The Duke's Alliance Book Two: A Dangerous Husband (18 page)

The candles were already lit and with the cheerful fire the room was warm and welcoming. A soft tap at the door heralded the arrival of the promised refreshments. By the time the two maids had arranged matters to their satisfaction the appetising aromas were making her mouth water.

Once they had departed she knocked on the bedroom door. 'Grey, there's food here. Soup, meat pasties, bread and cheese, and a selection of pies and pastries.'

'I'll be there in a moment. Start without me.'

She didn't need to be told a second time and quickly filled a bowl with the delicious looking vegetable soup. After adding a chunk of bread she took a seat at the second table that had been laid for them.

'I'm ravenous, sweetheart, is the soup as tasty as it sounds?' Grey dropped a kiss on the top of her head as he walked past to help himself.

'Was I slurping? I do beg your pardon, my love, I hadn't realised my enjoyment was so noisy.'

There was far too much food but, despite knowing they would have to sit down to an elaborate dinner in less than four hours, they devoured a good part of it.

When they were comfortably settled on the
chaise longue
Madeline told him about her wild imaginings. Instead of laughing he looked grim.

'I hadn't intended to tell you this, but the carriage had been tampered with. Whoever is trying to murder me is out there watching us.'

Her recently eaten meal threatened to return. 'What are you going to do?'

'I have matters in hand, sweetheart, there's no need for you to worry. We'll set out for my uncle's house as soon as the carriage is repaired and you will be safe there. My men and I will then take care of matters.'

There was no necessity for her to ask what he meant – he was a soldier and wouldn't hesitate to dispatch the miserable cowards who were trying to injure him. 'I won't be happy until the man behind these attacks has been apprehended. Are you any closer to discovering who this might be?'

'Your brother's making enquiries on my behalf in London and will send word to me when he gets a definitive reply.' He stretched out and plucked her from the seat and placed her in his lap. 'Enough of this gloomy discussion, darling, there are far more enjoyable ways of passing the afternoon.'

Chapter Eighteen

The following morning when Madeline awoke Grey had already left. She was astonished that he'd managed to get dressed without awakening her. She stretched luxuriously and came to the conclusion that married life suited her very well despite the disadvantages of having a husband with a short temper and a tendency to treat her like one of his junior officers.

She stretched out and rang the little brass bell on the bedside table and immediately Lottie rushed in. 'Good morning, my lady, I've got your hot chocolate keeping warm in front of the fire in the dressing room. His lordship has been gone this age.' The girl dashed across the room and pulled back the curtains and then folded back the wooden shutters.

'Oh dear! It's as gloomy as it was yesterday afternoon. I hope the weather improves by the time the carriage is repaired.'

'From what I've heard downstairs it should be ready by tomorrow. The damage wasn't nearly as bad as was thought.' Her maid vanished to return with the tray immediately.

'Lottie, how have you and Slater arranged things so you don't clash?'

The girl grinned. 'It's working ever so well and he's very accommodating and quite happy to share the dressing room with me. What do you want me to put out for you this morning?'

As she was speaking she retrieved the discarded nightgown and draped a bedrobe over the end of the bed. Only then did Madeline remember she was totally naked beneath the sheets – something she was quite certain her abigail would be shocked by.

'I'll wear whatever you like, as long as it has long sleeves and a spencer I'll be satisfied with your choice.'

Breakfast was served at ten o'clock and she was on her way to the breakfast room in good time. She had expected Grey to join her there but he failed to appear so she ate a lonely meal as Mrs Chorley also failed to appear.

After eating, Madeline wandered along to the drawing room where she found her hostess sitting by the fire lost in thought. Mrs Chorley was somewhat subdued this morning. 'Madam, are you unwell? Is there anything I can do for you?'

'No, Lady Madeline, I'm never at my best until midday. Lord Carshalton has gone out riding with two of his men – I cannot imagine what possessed him to do so when the weather is so dreary.'

Madeline felt a flicker of unease – Grey must be searching for the intruders she'd seen last night. She prayed he wouldn't come to any harm at their hands. She pinned on a bright smile. 'I expect he's gone to check if anything was left behind yesterday at the accident site. He was a soldier for many years, you know, and a little rain is nothing to him after what he endured.'

'Gentlemen are strange creatures, I've yet to fathom out the workings of my husband's mind even though we've been together for more than thirty years.'

