The Duke's Predicament (The Reluctant Duke Book 3)

by Fenella J Miller

  Radley Manor no longer felt like home. It was too big, not furnished or decorated to her taste, and she decided that as soon as that wretched Carstairs was gone she would remove herself back to the Dower House. She wouldn’t mind what dust and noise there might still be from the construction of what would be the new Denchester family home.

  She fell asleep happier than she’d been for some time. Having something to plan for, something of her own to do, gave her a purpose in life once more. She would inform Richard they were moving once the house had been brought back into order.

  *

  ‘Hannah, what the hell are you doing here? I didn’t think to see you again so soon.’ Much to the enjoyment of the watching soldiers he swept her up and kissed her.

  ‘I’ll explain everything to you later, Patrick. You were right, you look wonderful in uniform.’

  He kept his arm around her waist as he escorted her into the clearing under the cliffs. John grinned as he expertly manoeuvred the carriage off the track. The fact that she was here and accompanied by his valet and her maid must mean that Richard had sanctioned this extraordinary journey.

  ‘I must introduce you to my senior officers.’ Before he could do this Bruno barged into them almost knocking her from her feet in his delight to see someone from home. This was odd as Hannah had only started to frequent the stables recently.

  ‘I’m pleased to see you too, silly boy. Are these your friends?’ The officers horses had come over to see what the fuss was about and she was unbothered by being surrounded by so many equines. This gave him a few moments to marshal his thoughts and also to watch the woman he loved.

  Despite being dressed in a plain, grey gown she looked, to him, the most beautiful woman in the world. From the admiring glances she was getting not only from the men but also from the lieutenants he wasn’t the only one to appreciate her.

  Lieutenant Digby grabbed his arm. ‘I say, Sergeant Major, you didn’t say that your young lady was joining you. I thought one had to have permission from one’s commanding officer for such a thing to happen.’

  ‘I don’t have one to ask permission from, and I didn’t know that Miss Westley, my betrothed, intended to follow me. Allow me to introduce you.’

  Hannah emerged from the circle of horses and didn’t curtsy but merely nodded and kept her hand firmly at her side so the overenthusiastic young gentleman had no opportunity to kiss it. She was every inch a lady of quality and if he was still amazed that such a jewel had chosen him, then it was hardly surprising that three actual gentlemen found the whole thing quite astonishing.

  John set up a table and two stools as if they were having a picnic in a grand park and not situated somewhere in the wilds of Spain. Hannah disappeared behind the carriage with her maid no doubt to wipe the grime from her face and hands before joining him. This gave him the opportunity to talk to his man.

  ‘I’m glad that you’re here, John, I can see that Miss Westley has been well looked after. How long after my departure did you set out?’

  ‘Six days, sir, and we had a fast crossing and no problems following you. Her grace sanctioned this expedition and funded it too.’

  ‘It would appear that I’m to be a married man rather sooner than I anticipated. Will you stand up for me? We should arrive in Benavente tomorrow and I need you to find a padre of some sort so we can tie the knot before we continue.’

  John glanced over his shoulder before speaking to ensure that they weren’t overheard. ‘It’s like this, Sergeant Major, I think that Miss Westley might have changed her mind about becoming a soldier’s wife. She’s not enjoying travelling and has mentioned to Ellie several times that she can’t wait to return to England.’

  As Patrick had already come to the same conclusion why did this news strike him like a fist in the chest? ‘In which case, I’ll talk to her and then, when things are settled, she can return to England if she so wishes.’ He didn’t say that the engagement would be severed, but this was implied and John understood.

  They wouldn’t be resuming their journey for another three hours so there was ample time to have a quiet conversation and see how the land lay. They ate the stew, drank the tea, and then John and Ellie removed the remains and left them alone.

  ‘Why did you follow me, Hannah?’

  ‘The duke knew that I’d been at your side all night and told her grace. She suggested that I marry the doctor just in case I was expecting. I decided to follow you instead.’ She fiddled with her sleeve and then looked up. ‘I’m not with child so am not sure if we should get married so precipitously.’

  ‘We have no choice, my love.You shouldn’t return unmarried as your reputation will be gone. Are you having second thoughts about marrying me?’ This wasn’t the right thing to say as he’d just told her she had no choice but to marry him. Instead of waiting for her answer he continued deciding to explain what he’d decided.

  ‘I’d like being a soldier, I hadn’t realised how much I’d missed it. I thought I’d finished with the military life and the fact that they were trying to manipulate me into re-enlisting just made me more determined to refuse.

  ‘However, I’ve now made up my mind that I’ll do as they want. We could get married but then you can return as my wife and live comfortably…’

  ‘You will remain here possibly for years and could be killed.’

  ‘That’s true. I’ve realised that I don’t want to be dependent on someone else for my livelihood. I’ve got prize money invested and it’s more than enough for us to pay our own way. With luck I’ll add to it substantially over the next few years.’

  ‘I wanted to have children of my own but you’re denying me that. Let me get this quite clear in my mind. You came here with the intention of getting released and then returning to me. Now that’s changed and regardless of my wishes you intend to be a soldier again.’

