Page 31 of The Duke’s Bride (The Duke’s Alliance #6)

Beau wanted to punch his fist through the nearest window.

He could not go through with this marriage until he had revealed his secret.

However, if he did so he ran the risk that she would refuse him, not only because he had deceived her, but also because it would mean she had to relocate to Silchester.

He was in a quandary. Once they were married they were committed for the rest of their lives regardless of their feelings.

He pushed this aside. Time to make a decision when he knew how the land lay with regards to Mr Fenchurch and the interference of the noxious Sir Frederick. Bishop greeted him with relief.

‘Sir, it wasn’t the dog’s fault. He came into the yard quiet as you like when one of those vicious chestnuts savaged him as he walked past. All he did was snarl and charge at it. He didn’t attempt to bite. If the owner had had them under control there would have been no problem.’

‘Having met the owner your story does not surprise me. Does Brutus require sutures?’

‘A few teeth marks, but he’s not bothered. The horses are fine; it’s just the phaeton that’s damaged.’

‘Well I am damned if I am paying for that. Where is my dog?’

‘I was obliged to shut him in a storeroom to stop that gentleman from attacking him with his whip.’

The hound was inordinately pleased to see him, and he did not object when the animal slobbered over his coat in an effort to lick his face.

‘Good lad, good boy. I wish you would not wander in the way that you do, but at least you always find us again.’

He checked the injury and was satisfied it needed no further attention. Then he carefully removed each of the leather boots the dog was wearing in order to give his pads some fresh air overnight.

‘I shall take the dog in with us tomorrow, Bishop. Leave your mount here and the under-coachman can ride him back when they return.’

‘Righto, sir, makes sense to me. What time do we depart?’

* * *

Beau returned to his chamber but slept badly.

Viola and her family thought him a gift from the divine, sent especially to take care of them.

They would change their minds once they knew how he had deceived them.

His only consolation was that his decision had been made with the blessing of his family, not done to deceive anyone or to benefit himself in any way.

He abandoned the attempt to sleep and got dressed in the dark.

He was marrying Viola because he loved her and could not live without her or her children, and not for any monetary gain.

He would continue with his plans to find a bishop and obtain a common licence, but before they married he would wait for Richard Alston to return from Ireland.

If this gentleman had been successful, had persuaded Mr Fenchurch to remain where he was in return for a sizeable contribution to his family’s well-being, then there would be no urgency to marry in order to protect Viola and her children.

If this proved to be the outcome he would reveal who he was and rely on his powers of persuasion to convince her to continue with the engagement.

For the first time in hours his shoulders unknotted and he thought he might be able to sleep. He was damned if he was going to get undressed again – he would do the unthinkable – sleep on top of the bed fully clothed. His mouth curved. At least he did not have his boots on.

After a hasty breakfast the following morning, he settled the children and the ladies into their vehicle and waved them off.

He did not envy the postilions who were obliged to ride the lead horse in all weathers.

Presumably they changed when the horses did, but he had not thought to enquire.

They were paid enough for their service.

* * *

They covered the remaining fifty miles in a dizzyingly short amount of time. As Edward had predicted, they arrived at the last stage as it was getting dark. Viola was well known here and in no time at all a hired vehicle was available to convey them the last few miles.

‘I cannot tell you how relieved I am to be on terra firma ; if I never go in a carriage again I shall be quite content,’ Mama said.

‘I certainly have no wish to travel at such speed again. I much prefer to take it at a decorous pace and use my own carriage. You have been very well behaved, children. I am very pleased with you both.’

They exchanged a smug smile. ‘Uncle Edward told us we must not upset Grandmama by being noisy.’

‘Then you can tell him, Thomas, that I am most impressed by the change in both of you since you have met him. He is a good influence on this family.’

Her mother retired immediately saying that she would have a tray sent up to her. The children did not even quibble about the fact their dog would not be returning but go straight to Elveden with Edward.

‘We think he is now his dog rather than ours, Mama, but we are quite happy to share.’

‘As we will all be living under the same roof very soon, Thomas, you will not do without his company for long. Imagine the difficulty if Brutus had not taken to your future papa!’

‘He is a very clever dog and if he had not liked Uncle Edward then neither would we,’ Elizabeth chimed in.

She hugged them both and handed them over to Sally who had arrived earlier that day with the other maids and their luggage.

It would be too soon to take the children for a music lesson the following morning – they would all need at least a day to recover from the strictures of the journey.

Everyone had an interesting collection of bruises from being tumbled about in the carriage, but she thanked God it had been no worse.

The servants at Fenchurch, unlike those in Grosvenor Square who had been loyal to Rupert, had been dismissed, some without reference, and she had employed new staff.

This was another thing she would ask Edward to take care of once they were married.

The staff in London must be dismissed and replaced with new before she would go there again.

There was so much she did not know about him.

She knew his age and that he had a sister called Giselle, but apart from that his past was a blank to her.

Did it really matter that he did not speak of his life before he came to Suffolk?

They had spent a considerable amount of time together, she had watched him interacting with her children and her mother, as well as servants, and he treated them all with the utmost respect and kindness.

He loved animals and they loved him. He was a fine horseman, a handsome man and a formidable character.

She had not seen him enraged and had no wish to do so.

One thing she did know was that however furious he was he would never harm any of them.

She had gone through all these points more than once in her head, so why was she still dwelling on them?

He loved her and she loved him – would that be enough to build a life together?

What if he had dark secrets he was hiding from her and these were only revealed after they were married?

His air of authority, the way he carried himself, was what had attracted her to him in the first place.

There were, of course, dozens of gentlemen who were not members of the aristocracy but were still part of the ton .

For some reason she believed he had no interest in elevating his status by marrying her.

Did the fact that she was ignorant of his past present an obstacle to them getting married?

This was easily solved by asking him the requisite questions next time they were alone together.

After dealing with some correspondence, and speaking to the housekeeper, she too decided she would have a tray in her sitting room upstairs and retire early.

The next morning the children expected to be accompanied by her to Elveden and were bitterly disappointed when she informed them they would have to wait until the following day.

‘Mama, I am sure that Uncle Edward will be expecting us,’ Thomas said.

‘We can go anyway – he will be delighted to see us.’

‘Elizabeth, I shall compromise. I will send a groom with a message and he can wait for a reply. This should not take more than an hour and we can go if Edward is agreeable to us coming.’

The note was written and dispatched and the children returned to the nursery floor in the expectation of being granted their request. The servant returned with the information that Edward was to be absent from home for several days.

Of course, had he not told her he was going to obtain a marriage licence as soon as he was back?

She was about to give the children this bad news when they hurtled down the stairs, already in their outdoor garments and boots.

Her heart sank. Would her daughter revert to her bad behaviour if she was thwarted?

‘We can see Brutus outside – he has come home. Can we play with him on the lawn?’

‘Yes, Thomas, but do not wander off.’

He dashed off and did not even bother to enquire if they were to visit Elveden today, presumably they understood that if the dog was with them, Edward was elsewhere.

At least Brutus had not attempted to follow Edward to Ipswich.

She could only suppose that the lack of luggage on a carriage indicated to the animal that his owner intended to return soon.

A carriage turned into the drive whilst she was watching the children darting about the park with the dog in hot pursuit.

For a moment she was puzzled as she rarely got visitors and it could not be Edward as he was already away.

Then it dawned on her she had yet to interview any of the governesses and she had quite forgotten, in all the excitement of the past few days, that they were due to arrive.

There was nothing prepared and she hurried across and pulled the bell strap. When the footman came in answer to her summons she sent him in search of the housekeeper.

‘How can I be of assistance, my lady?’