'I have four brothers, Mrs Chorley, so I could consider myself an expert on the subject. However, apart from knowing that they prefer to be outside rather than indoors, and have no interest in novels, I'm as much in the dark as you are.' She smiled. 'No doubt I'll learn more about my husband as the months pass.' An image of Grey beside her in bed, his eyes dark with passion, caused her cheeks to colour.

'You are newly-wed, my dear, and Lord Carshalton is still besotted with you. Make the most of it as I can assure you once the gloss has worn away life will be quite different.' Mrs Chorley sighed heavily. 'My children were my life and I am bereft without them. I wish they hadn't grown up and left me and could have remained at home with their mama.'

This was hardly encouraging news. Mr Chorley had seemed a cordial gentleman when she met him the previous night and although not especially affectionate with his wife they seemed to rub along together well enough.

'Of course, my dear, yours is a love match whereas Mr Chorley and I barely knew each other when we were conjoined. Pray don't misunderstand me, we both entered the union willingly. He offered for me because I was very pretty when I was a girl and had a substantial dowry – I accepted because he was wealthy and reasonably attractive.'

'Didn't you know anything about him before agreeing to marry? Surely you must have been aware of his habits and interests?'

'My father made the usual enquiries. He wouldn't have allowed the wedding to go ahead if Mr Chorley had been a gambler or philanderer. He was neither and I'm sure I have nothing to complain about. He's never raised his hand to me, took a reasonable interest in our children and has always given me a generous allowance.'

'In which case, ma’am, why don't you visit your children? I'm sure they'll be delighted to see you. Do you have any grandchildren?'

'I have two – a girl of one year and a boy of few months. Of course I went to see them when they were born but I've not been since.' She smiled sadly. 'I wasn't warmly welcomed by either son-in-law, and it was made plain to me that I must limit my visits to a few days a year.'

Small wonder Mrs Chorley was so low in spirits. 'What about holding a Christmas and New Year house party? This is a vast establishment and you could invite all the family including your grandchildren. There are few gentlemen who would refuse such a generous invitation.'

'That's a splendid notion. Mr Chorley will not travel but would be happy to have a house full of gentlemen that he can play billiards, hunt, ride and play cards with.' She jumped nimbly from her seat her previous ill-humour quite forgotten. 'Forgive me, I must leave you and find him at once and get his approval for this scheme.'

She dashed away leaving Madeline to her own devices. She glanced at the mantel clock and saw she had an hour at least to fill before she could expect Grey to return.

*

'That was a monumental waste of time, Jenkins. Although I'm sure my wife wasn't mistaken when she said she saw men lurking in the trees last night, there's no sign of them now. I'm sure they were just investigating our current whereabouts and no doubt planning further attacks.'

'None of the varmints has been near the stables or coach house, my lord. They'll not get the opportunity to tamper with your carriage a second time. I reckon we should be safe enough whilst we're here.'

Grey dismounted in the yard and tossed his reins to a waiting boy before heading to the coach house to see how the repairs were progressing. He was delighted to find the carriage looked as good as new. As soon as the interior was dry they could continue their journey.

'I've decided to take Mr Chorley into my confidence, Jenkins. He's the magistrate and I'm sure will look unfavourably on what transpired. I'm hoping he'll be prepared to lend me half a dozen men so we can complete the distance to Blakely Hall confident no one would be foolish enough to attack us.'

His man nodded. 'That should do it, sir, but I'm not sure he'll have that many men and horses to spare.'

'I'll speak to him immediately. If he hasn't got what I need then he must tell me where I can find the extra men and horses. I also think it would be wise to complete the journey in one day and not overnight somewhere. If we leave before light and take it steady it can be done. We must make sure we halt a couple of times to allow the horses to recuperate.'

Grey strode off to the house and tossed his dripping coat, gloves and hat to a waiting footman. 'Direct me to your master.'

'Mr Chorley is in his study, my lord. If you walk into the main hall and take the passageway on your right, you will find the room at the far end.'

His boots were leaving muddy imprints on the spotless boards but that was no concern of his. There were more than ample staff here to deal with such minor problems. He knocked loudly and was bid to enter.

'I apologise for disturbing you, sir, but there are things I need to talk to you about.'

Chorley was horrified by his account and agreed to help him in any way he could. 'There's no need for you to go in search of men, my lord, I'll organise matters for you. This is a damnable business – the sooner these villains are apprehended the better.'

