The Duke's Alliance Book Two: A Dangerous Husband (20 page)

'I beg your pardon, my lord. My name is Cornwall – at your service.' Finally he bowed deeply and Madeline unclenched her fists.

Moments later an elderly woman, with her hair scraped back into an unbecoming bun, almost ran across the floor. She curtsied. 'Matthews, housekeeper here. If you would care to come with me, my lady, your apartment is ready and your dresser is waiting.'

Madeline ignored her. 'I'm so sorry to hear that your grandmother is so desperately ill. It explains why things are as they are.'

'Go up, sweetheart, as soon as I know how things stand I'll come and tell you.'

She turned to Matthews. 'Conduct me to my chambers.'

He strode off behind Cornwall – obviously Lady Carshalton was situated downstairs. He prayed the news would be better than he feared.

*

Grey waved the butler aside and knocked softly on the door. He was about to knock again when it opened and a maid stared at him in astonishment.

'I'm Lord Carshalton. Lady Madeline and I have just arrived for our expected visit.' He stepped around the girl into the spacious sitting room. There was no sign of either his uncle or his cousin so he must suppose they were at the bedside.

This room was warm, a fire lit in the grate, and was expensively furnished, but with old-fashioned pieces. The bedchamber door was slightly open and he made his way quietly to it and knocked again. This time he didn't wait to be invited to enter but stepped in.

The curtains were drawn, the fire huge and the room suffocatingly hot. His grandmother was an almost indiscernible shape beneath the mound of bedding. Sitting on either side of her were two men he could not fail to recognise as his relatives.

His uncle stared at him in shock and then slowly pushed himself to his feet. His cousin moved more quickly and was on his feet immediately. It was like staring into his reflection.

'I apologise for disturbing you, but I needed to see how things stood. What exactly is wrong with our grandmother.'

'She has a fever that refuses to break. We fear she won't survive another night.'

There was no sign of animosity in his expression – indeed – his cousin looked pleased to see him.

'Small wonder she's made no improvement. This room is stifling. We need to get her cooler, not push her temperature up.'

His uncle made his way across and seemed equally happy to see him. 'My boy, I can't tell you how relieved I am to have you here. The doctor insisted we must build up the fire and pile on the covers and sweat the fever out. Are you saying this is incorrect?'

'I'm no expert, sir, but I've seen similar cases during my time in the army and the treatment was always to cool the patient down, not make him hotter.'

As they both looked at him expectantly he took charge. 'Frederick, find a jug of water and put the fire out. Sir, draw back the curtains and open the windows. I'll remove the bedcovers.'

As they rushed off to do as he bid he wondered where the obnoxious Bates was – surely she should be nursing her mistress?

He was shocked how frail his once robust grandparent had become in so short a time. For a heart-stopping moment he thought she might already have died but when he leaned closer he discerned a faint breath on his cheek.

With ruthless efficiency he stripped off all but the linen sheet, tossing the heavy covers to the floor without a second thought. A welcome draught of fresh air came from the first open window and late evening sunlight streamed into the room making the candles redundant.

He went from one to the other and snuffed them out. The fire still roared and there was no sign of his cousin. Then Frederick reappeared carrying a pail of water. Without hesitation he threw it over the flames and immediately they were enveloped by choking smoke.

‘Buggeration! Quickly, we must hold a comforter across the chimney until the fire is out and the smoke gone.'

His uncle snatched one from the floor and he and his son did as Grey suggested. With all three large windows open the room soon cleared and he mopped his streaming eyes.

Fortunately they'd contained the disaster and his grandmother hadn't suffered. 'Excellent. Now we must get liquid into her and it would help if she was sponged with water. This also has proved efficacious in lowering a fever.' He recalled another thing that had been employed when officers had succumbed to the ague. 'Cinchona bark would also be useful – but I doubt we'll find any locally.'

