A Suitable Bride (23 page)

His raised voice had attracted attention, but he cared not. ‘I intend to find her, I’ve only returned to collect the special licence and arrange for all my belongings to be transferred to my estate.’

‘Please, reconsider your decision. Think what you will be giving up – we are a close family and your leaving will devastate the others.’

‘They are welcome to visit me if they wish but I shall never set foot here again.’ He strode off ignoring the shocked expressions of the spectators. As he shouldered his way through he overheard a gentleman speaking to his crony.

‘I don’t understand all the fuss. Sheldon should make the DuPont girl his mistress – nobody would object to that.’

Bennett’s grief and anger spiralled out of control and he grabbed the man’s shoulder, spun him round and punched him squarely in the face. The unfortunate gentleman collapsed in a heap, blood pouring from his nose.

‘If you mention my future wife’s name in such a way again I’ll kill you.’ This was received by everyone in stunned silence. Bennett left the man to be ministered to by his friends and returned to his apartment to organise his immediate departure.

Abbott made no comment about the split knuckles and began to pack his trunks. Bennett regretted his violence and was ashamed that he’d taken out his frustration and misery on a complete stranger. He didn’t intend to dine in company, but he would spruce himself up a bit and go down and apologise.

The grand drawing room was empty when he eventually arrived there. He would have to wait until dinner was over before he could find the man he attacked and try and put things right. Now he came to think of it, the man shouldn’t have been a stranger to him as he’d already mingled with all the guests who had arrived two weeks ago.

Those three must have arrived in his absence. He would ask the butler who they were and if the injured man had recovered. Peebles would be busy in the dining room for the next couple of hours so he might as well check that his carriage would be ready for him to leave first thing in the morning.

A slight noise behind him made him turn. His eyes widened in shock. The man he’d knocked to the floor was pointing a pistol at his chest.

Chapter Twenty-three

Bennett had seconds to live. The man’s finger was tightening on the trigger. He flung himself to his knees and the bullet whistled over his head. He catapulted forward crashing into his attacker. The man had had a second loaded weapon and this fired as Bennett landed on top of him.

The pain in his shoulder was excruciating. The world faded and for a few moments he was unable to function. The sound of gunfire had attracted men from the stable and from a distance he could hear voices above him.

Then Beau’s anguished face swam into his vision. ‘Lie still, the physician’s on his way. I’m going to press against the wound and try and stem the bleeding.’ His brother dropped to his knees and snatched off his neckcloth to use as a bandage.

For some reason Bennett was unable to respond. His mouth seemed to be full of wool and his vision blurred. He tried to smile but it was a poor attempt. Then the rest of his family were at his side and his brothers carefully lifted him onto a trestle.

He wanted to tell them to leave this to the staff, but he couldn’t find his voice. Every jolt and jar as he was transported inside was agony and it took all his control to stop himself from yelling. The thought of being carried up the long staircase to his own apartment filled him with dread.

The next thing he knew he was comfortably ensconced in a bedchamber he didn’t recognise and his clothes had been removed. The quack was hovering above him.

‘The bullet is still in your shoulder, my lord, I have to get it out.’

Bennett managed a small nod and then someone pushed a leather strip between his teeth. A horrendous five minutes later the job was done and he drifted in and out of consciousness whilst the doctor did his business and sewed up the wound.

When he opened his eyes again he found Beau sitting beside him, his face gaunt and looking years older than his age.

‘Don’t look so worried, I’m not going to kick the bucket. I’ll be up and about in an hour or two.’

His brother smiled. ‘Over my dead body – although that’s perhaps not the best phrase to use in the circumstances. The man who attacked you is dead.’

This news cleared Bennett’s head. ‘How did that happen? I know the bastard tried to kill me, but he was in his cups…’

‘He was perfectly sober. If he’d not resisted he would be alive still. Whilst you were being seen to he was ignored and had time to reload. The man was insane and determined to finish the job. Abbott shot him.’

‘Who the hell was he? How did someone like that come to be here?’

‘God knows! He came for the races and somehow infiltrated himself into the company. In the confusion after Miss DuPont and you left nobody realised he had joined the house party.’ Beau rubbed his eyes. ‘This is all my fault, if I’d not interfered none of this would have happened. I’ve sent a dozen men to search in other directions, I’ll find her and bring her back to you. I don’t give a damn what anyone else says about the matter. Grace will be my dearest sister as soon as it can be arranged.’

