The Duke's Alliance: A Soldier's Bride(66)

She carefully hooked the loop of material sewn to the end of the demi-train over her wrist. She was then ready to depart. 'I'm coming. I apologise if I have kept you waiting.'

Aubrey was pacing the drawing room but his expression changed from impatient to admiration when she appeared. 'You look beautiful, Sofia, that is a particularly lovely gown.'

'Is this the one you were married in? It is quite spectacular. I am thankful that we both dressed to impress tonight or we should be put in the shade by your magnificence.' Mary gave her a brief kiss and then they dashed the short distance across the terrace and into the drawing room of Silchester Court.

They had not bothered with heavy outerwear even though the temperature had fallen and the flagstones were frost-covered. Aubrey had no protection at all and she and Mary both wore an evening cloak. The vast chamber was empty but she could hear voices in the grand hall. Perry and Beau were greeting the Sheldons and Carshaltons.

As she hesitated Aubrey put his arm around her waist and whisked her out to join the others. Perry sensed she had arrived and turned. He abandoned his brother-in-law and strode across to her.

What he should have done is take her hand and perhaps gently press his lips to her knuckles. Instead he swept her up, crushed her close, and then his kiss was passionate and left no one in any doubt as to his views on her appearance.

'I cannot tell you how glad I am to have you back, my darling girl. You have worn that gown, it will always be my favourite.'

'Perry, everyone has gone into the drawing room. We have embarrassed them by our display of...of passion.'

He chuckled and was unrepentant. 'I can assure you, sweetheart, that all my siblings, apart from Beau, will fully understand our behaviour and even applaud it.'

'I know I am appallingly overdressed for a family dinner.'

'Come with me, I did not give you time to speak to the others.'

When he paused at the double doors she caught her breath. 'Madeline, Grace and Mary have all put on formal wear. How did they know to do so?'

The duke, resplendent in his evening black, spoke from beside them. 'Mary enquired from your maid what you were wearing and word was sent to the others. Might I be permitted to say that you look lovely.'

'Thank you. I shall never forget tonight and shall think of this as the true start of my marriage. Until today I was unsure, but now I know I made the right choice.'

Perry drew her closer so she was pressed hard against him. 'As do I, from this moment forward we shall be moving in the same direction and not pulling apart.'

After a glass of champagne Peebles announced that dinner was served. Tonight the main dining room was used despite the fact there were so few of them. Everywhere she looked there were flowers, silverware and candles.

She scarcely noticed what she ate. The conversation sparkled, toasts were drunk and then instead of the gentlemen remaining to drink port they all moved together.

Beau remained standing and waited until they were comfortably settled. He then made an announcement that came as no surprise to her, or apparently to her husband. However, the others were astounded.

'Perry and I will be honoured to take care of things in your absence, big brother, but permit me to say that I doubt your experiment will be successful.'

Bennett looked thoughtful. 'Are we to know exactly where this estate is situated? I notice you failed to mention exactly where you would be living.'

'Carstairs is the one person who will know where I am. Only in the direst of emergencies will he contact me. Now, to demonstrate that I shall not be wasting my time, I intend to entertain on the piano for the remainder of the evening.'

If before the company had been startled now they were dumbfounded. Perry whispered to her as the duke took his place at the keyboard. 'I have never heard him play, I am at a loss to know how he can be competent if none of us was aware of it.'

Then the room was filled with music, nothing she had heard before, but lyrical and moving. Beau played for an hour without recourse to music sheets and when the final notes died away everyone was on their feet and applauding loudly.

The remainder of the evening passed too slowly and both she and Perry were delighted when the others took their leave. She was scarcely given time to say good night to Beau before Perry whisked her upstairs and into his bedchamber – not his anymore, but hers as well from tonight.

It didn't matter how this marriage started, what was important was how it continued and she knew without a shadow of doubt that she could not be any happier.

'I am wondering whether it's necessary to have another ceremony after all. What do you think, my love?'

'I should like to have our union blessed in our own chapel with all my family present, but I shall do whatever you want.'

She stood on tiptoe and kissed him. 'You do not have to oblige me. In future, I shall behave as I ought and be obedient to your every wish.'

His shout of laughter echoed around the chamber. 'I love you, but even I, besotted as I am, am not fool enough to believe you will be a meek and subservient wife.'

*

Before Sofia could disagree, Lord Peregrine tossed her onto the bed. It was fortunate that their favourite gown had been displayed for a second time for it did not survive the night.



THE END