A Suitable Bride (21 page)

As if in a dream the remainder of the evening passed. She tensed every time she heard footsteps outside in the corridor expecting Bennett to burst in and demand to see her. Aunt Sarah hadn’t questioned this decision and for that she was grateful.

Her maid returned shortly after midnight carrying a small leather chest. ‘I was told to give you this, miss, it’s right heavy, I can tell you.’

Grace was too miserable to respond and saw the object being handed to her companion. The sooner they could leave the better, being in the same house as the man she would love for the rest of her life, but not being able to speak to him, was agony.

Leaving was the right thing to do but it didn’t make it any easier. Bennett would be as heartbroken as she, but when his brother explained the circumstances he would eventually realise she’d done the right thing.

She’d written him a brief note breaking off the engagement and wishing him well. This she left on the mantelshelf knowing it would be the first place he’d come tomorrow morning when she failed to appear.

An hour after the final footsteps had gone by the apartment she followed her luggage down the servants’ staircase and out into the moonlit night. The air smelt fresh and damp, but she noticed none of it.

Rufus was delighted to see her and seemed fully recovered from his exertions earlier. Peterson tossed her into the saddle without comment. The lanterns were lit on each corner of the carriage and they were ready to depart after her three dogs had scrambled in to join Aunt Sarah and Annie in the interior of the carriage. Grace had no idea where they were going, but just knew she had to get as much distance between herself and Silchester Court before Bennett realised she had gone.

‘Grace, my dear girl, where do you wish us to go?’

‘Lord Sheldon will go to DuPont Manor, he’ll soon discover the stud, so we cannot go in that direction.’

Peterson called down from the box. ‘Shall we head north, miss? He’ll not think to look for us there. If you recall I went to Oxford to collect a mare for breeding two months ago – I saw a lot of likely properties down that way. I reckon we can find somewhere quiet to rest overnight and continue in the morning.’

She was too dispirited to argue. She wasn’t altogether sure exactly how far away this city was, all that mattered was that it was in the opposite direction to the one that Bennett would be searching. How they were going to manage for money she’d no idea, but she had no choice. What did it matter how or where she lived in future? If she couldn’t be with the man she loved she was going to be unhappy anywhere.

Chapter Twenty-one

Bennett woke up with a mouth like a bear pit and a head to match. He’d drank far too much last night and mainly at the instigation of his older brother. He yawned and ran his hand around his bristly chin – time to get up and get himself ready to spend the day with his darling girl.

He threw back the covers but didn’t jump out of bed with his usual enthusiasm. He smiled ruefully – he was getting too long in the tooth to drink so much. This pastime was better left to his younger brothers. His valet had everything ready for his ablutions and shave, and in less than the usual time he was immaculately dressed in the latest arrival from Westons – a dark blue topcoat that fitted him to perfection. He wasn’t a vain man, but today he wanted to look his best.

He glanced at his gold pocket watch and was surprised to find the hour so late. However, after Grace had been obliged to retire because of the behaviour of the ladies she wouldn’t take her breakfast downstairs but ask for a tray to be sent to her apartment.

There would be ample to feed him as well. He strode through the house with a light heart and couldn’t remember ever being so happy. Having the approval of his older brother was not essential to his happiness, but made things so much more pleasant. Then something occurred to him that gave him pause for thought. Beau didn’t approve of overindulgence of any sort and yet last night he’d broken this rule.

There was something wrong. The duke never broke his rules. He increased his pace and was running by the time he skidded a halt outside Grace’s apartment. He didn’t knock, but charged in. The room was empty. He threw open the door to her bedchamber and reeled against the door frame. She had gone. Left without a word and he knew this was his brother’s doing.

As he stepped away from the door his eye was caught by a square of folded white paper propped prominently on the mantelshelf. He snatched it up and ripped it open.

My dearest Bennett

When you read this, my love, I shall be gone from your life. I cannot bear to tell you the reason for my leaving – but when you know you will understand that I have done the right thing.

You must forget about me and find yourself a suitable bride, one who will not bring disgrace and unhappiness to your family.

Our engagement is over. Do not blame your brother for this as he was right to send me away.

I shall never regret knowing you and it breaks my heart to go.

The page was smudged and blotted from her tears and her signature was indecipherable. What had driven her away? There could be nothing on this earth that would make him wish to give her up – nothing so bad that he would be prepared to live his life without her.

