Page 38 of The Duke’s Bride (The Duke’s Alliance #6)
Whatever he said to the contrary she knew he would not have allowed himself to fall in love with her if he had known how things stood.
It was his duty to his title and his family to marry a woman who could provide him with heirs.
She could see only one way forward and that was for her to conceal her true feelings and send them away.
He was the Duke of Silchester, one of a handful of gentlemen with such a grand title, and she was certain he could get the marriage set aside if he cared to. It would break her heart and her children would be devastated, but she had no option. She must do the right thing.
As she came to this decision she heard movement next door and called out, ‘Your grace, I wish to speak to you.’
‘Do I have your permission to come in to your sitting room?’
‘The door is unlocked.’
She retreated so she was standing behind a chair and could cling onto it for support if need be. He stepped in and she saw he too was fully clothed. His hair was in disarray and his expression was sad. He must have guessed what she was going to say because she had referred to him so formally.
‘I wish you to return to Silchester immediately. I shall remain here with my children and keep up the pretence that we are man and wife until the matter with Fenchurch is legally settled. You married me under false pretences and that is reason enough for the marriage to be set aside, whatever you might think to the contrary. I have no wish to be a duchess. If I cannot be Mrs Sheldon, then I shall be Lady Fenchurch once more.’
‘I told you last night that there are no valid reasons to have our marriage annulled. I cannot leave you and the children unprotected until I am certain you are safe from Fenchurch and Sir Frederick.’ He bowed.
‘However, I shall respect your wishes and leave as soon as I can. There is one thing you must know, Viola: if I cannot be married to you and father to your children then I shall remain a bachelor until I die.’
It took all her resolve not to call him back, not to run after him and say that she loved him, that she did not care who he was as long as they were together.
He might say he would not marry again if he was free, but she knew he would.
He was the most honourable gentleman she had ever met and when his heart was mended he would put his duty first and find himself a suitable wife and fill his nursery.
* * *
Beau was fully aware why she was sending him away. She was convinced he was lying, did not believe that having no children of his own did not bother him, that all he wanted was to be her husband and father to her children.
He could only pray that her love for him was strong enough to eventually overcome her scruples.
He would remain at Elveden for the next few weeks and spend this precious time with what might prove to be his temporary family.
He could only hope that her mother would take his part and convince her daughter to change her mind.
His misery was disturbed by her knocking on the communicating door. He was not foolish enough to think she had changed her mind so soon. He strode across and opened the door.
‘I’m sorry to disturb you, your grace, but I want to know what has happened to my maid, Hughes; I have not seen her since I came up. Did you tell her not to attend to me tonight?’
She had his full attention now. ‘I did not. Have you rung?’
‘I have no notion where she is sleeping or who is at the other end of the bell strap so thought this would be a pointless exercise.’
‘I assume she is upstairs with the female servants somewhere. I can hardly go in search of her. Is there something I can do for you in her absence?’
‘I hesitate to ask, your grace…’
‘Dammit to hell! If you refer to me as your grace again I shall not be answerable for the consequences. I am either Edward or Beau, I care not which you use, but you will not talk to me as if I am a stranger.’ He had not meant to sound so fierce and was about to apologise when she smiled.
It was a feeble attempt, but the first one he had had since she gave him her ultimatum.
‘Very well, I shall call you Beau, as it is your name. It hardly seems sensible to use Edward when that person no longer exists as far as I am concerned. If you are to remain here for a week or two at least we must appear to be in perfect harmony for the children’s sake.
I have no intention of telling them you are leaving us until I have to. ’
‘I am not leaving you, you are sending me away. That is what we shall tell Elizabeth and Thomas. I wish them to know I would not desert them if I was not being forced to.’
His comment brought back the woman he loved and recognised. She glared at him and he braced himself for an all-out attack. His ploy had worked and he had broken through her reserve. He would never involve the twins in their dispute or set them against their mother.
‘You will do no such thing. You must tell them who you really are and that you have to go back and tell your family you have married. They will accept that. They do not have to know you will not be returning.’
‘I will not lie to them, Viola. If they ask me directly they will hear the truth, however unpalatable it might be.’
‘You are despicable. If you tell them why you are going they will hate me. Is that what you want?’
‘You know what I want. But as you appear to be unable to comprehend I shall repeat them very slowly and clearly.’ He could almost see her teeth grinding and if he was not so despondent he would be enjoying this confrontation.
He hoped that by forcing her to see how her decision would make four people miserable, she would reconsider.
‘I love you; I wish to be your husband and father to your children. I have sufficient heirs and need no more from my own loins. I shall not marry again under any circumstances.’
There was a pause in hostilities and the silence was filled by the loud rumble of her stomach followed closely by a similar gurgling from his own. He could not hold back his snort of laughter. Then she too was laughing.
‘I think we could fight better if we were replete. Come, I shall take you to the kitchens and find us something to eat.’