A Suitable Bride

by Fenella J Miller

  Beau would be waiting for him. He would never forgive his brother for interfering. It would take all Bennett’s self-control to hide his anger and antipathy and appear to take this hideous separation in his stride. First he must know what she’d been told that would make her abandon him.

  The thought of his beloved Grace leaving in the middle of the night believing that she would never see him again made him want to smash his fist into the wall. He had never loved her more. She had given up her own happiness in the mistaken belief that he would be better off without her.

  He examined his reflection in the mirror. He didn’t look like a man whose true love had abandoned him – if he was to remain here until the licence arrived he must endeavour to appear broken-hearted.

  The final horse race was tomorrow and he had every intention of participating. This would give him something to occupy his mind until he could leave. Then his optimism faded as the reality of the situation finally registered.

  He had no idea where she was going – she wouldn’t return to DuPont Manor and had little money. His rapid return to his apartment gave several matrons palpitations, but he ignored them.

  His valet, Abbott, was equally surprised. ‘Miss DuPont has gone. She’ll be heading for Essex but I’ve no idea exactly where in that county. Find two of my men and send them after her. It shouldn’t be hard to track her carriage as it will be followed by a chestnut stallion. Tell them not to make themselves known, just remain close enough to discover where they stop. Then one of them must return with the information.’

  ‘I’ll do so immediately, my lord. I’ll pack your overnight bag so you’re ready to leave when you have the facts.’

  ‘Send word to my estate and let them know I shall be returning shortly with my wife and wish the house to be made ready for us.’

  There was no need to discuss the matter further, Abbott was more than his valet – he was his confidant and had been with him on the Peninsular. ‘Make sure they have sufficient blunt – and they must take extra to pay for Miss DuPont’s expenses if necessary.’

  Satisfied he’d done everything necessary Bennett was ready to speak to his brother and discover exactly what had driven Grace away.

  *

  As the sun rose over the treetops Grace thought it would be safe to allow her stallion to stretch his legs, although she would be careful not to push him too hard after his exertions the previous day. A decent canter and jumping a hedge or two would force her to concentrate and perhaps push her misery aside for a while.

  When she rejoined the lane some twenty minutes later she was obliged to wait until the carriage trundled around the corner. She manoeuvred her horse alongside and spoke through the open window to Aunt Sarah and Annie.

  ‘There’s a decent hostelry no more than a mile or two ahead. We must stop there and allow the horses to rest for an hour or so.’

  The dogs were barking to be let out and she reached down to undo the door. They tumbled onto the lane and immediately raced into the wood.

  ‘Are you all right, my dear? You must come inside with us if you’re feeling at all tired.’ She pointed to the small chest that Grace hadn’t bothered to investigate earlier. ‘His grace has given us almost one hundred guineas. We shall not be destitute and can find ourselves a decent house to rent.’

  ‘He was almost as upset as I when he gave me the dreadful news last night. He’s not nearly as arrogant and unpleasant as I’d first thought – I believe that if things had been different I would have been welcome in his family after all.’

  Grace swallowed the lump in her throat and brushed the tears from her eyes. She urged Rufus forward, not wishing to discuss the matter further. No doubt one of her grooms would clamber down and close the door of the carriage.

  She whistled and the dogs bounded up delighted to be able to run about after being held captive for so many hours. ‘Stay close, boys, we shall be at the inn very soon and I’ve no wish for you to be trampled on or run over by a cart.’

  The Buck and Hunter wasn’t a large establishment but quite big enough for her purposes. A relatively clean stableboy rushed out to take the horse’s reins after she’d dropped to the cobbles. ‘My carriage will be here in a few minutes. My horses will need watering and feeding and somewhere to recuperate for an hour or two. Is it too early to break our fast?’

  Why she was enquiring from this urchin she’d no idea as he was unlikely to know the answer to her question. He tugged his forelock and grinned.

  ‘I’ll take care of your horses, miss, and Ma and Pa will set you up with a fine breakfast.’ He pointed to the open door and with a cheerful wave led Rufus away. Her stallion followed him without fuss, which was a relief.

  The interior of the ancient building was gloomy as the leaded windows let in little light. She glanced around assessing the cleanliness and was pleasantly surprised. A young woman hurried out into the vestibule and curtsied.

  ‘Good morning, madam, how can I be of service?’

  ‘I’m hoping you can supply breakfast for my companion and maid as well as my three grooms. Your son is taking care of my horse and says he is capable of looking after my team.’

  ‘Oh no, madam, he’s not running the stables by himself. My older boy and his uncle will be there as well. I expect you would like a chamber in which to refresh yourselves after your journey.’ She looked over her shoulder and nodded and a girl, a replica of herself, sidled in and also curtsied. The children had been well brought up.

  ‘Dolly, show this lady up to our best chamber and then come straight down to fetch hot water.’ The child smiled shyly and pointed to the stairs. ‘We have only two other guests at present and they won’t be down for an hour or two. I’ll serve breakfast for you and your companions in the parlour. It will be ready in half an hour.’

