'How silly of me. Since I agreed to marry Richard I'm finding it hard to concentrate on anything but my forthcoming nuptials. We're just confirming his suspicions if we refuse to let him enter – if we have nothing to hide then we would have welcomed them in.'
Chapter Two
'Your grace, we can't hide out here until the end of the month. You must go back and say that I've gone away on business for you.' Patrick O’Riley was lounging on the grass next to Richard whilst the horses grazed happily on the long grass in the meadow.
'With hindsight I think it a bad move to not have been there when the marshals arrived. It's tantamount to admitting that they’re correct in assuming you've remained with me.' He spat out the stalk of grass he had been chewing reflectively. 'Not only that, we've put the ladies in an invidious position. I think we must return as if there's nothing amiss and brazen it out.'
'It would have helped if we knew if we'd ever met any of the arresting party, sir. Being called by a different name and having brown hair instead of red will not be enough to deceive anyone who has made my acquaintance.'
'True.' Richard rose smoothly to his feet and whistled for his horse to return. He was now riding his beloved stallion which had been fetched for him from Corunna and Patrick had his gelding, Rufus. 'Stay here. I'll say you're about your legitimate business but should be back this evening if they have the temerity to enquire. I'll send a groom for you if it's safe for you to return. In fact, I'll send someone anyway to let you know what's going on.'
As he cantered down the leafy lanes he rehearsed in his head what he would say to these gentlemen. Even if he had never met them in person, they would know of his reputation. This should stand him in good stead.
Since he had resigned his colours on discovering that not only had he inherited a dukedom, but also the responsibility for three young ladies and their mother, his world had been turned upside down. He had been reluctant to take up his responsibilities and determined to return to his duties as Major Sinclair. However, fate had determined otherwise.
His lips curved when he recalled how surprised he had been to discover he was the image of the distant relative who had been the previous Duke of Denchester. The fact that he was also the masculine equivalent of Lady Amanda Sinclair, soon to be his beloved wife, had also been a surprise.
Within a short space of time he was neck over crop in love with the girl, but she had taken a deal of persuading to agree to marry him. It was purgatory remaining out of her bed when they were residing under the same roof. He was counting the hours until he had the right to make love to her.
They'd left by the tradesmen's track but he returned down the drive. A groom appeared from under the stable archway to take his stallion.
'I was to tell you, your grace, that there's two officers inside visiting and a common soldier what has gone to look for a person called Sergeant Major Riley what we've never heard of.'
'Thank you, Jethro, your communication is duly noted.'
He strolled to the front door puzzled as to why Amanda had invited the enemy inside. No doubt he would discover this for himself as soon as he set foot indoors. The front door swung open and a liveried footman bowed him in. He tossed the servant his gloves and whip. He never bothered with a hat nowadays.
The drawing room was to the right of the spacious hall and immediately he could hear Amanda and Sarah laughing gaily in response to something one of the officers had said. His smile vanished. He stepped into the chamber, his eyes hard and his expression arctic.
Two redcoats shot to their feet as if stabbed in the derrière by a bayonet and both saluted as if he was still in uniform. They were strangers to him – which was a considerable relief in the circumstances.
Sarah looked nervous but Amanda raised an eyebrow and shook her head. He relaxed and smiled. 'Good afternoon, gentlemen. You have the advantage of me.'
The taller of the two, a captain, half-bowed. 'Captain Paul Marchand, at your service, your grace. Please allow me to introduce Ensign Robinson.'
He nodded. 'I thought my connection with Horse Guards to be over. If you have been sent to try and persuade me to rejoin my regiment…'
'No, your grace, we are in search of your former sergeant major who is designated as a deserter. We were hoping you could enlighten us as to his whereabouts.'
'I thought him returned to duty. I've had no contact with anyone of that name. I am afraid that you have had a wasted journey.' He turned to Amanda. 'I hope you have invited these gentlemen to dine with us, my dear. It's been too long since I heard anything of my former comrades and am eager to catch up on the gossip.'
'Gossip, Richard? I thought that was a female's prerogative. Yes, Captain Marchand and Ensign Robinson have kindly agreed to stay and dine. If you'll excuse us, gentlemen, I must inform her grace that there will be two extra for dinner today.'
She took Sarah out with her and for some reason the girl seemed reluctant to leave. Her cheeks were pink and he had a nasty suspicion she was, like many other young ladies before her, interested in a handsome young officer.
*
Paul was wary of this impressive gentleman. There was nothing soft or effete about this aristocrat – he was military to his backbone.
'Your grace, we are intruding. I am certain that you do not really wish to dine with us and we will make ourselves scarce.'
A glimmer of amusement flickered across the duke's face. 'Not at all, Captain, since I left Corunna I've had little opportunity to discuss my former life. In fact, if I'm honest, I'm sadly deprived of sensible masculine conversation.' His grace gestured towards the seats the girls had recently vacated. 'Be seated, we have an hour before I need to change for dinner.'
This was not a request but an order and he and his companion hastily resumed their places. He was surprised that their host had not first retreated to his apartment and repaired his appearance. It was impossible to ignore the smell of sweat and horse that drifted towards them.
