Page 42 of The Duke’s Bride (The Duke’s Alliance #6)

They scampered off and she wandered disconsolately into the breakfast parlour where she had been informed her luncheon was served. As she picked at her food she wondered how Miss Fellows and Miss Blackstone had reacted to the news that they were to be interviewed by a duchess and not Mrs Sheldon.

* * *

Beau was almost unseated when his horse shied at the sudden appearance of Brutus. ‘Dammit, dog, what the devil do you think you’re doing?’

The animal loped along beside him, head cocked to one side, his tongue lolling; he looked as if he was laughing at him and this made Beau smile.

‘I suppose it could do me no harm to have you at my side. Stay close and do not dare to venture to the kennels. Is that quite clear, sir?’

Talking to the dog as if he understood every word was ridiculous, but one did it anyway. This time he did not charge across the fields with disregard for his mount’s, and his own, safety. He used the lanes and thus it took him almost an hour to complete the journey.

He had his loaded pistol in his jacket pocket but hoped this would not be needed.

His horse was cool and so was he. He had no intention of arriving at the home of the man who had orchestrated the attacks looking anything but immaculate.

The two ruffians guarding the property approached him, trying to look menacing.

He remained in the saddle and straightened his shoulders. It was possible they did not know who he was, but he would leave them in no doubt of his authority this time.

‘I am Silchester. Fetch your master out here to speak to me. Do it now.’ His voice snapped like a whip and they exchanged worried glances.

‘We knows who you are, and you ain’t anyone what’s called Silchester,’ one of them ventured nervously.

‘I was living incognito for reasons that do not concern you. I am the Duke of Silchester. I do not intend to repeat myself a third time. Fetch Sir Frederick at once.’

This time they reacted. No one argued with a duke. The one who had spoken touched his forelock then ran up the steps to hammer on the door. Beau stared haughtily in front of him as if the other man was invisible. Brutus was at his heel, his growls the only sound apart from birdsong.

In less than five minutes his quarry emerged looking decidedly uncomfortable. Beau swung from the saddle and took a step forward.

‘Your grace, if you would care to come inside…’

‘I have come to tell you that if you venture anywhere near my properties or my family in future I shall destroy you. Do I make myself clear?’

The man’s face flushed an unbecoming shade of beetroot. He nodded. ‘Yes, your grace, I understand exactly. I most humbly apologise if anything I have done has offended you. I…’

Beau raised his hand. ‘I do not wish to hear your lies. You will tell me what you hoped to gain by this? Did you expect to get your grubby hands on my son’s fortune?’

The wretched man wrung his hands. ‘I made a dreadful error of judgement and deeply regret my actions. The previous earl was my dearest friend and my intention was to carry out his wishes…’

‘I have heard quite enough. Only because no one was hurt by your actions am I prepared to let the matter rest and not have you thrown into jail. You will do well to remember who you have offended. I might still wreak my revenge on you and your family. I only have to raise a finger and your life will be ruined and your family destitute.’

The man bowed his head, shifted from foot to foot, but made no answer.

Beau had intended to enquire about Mr Fenchurch but had wasted more than enough time here.

He wanted to return to Elveden to start the slow process of convincing his reluctant duchess that being married to him was not the disaster she thought it to be.

He deliberately turned his back and remounted.

He rammed his feet into the stirrup irons, squeezed Titus gently, then cantered away satisfied there would be no further trouble from this particular gentleman.

Now that everybody in the neighbourhood would be aware of his identity he must send word at once to his family to let them know not only was he married but also that he would be returning with his wife and family imminently.

He had yet to work out how he was to convince Viola to accompany him, but he had no doubt eventually he would prevail. No one refused the Duke of Silchester.

When he strode into the house he was greeted by the children who flung themselves at him. He leaned down and lifted them into the air as if they were much younger. They did not object to his treatment and clung on as he swung them about.

‘Papa, you will never guess who is here,’ Elizabeth said as she clung onto his collar.

‘In which case you must tell me at once.’

‘We have two governesses here. They were tired after their journey so you will not meet them until tomorrow. Mama said you did not wish to be involved in the selection. Don’t you want to inspect who will be teaching your children before they are appointed?’

‘I am sure that your mama has the matter in hand. I need to write some letters. I shall see you later.’ He put them down but not before he had dropped a kiss on each of their heads.

‘You will never guess what happened, Papa,’ Thomas said as he danced around him. ‘She quite forgot she is now the Duchess of Silchester and Miss Fellows and Miss Blackstone were quite astounded when they were told.’

