'To mention such a thing, my dear, is not considered polite in mixed company. A young lady must never be hungry or thirsty – or at least must never say so.'
'I wouldn't dream of doing so, Mama, anywhere else but with my family.'
Amanda nodded towards the door where the butler was hovering, waiting to announce that dinner was served. Tonight the meal was more elaborate, three courses each with three removes – but nothing smothered in the rich cream sauces which Richard so disliked.
As always, the entire party moved into the drawing room when the meal was done. 'Will you play that new piece, Amanda? Or something else if you don't wish to perform that one again,' he said.
This time when she finished he led them in a round of applause and even her mother was enthusiastic. 'I think we should hold a musical evening so that you can demonstrate your ability on the pianoforte, my dear.'
'As that is a more informal occasion, Mama, we can decide when we arrive. I should like to go to Vauxhall Gardens and see the firework display and I'm sure Beth would enjoy it. It's something she can participate in without being overwhelmed.'
'As long as dear Richard is prepared to accompany us then I can see no objection to that particular excursion. There are certain parts of the garden where no respectable young lady would promenade but as long as we stay together with our footmen and escort all should be well.'
He was handed the list of invitations and looked through them in bewilderment. 'I've heard of none of these people – I haven't moved in such elevated circles before. I must trust to your good judgement, your grace, and allow you to make the decision as to where we go.'
'Thank you, Richard, I had hoped you would take that line. I think that attending three evening events in one week will be more than sufficient. That will leave time for morning calls, visits to the circulating library and drives in the park.'
'That sounds wonderful. Our new ensembles should begin to arrive tomorrow. We'll be in the first stare of fashion when we go – not that we aren't very fine already.'
'Sarah, I do hope you do not intend to puff yourself up in that way when we are at a social event. If you wish to take, then you must be modest and polite at all times.'
'I'll not let you down, Mama, I give you my word. I do know how to go on as Miss Westley was an excellent teacher.'
'I thought that Miss Westley might be asked to act as your companion until your own returns, Mama,' Amanda immediately suggested.
'I should like that above all things, she was a very respectful and pleasant young lady when she was here last time. She might have made a satisfactory marriage if her parents had not perished from the influenza.'
'Then, please excuse me, I'll write to her at once. We have remained in regular correspondence and I know the family she's been with these past two years are moving to Scotland and she has no wish to go with them.'
Chapter Nine
The next few weeks flew past and Amanda was now eager to depart. The demolition of the big house was under way and the air was full of dust, and nowhere could anyone find a moment's peace and quiet during daylight hours.
The servants had departed several days ago, their luggage yesterday, and today they would finally be on their way. She was up betimes and went in search of her cousin.
'I do wish I could ride alongside you, Richard, I hate being bounced around in a closed carriage for hours on end.'
'Then do so. As long as you're prepared to ride side-saddle then I've no objection and would enjoy the company. Actually, it makes more sense for you to ride your stallion rather than a groom.'
'Thank you. I left out my habit in the hope that you would agree to my suggestion. I'll be ready long before the carriages leave.'
On her way to change – without the assistance of her maid – she met Sarah and Beth. 'Where are you going, Amanda? The carriage is waiting and Papa always said horses should not be allowed to stand about at our convenience.'
'That's very true, sweetheart, but Richard has given me permission to ride with him and I'm going immediately to change into my habit.'
Her sister pouted and for a horrible moment Amanda thought there might be a dreadful scene. Sarah stepped in quickly to distract Beth.
'There will be so much more room with just the two of us in the carriage. You can stretch out in comfort on one side and I can do so on the other.'
Beth swung her favourite doll around in excitement. 'I like that. Why doesn't our mama want to be in the same carriage as us?'
'She's an indifferent traveller and only needs the comfort and support of Miss Westley on the long journey.'
When she reappeared the carriages were just pulling away and one of the remaining grooms was holding the reins of her horse. Richard was also unmounted.
'Allow me to assist you into the saddle, cousin.'
She turned her back, bent her leg and he tossed her up. When she'd finished settling herself safely, she looked up to find him already mounted and watching her with a slight smile.
'I thought we could go across country – O'Riley has given me directions so we can meet with the carriages in Colchester.'
'As long as we remain there to allow the horses to rest I can see no objection to that. I helped to school your gelding and I warn you that he has the most enormous jump.'
His teeth flashed white in his tanned face. 'I discovered that to my cost the other day. I almost went head first into the ditch.'
'I'm surprised O'Riley didn't wish to join us on horseback. He doesn't seem the sort of gentleman to enjoy being inside a carriage.'
'He's escorting several boxes of important papers that I cannot allow to remain unsupervised. It will be a new experience for him and good practice in his new persona as a gentleman.'
There were two grooms accompanying them but they remained a respectful distance behind.
*
He'd never spent so long in the company of any female and the more he did the better he liked her. Naturally, he'd talked with ladies before but until now had never had a proper conversation.
