'Good heavens! Why is that?'
The housekeeper beamed. 'The master and mistress prefer to eat plain food and she has little opportunity to prepare anything that demonstrates her culinary talents. You will have nothing to complain about when you sit down to dinner, I assure you. There will be three courses and several removes as fine as anything one could eat at the grandest tables in the land.'
This garrulous lady was nodding so vigourously several pins flew from her hair.
'In which case I'll forego any refreshments at the moment, Reynolds, and save my appetite for later.'
'Not at all, my lady, a tray will be along directly. Dinner isn't served until five o'clock, so there'll be plenty of time before you are required to eat again.'
As they'd been conversing the sound of buckets clattering and various other noises had been coming from the far door which presumably led from the sitting room into the bedchamber. Madeline glanced down and was horrified to see a spreading pool of muddy water had seeped from her saturated garments onto the pristine carpet.
'I need to change out of my wet clothes, I'm ruining the carpet.'
'I apologise, I shouldn't have kept you talking. My tongue runs away with me. If you would care to come with me I'm sure everything's ready next door.'
*
As soon as the carriage had departed with Madeline the two other vehicles that had been delayed were able to continue on their journey leaving him alone in the road with his men and the damaged coach.
He joined Smith who was helping the coachmen unharness the team. As the horses were released Grey inspected each one in turn for any injury and was pleased they were unharmed by their unpleasant experience. Two more carriages trundled past and the occupants of each stopped to offer assistance. He was able to thank them and send them on their way.
'You'll need to let Blakely Hall know what's transpired here. Tell Mr Carshalton we'll be with them as soon as we can. God knows how long it will take to repair the carriage and we can't travel until it's done.'
His man touched his cap. 'I'll get off directly, sir. I reckon Jenkins should be back anytime soon. I'll call in at the hostelry and tell them not to expect us for a day or two.'
'Do that, thank you.' The sound of a cart approaching interrupted their conversation. 'Excellent, I believe the first of the rescue vehicles has arrived.'
He supervised the transfer of the baggage. He told the driver to get the trunks taken to whatever apartment they'd been allocated immediately he returned to Chorley Manor. By the time these were on their way a lumbering diligence arrived pulled by two massive farm horses. He was pleased to see there were half a dozen men travelling on the cart. This should be more than enough to manoeuvre his carriage aboard.
After a deal of swearing, shoving and pulling his objective was achieved. The carriage was safely roped to the diligence. The vehicle would have to travel another half a mile before it could turn safely.
The six outdoor men cheerfully trotted off alongside the cart in order to ensure it didn't topple from its precarious position.
As soon as they were out of earshot his coachman indicated he wished to speak. 'My lord, it weren't no accident. Someone tampered with the wheel and that's why it came off.'
'How in hell's name did the bastards get to the carriage without being seen? More to the point – how did they know where we were?'
Slater, his valet, looked grave. 'They must have followed the duke, my lord, there's no other explanation.' He looked around as if expecting they would be ambushed at any moment.
'We need to get away from here. The coachmen can ride one horse and lead another. I think it highly unlikely they are still in the locality – they'll just wait to hear if their interference managed to kill me.'
His hands clenched and a white-hot rage took hold of him. His beloved could have perished in the accident so the perpetrators would die. No one could attack his wife and live. He would get Madeline settled at Blakely Hall under the protection of his estranged family and then hunt down those behind the attacks and dispose of them.
The distance was no more than a mile which was fortunate as the weather worsened and it began to rain heavily as he turned into the drive. He kicked his mount into a canter and lead his troop around to the rear of the house straight to the stables.
The cart which had transported the luggage had arrived ahead of them and he was pleased to see all but one of the trunks had gone upstairs already.
He dismounted and tossed the reins to a waiting stableboy. There was no need to give further instructions to his men; they knew what they were about. He followed the brick pathway to the side door and it opened as he approached.
The male servant conducted him to the chambers he was to share with Madeline until his coach was repaired – God knew how long that would be. Replacing the wheel was a simple matter, but it would be more difficult to repair the coachwork and the squabs which had suffered from being immersed in the ditch.
His wife was curled up in front of a substantial fire. She sprung to her feet and rushed across to greet him.
'Dearest Grey, you're soaked through. There's a bath waiting for you next door and your valet is there putting out fresh garments.'
He held out his hand and she took it without hesitation. He drew her closer and then held her hard against his chest for a moment. 'I'll join you here shortly. How is your hip? Did it suffer further damage from your experience?'
'It's no stiffer or more painful than it was before. Go – get out of your wet clothes. We can talk when you're comfortable.'
*
Madeline picked up her discarded book and resumed her place by the fire. Her maid and his valet were going to have to come to an arrangement as she and Grey were sharing one room. Her lips curved at the thought of Lottie's reaction if she blundered in whilst he was taking his bath. She thought that her husband would not be amused either.
A sudden gust of wind hurled rain against the window making her jump, the panes rattle and the curtains move. Would someone come in and close the shutters or should she do it? The draught was unpleasant so she might as well do the job herself.