Bennett pushed himself up the bed not quite believing what he’d just heard. ‘What about the disgrace that will be brought to the family name? You never stop preaching to us about that.’

‘I was parroting what our father used to say to me. I’m my own man, in future I’ll make my own decisions. Why should the woman you love be tainted by association with her criminal father? Once you’re married she will be Lady Sheldon, part of the Silchester family and I defy anyone to cavil at that.’

‘It’s a great shame you didn’t think of this before you sent her away.’ He wasn’t quite ready to forget and forgive.

‘I cannot apologise enough for my part in this disaster. I’ll not rest until Grace is restored to you.’ He pushed himself upright. ‘I shall leave you to rest, I’ve told the others not to come in until later.’

‘Dinner must have been ruined by this fracas. I am sharp set – can you have a tray sent here – wherever here is?’

His brother grinned looking more himself again. ‘You’re in the downstairs apartment that was once used by our grandfather. Fortunately the housekeeper had kept the rooms aired. Now, brother, rest until your food arrives.’

The next morning Bennett felt perfectly well, apart from a sore shoulder. His injury hadn’t gone putrid and he had no fever. He swung his feet to the floor and reached out for the brass bell on the side table and rang it loudly.

His valet arrived at his side so speedily he must have slept in the dressing room. ‘You’re to stay where you are until the doctor has seen you, my lord. You lost a prodigious amount of blood yesterday.’

‘And I’ve drunk a prodigious amount of watered wine to replace it. By the by, thank you, for disposing of the man who tried to assassinate me yesterday.’ There was no need to say anything else, they understood each other perfectly.

His left arm was in a sling which meant appearing correctly dressed would be impossible. Abbott dropped a loose shirt over his shoulders, added a waistcoat and helped him put his good arm through one sleeve of his jacket. With his stock neatly tied he didn’t look too ramshackle.

‘I’m going to eat in the breakfast room – no doubt there’ll be plenty of young ladies desperate to cut up my food for me.’

‘There won’t, my lord, his grace has sent everyone packing. They all left first thing – it was chaos for an hour or two but everything’s quiet now.’

‘It must be later than I think.’ Bennett didn’t have his pocket watch. Presumably it was still attached to yesterday’s garment.

‘It’s a little after ten o’clock, my lord.’

‘Then I’d better get a move on or there’ll be no breakfast left.’

He made his way, slightly less briskly than usual, through the house enjoying the peace. Beau’s actions would have offended the cream of society – his brother was obviously determined to upset as many people as possible, which was quite unlike him.

‘Bennett, you shouldn’t be up, you were told to remain where you were for another day at least.’ Madeline ran to his side and embraced him.

‘As you can see, sweetheart, I’m perfectly fine. It’s a relief to have the place to ourselves again. I’m sorry you went to so much trouble…’

‘Please don’t say another word about it. All the work was worth it as we have a new sister about to join the family. However, there’s so much extra food Beau has agreed that the garden party next week will go ahead to celebrate your nuptials. The villagers, our tenants and staff should be sufficient to use it up before it spoils.’

‘Then let’s hope we find her soon. I’m sure Cook will have stored the perishable items in the ice house.’ This was a strange topic of conversation for a gentleman but everything these past two weeks had been out of the ordinary.

They strolled to the small dining room and he was surprised to find his siblings there to greet him.

‘Bennett, you shouldn’t be up – but we’re glad you feel well enough to join us,’ Beau said as he put down his fork and prepared to get to his feet.

‘No, remain where you are, Beau. Good morning, everyone, might I enquire why you’re all breakfasting so late today?’ He sat down and Madeline began to load a plate for him.

Perry answered. ‘We had to wait until the kitchen could cook again – they were obliged to feed our departing guests first.’

‘Well, I’m glad on all accounts for it. Is there any news from the men about Grace’s whereabouts?’

‘I’ve not had anything encouraging so far, but don’t despair, brother, the search will continue until we locate her.’

‘It’s all very well finding her, Beau, but how can you be sure she will agree to return? She’s going to need a deal of convincing that marrying Bennett won’t still ruin his life.’ Aubrey was about to shovel another forkful of food into his mouth, unaware that his thoughtless comment had not been well received.

‘For God’s sake, think before you speak.’ Beau’s sharp reprimand caused Aubrey to drop his food onto his immaculate breeches.

