The Duke's Alliance Book Two: A Dangerous Husband

by Fenella J Miller

  'In which case, Carshalton, you must take mounts and men from here. I think it might be more plausible if we say you've both contracted influenza.'

  'We have to organise how Madeline is to join my grandmother. On reflection, your grace, I think it might be simpler if I remained here and didn't return to my home. I'll send for my valet and he can bring what I'll need. I'll also send a note to my grandmother and suggest that she sets off for Blakely Hall immediately. Your sister and I will meet her and then Madeline can transfer to the coach.'

  The duke frowned. 'Are you suggesting she travels on horseback with you? What about her luggage and her maid?'

  'If the girl can ride, then she can accompany us. We can take what we need on a packhorse. Once we're safely established it will be a small matter to have our trunks sent on to us.'

  'I'm not happy about this, but can see no alternative.' The duke gestured towards his desk upon which were the necessary writing materials. 'I'll leave you to compose your letters. There'll someone waiting outside to deliver them for you.'

  He headed for the door and turned as he reached it. 'I'm not sure that you're the right man for my sister, but matters have moved on too fast for me to intervene. Let me make one thing clear, Carshalton, if you make her unhappy then you'll have me to answer to.'

  Grey nodded. 'I give you my word, sir, that I'll keep Madeline safe. I also can assure you that if your sister wishes to end the engagement anytime I'll not stand in her way.'

  'Then I'll have to be content with that. I'll go and speak to her myself.'

  The letter to his grandmother was brief and to the point and required little reflection. However, the missive to his factor was more complicated as he wished him to act in his stead. When the militia arrived to begin the investigation into the murder of the journeyman the man needed to be in charge. He also wished him to be wary and not reveal the whereabouts of his master to anyone, even the men employed to patrol the grounds.

  It was quite possible one of the new men was the informant and he'd no wish for his location to be known. Jenkins should be back from London soon and Grey was eager to know what he'd discovered about the traitor's family.

  When all three notes were sanded and sealed with a blob of wax, he strode to the door, but as he was about to fling it open something occurred to him. There were over one hundred staff employed here and the fact that he was wandering about apparently fighting fit might well be common knowledge and thus defeat their intention.

  The duke should have thought of this – indeed, they both should have. Madeline mustn't come down as she was supposed to be indisposed.

  He ruffled his hair and loosened his stock before pulling open the door. 'Here, these must be taken to Heatherfield at once.' He staggered and grabbed for the door frame as if feeling faint. 'I don't feel at all well – I'm sending for my man to take care of me.'

  His performance must have been believable as the young man stepped forward his face anxious. 'Allow me to assist you to your chamber, my lord, and I'll let Mr Peebles know you're taken poorly.'

  'Thank you, the way I feel at the moment I doubt I could ascend the stairs unaided.'

  He leaned his weight on the unfortunate footman and allowed himself to be half-carried back to the apartment he'd so recently left. As he flopped onto the bed he asked that the duke attend him at his convenience.

  As soon as the man had gone he hooked off his boots, removed his topcoat and flung himself onto the comforter. Better to behave as if he was indeed struck down. He left the bedroom door ajar and was relieved to see his host appear ten minutes later.

  'We almost gave the game away, Carshalton. Thank God you thought of it in time. I've spoken to Madeline and she too has retired to bed as if struck down by a sudden illness. You must both remain incommunicado until after dark tonight.'

  'Influenza is highly contagious, your grace, it would be best if I received no visitors and both Madeline and I are considered in quarantine. I'm not sure what you do about the doctor – is he reliable and can be taken into our confidence?'

  'I've no idea, I hardly know the man. Far better to keep him away – the less people that know about your departure the better. By the by, my sister's maid cannot ride, it would have been a miracle if she could. She will have to accompany the luggage next week.'

  'Lady Carshalton must overnight twice but we will only do so once – hopefully by then your sister will be in the carriage. It wouldn't do for Madeline to be seen to be travelling alone with me.'

  The duke's eyes were hard. 'I'm well aware of that, but am assuming you will successfully liaise with your grandmother somewhere en route before you arrive at the second stop.'

  Grey understood the warning but chose not to comment on it. 'My knowledge of the route is non-existent so I'm relying on her to supply me with the information I need. I've suggested that my grandmother departs this afternoon. We shall make far better time on horseback and should be able to catch up with her during the morning.'

  'I shall keep up the pretence for a week. Hopefully, by then this matter will have been settled. I take it you've still not heard from Horse Guards?'

  'My man was expected back yesterday – he'll come after dark to join me.'

  The duke seemed satisfied with this. 'I cannot visit you again as I'll be expected to stay away from the invalids. It wouldn't do for the Duke of Silchester to be struck down with influenza.' Unexpectedly he grinned. 'Until my brother Bennett met Grace this summer my life had been remarkably staid. Now it seems to be one drama after another and I'm beginning to enjoy the excitement.'

  'When I left the army I'd hoped my life would be more settled, that I'd no longer be in any danger, but it appears to have followed me into my civilian life. I sincerely wish I'd not involved your sister in this.'