The carriages wouldn't arrive at the Red Lion in Colchester for another hour at least. This was beneficial as it meant their horses would have ample time to recuperate before they completed the second half of today's journey. The teams pulling the carriages travelled at a slower pace but they would also need rest before continuing.
'There are chambers reserved for us at the Saracens Inn in Chelmsford for tonight. It's around thirty miles so we should complete it easily in three hours although the carriages will take longer.'
'I've never spent so long in the saddle but so far am suffering no ill effects. I didn't like to hunt. However, that would have been an opportunity to spend several hours galloping around the countryside.'
'If at any time you wish to join your sisters in the carriage you can do so. One of the grooms can lead your horse.'
'They'd be better riding him and leading their own as Othello doesn't like to be led.' She was on the ground before he could offer to assist her. 'But I've no intention of being so feeble – once I make up my mind to do a thing, I always complete it. Therefore, I'll remain by your side.'
He was inordinately pleased by this declaration and he'd no notion why this should be so. He was perfectly content with his own company as a rule.
There were two chambers put aside for their use – one for the ladies and one for himself.
'Do we eat upstairs or is there a private parlour down here?'
'The snug has been reserved for us. There'll be a cold collation waiting when we're ready.'
'I should dearly like to visit the castle as I've heard talk of it being of Norman origin. Quite unique and of the same age as the White Tower in London. Do you think it will raise a few eyebrows if we go in our riding clothes?'
He chuckled. 'It would raise far more if we went without them.' He regretted his remark when he saw her distress. Before she could rush off, he took her elbow and guided her from under the archway and out into the street.
'Amanda, that was insensitive and boorish. I've never apologised for what happened just after I arrived. I didn't think to see me as you did would cause you so much embarrassment and upset. I sincerely apologise. I give you my word nothing of the sort will ever happen again.' Her head remained lowered. 'Please, sweetheart, look at me.'
When she remained looking firmly at the ground he reached out and with his gloved finger gently raised her chin. Something odd happened when he saw her tear-filled eyes. In that moment all he wanted was to stand as her protector, keep her safe from harm, and never cause her to cry again because of him.
'Thank you for your apology, Richard. I wish I didn't find such things so upsetting. I expect unclothed people are a common thing in the hurly-burly of an army camp. But even a married lady would never see their husband as I saw you that day.'
He stared at her and was about to explain exactly what took place between a man and a woman in the marriage bed but bit back the words. Small wonder she was unable to get the image of him naked out of her head when she had such an erroneous idea of the married state.
She tilted her head in order to look at him more closely. 'From your expression, I've said something you vehemently disagree with. Now I'm intrigued and I insist that you explain what it is you're keeping from me.'
It was his turn to flush – not something he recalled doing since he was a child. He ran his finger around his neckcloth which had become inexplicably too tight. 'The castle is a short distance to the right. You can see it above the houses.'
She didn't press him to answer and without him having to suggest it slipped her hand through his arm. 'Then we shall go and look together and ignore any of the local populace who think it odd of us to be walking when we're wearing our riding clothes.'
They viewed the castle and were both impressed. 'I'm disappointed that we can't go inside today – I gather that there are conducted tours sometimes that allow one to do so.'
'Colchester appears to be a prosperous town. There seem to be an abundance of soldiers in their smart redcoats – is there a barracks nearby?'
'This town relies heavily on the army for its wealth. Don't ask me to escort you there as I shall refuse.'
Her laugh turned several heads. It was the first time he'd heard her laugh out loud and it was a lovely sound. 'Come, I'm hungry and I expect the carriages have arrived and your mother will be wondering where we are.'
They were just approaching the entrance to the inn when someone hailed him from across the road. 'Good Lord – I never thought to see you here, Sinclair. Have you been sent to collect more men for your brigade?'
Lord Percy Hetherington, a fellow officer in his old regiment, strode towards him hand outheld. Dammit to hell! The last thing he wanted was to introduce Amanda or reveal that he was now the Duke of Denchester. He considered himself quick-witted but could come up with nothing to avoid the inevitable.
He shook Percy's hand and then had no option but to introduce his companion. 'Lord Hetherington, allow me to introduce you to Lady Amanda Sinclair.'
She curtsied, but not deeply, and he bowed. He was about to whisk her away when she spoke. 'Lord Hetherington, I am delighted to make your acquaintance. You are the first person from his military life that my cousin, his grace, the Duke of Denchester, has been able to introduce me to.'
'So that's why you vanished from Town. Congratulations, old fellow, you'll make an excellent fist of your new post. Excuse me, my lady, your grace, I am already running late for an important rendezvous.'
He watched his erstwhile friend stride away and cursed the ill fortune that had brought them face-to-face. Fond as he was of Percy, the man was an inveterate gossip. By this evening word would have spread that he was walking unchaperoned with Amanda. God knows what the duchess would say when she heard of it – and the gossip was bound to reach London eventually.
Too bad – he would deal with the repercussions when they happened. The most important thing was to get her safely inside before anyone else he knew accosted them and wished to be introduced.
