The Duke's Alliance: A Soldier's Bride(46)

Without a doubt the rest of the family would wish to be involved in looking for a bride for him and he was going to find it highly amusing observing the attempts to entice him into matrimony when he was a confirmed bachelor.

There was still an hour or two before the house would be invaded by half a dozen infants and ten adults, as well as the six who already lived here. Once they had got over the excitement of greeting their long-lost brother he would inform them that they were to stay at Silchester for the Christmas period.

He would not object if they wanted a ball at some point, possibly a supper party or two. It was probably time he mingled with his neighbours again. He would rather be on his own than spend time in the company of people he had no interest in. The fact that they lived in his vicinity was not a reason to make them bosom bows.

Sofia was right to say the house was overlarge, cold and unwelcoming. He had not thought about this before, had just accepted this was how things were, but he must give the matter some thought. Even with the two wings removed and turned into separate homes for the twins the place was still impossibly large. He had never counted the rooms, but there must be more than a hundred.

Perhaps filling it with frills and furbelows, greenery and firs might make the place more hospitable. The custom of putting a yule log in the main fireplace in the grand hall had not been done for decades, but he rather thought he would revive this tradition as well.

He had scarcely picked up his pen when his brother marched in. With a resigned sigh he put it down and waited to see why he had been interrupted.

'What on earth made you say you would go along with Sofia's ridiculous suggestion? She is as likely to find you the young woman you wish to marry as I am to fly to the moon.' Perry straddled a chair and rested his forearms along the top. For a man supposedly in love with his wife he did not sound particularly happy.

'I shall enjoy seeing her try. I am quite aware that our siblings have been talking about doing something similar for the past year. Why are you here? It is surely not to talk about me.'

'Bringing Sofia here is like caging an exotic bird. I should have remained in Spain where she could live a freer life, not brought her back here to be constrained and bound by antiquated rules.'

'Are you saying that you are going to return there in order to keep your wife content?' His brother didn't answer. 'If she was Spanish I might have more sympathy with your concerns. However, she spent her formative years in England in a more restricted environment than this. If she genuinely loves you then she will wish to do whatever makes you happy.'

'Half the time I have no idea what she is thinking, I scarcely know her, but I do love her. I am at a loss to know what to do, what will be best for both of us.'

'Do you love her sufficiently to let her go – to open this metaphorical cage?'

'If she is already carrying our child then she must stay.' He rubbed his eyes. 'I had decided to stay out of her bed, to wait and see if she got her courses and then give her the option to leave but... well, I do not have the willpower.'

'But you do have the means. You told her you were not leaving until the day after tomorrow. Go immediately after the family have visited. Spend three weeks away and then you will know either way and can make your decision.'

'She will never forgive me for deceiving her. The last place she wishes to be is here.'

'If by so doing she gains her freedom then she will understand why you did it.'

His brother stood up, he looked haggard, the joy gone from his eyes. Whatever Perry might think to the contrary he was hopelessly in love with his wife and losing her would destroy him.

'I shall set things in motion, thank you for your sound advice. It is going to be the hardest thing I've ever done. I shall pray that she is indeed with child as I don't think I could live without her now.' He rubbed his eyes again and Beau wondered if they were giving him trouble. It was only a few weeks since he had regained his sight.

'I think you must go to London and see an eye specialist before you head for the north.'

'Again, you are right. My vision is worsening again and I fear I might be going blind and this time it will be permanent.' Instead of looking desperate at the thought Perry smiled. 'She will never leave me if I am unable to see, and I have Zorro as well. I shall manage very well whatever happens.'





Chapter Sixteen


Sofia went in search of the dog, she felt closer to the place she still considered her real home when with him. He greeted her enthusiastically and she set out for a brisk walk keeping a close eye on the drive so she could return in time to meet her new relatives.

She couldn't see the gates as they were in a dip and by the time the first carriage was visible there would be no more than a quarter of an hour to return to the house if she wished to be there to greet them. As they were coming mainly to see Perry, she hardly thought it mattered whether she was there or not.

She kept to the paths in the hope that it would keep her gown clean and so far she had been successful. 'Come along, Zorro, we shall return along the terrace. I am sure the visitors will be here very soon.'

This route took her past the recently converted wing that was now the home of Perry's twin brother and his wife. The door flew open and if she hadn't known she would have thought it was her husband standing there.

'Sofia, what a magnificent dog.' Aubrey smiled. 'I beg your pardon, I am Aubrey, I should have introduced myself first.'