kiss on the knuckles.

Then he bowed and walked away before he did something he might regret.

He finally understood what it was to be truly happy. He had waited all his adult life to experience this feeling of euphoria, to have love envelop him and make everything else seem unimportant.

His man was waiting to help him disrobe. ‘Do you have the pistols?’

‘I do, sir, and a fine horse. I shall much prefer to be riding than shut up in a carriage.’

Only then did it occur to Beau that he had not enquired if his man could actually ride. He obviously could, so there was no necessity to mention the matter now.

‘Wake me at six thirty. Make sure all the baggage is safely stowed at the rear of the vehicle. Check the horses’ shoes again before they are harnessed. I am concerned that the dog will suffer, having to run so far on icy roads.’

‘I have thought of that; I have had soft leather boots made for him.’

If Bishop had said Brutus was to wear a gown he could not have been more surprised. ‘Boots? Now that I cannot wait to see – an excellent notion if the dog allows you to put them on.’

His man grinned. ‘He was proud as punch when I tried them. Made no effort to pull them off. They will protect his pads from damage. He has the stamina to complete the journey without difficulty. I’ve never met such a strong dog before.’

‘He is indeed a canine marvel. There is money there for you to settle our account. You have proved an excellent valet, Bishop, and I hope you will stay with me permanently.’

‘I should be honoured to do so, sir.’

Beau did not utilise a nightshirt when at home but when travelling he wore one as a precaution.

His brother, Bennett, slept in a similar fashion from choice but there had been a fire when he was a guest somewhere and he had been obliged to emerge from his bedchamber enveloped in a bedcover.

This was not something he intended to experience himself.

* * *

The more time Viola spent in the company of Mr Sheldon, the more she liked him.

She had detected a certain look in his eyes when he had kissed her hand and she rather thought he returned her feelings.

As she lay in her bed she viewed the situation carefully, trying to use her head rather than her heart to make a decision.