Chapter Eleven
Beau tried to make himself more comfortable without disturbing the others. The novelty of sleeping rough had already worn thin and if he were honest he couldn't wait to return to his pampered life of luxury. Presumably his brother would wake him up when it was his turn to stand guard so he didn't have to worry about being late for his duty.
Sofia's suggestion that she inveigle her way into the French camp was a good one. As far as he could see it was the only way they had the slightest chance of getting in without being killed or captured, and he wasn't sure which would be worse.
He carried no identification, nor did the others, so how could he convince anyone he was in fact a duke and worth exchanging for a French prisoner, or at the very worst demanding a ransom. The only person who had travelled in these hills with papers was Perry, and they had been false, as they suggested he was a wine merchant. God knows what had happened to those because he certainly didn't have them now.
He had intended to stay awake and try and come up with a solution to their problem, but a day in the saddle was enough to send him to sleep despite the discomfort of being stretched out on stony ground with only a blanket to roll up in.
He had barely closed his eyes when he was shaken roughly awake. 'Your turn, Beau, I need to get a few hours' sleep. Wake Jenkins and Smith at dawn but tell them not to light a fire. We shall have to break our fast with yesterday's bread and cheese.'
'Have you come up with a way of effecting the rescue?'
'I think I have, I'll discuss it with you all in the morning.'
This conversation had been conducted in whispers whilst Perry wriggled into the blankets with his wife. He was certain his brother was asleep as soon as his head rested on the saddle bag that was being utilised as a pillow.
He took his position in a cleft in the rock where he could see up onto the track but not be seen himself. One thing he was certain of, Perry wouldn't agree to leave until O'Reilly was free or dead. Beau rather feared it would be the latter and it wouldn't just be the Irishman who perished.
As he huddled into his thick coat he mulled over the idea that Sofia was to be used as a Trojan horse. It could just work if she could somehow smuggle weapons in with her – otherwise he rather thought it was doomed to failure. A knot formed in the pit of his stomach at the thought of what could happen to his sister-in-law at the hands of her captors. He would rather die than have her suffer in that way.
The hours passed slowly and he was relieved when the first flicker of dawn crept over the horizon. He slid out of his hiding place and went to wake his two men. He warned them about the fire and they nodded. The horses had been hobbled a little further down where there was better grazing and the two men went to fetch them back to the campsite.
'Perry, Sofia, it is time to rise.'
His brother was instantly awake and nodded. Beau hastily moved away to allow them a few moments privacy before they had to face the horrors of the day. He rolled up his blanket, collected his possessions and replaced them in the saddle bag, and then picked up the saddle and carried it over to where the horses were now standing patiently. They looked as dejected as he felt.
Billy, the huge gelding he had brought for Perry, tried to take a lump out of him as he walked past and he smacked him on the nose. Sylvester, his own stallion, greeted him with affection. They were both magnificent beasts and worth a small fortune, especially in Spain where good horseflesh was hard to come by. So many were killed in the battles, and then eaten by the hungry soldiers, that neither side found it possible to supplant them with horses of equal worth.
The other two arrived at his side with their own saddles and belongings. 'Perry, I have come up with an idea that might work. Do you think we could barter our horses for O'Reilly? I would think that these two must be worth more to this French company than one Irishman.'
'They might well agree but then would come after us and take the other three as well once they knew we had them. Also, it would mean someone would have to ride double and I think it highly unlikely any of the mounts we would be left with could get us to safety without collapsing first.'
'Then what do you suggest? Last night you said you had come up with a plan.'
Sofia was busy tearing chunks off the loaf and dividing the cheese into portions. Jenkins had filled an empty wineskin with fresh water which they all shared. Before they left they would all have to refill their own canteens at the stream.
'We shall eat first and then I'll tell you what we are going to do.'
Beau had to hide his annoyance at being given orders by his youngest brother. He was used to being the one in charge and was finding it difficult to be the least important member of this group. Even Sofia was better equipped than he was to participate in a daring rescue.
