The Duke's Divorce (The Reluctant Grooms Series Volume IV) (23 page)

“Is that why this new legislation is
important to you? Does it have something to do with the
fighting?”

“Yes, as a matter of fact, it does. Lord
Nelson made his mark for the RN when he defeated Napoleon at
Trafalgar. My father was still alive then, and passed legislation
for the returning seamen who were maimed. ‘Twas a great bloody
battle, and I saw firsthand what horrors can inflict a man’s
soul.”

“How?” Fiona asked. “I thought you said you
were not in the campaigns.”

“My friend Richard. Captain Gaines. Richard’s
story of the sea-battle was enough to scar even the bravest of men
just from the telling. Although not a British ship was lost, the
fighting was tremendous and over fifteen thousand were killed.
Richard said the sea was colored red that day. He was also the man
who stayed with Nelson while he died. Richard long bears the scars
of the wounds he suffered, waiting to receive medical attention so
he could remain with his beloved Admiral. He has not been the same
since. I believe the wounds to his mind were more brutal than any
he suffered to his person. And now with Bonaparte killing and
maiming all over Europe, I see the suffering our men must endure
when they return home. William refuses to speak about all he lost
in Spain. He is not the same boy I remember from childhood. War
does things to a man that leave them broken in one aspect or
another. If I cannot fight
with
them, the least I can do is
fight
for
them, which is why the legislation I am putting
forth is so important. I am trying to gain for the soldiers what my
father gained for the sailors.”

Robert flicked the reins to avoid an
on-coming phaeton as it raced another on the Row.

“Damned bloody fools,” he uttered.

Fiona felt embarrassed by their rift over the
dinner party. She had no idea how much it meant to Robert, until
now. She wanted to say something, to reassure him the night would
be everything he wished, but how could she? She would not make a
promise she couldn’t keep, but she would do everything in her power
to make the night a success.

Instead she laid her hand on his forearm as
he drove. He glanced down at it, but not her face and she was
thankful he couldn’t see her tears. Pride in her husband filled her
soul.

They drove to the end of the Row and followed
the traffic as it made another circuit. Fiona could not say whether
she enjoyed the ride or not, her entire focus remained on the man
sitting beside her. Before, she had no idea how deep his
convictions lay. Something only an intimate friend would know, and
she was glad now he had shared part of his moral compass with
her.

Returning home, Fiona thanked him for the day
out, and while he returned to his study, she retired to her
bedchamber to rest before the night’s round of dancing. Lord and
Lady Markham were the hosts for the evening, although if Fiona were
truthful, she wished they could stay home. Sleeping away the
morning, eating all afternoon, and then dancing all night were not
conducive to her natural way of life.

Why could they not have remained in Swansea,
where life was simpler, where she didn’t feel the need to be
Robert’s duchess, only his wife.

The next week passed in a blur as Robert
swept Fiona up in a tide of parties, balls, and dinners. They even
went to Covent Garden to see the great actress, Sarah Siddons,
perform. Fiona, never having been to the theatre found the
experience exhilarating.

Robert’s sudden interest in her left her
wondering when it would all come crashing down around her feet.
This new Robert was sweet, kind, generous to a fault, and the
diamond earbobs and ruby bracelet were the latest gifts in a long
line that had started with flowers. She’d had a sneaking suspicion
Robert was jealous over the bouquets she received from Greenleigh
and so wanted to outshine the Earl’s lavish flowers. Every day she
found something at breakfast, whether a note, or an emerald ring.
And every night he danced and laughed with her, then kissed her
hungrily when he left her at her bedchamber door.

He’d never taken the next step to her bed,
never even made mention that he wanted to, and Fiona grew
increasingly unsettled. Why was he doing this? She appreciated his
show of affection, his concern for her thoughts and ideas, she even
admired the way he waited patiently for her at the modiste.
However, she knew his congenial mood came with a price. The problem
was he hadn’t named it yet and she wondered how much it would cost
her.

