'I've had the external doors to your mother's apartment locked. She now has her personal maid plus one other to take care of her. Until we know the extent of her confusion I believe that I've no choice but to confine her.'
'I was going to suggest that you did so, my dear, because next time she might do one of us some serious harm in her madness. Imagine how frightened Beth would be if…'
There wasn't any necessity for Amanda to finish her sentence. Both he and Sarah knew to what she was referring.
'I hate to say this, darling girl, but I fear we must postpone our nuptials until your mother is better.'
Sarah shook her head. 'You must do no such thing. Why not cancel the wedding breakfast and celebration ball and just marry in a simple ceremony with only family present?'
He was about to refuse when Amanda jumped to her feet and threw her arms around her sister. 'That's an excellent suggestion, dearest, and to be honest I would much prefer something small and private.' She turned and looked at him enquiringly. 'What do you think? Would Sarah's suggestion be acceptable to you?'
He could hardly say to either of them that he didn't give a damn how they got married as long their vows were exchanged at the earliest opportunity.
'It would suit me perfectly. Like you, I'm uncomfortable in a crowd. As our banns have already been read, we could marry tomorrow if you wish? Marchand can act as my groomsman and witness and Robinson will do for the other one.'
He waited for Amanda to protest at his high-handed suggestion but her smile was radiant. 'As we intended to marry in the family chapel anyway all we need to do is contact the vicar.'
'It's fortunate our chapel hasn't been demolished like the house. If you and Sarah make the necessary arrangements for flowers and so on, then I'll do the rest. Are you content to marry so swiftly whatever the outcome of the visit from the doctor, sweetheart?'
'I am. There's little to do for such a small ceremony. I already have my wedding gown in my closet. I just need to speak to the housekeeper about suitable refreshments for afterwards. Richard, has Mr O’Riley really gone to Scotland?'
'No, I sent him to Northumbria on your mother's behalf. He will be absent for a month.'
'He could hardly attend your wedding, sister, when the two officers who have come to arrest him are residing here.'
Sarah had taken his comment at face value but Amanda knew him better and raised an eyebrow. He nodded to indicate that she was correct in her assumption that Patrick was still in the neighbourhood.
'I hardly think our new friends would do any such thing, Sarah. After all, the pretence that Sergeant Major Riley is not in fact Mr O’Riley hasn't been questioned by staff or neighbours so far. I don't see why this couldn’t be allowed to continue.'
'The question's academic, my love, as he's already elsewhere. Do you require my assistance to return to your chamber, Sarah?'
She saw her hesitate and realised she was dreading having to make the return journey. Amanda was before him. 'I shall fetch your carriage, my love, and then Richard can carry you up the stairs. It's been an interesting day but not an enjoyable one.'
He followed her out and pulled her into his arms. 'As far as I'm concerned your mother can run mad as often as she wishes as it now means I can take you to my bed tomorrow night.'
She pressed herself against him for a second and then stepped away. 'You are too eager, sir, and I've no intention of pre-empting my wedding vows.' Her eyes were sparkling, her cheeks flushed and it took all his willpower to let her go.
*
Seeing Amanda so happy to be marrying Richard made Sarah reconsider her determination to remain single until she was one and twenty. This was to be the last night that she would share an apartment with her sister. Tomorrow everything would change. There would be a new Duchess of Denchester and she would have a new brother who was also her guardian and a very distant cousin.
She refused to be downhearted at the thought of losing her sister. Whatever was said to the contrary once the knot was tied Amanda wouldn't have the time to spend with her or Beth. In future her attention must be on her husband. Good heavens – there might be a baby in the family next spring!
She was woken the following morning by Amanda calling her name. 'Sarah, I'm sorry to rouse you so early but I have the most dreadful news.'
'What is it? What has our mother done now?'
'She has gone. It seems her influence over those that have worked for her for years was greater than either Richard or I realised. Somehow, she persuaded her maids to pack her trunks and then for two footmen to carry them to the travelling carriage. And, even worse, she has taken a coachman and three grooms with her.'
'Has Richard gone after her?'
'He has – and he's taken Mr Marchand and Mr Robinson with him. I've never seen him so incensed. This will end badly for all of us.' Her sister flopped onto the end of the bed. Sarah had never seen her so disturbed. 'Today was supposed to have been my wedding day. God knows when that will take place now.'
'What time did Mama leave, do you know?'
'Sometime after midnight, which gives her five hours start.' Her sister rallied a little. 'The gentlemen will travel at twice the speed on horseback than she can do in a carriage. They might well overtake her by lunchtime and have her back by this evening.' Amanda jumped up her normal buoyant temperament restored.
'Is there anything I can do?'
'I'll help you dress as it's too early to call for Mary. Then you can write the letter to the vicar instead of Richard and arrange for the ceremony to take place tomorrow morning at eleven o'clock in the family chapel.'
'What if they aren't back by then?'
'Tell him it could be any time from eleven o'clock onwards and to be ready to perform the ceremony when called upon.'