After their inadequate breakfast they saddled their horses and then Perry deigned to share his thoughts.
'I hate to say it, but the only way we have the slightest chance of success is to go with Sofia's idea. She has sewn two knives into her petticoats and also has her own stiletto secreted in her boot. Not much against so many opponents, but it might be enough.'
'I am prepared to take the chance. All I have to do is hand my weapons to the prisoners and leave the rest to them. Remember, Beau, they are not incarcerated, but working as servants and will be free to wander about the place doing their jobs.'
'For God's sake, both of you, you have not thought this through. Sending a beautiful young woman into a camp full of men will give but one result. They will have only one thing on their mind. The first thing they will see when they toss her onto her back will be the knives hidden in her petticoats.' This was blunt speaking and his brother clenched his fist and he braced himself for the punch. It didn't come. The group was silent and he pressed home his point with even more passion.
'I must speak what I feel. I do not think that the possibility of sacrificing your wife in order to save your orderly is acceptable. Do you not value her as highly as O'Reilly?'
Beau's words were heartfelt. He couldn't understand why Perry was so set on retrieving this person at the risk of all their lives.
The four of them were staring at him as if he had been speaking in tongues but then Jenkins coughed and cleared his throat. 'Forgive me for speaking out of turn, sir, but I reckon his grace is right. O'Reilly won't want to be the cause of hurt to your wife. He'd rather stay where he is. At least he's alive.'
The matter hung in the balance and then his brother said something extremely impolite and turned to stare into the distance. His stance was rigid. Nobody spoke. They waited for Perry to make his decision.
It was now full light and their faces were clearly visible, whereas before they had been indistinct. When his brother eventually turned it was as if he had aged ten years. He reached out and pulled Sofia into his arms.
'What was I thinking? I have been blinded by my own stupidity. Thank God you had the sense to speak what I should have realised for myself. This is a fool's errand. Sofia, my love, will you ever forgive me?'
She buried her head in his shoulder but didn't answer. Beau gestured to the other two that they move away to allow the young couple some privacy. He sent up a prayer of thankfulness that he had spoken out and not let this mission go any further. Now they could turn around and start making the long journey to Oporto and then back to England and Silchester Court.
Gallivanting about the place was all very well when the weather was warm. winter came early here and soon the snow would start. They needed to be well away from the hills before that happened. At least on the plains it would be warm and there would be hostelries to stay in overnight. If he never slept on the ground again he would be a happy man.
*
Sofia rarely cried, but the relief that Perry had finally seen the folly of this mission was overwhelming. Beau should have spoken up sooner and saved them all a deal of discomfort and worry. The same thing had niggled at the back of her mind, that they shouldn't be risking their lives for someone they didn't know, but she had kept these thoughts at bay until they had been spoken aloud.
'Hush, sweetheart, I can't bear to hear you cry. I should be horsewhipped for bringing you into danger. I should have been taking you on your honeymoon, spoiling you, not asking you to risk being violated in the worst possible way – and why? Your life is far more precious to me than his ever could be and it took my brother to bring me to my senses.'
She sniffed and wiped her nose on his jacket before looking up at him. 'My love, until last night you had no idea any of us would be in such danger. You would have come to the same conclusion…'
'I don't think that I would, that is what terrifies me. Good God, I helped you to sew the knives in your skirt. I should have understood the enormity of what I was asking you to do then, and not have had to be told by my brother.'
'It doesn't matter now, I shan't hold it against you. The French will be driven from the hills very soon and I'm sure that your man will find a way to escape when that happens.'
'I should never have come here, we should have set out straightaway for England.'
'Actually, the longer we are wandering about the countryside the better I shall like it. I am rather dreading having to become Lady Peregrine. I don't feel that I shall be very good at it.'