  'I'm relying on that. I wish you Godspeed and safe passage to your ancestral home, my friend, and must hope that next time we meet this matter will have been put to bed.'

  The door closed softly behind him leaving Grey alone with his thoughts. There would be no rest tonight so he might as well sleep whilst he could.

  *

  Madeline prowled around her apartment becoming more agitated as the hours passed. It was the outside of enough to be forced to sneak away in the middle of the night – but not to be able to take her abigail with her was too much.

  The more she thought about it the more annoyed she became. She understood the need to remain in her apartment, to not be seen around the house if she was supposed to be unwell. If she took the servants' stairs she could creep unnoticed to the guest wing and speak to the gentleman that had caused this upset.

  Her maid was equally distressed as she would be required to remain in this apartment, ostensibly looking after her mistress, in order to maintain the deception.

  'His grace has explained to you, Lottie, that you'll be unable to join me. You can spend the time catching up on the mending and when that's completed you have my permission to do whatever you like – as long as you keep my secret.'

  'I do wish I could come with you, I don't like to think of you managing on your own.'

  'I'll be joining Lady Carshalton tomorrow morning and we should be at our destination that evening. I'm sure I'll be supplied with someone suitable until you can come.'

  'I'll go down to the kitchens and tell them how poorly you are. No doubt Cook will send you up something suitable for an invalid.'

  Madeline shuddered. 'I well remember the last occasion I was confined to bed and sincerely hope I don't get bowls of gruel this time. I must resign myself to being hungry. We can hardly pack up a picnic to take with us and won't be able to stop until we meet Lady Carshalton.'

  Discussing such things with her maid would be considered highly improper – but they didn't stand on ceremony at Silchester Court. Lottie had been with her for three years and was completely loyal and discreet.

  'There's no need to come back until noon when you bring up my tray. I shall curl up in a chair and read until you retu
rn.'

  No sooner had the girl departed than Madeline collected a candlestick, pushed the end into the fire to ignite it, and followed her. She and her sister had often played hide-and-go-seek along these passages and she was confident she could find her way without getting lost. She must pray she met no other servant about their duties.

  Beau had told her Grey was occupying the principal guest apartment and she knew exactly where that was. There was no danger of encountering his valet as this gentleman's gentleman would still be at Heatherfield.

  She counted the doors and arrived at her destination. She could hardly knock as he was unlikely to hear her. He would be in his sitting room; this would mean walking through his bedchamber which would be a most scandalous thing to do.

  Should she go back without speaking to him? No – it was imperative that they settled matters between them before they left on their clandestine ride. She dithered outside the door into his dressing room not quite sure if she should continue or return to her apartment.

  After a few moments she made her decision and burst into the room. She dropped the candlestick and couldn't prevent her squeak of horror. He was stripped to the waist and was about to remove his nether garments too.

  She turned and fled. His hateful laughter following her down the passageway. She'd never been so embarrassed in her life and it served her right for her immodest behaviour.

  Chapter Eleven

  Grey was tempted to go after his unexpected visitor but thought she'd had enough shocks for one morning. He would never forget her expression when she had seen him unclothed. She would know better than to creep into a gentleman's dressing room in future.

  What the devil was she doing down here anyway? He could think of nothing pertinent she might have to say to him that would cause her to ignore the rules and venture where she shouldn't.

  He removed the remainder of his garments and continued with his ablutions. He didn't want to get between the clean sheets as he was, and the valet had left him with the missing nightgown so he might as well make use of it.

  This time he slept soundly and his manservant had to shake his shoulder in order to wake him. He was relieved that Slater had arrived from Heatherfield.

  'Funny time to be abed, sir, but I reckon it's time to rise and shine.'

  His valet, like Bishop, Jenkins and Smith, was an ex-soldier. But Slater had been his orderly and knew him better than anyone else. He'd been given an honourable discharge when Grey had resigned his commission and so had been able to accompany him into civilian life.

  'I'm not getting up unless I've got something to wear.' He yawned, and stretched, feeling well-rested and ready for whatever lay ahead.

  'I've brought what you asked for, sir.'

  'Thank you. Have you arranged for my baggage to be sent with Lady Carshalton?'

  'I made sure it was loaded before I left. Jenkins is anxious to speak to you – shall I bring him up the back way?'

  'Yes, do that. I'm glad he's back from London – I want my best men with me on this journey.'

  He prowled around his sitting room waiting for the arrival of his minion. Jenkins shuffled in looking highly uncomfortable at being brought upstairs.

  'Well, what did you learn?'

  'Captain Rogers, the traitor who was shot, has an older brother but I don't reckon he's behind this. He's a man of the cloth. But his younger brother is a rakehell and could well be the instigator of these attacks.'

  'Have you any idea where he is?'

  'No, he's not been seen for a while. Gone to ground more like – I've got a couple of good men looking into it.'

  'Did you tell the others at Heatherfield that you were going in search of him? I don't want anyone there to know what's actually happening.'

  He nodded. 'All right and tight, sir, no one will suspect a thing. What time are we leaving tonight?'

  'As soon as it's dark – we don't want anyone seeing us depart. It's fortunate the duke keeps such a large stable and the three horses we need won't be missed immediately.'