Fiona had settled herself in the formal
dining room with the books Edwards had brought up from his
cupboard. Robert’s dinner party was little less than a fortnight
away and Fiona wanted to ensure everything was in place. Her nerves
over the enterprise were keeping her in a state. Perfection was not
guaranteed, although she had gone over every detail infinite times.
Edwards promised the staff had been well-rehearsed in dinner
parties, but Fiona was not convinced. Hence, she poured over the
books, again.

A new gown had been ordered. Merry tried
countless styles on her hair, and Fiona had written any number of
interesting dinner topics, and took time to memorize them every
day. If Sarah Siddons could learn lines, so could she.

The planning for the party was the most
important thing Fiona had attended to in her life. She wanted this
to go well for Robert, as it was imperative to the people he was
trying to help. If the legislation did not pass, she did not want
the fault to be her own, or by reflection of her, Robert’s. It
would fall on the shoulders of the men who voted.

“Ah, here you are,” Robert said, coming into
the room. “What are you doing?”

“I’m going over the plans for the party.”
Fiona moved the menu to one side.

“Again? Fiona, Edwards assures me everything
is well in hand. Cook has the menu, the maids and footmen have
their duties to clean, and the flowers have been ordered. What more
is there to do but wait for the day?”

“I understand,” she said. “Nonetheless I feel
I am overlooking a very important element that is crucial, and I
cannot put my finger on it.”

“Fiona, the only thing that has not been done
is the seating arrangement and that is because all the responses
have not yet been received. And Mother informs me she has already
spoken to you about that.” Robert walked toward her and sat down at
the table.

She gave him a weak smile. “I know, but I do
want this night to go well.”

Robert took her hand. “It will be fine, so
please do not fash yourself so.”

Fiona smiled at his use of her common tongue.
“Yes, all right. If you wish.”

“You will fash no matter what I say, am I
correct?”

“Yes.”

He patted her hand. “I have some news to
share. I need to away.”

“Away? Where?”

“Before we married, I was in the process of
taking stock of all the estates, which was what brought me to
Peebles in the first place. The last one remaining is Cantin Park.
I had hoped to wait until the fall during hunting season, but a
problem has arisen I must attend immediately. I thought to leave
tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow? How long will you be gone?”

“I cannot say for sure. My steward informs me
the structural integrity of the gristmill has suffered damage from
the spring rains. As it has also been quite some time since the
lord of the manor has been in residence, I shall need to attend to
the magistrate. Naturally, I will try to expedite matters quickly,
but I’m afraid I will probably not return for a fortnight. Would
you care to go with me?”

Fiona wanted to say yes immediately, she
would love to, but she couldn’t. Not with the last of the dinner
party responsibilities undone. How could she? Of course, Lady
Joanna would take care of the seating arrangement for her, and any
other little thing that needed attention, but this was Fiona’s big
night, her chance to show Robert she
could
do it.

“Thank you for thinking of me, but I cannot.
I must stay here and attend to the invitations I have already
accepted, and of course finalize the plans for the night of the
party.”

“Of course,” Robert said. He sounded
disappointed.

“Perhaps in the fall,” she said.

“Yes, perhaps.” He stood. “Well, I must get
back to the matters at hand. I thought you should know straight
away.”

“Thank you,” Fiona said. As an afterthought
she asked, “Tell me, are you taking your valet?”

“No. I think I should have no reason for
Davidson. And at his age, the bumps and ruts on the roads would
cause his old bones to creak more than the springs in the
carriage.”

“Why do not you pension him off then?”

“He belonged to my father. I have asked if he
wished to retire, and he refused. Several times in fact. So he
shall remain with me until he is ready.”

“That is very kind of you to keep him
on.”

“As I said, he belonged to my father.” Robert
took a step back. “I trust I will see you at dinner.”

“Shall you attend the Sefton’s ball?”

“No. I should like to get a good night’s
rest.”

“Then I will send my excuses.” She stood, and
folded up the book.

