The Duke's Alliance: A Soldier's Bride(26)

He refused point-blank to wear the gold embroidered jacket that should complete the outfit. 'I'll wear my new topcoat so you can put that hideous object away.'

His hair had grown to below collar length so he tied it at the nape of his neck with a strip of black ribbon. Not so many years ago the common soldier had been forced to have a tarred pigtail, and even gentlemen had worn their hair in this way.

'Don't scowl at me, Beau, I shall have it cut when I get home.'

His brother was gazing out of the window. 'Your guests are already on their way to the church. If we do not leave now you will be late.'

'That I must not be as I told Sofia I could not tolerate tardiness.'

'What was her response to your remark?'

When he told him they both laughed. If he couldn't be a soldier then he would endeavour to be a good husband and hopefully one day a good parent too. He was about to set out when he noticed the sword he had returned was leaning against the wall just inside the door. It would be churlish to refuse it a second time.

*

'Your future husband and his handsome brother have just left for the church. We must depart ourselves in the next few minutes if we are not to be late. In honour of the duke your wedding is the first of four to be held today.'

'I do hope we don't have to sit through an interminable Mass, Mama. I much prefer the shorter service that we get in our own church. Father Benedict will be there until midnight if everyone has the nuptial Mass. As long as we are legally married I have no wish to prolong the ceremony.' She shook out non-existent creases in her beautiful gown. 'It is a shame they can never ring the church bells for fear that the French would be attracted here.'

'I understand from Don Pablo that the other couples are being married simultaneously to avoid that problem. For your marriage to be recognised in Spain it must be conducted as it always is. You will have to sit through an even more elaborate ceremony tomorrow morning when it will be my turn.'

Now was not the time to mention that Perry had said they would leave at dawn to begin the search for his missing comrade. To be honest, she had no desire to see her mother marry the Spaniard as this would mean she might never see her again. Mama should have been able to accompany her back to England to join in her good fortune.

The small square was deserted, no doubt everyone was in the church. Somehow it didn't seem right to be walking just with her mother, surely the don should have accompanied them? The closer she got the less enthusiastic she felt about the whole thing. Was there still time to run away?

Then they emerged into the marketplace and instead of remaining at the altar Perry was striding towards her. His smile squashed her doubts. He loved her, she loved him, whatever life threw at them they could deal with it.

'My darling, I refused to sit in a church full of strangers. I wish we could wait until we could be married at home with my family around us.'

'As this is to be a Catholic ceremony perhaps we could repeat it in our own religion?'

The tall, dark gentleman waiting by the door must be the duke. He bowed and his expression was warm. 'I am delighted to meet you, and think your suggestion that you have a second marriage at Silchester to be an excellent one.'

She curtsied, not something she could remember doing before. She had never had a Season in London where one was forever bobbing up and down. 'I would have known you for Perry's brother, your grace, your colouring is dissimilar but in every other way you are the same.'

There was still no sign of the gentleman who she was supposed to be walking down the aisle with and she thought this rather odd. The duke offered his arm and she took it. Perry winked and was about to vanish inside to take up his designated position by the altar when the distant crackle of gunfire echoed from the hills. Not an auspicious start to anyone's married life.

The long elaborate service was conducted at a leisurely pace and in Spanish. She responded when prompted and when the gold band slipped over her knuckle she was glad it was done and they could get back into the sunshine. It was dark and cold inside the church as it had not been used for years.

Then they were obliged to follow the priest to the altar and kneel for another interminable hour. All she could think about was that Don Pablo had not attended and this was most unlike him. Eventually they were allowed to stand and turned to face the congregation.

Mama was also absent. A sick dread gripped her stomach and she glanced at her husband. He too looked worried. 'Something is wrong, we must go at once and see why my mother and the don did not attend.'

The duke overheard her whispered comment, nodded at his brother and then strode away ahead of them. They were obliged to stop and accept congratulations all the way down the aisle. When they emerged into the sunshine the firing had stopped. She prayed the English had been successful and that none of the men from the town had been injured.

'Everyone is following us. We cannot abandon our guests. I hope your brother returns speedily to tell us what is happening.'

'Like you, sweetheart, I am concerned at their absence. I'm certain your mother would not have missed your wedding unless it was for something serious.'

There were branches of orange blossom formed into an arch over the doorway. His house was sparkling, the doors to the veranda wide open and in the courtyard a small band of musicians was playing lively music. The wooden steps that led down to the veranda had also been decorated with flowers and blossom. It looked enchanting, she should be happy, but the worry about the missing couple was squashing her joy.