A Suitable Bride (18 page)

‘As you said before, my love, we have already broken all the rules so a waltz or two is not going to make matters worse.’

He swept her away in time to the music and she forgot everything but the joy of dancing in the arms of the man she loved. After they had twirled around the floor a couple of times the other couples decided to ignore conventions too and they were no longer alone.

When the music finished she was quite dizzy and not sure if it was the dance or the excitement. ‘I’ve had a truly memorable evening, Bennett, but I’m quite exhausted and intend to retire. I have to be up at dawn to exercise Rufus and my dogs and will be unable to do so if I stay here any longer.’

‘In which case, sweetheart, I too shall go to my rooms. We’ll ride together in future. I want to see how your horse compares to mine before the races on Saturday.’

He didn’t take her through the lower end of the huge chamber where everyone else was gathered, but led her out through the side doors and into the spacious passageway.

‘I’d no idea a military man could dance as well as you do – I thought you spent your time on more physical pursuits.’

‘Wellesley insists that all his officers are proficient so we can acquit ourselves with charm and dignity at any functions we’re obliged to attend. It isn’t all battles and glory, my love.’

‘I don’t wish to think about it. To my mind war can never be considered glorious and I’d much prefer it if these political differences could be solved in a more peaceful way.’

They continued to chat about this and that as they made their way up the wide staircase. He escorted her into the guest wing and up to her sitting room door.

‘I won’t come in, sweetheart, as that would test my resolve to breaking point.’

‘Then you must kiss me here, for I refuse to go in until you’ve done so.’ She moved closer and threaded her hands around his neck giving him no opportunity to refuse her request.

He needed no more prompting. After a delightful and intoxicating few minutes he stepped away. ‘Go in, darling, or I swear I’ll accompany you.’

She opened the door and dashed in closing it behind her. She leant against the wood letting the cold surface cool her overheated body. ‘Good night, Bennett, I love you.’

There was a slight bump on the other side. ‘Good night, my darling, I love you too. I’ll see you in the stables at first light.’

She remained where she was until his footsteps faded into the distance and then pushed herself away from the support of the door. Small wonder that there was so much written about love and passion if it made everyone feel the way she did at this moment.

Chapter Eighteen

Last night’s storm had cleared and Grace arrived at the stables pleased she wouldn’t get soaked for a second time. Her horse was saddled and waiting but there was no sign of Lucifer or Bennett.

‘Peterson, Lord Sheldon is supposed to be riding out with me this morning. Do you know why he’s not here?’

‘He’s waiting for you in the lane, miss, he’s only just gone. That stallion of his was doing his best to toss him off so he thought it wise to take him out of the yard before the animal injured himself or one of the grooms.’

‘Let’s hope Rufus is in a better frame of mind.’ She scarcely had time to put her foot in the single stirrup iron and adjust her skirts before her horse surged forward. They left the yard at speed and she was greeted by her beloved as she calmed her mount.

‘Good morning, sweetheart, it seems that our horses are a trifle overexcited this morning. Shall we gallop out their fidgets?’

‘I’ll follow your lead, Bennett. The going is soft so if we take a tumble we shouldn’t be too badly injured.’

‘I’ve no intention of losing my seat – and I sincerely hope that you don’t do so either.’ Expertly he turned his plunging horse and sent him into a canter. Rufus needed no urging and fell in behind him. The speed increased until they were galloping at full stretch.

The path was wide enough to overtake and she encouraged her horse to increase his pace. Gradually he drew level until they were racing side by side and then he was past and Lucifer was unable to match his speed.

After a mile or two she sat back in the saddle and hauled gently on the reins. Immediately Rufus responded, shortening his stride and dropping into a collected canter, and then into an easy walk.

Bennett arrived a few seconds later. ‘I can’t believe your horse has beaten mine. I didn’t think there was another animal in the land as fast as Lucifer.’

‘I told you my stallion’s invincible. I intend to win both the lady’s and the gentleman’s cup.’ She bent forward and slapped her mount’s neck. ‘Well done, my boy, I knew you could do it.’

‘I don’t think the rules will allow you to enter the same horse in both categories, my love.’

‘Then I shall ride Silver Lady, one of the carriage horses, she goes like the wind under saddle.’

They continued their ride, stopping every now and again to allow the three dogs to catch up. The stable yard was bustling when they returned and there were several other gentlemen about to take their own mounts out for morning exercise.

One of them called out cheerfully. ‘I think I might as well withdraw from the races, Sheldon, my Sam here hasn’t a hope in hell of beating either of your stallions.’

