The Duke's Alliance Book Two: A Dangerous Husband (22 page)

Her exploration of the vast house took up the remainder of the afternoon and by the conclusion she was fairly sure she would be able to find her way about in future without becoming hopelessly lost. They peeped and peered in dozens of unused reception rooms as well as a magnificent library, two smaller drawing rooms and the dining room that would seat a small army without difficulty.

She had heard a clock somewhere strike three times – she was ready for tea and whatever pastries were available. 'Lottie, I'll leave you to get another chair put out on the balcony. Find me something new for this evening – I want to make a good impression.'

She gave her request for refreshments to the footman who appeared to spend his entire day in the grand hall with the sole purpose of opening doors for any of the family who might appear. Presumably he also opened the front door to any visitors.

The fire wasn't lit today and she was relieved as the day had been unseasonably warm. The long windows that led onto the terrace were open and she decided to wait there for the tea tray. The empty flagstones cried out for tables and chairs – this area was a suntrap and ideal for sitting and enjoying the view.

She looked up and saw she was directly underneath her own balcony and the overhang would give welcome shade from the morning sun. As the rear of the building faced west the sun was shining in her face so after a few minutes she returned to the drawing room.

There were voices outside the door and Grey strode in looking even more attractive than he had this morning – if that were possible. Without hesitation she ran to him and he twirled her around like a child. 'I've neglected you shamefully, my love, but I'm here to make amends. We are not to dine until six – my uncle has decided to take charge of the household and not before time.'

He placed her on the floor and she tilted her face; his kiss did not disappoint. Someone cleared their throat noisily and she would have drawn away, but he held onto her, turning with his arm still around her waist.

Two footmen waited by the open double doors carrying what looked like enough food for a dozen people. They placed their burden on the large table and then vanished not waiting to see if they would be required to serve.

'How strange – there still seems to be something odd going on with the staff where we're concerned,' she said as she prepared the tea.

'As long as they do as they're asked, and know their place, then I'll be content. But my uncle is going to find it difficult bringing them into line. They are all loyal to the old regime and that will be hard to change.'

'Cook has obviously decided we deserve to be well fed. There are sandwiches, three sorts of pastries as well as tea and coffee. I didn't have a midday repast I was too full of breakfast.'

'And neither did I, sweetheart, so we can devour this without feeling that we're greedy. Remember, we dine at six o'clock so you have just three hours to digest whatever you eat now.'

She pulled a face. 'Kindly desist from talking about my inner workings – you're quite spoiling my enjoyment of these delicious treats.'

He chuckled and ignored her reprimand. They both piled their plates and sat down to enjoy their meal. She regaled him with her quiet but pleasant morning and he told her about his good impressions of the estate.

'There's still at least an hour before we need to go upstairs and change.' She saw the glint in his eye and forestalled his improper suggestion. 'I don't require a rest this afternoon, my lord, I'm eager to see the maze.'

Chapter Twenty-Two

The next few days passed in a haze of happiness. Madeline spent the mornings on her own, the afternoons with Grey and the evenings with her new relatives. Lady Carshalton continued to improve, as did her maid, and by the fifth day of their visit the patient was back in the care of her abigail.

Madeline's hip had fully recovered and on the sixth day she accompanied Grey to the stables.

'I can't tell you how eager I am to ride again after so long. Is Cousin Frederick not to come with us today?'

'No, sweetheart, he and my uncle have returned to their estate to organise the transfer of items that they wish to have here. They’ve been at Blakely Hall for a year so I cannot imagine why it's taken so long. That estate is now Frederick's and I expect he wishes to put in a suitable tenant to take care of things.'

The horses were saddled and both Jenkins and Smith were waiting to accompany them. This was a sharp reminder that their lives were still in danger, which she had put to the back of her mind during this past week.

After a glorious and exhilarating two hours galloping about the countryside they turned for home. 'I'm quite exhausted, I'll be glad to sit quietly for the remainder of the day,' she said as he lifted her from the saddle.

'We could sit on the balcony, it's in the shade at the moment. I've nothing pressing to do this morning.'

As they strolled hand in hand to the house something astonishing occurred to her. So surprised was she, that she stopped dead. 'I've something to tell you.'

He looked down at her, a watchful expression on his face as if he was expecting bad news. 'Not here, sweetheart, wait until we're private.'

By the time they reached their apartment she'd had time to consider and wasn't sure she should speak out. If he didn't return her feelings then would he be embarrassed to know that she'd fallen in love with him? Surely any gentleman would be flattered to know that his wife held him in such high esteem?

