Page 45 of The Duke’s Bride (The Duke’s Alliance #6)

Viola and her two companions disembarked from the stagecoach at the inn that was nearest to Silchester Court.

‘We must rest and repair the damage to our appearances before we continue to our destination. Sam, please find us a vehicle to convey us there. Then go to the kitchen and you will find a meal awaiting you.’

She and Annie headed for the vestibule and were immediately shown to a chamber where they could wash and change their garments. By the time this was completed a maid had arrived with refreshments.

‘There, your grace, I doubt anyone would know you had just spent the past twenty-four hours bouncing around in a coach.’

‘I might not look as though I have but I certainly feel it in every bone in my body. To think we have to repeat the process on the way back. I give you my word that both you and Sam shall be well rewarded for your diligence and excellent care.’

The girl hesitated. ‘Your grace, will we be coming with you or shall we be left behind when you move here?’

If even her personal maid believed that eventually she must set aside her concerns and take up her new role, then this was indeed a wasted journey.

‘If and when I come you will both come with me. I shall ask the duke to provide you with a cottage so you might be married but I am loath to do so, as inevitably you will leave my service to have children of your own.’

‘I will never have babes, although I would like to have done. I would rather be married to my Sam than married to another and have a cottage full of infants.’

Intrigued Viola enquired further. ‘Why do you say that? How can you possibly know such a thing?’

‘My Sam and I have been intimate many times over the past three years and I reckon I would have caught on by now if I was going to.’ Annie realised how indiscreet she had been and the colour drained from her face.

‘No, do not look so stricken for telling me, Annie. I am not bothered by your admission and will forget that you told me.’

The food consumed, she was ready to complete her journey. Sam was waiting outside with a smart gig and he handed them both in. The drive was no more than a few miles and they turned into the long, immaculate drive far too early.

Too late to turn back. She was the Duchess of Silchester and this probably would be her home one day and she could arrive and depart whenever she so pleased.

Sam pulled up in front of the magnificent building.

For a moment she was unable to descend, too awestruck to do more than stare like a child at a fairground.

Their arrival had been noted and the front door swung open.

She expected to see a footman or perhaps the butler come out to investigate, but instead a young lady appeared under the portico.

‘Your grace, you must get down. Someone is coming to greet you.’

Viola had scarcely set foot to the ground when she was embraced. ‘You must be Viola – you fit Beau’s description exactly. I am your sister Sofia. I am married to Perry, the younger of the twins. I shall not ask why you are here – come in, come in, you must be exhausted after your long journey.’

‘I thank you for your warm welcome, my lady. You must think it odd of me to come uninvited and without Beau.’

‘Fiddlesticks to that! This is your home now. We Sheldon ladies are independent and our gentlemen prefer it so.’

She was guided up the steps and whisked through a cavernous entrance hall, down a broad passageway and into a small, beautifully decorated drawing room.

‘This is my private parlour, Viola. I hope you do not intend that we call you by your title, as we stand on no ceremony here. I am addressed as Sofia.’

Coffee and pastries were fetched but she ignored both. In stumbling words, she explained the reason for her arrival. Instead of being shocked or scandalised Sofia nodded sympathetically.

‘I understand exactly how you feel about this. It makes me love you more. I can assure you that Beau has no interest in filling his nursery and indeed, sincerely dislikes small children. I am increasing, so is Mary – much to her surprise – she is the wife of the older twin, Aubrey. Bennett already has two infants, both of them boys, so there is already a surfeit of heirs, and you have nothing to worry about on that score.’

Viola wondered if all the Sheldon ladies were as vocal as Sofia. Then her new sister-in-law leaned forward and squeezed her hand. ‘You must think me a rattletrap. I do not normally say so much but I wished to reassure you immediately that you have nothing to worry about.’

‘This is all astonishing to me…’ There was no time to complete her sentence as the door burst open and they were joined by a matching pair of Sheldon gentlemen. She was warmly greeted and both Perry and Aubrey confirmed what Sofia had told her.