For a moment he was unmanned, unable to think coherently. Then he straightened, carefully folded the note and pushed it into his waistcoat pocket. He would go after her, bring her back – his life here was over.

His breathing steadied and his military brain took charge pushing his heartbreak to the back of his mind. He knew where she was going, so there was no need to leave precipitously. His man would return with the special licence in a day or two and, with this in his pocket, when he found her they could be married immediately.

Beau would be waiting for him. He would never forgive his brother for interfering. It would take all Bennett’s self-control to hide his anger and antipathy and appear to take this hideous separation in his stride. First he must know what she’d been told that would make her abandon him.

The thought of his beloved Grace leaving in the middle of the night believing that she would never see him again made him want to smash his fist into the wall. He had never loved her more. She had given up her own happiness in the mistaken belief that he would be better off without her.

He examined his reflection in the mirror. He didn’t look like a man whose true love had abandoned him – if he was to remain here until the licence arrived he must endeavour to appear broken-hearted.

The final horse race was tomorrow and he had every intention of participating. This would give him something to occupy his mind until he could leave. Then his optimism faded as the reality of the situation finally registered.

He had no idea where she was going – she wouldn’t return to DuPont Manor and had little money. His rapid return to his apartment gave several matrons palpitations, but he ignored them.

His valet, Abbott, was equally surprised. ‘Miss DuPont has gone. She’ll be heading for Essex but I’ve no idea exactly where in that county. Find two of my men and send them after her. It shouldn’t be hard to track her carriage as it will be followed by a chestnut stallion. Tell them not to make themselves known, just remain close enough to discover where they stop. Then one of them must return with the information.’

‘I’ll do so immediately, my lord. I’ll pack your overnight bag so you’re ready to leave when you have the facts.’

‘Send word to my estate and let them know I shall be returning shortly with my wife and wish the house to be made ready for us.’

There was no need to discuss the matter further, Abbott was more than his valet – he was his confidant and had been with him on the Peninsular. ‘Make sure they have sufficient blunt – and they must take extra to pay for Miss DuPont’s expenses if necessary.’

Satisfied he’d done everything necessary Bennett was ready to speak to his brother and discover exactly what had driven Grace away.

*

As the sun rose over the treetops Grace thought it would be safe to allow her stallion to stretch his legs, although she would be careful not to push him too hard after his exertions the previous day. A decent canter and jumping a hedge or two would force her to concentrate and perhaps push her misery aside for a while.

When she rejoined the lane some twenty minutes later she was obliged to wait until the carriage trundled around the corner. She manoeuvred her horse alongside and spoke through the open window to Aunt Sarah and Annie.

‘There’s a decent hostelry no more than a mile or two ahead. We must stop there and allow the horses to rest for an hour or so.’

The dogs were barking to be let out and she reached down to undo the door. They tumbled onto the lane and immediately raced into the wood.

‘Are you all right, my dear? You must come inside with us if you’re feeling at all tired.’ She pointed to the small chest that Grace hadn’t bothered to investigate earlier. ‘His grace has given us almost one hundred guineas. We shall not be destitute and can find ourselves a decent house to rent.’

‘He was almost as upset as I when he gave me the dreadful news last night. He’s not nearly as arrogant and unpleasant as I’d first thought – I believe that if things had been different I would have been welcome in his family after all.’

Grace swallowed the lump in her throat and brushed the tears from her eyes. She urged Rufus forward, not wishing to discuss the matter further. No doubt one of her grooms would clamber down and close the door of the carriage.

She whistled and the dogs bounded up delighted to be able to run about after being held captive for so many hours. ‘Stay close, boys, we shall be at the inn very soon and I’ve no wish for you to be trampled on or run over by a cart.’

The Buck and Hunter wasn’t a large establishment but quite big enough for her purposes. A relatively clean stableboy rushed out to take the horse’s reins after she’d dropped to the cobbles. ‘My carriage will be here in a few minutes. My horses will need watering and feeding and somewhere to recuperate for an hour or two. Is it too early to break our fast?’

Why she was enquiring from this urchin she’d no idea as he was unlikely to know the answer to her question. He tugged his forelock and grinned.

‘I’ll take care of your horses, miss, and Ma and Pa will set you up with a fine breakfast.’ He pointed to the open door and with a cheerful wave led Rufus away. Her stallion followed him without fuss, which was a relief.