They had spent every night making passionate love but at no time had he said that he loved her. Perhaps she should keep this information to herself and wait until he spoke of his feelings.

'I'll change my garments and then join you in the sitting room, my love. Have breakfast brought up to us and we'll eat it on the balcony.'

Her ablutions were completed and she was freshly gowned in a pretty sprigged muslin within a short space of time. The chambermaid had been sent down to the kitchen and the trays would arrive momentarily. Apart from the first evening every meal she'd eaten had been quite delicious.

The communicating door swung open and Grey stepped through. He was informally attired, no topcoat on over his shirt and waistcoat, and no cravat around the strong column of his neck. Her bodice became unaccountably tight and his eyes darkened in response.

If she didn't move he would tumble her into bed and that wouldn't do when their breakfast was on its way. She skipped out of his reach and dashed to the safety of the sitting room where the footmen were setting out their meal.

He was close behind her but swore under his breath when he saw they were no longer alone. She didn't dare to look at him – she would be unable to resist and they spent more than enough time in bedroom sport as it was.

The servants knew better than to linger and left them to serve themselves. 'I'm absolutely starving. I'm going to take mine outside and eat
al fresco
.'

'I've no intention of balancing a plate on my knees – I had more than enough of that in the army.' He sounded positively cross and she risked a glance in his direction.

'Don't be so curmudgeonly, my love, you cannot always have your own way. Look, someone has anticipated our intentions and set things out so we can sit in comfort at a table.' He muttered something quite inappropriate and her cheeks turned scarlet. 'My lord, you really must refrain from using such language. It's quite shocking and I don't like it at all.'

Instead of taking umbrage he smiled and she saw the danger signals. He hadn't quite abandoned the idea of making love to her. Hastily she loaded up her plate and held it in front of her like a barrier.

‘Very well, darling, I shall behave. Take your food out and I'll join you as soon as I've got mine. Do you want coffee as usual?'

They were only halfway through their meal, chatting of this and that and enjoying the fresh air and the stunning view, when unexpectedly he reached out and took her hand, raising it to his lips. He kissed each knuckle in turn and then, still holding her hand he looked into her eyes. 'I can't believe how happy I am to be married to you, my love. Every day that I spend in your company makes me love you more…'

She didn't wait to hear anymore but surged to her feet intending to hurl herself into his arms. The chair fell. In her effort to avoid it her feet became entangled in her skirts and she tumbled sideways. His reaction was lightning fast and he was able to grab her arms and pull her back towards the wall.

As he held her, there was a hideous crack from above their heads and they were engulfed in a barrage of falling masonry. The ground beneath her feet began to move – the balcony was collapsing. They were going to fall to their deaths onto the terrace below.

*

Grey reached out and grabbed hold of the door frame just as the floor fell away. He leaned his weight on Madeline, pinning her to the wall, praying there would be enough stonework left to hold them up.

Clouds of choking dust filled his nose and mouth. Coughing wasn't an option. He must cling on or they would both plummet to the flagstones and die. The noise was deafening. Pieces of stone bounced off his back almost causing him to lose his grip.

He couldn't hold on for much longer. Their combined weight was becoming too much for his fragile hold. Then it was eerily silent, the debris gone past. Now he could attempt to edge his way along the remaining brickwork and in through the door.

'Don't struggle, darling, try and get your toes on the ledge. Keep leaning against the wall.'

She didn't answer but the agonising weight on his arm became less acute. She had found purchase for herself.

'I'm going to move to your left. Very slowly. The entrance is no more than a foot from us.'

He couldn't hold on for much longer – his back had been injured – he wasn't sure he could make his way to safety. Then Slater was there.

'Hang on, sir, I've got you now. I'll get you and the lass safe inside.' His valet's grip was strong and with his help he managed to inch his way along the narrow ledge and they tumbled headlong into the room.

He landed heavily and a searing pain shot across his shoulders. He almost blacked out. 'Help me up, Slater, we both need to get cleaned up and our injuries seen to.'

He carefully kept his back away from Madeline – he didn't want her to be alarmed. There was blood trickling between his shoulder blades and his shirt must be sodden with it.

Once on his feet he intended to pick up his beloved but as he was about to do so the door burst open and Jenkins and Smith came in.

'Thank the good Lord you're both alive. Them bleeding gargoyles came down and took the balcony with them. It's a miracle you didn't plunge to your deaths.'

Madeline's maid was hovering anxiously as were two other unknown girls. 'We'll talk about this later, Smith. Can you stand, sweetheart? We need to get washed and your cuts need attending to.'

'I think so, I feel a bit light-headed and as if I'm going to cast up my accounts.'