  The sound of carriage wheels outside meant everyone had arrived. ‘Thank you, if you’d kindly direct my companion and maid to my chamber I shall go up directly.’

  The rooms she was shown to were as spotless as the rest of the place. She removed her gloves and cap and found the necessary arrangements discreetly hidden behind a screen in the bedchamber.

  Aunt Sarah and Annie arrived at the same time as a large jug of hot water. ‘This is an excellent choice, my dear, exactly what we need. Why don’t you complete your ablutions first and then I’ll use whatever hot water is left.’

  In less than the allotted time Grace led her small party downstairs. There was no need to ask where to go as the doors to the private dining room stood open and there was a table covered with a crisp white cloth laid up and ready for them.

  Despite her heavy heart she was hungry. She had not eaten since yesterday morning and it would be foolish to continue without sustenance. After a substantial repast all three of them returned to the bedchamber.

  ‘You rest on the bed, my dear, I shall be perfectly well on the chaise longue and Annie can put her feet up on the footstool.’

  ‘I don’t want to sleep for more than two hours, I wish to be on our way by eleven o’clock. I don’t intend to ride, I’ll join you in the carriage for the remainder of the day.’

  ‘I’ve brought the overnight bag with the change of raiment, miss, you can change after your rest.’

  Grace didn’t expect to sleep, after all she’d been too wretched to do so during the night. Annie helped her remove her riding habit and boots and then she slipped between the clean sheets in her petticoats.

  Two hours later they were back on the road again and this time she travelled inside the carriage with her companion. Grace dozed as did Aunt Sarah, but still the day seemed interminable.

  Peterson sent the groom riding Rufus ahead to book their overnight accommodation and eventually the carriage turned into a substantial coaching inn at five o’clock. Grace was heartily sick of being bounced about on the squabs and was determined to ride again the next day.

  ‘I’m quite exhausted, my dear, I shall ask for a tray to be sent up to my chamber and will retire as so
on as I’ve eaten.’

  ‘I’ll send Annie to attend to you first. I wish to speak to Peterson before I come in.’ Grace embraced her friend and was concerned to see she needed the support of her maid in order to negotiate the short distance to the entrance.

  Her head groom was waiting for her. ‘The horses are done in, miss, they’ll not go another day in this heat without having time to rest.’

  ‘I thought the same. I noticed an empty house on the edge of the town as we came past. Would you go and investigate? I think we might be far enough away to be safe from discovery. If this house is to let then you must take it for us and then we don’t have to travel any further.’

  He beamed. ‘I had a good look as we went past, miss, and I reckon it’s perfect. I’ll make enquiries from the landlord immediately.’

  ‘Whatever the outcome, I think we must remain here for a day or two. Miss Newcomb is not well and I’ve no wish to make her worse by travelling any further.’

  The Goat and Boot was a coaching inn which meant that it was bigger and far busier than their previous stop. The landlord was waiting to greet her.

  ‘Welcome, madam, your chambers are ready and there’s decent accommodation for your men as well. Sally will show you up.’

  The maid led her to a fine room at the rear of the building overlooking a paddock. ‘There’s hot water waiting, madam, and your supper tray will be up as soon as you like.’ The girl bobbed and waited to see if there were any further instructions.

  ‘Where is my companion sleeping?’

  ‘Next door, miss, and your maid has a truckle bed she can pull out when she’s ready to retire.’

  ‘Thank you, I should like my tray brought up now.’

  After a plain but well-cooked meal she was feeling a little more optimistic. The roof of the house she was interested in was visible from the window and she prayed it would be available, at least for a few weeks whilst she came to terms with her change of circumstances.

  Traipsing all over the countryside for days no longer appealed to her. Bennett would be searching in Essex not Oxfordshire, and by the time he realised his error her trail would have gone cold. She might as well live here as anywhere else – it made no difference to her. What was important was that her dearest friend was comfortable and her people safe.

  There was little point in retiring until Peterson got back from his errand. He was bound to come up to speak to her on his return.

  Annie had remained next door taking care of Aunt Sarah and had been told not to return until nine o’clock. Grace was dozing in a chair when she was roused by a sharp knock.

  She scrambled to her feet and hurried over to open the door and as expected Peterson was outside. From his expression she knew he’d been successful.

  ‘The property belongs to Squire Roberts and has been empty for a year or more – it seems the last tenant died and he’s not been able to find a replacement until now. He’s delighted to let us have it, and for a reasonable rent too. I’ve paid up front and he’s sending people to give the place a clean and tidy up before we move in.’

  ‘Then we shall remain where we are until that’s done. Is the place furnished or do we have to do that for ourselves?’

  ‘Furnished right enough, but I ain’t sure how good it’ll be.’

  ‘We’ll manage with whatever we’ve got. Is there decent stabling and pasture for the horses?’

  ‘There is, I was able to look at that and it’s in good order. There’s even hay and straw in the barn. The shutters were closed so I couldn’t see inside the house.’

  ‘Never mind, the news is better than I dared to hope. What’s the name of our new home?’

  ‘Drummond House, miss, a fine name for a fine house, if you ask me.’

