The Duke's Alliance Book Two: A Dangerous Husband (16 page)

*

Madeline woke in the arms of her husband and apart from a slight soreness in her nether regions she'd never felt so wonderful in her whole life. If Mama had told her what took place between a husband and wife involved being entirely without clothes she might not have been so quick to suggest she became a real wife.

She didn't want to wake him so slowly turned her head and it was to find he was propped on one elbow watching her. 'Good morning, my love, how are you today?'

'I didn't know anything could be so…so enjoyable. I'm so glad I decided not to wait.'

His eyes darkened and she recognised his intent. 'Not nearly as glad as I am.' His hand began to stoke the contours of her body and she forgot everything else apart from what was happening between them.

A considerable time later they decided it was high time they got up. 'I hope we will still be able to break our fast – it's disastrously late. I expect Lady Carshalton has already gone and I wished to bid her farewell.'

He rolled away from her and threw back the covers to stand, completely unabashed, as naked as the day he was born. She gazed at him in wonderment. The male form was quite stunning when unclothed – at least it was from the rear.

He wandered across to his discarded clothes and pulled them on unhurriedly. 'I must return to my rooms before breakfast. I'll collect you in half an hour.' He looked over his shoulder and grinned. 'That's if you can be ready in time.'

He was waiting for her to leap out of bed as she was, but that wasn't going to happen. 'The sooner you go, sir, the sooner I can get up.'

He slung his evening jacket over one shoulder and strolled from the room. She tumbled out of bed and raced for the screen behind which was the necessary receptacle. If he hadn't gone there might have been an embarrassing accident.

Lottie must have been waiting to hear her moving about and came through to tell her there was hot water waiting in the dressing room. 'I thought you might like to wear the russet gown as it's perfect for your colouring.'

The last pin was just being pushed into her hair when Grey reappeared. He hadn't knocked before entering her private domain.

'Good, you're ready. I've spoken to our host and he'd be delighted for us to stay for as long as necessary. He's having your belongings moved up to my apartment today.'

Surely he should have consulted her about this? Did this mean that now the relationship was consummated she would no longer be allowed a say even on matters that concerned her?

Chapter Sixteen

'Come along, sweetheart, don't dawdle. I'm ravenous and I expect you are too.' He said this with a wicked smile and she flushed from her toes to her crown.

'I take it that my brother and your grandmother have long since departed.'

'Indeed they have, and even the good doctor's abroad somewhere so we'll have the breakfast parlour to ourselves.'

She had no option but to place her hand on his arm and accompany him down the spacious passageway. She glanced at him through her eyelashes and was struck again by how attractive he was. How was it possible she could wish to be intimate with him when she didn't love him and wasn't even sure that she liked him very much?

There was nothing she could do about it; she supposed she was fortunate that this side of the marriage was going to be so enjoyable. 'If we do go to Blakely Hall your valet can ride but Lottie will have to sit inside with us.'

'Of course she will, I hardly expected her to sit on the box with the coachman. She's a perfectly pleasant girl unlike the woman my grandmother employs to take care of her.'

Over a substantial breakfast he regaled her with amusing anecdotes about his life as a soldier and she told him about the exploits of Bennett and Grace during their tempestuous courtship.

As the weather was clement, and her hip no longer painful, they decided to take a stroll around the garden. They were enjoying the late roses when a footman hurried out with a letter on a silver salver.

Grey snapped open the wax seal and unfolded the paper. 'My word, this is a prompt response. My uncle cordially invites us to make a prolonged stay with him and is eagerly anticipating our arrival as soon as we can manage it.' He didn't offer to show her the letter but tucked it in his waistcoat pocket.

'I'm so glad we can meet your estranged relatives after all. I'll consider it my wedding trip. Shall we be leaving tomorrow?'

‘Yes, at first light. I don't think it advisable for us to complete the journey in one day, so we'll overnight somewhere and then arrive at mid-morning the next day.' He stretched down and plucked a creamy-white rosebud and handed it to her with a smile that made her pulse race. 'For you, my love, you are my perfect rose.'

In some confusion she accepted his gift but was at a loss to know what to do with it. He gently removed it from her hand and pushed it into her hair. 'That looks exquisite. Which reminds me, do you have sufficient garments for a long stay?'