  ‘You told me you wanted to follow the drum, you have travelled over a thousand miles to find me. I’m not the only one to have reconsidered.’ This wasn’t going well. What should have been a joyful reunion was turning into a disaster.

  ‘I won’t marry you, Patrick. I understand now that loving someone isn’t enough to make a successful union. I’ve no wish to be married to a man who considers killing for a living preferable to being with me and raising a family.’

  They were speaking quietly and no one would be aware that with every word spoken their relationship was disintegrating. ‘I have to tell you something else which will make this easier for both of us. I cannot father children.

  ‘You would be better off with Peterson, you will live a life of luxury, produce a nursery full of little ones. I can give you none of those things. You’re right to say that loving someone isn’t enough. I think very few unions are fortunate enough to have strong feelings between the partners.’

  ‘Then I release you from our engagement, Patrick. Thank you for being so honest. I don’t enjoy being uncomfortable and dirty, travelling abroad is not for me. I’d make you an appalling wife. I wish you well in your endeavours and will always hold you in my heart.’

  She stood up and nodded politely as if to a stranger. It was hard to credit that little more than two weeks ago she’d been naked at his side. She was right to sever the connection. The fault was on his side as he should have sent her away when she’d come to him.

  He would never love another woman, never marry now, and it would kill him to think of her with another man.

  ‘And I wish you well, sweetheart. I know it might not seem like it but it’s a good thing you came as it has made things clearer for both of us. Excuse me, I’ll speak to John and make arrangements for your departure.’

  *

  Hannah didn’t talk to Patrick again. She watched him moving about the camp speaking to his men, more at ease here than she’d ever seen him in England. He was right. Life without children would be miserable indeed and she bitterly regretted her impulsive decision to give herself to him.

  Only the duke and duchess kn
ew of her assignation that night and she was certain they’d never reveal this to anyone. If they set out tonight for Corunna they could be back at the port within a week and with any luck get a packet back to London.

  Nobody need know where she’d been, especially if she spent the remainder of the summer at Margate or somewhere similar enjoying the sea and entertainments offered there. It would be thought highly unconventional for a young lady of her age to be unchaperoned but that bothered her not one jot.

  She would return in October to live with her friends and decide then whether her wish to have a family of her own would compensate for marrying a man that she didn’t feel more than affection for. One thing was quite certain, most marriages amongst the gentility were arranged to benefit one party or the other. Quite possibly the partners disliked each other initially but somehow learned to live together in some harmony.

  If Doctor Peterson offered for her she would give it serious consideration. He would never make her heart beat faster, never lift her spirits in the same way that Patrick did, but he was a good man and possibly she might come to love him eventually.

  The young officers avoided her company and she and Ellie rested in the carriage until it was time to begin their trek back to the coast. At five o’clock as it got cooler the soldiers fell into ranks, the first cart set off. Patrick astride Bruno left at the head of the column and the three officers slotted in at the rear. The baggage cart trundled off and soon all she could see was a cloud of dust.

  ‘We need to leave immediately, miss, if we’re going to find somewhere to stay tonight. I’ll harness the horses and then we can go.’ John set about his business and two hours later the guide led them into little more than a hamlet.

  He rode alongside the carriage and explained to her that this was where his wife’s family lived. They could find lodgings there. This was the case and although the food served was as good as any they’d had since arriving in Spain she had little appetite. She and Ellie were obliged to share a large feather bed so she contained her misery and didn’t allow a single tear to fall.

  A sennight later they were back at the port. John had no difficulty reselling the carriage and horses and was able to book them passage on the very same small ship they’d travelled over in. She remained outwardly calm, happy to be returning to civilisation once more, and pushed her grief deep inside.

  Once back in England John immediately booked a cabin on a packet that would convey them all to the seaside town of Margate which, she had been reliably informed, was a delightful place to spend the summer weeks.

  She’d written a letter to her grace saying that her engagement to Patrick was over and that she was spending the summer in Margate and would return, if that was convenient, in October. She promised to send her new address as soon as she was settled.

  Margate was a delightful little seaside town and the bracing air would no doubt restore her appetite and spirits.They were obliged to stay at a hotel for a few days until John was able to rent them a small house in Hawley Square. This was adjacent to Cecil Square which was far more prestigious and way above her budget.

  The house faced the pretty central garden and was of recent construction. It had three spacious bedrooms and a box room, an attic for the servants, two reception rooms and an excellent kitchen. It came fully staffed with a cook-housekeeper, a bootboy and a maid of all work.

  ‘John, you will take one of the larger chambers, Ellie you will have the box room and I’ll have the one that faces the garden.’

  ‘I think you might be wise to employ an older woman as a companion, Miss Westley, and stop tongues from wagging.’

  ‘As I don’t intend to socialise at all whilst I’m here, I hardly think it matters. If I was attending functions and dances at the assembly rooms, then I agree with you. I’ll do very well with just you and Ellie for company.

  ‘If it’s possible to hire two horses then I should like to explore the countryside with you. Will our funds run to that?’

