He strolled around the corner and paused to look at the grounds and was impressed with what he saw. If he wasn’t mistaken then these had been laid out by a modern architect. There was an acre or so of grass being grazed by deer, then closer to the house an ornamental lake and a formal garden. Everywhere he looked there was an abundance of spring flowers, daffodils and tulips in riotous clumps. Just looking at them made him smile.

  There was a rumble of thunder and a few spots of rain followed immediately. He made a dash for the nearest window, threw it up and swung his legs over the sill.

  *

  Harry had been surprised when she saw an expensive carriage approaching down the drive. Who on earth could be visiting? Had the doctor mentioned to the neighbours that the new owners of this place were in residence? It was a quarter to three and if this was a morning call then whoever was arriving was almost too late to be acceptable.

  The drawing room, where she was at present, was old-fashioned but none the worse for that. There was even a piano at the far end and it was in tune as she’d already tried it. She wasn’t an expert but could manage to play a recognisable tune.

  The only other morning callers she’d received in her entire life had been Lady McKenzie and her daughters. She sincerely hoped whoever this was would be more pleasant and less devious than those visitors. Her lips curved at the thought of that woman’s reaction to her marriage and sudden departure with her new husband.

  All that was in the past and she would ask Alexander to put a tenant in the house as she had no intention of ever setting foot there again. Her new life was about to begin and she was confident that in time she and her formidable husband would find common ground and be living as man and wife and not the way they were now.

  Fortunately, the devoted staff who’d nursed the previous occupant of this house until his recent demise, had remained in their posts, their wages paid by Alexander without a second thought. This meant everything was as it should be and the highly efficient butler, Foster, would announce the visitor.

  ‘Excuse me, ma’am, but are you at home? Lord Shelby wishes to pay a call.’

  She smothered a giggle at this ridiculous question. ‘I am at home, Foster, kindly show his lordship in. Please remain with us – I’m sure you understand my reason for asking this.’

  He nodded and returned seconds later. ‘Lord Shelby, Mrs Prescott.’

  By this time she was standing and finding the rigmarole amusing. A handsome gentleman, of middle height, corn-coloured hair and a charming smile stepped in. He bowed and she curtsied.

  ‘Forgive me, ma’am, for arriving so late in the day. I was delighted that you invited me to visit as I am sadly starved of sensible conversation at present.’

  She gestured towards the chair as far away from hers as she could find and they both were seated. ‘My husband is still recovering from his concussion. I’m certain he would have enjoyed to meet you. Is Lady Shelby unwell?’

  ‘My grandmother? She doesn’t go out. I’m sorry if you were expecting her to accompany me.’

  ‘I misunderstood what I heard, my lord, when my maid referred to Lady Shelby, I automatically assumed it was your wife.’ She got to her feet hurriedly. ‘I beg your pardon, but I don’t think it appropriate that you are here when I’m unchaperoned.’

  He stood up, as he was obliged to do, and was about to answer when there was a noise at a window and then it was thrown up and Alexander hurtled through. Who was the more surprised it would be hard to tell as both gentlemen were staring at each other in amazement.

  Surely her husband didn’t misconstrue the situation? Then both gentlemen laughed and moved forward to shake hands.

  ‘Good grief, Alexander Prescott as I live and breathe. I’ve not seen you since Oxford – I thought you fighting the Frenchies with Wellington. You’ve been mentioned several times in dispatches and I’ve been following your career with interest.’

  ‘Alexander, why did you come in through the window? I thought I was the one to do extraordinary things.’

  He laughed and pointed to the rain that was pouring down and a goodly quantity of it coming in through the still open window. He cursed and stepped back to slam it shut.

  Lord Shelby was shaking his head. ‘We shared a room back in the day, then he vanished to become a soldier and I was sent down for misbehaviour soon afterwards.’

  ‘What an extraordinary coincidence, my lord, but I’m curious as to why you didn’t recognise the name when I sent my note to you. I signed it Mrs Prescott, did I not?’

  Her husband walked to her side and put his arm around her waist and she made no objection. They must keep up appearances in front of his friend, she understood that very well.