“Fiona, that is not necessary. You should
take every opportunity to enjoy yourself.”

“I believe if my husband is leaving on a
trip, my place is with him until he departs,” Fiona said and walked
with him to the hall.

“As you wish. But you will find I shall be
very dull company.”

“During the last weeks I find I am in
desperate need of some dull company. And a good night’s rest as
well.” She smiled. “I shall inform your mother and we shall both
look forward to seeing you at dinner.”

Robert took up her hand and kissed her palm
before heading to his study.

If the tingling in her hand were any
indication, perhaps the company would not be so very dull after
all.

Dinner was cozy with just the three of them
and they ate in the less formal breakfast room. Lady Joanna kept up
a steady stream of chatter, posing questions to Robert about the
Park and the fixing of the grist mill. Fiona found that practically
all of the food in the pantry was grown on Cantin estates and kept
in a large warehouse outside the city limits. Any excess was given
to the orphanages and the sea-men home Robert supported. Fiona’s
eyes were clearly open now to his unstinting beneficent nature. She
was ashamed to admit she had once compared him to her parsimonious
father.

After Lady Joanna departed for the Sefton’s
ball, Fiona joined Robert in front of the fire in the library. He
poured her a glass of ratafia and he enjoyed a short snifter of
brandy. The silence, broken only by the sound of the logs spitting
in the grate, was comfortable. Fiona chanced a glance at his face
and found him in repose staring at the fire. Lord, he was handsome
and a slow heat burned in her belly. Pictures of him, wearing only
his drawers, flashed in her mind.

“When do you leave?” she asked to interrupt
her own thoughts.

“Daybreak. ‘Tis a few hours by horseback,
although not as far as Swansea, and I should like to be there by
noon.”

“You will take care on the road, will you
not?”

“Of course. Brunswick, Phyllis’s husband is
to accompany me.”

“Oh, that is good. Is there a staff to await
you?”

“Yes, Fiona.” He chuckled. “Are you afraid I
will have to fend for myself? I’m perfectly capable you know.”

Her cheeks warmed, although it had nothing to
do with the fire. “No, I only…that is to say, I should hate to have
you take ill again and no one to care for you.”

“On our last trip there was a nip in the air,
which is what brought about my malaise. The weather is fine these
days together and summer will be upon us before we know it.”

“Yes, of course.”

“I wish you would reconsider coming with me.
‘Twould be nothing to tack the carriage.”

“If that I could.” She smiled. “I’m sure I
would delay you, with packing and traveling. And then you would
feel the need to keep me company. No, I think you should do well
with Brunswick. Although again, thank you kindly for the
invitation.”

He nodded and finished off his brandy. “I
believe I shall retire now, Fiona. Although the journey is short, I
should like to leave early as planned.”

“Yes, of course,” she said and rose with
him.

“You do not have to go as well. ‘Tis only
half-eight.”

“I shall walk you up. Perhaps I shall read in
bed.”

As they climbed the stairs, Fiona’s knees
shook and she wondered if she would dare to ask Robert the question
that had formed when he told her of his departure that
afternoon.

At her door, he brought her hand to his lips.
“Good-night, Fiona. I shall make it a point to see you before my
departure.”

As he stepped away, Fiona held fast to his
fingers. “Robert…” ‘Twas only the second, or third time in their
short marriage she had used his given name and it felt funny on her
lips.

He waited.

“I do not know if I may even ask this of
you,” she faltered. How could she pose such a question?

“Yes,” he said.

“Would you care to join me? Tonight? In my
bed? I know this is highly unusual and I’m not quite sure what I’m
even asking, but I do think that I would like to lay with you.” It
all came out in a rush, and the look that crossed Robert’s face was
pure astonishment. Oh, she had made a mess of it all again. How
does one ask to have relations with one’s husband?

“I…” he began then stopped. He brought his
hand to her face and cupped her cheek.

He would refuse and Fiona felt foolish for
even thinking of it.

“Why do not you get ready for bed and I shall
join you in a few minutes,” he said.