  ‘There’s a livery yard we passed not more than half a mile from here. I’ll investigate tomorrow. The leaflet you picked up on board says there are two circulating libraries as well as the sea bathing.’

  ‘I shall certainly avail myself of the former but have no intention of investigating the latter. If I could swim that would be something I might enjoy but as I can’t, I’ll remain firmly on dry land.’

  As she’d taken so little with her on her foreign travels she would be obliged to purchase material and make herself more underpinnings and two more gowns. She was an excellent seamstress, as was Ellie, and between them they should be able to sew what they needed. Her first task was to find a suitable emporium to purchase what she needed.

  So the days passed pleasantly enough, having garments to make filled the time as did exploring Margate, and visiting the library. Her daily rides with John were also most enjoyable. She had intended to correspond with her friend but somehow never got around to sending her the address of the house she was living in.

  Pretending that she was happy, pushing Patrick to the back of her mind, made things easier. She had been settled in Hawley Square for over a week when she had an unexpected visitor. Ellie not only left the drawing room door open but also pointedly took a seat in the corner so she could act as chaperone.

  ‘Doctor Peterson, how extraordinary to see you here. How did you discover my direction? Please, take a seat and explain yourself.’

  ‘Her grace mentioned that you were now living in Margate and I’ve friends here so I took the opportunity to visit. It’s a small town and I was soon able to locate you. I hope you don’t mind me calling unannounced.’

  Hannah was pleased that she’d got on one of her new gowns and was looking her best. She was thinner than she’d been before as her appetite hadn’t returned but her hair had its lustre back and her face was still attractively tanned from her brief sojourn in Spain. Members of the ton would no doubt be horrifed to see her complexion so changed but she thought being white was less atrractive.

  ‘I’m delighted to see you, sir, you can tell me all the news from home.’

  Chapter Thirteen

  Amanda was waiting for Richard to depart for the London docks with his prisoner before setting in motion their move back to the Dower House. He had told her he would be gone for five nights at least which gave her ample time to arrange everything.

  The first thing was to get the new house cleaned from top to bottom and for Patrick’s belongings to be removed from his accommodation and stored carefully in the attic. When she’d informed the staff that they were returning the news had been received with enthusiasm. There would be sufficient servants left behind to keep Radley Manor functioning normally so that when Mama and the bridal couple returned there would be no problems.

  Of course, there would be the necessity to employ extra staff to replace those she was taking with her but that would be Sarah’s task when she returned. There were always those in the locality eager to work for the family.

  Richard’s valet packed up his master’s belongings ready for the move. From his expression he wasn’t entirely confident he was doing the right thing. She did her best to reassure him although there was no necessity to do so.

  ‘His grace didn’t wish to be involved in the move. The new house is no longer creating dust and debris as the exterior walls are completed and the roof is now watertight. He has expressed a desire to be able to keep a closer eye on the interior and living half a mile away will be an advantage for all of us.’

  ‘I understand, your grace, I’m just puzzled that his grace didn’t mention it to me before he left.’

  ‘Just ensure that everything in his closet and cabinets is packed carefully and ready to be moved tomorrow.’

  Her things were soon in trunks as were all the other items in her bedchamber and sitting room. Beth ran in equally excited by this proposed transfer.

  ‘Amanda, Miss Parsons has never been to the Dower House. I think she’ll like it better there
. What about Mama – will she come too?’

  ‘Mama is away until the autumn as are Sarah and Paul and Miss Westley. Remember, sweetheart, that I told you that Sarah, Paul and Mama will remain here. It’s only ourselves and Miss Westley who will be living in the Dower House.’

  ‘Why isn’t Cousin Richard here to help? Has he gone to Bath to see Mama?’

  ‘No, Beth, he’s gone to London on business.’

  Miss Parsons appeared, calm and unflustered as usual despite the fact that her charge had escaped from her. ‘There you are, Beth, we need you upstairs to help with your own packing. You don’t want your precious dolls to be put in a box any old how, now do you?’

  ‘I don’t. They might be broken. I’m coming right away.’

  It took Amanda all of the five days she had at her disposal to complete the move. She looked around with pleasure at what she’d achieved in so short a space of time. She loved this house, she was more comfortable here than she’d been at Radley Manor.

  This edifice was considerably smaller than the Manor but quite big enough for them. There were six spacious bedrooms for the family all of which had both a dressing and sitting room. There were also three smaller bedchambers for visitors, plus an excellent nursery floor where Beth and her entourage would reside.

  On the ground floor were adequate reception rooms and an excellent kitchen. The real advantage of being here was that the vegetable garden, and the dairy and poultry were now so close. These had always provided sufficient for the Sinclair family and the surplus was given to the villagers and tenants. This would make things easier as fresh produce wouldn’t have to be transported every day to the kitchens of Radley Manor.

  They would also have access to the far more extensive grounds, the large stables and the boating lake. The only disadvantage was the lack of a maze which Beth was inordinately fond of.

  Richard had said he hoped to be back in five days but hadn’t made any firm promises. It had been essential to have things established here before his return so he was presented with a fait accompli and would have to accept the changes.