  ‘Prescott is not such an unusual name, my love. If you’d mentioned my name then I’m sure Rupert would have understood immediately.’ He turned to his old friend. ‘You’ll stay for dinner, won’t you?’

  ‘I’d be delighted to if Mrs Prescott is happy to include me.’

  ‘I’ll go and speak to the housekeeper now, sir, and leave you two to catch up. Alexander, you look fully restored. However, after your bizarre behaviour I wonder if you should actually be out of bed or confined to an asylum.’

  She dipped in a curtsy to his friend and then left them laughing. She rather thought that their visit to Stanford Place might turn out to be somewhat longer than either of them had planned. Her husband must miss the comradery he’d enjoyed in his soldiering days and having an old friend to converse with, to ride and hunt with, would hopefully make him less acerbic and so quick to find fault with her.

  They couldn’t dress for dinner as their guest would be unable to change his clothes. Therefore, she came down at six o’clock in the same gown she’d been wearing all day. Jenny had re-dressed her hair but apart from that she looked exactly as she’d done before.

  Alexander and his friend had been together for several hours and, from the sound of laughter coming from the drawing room, had started on the claret some time ago. Sometimes she wished that alcohol agreed with her digestion so she could join in the merriment caused by drinking it.

  They were sprawled on chairs, a glass of wine in their hands, and instead of getting to his feet as he should have done, Alexander just raised his glass. She stiffened and her displeasure must have shown on her face.

  ‘Forgive me, sweetheart, I would stand if I was able, but imbibing a bottle of wine after scarcely eating for three days was not the most sensible of pursuits.’

  She tried to look stern knew she wasn’t fooling either of them. ‘And what is your excuse, Lord Shelby?’

  ‘I didn’t want to show my friend in a poor light by getting to my feet when he’s incapable of doing so. Do you forgive me too?’

  ‘Excuse me, gentlemen, but I’m going to arrange for a room to be prepared for his lordship. He is incapable of going anywhere in the condition he’s in. In fact, I’ve no intention of sharing a dining table with you. I’ll have a tray sent to my room.’

  Uncle Roland had so far taken all his meals in his apartment although he had joined her for a stroll around the lake a couple of times. She was concerned that he wasn’t well but he insisted he was perfectly fine.

  She returned to her apartment not sure exactly how she felt. She knew very little about the behaviour of gentlemen, what was acceptable and what was not, but she wished that Alexander had, for once, put her first and that they could have dined together without rancour for the first time.

  As always, she was up at first light, put on her habit, and made her way downstairs. Goldie was saddled and waiting for her as she’d ridden every morning since her arrival. A groom accompanied her, not one of Alexander’s men, but a local who knew the area and would make sure she didn’t get lost.

  She was surprised to find Lord Shelby had departed when she returned as it was still quite early. Jenny was waiting with a morning gown and hot water and half an hour later Harry was on her way to the breakfast room. It didn’t occur to her to go in search of her husband – after his excessive drinking he’d be confined to his bed feeling unwell again, if she was any judge on the matter.

  Instead she found him looking perfectly fit helping himself to a large plate of ham, mushrooms and coddled eggs.

  ‘Good morning, sweetheart, what can I get you?’

  ‘I prefer to help myself, thank you, and I must say that I didn’t expect your friend to have departed before breaking his fast or for you to be here so early after your disgraceful behaviour last night.’

  ‘Rupert sends his apologies, my dear, but had to return promptly because his grandmother is frail and he doesn’t like to leave her for long.’

  She poked him with the end of her fork. ‘And you, sir, are you not to apologise?’

  He looked down at her hand holding the piece of cutlery and for a second she was nervous then saw the glint in his eyes. ‘I’m not accustomed to being attacked with a fork, ma’am, and would suggest that you desist from such behaviour unless you wish me to retaliate.’

  ‘I don’t know why I did it. Probably the same impulse that caused you to climb in through a window rather than walk another two yards and come in through the door.’

