Fenella J Miller - [Duke 02] (6 page)

“Is there a lock on the door, Molly? Quickly push it across, I struck the duke and he might be on his way to exact revenge.” Her maid moved with remarkable speed for a plump lady in her middle years and Anna felt the tension in her chest slowly dissipate as the bolt was rammed home. She was safe, at least for the moment.

She had no intention of discussing matters with her maid so closed her eyes and pretended to be dozing until she was alone. Her left hand smarted. What could have possessed her to behave in such an unladylike way? For the past few years she had always bitten her tongue and held back her anger at the unkind treatment she had received at the hands of her stepfather. Yet she had just struck a complete stranger with less provocation than she’d had many times before.

This was a conundrum and not one she was prepared to consider at the moment. How dare he suggest she was not an innocent young lady? Righteous indignation flooded through her again and when there was a brisk knock at the door, instead of cowering back in her chair, she jumped to her feet and called for Molly.

“There’s someone at the door, please come and see who it is.”

Her abigail pulled back the bolt and opened the door a fraction. Instead of it being shoved rudely open a respectful voice enquired. “I would like to speak to Miss Hadley.”

Molly closed the door in the duke’s face. “Shall I let him in, madam?”

With a sigh of resignation Anna nodded. “Yes, please do so. However, I wish you to remain in the room. Whatever he says to the contrary you stay by my side, is that clear?”

“Not even a grand gent like him will shift me.” She bustled over and opened the door dipping in a curtsy as she did so. “Lady Shalford will receive you, your grace.”

He strolled in as if nothing untoward had taken place, as if a scarlet handprint was not glowing on his right cheek. He stared pointedly at Molly but her maid moved to stand behind Anna’s chair ignoring his unspoken command.

“I have no wish to speak to you, your grace. However I am prepared to listen to your apology for my husband’s sake but then you will leave.”

His eyes widened and for a moment he looked quite disconcerted. Then he recovered his aplomb and almost bowed. “I wish to speak to you in private, ma’am. Until your servant has removed herself I shall remain silent.”

Anna turned. “Please go, Molly, I’m sure there are plenty of tasks for you to do elsewhere.”

Westchester wandered to the window and turned his back but she could see his shoulders were rigid, he was not as relaxed as he wished to appear. She had a moment’s misgiving when Molly closed the parlour door leaving her alone with this irascible aristocrat. He swung round and she swallowed the lump in her throat as his fingers casually traced the imprint of her hand.

“May I be seated?” His tone was bland, his expression watchful. She shrugged and gestured towards an upright chair. She didn’t trust her voice and ventured no reply. He continued in the same even measure as if he was discussing the weather. “No one has ever struck me. They would not be so foolhardy. Yet you, a mouse of a woman, has done so.” He leant forward. “What do you suggest I do about it?”

This was a ludicrous question and restored her equanimity. “You deserved it. I am still waiting to hear
your
apology.” She glared at him daring him to contradict. Her words caused him to surge out of his chair and for a terrifying moment she thought he would grip her arms and drag her upright.

He stood no more than a yard from her his face like granite. “
I
apologise? Have you run mad, woman? It is you who should be on your knees begging
my
forgiveness …”

Something prompted her to jump out of her chair and confront him. “I did not accuse
you
of being impure. If I had a brother he would be entitled to run you through for such an insult. I believe that you got off lightly in the circumstances.”

For a moment it hung in the balance, his hands were clenched at his sides and a pulse hammered at the base of his neck. She stood her ground. He he might strip her to the bone with the lash of his tongue but, instinctively, she knew he would never raise his hand.

“Good grief! You are an original and quite correct to castigate me.” This time he bowed deeply as if meeting her for the first time. “I apologise profoundly for my appalling accusation. I hope you will accept it and we can start again.”

When he straightened she responded with a similar curtsy. “And I apologise for striking you. Please be seated, sir, I believe we have much to talk about.” As she spoke she realised the absurdity of her words, she should be speaking to her husband not to his older brother.

This time he didn’t move the chair any closer. “I understand you became involved in this … this unfortunate venture because you wish to be away from Sir John Radcliffe. Do you know why my idiot brother married you?”

“Lord Shalford told me he was in a similar position to me, had reached his majority but was unable to run his own life without interference.” She hesitated not sure she could continue in this vein but the matter must be clear between them. “He said you were … were a trifle autocratic and demanding. By marrying he would be able to access his inheritance and live as he pleased.” Why was he staring at her as if she were a candidate for Bedlam? “Having experienced your high-handed behaviour for myself, sir, I have every sympathy with his desire to be free of your influence.”

“God in his heaven! I have no wish to disillusion you, my dear, but contrary to your belief I am a perfectly reasonable fellow and only interfere with Rupert’s life by paying off his gambling debts and …” his cheeks coloured and he ran his finger around his neck cloth as if it had grown too tight for some reason, “and extricating him from unwise liaisons.” He sat back in his chair and smiled sadly. “It is true that recently I gave him an ultimatum. Unless he mends his ways he must live on his allowance. I’m afraid I must be blunt. Rupert married you for a wager.”

“I don’t believe it. Why are you telling me such a Banbury tale? I’ve only known your brother a few hours but one thing I am certain of, he is not an unkind gentleman. He would not lie to me, deceive me ...” her voice faltered beneath his sympathetic gaze.

“I can’t tell you how sorry I am, my dear, but I can assure you, Rupert married you for the princely sum of one hundred guineas. Of course he might also have been prompted by the reasons he gave you, but he can never resist a wager. Something you could not possibly know after such a short acquaintance is that he is already a hardened gambler, will wager on the length of time it takes a raindrop to trickle down a pane of glass given the opportunity.”

