The Duke's Alliance: A Soldier's Bride(62)

Without a by your leave he picked her up and she didn't have the energy to protest. He shouldered his way through the door, past the servants' rooms and into the main part of the house.

'My room is the third door on the left, Perry.' She should have asked to be put down as she was perfectly capable of walking but being held so close to him, feeling his warmth, his strength, was exactly what she needed.

He put her into her bed and then busied himself restoring the fires before returning to her side. 'Were you up because your hand was so painful?'

'I was. Which reminds me – did Aubrey catch the burglar?'

He explained what had transpired. 'You could have been killed? What were you thinking? You might be the most aggravating of husbands, but you are the only one I have and I do not wish to lose you.'

His smile curled her toes, then she saw the familiar darkness in his eyes but he did not follow up on his desire and for that she was grateful. She was not ready to be intimate with him – there was still too much bad blood between them.

'I too could not sleep. I guessed you were having problems with your hand and wanted to see for myself what damage you had done.'

'I am so ashamed that I punched your brother unnecessarily. If my hand was so badly damaged is not his nose also broken?'

'He has a magnificent black eye but you have not marred his face.' He pulled up a chair and sat close to her, but not alarmingly so. 'I'm consumed by shame at my reprehensible and unforgivable behaviour. I have absolutely no excuse and will understand if you wish to leave me.'

'I have not quite decided what I wish to do. If the ceremony could be set aside, then we could start afresh – get to know each other better before...' She blushed, not able to mention what she had been thinking.

'I am floundering, sweetheart. You just told me you did not wish to lose me and yet you are asking to have the marriage broken. I love you, I shall never marry another, but will do whatever you want.'

'I love you too. I have not explained myself properly. I would like to be married in our own church with your family and mine present. I was just suggesting we could pretend we were courting, and then we can put everything behind us and start again.'

'We don't have to do anything about the ceremony in Spain as we can just ignore it. The family will be together here for the Christmas festivities, that will be the perfect time to have a second ceremony.' His eyes blazed and she caught her breath.

He jumped to his feet before she could respond and moved rapidly to the door. 'That being the case, my darling, I should not be in your bedchamber. I shall appear mid-morning to take you for a drive as I think that is the correct procedure for a courting couple.'

'Will I not have to remain indoors until the doctor has visited?'

'Your hand will be stiff and sore for a few days but you no longer need the attentions of a physician. I have set dislocated limbs on several occasions and he would have done nothing different.'

'I shall need bride clothes – it seems wrong to be asking you to pay for them in the circumstances.'

'Be damned to the circumstances. You order whatever you want, will four weeks be sufficient time for you?'

'My lord, if I am to marry you a second time then I insist that you moderate your language.'

He grinned making him look years younger. 'Coming it too brown, madam, you must have heard far worse when you were riding with the partisans.'

'I did, but somehow improper language spoken in Spanish does not sound half as bad.'

He raised a hand and disappeared, she could hear him laughing to himself outside the door. Then another voice, very similar to his, spoke.

'What the devil are you doing wandering about my house at this time of the morning?' Aubrey had been woken by Perry's laughter.

'I am going, brother, I have been speaking to my wife. She will explain it all to you at a more civilised time.'

There was a hesitant tap on her door and her brother-in-law spoke from outside. 'Are you well, Sofia?'

'I'm absolutely splendid, thank you, Aubrey. I apologise if we woke you. I shall speak to you at breakfast.'

*

Perry bounded down the stairs and back through the kitchen where the helpful kitchen maid was about to carry up the tray. He waved nonchalantly and left the same way he had come in. He was tempted to wake up his older brother but thought this might not be appreciated.

Zorro pressed his cold nose into his hand and whined. 'I know, your mistress is living in one place and I am in another but all will be well soon.' He patted the dog and walked around to the side door which was now unbolted. The house was coming alive, there were several maids, sacks tied around their waists, busily scrubbing the floor. He negotiated their buckets and cloths and made his way to the study.

Peebles had anticipated his actions and the fire was lit and candles burning everywhere. He had scarcely settled in front of the fire with a newspaper when a footman arrived with a tray. Exactly what he wanted. He was drinking coffee and eating sweet rolls at exactly the same time as Sofia. They were not together in person but they were still sharing a meal.

If they were to arrange a second wedding there were invitations to send out, but perhaps it would be best in the circumstances for it to remain a family affair as there were more than enough of them to make a jolly party. It was not the accepted behaviour to bring one's children to a house party but obviously the family would be doing so. This meant that not only would it not be a quiet event but the guests that had been obliged to abandon their children over the festive period would be made to feel guilty.