The interior of the ancient building was gloomy as the leaded windows let in little light. She glanced around assessing the cleanliness and was pleasantly surprised. A young woman hurried out into the vestibule and curtsied.

‘Good morning, madam, how can I be of service?’

‘I’m hoping you can supply breakfast for my companion and maid as well as my three grooms. Your son is taking care of my horse and says he is capable of looking after my team.’

‘Oh no, madam, he’s not running the stables by himself. My older boy and his uncle will be there as well. I expect you would like a chamber in which to refresh yourselves after your journey.’ She looked over her shoulder and nodded and a girl, a replica of herself, sidled in and also curtsied. The children had been well brought up.

‘Dolly, show this lady up to our best chamber and then come straight down to fetch hot water.’ The child smiled shyly and pointed to the stairs. ‘We have only two other guests at present and they won’t be down for an hour or two. I’ll serve breakfast for you and your companions in the parlour. It will be ready in half an hour.’

The sound of carriage wheels outside meant everyone had arrived. ‘Thank you, if you’d kindly direct my companion and maid to my chamber I shall go up directly.’

The rooms she was shown to were as spotless as the rest of the place. She removed her gloves and cap and found the necessary arrangements discreetly hidden behind a screen in the bedchamber.

Aunt Sarah and Annie arrived at the same time as a large jug of hot water. ‘This is an excellent choice, my dear, exactly what we need. Why don’t you complete your ablutions first and then I’ll use whatever hot water is left.’

In less than the allotted time Grace led her small party downstairs. There was no need to ask where to go as the doors to the private dining room stood open and there was a table covered with a crisp white cloth laid up and ready for them.

Despite her heavy heart she was hungry. She had not eaten since yesterday morning and it would be foolish to continue without sustenance. After a substantial repast all three of them returned to the bedchamber.

‘You rest on the bed, my dear, I shall be perfectly well on the
chaise longue
and Annie can put her feet up on the footstool.’

‘I don’t want to sleep for more than two hours, I wish to be on our way by eleven o’clock. I don’t intend to ride, I’ll join you in the carriage for the remainder of the day.’

‘I’ve brought the overnight bag with the change of raiment, miss, you can change after your rest.’

Grace didn’t expect to sleep, after all she’d been too wretched to do so during the night. Annie helped her remove her riding habit and boots and then she slipped between the clean sheets in her petticoats.

Two hours later they were back on the road again and this time she travelled inside the carriage with her companion. Grace dozed as did Aunt Sarah, but still the day seemed interminable.

Peterson sent the groom riding Rufus ahead to book their overnight accommodation and eventually the carriage turned into a substantial coaching inn at five o’clock. Grace was heartily sick of being bounced about on the squabs and was determined to ride again the next day.

‘I’m quite exhausted, my dear, I shall ask for a tray to be sent up to my chamber and will retire as soon as I’ve eaten.’

‘I’ll send Annie to attend to you first. I wish to speak to Peterson before I come in.’ Grace embraced her friend and was concerned to see she needed the support of her maid in order to negotiate the short distance to the entrance.

Her head groom was waiting for her. ‘The horses are done in, miss, they’ll not go another day in this heat without having time to rest.’

‘I thought the same. I noticed an empty house on the edge of the town as we came past. Would you go and investigate? I think we might be far enough away to be safe from discovery. If this house is to let then you must take it for us and then we don’t have to travel any further.’

He beamed. ‘I had a good look as we went past, miss, and I reckon it’s perfect. I’ll make enquiries from the landlord immediately.’

‘Whatever the outcome, I think we must remain here for a day or two. Miss Newcomb is not well and I’ve no wish to make her worse by travelling any further.’

The Goat and Boot was a coaching inn which meant that it was bigger and far busier than their previous stop. The landlord was waiting to greet her.

‘Welcome, madam, your chambers are ready and there’s decent accommodation for your men as well. Sally will show you up.’

The maid led her to a fine room at the rear of the building overlooking a paddock. ‘There’s hot water waiting, madam, and your supper tray will be up as soon as you like.’ The girl bobbed and waited to see if there were any further instructions.

‘Where is my companion sleeping?’

‘Next door, miss, and your maid has a truckle bed she can pull out when she’s ready to retire.’

‘Thank you, I should like my tray brought up now.’

After a plain but well-cooked meal she was feeling a little more optimistic. The roof of the house she was interested in was visible from the window and she prayed it would be available, at least for a few weeks whilst she came to terms with her change of circumstances.