A chorus of agreement ran around the yard, but it was humorous and she was certain that none of the gentlemen present had any intention of withdrawing.

Peterson was waiting to take her horse and he nodded at Lucifer. ‘The honours were ours. Keep him inside today as I don’t wish him to overexert himself. I’ll be riding Silver Lady as well, so will you bring her in too?’

Bennett had already dismounted and was at her side ready to lift her from the saddle before her groom would offer to do this task. ‘None of the ladies will be up yet, shall we breakfast together before we change?’

Grace viewed her dusty habit with disfavour. ‘I think not, my dear, I’ll have a tray in my room as usual. However, when you’re ready I should be delighted to have you join us.’

‘I’ll be there in a quarter of an hour – can you be changed by then?’

‘Of course. I’m famous for my punctuality.’

He chuckled and his gloved hand stretched out to brush her cheek before he bounded off to his own apartment in the main part of the house.

Annie had the hot water waiting and Grace was ready in the allotted time. Aunt Sarah arrived before he did. ‘I’m glad Lord Sheldon is joining us, I have something of interest to tell you both.’

Three maids appeared with trays, crisp white tablecloths and the other paraphernalia necessary to eat their breakfast. The girls had just departed when Bennett knocked on the door and strolled in without waiting for her response.

He nodded to her friend and turned to admire the substantial feast set out for them on the sideboard. ‘Excellent, my instructions have been followed to the letter. We have everything here that they have in the breakfast room.’

Once they were seated in front of plates heaped with delicious food, Aunt Sarah explained what she’d learned. ‘It would seem that none of your guests intend to leave even though you’re now spoken for, my lord. Indeed, I gather that there are several extra gentlemen arriving today with the sole intention of taking part in the horse races tomorrow.’

‘How extraordinary – surely nobody arrives here without an invitation?’ Grace was puzzled by this news.

‘No, my dear, they don’t intend to stay here, they have taken lodgings at a local hostelry. Word of the races has spread and I believe, though of course you probably already know that, my lord, that there are a dozen or more entrants from your neighbours as well.’

‘How many do you think there’ll be, Bennett? Can you accommodate all the extra horses?’

He appeared remarkably relaxed about this new development. ‘I’m not surprised, my love, there’s little to do in the summer months once the Season’s over. The track I’ve had prepared can accommodate ten horses safely at one time so the entrants will be divided. All the names of the participants are to be put in a hat and withdrawn tonight to see which heat they’ll run in.’

‘Although that’s the fairest way to arrange things, it could mean that all the best horses are in the same heat.’

‘I thought of that, Grace. The first five will go through to the final – this should ensure we have the best horses racing together at the end.’

When the meal was finished he left to attend to the details of the races and they agreed to meet in the library at three o’clock.

‘What do you wish to do this morning, my dear? I’m expecting to get a reply from my friends about vacant accommodation near your horses. I must write to them and tell them we no longer require their assistance as we’ll be returning to DuPont Manor until your nuptials.’

‘I intend to write to my parents and give them the good news. Lord Sheldon is writing as well, and I wish to put my note in with his. I’ll give it to him this afternoon. I’ve also to write to Collins and update him on the situation. I’m hoping my mares and foals can be transferred to Lord Sheldon’s estate and that he will allow me to continue with my endeavours.’

‘I’m sure he will, my dear, he seems a most accommodating gentleman where you’re concerned. I must own I was pleasantly surprised by the reaction of the duke to your shock announcement last night. I thought him adamantly opposed to such a match.’

‘As did I, but he could hardly do anything else as he was presented with a
fait accompli
. None of his siblings has actually spoken directly to me or offered their congratulations and I think that is significant, don’t you?’

‘You refine on this too much, my love, they will be delighted to have you in the family. You might not be of the same class as they are, but you are far wealthier and equally well-educated. They cannot fail to be aware you are the most beautiful young lady present and will make Lord Sheldon an excellent wife.’

‘I do hope you’re correct as I’ve no wish to cause dissension in his family. I’m sure this won’t be the first marriage that could be labelled a misalliance.’

*

Bennett discovered he now had more than thirty horses entered for his race which meant there would now have to be four heats in order to accommodate them all safely. By the time he’d spoken to his grooms, and written the necessary letter to Grace’s father, the time had moved on to almost two o’clock.

