To Marry a Duke (8 page)

‘I apologize most sincerely, my lady. I had no intention of
hurting you. I merely wished to prevent you from leaving before we had
completed our conversation.’

‘May I leave now, Mr Tremayne? I am feeling unwell.’

‘Of course.
Shall I call your
abigail?’

‘No, thank you. I need no assistance.’ She fled from the
library, not sure to whom the honours had gone. She needed to walk outside in
the cool of the Wilderness; allow her emotions to calm, let her intellect take
control. As she paced along the shady path her hectic colour began to fade. By
the time she completed the walk she was more composed.

Allegra wandered into the rose garden and sank onto a marble
bench, the stones cool beneath her hands. Her lids closed and she leant back
allowing the midday sun to soothe her. She relived the interview, trying to
discover at what point he had gained the ascendancy. She smiled and her eyes
flew open. He had won the battle when she had lost her temper. In future she
must keep a tight hold on herself, not allow his arrogance, or patronage, to
rouse her.

She frowned. What was she thinking? She did not have a quick
or fiery temper. She was

renowned
for her detachment, even as a child her brother had been unable to dent her
sang froid.

What was it about that obnoxious individual that caused her
to behave so? Her reverie was rudely interrupted by someone calling her name.
What disaster had befallen them now? She stood up, instinctively smoothing down
her skirts and turned, with a friendly smile.

‘Miss Tremayne, I do hope there is nothing amiss?’

Chapter
Eight

‘Oh, Lady Allegra, I do beg your
pardon for disturbing you. Shall I go away? Really I don’t mind in the
slightest.’

‘I am delighted to see you, Miss Tremayne. How can I be of
assistance?’

Demelza’s shoulders slumped and her eyes filled with tears.
‘My Papa won’t allow me to become betrothed to Lord Witherton until the middle
of next month. I don’t know how I shall bear it.’

‘Sit down, my dear, and tell me what has transpired. I had
no inkling your affections were so soon engaged, for after all you only known
my brother since yesterday.’

‘Indeed I have, my lady. But we knew as soon as our eyes
met. It was a
coup de
foudre
!
I know you’re going to explain I’m too young to make such a decision, but even
Papa knows I’m already a sensible adult lady, quite able to make up my mind on
such matters.’

Allegra was not convinced. ‘And Witherton, does he feel the
same urgency to be wed?’

‘Oh yes, he does. We know we’re destined to be together.
What need do I have for a season in Town when I have met my own true love?’ The
girl shifted miserably on the bench. ‘We’re not even allowed to be alone
together but must somehow still get better acquainted. How do we to do that?
And four weeks is so long.’

‘My dear, it would be impossible
to hold a ball, or party, for your betrothal until we are out of mourning and
that is not until July, you know.’ Allegra told her kindly.

Demelza’s mouth rounded. ‘Oh dear, I do apologize. How
stupid of me to forget. I don’t wish for a long engagement, neither does his
lordship. But we could be married in August, could we not?’

‘If Mr Tremayne is agreeable then there is no reason why
not. Do not be in too much of a rush,

Miss Tremayne. On reflection you
might discover you and Witherton do not suit. Once you are married, it is too
late to repine. Are you quite certain you wish to spend the next fifty years
living here, at St Osyth’s Priory?’

Demelza shook her head, her black ringlets dancing round her
elfin face. ‘I don’t intend to languish here all year round. There’s a
townhouse and I intend to spend the season there. And as soon as this horrible
war is over I shall insist we take a grand tour. Papa has a yacht, you know.’

Her ingenuous remarks could not cause offence. Allegra
stretched out and took a small hand in hers. ‘And when there are children, my
dear? Will you still wish to gad about, abandon them here to the care of their
nanny and nursemaids?’

‘Children?’
Demelza looked shocked.
‘I don’t wish to have children, not for many years. I’m fond of babies, but I’m
too young to have any of my own.’

Allegra hesitated; should she explain to this naive and
innocent girl just what married life entailed? That babies were usually an
inevitable result of sharing one’s bed with one’s spouse. ‘Of course you are,
my dear, there is plenty of time to consider filling your nursery.’

‘I know it will be my duty to provide an heir for Lord
Witherton one day, but that will be, I hope, a long time in the future.’

Allegra stood up. ‘I believe I
can see Miss Murrell approaching, Miss Tremayne. Shall we walk to meet her?’

They strolled back through the budding rose bushes, Demelza
chatting of this and that. No more was said about the responsibilities of
marriage, but Allegra had grave misgivings about the girl’s readiness for such
a step. She would have to have a long and serious talk to her brother before
things moved to the point where they could not be reversed.

