Fenella J Miller - [Duke 02] (14 page)

No more than twenty minutes after the two riders vanished into the woodland a post chaise turned onto the drive and bowled towards the house. He left his apartment and headed for the grand salon. Foster greeted him a touch frostily.

“Shall I have refreshments sent in when Mr Johnson arrives, my lord?”

“Do that. Coffee and plum cake will suffice.” Ralph paced the room dreading the interview which would mark the end of his hopes. He’d no idea being in love would be such a painful business for poets only wrote about the joy of the experience. No one had warned him how it would be agony to be denied the love of your life. Rupert must provide the heir, he would remain a bachelor. If he couldn’t have Anna, he would have no one.

Johnson, a man of middle years, was sharp featured and equally sharp eyed. He was a clever man, not given to hyperbole, reliable and normally unflustered. Today he all but ran towards him. “My lord, you will not believe what I have discovered.”

*

Rupert lifted Anna from the saddle as easily as Ralph had done. “Shall we go and give him our good news? I think I saw the lawyer arrive. He’s made a wasted journey.”

This time when he took her hand she did not remove it because as her legal husband he had the right to hold it whenever he wished. A sick dread filled her. What if Rupert started drinking again? Whatever their verbal agreement legally she was his chattel and must do as he bid or suffer the consequences. She stumbled and he wasn’t quick enough to prevent her fall. She crashed painfully to the cobbles. Her head struck the ground and her world went black.

*

Ralph shook his head in disbelief. “Let me get this straight. The priest who conducted the ceremony was bogus? An actor?”

“Indeed he was, my lord. It would appear one of Lord Shalford’s more disreputable friends persuaded the man to play the part. No doubt it has caused considerable amusement amongst his cronies.”

“I know my brother is not a keen wit but to allow himself to be gulled in this way is quite extraordinary.” The rattle of crockery arriving gave him pause. It would not do to discuss the matter in front of any member of staff. Fortunately Anna was still referred to as Miss Hadley; with luck her reputation would remain untarnished by this shocking revelation.

When they were alone again he shook the lawyer vigorously by the hand. “I can’t tell you how relieved I am to get this news. It makes matters so much simpler.”

The sound of running footsteps alerted him. A young footman burst in, his wig askew. “Your grace, you must come at once. Miss Hadley has had an accident.”

Ralph was out of the room in seconds. “Where is she? Has Foster sent for the physician?”

“Lord Shalford is bringing her inside, she struck her head on the cobbles when she fell and is unconscious. A groom has galloped off to fetch the doctor, your grace.”

He met his brother as he entered the main passageway that led to the central vestibule. Anna was as pale as a ghost, the left side of her face covered in blood. Rupert looked little better.

“Here, let me take her. Go and warn Mama.” Her head flopped horribly against his shoulder as if she was already a corpse. Rupert rushed ahead and the sound of anxious voices greeted Ralph as he carried his precious burden upstairs.

“Take her straight into her bedchamber, Ralph; I shall take care of her now.” His mother stepped up and pressed two fingers against Anna’s neck, just below her ear, before leading him into the room where the bed had already been turned back. “Place her carefully. Don’t look so worried both of you, her pulse is strong. Head wounds bleed copiously, I’m sure it’s not nearly as bad as it looks.”

Rupert dithered outside the door. “Come along, there’s nothing we can do here. Mama has patched us both up on numerous occasions and knows exactly what to do. There’s coffee downstairs and I think we could both do with a brandy to steady our nerves.”

Johnson was waiting anxiously for news. “How is the young lady, my lord?”

“Not as bad as we feared. Now, Rupert, how did this accident occur?”

His brother explained. “I couldn’t catch her; my drinking has made my reactions slow. It’s my fault.”

It took two cups of heavily sweetened coffee and a large brandy before his brother was sufficiently calm to be able to hear what to him would be devastating news. When Ralph explained Rupert’s reaction was even more extreme than he’d expected. He buried his head in his hands and his shoulders shook. Johnson politely gathered up his papers and made himself scarce.