*
Amanda was at a loss to know why he almost bundled her back under the archway and into the building. What was the urgency? There was no sign of the family carriages so they weren't tardy.
He snapped his fingers and a maid ran over and curtsied. 'Take us to the chambers that have been set aside for our use.'
'Yes, your grace, if you would care to please follow me.'
The room allocated for her use overlooked the main street. She dismissed the girl who was eager to assist in her ablutions. She was quite capable of washing her own face and hands and sponging off the worst of the dirt from her skirts.
She was admiring the view from the window when someone knocked on the door. She hurried across to open it and found him standing there.
'Richard, are we to go down? I thought we would wait until the others were here before we had luncheon.'
He ignored her remark and entered without asking for permission. His face was grave. Something had either upset or angered him and he'd obviously come to tell her what it was.
'I shouldn't have been walking with you without a chaperone. Hetherington will be spreading the word throughout Colchester and you can be certain rumours will reach London soon enough.'
'I don't know why you're so cross about it, Richard. It's perfectly permissible for a guardian to escort his ward to view the sights. Good heavens – even my mama will have no objection when she hears.'
He began to look a little less grim. 'But Hetherington doesn't know the facts and will embellish them to suit himself.'
'Then I suggest, if you're concerned, that you go after him and put him straight.'
She finally grasped why he'd been so agitated – he'd come to the ludicrous conclusion that she was compromised and he would have to offer to marry her. Small wonder he was upset at such a thing. He would never wish to marry a plain, beanpole of a girl such as herself when he could have any unattached young lady that he wanted. He must be the most eligible parti in the country. She was certain that it wasn't often that a duke became available on the marriage mart and for one to be as young and personable as he was made him even more desirable to the matchmaking mothers.
He shrugged. 'Are you worried about it?'
'Good heavens, not at all. Our behaviour was above reproach. We might not have had a chaperone but we were in full view, of anyone who cared to look, at all times.' She was about to reassure him that he had no need to worry he was going to have to make her an offer then decided that would be presumptuous.
'Then, Amanda, I'll see you downstairs. I expect the duchess and your sisters will be here at any moment.'
'Wait, I'll come with you. I much prefer to be in the fresh air than cooped up in here.'
They had just stepped through the door when the rattle of a carriage entering at the far end of the archway made them both look round.
'Excellent, the carriages have come at last. If you show the ladies where they can refresh themselves the sooner we'll get our meal and be able to set out for Chelmsford.'
'I take it that Mr O'Riley will not be joining us?'
'His carriage will stop at the next town where there's no danger of anyone recognising him.'
He left her to greet her family and she wandered inside to alert the landlord that they would require their luncheon in a quarter of an hour. The grooms would take care of the horses and they had sufficient coinage to purchase themselves something substantial to eat.
Being a duke wasn't a lot different from being an officer – his duty was to take care of those who depended on him as well as make sure everything necessary was done on time.
*
The duchess was surprisingly buoyant considering he'd been told she was a poor traveller. She certainly ate with gusto as did everybody else. He thought the appointment, even if it was temporary, of Miss Westley an ideal arrangement. The young woman was articulate, pleasant and obviously a great favourite with the family.
'I shall leave you ladies to get yourself organised for our departure. I'm going to instruct the grooms to harness the teams and saddle our horses.'
'How long do we have before we must leave?' Sarah asked.
'Half an hour – that's more than enough time.'
The duchess was prune-faced and obviously intended to protest, so he took himself off before she could argue.
He overheard Amanda speaking to her mother. 'Richard expects his instructions to be followed to the letter, Mama, so I suggest that you don't keep him waiting or you might find yourself abandoned here.'
He was smiling when he walked out – in fact – he found himself doing that a lot lately. He wasn't known for being a man of good humour. He was an excellent leader, a good tactician, and led his men from the front. But there was rarely much to smile about on a battlefield.
As before, he and Amanda arrived ahead of the others at their overnight destination in Chelmsford.
'This Saracens seems a superior sort of place,' she commented. 'I'm surprised to find something so luxurious in a town as small as this.'
'It's fortuitous, my dear, I merely sent the groom last week to make the reservation. It could have been a hovel for all I knew.'
She smiled at him. 'I hardly think a duke's servant would reserve anywhere but the very best for his master.'
This time he dismounted with alacrity and was at her side before she could kick her foot free of the single stirrup iron. 'Allow me to assist you down, Amanda. You must be weary after so many hours in the saddle.'
She didn't protest and he reached up and placed his hands around her waist. He was shocked at how slender this was. He lifted her and she weighed no more than a sack of coal. He couldn't help laughing at his comparison.
'Kindly share the joke, sir, I don't wish to be left out of any merriment.'
*
She thought he wasn't going to tell her but then he changed his mind. 'I was thinking that for a tall, young woman you weigh nothing at all – in my mind I compared you to a sack of coal. And then thought how inappropriate that comparison was.'
The Duke's Ward (The Reluctant Duke Book 1) Page 8