The Duke's Decision (The Reluctant Duke Book 2)

by Fenella J Miller

  He'd been told by more experienced officers that when on campaign one had to snatch sleep whenever one could. He must learn that skill but, despite the fact that he'd been up all night and ridden across country for hours, it eluded him.

  For some reason every time he was drifting off his head was filled with images of Sarah. She was way above his touch and he must put his burgeoning feelings for her firmly to one side. A duke's daughter would marry someone from her class. Even if she was interested her guardian would refuse his permission.

  Eventually he slept but was woken by someone hammering on the door what seemed like scarcely half an hour later. He might find it difficult to fall asleep but was always instantly awake, alert and fully functioning. Robinson was still snoring and he shoved him off the bed.

  In two steps he was at the door and had it open. He'd expected to find his grace waiting to speak to him but it was the landlord.

  'There's a frightful ruckus started in my snug. I reckon the sight of two soldiers will soon put a stop to it.'

  'We are provost marshals, not regular army. Our concern is for the behaviour of common soldiers, not civilians.'

  'That's what I said – it's a recruiting officer that's causing all the trouble.'

  Robinson was now on his feet and clumping about behind him.

  'Two minutes, and we will be down.'

  He checked his pistol was loaded but prayed he wouldn't have to use it. After strapping on his sword, he pulled it from in its scabbard a couple of times to ensure it would come out smoothly if required.

  Both he and Robinson were back in their scarlet coats, their stocks tied, and were ready to descend and put a stop to the nonsense he could hear as soon as he stepped from the door.

  'Do we arrest him?'

  'If we do, we'll then have to find somewhere to take him. I don't know how far the nearest barracks is from here.'

  'I didn't know they had recruiting officers wandering about in the wilds of Lincolnshire, sir. I know there's a barracks at Colchester but I doubt the man will be based there.'

  'Good point, Robinson. I believe that there might be one in Norwich which is no great distance from here. I wonder if this so-called recruiting officer is a charlatan. Although I can't see how he hopes to gain financially as it's he that has to give money and buy beverages to those he recruits, rather than the other way around.'

  The sound of shouting and breaking furniture coming from the front of the building made him increase his pace and he took the last stairs at the double. He drew his pistol and burst into the chaos of fighting, drunken men.

  *

  Sarah had written the letter to the vicar but decided to take it in person and at the same time take two footmen with as many garden blooms as they could carry. 'Amanda, I misremember if there are suitable receptacles for flowers anywhere in the family chapel – do you know?'

  'I believe there are some in the small alcove on the left of the door. It's fortuitous that the chapel is a separate building and a sufficient distance from the demolition of our ancestral home to be usable for my wedding tomorrow.'

  'I must wait here until the doctor has examined my ankle but will leave immediately after that. I take it you are on your way upstairs to be with Beth whilst he talks to her.'

  'I intend to but have other duties. Would you go in my place? I like this doctor, but he does have revolutionary ideas about treating people with mental instability.'

  'Of course I will. I'm going to speak to the head gardener although am loathe to do so as he is one of the many who has worked for the family for thirty years or more. If Richard does decide to dismiss them, then we will be woefully short of staff.'

  'I'm certain he won't send anyone away who makes it plain that they're loyal to the family name rather than just to our mother.

  'I've been wondering if it's possible those involved didn't know they were being disloyal. After all, they'd spent their lifetimes following mama's orders to the letter so why should they think they could refuse to do so now?'

  'Sarah, dearest, the fact that they were asked to take her away in the middle of the night would be reason enough to suspect there was something going on that shouldn't be. I do understand your point that they might not have felt themselves in a position to refuse outright – but any one of them, if loyal to Richard, could have alerted him.'

  'Which reminds me, how did he discover she'd gone?'

  'He was obliged to get up and for some reason decided to check the door remained locked. He discovered the room empty and the rest you know.'

  'Also, I can't believe that no one else in the household was unaware of the trunks being removed or that no one in the accommodation used by the grooms was aware that the carriage and seven horses had been put to.'

  'Which brings us full circle, does it not? The only reason for the resounding silence was because either they were too frightened to speak up or because they approved of what was taking place. Not a happy thought. I've always considered we had a good atmosphere here and that the staff were well-treated. Therefore, it's a mystery to me why they should betray us in this way.'

  Sarah hopped across and hugged her. 'Put it from your mind, my love, and think about tomorrow when you will become the Duchess of Denchester.'

  They parted company, she to make her slow and clumsy way outside to find the head gardener and her sister to go about her business. She was looking forward to participating in the informal consultation taking place on the nursery floor but that would have to wait. She could hardly go in search of the gardener. She beckoned one of the young footmen to her side.

  'I wish to speak to Jimmy, the head gardener, immediately. I'll be in the study. I don't expect to be kept waiting.'

  'I'll fetch him at once, my lady. He'll not tarry, I give you my word.' The young man was sturdily built and if she remembered rightly the gardener was a small man of middle years and she rather thought he'd be unwise to argue with the person sent to fetch him.