  ‘Touché, my love. A hit direct. We appear to bring out the outlandish in each other and I’m not sure if that’s something to applaud or something to regret.’

  ‘I intend to be a model wife in future, Alexander …’

  His eyes darkened and she saw his fingers tighten on the edge of his plate. ‘And I, my dear, am the Queen of Sheba.’ He took his plate to the table and began to eat as if he was alone and the air in the room wasn’t crackling with tension.

  Hastily she piled a miscellany of objects on her plate, not watching or caring what she took and then sat opposite him. His sudden bark of laughter made her jump.

  ‘What in devil’s name have you put on your plate, sweetheart? I really don’t think that plum cake, ham, strawberry conserve and coddled eggs are a sensible selection.’

  She glanced down and was tempted to pretend she’d chosen these items deliberately. Then a bubble of laughter rose in her chest and despite putting her napkin over her mouth she couldn’t contain her giggles.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Alexander loved to hear Harry laugh. It was infectious and soon he too was helpless with mirth. Eventually, they recovered and he mopped his streaming eyes.

  ‘I’ll brook no argument, sweetheart, I’ll dispose of this and fetch you something sensible. Would you please pour me another cup of coffee?’

  Neither of them spoke until the plates were cleared and all the coffee drunk. ‘I’m not suffering from the after-effects of excessive alcohol, in case you’re wondering.’

  ‘If you were, my dear, then you wouldn’t have consumed quite so much food. When Thomas drank too much, he was always unwell and couldn’t face food the entire day.’

  He didn’t want to hear Thomas’ name mentioned. That was in the past; he was her husband now and he prayed that in the not too distant future he would be able to tell her how much he loved her.

  ‘Alexander, I’m becoming concerned for my uncle. Although he’s not an energetic man, I’ve scarcely seen him for the past two days and he doesn’t eat with me at all. I’ve asked the physician to call and I’m expecting him later today. Do you think you could go and speak to him? Hitchcock won’t let me in.’

  ‘I’ll do so right away. Do you wish me to warn him that the doctor’s coming?’

  ‘No, don’t give him a chance to refuse to see him. When we were living for six months in Frating he seemed rejuvenated. We went out most days on excursions and he was excellent company.’

  ‘He was certainly eager to accompany us on our wedding trip. He did say that he wanted to remain here for several weeks and at the time I thought nothing of it.’

  ‘We’re probably worrying unnecessarily. I’ll wait in the drawing room whilst you go and speak to him. By the by, I love this house and will be quite content to remain here for as long as you wish. I thought that having discovered that an old friend is a neighbour you would wish to extend our stay.’

  ‘This is our wedding trip, sweetheart, I’m yours to command.’

  She laughed up at him, her beautiful eyes wide, and it took all his self-control not to snatch her up.

  ‘If that is true, Alexander, then I am also the Queen of Sheba.’

  He left her perusing a journal that must be at least two years out of date and went immediately to knock on the door of Sir Roland’s rooms.

  Hitchcock opened the door. ‘Good morning, sir, how can I be of assistance?’

  Alexander stepped around him knowing the valet was trying to prevent him from entering. Sir Roland was stretched out on the daybed, a blanket covering his knees and the unnecessary fire making the room unpleasantly hot.

  ‘I apologise for coming in uninvited, Sir Roland, but Harry and I are concerned about your welfare.’ The man looked well enough so there must be something else keeping him cloistered here.

  ‘Sit down, my boy, we need to talk. I cannot abide being loomed over.’

  He did as he was told. ‘I’m listening.’

  ‘I thought if I stayed out of your way that you might manage to put things right in your marriage. My niece is unhappy – I don’t have to be a clairvoyant to know that your nuptials didn’t take place willingly on either side.’

  Alexander wanted to tell the older man to mind his own business but forced himself to smile politely instead. ‘I always intended to marry her, it’s the main reason I returned when I did. Obviously, I would have preferred it to be under different circumstances.’

  Sir Roland leapt from his place as if he’d been poked in the back with a bayonet. ‘Good heavens, I wish I’d known that. So I don’t have to give you privacy?’

