The Duke's Alliance Book Two: A Dangerous Husband (21 page)

Her maid was unaware Grey was still with her. Madeline was about to call out when Lottie picked up the tray, upon which was the jug of morning chocolate and a basket of freshly baked sweet rolls, and turned to face her.

If her husband had remained hidden beneath the sheets all might have been well but he chose that exact moment to sit up.

With a horrified shriek the girl threw up her hands as if intending to cover her eyes quite forgetting she was holding a laden tray. The contents of the jug landed on his bare chest followed swiftly by the rolls.

Her maid didn't wait to view the results of her actions but ran with an apron over her head from the room. His language turned the air blue and she hoped never to hear such things again.

She too was unclothed but there was little she could do about it. She scrambled out of bed and racing around to the far side picked up a half-filled pitcher of cold water left over from her ablutions last night and emptied it on him.

The chocolate would have been scalding hot and although drastic she thought her action would improve matters. He thought otherwise. He grabbed her loose arm and yanked her so that she fell across his body.

For an appalling second she thought he was going to spank her. Then he tumbled her over so that she was beneath him and now as wet and sticky as he was.

His eyes were dancing with mischief. 'My darling, I'd no idea you like to experiment in bed. I've never made love to a chocolate-covered woman – it will be a delightful experience.'

The last thing she wanted was to resume their night-time activities. She raised her hands and pushed firmly against his chest. 'Don't be ridiculous. Allow me to get out of bed. You must return to your chamber and let your valet take care of you. My poor maid will never recover from this morning's shock.'

He chuckled and rolled away to stand unashamedly naked beside the bed. 'In case you were wondering, sweetheart, the drink wasn't hot but I appreciate your misguided effort to help.'

He was about to stride into his own room when she shrieked at him. His eyebrows shot up beneath his hair. 'For God's sake, woman, what's wrong now?'

'You cannot leave my chamber as you are. I'd never be able to look Slater in the eye again. Kindly cover yourself, sir.'

He laughed at her outrage but returned to grab his shirt and drop it over his head. The tails were long enough to cover his embarrassment and she nodded her approval.

'Madeline, my dear, can I ask you not to scream at me like a fishwife? It's hardly becoming of you.'

Her answer was to snatch up a pillow and hurl it at him. He dodged easily and still laughing vanished through the communicating door.

No sooner had he gone than Lottie peered around the dressing room door. 'My lady, I'm ever so sorry. I've never seen the like – I didn't know where to look.'

'In future you will wait to be summoned – I wish there to be no repeat of this.' Madeline stepped out of bed and her maid's eyes widened. 'As you can see I'm in need of a large quantity of hot water. Go and see if there is enough for me to have a bath.'

Lottie scuttled off leaving her to rummage about amid the chaos of the bedcovers to find her bedrobe. As she was pushing her sticky arms through the sleeves she understood why the girl had been so shocked at her appearance. The chocolate mess could only have been transferred to her flesh in one way. Madeline turned pink all over. This was a morning she preferred to forget.

Chapter Twenty-One

Madeline eventually joined her husband in their shared sitting room. He nodded his approval at her appearance.

'Married life appears to be suiting you.' He glanced pointedly at the clock on the mantelshelf. 'I sincerely hope breakfast will still be available as I'll not be best pleased if I've missed my meal kicking my heels in here whilst you spent several hours getting ready.'

'You've only been here a quarter of an hour yourself. I didn't have the opportunity to tell you that the food sent up for my supper was inedible. I shall be equally displeased if there's no breakfast.'

His expression changed and he looked formidable. 'That won't happen again, my love, I assure you. Now before we go there are a few things you need to know.'

When he had finished his story she nodded. 'I'm glad there's a reasonable explanation for our treatment. I'm also pleased that you find your uncle and cousin are not who you thought they were. I'm looking forward to meeting them both especially as you say your Cousin Frederick could be your twin.'

He pulled her hand through his arm and marched her through the vast establishment. She was puzzled that he knew his way about so well – it was as if he was already familiar with the building.

The butler bowed so deeply his nose almost touched his knees. When he straightened there was no sign of his previous dislike. 'My lord, my lady, if you would care to follow me to the breakfast room everything is ready for you.'

The tall-case clock in the drawing room struck eleven – they were embarrassingly tardy. They were bowed into the chamber and her mouth watered at the delicious aromas wafting from the sideboard. Two footmen stood flat against the wall as if pretending they were invisible.

'My lord, if there's anything else you require you have only to ask and it will be fetched for you immediately. There's chocolate, coffee and small beer but…'

Grey stopped him in midsentence. 'That will be all.' Her husband was not ready to forget and forgive just yet.