'Thank you for your assistance. My carriage is ready and we will leave just before dawn tomorrow. Can the necessary men and horses be found by then?'

'Indeed they can, my lord. I must now apologise in turn. Mrs Chorley has taken it upon herself to invite half the neighbourhood to dine tonight in honour of your unexpected visit. Although short notice, I expect a full quota to attend as it's not often we have such toplofty folk in our neighbourhood.'

'Lady Carshalton and I will be honoured to attend your dinner party, sir, but I'm sure you and your guests will understand if we retire early so that we can be up in time to leave.'

Jenkins was already aware they were leaving at dawn so there was no need to go back to the stables and update him. What he must do instead was get Slater to spruce him up so he could join Madeline wherever she was.

He went in search of her and found her stretched out on a daybed reading a periodical. Her smile when she saw him made him feel ten foot tall.

'Grey, I'm so pleased to see you. Mrs Chorley has abandoned me to set in motion invitations for her Christmas house party.'

He leaned down and kissed her. 'That's not the only thing she is organising, sweetheart. We are to be the guests of honour at a formal dinner party this evening. Your maid is searching out a suitable evening gown and my valet is taking care of my evening rig.'

'Sit down, my love, you're far too tall to be looming over me. It's quite intimidating.' Her feet were already on the floor and she patted the space beside her.

'It's not my intention to intimidate, I cannot help my unusual size.' He folded himself down and turned sideways to face her. After he'd explained his plans for the next day she agreed this was the right decision.

'Your relatives will be heartily sick of us before we even arrive for we've been nothing but trouble so far. We’ve rearranged our travel arrangements three times, which is hardly civil.'

'I'm sure they'll just be happy to have us arrive in one piece.'

'I've been thinking, what about Smith? Did you tell him to remain at Blakely Hall or ride back to join us only to repeat the process? The poor man and his horse will be quite exhausted.'

'I told him to remain at the inn where we originally intended to stay overnight. Instead, we'll stop for refreshments and allow the horses to recover from their exertions.'

The rain continued to lash the windows and the fire spattered as water found its way down the chimney. 'It's going to be heavy going with the roads so wet. Wouldn't it be better to stay here until it's more clement?'

It had not been his intention to discuss the matter with her, but now he had no choice. 'Sweetheart, I need to have you somewhere safe so my men and I can root out these villains and their master. Obviously, I cannot leave you here whilst I do so.'

'In which case, why don't I return to Silchester? My brothers are perfectly capable of taking care of me in your absence.'

This was a valid point and he could hardly tell her why he didn't want to do this. The duke exerted undue influence over his wife and he wished to weaken this link. Madeline was his concern and what better place to leave her than with his family?

'We can hardly renege on our promise to visit, my love, and it's considerably further to Silchester Court than it is to Blakely Hall.'

She frowned for a second and then relaxed back into his embrace. 'How silly of me, I should have realised. Won't we be more vulnerable travelling so slowly tomorrow?'

'It doesn't matter how slowly we travel, with six extra men to escort us an ambush or attack is highly unlikely.'

*

After luncheon Madeline retired to their shared chamber for an afternoon rest, although why she was so tired when she'd done absolutely nothing was a mystery to her. Grey joined Mr Chorley in the billiard room.

The dinner party passed without incident but she was relieved she had the excuse of the early departure which allowed her to escape from the drawing room before tea was served.

She wasn't left alone in the huge tester bed for long and the house was silent before she eventually fell into a deep and contented sleep.

She was awake in good time but Grey had already gone down. Warmly dressed in a dark green travelling gown and cloak, she joined him outside. The carriage was waiting, the team stamping and snorting in their eagerness to depart. The fact that it was still dark seemed not to bother them one jot.

This time her husband was to travel inside with them which pleased her but not her maid.

'At least it's no longer raining which should mean that our journey will be less hazardous.' He handed her into the carriage and her maid scrambled in behind her.

The door was left open whilst he went to have a final word with the mounted escort. 'It's going to be a long day, Lottie, you can't huddle in the corner with a rug over your head for the entire time – you will suffocate.'

'My lady, I find his lordship ever so fierce. I'm all of a tremble when he looks in my direction.'

'I'm not suggesting that you join in our conversation, that would be unsuitable. However, you can look out of the window on your side of the carriage and I promise we'll pretend you're not there.'