He leaned down and kissed her. 'That's not the only thing she is organising, sweetheart. We are to be the guests of honour at a formal dinner party this evening. Your maid is searching out a suitable evening gown and my valet is taking care of my evening rig.'
'Sit down, my love, you're far too tall to be looming over me. It's quite intimidating.' Her feet were already on the floor and she patted the space beside her.
'It's not my intention to intimidate, I cannot help my unusual size.' He folded himself down and turned sideways to face her. After he'd explained his plans for the next day she agreed this was the right decision.
'Your relatives will be heartily sick of us before we even arrive for we've been nothing but trouble so far. We’ve rearranged our travel arrangements three times, which is hardly civil.'
'I'm sure they'll just be happy to have us arrive in one piece.'
'I've been thinking, what about Smith? Did you tell him to remain at Blakely Hall or ride back to join us only to repeat the process? The poor man and his horse will be quite exhausted.'
'I told him to remain at the inn where we originally intended to stay overnight. Instead, we'll stop for refreshments and allow the horses to recover from their exertions.'
The rain continued to lash the windows and the fire spattered as water found its way down the chimney. 'It's going to be heavy going with the roads so wet. Wouldn't it be better to stay here until it's more clement?'
It had not been his intention to discuss the matter with her, but now he had no choice. 'Sweetheart, I need to have you somewhere safe so my men and I can root out these villains and their master. Obviously, I cannot leave you here whilst I do so.'
'In which case, why don't I return to Silchester? My brothers are perfectly capable of taking care of me in your absence.'
This was a valid point and he could hardly tell her why he didn't want to do this. The duke exerted undue influence over his wife and he wished to weaken this link. Madeline was his concern and what better place to leave her than with his family?
'We can hardly renege on our promise to visit, my love, and it's considerably further to Silchester Court than it is to Blakely Hall.'
She frowned for a second and then relaxed back into his embrace. 'How silly of me, I should have realised. Won't we be more vulnerable travelling so slowly tomorrow?'
'It doesn't matter how slowly we travel, with six extra men to escort us an ambush or attack is highly unlikely.'
*
After luncheon Madeline retired to their shared chamber for an afternoon rest, although why she was so tired when she'd done absolutely nothing was a mystery to her. Grey joined Mr Chorley in the billiard room.
The dinner party passed without incident but she was relieved she had the excuse of the early departure which allowed her to escape from the drawing room before tea was served.
She wasn't left alone in the huge tester bed for long and the house was silent before she eventually fell into a deep and contented sleep.
She was awake in good time but Grey had already gone down. Warmly dressed in a dark green travelling gown and cloak, she joined him outside. The carriage was waiting, the team stamping and snorting in their eagerness to depart. The fact that it was still dark seemed not to bother them one jot.
This time her husband was to travel inside with them which pleased her but not her maid.
'At least it's no longer raining which should mean that our journey will be less hazardous.' He handed her into the carriage and her maid scrambled in behind her.
The door was left open whilst he went to have a final word with the mounted escort. 'It's going to be a long day, Lottie, you can't huddle in the corner with a rug over your head for the entire time – you will suffocate.'
'My lady, I find his lordship ever so fierce. I'm all of a tremble when he looks in my direction.'
'I'm not suggesting that you join in our conversation, that would be unsuitable. However, you can look out of the window on your side of the carriage and I promise we'll pretend you're not there.'
The girl smiled and appeared more comfortable in her seat. The vehicle rocked alarmingly as Grey climbed in and took the window seat next to her. The door was closed and the steps put away then the coachman cracked his whip and they were moving.
Grey nodded towards Lottie who was studiously staring out of the window, the brim of her chip straw bonnet making her face invisible. He lowered his head and spoke quietly directly into Madeline's ear. His breath was warm and caused heat to pool in her nether regions.
'Do you think your maid would prefer to travel on the box when it's light?'
'I've no idea, but if it's not raining she might be happy to do so. I'll ask her later on.'
Neither of them had had much sleep the previous night as it had been spent in far more enjoyable activities, so with her head resting on his shoulder, and his arm firmly around her waist, her eyes were slowly becoming heavy. He was already asleep – no doubt his military life had given him the facility to take rest when it presented itself, regardless of the circumstances.
Chapter Nineteen
Madeline didn't rouse until Grey gently squeezed her shoulder. The carriage was stationary and the door open. She looked around with surprise. 'Good heavens! It's sunny outside and I do believe I must have slept for hours.'
'We both have, sweetheart, and now we've arrived at our first stop. We will remain here for a couple of hours to allow the horses to rest.'
'I've no idea what the time is, but it seems an age since I ate last – I am hungry.'
He chuckled. 'As am I. A substantial meal has been prepared for us all and it will be served in a private parlour. There's also a chamber put aside for you to refresh yourself.'
He leaned in and swung her from the vehicle. She blinked at the brightness after being so long in the gloom of the carriage. The hostelry he'd selected for their first break was an old, rambling building but looked in good repair. The cobbled yard in which they were standing was substantial and even with two other vehicles there was still ample room for a mail coach or stagecoach to trundle in and disgorge its passengers.
