The Duke's Alliance: A Soldier's Bride(55)

His valet and her maid were dismissed. His vision was blurred – he wasn't sure if it was a surfeit of brandy or if the doctor was wrong and he was indeed going blind again. A stiff drink was what he needed and there was a decanter in his sitting room. There was time enough to find it before the reckoning began.

The fact that he had eaten almost nothing these past few days, and drunk three bottles of brandy, not to mention the claret, had not enhanced either his constitution or his disposition.

He was no longer thinking straight, had allowed his doubts and jealousy to escalate to the point where he truly believed Sofia had tricked him into marriage, had already given her innocence to another, and had never loved him as she professed.

Hard drinking after a battle was expected of the officers – the men were given a pint of rum a day which was why most of them had taken the King's shilling in the first place. But never in his life had he consumed alcohol during the day and he was no longer able to think coherently.

He drained a third glass and his hands stopped shaking. He returned to her bedchamber and prowled about the room until he began to feel unwell. She could not be here for another half an hour at least so he would rest on her bed until he heard her come in. No sooner had he closed his eyes than he passed out.

*

Sofia waited until Beau was back in his seat before speaking. 'Was Perry in his cups?'

'He was. I have no idea what has caused him to behave so badly – I suggest you keep your distance till I have had time to speak to him and I shall not do so until he has sobered up.'

'I was so looking forward to seeing him. In the few months we have been acquainted he has never drank to excess, rarely had more than a glass of wine with his dinner and cider with his midday repast. Something dreadful must have happened, he has had bad news, I cannot think of any other reason why he should appear in such a rage as he did.'

'It is out of character. You must not fret, little one, I shall solve this conundrum and you will see it is no more than a misunderstanding of some sort.'

His words sent a shiver of apprehension through her. Up until that point it had not occurred to her his drinking and behaviour were somehow related to her. 'You think this is something to do with us?'

'I am certain of it. Did you part on bad terms?'

She explained what had taken place and the stupid things she had said. 'This is all my fault...'

'Nonsense. My brother is an adult, he is responsible for his own actions. If he was idiot enough to take what you said at face value then he has only himself to blame.' He reached across and patted her hand. 'How would you feel if he did indeed take himself a mistress?'

'I would be devastated – then I would take my revenge. This doesn't explain why he was angry. I can almost understand why he should drink to excess if he believed I had rejected him. But I cannot see why he would then be so furious with me – one would expect him to be sad if he truly loved me.'

'You are right to be concerned. As I said, this is based on a misunderstanding which I intend to put right. I think it might be wise if you moved in with Aubrey until the matter is resolved.'

'I shall return to my apartment and arrange for Polly to transfer my necessities. I hope they don't object to me foisting myself upon them in this way.'

'Better to cause them a little inconvenience, my dear, than have something happen between you and Perry that cannot be put right.'





Chapter Nineteen


Sofia didn't think she'd ever get used to the size of this house – it took fully one quarter of an hour to walk from the front door to her apartment. She walked into her sitting room expecting to hear Polly unpacking her clothes but the room was silent. That was odd – she would have to find what she wanted for herself.

Everything was laid out neatly in the dressing room and it took only a few moments to collect the items and put them into a large fabric bag. Then she added her slippers, nightgown and robe, plus clean undergarments and stockings. There was no necessity to take anything else as she hoped she would only be staying next door for one night. She had every faith in the duke to put matters right between her and Perry.

A slight sound startled her as she stepped into her bedchamber. She dropped the bag as her husband rolled off her bed, gripped the post to steady himself and then moved with remarkable speed to block her exit.

'Not so fast, madam, I need to speak to you.'

Her heart was hammering, she didn't dare stoop down and pick up her dropped clothes. This was a man she did not recognise – a man capable of anything – not the person she had married a few weeks ago.

She swallowed the lump in her throat, pressed her nails into her palms and the sharp pain steadied her a little. 'You are drunk, my lord, and I shall not speak to you until you are sober.'

'I want to know how many men you were intimate with before you married me? Do I not meet your high expectations in the bedroom? Is that why you no longer wish to be my wife?'

Whatever she had been expecting him to say, this was not it. Not only was he drunk, he had taken leave of his senses. Anger replaced her fear and she stepped in close to him. She gagged at the pungent smell.

'You are despicable. I am glad I am not carrying your child. There is now no reason for me to remain here and I shall return to Spain. I never wish to see you or speak to you again. You are not the man I thought you to be.'