Page 47 of The Duke’s Bride (The Duke’s Alliance #6)
Viola had no time to regale Beau with her adventure as her children hurtled down the stairs and threw themselves at her. ‘Where have you been? We’re so pleased to have you home. Are we going to Silchester Court soon?’ Elizabeth said as she clung to her hand.
‘That is up to your papa, but I imagine it will be very soon. I hope you have both been behaving yourselves in my absence.’
Thomas was leaning against her as if afraid she would disappear again. ‘We have, Mama. Miss Fellows and Miss Blackstone have been teaching us. Can they both be our governesses?’
‘Too many questions, my loves – I must go and see your grandmama and you must return to the schoolroom. I shall come up to you when I am ready.’
They scampered off and she could hear them laughing and chattering. She turned to Beau who was staring at her in a most particular way. Her heart increased its pace and her bodice became unaccountably tight. Surely he did not wish to take her to bed right now?
‘I must speak to Mama. Then I must go up to the schoolroom and put my proposition to the two young ladies. Following that, I am so fatigued after my travelling that I intend to retire to my bedchamber for an afternoon rest.’
His eyes darkened and his smile was wicked. He said nothing, merely bowed and strolled away, but she was certain he was as eager as she to spend private time together.
Her mother told her that Richard had visited and was coming back with his betrothed. Viola was astounded and delighted to discover Elveden was to become her brother’s abode on his marriage.
‘I cannot tell you how much I enjoyed my brief visit, Mama. The Sheldon brothers are almost as handsome as my husband and their wives equally attractive. There is to be a second ceremony in the family chapel as soon as we return.’
‘It is about time you came to your senses, my girl, so we can all relocate to our new home. I sincerely hope there is an apartment on the ground floor, as I no longer wish to negotiate stairs.’
‘I shall ask him when I see him next. I must now go up and speak to the ladies who have been teaching the children. I shall be taking a tray in my apartment so will not see you until the morning.’
Her mother smiled knowingly. ‘I expect his grace will also take his dinner on a tray tonight. Off you go, my love, and set things in motion.’
In the schoolroom both children were busy at whatever task had been set for them. She beckoned the two ladies to the far end of the room so they could converse in private.
‘His grace, Mrs Alston and the children are impressed by your capabilities. Obviously, I cannot employ both of you in the role of governess so I have a suggestion. Would one of you be prepared to become my companion and secretary? I thought perhaps that, Miss Blackstone, you might prefer this employment, but I shall leave the decision to you.’
There was no hesitation. ‘Your grace, I should be honoured and delighted to become your companion and secretary. Miss Fellows is considerably younger than me and will make an excellent tutor to your delightful children.’
‘Then it only remains to ask you if you are both prepared to live at Silchester? We shall be moving there as soon as it can be arranged.’
‘I cannot tell you how happy I am that we can both remain with your family, your grace. I have one trunk to collect from the lodgings I took whilst I was searching for a new position,’ Miss Blackstone said.
‘I too have a trunk that I would like to bring with me, but mine remains with my previous employers. They said they would be happy to forward it when I furnish them with my new address.’
‘Write the necessary letters and his grace will frank them for you. It will probably be several days before we are ready to depart, so with luck your belongings will arrive in good time at Silchester.’
When she told the children they were overjoyed as they were already fond of both ladies. There was no necessity to discuss the exact duties Miss Blackstone would have – such details could wait until the morrow.
What couldn’t wait was her rendezvous with Beau. Her knees were weak, her pulse skittering; she scarcely knew how she managed to convey herself from the nursery floor to her own apartment. Annie had been told to make herself scarce and not to appear unless she rang for her.
She was unsurprised to find him pacing her bedchamber. He had already removed his topcoat, neckcloth and boots. ‘At last, my darling, I have been waiting here this age,’ Beau almost growled at her.
‘I have come as quickly as I could. Heaven knows what the staff will think of our reprehensible behaviour…’
‘I don’t give a damn what anyone says. I am the Duke of Silchester and you are my duchess and we can do exactly what we please.’
* * *
They soon discovered that what pleased one of them delighted the other. The fact that neither the duke nor the duchess appeared for breakfast surprised no one in the household.