'Grandmamma seems better already,' Frederick said as he resumed his seat at her side. He tipped a little lemonade onto a spoon and carefully dribbled the contents into her mouth.

Grey took the opportunity to speak to his uncle. 'Where is her maid? She should be here to take care of her.'

'She too is unwell and Mama wouldn't wish to have anyone else.'

'That doesn't surprise me, she is a formidable lady. Perhaps word could be sent to the servant's quarters that the same treatment be given to her abigail? If this was my home I wouldn't have had the wretched woman here at all but for some reason my grandmother seems attached to her.'

They both walked across to the bed. 'There's nothing more we can do, sir, but pray this is enough to break the fever. Will you allow me to take over her care whilst you and Frederick get some rest and refreshment?'

'That would be most kind of you, my boy, neither Frederick nor I have eaten or slept since yesterday.'

Chapter Twenty

Madeline was impressed with their accommodation and she knew that Slater and Lottie would be relieved they had separate, but adjoining, bedchambers so there was no necessity for them to work in the same space.

'You have a shared sitting room, my lady, but if this isn't to your satisfaction we can make other arrangements.' The housekeeper had the same look in her eyes as the butler.

'This will be adequate.' Madeline waved her hand in dismissal and the woman stalked off. As soon as she'd gone the room seemed friendlier somehow.

The furnishings were old-fashioned but elegant and everywhere was spotlessly clean. The fire had only just been lit and gave off no heat but it did make the room more cheerful. The apartment was laid out so that Grey's room was on the right and hers on the left and both opened onto the sitting room.

The door to her chamber opened and her maid greeted her with a curtsy and a smile. 'Lottie, there should be a tray arriving shortly and as soon as it has come you may go downstairs and have your own supper.'

'I'll finish unpacking first, my lady, and then go down.' The girl stood aside so Madeline could enter. This chamber was equally impressive and she was pleased to see the door to Grey's room was ajar.

Confident they would be comfortable here Madeline left her maid to her duties and walked to the window. Their apartment was at the rear of Blakely Hall and she could see a splendid formal parterre which led to an ornamental lake in the distance. Built on a small hill behind the lake was a folly constructed to look like a ruined castle. This window opened onto a stone balcony and she unlatched it and stepped out eager to see as much as she could of her new surroundings.

She peered nervously over the balustrade as she wasn't comfortable with heights. The balcony continued so that it included the adjoining chamber.

On glancing up she saw she was directly below several grotesque carvings. Presumably they had an ancient meaning that was lost on her. In order to see them properly she would have to lean against the balustrade and she had no intention of doing that.

The house was set out like the letter E but without the middle bar – and she was standing in the centre. Just below her was a pretty terrace which was sheltered from the elements by the walls. The brickwork was solid – light must come in from windows on the front and far side of the wings.

There were three more balconies within this central section which she assumed were other guest chambers. The family must have their rooms in one or other of the enormous wings. It was an unusual layout for a stately home but no doubt the original builder had been an eccentric.

She edged her way to the far end of the balcony and from here she could see there was a maze and an attractive woodland. It would be pleasant to explore those in the coming days as long as the weather remained clement.

Although the balcony was more than a yard wide she could not be comfortable so high from the ground and was determined not to venture out here on her own again.

She had already removed her bonnet, gloves and spencer and given them to her maid but had no intention of changing her gown as she wasn't going downstairs again tonight. She paced the room for a while in order to stretch her legs after her long confinement in the carriage and was about to find herself a book from the well-stacked bookcase when her supper arrived.

As always she had a good appetite but hungry as she was, she barely touched the tray. She would have to be starving to eat what had been sent to her. Cold beef broth with unpleasant lumps of fat and gristle floating in it was not to her taste. To accompany this was stale bread and sweating cheese. The only drink offered was rancid milk.

'Lottie, come here please.'

Her maid took one look at the unpleasant supper and snatched it up. 'I'm taking this down to the kitchens right now. I'll find you something decent to eat myself.'

