The Duke's Alliance: A Soldier's Bride(6)

'I must leave here, sweetheart, I can't remain any longer.' He pulled gently on the reins and his horse came to a standstill. He waited and she rejoined him.'

'What is it? Why have you stopped?'

'Did you not hear what I said? I don't belong in your village and I am standing in the way of your happiness. I can never marry you and whilst I'm here you have been putting me first and ignoring Carlos.'

*

Sofia knew why he was saying this but she was a believer in the old adage that love conquers all. She had been in love with him since the first moment he had opened his eyes all those weeks ago. Despite the fact that he was blind, he wasn't helpless, he was a strong and handsome man. Perhaps if he had not appeared so mysteriously she might have considered Carlos as her future husband, but now that could never be.

She edged her mare close to his gelding so their knees were touching. She stretched across and took his hand. 'Why do you say that? My mother would be delighted if we made a match of it – she thinks you are a true gentleman. She has never wanted me to marry Carlos even though she intends to marry his father as soon as I am settled.'

His fingers closed over hers. Her hand looked lost in his. 'How can I marry you when I don't know who I am? Good God, I could already be leg-shackled. I could not risk it, sweetheart, however much I should like to.'

A wave of heat travelled from her toes to her crown at the thought of what she was about to say. 'Things are different here. We have no priest since Father Reynaud died two years ago, so at least one couple has decided to live as man and wife without the benefit of clergy. It could possibly have been years before the bishop was able to find a priest prepared to come here and they did not wish to wait.

'I don't care if eventually it turns out you cannot remain here with me, that you have obligations elsewhere, I wish to share my life with you for as long as I can in the fullest way possible.' There – she'd said it. She was offering to be his mistress, something she would not even have contemplated when she left England two years ago.

She watched his expression change. His eyes might not see but they still flashed and changed colour according to his mood. His voice was gruff when he eventually answered. 'You would live with me as my wife even though I am blind and cannot take care of you as I should?'

'I love you, you love me?'

He raised her hand to his mouth and kissed each knuckle in turn making her tremble inside. 'I love you more than my life. But I cannot accept your offer, my darling, you have not thought this through. There could well be children and they would be bastards. I could not do that to you or to them.'

There were tears in his eyes and hers brimmed too.

He shook his head. 'If I thought I would be remaining here, that no one is looking for me, then things might be different. I'm certain there is someone I'm close to. Sometimes at night I can almost see them. You must see, my angel, that I have to go. When Don Pablo and the men return I shall ask them to escort me to the English army. It's possible someone there might recognise me.'

She had no option but to tell him what the village elders had decided. 'Carlos thinks you might have been a wine merchant.'

'Yes, that is possible but for some reason I think it incorrect.'

He dropped her hand and turned his horse towards the village. For the first time he went ahead of her trusting today to his animal's instincts to get him home safely. If he was to leave it would break her heart. If spending the night in his arms meant she would be left carrying his child then so be it. She would have something tangible to remember him by.

She would marry Carlos and become a good wife to him even though she could never love him as she ought. Word had come from a traveller that finally their new priest was on his way to the village and should be with them before the snow. Already families were preparing for marriages and baptisms – many of them coming a year or two later than they should be. She would speak to her mama about her plans and if she was not too horrified, then she would set things in motion as soon as may be.





Chapter Three


Beau and his small party arrived safely at the English camp after an arduous and unpleasant journey of almost four hundred miles. He had been carrying a special licence which he handed to Sullivan. His cousin was mercifully asleep and had not yet emerged from the stationary carriage. Once she was awake he would have no further opportunity to speak to her betrothed.

'I am assuming that you have the ceremony arranged? I fear I cannot delay more than a few hours before I continue on my journey.'

The young man, looking splendid in his dress regimentals, bowed. 'Not only do I have the service organised, your grace, there will also be a wedding breakfast held in the Officers' Mess.'

'Which one of the tents would that be? Also, although it is none of my concern, where will my cousin be residing?'

'I have a splendid little house in which we will both live. I also have a cook and maid to take care of everything so Beth will not have to worry about such matters.'

'Excellent. I have grave reservations about the wisdom of allowing you to marry her whilst still on active service. However, too late to repine – I'm trusting you to keep her safe. I want your word that when she is increasing you will send her home immediately.'

The lieutenant bowed. 'You have my word, your grace. In the last letter Beth and I exchanged we discussed that very point and she would like to return to Silchester Court and reside there with you until I am able to return.'