'That's nonsense and you know it. The connection between us by blood is so tenuous as to be almost non-existent. You will reach your majority later this year and will be no longer be under my command.'
'Command?'
'Yes – I prefer it to the alternative. However, if you don't consider that I need to marry you then I'll accept your decision.' His smile appeared sad. 'I thought you told me I was the most eligible parti in the land? Now I'm crushed that you've rejected me.'
Fortunately, she realised he was funning before she said something foolish. 'A man with an ego as large as yours will soon recover.' She moved away from him towards her apartment – talking to him whilst in such close proximity was giving her palpitations. 'Anyway, admit that you're relieved you don't have to marry a plain beanpole of a girl with a disfigurement.'
Chapter Eleven
Richard wasn't impressed with his behaviour. He'd been a respected and fierce officer but always fair – why in hell's name was he behaving this way? First, he'd berated Amanda unnecessarily and then kissed her. He was deeply ashamed that he'd violated the trust between a person in loco parentis and his wards.
Tonight he donned his hated evening black without complaint. When his valet smoothed his jacket over his shoulders it reminded him of the soft touch of her fingers when she'd put them in his hair.
'That's enough. I'll do. Don't wait up.'
Beth had already retired as she was still in disgrace for her disobedience. Although she had only the intelligence of a six-year-old she was perfectly capable of understanding an instruction. Therefore, he had been duped by a child and this too was out of character.
He slumped in a chair in the drawing room whilst he waited for the ladies to appear in their finery. He heard voices approaching the staircase and moved to a position where he could watch them descending without being seen himself.
The dowager sailed ahead, the feathers in her turban waving wildly as she descended. Her gown was burgundy tonight as was her entire ensemble.
Sarah followed wearing a delightful confection in pale blue with a dark blue sash and embroidery. He would have to be vigilant if he was to keep her safe from predatory suitors. She looked quite beautiful.
'Where's Amanda?' He hadn't intended to sound so abrupt but was concerned that she hadn't come down.
'My oldest daughter is indisposed, your grace, she sends her apologies.'
He ignored this explanation, stepped around the speaker, and went in search of the missing girl. She'd been perfectly well an hour ago and the only explanation was that she was overset by what had taken place between them.
He knocked loudly on her sitting room door and waited to be invited in. No one answered so he went in anyway.
There was movement behind the closed door to the right so Amanda must be in there. This time he didn't bother to knock, knowing he'd get no response.
'Amanda, if you don't come downstairs immediately then no one will be going to the party. Do you wish to deny your mother and your sister the pleasure of their first London event?'
This was hardly fair but he could think of no other incentive to get her to change her mind. The door was opened, not by her, but by a trembling maid.
'I beg your pardon, your grace, but Lady Amanda isn't here.'
'Then where the devil is she?'
'I don't know. I went to fetch the hot water and when I got back she was gone.'
'What was she wearing? Had she changed her clothes?'
The girl had the sense to check the closet before answering and reappeared looking puzzled. 'Her riding habit is missing, your grace.'
His language made her flinch. His wretched cousin had gone out on her stallion and it would be dark in an hour. For a young lady to ride in the park so late, even with a groom in attendance, wasn't sensible or safe.
Ignoring common sense and etiquette he ran to the gallery and yelled down to the ladies waiting below. 'Amanda's gone out on her horse alone. I must go after her. Go ahead of us and we'll join you as soon as we can.'
It was hard to tell whether the two of them were more shocked by his parade ground voice or the fact that Amanda had done something so idiotic.
The duchess recovered her aplomb. 'There is no need to shout in that unseemly fashion, young man. Sarah and I will wait until you and my errant daughter are ready to accompany us.'
This time he replied in a more moderate tone. 'You will not. It would be the height of rudeness for all of us to be late. You will have two footmen accompanying you and I'm certain you'll come to no harm walking one hundred yards across the square without me at your side.'
He'd given a direct order and whatever her personal opinion on the subject she had no option but to obey. Her basilisk stare might have quelled a less hardy gentleman. He bowed and raced to his apartment.
'Riding gear – now – and send word to the stables to have my gelding saddled.'
The nights were lighter now but the sun had set and there could be any number of miscreants, footpads or murderers lurking in the undergrowth of both Hyde and Green Park.
He took the backstairs and thundered down making the candles in the wall sconces flicker as he rushed past. Fortunately for the stable hands his horse was waiting, as were two grooms, they both had lanterns dangling from poles but these were, as yet, unlit.
'Your grace, I heard that Lady Amanda's missing. I have my pistol and my sword. I think it best at least one of us is armed.'
'Good man, O'Riley, I might have known you'd be waiting for me. How long has she been gone?' He asked the question as he swung into the saddle.
'According to the head groom, about half an hour. She's taken one man with her so is not entirely alone.' If he hadn't known that his man was Irish, he would have thought him an English gentleman born and bred in this country.
It was but few hundred yards down Upper Grosvenor Street to Park Lane which encircled the open land. They clattered through at a spanking trot – he would have preferred to gallop but didn't want to draw attention to the fact that they were going in search of a missing young lady.
