Fenella J Miller - [Duke 02] (12 page)

As the hour was early there was no sign of either gentleman. In fact she was certain she spotted two parlour maids with dusters whisking round a corner as she descended the staircase. The fires were lit, the vast central hall quite warm. It must cost a fortune to keep a house of this size comfortable during the winter months if the place was so cold in April. She hesitated, she was sure there must be a more direct route to the stables then using the front door. She was about to pull a nearby bell-strap when she heard steps approaching.

“Good morning, Miss Hadley. Excellent, you are here to accompany me this morning. Might I be permitted to say how attractive your habit is? The colour is the exact shade of your hair now that hideous dye has been removed.”

She wanted to put him in his place. Make sure he knew he could not trifle with her affections but his warm smile prevented her sharp retort. “Good morning, my lord, I did not expect to see you at this time.” She wished her comment unsaid, it sounded suspiciously like she was not pleased to see him. “I mean ...”

“My dear girl, I know exactly what you meant. I’ve not been the easiest of companions but henceforth I shall be pleasant and polite whatever the provocation.”

She bristled. Why did he not apologise for kissing her? “Are you suggesting, sir, that your ill-humour and rudeness is my fault?”

“Don’t fly up into the boughs, my dear, I was funning.” His eyes were brimming with laughter. “Perhaps it would be wise to warn you when I’m going to tease, that way it should avoid misunderstandings.”

“You, my lord, are quite impossible.” She smiled at him. She could not remain aloof when he was charming. “I believe it must be so long since you were pleasant, polite or teasing you have not quite got the feel of it yet.”

His shout of laughter startled an unfortunate footman and the tray of cutlery he was carrying crashed to the floor. Anna wanted to assist him to collect it as it had been her fault it had been dropped but the duke took her arm and escorted her firmly past the accident and out of the side door she had been searching for.

“It does not do to interfere with the staff in their duties, Miss Hadley, far better to let them do what they’re paid handsomely for.”

Anna snatched her arm from his hand. “I don’t need lessons from you, my lord, in how to behave with servants. I doubt you from your lofty position at the head of the household are aware how strict your butler is. That poor young man could well lose his position because of us.”

“I shall make sure that he doesn’t.” He stopped and stared pointedly back the way they had come. “Do you wish me to return and speak to Foster now? I should hate to hear the poor young man had been sent packing before I was able to intervene.”

She had been quite mistaken in believing that she might be coming to like this objectionable man. Sarcasm was a thing she could not abide. “I have no wish to stand here bandying words with you, I came out to ride.” She glared up at him. “I would much prefer to go alone. I don’t believe I shall be good company this morning.”

She hurried towards the sound of buckets clanking and horses munching. Thank goodness the stables were not far from the rear of the house. Then her path was blocked by a solid wall of flesh. She stopped so suddenly her injured toes were pressed against her boot and she yelped, falling forward in her distress.

Her tumble was prevented by his intervention. “Devil take it! Let me carry you back to the house, sweetheart, I should have realised your foot is not sufficiently recovered to be riding.”

Pushing herself away from his embrace she shook her head vehemently. “You shall do no such thing. Kindly remove yourself from my path before you do me further injury.” The use of the endearment had not gone unnoticed.

“As you wish. Might I be allowed to beg your pardon yet again? I cannot think why I am so
maladroit
in your company.” His lopsided smile diffused her irritation.

“It’s strange you should say so for I am famous for my even temper and yet I have been at daggers drawn with you on several occasions.”

At this point they reached the stable yard and to her astonishment the grey mare which he had mentioned last night was saddled and ready alongside a massive black stallion. This horse was cavorting and sidling, lifting the unfortunate stable boy from his feet as she did so. How could the grooms have known she was to come down this morning? Puzzled she turned to Westchester. “Are your staff clairvoyant, sir?”

He chuckled. “It would appear so but I must admit I heard you descending the stairs and sent a footman out to warn them. What do you think of the mare? Her name’s Silver Star; as you no doubt observed she’s a spirited animal. My mother used to enjoy her antics.”

Anna moved forward hand outstretched and the horse lowered her head and nuzzled it. “What a pretty girl, you and I are going to be such friends.” She glanced over her shoulder before continuing. “Thank you for believing I am an expert horsewoman.”

She gathered the reins, gripped the pommel and turned bending her leg so a groom could toss her into the saddle. Instead her boot was grasped by the duke. As she settled herself, hooking her knee over the pommel, adjusting her habit and ramming her boot into the stirrup, he was vaulting onto his massive beast.

The two animals scattered the remaining grooms by their plunging. Anna laughed; there was nothing she liked more than an exciting ride. By the time they were on the greensward both animals were progressing in a more sedate manner. She could not help noticing what an excellent seat he had, how magnificent he looked astride his stallion.

To her consternation his head turned and their eyes met. She could see he reciprocated her feelings of admiration. “Is it safe to gallop? I think Silver needs to stretch her legs.”

“I have a mile or more of park land and it is excellent going today. Why not enjoy ourselves?”

Anna touched her heel to Silver’s side and the mare leapt forward. If she’d not been prepared she would have been flung from the saddle. Leaning forward she relaxed the reins allowing the animal to find her own pace. They thundered down the grass, the wind whipped tears from her eyes and her smart military style cap flew from her head and her hair came loose from its pins.

Westchester’s stallion surged passed sending huge divots into the air one of which hit her on the side of the head, blinding her for a moment. By the time she scraped away the mud the perpetrator was fifty yards ahead of her. This would not do at all. She crouched over Silver’s neck and urged her faster. The mare responded and yard by yard began to overhaul the black horse but just as Silver’s nose came level with his boot he glanced sideways. Immediately he flicked his reins and once again Anna was showered with mud.

