The Duke's Alliance: A Soldier's Bride(36)
'Then we shall lead the set, my lady. It is sometime since I have danced so you will forgive me if I do not live up to your expectations.'
The quartet played the opening chords of another waltz and Beau swept her away. Perry moved to the side to watch them, or rather to watch her. His brother rarely danced but he was light on his feet and they made a pretty couple.
She was laughing at something he said and for a second he wanted to snatch her away, to not allow her to dance with anyone else but him. He had not thought himself a jealous man, and especially not of his brother, but she was his world and he wasn't prepared to share her with anyone.
His first task when they returned would be to get his siblings involved in finding the duke a bride. He didn't for one minute think Beau would do anything untoward, but he was a dangerously attractive man and it would be safer for everyone if he was married.
No sooner had he thought this than he was ashamed. How could he consider for one second that his beloved Sofia might fall in love with another man? The dance drew to a close and he indicated to the musicians that they could go. The hour was late and they were intending to leave at first light and all needed to get some sleep. He sincerely hoped that he and his wife would have considerably less sleep than his brother.
'I shall never forget tonight,' she said and ran to the end of the ballroom where she twirled and curtsied to them both before dancing back. 'This will always be my favourite gown and I intend to wear it so often that you will be sick of the sight of it.'
He gathered her close and with his arm firmly around her waist guided her upstairs to their palatial apartment. 'A lady of the ton would rather die than be seen in the same gown on consecutive occasions. You will have a new wardrobe and half a dozen ballgowns to choose from.'
She looked at him in astonishment. 'I shall wear what I like, I will not be dictated to by anyone. I have no intention of allowing you to buy me dozens of unnecessary gowns. I would prefer you to give the money to those who are struggling to put food on the table.'
'I had not known you were a revolutionary, sweetheart. Whatever your wishes on the matter you are now a member of the Sheldon family and must dress appropriately.'
She didn't respond but when they walked into their apartment she slipped from his grasp. 'It is late, Perry, we both need to get as much sleep as possible before our long journey. Good night, thank you for a wonderful evening, I shall see you in the morning.'
The door to her bedchamber was closed firmly behind her. He could demand his conjugal rights, but that wasn't his way. Once she had met his sisters she would understand what was expected of her so there was no point in being at daggers drawn when they were still so far from home.
The journey to the coast was uneventful. It would have been more enjoyable if he had been able to share a bed with his beloved. He enjoyed her company during the day, she was as amusing, argumentative and adorable as always but every night had some objection to them making love and he respected her wishes. His dog appeared to have changed allegiance now he was no longer needed as a guide. He spent every available minute at Sofia's side and he was glad she had someone of her own.
He observed his brother becoming captivated as the days went past, the more he saw them together the more concerned he became. He was pleased they were good friends but wished they did not laugh so much. Indeed, if he was honest, Sofia was more animated in Beau's company than she was in his.
It was with some relief that they finally reached the port and were able to board the waiting ship that would take them back to England. He had been away for over two years and so much had happened in his absence. Aubrey had got married, so had Giselle and there had been several babies born.
'I shall share with you, Beau, and let Sofia have the cabin to herself. We might be needed to help with the horses.' His brother didn't argue. 'Smith and Jenkins are going to sleep with the animals – I gather none of them enjoyed the crossing last time.'
'We must pray it will be calm. The weather is remarkably clement for October, but we have a long way to go and storms can appear out of nowhere.'
'It would be ironic indeed if after you have sent the good news of my return we all perished in the sea.'
'Tarnation take it! What the hell is the matter with you, little brother? You have a face as long as a wheelbarrow most of the time. One would have thought you would be overjoyed to be going back with a beautiful young wife on your arm. Yet you have been a veritable curmudgeon the entire journey.'
'Things are not going smoothly between us. I fear that Sofia will not settle into her new life. She has been running wild in the hills for these past two years doing God knows what, and now we expect her to behave like a young girl with no experience of the world.'
His brother slapped him none too gently on the shoulder. 'Do not include me in that sentence, Perry. Sofia is no different from our sisters apart from the fact that she has no interest in fashion. She will find her way, give her time, do not hedge her in with etiquette and protocol.'
This was an astounding thing for him to hear. His brother was an aristocrat, a duke, from his crown to his toes and expected everybody to treat him with deference and obey him to the letter. How could Beau have changed so radically? He scarcely recognised him as the brother he had left behind when he had joined the cavalry.
As it happened all four of them were needed to keep the horses from breaking free. Even if he had wanted to spend time with Sofia he wouldn't have been able to in the circumstances. He could not understand why his twin had chosen to spend the first year of his marriage on the sea. It was a hideous place to be, wet, cold and dangerously uncomfortable. Perry vowed he would never set foot in another ship as long as he lived. It was a good thing he hadn't mentioned to his wife that they take the yacht themselves when Aubrey and Mary returned from their travelling.