The fact that Richard and Miss Tremayne declared themselves
to be in love only complicated matters. It put her in an invidious position. If
she forced Tremayne to withdraw then he was unlikely to consent to his
daughter’s nuptials.

‘Miss Murrell, were you looking for us?’ Allegra asked as
they met.

‘Mrs Dawkins is here from Colchester, my lady, for Miss
Tremayne.’

Demelza skipped forward, her face alight with anticipation.
‘I’ m coming at once, dear Miss Murrell. I can’t wait to select my new gowns.’
She turned to Allegra. ‘It’s not to say that I don’t love your gowns, Lady
Allegra, especially this one. Primrose is almost my favourite colour.’

‘Run along, Miss Tremayne. It will take a while for your new
gowns to be assembled so it is fortuitous you like the ones that I gave you, is
it not?’

Demelza smiled. ‘And anyway, Lucy always says a young lady
cannot have too many gowns, so expect I’ll need to keep all of them, including
yours.’

Allegra’s brow puckered as she watched them depart. In her
opinion Miss Tremayne was still far too young to contemplate marriage and she
was even more determined to inform her brother of her feelings on this matter.

She decided to walk across the Bury to the church. She felt
the need for the solace only quiet communion with her Maker could bring her.
Inside the ancient building was unpleasantly

chill but the myriad colours, thrown
into fragmented patterns on the rough stone floor by the sun streaming through
the stained-glass windows, made up for the cold.

She knelt before the altar and tried to compose a prayer but
her head was full of unchristian thoughts. Full of schemes to force Tremayne to
break the contract and give her back her home and freedom. She shivered and
scrambled to her feet not finding the peace she sought. She would be better
back in the Priory in her own comfortable apartment
With
her companion occupied today with overseeing Miss Tremayne’s new clothes she
could be sure of privacy.

Allegra dismissed her maid and curled up in the window seat
that overlooked the lawn. This gave her an uninterrupted view of the ancient
gatehouse and the flock of shaggy sheep that grazed there awaiting the
attentions of the shearers. She needed to think more carefully about her notion
to alienate Tremayne to such a degree he would wish her to perdition.

He was not a man to be easily manipulated. For a commoner he
was unnecessarily proud and highhanded, more so than he had any right to be.
Wealth was not the equal of good breeding - bloodlines were paramount.

As she gazed, unfocused, through the leaded panes some
movement by the bailiff’s house caught her attention. She stared at the two men
talking in the shadow of the building. One was Fred, an under-groom, the other
obviously a sailor, dressed as he was in navy serge and thick woollen sweater.
The men parted after shaking hands and Allegra surmised that contraband had
played a part in the discussion. Being so close to the coast smuggling was a
way of life.

Free-traders! Perhaps that was the answer to her problem.
She jumped from the window seat

and
grabbed
the bell, ringing it loudly. Abbot
appeared,
her
expression anxious.

‘I wish to change my gown; I need a walking dress for I am
going to visit the stables.’

‘Would you like to eat some luncheon before you go, my lady?
You had no breakfast this morning.’

Allegra was about to refuse but Abbot looked so worried she
relented.
‘Very well.
Perhaps broth,
and some fresh bread and a piece of fruit?’

Changed into a less formal, but equally elegant, peach
cambric frock Allegra felt more disposed to tackle the food which was waiting
on the side table in her withdrawing-room.

Her appetite was, as usual, meagre but she managed to
swallow enough to satisfy her
abigail
. ‘I shall return
in good time to dress for dinner. The gold Indian silk will be suitable for
tonight, Abbot, thank you.’

Allegra, knowing she might well be seen from the study
window, forced herself to appear nonchalant, suppressing her urge to hurry. She
had formulated a plan and was eager to set it in motion. Once through the arch
that led to the stables she felt it safe to lengthen her stride. Tremayne could
not possibly observe her progress now.

The stable yard was quiet, as was to be expected in
mid-afternoon. However, Thomas was sitting outside the tack-room, a side-saddle
draped over his knees, making it impossible for him to perform the required
bow. He touched his forelock instead.

‘Please do not stop your work, Thomas.’ These were the first
word she had spoken directly to him since the unfortunate incident on the day
her father died. Somehow the fact that her head groom had been obliged to put
his hands on her person no longer seemed such a breach of etiquette.

‘I wish to speak to Fred, is he
about?’

Thomas shook his head.
‘No, my lady.
He just left for the smithy with Billy; two carriage horses needed shoes.
They’ll be back before dark.’

Did Thomas have contact with the local free-traders? Should
she risk involving him? The matter was taken from her hands.