'More than enough, but when we return I'll replenish my wardrobe. You didn't know that a bride is expected to prepare her bride clothes before the wedding day.'

'Actually I did know that. I'm so sorry, my love, this is yet another thing I've failed to provide. I'll ensure that you have everything you could possibly want as soon as we're back at Heatherfield.'

He looked so contrite she took pity on him. 'I was teasing you, I've no need of anything else at the moment. However, no doubt Grace and I will peruse the latest fashion plates and have new ensembles made up before we attend our first Season next year.'

As they stepped onto the terrace Dr Faulkner joined them. He half-bowed. 'I was just informed you received a letter by express. From your demeanour I assume it was good news.'

'My uncle has invited us to stay and we will be leaving here first thing tomorrow. Although we have to cut short our stay we shall renew our acquaintance when you join us at Silchester Court for the Christmas house party.'

Madeline frowned. Silchester was her ancestral home, not his. She should have been the one to renew the invitation. Neither of the gentlemen seemed to think that Grey's comment was out of place so perhaps she was being too proud.

After all, since yesterday her husband had the legal right to do as he pleased with her person and her property – no doubt this included extending an invitation to all and sundry to visit Silchester.

'I'll certainly attend if I can find someone to take over my duties here. I've no intention of leaving this neighbourhood without a physician in attendance.'

She was surprised that the doctor didn't seem unduly bothered or indeed especially honoured to be included in the house party. Her opinion of the gentleman went up. There were more than enough toadies and sycophants around, all desperate to be noticed by her family. It was refreshing to meet someone who was not impressed by their elevated position in society.

'If there is anyone particular you would like to bring with you, Doctor Faulkner, then please do so.'

He smiled, making his face look less austere. 'If you're angling to know if I'm romantically involved with anyone, my lady, then I'm happy to inform you I'm not.' For a moment he looked unbearably sad but then he was himself again. 'I'm far too busy to look for a partner – perhaps I'll find someone at your party.'

This was said with a laugh and she knew he didn't intend for his comment to be taken seriously. She would, however, make sure there were several suitable young ladies included in the guest list and then leave things to chance.

*

On his arrival at his apartment Grey stripped off his garments and put on his bedrobe. All this was accomplished without the assistance of his valet. Madeline would be waiting in the adjoining room and he was eager to resume introducing her to bedroom sport.

There was a slight noise behind him. 'I beg your pardon for not being here to help, sir, I didn't realise you'd already retired.' Slater looked decidedly shifty.

'Out with it man – what aren't you telling me?'

'Lady Madeline decided it would put the staff to too much trouble if she moved in here for just one night.'

'My wife isn't next door?'

'She is not, my lord.'

Grey muttered imprecations under his breath. He had two choices – either he got dressed again or paraded through the house as he was. No – there was a third option and reluctantly he took this one.

'In which case, I'll remain here. Make sure you wake me at dawn.'

He wasn't sure if he was more angry at Madeline's defiance or frustrated that he wouldn't be able to make love to his beautiful wife. He flung back the covers and rolled into bed without bothering to find his nightshirt.

When he saw her tomorrow he would make it very clear he expected his instructions to be followed to the letter. He hoped she was regretting her decision as much as he was.

The following morning he was up before his valet appeared with his shaving water. He headed for the stable yard as soon as he was dressed confident he'd forgotten nothing – that he'd arranged their departure with military precision. Fortunately neither he nor Madeline had brought a second trunk and there was ample space at the rear of the vehicle for all their trappings.

Jenkins, Smith and Slater were well-mounted but this still left two spare animals – the one that had been used as a pack animal and the mare Madeline had ridden.

He spoke to Faulkner's head groom. 'Will it be a problem if I leave these two here?'

'No, sir, as you can see we've plenty of spare stalls.'

‘Perhaps your master could return them when he comes for his Christmas visit in a few weeks?' He dipped into his pocket and tossed the man a couple of coins.

He turned to Smith. 'We shall be leaving in an hour. Make sure you are ready and that the coachman has the carriage waiting outside.'

His man touched his cap. 'We'll be there. I've sent Jenkins ahead to arrange for overnight accommodation – he'll rejoin us on the journey so you'll know where we're stopping.'

Grey nodded and returned to the house to find his wife calmly eating her breakfast as if nothing untoward had taken place last night. 'Good morning, I trust you slept well. I certainly did and I'm eager to set out on this adventure.'

