My Dearest Friend (Books We Love Regency Romance) (16 page)

***

“I care not what the damned sawbones says,” Harry snapped petulantly when she entered his room. His countenance was flushed and it was obvious that he was much agitated. “I will return to England as soon as we can make ready. I have lain here long enough and have a desire to be home. Surely I should have a say in my own actions?”

She immediately went to his bedside. “So you shall, my dear,” she assured, patting his shoulder and attempting to soothe his temper. “The doctor just advises caution. He does not wish you to suffer a set back as you have improved so over the last few days.”

As she spoke, the duke, being alerted to the situation by Eaves, entered the room. He knew from experience the petulance of youth and was eager to offer his wife his support.

The reluctant patient heaved a sigh of relief, seeking to turn the duke’s arrival to his advantage. “Come, Robert, you at least must see the reasoning behind my desire to be gone from this place,” he called to his brother-in-law, attempting to enlist his support for his cause. “The confines of this room begin to irk me beyond endurance. I am sure you will understand, sir?”

“That I do,” Robert replied, coming to sit on the side of his bed. “I promise that if you maintain your present rate of improvement, we will commence our journey within the next few days. However, I must warn you that you will find it physically demanding to the extreme and we must progress slowly. It will be difficult to endure the extra stress placed on you, therefore you must be at your strongest before we can commence.”

Harry shifted slightly against his pillows. He saw the sense of the duke’s words, but was reluctant to relinquish his cause. “Promise me, we delay no longer than is absolutely necessary, sir. I long to recommence my life. I have seen nothing but these four walls for so long and they depress me.”

“
Then we must see what can be done. I see no reason why you can’t be brought down to the parlor for a short while this evening. A change of scene will help lighten your mood. Perhaps, if you’re not too fatigued, we can play a hand or two of piquet?”

Harry grinned. “Piquet be damned, I’d rather have a game of Deep Basset.”

“Then Basset it is, but I warn you, I am considered a master hand at cards.”

“Pish, I’m no half-penny flat.”

“Very well. No quarter given.”

“
And none expected, sir!”

***

“I wish you would not encourage him with the cards, Robert,” Jane pleaded later that evening, when Harry had been returned to his room. “He has always had a fascination for them, and I would not wish him to follow in Father’s footsteps.”

“I don’t think you have any fears in that direction, my love,” he said, extending his hand as she passed the settle and pulling her to sit on his lap. “He doesn’t play particularly well and in gaming circles wouldn’t be taken seriously.”

She settled contentedly against his shoulder and smiled up at him. “Then you must not feed his vanity and let him win.”

Robert looked his surprise. “Was it that noticeable? Am I so transparent?”

“To me, yes. You forget I know your ways.”

A teasing light came into his eyes. “It would seem I needs change my mode of address if I am so easily read, madam wife.”

He attempted to place a kiss on her lips but she playfully held away, intent on pursuing her cause. “Please be serious, my love. The matter concerns me. It is seen that he listens to you and if you were of a mind, you could have the molding of his future. Please use your influence to guide him away from gambling.”

“But, Jane, he is of age. What
right have I to interfere?”

“You are my husband and as such are head of the family, who else has he to turn to for guidance?” She saw a cloud pass briefly across his countenance and knew that he thought of Stefan.

“That is a role in which I have previously failed,” he said quietly. “I would not care to inflict my guidance on Harry, he is his own man.”

She cradled his cheek with her hand. “You have failed in nothing, and never could. Would you then deny him your understanding?”

Robert smiled and took her hand to his lips. “If it is what you wish, then I will do what I can to divert his energies in another direction. Does that satisfy you, Jane?”

“Entirely.”

“Then with your permission, sweetheart, I will now devote my attentions to my wife whom I have been forced to neglect all day.” Robert’s arms tightened about her as she sank back against his shoulder. “It should not be thought that I forget her lest she feel compelled to look elsewhere.”

***

So determined was Harry that they should leave the inn as quickly as possible that he made no further mention of going against the doctor’s orders and presented himself as the model patient. His improvement continued and it was seen that some of the flesh returned to his frame, even his pallor lessened giving rise to hopes that at
last he was some way toward being able to commence the journey home.

To accommodate their increased numbers a second coach and a suitable saddle horse were hired. The duke confiding to his wife, “I have had a surfeit of coach interiors these past weeks and if you have no objections I would prefer to be active. It will be necessary for you to travel with Harry and Eaves, Hannah and Sophie can occupy the second coach.
Proctor and Hills can either sit on the box or ride. We can take the journey in easy stages as we now accommodate Harry, and he shall dictate our speed.”

It was indeed quite a cavalcade that eventually set forth from Elvas, the duke choosing to ride alongside the coach containing his wife. All now eager to attain
Stovely’s welcoming portals, their aim was to reach Lisbon as quickly as possible.

***

Despite everyone’s concern, Harry showed a determination his condition belied and the journey to the coast took little above seven days. Each stage was accomplished with Harry’s comfort in mind, taking into consideration the heat and dust now that the summer months were upon them. However, once inside Lisbon’s bustling interior, the sights and sounds of the city brought a flush of excitement to his cheeks as he strained to watch their progress through the overflowing streets.

When they finally arrived at the dock, the welcoming sight of The Mistral berthed in the vast port proved almost too much for him. Tears of relief stole down his cheeks as two willing seamen removed him from the carriage and took him aboard to the cabin previously occupied by Jane.