The sky was blue and cloudless, a great improvement on earlier. 'This appears to be a respectable place, Grey, I hope the food lives up to my expectations.'
Their escort had already dismounted and led their horses round to the stables. The coachmen were busy unharnessing the team and Slater and Lottie were waiting to accompany them inside.
The meal was everything she'd hoped and when she was replete she headed for the chamber allocated to them. Refreshed and comfortable she returned to her husband who was outside talking to Jenkins.
He beckoned her over. 'We can't leave for another hour, my love, and in the circumstances I don't think it would be wise to wander about the countryside. There's a pleasant flower garden at the rear of the premises – do you care to take a stroll around it with me?'
Their final stop was in a village no more than a mile or two from their destination. Madeline was heartily sick of the journey as being cooped up in a stuffy coach for hours had been decidedly unpleasant. Her maid had opted to travel on the box and she envied her the fresh air.
Although they had had the carriage to themselves neither of them were inclined to repeat the pleasures of the night-time. If they had drawn the curtains it would have been obvious to those who rode alongside what was going on inside.
Grey had bespoken a chamber with a plentiful supply of hot water. Lottie produced a fresh gown and packed away her heavy cloak. 'Do you want the spencer, my lady? The sun will be down soon and it will be a mite chilly.'
‘Yes, thank you.' She stepped away from the dressing table and tried to see her reflection in the window. This pale green dimity gown was a favourite of hers and she thought it perfect for her introduction to her new family. The emerald sash and the matching ribbons on her bonnet were a trifle flamboyant, but suited her to perfection.
This time Grey had been given a room of his own and he
too had changed his raiment. Was he as nervous about meeting his estranged family as she was?
There was a soft tap on the door and her maid ran to open it. He stepped in, looking devastating in his dark green jacket, spotless white shirt and cravat and pale green waistcoat. His smile made her toes curl.
'You look enchanting as always, sweetheart.' He gestured to Lottie and she scuffled from the chamber. 'There's something I've still not told you and I really should have talked about it before this.'
'Is it why your family became divided?'
He nodded. 'I don't know the full story as my grandmother was reluctant to talk about it. My father married against his parents’ wishes – they had a bride picked out for him but he rejected their choice and married for love.'
'Was your mama considered unsuitable as my brother's wife, Grace, was initially?'
‘Exactly so – she was the daughter of the local curate – perfectly respectable but had no inheritance either.'
'So did they leave voluntarily or were they sent away?'
'My father severed all connection to his family and moved to another part of the country. He sold the smaller estates he'd inherited and with the money bought himself something less grand. He invested wisely and we lived comfortably on the income.' His eyes were sad as he continued. 'My mother died in childbirth when I was scarcely out of leading strings and I'm afraid I don't remember her. My father never remarried but he always seemed content as he was.'
'Did you never ask him about his family?'
'It didn't occur to me to do so. I received a good education, had a happy, if somewhat lonely, childhood and he bought me my colours on my seventeenth name day. We remained close and exchanged regular correspondence until he perished from a congestion of the lungs four years ago. I remained in ignorance of my elevation to the aristocracy until the letter caught up with me in Portugal last year.'
'I'm glad that finally you will be reunited with your uncle and cousin. I'm just surprised they didn't contact you sooner – eight and twenty years is a long time to carry a feud.'
'My grandmother said they didn't know of my existence until my grandfather died and the lawyers discovered my whereabouts.'
He gathered her close and cupped her face in his hand. 'I can't believe I'm married to you – I must be the luckiest man in England.' His eyes blazed, and then he kissed her hard and she forgot everything else for a few blissful minutes.
He raised his head. 'Come along, darling, we must arrive in time for supper. I would prefer to see Blakely Hall before it gets dark.'
The horses looked remarkably fresh considering the great distance they'd covered that day. Lottie resumed her place on the box with such enthusiasm Madeline wondered if the girl had developed a tendre for one of the coachmen. They were both handsome young men and she could do a lot worse than pin her hopes to one of them.
'How much land does your uncle possess?'
‘Blakely Hall is set in around three hundred acres and contains several productive farms as well as the village of Blakely. We are already travelling on Carshalton land.'
She looked around with interest. 'Does that mean the inn we just stopped at belongs to Mr Carshalton?'
'They will be his tenants, yes. Everywhere looks well cared for, the cottages in good repair and the village folk seem happy enough.'
'Why would you think otherwise? The fact that your grandfather was a hard man doesn't mean he was a bad landlord. Look, I can see a magnificent house on the hill to the right of us. Is that Blakely Hall?'
'It must be – it's far bigger than I anticipated. Small wonder I inherited such a vast fortune.'
He sat back against the squabs and for the first time since she'd met him she saw he was apprehensive. She pressed her against his cheek. 'You mustn't worry about your reception, my love, these people might be related to you but they are strangers. I'm your family now and so are my brothers and sister. If they are not to your liking we can leave and return to Silchester Court next week.'
He turned his face and kissed her palm. The touch of his lips on her skin made her catch her breath. Instinctively she leaned towards him and was rewarded by the touch of his lips on her mouth.