He'd fully intended to severely reprimand her but her sweet smile dissuaded him. 'Good morning to you, my love, I'm delighted you are here in good time.'

He joined her at the table with a laden plate and neither of them spoke until they'd finished. She dropped her cutlery and her napkin with a sigh of contentment.

'That was truly delicious. I've just to run upstairs and put on my bonnet and collect my gloves and reticule and then I'll be ready to depart. Doctor Faulkner was called out an hour ago so will be unable to say goodbye in person.'

'I'm at a loss to understand why a man of his substance devotes his time to doctoring the poor of the neighbourhood.' He gestured around at the expensive fittings. 'Usually becoming a physician is the lot of a younger son, someone without a substantial income, and this obviously isn't the case with him.'

She stood gracefully before answering. 'I believe he's immersing himself in good works in order to forget a broken heart. He is a handsome man and as you pointed out, obviously wealthy – why else would he not be married?'

'You’ve been reading too many novels, sweetheart, it's far more likely he's a confirmed bachelor like the duke.'

'We shall see when he comes to stay. I'll join you outside in ten minutes.'

True to her word she appeared on the top step looking, as always, quite beautiful. If he had his way all her garments would be made in that particular shade of green as it set off her hair and eyes to perfection.

His mouth curved at his thoughts. He was an ex-soldier, not a simpering poltroon with a head full of romantic nonsense.

He handed her into the carriage and her maid scuttled around to the far side and scrambled in under her own volition. He was about to join her when he decided he would rather ride than spend hours cooped up inside a stuffy carriage unable to speak freely because there was a servant present.

'I'm going to ride after all, my dear, far too clement a day to be inside.' He slammed the door and the under-coachman put away the steps before climbing nimbly to take his position on the box.

The coachman released the brake, snapped his whip and the vehicle moved away smoothly. 'Smith, you follow and Slater, you wait for me. We'll catch you soon enough.'

In less than ten minutes he was astride the erstwhile packhorse, a handsome bay gelding well up to his weight.

*

Madeline was glad he'd decided not to sit with her inside the carriage – not because she didn't enjoy spending time with him – but now she could put her feet up on the squabs and travel in comfort.

'Lottie, I'm not sure how long we'll be travelling before we stop for refreshments, but knowing his lordship he will expect to complete a goodly part of the journey. I'm going to sleep if I can, I had little rest last night.'

‘Very good, my lady, I'll keep an eye on things out of the window and rouse you in good time.'

The Silchester travelling carriage was extremely luxurious, no expense had been spared when her father had had it built the year he passed away. Despite the poor quality of the lane they were travelling along the excellent springs softened the discomfort.

She'd expected Grey to give her a frosty reception this morning after her refusal to follow his instructions, but he'd been his usual friendly self. Was his sudden decision to ride a direct result of her refusing to sleep in his bed last night?

Being married to a man with a tendency to think he was still commanding his brigade was going to be more difficult than she'd anticipated. If only they had been able to spend more time together, get to know each other and maybe fall in love, then things might be easier between them. Tears seeped from the corner of her eyes and she turned her face away so her maid wouldn't see.

Mama had told all of them to marry for love and not for any other reason. Her brother Bennett had done so, but circumstances had pushed her into this situation and she wished with all her heart she'd not been obliged to marry so hastily and to a man she barely liked, let alone loved.

The fact that what took place in the marriage bed was very much to her liking would make things bearable for both of them. He had promised to be a good husband to her, to make her happy and she must believe what he said.

Once she was with child things would be different – they would have a shared interest. She was confident whatever his failings as a husband he would be an excellent father. Her hand moved surreptitiously to her middle. Was it possible she was already carrying his baby?

She must have dozed because she was jolted awake by a sharp tap on the window. She looked round and saw her husband peering in at her.

'Lottie, let down the window, his lordship wishes to speak to me.'

When the window was open he leaned in. 'We're about to turn onto the toll road and will be travelling more speedily. I've arranged for us to halt for midday refreshments but we can stop before then – just let the coachman know.'

'Thank you for informing me. I'm perfectly comfortable and sure I can wait until noon to…' She stopped horrified she'd been about to mention something so indelicate.

His wicked smile made her blush the more. 'How is your hip?'

'It hardly hurts at all, thank you. Being able to put my feet up makes all the difference.'