As they entered the gates, he dug his heels in and his mount responded by breaking instantly into a canter. There were acres and acres of land to search if she'd been foolish enough to leave the main thoroughfare. He pointed with his whip to where the track divided just ahead. 'Take one of the men and search to the left, I'll take the other and go right.'
He stood in his stirrups in order to get a better view as the track dipped and he couldn't see into the hollow. This was deserted – in fact they'd only passed a handful of riders, no pedestrians at all, and one carriage.
Those that used the park did so in the afternoon. Anyone of sense would now be sitting down to dine in the comfort of their own home. Or, like his family, setting out for some sort of social event.
What had possessed her to go out at such an hour? As far as he was aware, she'd visited London many times with the old duke and would know how things went on here. There was no excuse whatsoever for such foolhardy behaviour and when he had her home he would tell her so in no uncertain terms.
*
Amanda had been so lost in her own thoughts she paid little attention to what was going on around her. Then, after she'd been cantering down the path in the park for a mile or two, she became aware that she was the only rider still out.
Only then did she consider the implications of her rushing off like this at such an hour. After her disturbing meeting with Richard she'd been too restless to remain indoors. She'd sent a message with Mary to her mother pleading a megrim. No one would disturb her if they thought her unwell with one of her occasional, unpleasant sick headaches.
She thanked the good Lord that Richard would never hear of her rash behaviour. He might not be well versed in the etiquette of society but would be aware no young lady of sense would venture out at such a time.
She drew rein and allowed her groom to come alongside. 'Tom, I think we should return home immediately. I've no wish to be out here in the dar
k, especially as we have no lantern with us.'
The look of relief on his face was quite comical. 'I know a shortcut, my lady, if we take that we'll be back in half the time.'
There were a myriad of small paths and tracks leading from the main well-travelled one. She wouldn't dream of venturing here without a guide, but as Tom knew the route, she would follow him. The sooner she was home and safely in bed the happier she'd be.
The route they took brought them out opposite the entrance to Mount Street and from here it was only five minutes to the house. She dismounted before they reached the stable yard and slipped inside through the side door and hurried upstairs.
She'd dismissed her maid earlier so was unsurprised to find her apartment empty. She quickly stripped off her riding habit and carefully folded it back onto the shelf in the closet, completed her ablutions, pulled on her nightgown and scrambled into bed. She then drew the curtains around the four-poster and flopped back on the pillows.
Her heart was hammering, it would serve her right if she did now get a megrim. The excitement, anxiety and exercise were enough to send her immediately into a deep, dreamless sleep.
*
Richard had been searching fruitlessly for two hours when he was hailed by a rider galloping towards him. His heart plummeted to his boots. He urged his horse forward dreading to hear what might have brought the groom at such a pace.
'Your grace, your grace, Lady Amanda's stallion's back in the stables.'
'Thank you – we'll return at once.'
This time he disregarded the startled glances of those strolling to their evening entertainment and continued at a gallop down the street and into the square.
He tossed his reins to a waiting groom and rushed upstairs. He burst into her apartment. Her maid was sitting by the fire mending stockings in the sitting room and squealed with shock at his sudden entrance.
'How long has Lady Amanda been home?'
'She's not back, your grace. I've not seen her.' The girl wrung her hands and buried her face in her apron crying noisily.
He'd no time for her histrionics. He looked into the bedchamber, it was dark, silent, the curtains drawn at the window and around the bed as before.
He turned and raced back to the stables. He should have spoken to someone there before he'd hurtled inside. If this had been a battle his lack of direction would already have lost it.
The head groom appeared at his shout. 'I want to speak to the groom who took care of the stallion.'
'That would be Tom, your grace, he went for supper after he'd taken care of both horses.'
Richard's head began to clear. He'd thought Othello had returned riderless but this was obviously not the case.
There was only one explanation – Amanda had changed from her habit into her evening gown and taken herself off to the party. This time he wouldn't charge after her until he'd made absolutely certain this was what had actually happened.
He strode into her apartment only to find that the maid was no longer there. The bedchamber was still silent. He swore long and loud.
His feet left the ground when the missing girl spoke to him from the darkness.
'Richard, don't use such language in my bedroom. What are you doing in here anyway?'
In two strides he reached the bed and grabbed the curtains so fiercely they tore from the poles.
'God's teeth, woman, don't you know that I've spent the past three hours searching for you in the park whilst you've been sleeping peacefully in your bed?'
'Of course I didn't know; what a stupid question. You've ruined my bed and you shouldn't be in here anyway. If you continue to behave in this fashion you'll find yourself saddled with me whether you like it or not. Go away – I'll speak to you in the morning.'
His eyes had adjusted to the darkness and he could now see her shape under the covers. It took him several steadying breaths to recover his temper before he did something they'd both regret.
'It's too late for me to attend the event to which I agreed to go. There will be a reckoning tomorrow, my girl. Present yourself in the library at eight o'clock. Do I make myself quite clear?'
'You do, sir.'