She lifted the lid on each chafing dish in turn. 'There's so much here I don't know where to start. I think I'll have mushrooms, ham and coddled eggs first.'

They piled their plates and were too hungry to do more than devour the contents. After three journeys to the buffet she was finally replete and now turned her attention to the coffee jug.

Grey was still happily munching his way through several succulent slices of ham but nodded when she asked him if he wanted coffee.

The two footmen had also been summarily dismissed leaving them in privacy. 'I think this must have been cooked especially for us. Did you notice there were only two places set out on the table?'

'I did. Cook is trying to make amends for her disgraceful behaviour yesterday. When you're finished, darling, we'll go in search of my uncle and cousin and…'

A voice from the door interrupted him. 'There's no need, my boy, Frederick and I have come to find you.'

Grey pushed back his chair and walked across to embrace his uncle and seeing them together brought tears to her eyes. The man looked older than his years but was unmistakably a close relative. Then Cousin Frederick emerged from behind them and her coffee slopped over the edge of the cup.

'Good heavens! You could indeed be twins.' He grinned revealing he had a broken front tooth, which only added to his charm.

'I'm delighted to meet you, Lady Madeline, and a belated welcome to Blakely Hall.'

Hurriedly she stood up and curtsied and he bowed. Then she was about to curtsy to Mr Carshalton when he reached out and embraced her fondly. 'I must apologise most humbly for your disgraceful reception yesterday. I expect that your husband has already explained why this happened. No excuses – those responsible are treading on thin ice and will be dismissed without reference if anything like that occurs again.'

He beamed down at her and she couldn't help but respond to his affectionate greeting. 'I've already forgotten about it, sir. How is Lady Carshalton this morning? I hope she's continuing to improve.'

He nodded. 'Her fever has almost abated but she's yet to wake up. The housekeeper is to take care of her until her abigail is recovered.' He pointed towards the table. 'Would you allow us to join you for coffee? I've sent for a fresh pot. I wish to know everything about you both. I cannot tell you how happy I am to meet you. You are a welcome addition to my family.'

The two gentlemen took seats opposite her and Grey and helped themselves to the fresh coffee that had arrived during their conversation.

'Madeline, do you think you're able to ride? I'm eager to explore the place where my father spent his childhood.'

'I don't think so, perhaps in a day or two, but at the moment I've scarcely recovered from the journey and the carriage accident.'

His expression changed to one of concern. 'In which case, sweetheart, it can wait. We shall walk about the grounds and I'll do my best to lose you in the maze.'

'If you want to go without me, then I've no objection. I'll be perfectly content spending a quiet morning reading on the terrace.'

Mr Carshalton nodded approvingly. 'Frederick and I will take you, my boy, we intended to visit one of our tenant farmers as he wishes to increase his dairy herd but hasn't the necessary wherewithal to do so.'

The three gentlemen left for their excursion and she returned to her apartment and put on her boots as her indoor slippers would be ruined in the garden.

The bed was restored to its pristine condition but there was no sign of her maid. Presumably she was busy elsewhere. Her duties were not only to help her mistress dress and keep her wardrobe clean and pressed, but also to oversee the chambermaids and the laundry. Lottie was an expert seamstress so repairs and alterations were also part of her daily tasks.

The footwear Madeline needed had been set out ready for her along with a wrap and bonnet. She walked to the window and decided to step onto the balcony in order to get a better idea of what she would need if she was to sit outside with her novel.

This time she was less nervous and moved about more freely. Perhaps she would sit here instead where she had such a splendid view of the grounds, rather than the terrace. There was ample room for her to place a chair and a small side table outside and there would be no necessity for her to put on a bonnet if she remained in her own apartment.

She found the bellstrap and tugged it sharply. No doubt wherever her maid was someone would be sent to fetch her. Whilst she waited she examined the furniture hoping to find something suitable for the balcony. A quarter of an hour later Lottie arrived red-faced and breathless.

'My lady, I beg your pardon for keeping you waiting but it's ever so far from the servants’ quarters. If they hadn't marked the passageways I'd never have found my way at all.' She dipped in a brief curtsy apparently fully recovered from the earlier embarrassing episode.

Madeline explained what she required. 'There's nothing in here that would do, but I'm sure I can find something suitable. The two chambermaids can help me search – there's bound to be something in one of the unoccupied guest rooms.'

'I don't want you going into rooms without permission. I'll remain here whilst you give the housekeeper my request. I'm certain a small chair and table will be found immediately and fetched here.'

This was indeed the case and soon she was sitting happily on the balcony on a comfortable chair, her feet upon a matching footstool. A dainty octagonal table was at her left hand. Upon this was placed a brass bell and her book.

