The Duke's Alliance: A Soldier's Bride(52)

Sofia's absence would explain why the hound had been wandering about the place. The animal must think he had been abandoned. His poor valet was now trundling back in the smaller coach that was used for this purpose, so he would have to do for himself until he returned.

Hot water came without him having to send for it. He stripped to the skin and washed the grime from the journey from his person. Instead of putting on fresh garments the threw back the covers and tumbled into bed. Exhaustion after his long ride overcame him and he slept the clock around.

He got up the next morning with his day planned. He would go and see Carshalton, he had been a career soldier until inheriting the title, he would understand how difficult it was to become a civilian. Possibly his sister Madeline's husband would give him advice that would help him settle.

It was bad form to call before breakfast had been eaten, but the family did not stand on ceremony. His arrival was seen by a vigilant servant and a groom was waiting to take Sultan from him. The front door was opened by Madeline and she flew down the steps and into his arms.

'You must be lonely with everyone away. Come in, Grey is out on estate business but should be back by lunchtime. I am about to eat breakfast – will you join me?'

'I would be happy to. How are the babies?'

'Growing up fast. I'll take you up to the nursery after we've eaten if you would like to see them?'

After spending an exhausting hour playing with the children Perry was more cheerful, resigned to the fact that he had to fill the next seven days without the company of his wife.

'I wanted to talk to Grey, but that will have to wait until he returns. Tell me, how difficult has it been for him to adjust to living like a gentleman and not a soldier?'

'After all the excitement when we were first married and his grandmother was trying to have him assassinated one would have thought my husband would find life dull. I think he had enough excitement to last a lifetime. Jenkins and Smith had to be promised their own accommodation in return for travelling to look for you.'

'I thought as much. I had always thought to spend my life as a soldier, rising up the ranks, and only returning to England when I was too old to serve. At no time did I intend to marry or become a civilian.'

'The fact that you could be severely injured or killed at any moment did not bother you?'

'It goes with the job. I fell in love with Sofia when I didn't know who I was, if I would ever recover my memory or my sight.'

'Are you saying that you regret your marriage?'

'No, I love her and cannot live without her. What I regret is the fact that I fell in love at all – she is unhappy here and she told me she would never have become involved with me if she had known who I was.'

'You are talking in riddles, brother. I cannot see why you cavil at this marriage. You love each other, that is all that matters and you must both adjust to your new lives. I cannot believe you are so selfish you would rather have remained lost to us.'

'Beau came to find me and he would not have given up until he had done so.' He strolled towards the fire and warmed his hands. 'Which reminds me, why did he go with Sofia? I understood from Grace that once these first few months of her pregnancy are done she would be able to travel. Therefore, they will come to Silchester for Christmas which is only a few short weeks away.'

'If you were not there to escort her she had no option but to ask Beau to accompany her. Forgive me, the housekeeper is hovering at the door and she wishes to speak to me.'

Perry left his seat and went to stare out of the window. Grey was taking an unconscionable time to return and his main purpose had been to talk to him, although he had enjoyed talking to his sister in the meanwhile.

He wandered towards the door intending to tell his sister he was leaving but, as he approached, he heard a male voice. He paused, not wishing to intrude, and overheard something he should not have done.

'I saw Perry's horse in the stable. Is he here to see me?'

'He is. Did you know Beau had accompanied Sofia to Essex?'

'That is not good news. I think your brother is rather taken with her and she with him. Being closeted in a carriage together for three days…'

'Are you suggesting that something improper might take place?'

'Never. Silchester would not do anything untoward. I was thinking that if Sofia is not happy she might well compare her husband with him and find Perry falls short. That would not be good for either of them.'

Perry backed away. His throat was tight. He couldn't swallow. Had it come to this? Was he going to lose his wife to his brother?





Chapter Eighteen


The few days that Sofía spent getting to know Giselle and her husband reinforced her determination to make her marriage work. She would not allow Perry to be the only one in his family to have an unhappy union. Rushton was a lot older than Giselle but he did not treat his wife like a child but as an equal. She liked that about him.

Her brother-in-law spent his days out and about with his friend leaving her alone for a considerable amount of time as Giselle was stricken with nausea on and off all day. She didn't come down for dinner so Sofia decided she would have a tray in her room rather than eat alone with two such formidable gentlemen. She was sure they were relieved.

This gave her far too much time to think. One of the things she dwelled on, after her beloved husband, was what Beau should do in order to escape from his duties for a few months. She no longer thought of this as a way of him finding himself a wife, but to allow him to find his own version of contentment.