The brick wall which bounded the park was rapidly approaching—the race was over. She sat back in her saddle pulling gently on the reins delighted by the instant response she got from the mare. Soon they were in a collected canter then a trot and finally walking. Silver was breathing evenly in no distress from their mad dash.

The duke reined in and trotted back to her—his smile made her catch her breath. “Well, sweetheart, that was exhilarating. I fear Caliban has covered you with mud and your hair has come down.” He delved into his pocket and produced a pristine white square and handed it to her.

“Thank you for pointing this out to me, my lord, I had not been aware of the massive clods of mud that hit me full in the face.” Smiling, she wiped the worst of it from her cheeks and sensibly refrained from returning the item to its owner. “I’ve also lost my hat, perhaps we could look out for it on our return?” She attempted to gather up her hair one-handed but failed dismally.

“Allow me; my mount has been trained to stand if I drop the reins on his neck.” Without a by-your-leave he edged closer until they were boot to boot and reached out to gather up her wayward locks. She found it hard to remain stationary; having his gloved hands moving back and forth across her face and neck was unsettling. She felt pins being removed and stabbed back in.

“There, it’s more or less up but I doubt it would stay put if we were to gallop again.”

“I think one race is enough for Silver, after all she hasn’t been ridden much lately.” She carefully patted her head; it seemed secure enough for the moment. “Where are we going next? I should like to see more of the grounds if that’s possible.”

For a moment she thought he was going to take her hand but he swung his horse around and pointed into the distance. “Over there is Mama’s Folly, would you like to see it? There’s a splendid view of the ornamental lake and the house.”

It took a quarter of an hour to reach the pink marble monstrosity. Anna shook her head in disbelief at the cherubs, fishes and mythical beasts that crawled all over the edifice. He swung down from the saddle and tethered his horse to a metal ring then returned to lift her easily from the saddle.

“I can see you are lost for words, Miss Hadley. No, I refuse to keep calling you Miss Hadley when you are all but a member of the family. I notice you now address my mother by her given name, might I have the privilege of using yours?”

“No doubt you will use it anyway, permission or not. I think I prefer to continue addressing you more formally, after all we have only been acquainted for three weeks.”

“I think it’s rather too late to be worrying about propriety, sweetheart. My name is Ralph, I should be honoured if you would call me that and not address me as
Westchester
or
your grace
.”

Her cheeks coloured at his pointed reference to what had taken place the previous evening. Did he not realize he had compromised her? She was grateful she could hide her discomposure by busying herself tethering her own mount to a second metal ring.

When she finished he vanished behind the building. She loosened Silver’s girth and patted the mare’s neck pleased to see the animal was already cool. “I shall be down every morning to ride and soon I shall know every inch of this estate.”

He spoke from right behind her—startled she stepped back and received a deluge of water for her trouble. “Botheration! Now my habit is quite soaked. I wish you would not creep behind a person in that way.”

Chuckling he placed a full pail in front of each of the horses. “There’s sweet hay in the back, you might as well come and collect some—you are so dishevelled it can hardly make any difference now.”

Obviously Sarah used to come to this building on a regular basis if there was fodder and water for the horses kept here. “Is the water safe to drink? I believe I swallowed a considerable amount of mud earlier and should like to rinse my mouth.”

A further quarter of an hour passed before the horses were taken care of, warm blankets thrown over their backs and a pile of hay placed in front of them. He held out his hand and she took it, it would seem churlish not to in the circumstances. He tucked it through his arm and led her around to the front.

“Come, Mama always kept a selection of refreshments here. A groom comes out and replenishes them most days.” He grinned at her sceptical expression. “I know, sweetheart, he would hardly have done so these past few months. However, I set things in motion yesterday. I had a feeling we would be calling here today.”

She giggled. “I believe it is the lord and master who is clairvoyant here not the staff.” She dropped his arm and ran lightly up the steps. Inside there was a fire lit, a table laid for two and to her astonishment freshly baked rolls, strawberry conserve, butter and a large pot of steaming coffee. “Breakfast? I am suitably impressed, sir, this is a perfect end to a delightful excursion.”

Whilst she was biting into her roll it occurred to her she was unchaperoned. She lowered the tasty morsel and stared at the gentleman sitting, relaxed and smiling, opposite her. “You do realise I should not be here with you? Society would frown upon this
alfresco
meal.”

His eyes crinkled endearingly at the corners as he smiled. “Don’t fuss, Anna. I am your brother-in-law, who could possibly object to us being unattended?”

“I don’t understand. I came here to have the marriage annulled as I have no wish to be tied to your brother. You were adamant the union must be terminated; you have until yesterday been referring to me as Miss Hadley. To now claim kinship in order to make this clandestine meeting acceptable is doing it too brown.”

He raised his coffee cup in salute. “
I
know and
you
know your marriage is a sham but until the lawyers produce the necessary papers you are legally Rupert’s wife. Therefore I am your brother-in-law and we can breakfast together with no fear of offending Society.”

She frowned. If she was his sister-in law then why had he kissed her? Could he be as ramshackle as his brother? Anna was far too hungry to debate the point but determined she would raise the matter later.

Eventually she was replete and wiped her sticky fingers and mouth on a napkin. “That was quite delicious. And even more extraordinary is the fact that we have conversed without argument the entire time.” She stood up shaking the crumbs from her habit. Fortunately the wet material was at the back and had not inconvenienced her at all. “I am obliged to you for arranging this, your gr…, Ralph, and thank you for explaining to me why Rupert is doing his best to ruin both his constitution and his inheritance.”

“So you are willing to try and persuade him to give up his wayward life and join the cavalry?” She nodded—this was at least she could do in the circumstances. “My only worry is that he will think my interest is because I share his desire to make our marriage a genuine union.”