  ‘None at all, sir, we’ll work things out between us. Harry has arranged for the doctor to call.’

  ‘Then cancel him at once, my boy. I wish to explore the neighbourhood but will start with walking around the grounds as I’ve only seen it through the window these past days. Who was that young man who visited yesterday?’

  ‘Lord Shelby, I knew him from my days at Oxford. He lives nearby and we’re invited to dine with him tomorrow.’ This was something he’d forgotten to mention to Harry over breakfast.

  ‘Excellent, excellent, there’s nothing I like more than going out to dinner.’

  He left his uncle-in-law putting on his outdoor garments and went in search of his wife. She’d abandoned the ancient journal and was pacing the room watching the door anxiously as she did so.

  When she saw his smile she ran across and threw herself into his arms. He swung her around like a child – if he hadn’t then he would have kissed her and that he mustn’t do until she came to him willingly.

  ‘He was hiding deliberately to give us time to get to know each other better. I told him that was unnecessary. Was I right to do so?’ He put her down and stepped away but she kept hold of his hand.

  ‘Absolutely right. We’ve always been good friends and I’m confident that one day we’ll be more than that.’

  Now wasn’t the time to point out that they were already far more than that. It had occurred to him that she might be with child but that too was something it might be better to keep to himself.

  ‘He’s getting dressed and intends to take a long walk around the grounds. I forgot to tell you, Harry, that we’re to dine at Shelby Hall tomorrow. I must send word to Rupert that your uncle will be accompanying us.’

  ‘How exciting. Is it to be an informal affair or will there be others there?’

  ‘Just us and his ancient grandmother. Seriously, my love, do you really want to stay in Nottinghamshire for several weeks? That will mean it’s unlikely we’ll get as far as the lakes.’

  ‘Fiddlesticks to that! I’m quite content to be wherever you are.’

  ‘Then I’d like to remain at Stanford until it’s time to return to Prescott Hall.’

  ‘I never liked that place. Thomas should be living there with his mama, not us.’

  He’d not had the opportunity to explain how things were and she was shocked when she heard the lengths that Lady Mary had gone to in order to make his arrival difficult.

  ‘I can hardly credit what you’ve told me, Alexander. Did you discover her whereabouts before you came to Frating Hall so speedily?’

  ‘Unfortunately, not. We’ve no alternative but to live there as Thomas never will. I have a responsibility to those that are in my employ and we must return by September.’

  ‘Whilst we’re talking about houses, I’d like you to find a suitable tenant for Frating Hall. The place is prosperous and will make a good return on my investment so there seems little point in selling it even though I’ve no intention of ever living there again.’

  This was the best news he could hope to have. He wasn’t sure why she seemed to have softened towards him but whatever had caused her change of heart he thanked God for it.

  ‘I have letters to write, Harry, so will be occupied this morning. Will you ride with me this afternoon?’

  ‘I should love to. You must join me for a midday repast before we go out as you’ve got a lot of catching up to do having not eaten whilst you were comatose.’

  ‘I can’t promise to be done by then but I’ll certainly be ready to go out with you at two o’clock.’

  *

  Today was the happiest Harry had been since her marriage. The night she’d spent in his arms didn’t count as she’d had nothing but regrets afterwards. She now understood how forbearing and kind Alexander was to not insist on his marital rights as most other husbands would. Strange heat settled in her nether regions at the thought of what they’d done and what they would do in the future.

  Her monthly courses had arrived on time and she wasn’t sure if she was disappointed or relieved that she hadn’t conceived that night. The thought of holding an infant in her arms was something she looked forward to but she hoped it wouldn’t be too soon.

  She wanted to be able to enjoy being a wife, to travel with her handsome husband, before being confined at home bringing up a family. If she was honest she didn’t want a dozen children – which could happen as she was not even nineteen years of age and had twenty childbearing years ahead of her. The less fortunate often had large families so why didn’t the elite have so many children? Possibly because the wives of rich gentlemen had their own apartment and could lock the door to their bedchamber if they so wished.

 

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