The Duke's Alliance: A Soldier's Bride(53)

The gentlemen didn't suggest she rode out with them so she went out on her own every day and enjoyed her rides. Essex was rather flat and uninteresting compared to Spain and she wished with all her heart she had been able to travel to the north of England. She had heard there were hills and mountains there which would remind her of her previous home.

On the morning of their departure Giselle was feeling a lot better and they were in the small drawing room together waiting for the carriage to be harnessed. 'I do apologise for neglecting you so shamefully, Sofia. I am looking forward to spending time with you when we come for the Christmas period. It is a great shame that Perry didn't come this time – I am the only member of the family not to have seen him since his return.'

'Thank you for being so hospitable. I am not with child, I hope I am able to give Perry the family he wants.'

'Do not be disappointed, Sofia, sometimes it can take several months to conceive.'

'Aubrey's wife has not done so after two years. This is no problem for them as they do not wish to have children – but we do.'

The conversation ended abruptly as they saw the vehicle pull up in the turning circle. The luggage and servants had left at dawn and would be waiting at the hostelry they intended to stay at for the night.

She embraced her sister-in-law and hurried out not wishing to keep Beau standing about. He handed her into the carriage.

'I hope you have enjoyed your visit, my dear, but I can see you are eager to get home. Perry should be back soon after us.'

'I am so fortunate to have married into your family. I cannot imagine there is another one in the country where every member is as kind, intelligent and attractive. I shall do my best to live up to your high standards.'

'My dear girl, you are our equal on every front. My brother chose the perfect wife for him. You both indicated that you wanted to have your marriage ratified in the family chapel. I thought we could do that when the house is festively decorated and the family are all here to celebrate the Lord's name day.'

'I should love that. I just wish my mother had been present the first time and that she was not going to miss the second ceremony.'

'Wellington has all but driven the French from Spain, I think it would be safe for her to travel. She cannot be here in time for Christmas but hopefully she will be in England when there is a christening.'

She blinked back tears. 'There will be no baby next summer.'

'Do not despair, little one, these things can take time. You will have children soon enough and then might wish your nursery was not quite so full. Your accommodation will not be ready before then so there is no rush.'

This was a strange conversation to be having with an unmarried gentleman. She had spoken to Giselle on the subject and had been told that there was no necessity to produce a baby every year if one did not wish to do so. She had not elaborated further, but had suggested that Perry speak to Rushton when they next met.

The carriage settled into companionable silence and remained that way until they paused at an inn to rest the horses and take refreshments themselves. These were ready for them and very tasty too.

As before she dined in her room and Polly had a truckle bed at the end of hers. Once more the servants departed whilst it was barely light so they would be home and have everything ready for their arrival.

She had something interesting to tell the duke and could not wait to be on the way so that she could speak to him without fear of being overheard.

'We should be at Silchester mid-afternoon – earlier if we do not stop too long at midday. Would you rather press on or take our time?'

'I should prefer to arrive as soon as possible. I want to look my best when Perry gets back.'

'He cares little for such things as well you know. Did you think he would have rejected you when he recovered his sight if you had not been beautiful?'

'He knew my features were regular, that...' She stopped herself just in time from saying something most indiscreet.

The only way Perry could have known her shape was if he had placed his hands on her person in a way that would be considered quite disgraceful by his formidable brother. She ducked her head and hoped the wide brim of her chip straw bonnet would hide her blushes.

'You did not answer my question, Sofia.'

'His love is not so shallow, unlike some gentlemen he does not prize appearance above everything else.'

'Exactly so. Therefore, you are worrying unnecessarily about your marriage. It had the most unusual beginning, but I am certain you will both adjust to your new circumstances given time.'

There had been enough talk about her marriage and now she wished to discuss her plan with him.

'You cannot paint, you have no scientific knowledge, but I recall that all your family are musical – is that correct?'

'Some of us more so than others. If I had not been born first perhaps I would have concentrated more on music and might have produced something worth listening to. Why do you ask?'

'Then you should find yourself somewhere quiet, away from the grandeur and responsibilities of Silchester, and spend a few months composing.'

His smile was sad. 'There is nothing I should like better, but I cannot abandon my post. You are not suggesting this would be an opportunity to find myself a wife?'

'I have abandoned that idea. No, I just think that now you have both Perry and Aubrey to take the reins then you could be away for several months without being missed.' She knew he was going to disagree, to point out that whilst he had been in Spain things had not gone as they should because Bennett had been called to London.