‘We only heard late last night that Beau had finally fallen in love and married you,’ Aubrey said. ‘Like all the Sheldons he knew within a day or two that he had met the woman he wanted to spend the remainder of his life with. Welcome to the family.’

‘I second that. Our older brother always said he had no wish for children of his own, but he admitted he envied us our happiness with our partners. Now he has found someone for himself and we can be content for him.’ Perry was perched on the edge of Sofia’s chair and it was patently obvious how much the couple were in love.

A slightly older lady rushed in. ‘Forgive me for my tardiness. I am Mary and cannot tell you how delighted I am to meet you, Viola.’

‘And I you. I lied to Beau and told him I was going to see my lawyers and that I was meeting my brother in London. He is going to be most displeased when he discovers the truth.’

The four exchanged looks and all of them laughed. For a moment she thought their amusement was directed at her, then Sofia explained.

‘He will just be overjoyed that you are now prepared to be his true wife, that you are now convinced he has no desire for children of his own.’ She leaped from the chair, dislodging her husband who barely retained his balance.

‘The teams have already left so they will be in place for the carriage. That will not depart until the morning. You must go in it. It will take two days to travel to him – the horses must rest overnight – and then two days to return.’

Mary was now on her feet looking as excited as Sofia. ‘So, we have a week or more to arrange for the blessing of your wedding to be held in our chapel. If a letter is sent by express to Rushton and Giselle, they can be here within the week as well.’

She was overwhelmed by their kindness and already felt part of this large family. ‘I know that Beau was disappointed he could not be married here, so having a second service will be the perfect start to our new life together.’

Perry laughed. ‘We took a wager that our big brother would not remain away from Silchester for the full six months, but it did not cross our minds the reason for his premature return would be to bring a wife and family home.’

* * *

Beau prowled around the house, unable to settle. He was in two minds about going after his errant wife. Despite the fact that he knew she was in no danger, he was uncomfortable with her gallivanting about the country with no male escort apart from a servant.

The children were equally disturbed by their mother’s absence and this gave him pause for thought.

Taking them with him was the only way to persuade his beloved to come to Silchester but if it meant Thomas and Elizabeth were unhappy then he would not bring them.

He must pray all three of them would miss him and eventually they would join him at Silchester.

Richard joined him in the billiard room later that day. ‘I have been speaking to my mother and gather Viola has decided you would be better off without her and is refusing to accompany you to Silchester.’

‘I’m hoping that she might listen to you as she has not to either myself or Mrs Alston. I have told her repeatedly that I have enough heirs but she will not listen. She has got it into her head that I will be better off without her, so I can find myself a fertile wife.’

‘She was always stubborn and once she makes up her mind it’s almost impossible to get her to change her opinion. Hopefully the lawyers will confirm what you have told her and she will return, happy to become your duchess.’ He picked up a cue. ‘Shall we play or is there something you need to do?’

‘I should be making arrangements for the transfer of my belongings and my horses, but I have not the heart to do it. I intended to stay here until the summer – I can hardly credit I have only been here a little over a month and yet I am now married with two children. I have sent word to my family and no doubt they are equally astounded at the turn of events.’

‘They will be even more astonished if you arrive without your bride so, I suggest that you leave it for a few weeks until Viola has become accustomed to the idea.’

They played several frames and the score was equal when it was time to change for dinner. As a duke he was now obligated to change – it was what his staff expected. Informality was not possible when one was in his elevated position in the world. Being a commoner had suited him.

The governesses had completed the day with their charges and would be dining with them. He would use this opportunity to talk to them and thus be able to decide which one would be most suitable. The twins liked them both and would be content with whomever he chose.

At the end of the meal, his mother-in-law stood up and led the two young ladies through to the drawing room.

‘Well, Alston, I am at a loss to select from Miss Fellows and Miss Blackstone. Both are equally well qualified and either would fit into my household. Who do you prefer?’