His expression must have betrayed his thoughts as the duke laughed out loud.
'Is it so bad? I beg your pardon. I should not have come in the drawing room in my dirt.' He remained where he was which surprised Paul. 'It hardly seems worth the bother of going to my rooms now when I shall have to do so shortly to improve my appearance before we dine. The ladies put on something pretty, but not evening gowns, and I do as much as I must to be acceptable.'
'We can do nothing about our appearance, your grace, which is another reason I think it best if we depart.'
'Stay here tonight. Send your ensign to collect your bags. You can set off first thing rested and replete.' The duke looked pointedly at Robinson. ‘Where were you intending to stay?'
'The Rising Sun, in the village, no more than a mile from here.'
'Excellent. Ensign Robinson, you can be back in ample time for you both to be able to smarten your appearance and not let down your regiment.'
Again, this was more a command than a suggestion. Paul nodded to Robinson who scrambled to his feet, bowed and hurried out. He relaxed as he realised that they would hardly have been invited to stay if the duke was harbouring a fugitive.
'When do you expect your new abode to be completed? I could see nothing through the dust when I called there first and got your direction.'
'Two years – which is why I have moved the family to Radley Manor. Tell me, Marchand, why has an intelligent young officer chosen to serve as a provost marshal?'
'I had not the wherewithal to purchase a captaincy anywhere else, your grace. I am a career soldier and if I am ever to have a wife and family of my own, I need to climb the ladder and become a major at the least.'
'Would you prefer to be performing your duties on the Peninsular?'
'Indeed I would, sir.' He hesitated not sure if he should reveal more about his thoughts. He came to a decision. He trusted this man would explain what he thought was the reason for him being sent to arrest the errant Sergeant Major Riley.
'General Boyden is behind
my search. I believe that he's going to threaten to hang your former sergeant major unless he agrees to sign up for a further term of service. The only positive aspect of this must be that the general thinks very highly of him.'
'I agree with your assessment of the situation. Mr Riley has only to remain out of your hands for a further four weeks and then he will be a free man.'
'Technically perhaps, your grace, but the army will view it differently. I know of instances when deserters have been arrested a year or more after their disappearance and when they are no longer officially members of the army.'
The duke's eyes narrowed. 'That is always a possibility, of course. However, he has friends in high places and I think the general is going to be disappointed.' His lips curved but his eyes remained unfriendly. 'Now, you must tell me what it was you were regaling to my future wife and my ward when I came in a while ago. I could hear them laughing immoderately.'
Paul swallowed and cleared his throat. 'Lady Amanda had just been telling us about an amusing incident that involved her falling asleep in the woods. I then told them about the occasion when I fell asleep on duty.'
'I imagine that the outcome of that was not as amusing,' the duke said dryly.
'I had a bucket of water tipped over my head and was told I was lucky it hadn't been something more malodorous.'
'You are lucky you weren’t put on a charge.' The duke's smile was now genuine. 'I doubt that you repeated the offence.'
'No, sir, I certainly didn't. My regiment was about to depart for Portugal and I was eagerly anticipating being able to lead men into battle for the first time. Then this opportunity was offered and I had no recourse but to accept.'
'Have you been told what would be the outcome if you fail in your mission?'
'I will be cashiered at the worst and demoted at the best. Believe me, your grace, I don't agree with my orders but have no option but to follow them.'
'Where have you sent your private soldier? Is he lurking around the stables in the hope of making an arrest?'
'Lady Amanda said that she thought that our man had been sent to Ipswich on business.' Hastily he corrected himself. 'Your man of business, coincidentally called Mr O’Riley, is a person of interest to us. As soon as we have spoken to him, and confirmed that he is not the man we're looking for, then we will leave and continue our search elsewhere.'
'My man will be back tomorrow or the next day. Lady Amanda was incorrect as he has gone to Norwich, not Ipswich. I'm happy to have you and your ensign stay here and your private soldier can find a billet with my outside men.' He stood and Paul had no option but to do the same. 'I have business to attend to before dinner. A servant will show you to your room.'
'Thank you, your grace, I appreciate your hospitality. Do I have your permission to take a walk in your gardens?'
The duke looked at him as if he was speaking in tongues. 'Permission? Good God, man, I'm not your superior. You’re my guest and can do as you please.'
Paul could hear him laughing as he wandered off and his cheeks flushed. His grace might no longer be a major in the army but he was definitely his superior in every way. Not only was he a duke and immensely wealthy but also several years older than him and quite probably more intelligent too.
The French doors at the far end of the drawing room were open and he scuttled out. He found himself on a spacious terrace which was edged by a stone balustrade and had a matching stone staircase down into the rose garden. If he wasn't mistaken there was a maze to the left of the ornamental lake and he decided to walk there until he'd recovered his aplomb.
*
Sarah escaped from her sister, who was waylaid by the housekeeper about some boring domestic detail, and ran upstairs. It was too soon to change for dinner so she would put on her bonnet and boots and take a turn in the garden. The weather was perfect for a stroll.
'Lady Sarah, you should take your parasol, you must stay out of the sun,' her abigail said.