'No, Lottie, I don't wish you to do that. Just take it down and say nothing. I've had more than enough to eat today and can wait until I break my fast. I've no desire to cause any fuss whilst Lady Carshalton is so ill.'

The girl curtsied and did as she was told without comment. Madeline hoped she would continue to hold her tongue when she was downstairs.

Things couldn't have been made plainer. For some reason the staff intended to make their stay as unpleasant as possible and there was nothing she could do about it until Grey joined her. He would remain at the side of his grandmother until she was out of danger so she didn't expect him for a while.

There was a knock on the sitting room door and she called out for whoever it was to enter. A young footman came in and bowed. 'May I have permission to light the candles? I have a message from his lordship.'

She beckoned him in. 'Yes, do so. How is Lady Carshalton?'

'Her ladyship is somewhat improved. His lordship has asked me to tell you he is remaining in the sickroom.'

Once he'd completed this task he bowed again and vanished. Unlike the other servants she'd encountered his behaviour had been impeccable.

As she was to remain hungry until the morning she thought she would retire early. With luck she would sleep and forget she'd had nothing to eat this evening.

Despite the comfort of her bed she slept fitfully and was up at dawn wandering about the chamber wishing Grey had returned during the night. She hoped this wasn't an indication that Lady Carshalton had taken a turn for the worse.

*

Grey watched the surly housekeeper tending to his grandmother and was satisfied that the woman was capable of following his instructions correctly.

'I'm going to take a turn outside. I'll return shortly.'

Instead of exiting through the door he climbed over the windowsill and dropped onto the terrace below. He would check that his horses were being taken care of and that his men had adequate accommodation. The six outriders could begin their return journey tomorrow some time.

He found the stables without difficulty and was greeted immediately by both Jenkins and Smith.

'We’re right glad to see you, my lord. There's something a bit havey-cavey about this place. There’d been no preparations made for our arrival and I reckon we'll all be sleeping in with the horses tonight. No sign of any food neither,' Smith said.

'Lady Carshalton is desperately ill. I think this has thrown the place into turmoil. You'll have to rough it tonight, lads, but I promise I'll sort things out for you tomorrow.'

'Some of the stable hands seem friendly enough but others are downright rude. Squire Chorley's men need to be fed, sir, but don't worry Jenkins and I will forage. There's bound to be a dairy and such we can raid once it's dark.' The man grinned. 'Just like old times, my lord, when I was serving King and Country.'

'I'll leave the matter in your capable hands. I take it the horses have been fed and watered?'

'No problem there, plenty of fodder.'

Grey made his way back and hopped in over the window frame. The housekeeper barely glanced in his direction. He didn't bother to enquire how his grandmother was doing but walked across to check for himself. The fever had gone down considerably and her colour was much improved. However, she was still unconscious and until she recovered her senses he could not be sanguine she would not succumb to whatever ailment she'd contracted.

He took a seat on the far side of the room, stretched out his legs and settled himself for a long and boring night. He hoped Madeline would be better served than his men – if she wasn't there would be a reckoning in the morning.

At midnight he sent the housekeeper to her bed and took over the nursing duties himself. He was confident his ancient relative would recover from this ailment but whether her wits would be intact remained to be seen. The sun was about to rise when his uncle entered looking much refreshed.

'Lady Carshalton is improving with every hour that passes, sir, I'm pleased to inform you.'

'That's good news, my boy. Come into the sitting room so we may talk without disturbing her. There's coffee and a miscellany of items I could find in the kitchen. I expect you're ravenous.'

Once his hunger was appeased Grey was ready to talk. 'Why is it that the majority of your staff are treating us with disrespect? My men were offered no food nor a place to sleep.'

His uncle rubbed his eyes. 'I'd no idea you were coming to visit which is why nothing had been prepared. I'd better tell you the whole. I had no expectations of inheriting this mausoleum – I have a tidy estate which brings in more than enough rent and Frederick and I were content to live there. But when both my older brothers and their families drowned in a yachting accident everything changed.' He sighed and shook his head. 'My father was a brutal man – we all lived in fear of him – that is apart from Mama who worshipped him despite his filthy temper and domineering manner.'