Her response was so quiet he only just heard it. He closed the door with remarkable restraint and headed for the library. On the way he ordered a jug of coffee, a decanter of brandy and whatever was available in the kitchen.
By the time the trays arrived he'd scribbled a note to be delivered to the duchess. In this he apologised for Amanda and his absence and promised to explain the reason in the morning.
As far as he knew this sort of event didn't go on into the small hours so they would be home shortly and had no wish to speak to them tonight. He was on his second sandwich and third coffee before he recalled exactly what Amanda had said before he'd snarled at her.
He choked on his mouthful and was on his feet and moving towards the door before he stopped coughing. His boots were leaning drunkenly against the edge of his chair and he was in his stockings. He didn't pause to put them on. After grabbing a candle, he headed for the backstairs for the second time that night.
This time he went to the door that led directly to her bedchamber and quietly opened it and stepped in. The single flame was sufficient for him to see her huddled shape in the ruined bed.
He lit four more candles before moving closer. From the stillness of the shape under the covers he knew she was awake.
'Amanda, forgive me for disturbing you again. We need to talk – not tomorrow, but tonight.'
'Go away, I'm asleep.'
His lips twitched and he spun a hardback chair and straddled it. 'I wasn't listening to you when I was here earlier – I was too incensed. I'd been beside myself with worry that you'd met with some disaster, had been abducted or worse. My relief at finding you safe in bed made me speak so violently.'
She shifted slightly but didn't sit up or respond. He knew she was listening.
'I was eating my supper…'
This comment elicited her sudden appearance from beneath the sheets. 'How dare you come in here and talk about food when I'm dying of starvation and cannot sleep because of it.'
Her glorious hair was tumbling around her shoulders, her stunning eyes were vivid in her face – no woman had never looked more beautiful to him.
Only then did it become clear to him. His irrational behaviour and lack of clarity these past weeks was caused by her. Some quirk of fate had thrown them together and now he was hopelessly in love with her and she was unavailable to him.
*
Why was he staring at her as if seeing her for the first time? What had really brought him here?
'Richard, I'm really sorry I caused you so much aggravation. But you must go at once, it's quite beyond the pale for you to be in here when I'm in bed.'
Instead of leaping to his feet and retreating he remained where he was with his head resting on his hands, and smiled. 'You forgot to mention, sweetheart, that I'm bootless.' He nodded towards his stockings and her eyes widened.
'How extraordinary! But you really must go and we will talk in the morning.' Her stomach gurgled loudly and the strange tension that had been crackling in the air dissipated when he chuckled.
'Get dressed, you need to eat and we need to talk. I'll order more food to be sent to the library.' He rose in one smooth motion, picked up the chair one-handed and replaced it in the corner. Then with a casual wave he padded out leaving her in turmoil.
The lure of food, however, was enough to get her out of bed and into her closet. She snatched up a handful of undergarments and a gown she knew would drop over her head without the help of her maid.
In less than ten minutes she was decent – no stockings and bare feet – but everything else in place. She'd hastily plaited her hair but it was left dangling in one long braid between her shoulders.
Her sister and mother would be returning in an hour or so this clandestine rendezvous must be finished before then. However innocent, it would be difficult to explain to
anyone else.
Despite the swiftness of her appearance there was already a sumptuous spread set out on the central table. More than enough for half a dozen, let alone the two of them. The delicious smell of freshly brewed coffee wafted across the room making her mouth water.
He was standing, his boots securely on his feet – thank goodness – poised to serve her.
Eating was more important than talking and between them they ate more than they should before they were satiated. She was the first to drop her cutlery.
'I'm replete – but I'd like some more coffee if there is any.'
He hefted the silver pot and shook his head sadly. Then he grinned making him look years younger and far more attractive. The door had been left wide open and a footman walked in carrying a second jug without having been sent for.
'Put it there. I require nothing further, thank you for your assistance tonight.'
The young man smiled and bowed. 'Yes, your grace. I was told to inform you that her grace and Lady Sarah have safely returned and are now upstairs. The house is locked for the night.'
'Excellent. This can be cleared in the morning. Tell the staff they may retire.'
Once they were private again he refilled her cup. She stood up and tipped a generous measure of brandy into it and couldn't restrain her gurgle of laughter at his shock.
'Don't look so curmudgeonly, Richard, I've been drinking alcohol since my come out two years ago. I didn't have a Season as I broke my leg the year I was to come here. Then my dearest papa died and all thought of it was forgotten.'
'You never take wine at dinner so I didn't know that you liked strong liquor.'
'Hardly that. I don't like wine but I do enjoy a glass or two of champagne when it's offered. Papa introduced me to cognac but not neat, only in my chocolate or coffee.'
He poured himself a large glass and sipped it. 'This is excellent – far too good to be wasted in that way.'
'Then I suggest in future you ask for an inferior one to be served to me.' She put her cup on the table. 'Why did you come to my room? When you left you were so angry I was terrified. Yet half an hour later you returned quite differently.'
The Duke's Ward (The Reluctant Duke Book 1) Page 10