'Very well, if you insist. We have guests tonight so please find me something elegant to wear. I'll be back in good time.'
She left through the door in the music room that opened onto the terrace and hesitated for a moment not sure in which direction to go. A flash of red caught her eye and she realised the handsome officer was in the maze.
Without a second thought she picked up her skirts and ran across the grass to join him. Although he was tall enough to peer over the top of the neatly clipped yew hedges that formed the walls of the maze, he had neglected to take in the wooden flag that could be waved if one became disorientated.
She had once spent an hour trying to find her way out before being rescued by one of the gardeners. The captain would be most embarrassed if he was obliged to shout for assistance.
'Captain Marchand, are you lost in there? Do you wish me to fetch someone who is familiar with the layout?'
She was too short to see where he was but she could hear him moving about. Then the top of his head appeared over the greenery. 'I am about to enter the centre of this structure. I was determined to find it before I come out. I am not lost and do not require assistance although I should be delighted to stroll around in here with you if you are, of course, able to find me.'
'Remain where you are, sir, and I will be with you directly. I cannot resist a challenge.'
'Follow my voice, my lady, that will make it simpler for you.'
He was speaking to her as if she was a child and not a woman grown. 'Captain Marchand, I have been in and out of here several times and have no need to be guided by someone with no knowledge of this maze.'
Her tart retort should have silenced him but instead he laughed which incensed her more. She was determined to give him a severe set down for his patronising words and for laughing at her. In her hurry her skirts became entangled in the hedge and she was travelling so fast that when she was halted so abruptly, she lost her balance. With a despairing cry she tumbled backwards.
The next thing she knew she was sitting on the path, her gown quite ruined and her ankle severely injured. She bit her lip trying not to cry out with the pain. She barely had time to draw another breath before he appeared beside her.
'Remain still, my lady, let me untangle you and examine your ankle before you attempt to stand.'
Without a by your leave he reached around her and released her torn skirts. Then he gently straightened her leg and inspected the injury. Having a gentleman's hands encircle her limb gave her palpitations.
He was so close she could reach out and touch the top of his shining dark hair. The roughness of his regimental coat was brushing her arm. She closed her eyes unable to say anything coherent.
'I don't think it's broken, my dear, just severely sprained. Put your arm around my neck. I'll carry you back.'
'I don't think you should do that. Richard will be most displeased with both of us.'
He sat back on his heels and studied her. 'I think he would be even more displeased if I left you here. Now, cut rope, do as you're told.'
'You have no right to issue orders as if I was one of your enlisted men. I get quite enough of that from my cousin, thank you very much. Go away, I shall be perfectly happy sitting here until someone more suitable comes to my aid.' She had spoken without thought and expected him to ignore her instructions.
To her horror he straightened, nodded politely, and vanished leaving her stranded. He was a most objectionable young man and should have realised she had spoken in anger and didn't mean him to leave her alone.
Her ankle throbbed, the scratches on her arms were bleeding and sore and she sincerely regretted her outburst. She sniffed and rubbed her eyes with her hand.
'Did you really think I would leave you here? Are you ready to comply?'
Obediently she put her hand around his neck, he put one arm about her waist and the other under her knees and she was lifted as if she weighed nothing at all. Somehow he managed to extricate them both from the maze with no difficulty, and without causing her further pain. He h
ad even had the forethought to tuck her torn skirt around her legs so she was revealing nothing that she shouldn’t.
They were halfway to the house when Richard appeared. He was at their side in moments. 'God’s teeth! You've only been here an hour or two, Marchand, and you're already causing mayhem.' He reached out to take her but to her astonishment the captain shook his head.
'Thank you, your grace, but I can manage perfectly well. Lady Sarah tripped and sprained her ankle in the maze.'
Her cousin’s lips thinned. He wasn't used to being gainsaid. He remained in front of them. Her lethargy vanished as she looked at each of them in turn.
'I will not be handed about like a parcel. Remove yourself, cousin, and allow the captain to continue.'
If before Richard had been annoyed, now he was astonished. This was the first time she'd had the temerity to argue with him although her sister did so all the time. Then he smiled.
'I beg your pardon, Sarah. Captain take her to her apartment and her maids can attend her there.'
Chapter Three
Richard stepped aside reluctantly. Something about this officer made alarm bells ring. On first acquaintance he had appeared well-mannered, suitably respectful, but that was a façade. The pleasant, smiling countenance had momentarily fooled him. He now bitterly regretted his casual invitation for them to stay as long as they liked.
He had sent a groom to tell Patrick to remain at the Dower House until told otherwise. What the devil had Sarah been doing in the maze with Marchand?
On entering the house, he snapped his fingers and gave his instructions. He stood in the hall and watched the young officer move easily up the stairs with the girl in his arms. They both seemed inordinately pleased about the situation.
He could hardly toss the man out, but having him under the same roof as his ward for the next few days was a recipe for disaster. Sarah was halfway to being enamoured of the officer already – he had no notion what Marchand’s feelings might be on the subject. Was it possible that he had already seen a golden opportunity to marry money and be able to buy himself a better position in the army?
The Duke's Decision (The Reluctant Duke Book 2) Page 2