The Duke's Alliance: A Soldier's Bride(48)

Beau had wanted him to take a groom, but he had refused. He would travel more speedily on his own. If he could wander about the continent behind enemy lines then he should be safe enough in the green fields of England. He had two loaded pistols in his greatcoat pockets so in the unlikely event of being held up by a footpad he could deal with it speedily.

Sultan was also available, but in his opinion Billy was the better horse. He looked for his wife, he was unhappy about deceiving her, but she was nowhere to be found. He left the letter he had written her on her pillow. He hoped she would understand why he had gone without her when she read it.

He was going to London first to see the eye specialist, would stay at the town house tonight and then leave for the north tomorrow. With his saddle bag over his shoulder he stepped out through the front door fully expecting his horse to be waiting for him on the turning circle.

It was not there. Mildly irritated, as he had sent word down to the stable in good time, he strode around to see what the delay was. The place was in uproar. The head groom blanched when he saw him approaching.

'My lord, Billy ain't there. His tack has gone as well.'

'There is no need to panic, I believe I know where he is. Lady Peregrine is an expert horsewoman, I rather think she has taken him out herself.'

If he had announced his wife was a devil worshipper he could not have got a more astonished response. 'I'll go after her. Saddle Sultan and be quick about it.'

Zorro was also absent, he would be at his wife's side as always. He guided Sultan through the archway and into the park and sat for a moment or two considering which would be the best way to go. His eyes narrowed and he put his hand above his eyes hoping to be able to see better.

Where would he go if he didn't want to be seen? The woods – no doubt about it. He kicked his horse into an extended canter, his hooves dislodging large divots from the immaculate lawn as he thundered across.

He kept up this rapid pace for a mile and then drew rein. He put his fingers in his mouth and whistled, something that had proved useful when he had to attract the attention of his men, and waited to see if the dog would come to his side.

He whistled a second time. Sure enough, there was the sound of undergrowth moving and then the hound arrived, long pink tongue lolling from his jaws and his tail wagging wildly.

'Good boy, well done. Now, take me to Sofia.' The dog looked at the undergrowth from which it emerged and then barked. 'I cannot go that way, you must take me along the tracks.'

The animal bounded off down the path and he followed. He wasn't worried that Sofia had come to grief, Zorro would not be so lively if that were the case. He should be furious with her but he didn't blame her one jot. She was perfectly capable of riding any horse astride, but he wished she had not taken Billy as now he would be unable to ride him himself until tomorrow.

His appointment with the doctor would have to be postponed – but at least he could explain to her in person why he was going on his own and she wouldn't be obliged to read it in his note. The path was wide enough to canter without danger of being swept from the saddle by an overhanging branch.

In the distance he heard the hound barking so Sofia must be aware that he was coming. It had been some years since he had ridden this way and he had forgotten that there was a clearing where the charcoal burner, in times gone by, had his hut.

His missing horse was grazing peacefully but there was no sign of her. He dismounted and left Sultan to join his stablemate. He stood in the centre of the dell and listened. The only good thing about his weak sight was the fact that his hearing had improved dramatically.

Zorro had stopped barking. The only sounds were those one would expect to hear – nothing that would reveal the presence of his beloved. He put his fingers in his mouth and whistled. Pheasants flew squawking into the air, rodents ran in horror from the racket and the dog barked.

He half-expected her to yell back but instead there was just the faint rustling of undergrowth and then she emerged.

'You took my horse.'

'How observant of you, Perry. And you have taken your brother's. I wonder if he will come after us whistling in such an ill-bred way.'

He held out his hand but she ignored it. He had thought her remarks humorous, but now he was beginning to think he had misjudged the matter.

'Sweetheart, what is wrong? Have I offended you in some way?'

'I apologise if I sounded less than welcoming, I am out of sorts. I had thought you were busy and would not notice Billy was missing.'

There was a log large enough to sit upon at the far side of the clearing and he nodded towards it. 'We need to talk.'

He waited until she was sitting beside him and then pulled her closer so she was within his arms. For a second she resisted but then relaxed.

'I needed my horse because I had an appointment with a physician who is knowledgeable about eye problems…'

She twisted and stared at him her expression anxious. 'Are your eyes getting worse? You should have told me.'

'They are certainly not getting any better. I can still see perfectly well to get about the place, but only if I am looking directly ahead. Do not look so worried, darling, you know that I always intended to visit a doctor on my return.'

Her eyes narrowed. 'I thought I would go with you – why were you leaving surreptitiously?'

It was right that she should know the whole but now the time had come to explain he was unmanned. Then she twisted and scrambled onto his lap and began to kiss him. He responded for a few minutes but then gently lifted her aside before things led to their inevitable conclusion.