His youngest brother glared at Beau. ‘Look what you’ve made me do. I’ll have to change.’ Then he became aware of the universal opprobrium. ‘What did I do to upset you all?’ He frowned and then enlightenment dawned and he looked appalled. ‘Surely you didn’t think...? I meant that Grace gave up Bennett because she loved him too much to risk damaging his reputation and might not accept that this has changed.’

‘In which case, Aubrey, you should have made that clear. I apologise for barking at you. Forget your breeches and get on with your breakfast.’

As he devoured a massive breakfast one-handed (Giselle had carefully cut everything into bite-size pieces) Bennett thanked God that he wouldn’t have to abandon his family in order to be with Grace. The badinage continued, but it washed over his head, he just continued eating and listening to his siblings.

Two days passed and still there was no news of Grace. His buoyant mood began to fade and his shoulder hurt like the very devil. The quack was recalled and declared him to be free of infection but recommended that he slowed down and allowed his injury to heal.

‘I’m going to look myself if we don’t hear anything by the end of the day, Beau. I can’t sit around here waiting for news, it’s driving me insane. Small wonder my shoulder’s sore.’

His brother’s attention appeared to be fixed on something outside and Bennett joined him by the window to see what was so interesting.

‘Over there, by the trees, I swear I saw one of Grace’s little dogs.’

‘God’s teeth! I believe you’re right. How the devil did he get here?’ His question was rhetorical and by the time he’d finished speaking Bennett was racing across the hall almost giving the footman on duty there an apoplexy. The poor fellow barely had time to open the door for him.

Bennett jumped down the steps, shouting to attract the dog’s attention. Of course it could be another animal entirely, but it certainly looked like Ginger. Then the beast was hurtling towards him barking his delight and moments later the other two appeared and were heading in his direction.

He dropped to his knees and they flung themselves on his lap. They were bedraggled, filthy and footsore but otherwise unharmed. He patted and stroked them with his good hand knowing that his prayers had been answered. Grace couldn’t be that far away if they’d found their way back here on their own.

‘Where did you three come from? You must be half-starved and you certainly need a bath. Look at me – I’m as dirty as you are.’ The dogs continued to whine, yap and lick but refused to get off his knees.

‘Here, let me take them so you can stand up.’ Beau reached down and picked Ginger and Buster up leaving him to stand with Toby tucked under his arm.

‘They need to be fed and bathed, the stables are the best place for them. They’ve come to fetch me, and once they’ve recovered they’ll lead me to Grace.’

‘If you’d said such a thing yesterday I would have thought you fit for Bedlam, but now I believe you might be right. I’ll accompany you when you leave tomorrow to make sure Grace agrees to return.’

‘I’ll take the curate with me, and then we can be married immediately, before she has time to change her mind. Her companion can be the other witness.’

The dogs were handed over and were made a great fuss of by the grooms. Bennett arranged to have his carriage ready for the following morning, although he intended to ride despite his injury. He was perfectly capable of managing a horse one-handed, he’d done so many times when serving on the Continent.

Madeline and Giselle were ecstatic at the news that he was to be married and insisted that they come as they had no intention of missing such an important occasion. ‘You will be the first of us to step into parson’s mousetrap, Bennett, and we intend to be there to see this momentous occasion,’ Perry said firmly and Aubrey agreed.

‘We can’t all turn up on her doorstep, wherever that might be, and expect to be accommodated. Maybe it would be better to hold the ceremony here,’ Beau said.

This wouldn’t do at all. He could hardly explain to the girls that he wished to spend the night with Grace with or without the benefit of clergy. ‘No, Beau and I will go on our own and you four will remain here. We shall celebrate our nuptials in style on her return. Get started on the arrangements for the garden party and why don’t we hold the ball as planned?’

‘In all the upset over the past few days I’d quite forgotten to cancel the invitations to our neighbours. Do you think you’ll be back by next weekend?’

‘We’ll make sure we are, Madeline. Beau, I’ve been considering how best to encourage the dogs to lead us back to her. If we have one dog running free at a time and the other two inside the carriage they shouldn’t get overtired. I’m riding and will be able to follow them across country.’

This announcement elicited a storm of protest which he ignored. ‘Abbott and a groom can ride with me, he prefers horseback to a carriage every time. I intend to travel fast, and one or other of them can make sure the carriage follows in the correct direction.’

‘I’m damned if I’m being cooped up with a curate – I’ll ride too. Now that’s settled, I’ve some estate business to attend to so will see you all at dinner.’