The Duke's Alliance: A Soldier's Bride(54)

'You could leave in the new year and return in the summer – the family could manage without you for that length of time and it would give you a new perspective on your life.'

'You are very persuasive, my dear, I shall give the matter some thought.' He stretched out his legs closed his eyes ending the conversation.

She was too restless to sleep, too excited at the thought that her husband would return to her in the next day or two. Her thoughtless words still separated them but she was confident she could persuade him she was contrite and that they were spoken in anger.

They were no more than an hour from their destination when the duke spoke again. 'There is a small estate in Herefordshire, it belonged to our mother, no one from the family has ever lived there. I believe Carstairs said the long-standing tenant had just passed away and he was having the place refurbished before finding someone else.'

She sat forward and, in her excitement at his words, put her hand on his arm. 'That sounds absolutely perfect. Nobody will know who you are, you can spend the time in solitude or mix with your neighbours if you so wish.'

There was a sudden thump on the roof. The carriage rocked to a standstill. Why had they stopped so suddenly?

*

Perry moved rapidly away from the door so Madeline and Grey would not know he had overheard their conversation. He turned with a relaxed smile when his brother-in-law came in.

'I wanted to talk to you, Grey, but it can wait. I wish to call in and see Bennett before I return home.'

'I am overseeing the repairs to a row of cottages so will not be about much during the day for the next two weeks.'

'The matter is not urgent, I will catch up with you both when Sofia returns.'

With a cheery wave he strode out and walked around to the stables to collect his horse. Sultan had not been untacked, the girths merely loosened, so it was a matter of moments to tighten them and be in the saddle.

He was consumed by an emotion he didn't recognise. His brother had no right to go away with Sofia, to encourage her to depend on him when she should be turning to her husband for advice. He recalled every word she had said to him the last time they had spoken. Did she believe it would be acceptable for her to take a lover? She had suggested that he find himself a mistress – he was damned if he would.

Beau he trusted implicitly. Sofia had changed since they were married and he didn't really know her. Had her wild years included sharing her favours? After all, she had come to him without a second's hesitation even though they were not married.

Had she been an innocent then? Everything had happened so quickly, he had not given the matter any thought. His brother would never betray him but he was certain there were gentlemen who would be only too happy to make love to his beautiful wife if they got the opportunity and she was willing.

He had been too lax with her. Allowed her to behave as if she was unmarried. By law she belonged to him and from this moment forward he intended to make damn sure she did as she was told or would suffer the consequences.

He didn't call in to see his brother. The mood he was in he would say something he would regret. No, this was something he must deal with himself, something private between him and his wife. The more time he spent on his own the more convinced he became that Sofia intended to play him false. Perhaps not immediately, but she would never have given him carte blanche otherwise. From now on he would keep her close, make sure she was never alone with any gentleman, even his brothers and brothers-in-law.

He spent his evenings drinking and fell into bed in an alcoholic stupor. Getting up each morning with a sore head and roiling guts did nothing for his temper.

Five days after his return, it was late afternoon when he eventually pulled himself together and went out for some fresh air. He saw at once that the carriage carrying the trunks had already arrived. Sofia and Beau could not be far behind. Zorro was prancing around the stable yard waiting for him.

'You are excited, old fellow. How do you know that your mistress is coming home today? Shall we go and meet her?' The animal barked as if agreeing with him.

This should have been a joyous occasion but his humour had worsened and the more he had drunk the more convinced he had become that his wife no longer loved him and wished to sever the connection if she could.

He kicked Billy into a gallop, ignoring the shocked expressions of the grooms. Mistreating one's horse was not something a gentleman should do. He was forced to stop to cast up his accounts which did nothing to improve his mood.

He saw the carriage approaching along the lane and thundered towards it. He approached from the rear, the coachman would not have seen him, and hammered on the roof. The driver heaved on the reins and the carriage rocked to a halt.

The door swung open and his brother stepped out looking none too pleased at the way the carriage had been stopped.

'What were you thinking? Is there an emergency that could not wait until I return?'

Perry leaned down from his horse, wanting to see Sofia. 'I need to speak to my wife. It is none of your damn business.'

Beau recoiled. 'You are drunk. You will speak to no one until you are sober.' He turned his back and jumped back into the carriage. The door slammed behind him and the driver snapped his whip.

Perry was left feeling foolish and this added fuel to his fury. He hurtled back over the hedges and ditches and arrived in the stable yard just as the carriage was turning onto the long, winding drive. Sofia would have to go to her rooms. He would be there waiting.