He forced a laugh. ‘It’s hardly surprising, son, that she should be confused. Good heavens, in one week she has been Lady Fenchurch, Mrs Sheldon and now the Duchess of Silchester. Run along, I have work to do.’

‘Mama is in the drawing room with Grandmama. We shall tell her you are home again,’ Elizabeth said and she skipped off, unaware that this information might not be as welcome as she thought.

He retreated to his study and not until he had closed the door did he allow himself to react to this latest indication that his beloved had not accepted her new role.

First, he would write the necessary letters and then when he had adjusted to this latest setback he would consider how he could move forward.

Carstairs, his man of business, would need to come to Elveden in order to organise tenants for both properties.

He completed this missive first, sanded the paper, folded it carefully and pressed his ducal signet ring into the molten wax.

He had brought with him this one indication of his status – it had been kept securely in his waistcoat pocket until he had been able to wear it once more.

He then wrote a short letter to Bennett informing him that he had married Viola and was now a parent to her children.

He informed his brother he hoped to be returning with his family in the next few weeks and asked him to inform his household to prepare for the arrival of his duchess.

The nursery floor would also have to be refurbished and made ready for Thomas and Elizabeth.

There was no necessity for him to write to his other siblings as Bennett would give them the good news.

The third letter he wrote was to Lord Rushton, now his brother-in-law since he had married Giselle.

His close friend had two daughters of similar age to the twins and he wished the four of them to become better acquainted.

The children of his other siblings were still in leading strings and too young to be companions.

He rang the bell and handed the letters to the footman who came in answer to his summons. ‘These must go by express.’

The man took them with a bow and backed out as if leaving royalty. This was one of the aspects about being a duke that he disliked. He wished he could have remained plain Mr Sheldon and not be treated with such deference.

His business concluded, he strolled to the windows and stared out at the park. There was already a sprinkling of green on the hedges indicating spring was on its way. Would he still be here to see the garden in its summer splendour?

With a sigh he turned and headed for the door. He needed to tell Viola what had transpired during his visit to Sir Frederick. He was halfway across the room when there was a tentative knock on the door. ‘Come in,’ he called.

‘Beau, why did you not come at once and tell me what happened?’

‘I was about to do so. Shall we remain here so we can converse in private?’

She hesitated but then with some reluctance took her place on the padded settle. There was ample room for him to join her but he deliberately sat some yards from her.

When she heard that there would be no further trouble from Sir Frederick or Mr Fenchurch, her expression lightened and she smiled. ‘That is a great relief. Which brings me on to something else, and I am certain you will not be pleased with what I’m going to say to you.’

He raised an eyebrow and waved his hand to indicate she should continue hoping that his dismay had been hidden from her. He had already guessed what she was going to say.

‘I wish you to return to Silchester but I intend to remain here with my mother and my children. I do not wish to be married to you but will be forever grateful that you stepped in and prevented Mr Fenchurch from intruding in our lives.’

He swallowed the lump in his throat. ‘Whatever your feelings on the matter, Viola, you are my wife and there is nothing either of us can do about it. There are no grounds for having it annulled or declared invalid.’

‘You are one of a handful of dukes in the country. You are second only to royalty in importance. I’m quite certain that you can arrange things if you so wish.

You can tell them that I am barren, that I kept this from you until we were married.

I am sure they will sympathise and find you a loophole in the law so you can set the marriage aside. ’

‘It is possible I could do this if I wished to. However, I have no intention of setting the marriage aside. I married you because I love you and whether you like it or not you are now my responsibility and your children are under my control.’ His voice was commendably firm and betrayed none of his heartbreak at her words.

She stood up and shook her head. ‘Then so be it. I shall not come with you to Silchester and I will never be your true wife. Pray excuse me…’

He slowly rose and moved closer. He had no intention of physically removing her from Elveden but there was one thing he could do that would bring her to him eventually. He had hoped not to be obliged to take this drastic step but she left him no alternative.

‘If you wish to remain at Elveden that is your prerogative. You cannot return to Fenchurch as there will be tenants living in the house very soon. I shall be leaving for Silchester next week and the children will come with me.’

Her eyes rounded and for a moment she was too shocked to respond. He braced himself for her outburst and it was not long in coming.

‘You cannot take Thomas and Elizabeth away from me and their grandmama. They belong here with us. I will not allow it.’

‘I am sorry to cause you so much unhappiness, but as I explained to you the children are now mine. I could insist that you accompany them but I gave you my word I would not coerce you into doing anything you did not wish to do. The twins were not included in this promise. Do you wish to inform them or shall I?’