He kissed her fiercely and she responded. His horse prevented things from progressing by attempting to sink his teeth into her husband's shoulder. Perry swore at the animal and Billy put his ears back and had another go, equally unsuccessfully.
With a light heart she was tossed into the saddle and the four of them began the long, slow journey to her new life. It wasn't until they stopped for luncheon that she had another opportunity to speak to him.
'Darling girl, we shall be remaining in Salamanca for a few weeks. It is a beautiful city and was liberated from the French some months ago and should now be recovering from the occupation. Neither of us have sufficient garments, we shall have fresh ones made when we get there. I intend to take you to the grandest ball I can find and you must wear your wedding dress for me.'
'I think that your brother wishes to return as speedily as possible…'
'He will be perfectly content to remain in Salamanca if we can find luxurious accommodation for our stay. I shall also hire a carriage so you can travel in style. If we are to have a trunk full of new clothes then we can hardly continue on horseback.' He pushed a strand of hair from her eyes. 'I intend to be the best husband I can, I shall spoil you, give into your most extravagant demands. I love you, sweetheart.'
Somehow she hid her dismay; he believed he was giving her something she really wanted. The thought of being obliged to travel several hundred miles in a closed carriage filled her with horror. She was equally unhappy about the thought of being pampered and spoilt – she just wasn't that sort of girl. 'And I shall be the best wife that I can. I love you too and cannot wait to reach Salamanca so I can be your true wife.'
It took them almost two weeks to reach this city. Zorro and herself were the only members of the group that were disappointed to see it. She would have liked the journey to continue for several weeks more but everyone else in their small party, including the equines, seemed relieved to be there. Jenkins had gone ahead the day before to find them the best lodgings he could.
He met them at the city gates. 'I've rented a grand house for you, your grace, cost a fair bit, mind, but I reckon it's worth every penny. Follow me and I'll take you there.'
Everywhere Sofia looked there was another wonder to behold. The magnificent buildings glowed orange in the sunlight, the ravages of the battles that had taken place a few months ago had mostly been removed.
Elegant women in dark gowns and lace headdresses glided about the place followed by their servants carrying baskets full of interesting items. The gentlemen, their black hair oiled back, walked together in their black suits and snowy white shirts.
'The Plaza Mayor is no more than a hundred yards from the house that I rented, my lord. I've never seen the like, and I've travelled most places on the continent,' Jenkins said.
The house proved to be everything he had said and more. The occupiers had perished in the battle and the owners were delighted to have rich English aristocracy stay there at an exorbitant rent. It was fully staffed and was the most luxurious building she had ever set foot in.
The major-domo conducted them to their apartments. Beau had been given the most palatial, as was only right as he was the Duke of Silchester, but the accommodation she and Perry had was almost as wonderful.
'The first thing I want is a bath. I shall send for hot water immediately.'
'No need to do that, sweetheart, see here, we have a joint sitting room and matching bedchambers and dressing rooms. There is already a bath ready and waiting for each of us.'
He kissed her hard and her pulse skittered. Would he suggest they tumble into bed before they went downstairs? She had thought she could stay away from him, possibly have the marriage annulled, but that was foolish thinking. He was her husband and she his wife, they had promised they would be the best they could be and she, for one, would not go back on her word.
Her ability to converse in their native tongue with the two maids allocated to her made things so much easier. Whilst she luxuriated in the rose-scented water the girls had unpacked the saddle bags and one of them had run off to press her three gowns.
Her fingers were wrinkled by the time she stepped out into the waiting, warmed towels. She could hear male voices from the sitting room so guessed that Beau had joined her husband. She was tardy, but had no intention of hurrying, she was far too relaxed after her long immersion in the water.
Her hair still had to be redressed and that would take some time as there was so much of it. Without thinking she raised her voice. 'Perry, I shall be another half an hour, I will join you downstairs when I am ready.'
