Page 27 of The Duke’s Bride (The Duke’s Alliance #6)
Beau was aware he had drawn unwanted attention to himself and his future wife by behaving so recklessly in the vestibule of a well-frequented coaching inn.
What was he thinking? If that bastard was indeed having them followed word would soon reach him that he and Viola had come to a very public understanding.
‘My darling, I think we have caused enough excitement for one day. You must go at once to speak to your children and your mother and give them the good news. I shall join you for breakfast.’
Her smile was radiant, she had never looked lovelier, and he knew with absolute certainty she was the woman he had waited all his life to meet. He intended to marry her, with or without his family present, and worry about the ramifications once she was legally his.
He returned to the stables where he could gather his thoughts without fear of being disturbed.
Sir Frederick would be well aware that as soon as Viola became his wife, his plans would be ruined.
It might well cause him to step up his interference in their lives in a more violent way.
Doing what he had just done was possibly a grievous error of judgement.
Too late for regrets. Once they were safely back in Suffolk he would send Bishop to London to obtain a special licence.
He had no intention of revealing his true identity before the ceremony and risk her changing her mind because of some foolish notion that he must have a direct heir, which she could not give him.
In order for the marriage to be valid he would have to use his full name, Beaumont Edward Charles Peregrine Sheldon. Hopefully she would just think he did not use his first given name as it was too outlandish. There was no necessity for him to have his title mentioned for the ceremony to be legal.
He would not consider the ceremony entitled him to share her bed until they had been married again in front of his family in the chapel at Silchester Court.
Until then he must maintain his self-control, although he knew this was going to be damnably difficult.
He had never wanted to make love to a woman more than he did to Viola.
Finally, at the advanced age of four and thirty, he understood what romantic love was and why his siblings were so happy with their partners.
Bishop cleared his throat noisily behind him and he was jerked from his musings. He turned to see his man beaming from ear to ear. Devil take it, word had spread already of his good fortune.
‘May I be permitted to congratulate you, sir?’
‘No, you may not. We shall be leaving at nine. Make sure the horses have been well fed and watered as they will have a hard task ahead of them.’
‘Do you wish Brutus and I to go ahead as we did yesterday?’
‘I think not. Seeing you and the dog will just alert them to the fact that we are about to arrive. For the same reason, the carriage with the luggage and the maids will travel behind us today.’
He explained his plan of action and Bishop nodded. ‘I reckon you should…’ The man coloured and hastily apologised for presuming to offer advice to his master.
‘Go on, man, what were you about to suggest?’
‘I was going to say that it might be helpful to have the Bow Street runners involved in this, sir. They have a mounted brigade, they wear red waistcoats and are called the Robin Redbreasts…’
‘I do not need a description of their clothing; what I need is for you to tell me why you think they might be prepared to take an interest in our problem.’
‘Epping Forest is notorious for highwaymen and it is their job to clear them out. If I were to tell them I had heard there was a gang waiting to pounce on your carriage, they might well ride with us in the hope of apprehending them.’
‘I suppose it is not unreasonable to think that the Countess and Earl of Fenchurch would be a target. You have a little over two hours to accomplish this – do you think you can do that and be here ready to depart at nine o’clock?’
The man nodded. ‘It’s not too great a distance back to the Smoke. If I go post I can do it easily in the time.’
Beau tossed him a handful of coins, more than enough for the purpose.
Then something else occurred to him. ‘I have changed my mind about you being obligated to return by nine o’clock.
We shall delay our departure until you get here.
I have no wish for you to break your neck in order to fulfil my orders. ’
The dog pressed himself against his thigh and he stroked the silky ears.
Obtaining a special licence to marry would mean they could marry wherever they liked at whatever time they liked, but these were rarely given and would have to be applied for in person from the Archbishop of Canterbury himself.
A common licence would fit the bill as they could then marry in the local church as long as it was before midday.
This was easier to obtain and could be got from a local bishop. He would ride to Ipswich as soon as he was home and get this organised. He had no wish to have his name read out three times in the local church, as there might well be someone who recognised his unusual first name.
He went in search of Viola. He needed to discuss his plans for their nuptials and not make decisions unilaterally that should be made together.
It would be interesting to be obliged to defer to another’s opinion, as this was something he had not been required to do.
As head of the family he was the one deferred to on domestic matters and, of course, the estate was his concern.
All this would change once he was married.
As he would never have children of his own Bennett’s sons would inherit the title and the responsibilities.
Therefore, the balance of power at Silchester would change.
For his nephew to learn what would be expected of him, Bennett would need to be more involved with the running of the vast estates.
He should reveal his identity before the marriage, but he dare not risk the woman he loved to distraction nobly refusing him because she believed he must secretly desire his own progeny.
This was underhand and out of character for him, but he had no option in the circumstances.
Marrying him would protect the children and herself from interference from her neighbour.
This was paramount – he must just pray she would eventually forgive him for his deception.
He was halfway up the stairs when the children saw him and flung themselves into his arms. For a sickening moment he thought they would come to grief but he flung his weight forward and regained his balance.
‘Can we call you papa? Will you be living with us at Fenchurch Manor? We are so happy you and our mama are to be married,’ Elizabeth said as she clung to his jacket.
‘You are lucky we did not all break our necks. I was unprepared for your precipitous arrival.’
Thomas had a handful of his stock in his hand and looked a little pale. ‘My word, that was a close-run thing. It is a good thing you are so large, Mr Sheldon, or I am certain we would have tumbled to our deaths.’
Beau put his arms around them and carried them back to the safety of the landing where he put them down. ‘I am delighted you are both pleased that your mother and I are now betrothed. I think it a little premature for you to address me as papa, sweetheart, but I appreciate the sentiment.’
Viola emerged from her sitting room. ‘Come in, Edward, we have much to discuss. Children, Sally will take you down to visit Brutus.’
An impulse made him lean down and place an affectionate kiss on the forehead of each, and from their expressions he knew he had done the right thing. The nursemaid curtsied and smiled – news of their engagement had travelled fast.
‘I hope Mrs Alston is as pleased as the children at our news.’
‘She is indeed, my love, and has advised that we marry at the earliest opportunity, as by so doing you will become head of my household and guardian to the children.’
‘I had thought the same. On our return I shall discover the nearest bishop and apply for a common licence. We can then be married in your local church but without the necessity of having the banns called and alerting Sir Frederick.’
He could tell from her demeanour that something was bothering her and he thought he knew what it might be.
‘Under normal circumstances we would have a longer engagement, have more time to get to know each other. Therefore, I think it would be advisable for the marriage to be in name only until you are ready to move things on.’
Her look of relief gave him pause. He was prepared to do without children of his own in order to marry the woman he loved, but he could not envisage a marriage that did not involve intimacy. Was she so damaged by her abusive husband that she would never be able to share his bed with any pleasure?
He pushed aside his worries. He was being selfish; Viola and her children needed the protection of his name and he would give it to them regardless of the sacrifices he might have to make.
‘I was thinking exactly the same thing, my love. We have only known each other a few weeks and being able to spend more time with you before we are… we are truly man and wife will be of benefit to both of us.’
His immediate thought was that he could see no advantage to himself but this was hardly the time to say so. ‘I am prepared to wait as long as it takes, my darling, but I pray it will not be too long.’
She flushed under his scrutiny but moved towards him instead of away, which was what he had half expected. The top of her head came to his shoulder but this was no obstacle as far as he was concerned. He bent his knees and swept her up so her feet were dangling in mid-air.
The next five minutes almost broke his iron control, but somehow he managed to step away before things got out of hand. Her response had shown him she was a passionate woman and reassured him that eventually he would be able to make love to her.