  Long after Annie was snoring quietly at the foot of her bed Grace lay awake considering her future. The outlook was bleak even with the prospect of her funds becoming available next year. She would never marry, never have the joy of holding her own babies, never spend a night in the arms of the man she loved.

  Hopefully Bennett would abandon his search after a few months and get on with his life. She prayed he wasn’t as miserable as she was and that he understood why she’d had to leave him and break both their hearts.

  Chapter Twenty-two

  Bennett headed for the study where he knew his brother would be waiting to speak to him. He was greeted with congratulations for both his win yesterday and his engagement – obviously the information his brother had was not yet known by the rest of the company.

  ‘Come in, do you have the most damnable headache? I apologise for applying you with alcohol last night, but I had no choice.’ Beau looked as wretched as he felt.

  ‘Before you tell me why you sent my future wife away, you’d better know that there’s nothing in this world that will keep me from marrying her. I’ve sent my man to get a special licence and as soon as I have that I’ll find her and we’ll be married.’

  His brother gestured to a chair and Bennett took it reluctantly. There was naught he could be told that would change his mind. When the sorry tale was finished he was shocked, but still adamant that it made no difference to his plans.

  ‘How long will it be before this information is known by everyone here?’

  ‘I’m sure others must have made enquiries as I did. I’m only surprised that Lady Peabody and her family don’t appear to be privy to this news.’ Beau rubbed his eyes and tried to hide his yawn. ‘This is a wretched business, Bennett, but you must accept her decision. Marrying Miss DuPont will ruin your life…’

  Bennett was on his feet and slammed his hands down on the desk making his brother recoil. ‘What you mean is that you don’t want this family name tainted by association. I’ll never marry anyone else and neither will she – we will not be parted by your machinations.’

  He stormed from the room with eyes blurred. He needed to get out – get away from this place and clear his head.

  He set off at a brisk pace into the woods hoping the tranquillity of the trees would calm his rage. By the time he returned he understood why Grace had believed she had no alternative but to leave him. However, he doubted he would ever forgive his brother for separating them.

  Good God! He must stop the DuPonts from turning up expecting to see their daughter married. He raced inside and scribbled a quick note explaining the situation and then sent the letter express. With luck this should overtake the invitation and prevent an embarrassing confrontation.

  As he walked past the stables he could hear an unusual amount of hubbub. Damnation? He’d quite forgotten he was to take part in the final race at midday. If he was going to make the start he had no time to change into something less restricting and would have to ride in his smart topcoat.

  Lucifer was saddled and waiting and if he raised a few eyebrows by his sartorial splendour he wasn’t aware of it. He would win this race for Grace and make sure everyone was aware the betrothal still stood as far as he was concerned.

  With luck he’d have word of her whereabouts on the morrow and the licence would also have arrived. As soon as he had this he would set out and however long it took he would convince his darling girl that they should be married regardless of the circumstances, he wouldn’t give up until she capitulated.

  If his powers of persuasion failed to move her then he’d make love to her and she’d be left with no option but to marry him, or risk producing a bastard child. His mood lifted at the thought and he began to feel a little more optimistic that everything could be resolved.

  The race was won without difficulty but he got no joy from it. Grace should have been here, she should have been the one to see him receive the winning ribbon and the accolades of the spectators. He didn’t wait to be congratulated but rode directly to the stables and handed over his sweating stallion to a groom.

  His jacket had split at the seam, and for some reason this mishap enraged him. He returned to his apartment and his valet wisely remained quiet whilst he assisted his
master to change.

  He should be out looking for Grace himself, not leaving this to his minions. He would leave at first light tomorrow and head for Essex – if he travelled post he could catch up with his men and assist with the search.

  There was no need to inform his brother of his plans – from this point forward he would live his life apart from his family. If he’d enjoyed being a member of the ton he wouldn’t have joined the army and spent the past ten years fighting the French. Did Beau not know him at all?

  His younger brothers and sisters revelled in being members of a prestigious family and all that entailed. If they were in his position and discovered the person they’d fallen in love with was beyond the pale they would break the connection immediately. He was certain even the girls would rather be without their chosen partner than without their position in society.

  Tonight he wouldn’t dine in company but have a tray sent to his sitting room. He intended to be up with the lark and travel without his valet or any other servant. Abbott had already packed a clean shirt and other necessary items in an overnight bag, he checked he had sufficient money for any eventuality, and retired early confident that by the end of the next day he would be reunited with his beloved.

  *

  Grace was pleased with her new home. It was old-fashioned compared to DuPont Manor, but the furnishings were acceptable and after the spring clean that it had been given she was content she would be as comfortable here as anywhere else.

  The thought of spending the remainder of her life apart from the man she loved was almost too much to bear. She had to be strong – she’d made the right decision and must live with the consequences. After all, she’d only known him for two short weeks so putting him from her mind should be easy enough.

  Her companion had taken over the organisation of the household and for that she was profoundly grateful as for some reason she just didn’t have the energy to make decisions.

  Although it was past midday she was still not up and had been unable to eat her breakfast. When her friend joined her she barely managed to lift her head from the pillow.