She closed her eyes, enjoying the warmth of the autumn sunshine on her face. Grey intended to remain with her for at least a week; his plans to go in search of the would-be murderers put to one side for the moment. He'd said he might as well wait until he had word from Beau.

*

Everywhere they rode Grey was impressed by the excellent state of all the properties and land. His grandfather might have been a wretched parent but he had been an exemplary landlord.

They arrived by a circuitous route at the inn in Blakely village he'd stopped at yesterday. His uncle drew rein in front of the building.

'I suggest we dismount here, my boy, and take some refreshments. They do an excellent beef pasty and the ale is good too.'

'I should be happy to have the ale, sir, but I consumed so much at breakfast I've no need to eat again until dinner time.' He glanced at the sun well used to estimating the time by its position in the sky. 'What time do we dine? It must be well after two o'clock now.'

He dropped to the cobbles and patted the neck of the horse he'd borrowed.

'We keep country hours at Blakely – but if you prefer to eat late then so be it.'

This meant dinner would be served around four o'clock. 'Please don't alter your routine for us, Uncle. My wife and I will be happy to fall in with your routine.'

His cousin slapped him on the back. 'I fear we're country bumpkins. I've only been to London a couple of times and that for business not pleasure. What time do they dine in Town?'

'Damned if I know – I've spent all my adult life in the army. There you ate when you had the opportunity. My wife's the person to talk to about society's rules. However, she hasn't been presented at court or had a Season because of her parents’ untimely deaths.'

'In which case, my boy, we shall do as we please. It's about time I shook things up a bit. In future we'll eat at six – what do you say about that, Frederick?'

'I say that it's a good thing my grandmamma's incapacitated. Best to get the new routine established before she's back on her feet, Papa, don't you think?'

They were welcomed enthusiastically, but not obsequiously, by the landlord. His uncle and his cousin were obviously well liked. Once they were comfortably seated in the snug nursing pewter pots of home-brewed ale he decided to mention the invitation he'd received from his uncle.

'That's strange, my boy, for I can assure you I didn't write it. As I told you last night I'd no idea you were visiting until I spoke to your man.' He was silent for a moment and then his expression changed. 'If I hadn't been in the stable yard when he arrived I doubt I would have known you were coming. There's something going on here and my mother's behind it. I'm at a loss to understand why she should keep Frederick and I in ignorance of your arrival.'

'No doubt she will be able to explain when she's well enough to speak to you. It's of no matter – we're here now and glad to be so.' Grey drank deeply from his mug. 'Which reminds me, did Mr Chorley's men leave in good order this morning?'

His uncle nodded. 'They did, nephew, and were well-rewarded for their vigilance. There are sufficient men employed at Blakely to continue to protect you and your wife. For some reason Mama took on half a dozen extra men last year when my father died. She said she felt vulnerable now he'd gone.'

Frederick snorted into his beer. 'She could not have made it plainer. She doesn't think Papa is up to snuff. We don't match her exacting standards. I'm certain that's why she sought you out. A soldier would be much more to her liking as head of the household.'

'Good God! Are you suggesting she wishes me to take over Blakely Hall? That somehow she intends to disinherit you both?'

*

Madeline remained on the balcony snoozing and reading her book in turn. She'd had no cause to ring the bell as she required nothing – she doubted she would be able to eat again until dinner time.

Eventually she went in and she could hear Lottie moving about next door. She called out instead of ringing.

‘Yes, my lady? Can I fetch you something on a tray?'

'I'm going to explore the house and want you to come with me. Then I'll take tea in the drawing room and hope that Lord Carshalton and his relatives return to drink it with me.'

'I'll get the girls to bring in the chair and table, my lady, just in case it rains.'

'Do that – but make sure they replace them in exactly the same spot every day that I'm here.' She thought for a moment and then contradicted her request. 'I've changed my mind, get them to put out a second chair and place the table between them. Then Lord Carshalton and I can sit together and watch the sunset this evening.'

Lottie stepped onto the balcony. 'There's plenty of room so I'll see to it immediately.' She glanced up and pulled a face. 'Whatever are those horrible things gawping down at you?'

'They’re gargoyles, I think the rainwater from the roof gushes from their mouths when it rains.'

'If it does it will make a dreadful racket when it hits the balcony, don't you think?'

Madeline enjoyed these conversations with her maid – Beau would be horrified at her informality as servants were to be kept at a distance at all times. Lottie had joined the staff at Silchester Court when she was ten years old and had worked away from under housemaid to eventually become her abigail three years ago when Mama had died. They were the same age and far more intimate than they should be.

Fortunately her new husband was no stickler and was unlikely to complain about their closeness. Indeed, she'd seen Grey deep in conversation with his valet so he obviously had the same relationship with Slater as she did with Lottie.