'I'm beginning to understand. I take it most of the staff here worked for him and therefore view me as an interloper?'

'They did – I would dismiss them all if it weren't for my mother. She insists I change nothing and that we live here as if my father was still alive.'

'I take it you expected to inherit the title?' He nodded. 'Forgive me for asking this, but didn't it occur to you that there could be others in line before you?'

'No it didn't. I was away at school when your father left and I was told he'd died in a riding accident. Until the lawyers informed us Frederick and I were unaware of your existence.' He stared earnestly at him. 'I promise you, my boy, I would’ve contacted you years ago whatever my parents thought of the matter.'

Grey frowned. 'My grandmother gave me the impression it was you and Frederick who didn't want to make my acquaintance. I must have misunderstood. I'll talk to her about it when she's better.' He paused and wondered if he should warn his uncle what to expect.

'There's no need to say it, my boy, I'm well aware that Mama might not make a full recovery. Fever of the brain can leave a person with scattered wits. Whatever the outcome I'll just thank God she's still with us.'

They drank coffee companionably for a while whilst Grey explained about the attacks on his life. His uncle was horrified by this information.

'You'll be safe here, my boy, I'll put my outside men on high alert and make sure they patrol the extremities of the estate every day. I can assure you any strangers would soon be noticed.'

'I thank you, I can now leave knowing Madeline will be in no danger.'

'I hope you won't depart until your grandmother is fully recovered. She will want to thank you herself for saving her life. The local physician is entrenched in his ways – he would have bled her if I'd allowed him to.'

'That would have been a fatal mistake in my opinion. Of course I've no intention of going until things are resolved. However, if you'll forgive me, Uncle, I must find my apartment. Madeline will be anxious for news.'

As he stood up his uncle spoke again. 'I'm sorry you received a less than warm welcome, I can assure you that things will be better in future. You must understand that I'd no idea until your man arrived saying you were delayed that you were actually coming here for a visit with your new bride. I think my mother must have been sickening and quite forgot to tell me.'

Grey was about to say he'd received a letter supposedly from him but thought better of it. Although his uncle could not be more than three score years, he looked far older, as if worn down by life. 'It matters not, sir, I'm here now and arrived at an opportune time. I'm looking forward to becoming better acquainted with you and my cousin.' He smiled warmly. 'I've only been wed a few days, sir, so forgive me if I spend private time with my bride this morning.'

'You must consider this your wedding trip. God knows this house is big enough for you to remain apart from us if that's what you desire, and there are plenty of picturesque places to visit on horseback.'

'Then we shall do that, sir. My thanks to you.' He took the stairs two at a time ignoring the shocked expressions of the servants he shot past. His darling girl would still be in bed and he intended to keep her there for several hours yet.

*

Madeline heard somebody entering her chamber and scrambled to her feet. Grey was back. She was halfway to the door when he burst through.

'Thank God! When I saw the bed empty…' He held out his arms and she threw herself in.

'I couldn't sleep, my love, I was far too worried. How is Lady Carshalton?'

He squeezed her tight. 'She's out of danger but has not yet recovered consciousness. I've learned a lot about my family which I must tell you but that can wait until later.'

She couldn't help but be aware that he was eager to make love and she shared his urgency. She threaded her hands around his neck and tilted her face to receive his kiss. With a noise that sounded almost like a growl he picked her up and in four strides was by her bed.

His attentions were passionate and she responded in kind. An ecstatic time later he gave her a final kiss and then with his arm still firmly about her waist he fell asleep.

She wriggled a little to get comfortable and then satiated by their lovemaking she fell into a deep, relaxed slumber. She didn't rouse until she heard the curtains being drawn back. He was still stark naked beside her.