  Grey dismissed Jenkins and tried to settle with a journal. The afternoon dragged by and Grey welcomed the arrival of a second tray, although he wasn't particularly hungry it broke the monotony.

  *

  Madeline was mortified. She doubted she would be able to look his lordship in the eye again after the embarrassing incident that morning.

  On her return to her chamber she attempted to calm her nerves by immersing herself into the novel that had arrived from Hatchards last week. The day dragged interminably and she was relieved to have an excuse to retire to bed for the afternoon.

  'Lottie, you must wake me in time to get dressed and eat my supper. I shall be leaving as soon as it gets dark. I do wish you could come with me, but you must see it's impossible.'

  'I'm sure whoever you have to assist you, my lady, will be adequate. Is his grace not coming to say goodbye?'

  'No, I'm supposed to be infectious and we thought it better to maintain the fiction. If I were really ill nobody would visit.'

  When her sister entered via the dressing room at six o'clock Madeline was delighted to see her. 'I'm so glad you've come, I don't know when we'll be together again.' They embraced fondly.

  'Beau assures me you'll be home in good time for the festive season. I promise you I'll arrange everything as you planned so when you return all will be as you'd hoped.'

  'Thank you, sister, I'm sure you'll do an excellent job.' She glanced at the clock. 'I must go now, word from his lordship arrived to tell me to be down by a quarter past six.'

  Giselle stepped back. 'With that hooded cloak on no one will recognise you even if you are seen. Imagine! Such excitement – to be creeping out of the house in the dead of night in order to ride away with one's lover.'

  'Don't talk fustian. You make it sound like something from a romantical novel…'

  'That's because it is, Madeline. I've always wanted to write a book and I'm going to use this as my plot.'

  'I don't want to star in your tale, Giselle. I can assure you that I don't feel at all like the heroine in a romance and Lord Carshalton is certainly no hero.'

  She hugged her sister and then left her apartment for the second time that day using the servants' route. Her bag was already downstairs as it needed to be secured to the horse they were using to transport their belongings.

  The curtains and shutters were drawn so her departure would not be observed. There was a sickle moon, just enough light to see her way around to one of the home paddocks where she was to rendezvous with his lordship.

  The sound of horses just ahead was enough to lead her safely to her destination. A large, caped figure emerged from the darkness. 'I'm glad you're not tardy, Madeline, we need to set off immediately whilst the outside staff are eating their supper.'

  He made no enquiries as to her well-being and for that she was grateful. Far better to keep things formal as this removed the necessity of her having to apologise.

  'My sister thinks this escapade's romantic and is intending to use it as the starting point for her novel.'

  His teeth flashed white in the darkness. 'It's certainly unusual, sweetheart, but riding through the night's hardly romantic. Come along, allow me to help you mount.'

  Once she was settled in the saddle she had time to look around and see who was accompanying them on this journey. There were three other men and one of them was holding the lead rein of the packhorse.

  'How far do we have to travel before we catch up with Lady Carshalton? Although I'm a competent horsewoman, I've never ridden for more than an hour or two.'

  He moved his massive gelding alongside. 'We should reach the inn by first light. You'll be able to continue the journey in her carriage which will be a deal more comfortable.'

  None of his men had lanterns, they were obviously to progress by the light of the moon alone. She must suppose they were used to night-time manoeuvres as they were all ex-soldiers.

  The only sound in the darkness was the soft
pad of hoofs on the path and the occasional clink of a bit. The night had a crisp, autumn nip to it and she was grateful for her warm gloves, muffler and hooded cloak. This would have been a nightmare journey if it had been raining.

  Whoever was leading this small group of travellers obviously knew his way through the woods and along the back lanes as they didn't venture onto the more frequented routes at all. After riding in silence for an hour or so she thought it safe to converse with her companion who had remained close beside her.

  'I wish to apologise for…'

  'There's absolutely no need, sweetheart, I've forgotten the incident already. I hope you got some rest this afternoon otherwise I might be obliged to pick you up from the ground when you fall asleep later.'

  This bracing comment had the desired effect. 'Thank you for your concern, sir, but I can assure you I've absolutely no intention of either falling asleep or falling from this horse.'

  'I'm relieved to hear you say so, Madeline. My man has reconnoitred the route. We're going to stop in another hour at a charcoal burner's hut where we can eat and rest the horses until dawn.'

  'I shall be in complete disarray by the time I step into Lady Carshalton's carriage. I'm not looking forward to the supercilious looks I shall receive from her bracket-faced abigail.'

  He chuckled, the sound loud in the silence. 'You won't have to endure that for long as we'll arrive at Blakely Hall by mid-morning.' He stopped as if unsure how to continue. Was there something unpleasant he wished to tell her?

  'Although my grandmother and I are the best of friends, she told me that my uncle and his son are still holding onto the feud that separated my father from the family thirty years ago. They don't know we're descending on them and I'm not sure what sort of reception we'll receive.'

  No wonder he'd been reluctant to impart this news. 'And you didn't think to tell me this until now? We could have gone to one of my brother's estates in the North. We would have been just as safe and sure of getting a friendly welcome.'