Slater heaved him to his feet. Every time Grey moved it was agony and the sooner he got looked at the better.

'Go with your maids, I'll take care of things here. Smith, we'll need somewhere else to sleep. Find us chambers in the family wing – somewhere safe.'

His man nodded. 'We'll take care of that, never you mind, my lord.'

Grey was beginning to feel decidedly odd. 'Slater, please assist my wife to her chamber. Then join me in mine.'

'I'm perfectly capable of looking after myself, Grey, once I'm changed, and my cuts have been attended to, I'll come through to you. You have been more seriously hurt than I and Slater must see to you until I get there.'

He was about to protest, but she shook her head. Despite the fact that she was covered from head to toe with dust and debris she seemed calm – and very determined. He raised a hand in surrender and allowed his valet to support him into his room confident his darling girl was well.

'Here, sit down before you fall, my lord.'

The next half an hour passed in a painful blur. Slater undressed him, cleaned his injury and then stitched him up. He was relieved that Madeline hadn't come through to witness this. It wasn't the first time his valet had put stitches into him – but he hoped it would be the last.

Just as Slater dropped a clean shirt over his shoulders the communicating door was pushed open and she came in looking pale, but composed.

'I looked in earlier, my love, but your valet thought it best if I didn't remain until he'd finished his ministrations. The girls are already packing my belongings and will come in and do the same for you when they've finished. Have you any idea where we're removing to?'

He vaguely remembered Smith coming in but he couldn't recall what was said. His valet answered for him. 'There's a dozen or more chambers empty over there and Smith's selected one that looks over the paddocks. I'll have everything right and tight for you in an hour or so.'

'Thank you, your help is most appreciated. Now, Grey, do you think you can make your way downstairs or will you remain here until we can move?'

He flexed his shoulders. 'I'll do. I've had worse on the battlefield and still continued to fight. We'll find somewhere quiet and private where we can talk.'

Her smile was somewhat lopsided. 'Dare I say that I'm still hungry? Our meal was rudely interrupted and despite drinking two glasses of barley water my throat's sore and dry.'

How he loved this girl – she was the most courageous young lady in the land. 'Give me a moment, sweetheart, I have to speak to Slater.'

She returned to her own room without question. 'I can't remember if I've already told them, but Smith and Jenkins need to investigate the reason for this sudden fall. It could be a horrible coincidence – but there's been too many of those lately. They must go up on the roof and see if there's any evidence of somebody tampering with the gargoyles.'

'It's being done at the moment, my lord. I don't see how it could have been done deliberately – for the whole lot to come down as it did it would have taken more than one person to shove it. I think this was just an accident.'

'I sincerely hope you're right otherwise it means danger has followed us here.'

*

Grey collected Madeline and together they made their way slowly to the ground floor where they were greeted by both the butler and housekeeper. Their distress over the incident seemed genuine as did the reactions from the group of footmen and maids that were milling about in the grand hall waiting to show their concern.

After he'd reassured them that they were both relatively unscathed, that they blamed no one for the disaster, Grey escorted her to the terrace. 'I thought we were going to one of the smaller reception rooms? I'm not sure I want to perambulate about the garden at the moment.'

He kissed the top of her head affectionately. 'Neither do I, sweetheart, but I need to see exactly what happened and I can only do that from out here.'

To her astonishment the terrace was clear of debris – only if you looked up and saw the balcony and gargoyles were missing would you know anything untoward had taken place. 'How can they have cleared the rubble away so soon? It can't be more than an hour since it took place.'

'Quite extraordinary! The estate manager must have organised this – no doubt he didn't want to upset Lady Carshalton by leaving evidence of the disaster.'

A shout from above them attracted their attention. She looked up and saw Jenkins on the roof. 'There's something you need to see, my lord, can you come up? I'll come down and show you the way.'

Before Grey could refuse she squeezed his hand. 'You must go, my love, but would you please come with me to find a sitting room we can use as our own.'

'Of course, and I promise I'll be as speedy as I can. Can you order us something to eat? By the time it arrives I should be back.'

They retraced their steps and a footman jumped forward to offer his assistance. He knew exactly where to take them and the pretty chamber was exactly what they wanted. He was then sent to the kitchens to arrange for a replacement meal to be brought.

'Are you sure that scrambling about on the roof won't open up your stitches?' Grey was still looking less than well and she was worried about him.

His answer was to draw her into his embrace and hold her gently to his heart. 'I'll take care, darling, I'm a military man and used to being injured and remaining on my feet.'

She breathed in his familiar aroma and despite their near fatal experience she felt safe in his arms. 'I love you, Grey, and I'm so relieved that you return my feelings.'