‘Ah! Lady Allegra! I saw you disappear into the stable yard
and was intrigued.’ She remained silent, her face impassive. Tremayne continued
apparently unbothered by her lack of civility. ‘It’s rather late to be
contemplating a drive, but if you have urgent business please allow me to
escort you.’ He stopped, waiting expectantly for her response. Even Thomas was
watching, his head cocked, wanting to see what she would say.

Through tight lips she replied, ‘I wish to speak to a member
of staff but as he is not here, I shall continue my constitutional.’ She nodded
‘Thank you, Thomas. Please ask Fred to come and see me when he returns.’
Allegra tilted her nose in the air and stalked off, giving Tremayne the cut
direct.

Allegra would have had to be as
deaf as a trunk maker not to hear her name roared across the lawn. How vulgar
to shout in such a way! Believing this breach of etiquette now put her on the
moral high ground she halted, turning slowly and stood, commendably patient but
strangely nervous, waiting for Tremayne to reach her.

His expression was ominous, his intentions obvious. Too late
she decided to relinquish her precarious position and assume a more
conciliatory mode.

‘Lady Allegra,’ he stopped a scant arm’s-length from her,
his breathing agitated but his voice steady. ‘Lady Allegra,’ he repeated
softly, ‘I believe, pray
correct
me if I am mistaken,
that you failed to answer my question.’

Thoroughly unnerved and reduced to incoherence by his
unnecessary proximity, Allegra clutched her hands to her chest and stepped back.
Maybe she would be able to marshal her scattered wits and find her voice if the
distance between them was greater.

As she retreated, he followed, unmoved by her distress. Soft
footed he prowled after her, determined to get his answer. Answer? She had
forgotten his question. She stopped so abruptly he cannoned into her, knocking
the remaining breath from her lungs.

She swayed backwards, her arms flailing wildly, and her
fingers finally lodged in the froth of his stock. She hung on, hoping his
substantial weight would be enough keep her on her feet and thus save them both
from an unpleasant and undignified tumble.

They teetered, back and forth, as Tremayne fought for his
balance and his breath. Regaining both he raised his hands and placed them,
none to gently, over hers.

‘Let go, you’re throttling me. I promise you’re not going to
fall.’

Allegra was unable to respond. Her fingers remained
claw-like at his throat and lightly he prised them from their stranglehold. Her
heart pounded unpleasantly and her vision remained blurred. Nothing seemed to
make sense. Finally she registered the fact Tremayne was holding her hands
captive in his; that she was far too close to his solid flesh for comfort or
indeed, decency.

‘Lady Allegra, look at me.’
 
His voice was soft and she could not refuse. ‘That’s better. If you are
fully recovered I’m going to release you now.’ She nodded, still too shocked to
speak. ‘There, I apologize for my appalling clumsiness. It could have had us
both over.’

‘No, sir; it was entirely my fault.’
 
Her words, once unstopped from her throat
gushed out. ‘I should not have been so uncivil. I should have answered your
kind offer. I am not usually so rag-mannered, I do assure you.’

As she spoke she had not dared to raise the eyes but now she
did. ‘Good heavens! Whatever has happened to your neck cloth, Mr Tremayne?’ Her
puzzled enquiry, for some inexplicable reason, reduced him to whoops of
laughter. Although flustered, and not a little embarrassed at such a display in
public, she did not withdraw.

After several noisy minutes he wiped his eyes and grinned
down at her. ‘My dear girl, you did this to me! You mangled my stock and ruined
my valet’s assiduous efforts to turn me out as a gentleman.’

‘I did it? Are you sure, sir? I have no recollection of…’
her voice trailed away as she remembered grasping something crisp, but pliable,
to prevent her fall. She felt the colour travel swiftly from her toes to the
crown of her head.

‘Quite so.
I do assure you, Lady
Allegra, that your misguided attempt at strangulation shall not be a bone of
contention between us in the future.’

‘Strangulation?’
She shook her head
in frustration and stepped back to give him a fulminating stare. ‘This is not a
matter for merriment, sir. A real gentleman would not have mentioned it.’

All traces of humour vanished and he was once again the
autocratic, overbearing stranger, the one she was to be forced to marry if she
did not take steps to prevent it. She would not apologize a second time. Being
forced to do so once was more than enough. From the depths of her silk-lined

bonnet
she
glared back at him, daring him to retaliate.

The impact of his formal bow was somewhat reduced by the
flapping ends of his destroyed neck-cloth. ‘If you have no wish of my services
as an escort I’ll bid you good afternoon, Lady Allegra. No doubt we’ll meet at
dinner.’
 
He did not make it sound as
though he relished the prospect. ‘Dinner will be at seven o’clock in future. I
have no intention of keeping country hours.’