‘Enough, young lady, your wanton ways will lead me astray.' His voice was playful and she sighed theatrically, enjoying his teasing.
'La, sir, how can you say such things? I'm an innocent country girl and you are a society gentleman well versed in the art of seduction.'
What might have taken place next she could only imagine if the cheerful face of one of their escorts hadn't appeared at the open window. 'My lord, I reckon we'll be turning onto the drive in a moment. Do you want one of us to ride ahead?'
'Is that necessary? Can they not see us approaching?'
'The hall's on the hill, my lord, and trees border the edges of the drive making it impossible to see any vehicles until they're almost there.'
'In which case, send Jenkins.' Grey relaxed into the corner with her hand still clasped in his. 'I expect you will want to retire early, sweetheart, after such an arduous journey.' His wicked smile made her blush.
'Indeed I will. However, I expect you might like to stay up until the small hours becoming acquainted with your family.'
'I might be an ex-soldier, my love, and well used to managing on little sleep, but not even the prospect of spending time with my uncle, cousin and grandmother will keep me long from your bed. This is our honeymoon, we should be spending it alone in some romantic spot, not gallivanting around the countryside pursued by murderous attackers.'
'Blakely Hall is so huge I'm sure we'll have ample opportunity to be private.' Then she recalled what he'd said about abandoning her whilst he hunted for the perpetrators and her smile slipped.
The carriage turned onto the drive. On the right was a gatehouse but there was no sign of a gatekeeper. Immediately they moved into the shadow of the trees and she shivered. No sunlight filtered through the dense foliage and the carriage was plunged into darkness.
He released her hand and put his arm around her waist drawing her closer. 'If this were mine I'd thin out these trees and let some light in.'
A full twenty minutes later they emerged into the evening sunlight and immediately her spirits lifted. 'How beautiful! I understand why they keep the drive as it is – it makes one's first view of Blakely Hall such an amazing contrast. Although the edifice is far older than my ancestral home I consider it almost as lovely. It has obviously been extended and modernised over time.'
'An attractive building – but far too large for comfortable living. It would take an hour to walk from one end to the other.'
She giggled at his exaggeration. Then she noticed something that gave her pause. 'There are footmen waiting on the steps but I can't see your relatives or even the butler.'
'I expect they consider themselves far too grand to greet us in public, sweetheart.'
'I am the daughter of a duke, you hold the title and are the head of the family – this is not a good start. Whenever I've visited the host and hostess always come out to meet me – unless it's unpleasant weather or late evening.'
The impressive front door remained closed even as they rolled to a halt in front of it. The footmen sprang into action and the steps were let down and the carriage door opened with a flourish. Only as Grey handed her from the vehicle did anyone appear.
The servants were already busy unloading the trunks under the watchful supervision of Lottie and Slater.
A tall, thin man in black stood on the steps. He was obviously the butler and didn't look at all pleased to see them. He didn't bow and he didn't make a move towards them as he should have done.
'As you say, my love, not an auspicious beginning to our visit. Despite having a cordial invitation from my uncle I'm not sure that his feelings are shared by his staff. No doubt the fact that his master didn't receive the title as expected has not gone down well.'
'Grey, it's not a servant's place to have an opinion on such matters. The but
ler's behaviour is unacceptable. The only explanation is that we're not welcome and Mr Carshalton was compelled to invite us because your grandmother insisted.'
He frowned. 'I bow to your superior knowledge on such matters, Madeline. I think we've spent long enough dawdling here, we shall go in and see for ourselves how the land lies.'
He offered his arm and she placed her now gloved hand on it. Neither of them enjoyed wearing gloves but it was de rigueur and so they had no option if they wished to make a good impression.
She risked a glance in his direction. She didn't know if his icy expression was for her or the butler and prayed it was the latter.
He ignored the servant sent out to greet them and she was whisked into the vast hall. She couldn't hold back her shiver. 'It's like an icehouse – how can that be when it's quite mild outside?'
'No fires lit and no curtains and little furniture. Decidedly unwelcoming for any visitors.' He reached across and squeezed her hand. 'Do we remain here like nincompoops or go in search of our missing host?'
For a moment she thought this to be a rhetorical question then realised he was genuinely puzzled. This remark had been made so quietly only she could have heard him. 'The wretched butler should come in and escort us. I would have expected the housekeeper to have been here to introduce herself as well.'
Grey turned and fixed the sullen butler with a basilisk stare. 'You, direct us to Lady Carshalton immediately.'
The man recoiled but then recovered his composure. 'My lord, I fear you've arrived at a time of crisis in the house. Lady Carshalton was taken dangerously ill when she returned and Mr Carshalton and Mr Frederick are at her bedside. They are unaware of your arrival. I thought it best…'
Grey stepped forward, towering over the speaker. 'It's not your place to think about anything that takes place here. Summon the housekeeper and see that Lady Madeline is taken to her apartment immediately. Have a supper tray sent up.' The butler didn't respond. 'Do I make myself clear? Get on with it. Now.'
The Duke's Alliance Book Two: A Dangerous Husband Page 16