The Duke's Alliance: A Soldier's Bride(38)

She yawned in his face, stretched slowly and then deigned to answer. 'It is hardly my fault, my lord, if you are so stupid that you did not think to speak to Jenkins as to my whereabouts. I do hope you do not intend to travel inside with me for I have no wish to share this cramped space with a gentleman I no longer recognise as the man I saved from certain death a few months ago.'

His jaw tightened and she could almost hear his teeth grind as he fought to hold onto his temper. Then he retreated as suddenly as he had arrived, kicked the steps up and slammed the door.

She wished the words unsaid. He had probably been worried about her absence and had not thought to ask Jenkins. Why should he think this man would know her whereabouts? Her hands stopped shaking and she stood up intending to go in search of him and apologise.

As she did so the carriage jolted forward, she lost her footing and fell against the door, it flew open she tumbled head first onto the cobbles.

*

Perry was about to mount his horse when to his horror his wife fell from the carriage and sprawled face down on the ground. He was beside her in a second, his fury forgotten. He stiffened as Zorro snarled behind him.

'Sweetheart, stay still for a minute whilst I check you have broken no limbs.'

She stirred beneath his touch and rolled over without his assistance. 'I am perfectly well, thank you, Perry. I am merely embarrassed. Would you be so kind as to assist me to my feet?' She reached around and patted the dog who immediately relaxed.

There were dirt smudges on her cheeks, her bonnet was askew, and there were tears in her eyes. He scooped her up and as his brother approached he shook his head. 'If you are sure you are unhurt, darling girl, then allow me to replace you in the carriage. I sincerely hope you do not emerge so precipitously a second time.'

His teasing words had the desired effect as she managed a watery smile. 'You are ridiculous…'

'If you say so, my love, then I must be.' He ducked and climbed in without the benefit of the steps and twisted so he could sit whilst keeping her in his arms. The under-coachman peered nervously into the carriage and then hastily closed the door.

Perry carefully undid the ribbons of her bonnet and tossed it onto the opposite squab. Then he pulled off his gloves using his teeth and they joined the bonnet on the seat. She had remained silent and passive in his arms whilst he did so.

He rubbed the tears and dirt streaks from her face with his handkerchief. 'To continue, sweetheart, I believe that I am also stupid and ungrateful. Have I omitted anything on this list of my sins?'

She sighed and finally relaxed into his embrace. 'I am sorry that I caused you so much upset, I just went for a walk. I was angry because you had told Polly to throw away my men's garments and I needed to clear my head. Jenkins was my escort.'

He kissed her lightly and she didn't recoil, which was a good sign. 'Is that all. You must realise, Sofia, that your days of riding astride dressed like a boy have gone. I have no objection to you riding astride as long as you remain on Silchester land and do not go abroad. I am sure a garment can be constructed that will make this possible and not send shockwaves through the family.'

The carriage had trundled out of the yard and was now making slow progress through the press of other vehicles along the narrow streets of Dover. They wouldn't be stopping until it was time to change the horses. He must assume that Jenkins or Smith was now leading Billy.

She wriggled off his lap and while still holding onto his arms relocated to the other side of the carriage. For a moment he thought it was because she didn't wish to sit next to him but then she explained why she had moved.

'I need to be able to see your face when we talk and I cannot do so unless I sit opposite. There has been a distance between us since we left Salamanca and we need to address this before we reach Silchester.'

He pushed out his legs and trapped hers between them, he wanted to be in physical contact with her whilst she spoke as he had a feeling he was going to hear things he didn't want to know. Hopefully, the physical attraction between them would be enough to prevent them from becoming permanently estranged.

'Do I have your permission to speak frankly?'

He flinched. Had it come to that? Did she really think things had changed so much between them that she needed to have his permission before speaking?

'Go ahead, sweetheart, I give you my word I shall not interrupt until you are done.'

She closed her eyes as if gathering her thoughts. She pushed herself more upright on the squabs, and then began. 'I'm beginning to fear that we have made the most catastrophic error by becoming man and wife. I am not denying that we are in love with each other but I have finally understood that love does not conquer all.

'We are as different as chalk and cheese. Tell me honestly, Perry, if I had not so foolishly come to your house that night would we be married now?'

'I don't know, possibly not. I do not doubt the love we have for each other, but like you I have been having serious concerns about how we are going to adjust to living together in such different circumstances.'

She glanced down at his legs making it clear she wished to be free of them and obediently he swung them to one side. This was not going well. Instead of clearing the air it was making things more difficult between them.

'I am not suited to living the restricted life of a pampered wife of an English aristocrat. I have no interest in the things that I should, I have no wish to spend time on pointless morning calls, supper parties and musical evenings. I do not play the pianoforte, paint pretty watercolours or do embroidery.