  She scarcely had time to sit behind the desk when she was alerted to hurrying footsteps. She smiled at the thought that one pair must belong to the footman but the others were someone in his stockinged feet. Jimmy had been obliged to remove his boots before answering his summons.

  The door was open and the gardener was all but bundled through it. He bowed. 'Beggin' your pardon, my lady, it ain't right for me to be in here not in me dirt but this young varmint made me come.'

  'At my insistence, Jimmy.' She smiled her thanks at the messenger and he bowed and moved out of view, but she was certain he was standing to attention beside the door in case he was needed. This was one member of staff they had no need to question about his loyalty.

  'Lady Amanda is to be married tomorrow evening and I want all the flowers you can find in the garden and the hothouses brought in. There must be enough to decorate the family chapel and the entrance hall and dining room.'

  She was half-expecting a surly response but instead his eyes lit up and he smiled broadly. 'Married tomorrow? Now that's the best news I've heard all year. I ain't one of those what helped last night. Me and my lads never knew nothing about it until we was up.'

  'I'm glad to hear it. If you had woken, what would you have done?'

  'I'd have rung the fire bell, my lady, that would have stopped them.' He paused and half-closed his eyes as if lost in thought and then nodded to himself. 'It ain't right what happened. I reckon his grace ain't too pleased neither. There's only a handful what turned a blind eye.'

  'I'm relieved that you've told me. Could I prevail upon you to tell me the names of those you mentioned? His grace will not wish to dismiss the wrong members of staff.'

  He was only too eager to assist and soon she had the necessary names to give Richard when he returned. There were only seven which was gratifying as at one point both she and Amanda had thought that more than half the staff might be disloyal and have to be dismissed.

  She didn't bother to get up to ring the bell but merely raised her voice slightly. 'Wo
uld you be kind enough to escort Jimmy from the premises and then ask the housekeeper to attend me here?'

  The footman appeared as if by magic. 'Right away, my lady.'

  'Before you go, I need to know your name. You must be new as I think I'm aware of all the others employed here.'

  'Tom Black, my lady, at your service. I started two months ago.'

  'Then welcome to the household, Tom. I'm certain you will do well here.'

  *

  Paul erupted into the snug and without hesitation fired his weapon into the air. The noise, in so confined a space, was deafening and the reek of cordite enough to make one choke. It had the desired effect and the men fell apart as if pulled by invisible strings.

  'What the devil's going on here? Where is the recruiting officer who has caused this fuss?'

  The man who stood up was wearing a recognisable uniform, but it had seen better days. In fact, on closer inspection it was the only item of clothing the man had on that was of a military origin.

  The culprit staggered to his feet and made a sloppy attempt at a salute. 'Corporal Jenkins reporting for duty, sir.'

  'Arrest that man, Mr Robinson, and march him outside and then confine him in a suitable shed.' Times must be desperate indeed if the half a dozen, crawler infested, specimens in here were anything to go by.

  'Are you serious about joining the military?'

  'We is, your honour. It ain't that far to Norwich. If that bugger won't take us then we'll find our way ourselves.'

  'I suggest that before you set out you do the best you can to improve your appearance.' He dipped into his pocket and handed the man, who appeared to be the spokesperson for the group, a handful of coins. 'This should be enough to get yourself a square meal and help pay for your passage. Good luck with your endeavours.'

  The landlord stepped in and was about to snatch the money from the man's hand but Paul intervened. 'Prepare a bill for the breakages and present it to me. These men are going to fight for King and Country and will need the little I've given them to get themselves to Norwich.'

  He thought the landlord was going to protest but suddenly his demeanour changed. Paul glanced round and saw the duke had joined them.

  'What's going on? I was woken by the racket and came to investigate.'

  Paul quickly explained and the duke nodded. 'I approve of your actions but there's no need for you to be out of pocket. You wouldn't have been involved if I hadn't asked you to accompany me.' He snapped his fingers and held out his hand and the man dropped the coins in.

  'Here, I'll take care of this. Do you know what you're going to do with the so-called recruiting officer?'

  'No idea. I'm going to wait for him to sober up and then hopefully he can tell us what he was doing here and why these men believed him to be something he obviously isn't.'

  He wasn't sure if he was offended by having his money returned or grateful that his benefactor had stepped in. He smiled. A handful of coppers and silver coins was a mere bagatelle to the duke but the man understood that he and Robinson were not in so fortunate a position.

  Robinson was outside talking to the would-be recruiting officer who was leaning somewhat haphazardly against the wall. Paul was about to join them when he became aware that he was being observed by a group of men who looked vaguely familiar.

  He strode across, using his height and military bearing to establish his superiority. These were the grooms and outriders who had shown such disloyalty to their employer.

  'His grace is temporally engaged elsewhere but will be out to speak with you men about your reprehensible behaviour. After you have been dismissed without reference you will see the error of your ways.'

  They shuffled from foot to foot and refused to meet his eye. Then a wiry individual with bald pate and shifty eyes spoke up.

  'All of us here have been working for her grace all our adult lives. The old duke being dead we naturally transferred our allegiance to her grace.'