Sarah thought it quite likely the ceremony would have to be postponed for more than a few hours but thought it better not to mention it. 'I'll also speak to Miss Westley and Beth later and make sure that they have their ensembles ready for your wedding.'
'I think it would be splendid if there were flowers in the chapel, don't you?'
'I do indeed. The gardens are full of summer blooms. I'll arrange for vases to be placed in the dining room as well. I think that the best room for your wedding breakfast.'
'Thank you, dearest, then all I have to do is speak to the housekeeper about the food.' She paused as she was dropping a pretty blue sprigged muslin over Sarah's head. 'What about our mother? She can hardly come back here – do you really think that Richard will incarcerate her in an asylum?'
'More to the point, is the fact that staff here have shown disloyalty to him. I think it likely he will dismiss them – and I wouldn't blame him at all.'
'I should have known her influence was far greater than mine. How could I have been so blind to the true state of affairs?'
Sarah grabbed her crutch and stood up. 'There, that will have to do. My hair can remain in its night-time braid until Mary comes. Are there many people working here who have been recently appointed?'
'To be honest, I've never given the matter any consideration. These details will be recorded in the accounts books. We must look through them immediately. Those that have worked for the family for less than five years, I think, could be considered loyal to the new regime.'
'And the others? Do you intend to get rid of all of them?'
'That will be for Richard to decide. Until I'm actually his duchess I have no true authority in this matter.'
The house was strangely quiet, no appetising aroma of breakfast drifting into the hall, and her stomach gurgled loudly.
'Do you need your chair or can you hop your way to the study?'
'I'm getting more proficient with this thing and can move about quite easily now. Where are you going?'
'I'll head for the kitchen and see if I can find us something to eat. If the range is hot enough, I'll make a pot of coffee as well.'
After a considerable time Sarah had already discovered a dozen staff who had joined the
family within the last five years. There were still three more books to peruse. Why was Amanda taking so long to fetch coffee and cake? She glanced at the overmantel clock and confirmed it had been more than an hour.
With a sigh she pushed herself upright and put the crutch under her arm. There was no alternative but for her to go in search of her sister. On stepping out of the study she was aware the house had come alive whilst she'd been busy.
There were half a dozen maids on their knees scrubbing the floors, sacks tied around their waists to keep their smart blue gowns clean. If they were surprised to see her so early, they didn't show it.
'Good morning, my lady, we won't be long. Take care as the floor is wet,' one of the girls said cheerily.
'Thank you for the warning, Eliza, isn't it?' The girl nodded pleased her name had been remembered. 'Do you happen to know the whereabouts of Lady Amanda? She went to the kitchens over an hour ago and hasn't returned.'
'She weren't there when we was getting our water, my lady.'
This was very peculiar – yet another thing to worry about. She was concerned about Richard's possible actions when he caught up with Mama. He was a fierce and formidable gentleman when angry and she wouldn't like to be on the receiving end of his rage.
The doctor! Good heavens, they'd both quite forgotten this man was coming to examine her mother and she was no longer here. As she didn't know the address of this gentleman she couldn’t cancel the appointment.
When she emerged into the hall she heard voices in the drawing room. One of them she recognised as her sister's, but the other, a deep masculine one, she was unfamiliar with. It was only five o'clock in the morning – who could be visiting at this time?
Paul had scarcely had time to change back into his uniform before setting out with the duke to find the missing dowager.
'Sir, do you think we should be participating in this escapade?' Robinson asked as he was hastily buckling up the girth of his mount.
'As we're going in the direction of the missing Riley then I think there'll be no problem with Horse Guards.'
'Fair enough, I'm game. There's nothing I like more than galloping about the countryside in the middle of the night.'
Paul wasn't sure if his companion was being sarcastic or actually enjoyed travelling at speed in pitch darkness with a high risk of breaking his neck.
The duke yelled from the stable yard. 'At the double, if you please. We need to depart now, not next week.'
He led his horse out and mounted smoothly as did Robinson. It would seem they were not even to carry lanterns on poles but rely entirely on the inadequate light of the moon. Their saddlebags were already strapped to their saddles. Only the barest necessities for an overnight stay – but enough to ensure they could remain respectable despite their long ride.
'Your grace, are we the only ones in pursuit? You're taking no grooms?'
'I think the three of us are more than adequate for the task of capturing one elderly, unstable old lady.' His laughter echoed in the darkness. This gentleman was certainly a very odd duke.
To make matters more interesting his grace decided to travel across country. This made sense as it would halve the journey time, but thundering across fields and jumping ditches and hedges without being able to see where one was going was a recipe for catastrophe.
However, the leader of their small band knew exactly what he was doing and as long as they followed his lead they were in no real danger. After half an hour he began to enjoy this wild ride despite the fact that they'd brought only a clean shirt and stock and were going to be unpleasantly hot and sweaty by the time they reached their quarry.
After the initial gallop they were now travelling at a collected canter – safer and kinder to their horses. After two hours their pace slowed to a walk to allow the animals to cool down and recover.
'We can't be far behind them now, Marchand. There's a river, not deep, that we need to ford and our mounts can drink before we continue.' There was no need to answer, Paul indicated his having heard by raising his hand.
