Page 43 of The Duke’s Bride (The Duke’s Alliance #6)

Viola wanted to throw herself at Beau, pummel him with her fists, throw the largest object she could find at his arrogant head. She did none of these things as she knew it would only exacerbate the situation. From somewhere she found the strength to maintain her dignity.

‘I will tell them myself. As they are not to reside with me I suggest that you appoint the governess. The two young ladies arrived today and I intended to interview them tomorrow. Unless you have other plans for my children.’

‘You are being childish; it does not become you. I am your husband. Any other gentleman would insist that his wife accompany him, would not allow her to dictate the terms of their marriage. If you wish to be with your children then you must come to Silchester. I will make it abundantly clear to Elizabeth and Thomas that it is your choice that you remain behind.’

This last statement broke the fragile hold she had on her temper. She was standing by the fire and without a second thought she snatched up the fire irons and hurled them at his head. He reacted instantly and raised his arm so the items were deflected from his face.

Not waiting for him to retaliate, she gathered her skirts and fled from the room, expecting at any moment to be caught and dragged back to get her punishment.

She was halfway down the passageway when she realised he had not pursued her.

She abhorred violence of any kind and yet had attempted to cause him serious harm.

A wave of nausea caused her to clap her hands across her mouth. She was going to cast up her accounts and doubted she could find a receptacle in time. Then his strong arm was around her waist and she was whisked into a small room in which a commode was placed behind a lacquered screen.

‘Here, use this.’

A bowl was pushed into her arms not a moment too soon. After an unpleasant and humiliating five minutes she had recovered. He handed her his handkerchief to wipe her mouth and in exchange he took the noxious bowl away from her.

‘I am so sorry, Beau, I should not have thrown things at you. Did I injure your arm?’ Nervously she raised her head to see him leaning nonchalantly against the panelling, apparently unbothered by her appalling behaviour.

‘My arm is bruised, but nothing to worry about. More to the point, my love, are you now well enough to go upstairs and speak to our children?’

She blinked back her tears. ‘You tell them. I need time to compose myself. I have no wish for them to know that having them leave will break my heart.’

‘The solution is in your hands. You can remain here alone on your high horse or come with me and begin a new life as my duchess.’

‘I cannot do that. Until I am quite certain there is no legal loophole that will release me from this arrangement I shall remain here.’

‘Then I am satisfied that eventually you will understand the marriage is a binding contract between us. Sweetheart, I know why you are doing this. How many times do I have to tell you I have no wish to have children from my own loins? Although we married in haste I would not have done so if I did not love you and knew that you returned my feelings.’

She was about to deny this, but he raised his hand and she held her peace.

‘By remaining here you will make not only yourself miserable, but also your children and myself. I hope you will reconsider your decision. I shall not change my mind about taking Thomas and Elizabeth with me.’

‘When do you intend to go?’

‘I have sent for my travelling carriage. There will be horses positioned at the necessary hostelries. The governess, my valet and the luggage can travel in the carriage I arrived in. It will take us two days to reach my home. The team will need to rest and then I shall send my carriage back for you. It will remain here until you see sense and come and join your family.’

His answer was deliberately vague. Her irritation was enough to overcome her distress. ‘Answer the question if you please, sir. How long do I have before you abscond with my children?’

A flash of annoyance crossed his face but he hid it well. ‘I have informed my staff at Silchester to expect me in two weeks. I’m sure you can work out from that exactly when I intend to depart.’ He nodded formally and strode away without another word.

His treatment of her when she had been unwell could not be faulted.

Was she wrong to remain aloof from him in the hope that he would be able to eventually marry a woman who could give him children?

He had told her repeatedly that he loved her and she certainly reciprocated his feelings – therefore, by her recalcitrance she was denying them all a life of love and contentment.

She needed to speak to someone in his family, as they could tell her he truly was content that the title would not pass in the direct line. There was only one thing she could do and it would scandalise her mother, infuriate her husband and bewilder her children.

She hurried upstairs and found the girl who had been appointed as her dresser busy folding clothes. She curtsied. ‘I am Annie, your grace.’

‘Good, I need you to pack me a valise that can accompany me on the stagecoach. Then you must do the same for yourself, but on no account must you reveal to anyone what you are doing. Is that quite clear?’

‘My loyalties are to you alone, your grace. The under-groom here is my betrothed. I will send word to him to get the gig harnessed. The next coach leaves Ipswich at five o’clock. We should be able to catch that easily.’

‘I can see we are going to get along famously, Annie. I want your betrothed to accompany us. Having a male servant alongside should make things easier when we alight.’

She had no intention of leaving a note for Beau, as he would immediately set off after her on his stallion. With luck he would think her in bed after her bilious attack and not check until the morning.

‘Annie, when you go down to speak to your young man, call into the kitchen and ask Cook to prepare me a tisane and make much of the fact that I am very unwell. Tell them you intend to remain with me all night and have no wish for any supper trays to be sent up.’

The girl grinned. ‘We should be in London before anyone is any the wiser. You can trust me, your grace. I will not let you down.’

Viola put a bolster in the bed and then pulled the covers over it so it appeared she was there. Then she pulled the curtains almost closed. She went to the door and stood there to see how it would look if he came to check. Yes – from that distance the shape definitely looked like a human form.

By the time she had changed into a travelling ensemble, the plainest she could find in her wardrobe, Annie was back carrying her own small bag.

She had also written Beau a note explaining she had gone to speak to her lawyers in London and would be back within two days.

For good measure she added that she was meeting her brother so he would be with her.

Telling falsehoods to her husband was not something she was happy with, but she had no choice.

What she was doing was for his benefit – not hers or the children’s.

This missive was put on the pillow where he would find it when eventually he came in to investigate her non-appearance.

‘It won’t take me but a moment to pack what you need for a short stay, your grace, and then we can leave. I shall take you down the servants’ staircase and out through a little-used side door. I am certain no one will see us.’

The under-groom handed her into the carriage, snapped his whip, and the horse set off at a brisk trot. They did not go down the drive but through the tradesmen’s track and in no time at all they were bowling along the road to Ipswich.

Sam purchased inside tickets for them both whilst Annie stood beside her guarding the luggage.

He returned and handed them into the coach and then saw their luggage safely stowed at the rear of the vehicle and clambered in to join them.

In the time it had taken her to clamber inside, the four horses had been changed and the driver was ready to leave.

The gig and horse would remain at the inn for their return.

There were only two other occupants, which meant they had ample room for the moment.

One of them was a soldier in scarlet regimentals and the other a clerical gentleman.

The bonnet she had chosen had such a deep brim that if she kept her head facing forward it was impossible for anyone sitting on either side of her to see her face.

They remained with the vehicle throughout the long, tedious journey although they could have reserved accommodation at Colchester or Romford.

By the time they trundled into The Saracen’s Head in London, in the small hours, she was bruised all over, exhausted, and deeply regretting her impulsive decision to go to Silchester Court and speak to Beau’s siblings.

Poor Miss Blackstone and Miss Fellows would have to be interviewed by her husband in the morning.

She did not intend to stay at Silchester, merely speak to any of his family that were available, and then return immediately.

With luck she would be back the day after tomorrow – scarcely time for a hue and cry to be set up.

* * *

Beau decided he would tell the children they would be coming with him but refrained from mentioning that their mama intended to remain behind, as he still hoped she would change her mind.

‘What about Miss Fellows and Miss Blackstone? Will one of them accompany us, Papa?’ Elizabeth asked anxiously.

‘They will indeed, but I have no idea which one it will be. Shall we play cribbage until your mother comes down to join us?’