Unwanted tears prickled behind her eyelids. She blinked them back, swallowed hard and came to a decision. “In which case, my lord, I wish the marriage to be terminated as speedily as possible. I believe that if a couple have not consummated the union …” her face turned an unbecoming shade of beetroot and his eyebrows shot beneath his hair.

“Exactly so. I am not without influence in Parliament and can expedite this matter; you must return to Shalford Hall with me and I shall set things in motion.”

Thoroughly discomfited by the turn the conversation had taken Anna scrambled to her feet with more speed than elegance. “I have no intention of going anywhere with you. An old school friend has invited me to make my home with her, she is about to be confined with her second child and does not have the wherewithal to employ a suitable companion. I shall arrange a passage for myself on the next mail coach; you have no need to be concerned on my behalf.”

He stepped closer and she barely restrained her impulse to step back. “My carriage will be here very soon. Pray allow me to put it at your disposal. You would not be in this predicament but for my sibling’s disgraceful behaviour. It is the least I can do.”

His offer was made so handsomely it would seem churlish to refuse. “In which case, I thank you. My friend, Mrs Cunningham, resides in a small village on the other side of Romford. I fear your vehicle will not be returned to you for several days.”

“I will hear no more of this nonsense. Miss Hadley, if you would care to write down the exact direction I shall have one of my outriders go ahead to book your accommodation. I take it you have no wish to speak to Shalford before you leave?”

“Certainly not. I should never have agreed to this arrangement if I had known the true circumstances. However dire my own situation I would not have been wed for a wager.” She stared pointedly at the door and he took the hint. He bowed and with a polite smile, strolled out.

“Well I never! Who would have thought Lord Shalford could treat you so shabbily, miss. You are well rid of him and it won’t be so bad with Mrs Cunningham.”

“It will be intolerable. Isobel will expect me to wait on her hand and foot and no doubt you will become a member of her household staff. We must both grit our teeth and get on with it. Anything is preferable to remaining under the control of Sir John. I’m sure four years will soon pass.” Even as she spoke she knew she was fooling neither herself nor her maid. But she had no alternative—this sham marriage was no longer an acceptable alternative.

“I’ll get on with packing your trunk, Miss Hadley. It is ever so kind of his grace to let you use his travelling carriage, so much nicer than going by the common stage.”

“Indeed it is, Molly. We must make the most of such luxuries for I doubt we will have access to any sort of carriage for the foreseeable future. Can you go down and cancel our seats for tomorrow and claim the refund?”

*

Ralph thought he had handled the situation far better than he had anticipated. He had controlled his temper, apologised handsomely and secured the result he’d ridden sixty miles to achieve. He hummed a tune to himself as he strode through the busy coaching inn and out into the yard to greet his coachman.

Having issued his instructions he went round to the stable block to check that his stallion, Caliban, had recovered from his exertions the previous day. The groom who’d accompanied him on a massive bay gelding, greeted him politely.

“Both horses are fighting fit, your grace, they’ll be ready to go this afternoon.”

“Excellent, there’s no need for us to return at such a dangerous pace. Digby has taken my portmanteau to my chamber; I intend to spruce myself up, partake of a substantial luncheon and then set off. We shall overnight this time. I’ve sent Sam Tufnell to reserve accommodation.”

His business accomplished outside he returned to his chamber for a leisurely wash and shave knowing that in the competent hands of Digby he would be returned to his usual sartorial elegance.

*

Anna could only pick at her luncheon tray as she was deeply upset by Shalford’s perfidy. Molly informed her the carriage in which they were to travel to Essex was the height of luxury, a great improvement on the journey they had taken when she had fled from her ancestral home. It grieved her to think Sir John was now left to occupy the mansion which had been in the possession of the Hadleys for countless generations. There being no male to inherit the title it had fallen into abeyance on her grandfather’s death. However the property and fortune had descended to her mother.

She shook her head; high time she put these things behind her. Sir John had wormed his way into her mother’s affections and married her not two years after dear papa had passed away. Thank God Grandpapa had shown the foresight to protect the estates from this man’s depredations. Sir John could not touch the capital or take money from the estates but he did have free access to the interest. Somehow he had managed to persuade the lawyers he should be a trustee for her inheritance.

The only way she could prevent him from spending this was by absenting herself from Hadley Manor. She had already sent a letter to the legal firm in London which dealt with the family’s affairs informing them she no longer resided with Sir John and therefore he had no reason to demand funds on her behalf.

Two burly grooms arrived to transport her trunk and other bags to the waiting vehicle. She could delay her departure no longer; there was still a risk Sir John had discovered she was not intending to return. No— this was unlikely for she had given him an incorrect address. Even if he searched for her when she failed to reappear he would not find her easily. It could be months before she had to worry about him causing an embarrassing confrontation.

She looked round as she was handed into the carriage half expecting either Shalford or his formidable brother to appear to bid her farewell. However neither of them came out and she wasn’t sure if she was disappointed or relieved. She had slept little the previous night so asked Molly to pull down the blinds. Warm rugs, soft pillows and hot bricks had been provided for their comfort and she settled down to rest. The day was overcast and cold and these extra comforts were welcome.

She was woken when the carriage rocked to a standstill. Flustered she sat up to see Molly fast asleep in the corner. “Quickly, Molly, we have stopped. Please make sure my bonnet is not awry and I have no smuts on my nose.”

She had barely completed the repairs to her appearance when the door opened and the steps were let down. The night was dark and lanterns swung crazily in the gusty wind. She hurried inside the building not looking to left or right. They were immediately conducted to a superior bedchamber with both dressing room and parlour.

“I am fair starved, Miss Hadley, I do hope they keep a good table here. There’s a fine bed for me in the dressing room, I’ll not have to use a truckle tonight.” Molly busied herself unpacking the necessary night things leaving Anna to stroll around the substantial sitting room.