The Duke's Alliance: A Soldier's Bride(22)

This must be why he had developed a fondness for the English girl. Perhaps, in the circumstances, he would not interfere in this matter but let the two of them make a match of it if that is what they wanted. If she was prepared to take him penniless and blind then she must truly love him.

He looked around with interest as they approached what had been Perry's home for the past few months. Sylvester pricked his ears and increased his pace, the gelding behind was not so eager and Beau's shoulder was almost dislocated.

This horse was unlikely to wander off now they were so close to civilisation so he released the reins and trusted to the animal's good sense. He flexed his shoulder and hoped he'd not done it any permanent damage.

The townspeople paused and stared at him as he rode past. He was used to being the centre of attention and ignored it. No doubt his stallion was impressing them, they were unlikely to have such superb horseflesh in this neck of the woods. The fact that there was a second riderless, equally magnificent, beast trotting along behind him must also be arousing their curiosity.

Carlos led him to the smaller square which he had seen from above. The man pointed to a modest house. 'That is where your brother resides. I'll leave you to introduce yourself. Allow me to take your horses and see to their needs.'

Beau dismounted and handed over the reins. His companion had already collected Billy, the bay that he had brought over for his brother, and had no difficulty leading the two away even though they towered over his smaller mount.

Only as they disappeared did he realise he had left his belongings on Billy. He could hardly yell after the man, that would be unconscionable. He would send someone to fetch them shortly – he could manage perfectly well without his things for the moment.

He smiled wryly as he strode across to knock on the door of the house that his brother had been residing in for the past few weeks. It was quite possible there wouldn't be a someone to send. He waited impatiently but no one answered the door.

Then a woman called him and he turned around to see an attractive woman of middle years, dressed in the Spanish way, hurrying towards him. 'Are you looking for Perry?' She stopped and her cheeks coloured. She dipped in a formal curtsy much to his embarrassment. 'I beg your pardon, your grace, I can see now the resemblance to Lord Peregrine.'

He bowed hoping to demonstrate he wasn't so high in the instep as to expect the people here to bow and scrape to him. 'And you must be Mrs Appleby, Carlos explained to me that you and your daughter saved my brother's life. I take it he is elsewhere.'

'Please, your grace, will you come to my humble abode and I shall tell you what I know. I am sure you would like to freshen up and eat and drink before you go in search of him.'

Beau was mystified as to how his brother would need to be searched for when he was blind. All this could be explained to him when they were out of the sun which was already unpleasantly hot, even at this time in the morning.

'Forgive me, ma'am, but I must fetch my saddle bags. Stupidly I let them disappear with my horse…'

She spoke rapidly to a boy fetching water at the well. He understood enough to know that she was sending him to fetch his things.

'Thank you, I should now be delighted to accompany you.'

The inside of her house was cool, the thick stone walls keeping out the heat. It was surprisingly spacious, and was twice as long as it was wide. 'If you would care to follow me, your grace, there is a washroom at the rear of my house. You will find everything you need in there. If you require any other facilities that is next door.'

Apart from having to duck his head when entering the wash place he found it to be perfectly adequate. What he would really like to have was a strip wash under a pump but he could hardly do that here as the water was carried in buckets from the well. Also, he needed his clothes before he could remove his soiled garments.

There was a polite knock on the door scarcely five minutes after he'd arrived and the youth bowed and handed him the saddle bags. Even something as simple as washing filled him with pleasure. He rather thought he had been tense ever since he'd had the news that Perry was missing. Knowing his brother was safe, and relatively well, removed the weight from his shoulders. There was no longer any need for urgency and he was quite happy to take his time over his ablutions.

When he emerged a considerable time later Mrs Appleby appeared above him on a balcony that ran the width of the house. 'If you would care to join me here, sir, I have refreshments ready.'

As there was no sign of the daughter, Sofia he thought she was called, he must suppose that she was out somewhere with his brother. He would make polite enquiries about this family whilst he ate. Mrs Appleby was perfectly acceptable, she had good manners and excellent diction. Her garb might be a tad outlandish, but it was hardly surprising she had chosen to blend in.

He found his way to the veranda and could see why she had suggested they sit there. The entire area was shaded and looked out over the valley and towards what he supposed would be France somewhere the other side of the mountains.

'This looks and smells quite delicious. This will be the first meal I have eaten using cutlery and crockery for several days.'

'I imagine eating around a campfire is not something you are accustomed to, your grace.'

'How true, ma'am, but despite what you might think of me, I have actually enjoyed the experience.' He took a bite of the delicious pie and then became more interested in his food than in the conversation. The impromptu meal was washed down with a tart, dry cider.