Page 26 of The Duke’s Bride (The Duke’s Alliance #6)
Thomas and Elizabeth were sound asleep, the room in darkness apart from the flickering flames of the fire, and their nursemaid was dozing in an armchair close by. She retreated and pushed open the communicating door to the second bedroom.
‘Come in, come in, my dear girl. I am so glad that you are also feeling more the thing. I’m sorry if I gave you cause for concern by my silly fit of the vapours. I understand that once again Mr Sheldon came to our rescue.’
‘He did indeed, Mama.’ She moved closer so she could safely converse without being overheard by the maid who was sewing in the corner. ‘I think you have already guessed that I am in love with him.’
‘I am delighted to hear you say so, my love, as I know that he returns your feelings. I told him you are unable to give him children and he was unbothered by this information. It would be different if he had a title to protect. I think he will make you an ideal husband. He is exactly the sort of gentleman we should have found for you…’
‘No, I will never regret marrying Rupert, as without him I would not have my beloved children.’
‘That is quite true, and I shall not mention the subject again. When are you anticipating that he will make you an offer? Do you think that he believes he must apply to Richard before he does so?’
‘I am sure he does not. As to when he might propose, I think he will leave it until we are home. He mentioned a sister called Giselle – I must ask him more about his family, but I can hardly do so until we are betrothed. Even though you are sure he reciprocates my feelings it would be presumptuous of me to talk of such things until we actually are engaged.’
‘It has occurred to me that if you are married you and the children will be safe from any interloper. I suggest that you marry by special licence.’
Viola leaned forward and kissed her mother affectionately. ‘You are running ahead of yourself, Mama; until he has spoken you must not talk of such things, even to me.’
As was usually the case even though she had been asleep for several hours previously, she slept soundly until she was woken early by the noise of a tray being put down on a side table. Her stomach rumbled loudly.
‘Hughes, I do hope you have brought me something to eat. I am sharp-set this morning and do not think I could survive until we break our fast at a more civilised time.’
‘I have a jug of coffee and some sweet morning rolls. You will be pleased to know, my lady, that your children and Mrs Alston are still asleep. The time is now a little after six o’clock.’
After devouring the delicious, if insubstantial, repast Viola was eager to get up having spent more than enough time in bed.
Freshly gowned in a travelling ensemble of moss green chenille, which had a matching bonnet and pelisse, she was eager to seek out the gentleman she hoped would one day be her husband.
The hour was early but she was sure he would already be outside checking the horses were fit and had not been tampered with overnight.
She was almost buffeted from her feet by the enthusiastic greeting of the children’s dog – or should she say of Edward’s dog as he seemed to have changed allegiance recently?
‘Enough, silly fellow, you will spoil my gown with your slobber. I can see you have your smart boots on, so there is no need to wave them in my face.’
‘He is inordinately proud of those, and has shown them to anyone who is prepared to take a moment to look. I fear he will wish to wear them every time he goes outside in future.’
‘Good morning, Edward, I was in need of fresh air as I was cooped up most of yesterday.’
‘I cannot tell you how relieved I am to see you looking your usual lovely self. Is your mother also recovered?’
‘She was perfectly well last night and able to eat her supper with relish. I was not so fortunate but have had something before I came down, which will keep me going until I have a more substantial breakfast with you and the children.’
‘I have arranged for it to be served at eight o’clock and for us to leave at nine. Is that agreeable for you?’
‘I shall not be sanguine until we are safely at home. I know you have taken every precaution but I am somewhat unnerved by what has happened over the past few days. I am hoping that whoever arranged for us to be held up has spent a miserable two nights hiding in the forest awaiting our arrival.’
‘They will be in for further disappointment as I intend to travel through Epping at a gallop. This is why I needed to be certain the horses are well rested. This time we shall travel in advance of our luggage – that will also cause confusion, as they no doubt will be expecting us to be behind that carriage.’
‘That is ingenious, Edward. Presumably our staff do not have to travel at speed through the forest, so will not arrive until sometime after us at our overnight stop.’
‘We will not now be stopping in Romford, but in Chelmsford at The Saracen’s Head. We shall travel at speed when we have to, but once we are on the more frequented parts of the toll road we shall take things slowly so the horses can complete the distance without distress.’
They were both startled by a sudden shout from the window above them and looked round to see both children leaning out of the window and waving frantically. For a second her stomach lurched but then she saw they were smiling, so there was no emergency inside.
Edward was not amused by this display. He flicked his hand and instantly the children vanished and the window slammed shut behind them. She spoke without heed to the consequences.
‘You are not their father, you are their music teacher and it is not your place to discipline my children.’
‘Would you have preferred them to continue to make an exhibition of themselves?’ His tone was even but she knew him well enough to realise he was displeased – whether with her children or herself she had no idea and had no wish to find out.
Without responding to his comment, she turned on her heel and marched back into the inn. His eyes were boring into her back but she would not falter and she would not apologise. Once inside the safety of the vestibule she was obliged to stop and place a hand on the wall to keep herself upright.
Never in their seven years of marriage had she dared to speak her mind to Rupert. She had once made the catastrophic error of daring to criticise his lurid choice of waistcoats and that had been the first time she had been beaten by him. She had never made the same mistake again.
Then Edward’s arm was around her and he gathered her close. ‘I overstepped by reprimanding the little ones, my love, but I am hoping in the not too distant future it will be my privilege and honour to share in the raising of your wonderful children.’
They were standing in full view of a dozen or more guests who were watching with considerable interest this unusual display of affection between a couple they thought must, of course, already be husband and wife.
She raised her head and smiled. ‘That is a most unusual proposal, sir. I would expect a man of your standing to make me an offer when on one knee.’
To her horror he grinned and did as she had laughingly suggested whilst she desperately tried to pull him back to his feet. ‘No, I was jesting – get up, get up please.’
He ignored her protests. ‘I love you. Would you do me the inestimable honour of becoming my wife at the earliest possible opportunity?’
‘I will, of course, I will, but you must get up immediately and stop making a cake of yourself.’
He surged to his feet and picked her up so her face was on a level with his. She knew at once what he intended and was having none of it. ‘If you do not put me down this instant, Edward, I shall scream that you are molesting me and have you thrown into jail.’
In answer he lowered his mouth until it covered hers and she forgot her reservations, her embarrassment at being so publicly kissed, and responded with enthusiasm.