He had no wish to join the guests in any of the activities his sisters had organised so remained in the library. After a few minutes of quiet consideration he came to a decision. He quickly wrote a letter to Doctors’ Commons requesting a special licence for himself and Grace; he would send his man of affairs to London to fetch it for him. There was no necessity to travel post, which was exorbitantly expensive, this task could be accomplished comfortably within four days.

Once he had this document he would marry her, and the house guests would become the guests at their wedding. The garden party that was planned for the following week would be the ideal occasion for the tenants and villagers to celebrate their wedding. There was also to be a grand ball the same evening to which all the families in the neighbourhood had been invited and this event would make it a double celebration.

This would mean that Grace wouldn’t need to return to her family home, they could leave the day after the ball and go at once to his estate which was no more than two hours’ drive from Silchester Court. He wrote the letter and his man of affairs departed on his errand.

The door opened and he looked up with a smile expecting to see his beloved enter, however it was his sister.

‘Madeline, just the person I wish to see.’

‘I’ve been looking for you everywhere, Bennett, did you know there are now thirty-six horses entered in your race?’

‘I did indeed and I’ve already taken care of the arrangements necessary to accommodate them all.’ He then told her of his plans for the wedding and she looked at him as if he was speaking in tongues.

‘Good heavens, Bennett, you cannot expect the poor girl to marry you in such a rush. She will want her parents here and also wish to prepare her bride clothes. Getting married with such indecent haste will not do either of your reputations any good.’

‘I’ve sent word to her parents asking them to join us here immediately. I’m sure they’ll be more than delighted to be part of this house party. There’s no point in scowling at me, Grace and I will be married next week and there’s nothing any of you can say to prevent it.’ She was unconvinced. ‘I love her, Madeline, I’ve never been so happy in my life. If I was to discover she didn’t have a dowry that would save the family, was as impecunious as I, I should still marry her. I cannot live without her and do not intend to do so.’

‘In which case, brother, you have my full support. I hope that one day I might feel as passionately as you do about a gentleman. I warn you, though, Beau isn’t happy about your engagement and has sent to London in the hope of discovering something detrimental that will prevent your marriage.’

‘Then can I ask you not to tell him I’ll have a special licence? My man left an hour ago and should be back within four days – once he’s here we can be married and there will be nothing he can do about it.’

*

The afternoon passed speedily and Grace was, for once, ready to go down at the appointed time. However, Aunt Sarah had yet to appear and her friend was never late. Annie had already been dismissed for the evening so she would have to go herself and see what was causing the delay.

The chamber was on the next floor. The early evening sunshine streaming in through the windows made this upper floor unpleasantly hot. She hurried to her companion’s sitting room door, but receiving no response she walked in. This was very strange – where was she?

The bedchamber door was closed but she thought she heard a sound behind it. Her heart jumped into her mouth – was the reason for this tardiness that Aunt Sarah was unwell?

She knocked and pushed open the door to find the room in darkness. ‘Don’t come any further, my dear, I’m feeling very unwell. I have a high fever and have cast up my accounts several times. I’ve no wish for you to catch whatever ailment I’ve got.’

‘Fiddlesticks to that! I’ll run back and change into something more suitable and then return to take care of you.’

She returned to her room in a rush and was glad the evening gown she’d selected didn’t require the assistance of her maid to remove it. She draped it over the end of the bed, removed the matching underskirt and then found herself a plain morning gown. There was nothing she could do about the elaborate arrangement of her hair which looked rather strange now she was dressed so drably.

She had pulled the bell-strap when she’d arrived and only had to wait a few moments before Annie burst in. ‘Is something wrong miss, I didn’t think you needed me this evening?’

‘Miss Newcomb is unwell. I wish you to help me take care of her.’

This time she was accompanied by her abigail and took the more direct route that the servants used through the narrow passages and staircases that ran throughout this enormous edifice.

‘Miss Newcomb has a fever and has been nauseous. The room’s oppressive and I think the first thing we must do is open all the windows even if we keep the curtains closed.’

By midnight the fever had broken and her dearest friend was sleeping. Only then did she remember she had not sent word to Bennett and he would have been wondering where she was.

‘You go on to bed, miss, I’ll stay with her until the morning. I reckon she’s over the worst and will be well enough tomorrow.’

Grace was certain she would become lost if she took the back route to her apartment so this time she went out into the corridor. She could hear the sound of laughter and loud conversation drifting up from the main reception rooms and paused for a moment by an open window breathing in the cool air gratefully. After being closeted in the small bedchamber with Aunt Sarah for several hours she decided she needed to go outside and clear her head before she retired.