Although it was early afternoon she could scarcely see across the park. Heavy, black clouds had blotted out the sun and she was relieved they had not been caught out in the storm. The wooden shutters unhooked easily and she pulled the first one across without any difficulty. She was moving the second when she was certain she saw a shadowy figure lurking in the woodland that bordered the grass.
She blinked, screwed up her eyes and took another look but this time there was nothing untoward to see. Her imagination was playing tricks with her – there’d been too many accidents and ambushes and she was seeing danger where none existed. Hastily she fastened the shutters, pulled the curtains and moved onto the second window.
The candles were already lit and with the cheerful fire the room was warm and welcoming. A soft tap at the door heralded the arrival of the promised refreshments. By the time the two maids had arranged matters to their satisfaction the appetising aromas were making her mouth water.
Once they had departed she knocked on the bedroom door. 'Grey, there's food here. Soup, meat pasties, bread and cheese, and a selection of pies and pastries.'
'I'll be there in a moment. Start without me.'
She didn't need to be told a second time and quickly filled a bowl with the delicious looking vegetable soup. After adding a chunk of bread she took a seat at the second table that had been laid for them.
'I'm ravenous, sweetheart, is the soup as tasty as it sounds?' Grey dropped a kiss on the top of her head as he walked past to help himself.
'Was I slurping? I do beg your pardon, my love, I hadn't realised my enjoyment was so noisy.'
There was far too much food but, despite knowing they would have to sit down to an elaborate dinner in less than four hours, they devoured a good part of it.
When they were comfortably settled on the chaise longue Madeline told him about her wild i
maginings. Instead of laughing he looked grim.
'I hadn't intended to tell you this, but the carriage had been tampered with. Whoever is trying to murder me is out there watching us.'
Her recently eaten meal threatened to return. 'What are you going to do?'
'I have matters in hand, sweetheart, there's no need for you to worry. We'll set out for my uncle's house as soon as the carriage is repaired and you will be safe there. My men and I will then take care of matters.'
There was no necessity for her to ask what he meant – he was a soldier and wouldn't hesitate to dispatch the miserable cowards who were trying to injure him. 'I won't be happy until the man behind these attacks has been apprehended. Are you any closer to discovering who this might be?'
'Your brother's making enquiries on my behalf in London and will send word to me when he gets a definitive reply.' He stretched out and plucked her from the seat and placed her in his lap. 'Enough of this gloomy discussion, darling, there are far more enjoyable ways of passing the afternoon.'
Chapter Eighteen
The following morning when Madeline awoke Grey had already left. She was astonished that he'd managed to get dressed without awakening her. She stretched luxuriously and came to the conclusion that married life suited her very well despite the disadvantages of having a husband with a short temper and a tendency to treat her like one of his junior officers.
She stretched out and rang the little brass bell on the bedside table and immediately Lottie rushed in. 'Good morning, my lady, I've got your hot chocolate keeping warm in front of the fire in the dressing room. His lordship has been gone this age.' The girl dashed across the room and pulled back the curtains and then folded back the wooden shutters.
'Oh dear! It's as gloomy as it was yesterday afternoon. I hope the weather improves by the time the carriage is repaired.'
'From what I've heard downstairs it should be ready by tomorrow. The damage wasn't nearly as bad as was thought.' Her maid vanished to return with the tray immediately.
'Lottie, how have you and Slater arranged things so you don't clash?'
The girl grinned. 'It's working ever so well and he's very accommodating and quite happy to share the dressing room with me. What do you want me to put out for you this morning?'
As she was speaking she retrieved the discarded nightgown and draped a bedrobe over the end of the bed. Only then did Madeline remember she was totally naked beneath the sheets – something she was quite certain her abigail would be shocked by.
'I'll wear whatever you like, as long as it has long sleeves and a spencer I'll be satisfied with your choice.'
Breakfast was served at ten o'clock and she was on her way to the breakfast room in good time. She had expected Grey to join her there but he failed to appear so she ate a lonely meal as Mrs Chorley also failed to appear.
After eating, Madeline wandered along to the drawing room where she found her hostess sitting by the fire lost in thought. Mrs Chorley was somewhat subdued this morning. 'Madam, are you unwell? Is there anything I can do for you?'
'No, Lady Madeline, I'm never at my best until midday. Lord Carshalton has gone out riding with two of his men – I cannot imagine what possessed him to do so when the weather is so dreary.'
Madeline felt a flicker of unease – Grey must be searching for the intruders she'd seen last night. She prayed he wouldn't come to any harm at their hands. She pinned on a bright smile. 'I expect he's gone to check if anything was left behind yesterday at the accident site. He was a soldier for many years, you know, and a little rain is nothing to him after what he endured.'
'Gentlemen are strange creatures, I've yet to fathom out the workings of my husband's mind even though we've been together for more than thirty years.'
'I have four brothers, Mrs Chorley, so I could consider myself an expert on the subject. However, apart from knowing that they prefer to be outside rather than indoors, and have no interest in novels, I'm as much in the dark as you are.' She smiled. 'No doubt I'll learn more about my husband as the months pass.' An image of Grey beside her in bed, his eyes dark with passion, caused her cheeks to colour.