The only sound in the darkness was the jingling of bits and the soft pad of hoofs on the grass. Occasionally he heard the bark of a fox, a rustle in the undergrowth of nocturnal animals, and in the distance the sweet song of a nightingale. A perfect summer's night and he decided that after all he was happy to be part of this.
How many more perfect English evenings would he experience? Once he was fighting for King and Country the risk of dying or being seriously injured in battle was high. A captain led his men from the front, and an officer, if the enemy was clever, was always targeted first.
His sombre thoughts were interrupted when his horse increased his pace – the beast must have smelt water ahead. On reaching the riverbank he dismounted, as did the other two, pulled the reins over the animal's ears and then allowed him to drink his fill.
'I'm going to walk beside him for a mile or two, your grace, he's blowing hard and needs the rest.'
'My stallion's not in so bad a case but he too will be better not having me on his back for a while.'
They waded through the shallow water and walked in single file down the well-trodden track, the duke, as before, in the lead. God knows how he recognised his surroundings so far from his own demesne. The fact that there was now the faintest glimmer of dawn on the horizon must make it easier to know in what direction one was going.
His gelding nudged him in the back almost making him miss his step. He reached up and stroked the velvety nose. 'What ails you, old friend? Have you heard something that we haven't?' He'd spoken quietly but the man in front had heard him and raised his hand to indicate they halt.
At first Paul heard nothing untoward but then there was a definite sound of voices somewhere to the left of them. To his surprise the duke dropped his reins and then vanished up a tree with the dexterity and speed of a small boy.
He landed with a thump beside them a few moments later. 'Nothing to worry about, it's a Romany camp. Your horse has sharp ears, my friend, you'll find that useful in Portugal.'
'Jacko and I have been together for several years. I broke him in myself. He's cool now, shall we remount?'
He heard a distant church clock chime and counted the strokes. Four o'clock – it would soon be full light and they could make more rapid progress. His lips curved. He doubted they could have travelled any faster in broad daylight.
As they cantered easily across the open field he drew alongside the duke. 'We must be ahead of them now, your grace. Do you have any notion where they might stop to rest the team and take refreshments?'
'The Coach and Horses is where we're headed. It's, as you might imagine, the place where the mail and stagecoaches change teams. It's a substantial hostelry and exactly the sort of place that her grace would like.'
'Forgive me for asking, sir, but how do you intend to persuade her to return?'
'I don't intend to ask her opinion on the matter, she will do as she's bid. What I haven't decided is exactly where to put her.'
Paul wasn't sure if he was required to answer or if this was a rhetorical statement. The duke looked at him definitely waiting for a response.
'I know it's unpleasant at the moment with the building of your new home taking place only a few hundred yards away, but her grace can be kept safe at the Dower House as long as you have staff who are loyal to you taking care of her.'
'I thought that the best solution myself but I find that I no longer think with the military precision I once did and thank you for your opinion.'
'There is one possible problem, your grace. If your man of affairs is staying at this inn then I've no option but to arrest him.'
'In which case, I suggest that you allow me to ride ahead and thus avoid any embarrassing confrontations.' He put his stallion into a gallop and was soon out of sight.
'Are we to follow our noses, captain? The directions to this Coach and Horses are somewhat sketchy,' Robinson said with a grin.
'If you stand in your stirrups
you can see a small town ahead. I hardly think it's going to be taxing to find this place. I believe I can hear the sound of a coach horn coming from that direction.'
Chapter Seven
Richard was glad to finish the journey on his own. He was no longer a hardened soldier and had found this midnight excursion more tiring than he'd expected. The past months had made him soft and in future he would take more exercise, sleep less and eat more frugally.
If anyone saw him smiling, they would think him fit for Bedlam. The thought of how he could ensure he was sleeping less was by spending the nights making love to Amanda. They were supposed to be getting married today but obviously that wasn't going to happen. God willing – they would tie the knot tomorrow.
He clattered into the yard and an obsequious ostler touched his forelock and took his reins. It could only be the magnificence of his stallion that had elicited this response as he certainly didn't look like anyone important.
He dropped to the floor and tossed the waiting man his reins. 'Take care of him, brush him down thoroughly and feed him well.' The groom bowed and prepared to lead Othello into the stable block. 'A minute – do you have the Denchester travelling carriage and a team of matching bays here?'
'No, my lord, we ain't got nothing so grand at the moment.'
As there were no other establishments of this size and splendour in the town, he was certain this was where the dowager would halt. It would be easier for him to look in the stables to see if Patrick's horse was there, rather than draw attention to the fact that he was looking for him.
There were two dozen stalls, half of them occupied, and none of them with the horse which he was seeking. That was one less thing to worry about. He'd no wish to make life difficult for the young captain as he was coming to like him well enough. He rather thought that he wouldn't be the only one sad when the two provost marshals departed for the continent.
When he joked to Amanda about Sarah marrying Marchand, he hadn't for one minute believed they might form an attachment. Whatever his ward's feelings, he was certain that Marchand's were engaged.
The Duke's Decision (The Reluctant Duke Book 2) Page 6