  'His grace employs you and pays your wages not the Dowager Duchess.' He looked from one to the other and settled his gaze on the one he believed to be the coachman. 'You, step forward.'

  Reluctantly the man moved towards him. 'Yes, sir, how can I be of service?'

  'Why did you continue when your lead horse was lame?'

  'Her grace was determined to reach The Coach and Horses and weren't prepared to walk.'

  'If his grace was aware that one of your outrider's mounts went under harness as well as saddle then you must have known this too. You're a disgrace to your profession.'

  The duke spoke from behind him. 'Well said, Captain Marchand.'

  There could be no doubt that the duke was an officer to his core. He fixed the trembling group with an arctic glare before speaking again.

  'I believe that Captain Marchand has already informed you that I no longer require your services.' He dipped into his pocket and tossed a golden guinea to the coachman. 'There's sufficient here for your journey back. You'll collect your belongings and any remuneration you might be owed and then depart without reference.' He turned his back on them and spoke to him.

  'Mr Marchand, have you had the opportunity to examine the lame horse?'

  'I have not, your grace, but will gladly do so if you would be kind enough to excuse me for a few minutes whilst I speak to the corporal who caused the disturbance earlier.'

  'I'll accompany you, I'm curious to know why that disreputable old man was mistaken for a recruiting officer.'

  The story when told was less interesting than the event it had preceded. The ex-soldier had made no claim to be anyone but himself and it had been the scurrilous group who had made this erroneous assumption.

  Paul was pleased the duke once more handed over a few coins and the matter was closed. 'I'll check on the condition of the injured animal, your grace, and ensure that the others are recovering from their labours.'

  'Good man. I'm intending to return first thing tomorrow. I want to be back in time to get married in the afternoon.'

  Now all his grace had to do was persuade the indomitable old lady upstairs to agree to return. He didn't envy the duke that task. He'd rather face the French than the Dowager Duchess.

  Chapter Nine

  Richard hoped that he hadn't picked up any unwanted visitors from the unwashed men he'd been in contact with. The inn was a smart establishment and he was somewhat bemused by the fact the landlord had allowed these men to drink in his snug.

  He was on his way to speak to the errant dowager but decided to find an answer to this puzzle before he did so. He was procrastinating – dreading the confrontation. He wasn't close to his future mother-in-law but for the girls' sake he was determined to keep his personal feelings to one side.

  He headed back to the tap room where the fracas had taken place. He noticed immediately something he'd missed before – this section of the building was separated from the main part by solid doors. The snug was now deserted and the broken stools and table had been removed. The door at the far end stood open letting in welcome fresh air.

  He glanced upwards and smiled when he saw a bullet hole in the ceiling. No doubt that would be a talking point in future amongst the locals. This explained how the less sanitary locals were able to access this place, but why the landlord needed their business he'd no idea.

  'Your grace, is there something I can help you with?' The landlord himself came in through the door.

  'Two things I'm curious about. First – it's scarcely morning and yet this room was filled with drunken men. How did that come about? Secondly – why would a prestigious coaching inn such as this allow that sort of person entry here?'

  'I came from such ordinary stock, your grace, and was fortunate to marry the daughter of the owner of this place. Those men were once respectable and laboured on the local farm but were laid off a few months back and have found no further employment. I've been allowing them to sleep here occasionally.' He smiled ruefully. 'Jed, a distant cousin of mine, found two shillings on the cobbles
and invited his friends in to drink it away. I'd like to thank you for your generosity in helping them out.'

  'Thank you for your explanation. Has her grace sent for refreshments or hot water?'

  The man beamed. 'Both were taken up half an hour ago, your grace.'

  Richard could delay no longer. If he wanted to be married to his beloved girl tomorrow evening as planned then he had no choice but to get this confrontation over with.

  He paused outside the door to marshal his thoughts. It belatedly occurred to him that there was no apparent reason for her sudden departure. After all, had he not already agreed that she could move to the estate in Northumbria as soon as he'd ensured the place was habitable?

  Was he missing something here or was this just another example of her disturbed state of mind?

  His knock was somewhat louder than he'd intended but had the desired result. The door was opened immediately. The maid clutched the door frame. Her colour faded.

  'Your grace, it's his grace,' she managed to whisper before stepping back to allow him to enter.

  He stepped into a spacious sitting room and was relieved it wasn't the bedchamber. The duchess remained seated. Her lips thinned and her eyes narrowed. Unlike her servant, his unexpected appearance hadn't shocked her.

  He nodded and crossed the floor to stand towering above her. This wasn't the time for pleasantries or reconciliation. If he wanted to persuade her to return, without being obliged to carry her kicking and screaming to her carriage, he must be firm. He must make a case so strong that to refuse to obey would make no sense even to her.

  'Madam, your behaviour is unacceptable. Those that accompanied you have lost their positions and will leave without references because of it.'

  She blinked but remained silent. He continued, keeping his tone glacial and his expression hard.

  'Not only that, but your insistence on continuing when one of my team was lame has unnecessarily ruined a good horse.'