The Duke's Alliance: A Soldier's Bride(56)

He was gently swaying and she shoved him hard in the chest, he staggered backwards to sprawl upon the bed once more. She snatched up her bag and ran away. She was halfway across the gallery when her path was blocked by the duke.

'I take it I am too late. I beg you, ignore whatever he said, he will regret it when his head is clear.'

'In vino veritas – I think that means that the truth is always spoken by someone who is drunk. I can never forgive him for what he has said. With your permission, your grace, I will leave here in the morning and return to live with my mama in Spain. The marriage is over.'

'You will do no such thing, Sofia. I guarantee that you would regret it if you did. Love is not lost so easily. I gave you my word I would put things right, will you allow me to do so?'

'I don't care what you do, he is nothing to me now. A man who calls his wife impure does not deserve to be forgiven. I asked for your permission out of courtesy. I shall leave whether you want me to or not.'

'Please, Sofia, will you agree to wait a week before you go? If by then you are still of the same mind then I shall escort you myself.'

She nodded. 'Very well, I will remain seven days. I shall not change my mind because I cannot unhear the words that were spoken. I have had my doubts about this union and they have just been confirmed by his behaviour. I wonder if it will be possible to have it put aside as it was conducted in the Popish religion and in a foreign tongue?'

'I hope it will not come to that, my dear, but again I vow that I shall find out for you if you are determined to sever the connection to my family.'

She curtsied and he bowed, then he stepped aside allowing her to pass. Word had been sent to Lord Aubrey and his wife that she was to be their uninvited guest for the next week. Their home had an imposing front door but it was quicker to go in through the French windows on the terrace.

Lady Mary – she must no longer think of them as family, but refer to them formally – attempted to embrace her but she stepped aside. Again, she curtsied. 'I apologise for intruding, my lady, I shall not be here above a week as I intend to return to Spain.'

'I see. I hope you will change your mind as we already consider you a dearly loved member of the family and you would be sorely missed. Please, come and sit down, I have had coffee and freshly baked pastries brought in for us.'

The last thing she wanted was to eat or drink anything but it would be the height of bad manners to refuse when Lady Mary was being so kind.

'Thank you, no cake, but I shall take coffee.'

They sat in silence and the coffee restored her equilibrium somewhat. Had her reaction been so extreme because she had been so eagerly awaiting his return? Perhaps she would have a pastry after all and another cup of coffee.

Half an hour went by before it occurred to her that Lord Aubrey had not put in an appearance. 'Where is your husband, my lady?'

'Aubrey has gone to find Perry. By the time he and Beau have finished with him he will regret his appalling behaviour.'

'What do they intend to do?'

'First they will sober him up and that will not be a pleasant experience. Then if they take a horsewhip to him it would be no more than he deserves.'

She surged to her feet sending crockery and cake crumbs in all directions. She picked up her skirts, turned, and raced back the way she had come. If either of them dared to lay a finger on her husband it would be they that regretted it.

She had no objection to them putting his head in a bucket of water, but that was as much as she would allow. It was none of their business anyway. She and her disgraceful husband were quite capable of sorting out their own problems.

Sofia skidded to a halt in front of a startled footman. 'Where is my husband?'

'His grace and Lord Aubrey took him out for a bit of fresh air, my lady.'

*

Beau was pumping the handle of the well in the centre of the stable yard whilst Aubrey held Perry's head under the stream of icy-cold water. Brutal, but effective.

'I think he has had enough. Any more and we might drown him.'

'Perry, are you sober yet?' Beau had not finished with his brother. Once he was in his right mind he would understand the error of his ways.

'Devil take it, I'm half-drowned. Let me stand up, for God's sake.'

'Excellent, we are going for a brisk walk. I think the boathouse would be ideal, Aubrey.'

He stepped in and gripped his brother's arm hard enough to make him flinch. Perry looked from one to the other and he saw resignation and shame in Perry's face.

'I shall come without argument. I am a disgrace to my name and my regiment. If I had a pistol I would put an end to it right now.'

Before Beau could respond to this statement they were interrupted by the unexpected arrival of Perry's wife. She ran towards him and punched him hard. He staggered back clutching his injured nose and attempting to stem the copious flow of blood.

Aubrey had immediately released his hold on his brother before he too could be punched.

'How dare you both interfere in our business? Perry is my husband first and your brother second. I shall take care of things now. You are dismissed.'

Perry was looking as bemused as he was and Beau was relieved to see a flicker of amusement cross his face. Beau had never been told he was dismissed and hoped he would never be so again.

He nodded and tried to look formidable, but doubted he succeeded when holding a blood-soaked handkerchief to the end of his nose. 'You would do well to remember, madam, that you are a guest under my roof. An hour ago you were asking for my assistance...'