After being made comfortable in the curtained bunk, he sighed and took hold of her hand. “I can’t believe we are almost home,” he said in a voice little above a whisper. “I thought I would never leave Portugal’s shores and I can’t tell you the relief of knowing that I will be returned to England in so few days. Robert has told me that I may remain at Stovely and I am truly grateful. Although my ultimate aim is to once more regain my independence, for the present, the thought of living on my own depresses me.”

“Then it need not, my dear,” Jane replied, suppressing the rising emotion in her own breast. “We are a family and as such we will live at
Stovely. You shall have your own apartments and have the ordering of things. If however, when you are more restored, you feel the desire to set up your own establishment, Robert has promised to provide whatever assistance is necessary. If you have no wish to return to the manor it will be leased.”

“
Then let it be leased immediately,” he replied. “I have no desire whatsoever to return there. When I leave Stovely it will be to begin anew.” He grinned boyishly, his humor restored and a teasing note crept into his voice. “I will set up a fine bachelor establishment in London. Who knows what diversions I will find to occupy my time.”

“
That you will not,” she replied, laughing. “Not if I have any say in the matter. You will be respectable, dear brother, whether you wish it or not.”

Sobering Harry dropped his eyes. “I don’t think I have a choice in the matter.”

Jane smiled and patted his hand reassuringly, attempting to rally his spirits. “Who knows what improvement is possible once we have you to Dr. Reynolds? You will not always be compelled to endure the discomforts that engulf you now. Given but a year, who knows what improvements will be seen.”

Chapter
Ten

The news that the master had arrived in Portsmouth with not only a wife, but also a ward and a brother-in-law, had the effect of sending Mrs. James into a whirl of activity, the like of which had never before been seen at Stovely. In the two days that it took for the coaches to reach Portsmouth and transport the travelers back to its welcoming portals, the house had been thoroughly refreshed, no corner had remained unmolested. Apartments had been arranged for Harry and the nursery opened for Sophie. Indeed everything had been done as the duke had instructed.

In the time since their departure the estate had flourished. Blooms decorated the flowerbeds and blossoms arched invitingly above the long driveway. To the duke’s influenced eye, even the fabric of the house had a warmer glow.
The sun-warmed stonework appearing less grey and forbidding.

Robert’s much-improved spirits did not go unnoticed by those who gathered in the hallway to welcome his return and much talking and laughing invaded
the previously somber house, the house that at last was to become a home.

***

Halcyon days followed, days of sunshine and happiness. Sophie thrived and provided a never-ending source of pride and joy. She enchanted the whole household and became a favorite with everyone who came into contact with her, the duke and duchess embracing her as their own. Harry improved beyond expectations and, much sooner than anticipated, was able to walk with assistance from his ground floor apartments in the east wing to a small summerhouse erected nearby for his comfort. It was here that he spent most of his time during the warm summer months either reading or helping to amuse Sophie. He had even been persuaded to renew his interest in sketching, a pastime he had not pursued for a number of years but now provided him with hours of pleasure. No one knew that these were days to be treasured, that in a few short months all contentment would be at an end.

***

One morning in late August, when the duke was in his office attending to matters of the estate, he received a letter from his agents in London informing him that they had successfully leased the manor to Mr. Edmund Darrows. Darrows was but recently returned from the continent and was desirous of renting a property in the area. Should it prove acceptable to his grace, he wished to take up residence immediately.

“I can see no reason to delay,” remarked the duke to Stevens. “The Manor will be better for a tenant; it does no good to leave a building unattended. Arrange to have the covers removed and the whole house made ready. Ascertain from Mr. Darrows whether he has any requests and if necessary implement them.”

“It will be arranged as you wish, sir,” Stevens replied, continuing to attend to the remaining correspondence. “Do you think the duchess will wish to interview the new occupant before the tenancy is finalized?”

“
I don’t think that will be necessary,” Robert replied, his thoughts already elsewhere as he inspected a new farm contract. “I am sure my agent has made all the necessary enquiries and seen that everything is as it should be.”

“
Very well, sir, then I shall reply immediately and the tenancy can commence at the end of the month.”

A brief nod was the duke
’s only reply as he applied himself to more pressing matters.

***

The duke informed Jane and Harry of the news over supper that evening.

“
It will be good to see our former home inhabited once more,” Jane said.

Harry reached for his third glass of wine, a sullen scowl marring his features. “It’s too old and rambling for my taste. Never did like it, he can have it. Don’t care if I never see it again.”

“Why the disagreeable mood?” Jane asked, mirroring his frown. “This is not like you. Your spirits have been much improved of late. What has occurred to put you so out of frame?”

“Oh, nothing in particular,” Harry replied. “It’s just that recently I have started to wish for company other than my own.”

“We bore you then?” the duke teased, smiling as he raised his own glass. “I had not thought us so dull.”

“You must know that is not at all what I mean, but I am beginning to long for some amusement. Now that I am more recovered, could I not venture up to London, at least for a change of scene?”

“No, you could not, dear brother,” Jane replied, half way between amusement and exasperation. “Perhaps when the new season starts we can all go together. You know you don’t have the strength as yet. It would be a disaster.” Then turning to the duke, “Could we not give a supper party, Robert? Perhaps then he could strike up an acquaintance with our neighbors, and so widen his circle of friends. It would be most amusing don’t you think, my dear?”