The Duke's Alliance: A Soldier's Bride(65)

Things were in hand for the family house party and Rushton and Giselle would be arriving next week with their daughters as they intended to stay for several weeks. He believed Giselle was finding it hard being so far from her family and he thought that she might convince Perry that moving away would be a mistake.

Of course, he had supported this notion of moving to Derbyshire, he would do anything for any of his siblings. What he would rather they did was remain at Silchester Court. If they moved to the north of England he would be lucky to see them more than once a year, especially if they started to fill their nursery.

There was an hour before he had to change for dinner, it was already dark so too late to ride, so he would find his brother and persuade him to play a game of billiards. There was something he wanted to discuss with him before he mentioned it to the others at dinner.

Perry was reading a journal in the drawing room and was only too happy to abandon it to play a frame or two. 'I have ordered two new jackets, four pairs of breeches, half a dozen shirts...'

'Enough, I have no wish to hear about such mundane things, little brother. There is something I want to talk to you about. I would value your opinion as it was Sofia's suggestion.'

'Go on, I'm intrigued.'

His brother listened with growing incredulity to the idea that the Duke of Silchester intended to remove himself from Silchester and live incognito pretending to compose music.

'Devil take it! I thought it was I that had bats in the attic, Beau. You would hate it. You have spent your entire life being treated like a demigod, everyone bowing and scraping, being a commoner would just not suit you.'

'I was not intending to live in a hovel, Perry. The estate where I intend to live is small but profitable. I have been studying the accounts this afternoon. Elveden Hall has six bedrooms, four reception rooms and the usual servants' offices. There is also sufficient stabling for my needs and a reasonable park surrounding it.'

'You do realise, Beau, that would mean you were living in half the space that Aubrey and Mary have? A fraction of what you are used to here. I doubt it is even the most prestigious estate in the neighbourhood and you would have to allow others to have precedence when you socialised.'

'You think I could not do it for six months without scampering back here to be fêted and lauded?'

'I bet you will not last six weeks, let alone six months. Surely you are not serious with this suggestion?'

Until his brother had been so dismissive Beau had not come to a firm decision about his venture. However, he could never resist a challenge. 'I take your wager. I shall leave when the house party breaks up. As Bennett is busy with Parliamentary business I am relying on you and Aubrey to run the estate together – you will have Carstairs to assist, naturally.'

Perry slapped him on the back. 'Our house will not be finished until the summer so we must remain here anyway. Do I have your permission to move into your master suite in your absence?'

He was about to refuse but then thought better of it. 'Certainly, I wish you and Sofia to be happy here.' The sound of the gong echoed down the passageway – there was a large static one in the hall but a smaller one was always rung outside the billiard room as they would not hear the other from here.

'At last, the afternoon has dragged by...'

'Thank you for suggesting that I am less than satisfactory as a companion, little brother,' he said with a wry smile.

His valet went about his business and Beau let his thoughts drift. If this deception was to work he would have to leave his man behind, he could not involve any of his employees. He would find himself another manservant once he was established.

In six weeks' time he would be leaving his luxurious existence for something less exalted and he was excited at the prospect. Perry knew that he was loved for himself and not his pedigree, he envied him that. Not that he was looking for love himself – far from it – the real reason he was eager to go was to escape from the cloying atmosphere. His entire family were moonstruck with their partners and he would be glad to be away from it all for a few months.

The small estate had been well managed by the tenant, a gentleman called Richard Silverstone. It was unfortunate the man had died so suddenly, but serendipitous for him. The house was fully staffed and ready for occupation – all he had to do was send word of his coming. He would write the letter before he retired tonight.

*

'There, my lady, I am done.' Polly did not sound overly pleased with her efforts.

'I know wearing an evening gown to a family dinner is perhaps making me overdressed, but this ensemble has a particular significance for myself and Lord Peregrine.'

The girl dipped. 'Will you be requiring me later, my lady?'

'No, you may have the rest of the evening off. I shall ring in the morning when I require your services.'

'Thank you, my lady. Once I have tidied here, I shall make sure that everything is ready in your apartment next door.'

Sofia had no need to pinch her cheeks or bite her lips to bring colour to them. She had never looked better. Her eyes glowed with anticipation, her hair was glossy and her gown perfect. She had intended to wear her wedding dress for the second ceremony but had changed her mind. This event no longer had the same significance, tonight would be the renewal of their commitment to each other.

Mary called from outside the door. 'Are you ready, my dear? Aubrey is impatient to depart as he has heard the carriages arriving. We shall wait for you by the terrace doors.'