Ralph put his arm around his sibling to offer comfort. “Dear boy, do not distress yourself. All is not lost, I shall not stand in your way if you wish to court Miss Hadley.”

Rupert raised a tear streaked face looking more like a little boy than a man grown. “You don’t understand. Anna had agreed to come with me, to try and make the marriage work. My stupidity would have ruined her life.” He scrubbed his eyes dry on his sleeve and stood up. “I cannot bear to face her. I shall do what I should have done years ago, become a soldier and learn to be more like you.”

“Don’t do anything precipitate, Rupert. You have not known Anna for long, hardly time for her to make up her mind. I see no reason why you shouldn’t court her as you intended. I can assure you that you shall have my blessing if you can persuade her to marry you in earnest.”

“She won’t wish to speak to me once she knows. But I will remain here until she’s well. I couldn't bear to leave without being sure she was going to make a full recovery.”

Ralph gripped his brother’s shoulders. “Good man. None of us want you to dash off without giving the matter serious thought. If after you’ve spoken to Anna she makes it plain she's not interested then that is the time to consider your options.”

“You are too good to me. I don’t deserve your sympathy or support after the way I’ve been behaving these past two years. The trick my so-called friends played on us was unforgivable. I shall have no dealings with them in future.”

Ralph watched his brother stumble to his apartment. Standing back and allowing Rupert to court Anna was going to be torture. He must give his brother this opportunity whatever his own feelings on the matter. He frowned into his empty coffee cup. He thanked the good Lord he had not made his feelings clear to her otherwise she would be in an impossible position.

He could not stay at Shalford. He would go to one of his estates in the North for a few weeks and leave Rupert a clear field. If his brother failed to persuade Anna to become engaged to him after that then he would be free to stake his own claim. He must pray he was not making the biggest mistake of his life.

Anna could hear someone calling her name; they sounded a long way away but were most insistent she opened her eyes. Reluctantly she did so to find Dr Fletcher sitting beside her patting her hand.

“Well, well, my dear girl, you do seem to be a trifle accident prone.”

She attempted to move her head and wished she hadn’t. “Did I knock myself out? How silly of me.”

“You did, but no real harm done, I’m happy to tell you. You have a sizeable bruise on your temple but the cut was not serious enough to require sutures. Your lovely face will not be marred by a scar.”

“Have I a concussion? Do I have to remain in bed to recover?”

He shook his head and beamed at her. “Not at all, you may get up later today if you wish to. You were only stunned. In fact you recovered consciousness some time ago but immediately fell asleep. I take it you did not have a restful night last night?”

“I didn’t, but apart from a thumping headache I feel perfectly well. I should like to get up right away.” She glanced down and realised she was in her nightgown. “Perhaps I could ask you to ring for my abigail, sir?”

Molly bustled in clucking like a mother hen. “Lawks! Whatever next? What with you tripping over and the duke demanding for his trunks to be packed it’s been a right to do this morning.”

“Westchester is leaving? Are you quite sure, Molly?”

“I’m certain, miss. Her grace and Lord Shalford were talking about it. Her grace asked to be told as soon as you were awake.”

“Don’t send the message yet, Molly, I wish to get up. I expect I’ll have a black eye but that can’t be helped. It could have been a lot worse. I’ll wear one of my new promenade gowns; I don’t care which for they are all so pretty.”

In less than three quarters of an hour she was freshly gowned and ready to go downstairs, her hair arranged in such a way that it almost disguised the injury. Rupert and Sarah were in the grand salon and she decided to join them. She wasn’t an invalid and had no wish to be visited in her chambers.

She wished to find out what was driving Ralph away without even waiting to say goodbye. It must be an urgent business matter. On her way she passed Foster who actually smiled and bowed, she almost curtsied in return. He was such an impressive gentleman, far too grand for a mere butler. The murmur of voices drifted into the entrance hall.

