The Duke's Alliance: A Soldier's Bride(63)

He had left his civilian clothes here when he had bought his colours, they still fitted him well enough. It was fortunate indeed that gentlemen's fashions did not change so rapidly as those for the ladies. For their first ceremony he had worn borrowed clothes, so at least he would be wearing his own garments this time.

Beau appeared and was unsurprised to see him. 'Good morning, Perry, have you recovered from your night-time excursion?'

'Not only that, I have much to tell you, and all of it good.' He quickly ran through what had happened and what Sofia wanted.

'I think this will be a blessing rather than a marriage service, so there is no necessity to have the banns called and it can take place whenever we want. We shall use our own chapel and you are right to limit the guests to ourselves.'

'Would you object if I raided your hothouse? I wish to go laden with gifts when I visit her later.'

'I am disappointed that you feel you have to ask my permission. I am merely the custodian of all this, I do not have exclusive rights to anything.' He pointed at the empty tray which no one had come to collect. 'Shall I delay breakfast as you have already eaten?'

'That was hours ago. I am making up now for my lack of food over the past few days. Will you come with me to choose flowers and fruit for Sofia?'

'I will not. I shall use the time to plough through the remainder of this paperwork. I am glad that Bennett was able to return from his duties in London but I believe that he has departed already and will not be back until the House of Lords rises in two weeks' time.'

'Then I shall quickly pen a note to go with what is sent. By the way, I do hope your black eye has gone before Christmas.'

His brother's smile was somewhat forced. 'As Sofia fared worse than me I am prepared to forgive and forget.'

Perry arranged to get back in time to break his fast, for a second time, and returned to his apartment to put on something against the bitter cold. Zorro followed him into the orangery and appeared intrigued by the exotic smells and bright colours. They perhaps reminded him of his former home.

He wandered about admiring the blooms and fruit but had no notion which would make the best gift.

'My lord, can I be of service to you?' The head gardener hurried up and touched his forelock.

'I need a basket of fruit and a vase of flowers to be taken to Lady Peregrine. She is visiting with Lord Aubrey at the moment.'

'Leave it to me, my lord, I will select the items myself and have them taken round as soon as they are ready.'

'They need to be there as soon as possible – before I go around myself.'

'It will be done as you requested, my lord.'

He whistled to the dog who bounded over looking a little guilty. Perry decided not to investigate what his dog had been doing. He had a suspicion that Zorro had left a nasty surprise for one of the gardeners to find.

He wasted a further half an hour before returning to the breakfast parlour. His brother had yet to appear but the food was there and he was sharp-set. He was in the process of heaping his plate when Beau strolled in.

'You are looking more cheerful, little brother, and your colour is better too.'

'I am hopeful that in three weeks my beautiful bride will be restored to me. I shall only inform her about our future living arrangements then. I do not wish to influence her in my favour but have her take me back as I am.'

'A noble sentiment, but I do not think you can take the risk. From what you have told me she has already forgiven you – after all she would not have suggested that you remarry if she was intending to return to Spain.'

'I shall take your advice, Beau, and tell her everything I have set in motion when I go to see her shortly. I am relieved you have not set the alterations in motion in the west wing as that would be a wasted expense. Would you ask Carstairs, when he returns, to sell the two estates I inherited. I wish to be financially independent when we move next year.'

'What do you intend to do with the money when you have it?'

'I had thought to invest in a manufactory or two – the people need work and this will be a way of satisfying my need for an income and my people for employment.'

His brother looked shocked, as well he might, because no Sheldon had ever been involved in trade before. 'I have a small interest in a shipping company. Why not investigate that first?'

'I take it that shipping is acceptable whereas manufacturing is not.' His brother frowned and Perry raised his hand to prevent the pithy retort that would be coming his way. 'As long as I don't have to sail in one myself I am quite open to putting my money in import and export instead. However, even with insurance I don't think my money will be as secure as it would be in a factory.'

'I refuse to discuss such matters when I am eating my breakfast. I had been meaning to tell you that your hound has been attracting a deal of attention in the neighbourhood.' Beau waved his fork in the air. 'Why don't you look for a suitable bitch to breed with him?'

'I rather think Zorro will find his own mate, and that there will be a surplus of puppies by next spring.'

'In which case, I shall get my kennelman to find me a couple. I have become quite attached to your dog.'

Conversation ceased whilst they both ate heartily. The time, when they had finished, was just after ten o'clock, so he must attend to his appearance and then present himself next door. This time he would go to the front as a visitor would, not to the terrace entrance.