'You are newly-wed, my dear, and Lord Carshalton is still besotted with you. Make the most of it as I can assure you once the gloss has worn away life will be quite different.' Mrs Chorley sighed heavily. 'My children were my life and I am bereft without them. I wish they hadn't grown up and left me and could have remained at home with their mama.'
This was hardly encouraging news. Mr Chorley had seemed a cordial gentleman when she met him the previous night and although not especially affectionate with his wife they seemed to rub along together well enough.
'Of course, my dear, yours is a love match whereas Mr Chorley and I barely knew each other when we were conjoined. Pray don't misunderstand me, we both entered the union willingly. He offered for me because I was very pretty when I was a girl and had a substantial dowry – I accepted because he was wealthy and reasonably attractive.'
'Didn't you know anything about him before agreeing to marry? Surely you must have been aware of his habits and interests?'
'My father made the usual enquiries. He wouldn't have allowed the wedding to go ahead if Mr Chorley had been a gambler or philanderer. He was neither and I'm sure I have nothing to complain about. He's never raised his hand to me, took a reasonable interest in our children and has always given me a generous allowance.'
'In which case, ma’am, why don't you visit your children? I'm sure they'll be delighted to see you. Do you have any grandchildren?'
'I have two – a girl of one year and a boy of few months. Of course I went to see them when they were born but I've not been since.' She smiled sadly. 'I wasn't warmly welcomed by either son-in-law, and it was made plain to me that I must limit my visits to a few days a year.'
Small wonder Mrs Chorley was so low in spirits. 'What about holding a Christmas and New Year house party? This is a vast establishment and you could invite all the family including your grandchildren. There are few gentlemen who would refuse such a generous invitation.'
'That's a splendid notion. Mr Chorley will not travel but would be happy to have a house full of gentlemen that he can play billiards, hunt, ride and play cards with.' She jumped nimbly from her seat her previous ill-humour quite forgotten. 'Forgive me, I must leave you and find him at once and get his approval for this scheme.'
She dashed away leaving Madeline to her own devices. She glanced at the mantel clock and saw she had an hour at least to fill before she could expect Grey to return.
*
'That was a monumental waste of time, Jenkins. Although I'm sure my wife wasn't mistaken when she said she saw men lurking in the trees last night, there's no sign of them now. I'm sure they were just investigating our current whereabouts and no doubt planning further attacks.'
'None of the varmints has been near the stables or coach house, my lord. They'll not get the opportunity to tamper with your carriage a second time. I reckon we should be safe enough whilst we're here.'
Grey dismounted in the yard and tossed his reins to a waiting boy before heading to the coach house to see how the repairs were progressing. He was delighted to find the carriage looked as good as new. As soon as the interior was dry they could continue their journey.
'I've decided to take Mr Chorley into my confidence, Jenkins. He's the magistrate and I'm sure will look unfavourably on what transpired. I'm hoping he'll be prepared to lend me half a dozen men so we can complete the distance to Blakely Hall confident no one would be foolish enough to attack us.'
His man nodded. 'That should do it, sir, but I'm not sure he'll have that many men and horses to spare.'
'I'll speak to him immediately. If he hasn't got what I need then he must tell me where I can find the extra men and horses. I also think it would be wise to complete the journey in one day and not overnight somewhere. If we leave before light and take it steady it can be done. We must make sure we halt a couple of times to allow the horses
to recuperate.'
Grey strode off to the house and tossed his dripping coat, gloves and hat to a waiting footman. 'Direct me to your master.'
'Mr Chorley is in his study, my lord. If you walk into the main hall and take the passageway on your right, you will find the room at the far end.'
His boots were leaving muddy imprints on the spotless boards but that was no concern of his. There were more than ample staff here to deal with such minor problems. He knocked loudly and was bid to enter.
'I apologise for disturbing you, sir, but there are things I need to talk to you about.'
Chorley was horrified by his account and agreed to help him in any way he could. 'There's no need for you to go in search of men, my lord, I'll organise matters for you. This is a damnable business – the sooner these villains are apprehended the better.'
'Thank you for your assistance. My carriage is ready and we will leave just before dawn tomorrow. Can the necessary men and horses be found by then?'
'Indeed they can, my lord. I must now apologise in turn. Mrs Chorley has taken it upon herself to invite half the neighbourhood to dine tonight in honour of your unexpected visit. Although short notice, I expect a full quota to attend as it's not often we have such toplofty folk in our neighbourhood.'
'Lady Carshalton and I will be honoured to attend your dinner party, sir, but I'm sure you and your guests will understand if we retire early so that we can be up in time to leave.'
Jenkins was already aware they were leaving at dawn so there was no need to go back to the stables and update him. What he must do instead was get Slater to spruce him up so he could join Madeline wherever she was.
He went in search of her and found her stretched out on a daybed reading a periodical. Her smile when she saw him made him feel ten foot tall.
'Grey, I'm so pleased to see you. Mrs Chorley has abandoned me to set in motion invitations for her Christmas house party.'
The Duke's Alliance Book Two: A Dangerous Husband Page 15