She paused in the open doorway to steady herself as she felt a tad dizzy after her rush down the long staircase. Immediately Rupert was at her side.

“Anna, whatever are you doing down here? You should have remained in your chamber.”

“I am perfectly well, thank you, Rupert.” He looked decidedly sombre and her heart sunk to her slippers. “What is wrong? Why are you both looking so serious?”

“I have something dreadful to tell you and I pray you don't hate me when you hear the news.”

When he had finished she was all but speechless. “We’re not married at all? The ceremony was a hoax?”

“Yes, I’m afraid so. I cannot tell you how sorry I am. I shall do everything in my power to make it up to you. I just hope you can forgive me for putting you through such a distressing time.”

He guided her to the nearest chair and she was grateful for his support. She realised how lucky she was; if they had left Shalford she would have been ruined and obliged to marry Rupert whether she wished it or not. She closed her eyes and was relieved to hear him leave the room.

“You may sit up again, dearest girl, we are alone. Rupert intends to become a cavalry officer and give up his rackety life style. Unfortunately Ralph left before Rupert made his decision known.”

“Why did he go, Sarah? I thought he would be delighted at the news…” She swallowed the lump in her throat unable to go on.

“He felt it better to be away from Shalford for a while and give you and Rupert time to get to know each other. I had not known him to be so altruistic and wish on this occasion he had put his scruples to one side.”

A glimmer of hope surged through her. “Are you saying, Sarah, Ralph feels the same way that I do?”

“I should hope he does, my dear. Otherwise his behaviour towards you would be outrageous. I tried to tell him however long he was away it would make no difference; you would never agree to marry Rupert.”

“I should think not. He is not ready for marriage, he is far too immature. It is better for him to buy his colours and have some excitement in his life.”

Sarah rushed across the room and embraced her. “My darling girl that is exactly what I hoped to hear you say. You do love Ralph, don’t you?”

“With all my heart—it will be the longest few weeks of my life waiting for him to return.”

“Fiddlesticks to that! I will send after him immediately. I shall have to explain to my younger son that he is chasing moonshine if he thinks to persuade you to love him. He is well aware of your feelings.”

“In which case, I shall take a stroll in the grounds. For once the weather is clement and more like early spring today. I promise I shan’t go far.”

“There is a delightful summerhouse where you can rest. If you are not returned within the hour I shall send someone out to look for you.”

She had just stepped into the entrance hall when her heart skipped a beat. She came face to face with the man she loved. “Ralph, I thought you had gone.” He looked a trifle dishevelled, not his normal immaculate self at all.

“I came back—I found I couldn’t leave without speaking to you first.”

His eyes glittered like topaz and a wave of dizziness all but overwhelmed her. She swayed and without a by-your-leave he snatched her up.

“Sweetheart, you should not be here. Have you no more sense than a pea-goose?”

“Thank you for your concern but Dr Fletcher told me I could rise if I wished. I know about the marriage.” He seemed reluctant to put her down; his heart was pumping beneath her hand. “I shall not swoon, I’m perfectly well, Ralph.” Her gentle reminder prompted him to stride into a small chamber and lower her gently to a sofa.

“I shall fetch something to revive you. Stay where you are.”

The door closed softly behind him. She drew her feet under her and resting her head on the padded back she closed her eyes trying to make sense of the astonishing information that she was not, and never had been, married to Rupert.

Her heart skipped a beat, she was now free to … well, to love elsewhere. Ralph had called her sweetheart. Sarah was certain he felt the same as she. The information was too much to take in.

Thinking of her erstwhile husband brought home to her the enormity of his behaviour. She had agreed to go and live with him and be recognized as his lawful wife. If she had done so when they were not married she would have been beyond the pale. Ostracized by society whether the fault was hers or not.