The bedchamber door opened and he strolled in. Apart from a clean shirt and freshly tied neckcloth, he looked no different than he had before. He still had on his riding clothes. She was about to comment but then understood he had nothing else as their limited luggage had been given over to her.
'My love, there are servants who can take messages. There is no necessity for you to yell in order to bring me to your side.'
'Fiddlesticks to that! I was going to have my hair arranged elaborately but I don't think I will bother.' She spoke rapidly to the girl and it took just a few moments for her long plait to be curled around her head and pinned in place.
'There, I am ready. I cannot wait to explore this beautiful city, we have ample time as dinner will not be served until nine o'clock.'
He took her hand and kissed her knuckle. 'Dinner will be served at whatever time we decide is convenient to us.'
'Then we are eating before we go out?'
'No, my brother and I have decided we rather like eating late so today at least we shall dine in the dark. Come along, sweetheart, I want to show you around this grand house before we promenade around the square.'
There were some further half a dozen bedchambers on this floor, and servants' quarters and the nursery floors above. Everywhere was immaculate, a little ornate for her taste, but one had to admire the abundance of gold on everything.
'This is the most impressive room, my love, and I wish to keep it until last,' Perry said as he pushed open huge double doors with a flourish.
'A ballroom – it's absolutely stunning. See how high the ceilings are? Look at the murals, the marble pillars, I've never seen anything quite so beautiful.' She ran from one delight to the next exclaiming in amazement.
She turned to see her husband and brother-in-law watching her, their smiles were indulgent as if she were a child at a party and not a woman grown. Her pleasure trickled away to be replaced by annoyance. If they thought her childish then she would behave as they expected.
She clapped her hands as if she were a silly debutante. 'We must have a ball here before we leave. I can wear my wedding gown. You must both arrange for evening dress, as well as the other things you need, to be made for you.' She smiled brightly and the two men exchanged glances.
'There is nothing I should like better, my love, than to hold a ball here so we can celebrate our marriage in style. However, as we have only just arrived and know no one to invite, I think…'
'We have the Duke of Silchester in our party, I am certain that his name on an invitation will bring all the prestigious families flocking to meet you. The Spaniards love a party, and especially a spontaneous one.'
She tilted her head in what she hoped was a coquettish way. She was rather enjoying this playacting as both gentlemen were looking more and more bewildered by her behaviour.
'I shall understand, your grace, if it is because of the cost of such an event that you hesitate. I know that my husband has no funds, and I certainly brought none to this marriage.'
It wasn't done to speak of such a vulgar thing as money, as she very well knew, and to suggest that her husband was totally dependent on his brother for everything would put the cat amongst the pigeons.
'If you are determined on this, my dear, then I shall be delighted to set things in motion,' Beau said through gritted teeth. Perry was staring at her through narrowed eyes and she wished she had not started this masquerade.
She picked up her skirt and curtsied as if to the King himself. Then laughed at their expressions. 'I was jesting, I am not such a ninnyhammer as to demand such a thing. I do apologise if you thought me serious.'
The duke laughed. 'I'm glad to hear that, Sofia, I was beginning to think that the sun had addled your wits.'
Perry took her arm and his grip was firm enough to make his anger clear. 'Forgive me, brother, I need to speak to my wife in private. We shall join you shortly.'
She wanted to call Beau back but his long strides took him from the ballroom before she had time to do so.
'Let go of my arm, Perry, you are hurting me.'
Instantly she was released but he did not apologise. 'You will not put on such a display again – is that quite clear? You might have thought you were jesting, but you embarrassed both of us by your poor taste.'
She poked her tongue out at him. 'If you treat me as a child then you can expect childish behaviour. Now, is that all or do you have further things to say to me?'
He tugged her elbows and tumbled her into his arms. 'You are a baggage, but I love you anyway.'
It was sometime before they left the ballroom and joined the duke who one might have expected to be irritated, but he was wandering about examining the murals and paintings as if they hadn't been an unconscionable time.