Chapter Twenty-One
Sofia was woken by the startled squeal of the kitchen maid who had arrived to begin the preparations for the day. Who was the more surprised by the encounter she could not surmise. Sofia realised she had fallen asleep in the comfortable chair and spent the night in the kitchen.
'I am so sorry that I startled you. I came down for something to eat and, as you can see, I fell asleep. I shall get out of your way immediately.'
The girl curtsied. 'Never you mind, my lady, nice and warm it is in here. Shall I make you a lovely jug of chocolate and bring it up for you? I ain't supposed to go above stairs, but I don't reckon Cook will mind this once seeing as it's you.'
'That would be wonderful. I shall make sure you are not reprimanded for helping me.' Sofia was about to leave when somebody hammered on the kitchen door. She froze – memories of the burglar flooded back. Surely such a person would not bang on the door?
The maid recovered first and dashed off to investigate. To her astonishment Perry strode in and for the second time that morning she startled someone by her presence in the kitchen.
'Sweetheart, what in God's name are you doing down here?'
She was about to answer when his expression changed to one of concern and he was beside her in an instant. 'You have your arm in a sling, you are pale. Let me look at your hand.'
She flinched away. 'You must not, it is far too painful to be touched. I should have asked for the doctor to be sent for yesterday.'
Gently he pushed her back into the rocking chair and then carefully removed her injured hand from the sling. She bit back a cry of pain as he folded back the scarf to examine it. His language caused the kitchen maid to gasp.
'You have dislocated tow of your knuckles. They should have been put back in place immediately. It will be far more painful for you doing it now.'
His words had scarcely registered when he took hold of her middle fingers and held the rest of her hand steady. Then there was the searing pain and her world went black for a moment. Her scream filled the chamber.
'I'm sorry to have hurt you so badly, my love, but your hand will be better now things are back in place.'
Slowly she recovered her breath and was able to speak. She had been going to rail at him for his rough treatment but then she realised he was right. Her hand was no longer agony when she moved it. She scarcely dared to look down for fear of what she would see.
'I shall carry you back to your room, sweetheart, and then we can talk.'
Without a by your leave he picked her up and she didn't have the energy to protest. He shouldered his way through the door, past the servants' rooms and into the main part of the house.
'My room is the third door on the left, Perry.' She should have asked to be put down as she was perfectly capable of walking but being held so close to him, feeling his warmth, his strength, was exactly what she needed.
He put her into her bed and then busied himself restoring the fires before returning to her side. 'Were you up because your hand was so painful?'
'I was. Which reminds me – did Aubrey catch the burglar?'
He explained what had transpired. 'You could have been killed? What were you thinking? You might be the most aggravating of husbands, but you are the only one I have and I do not wish to lose you.'
His smile curled her toes, then she saw the familiar darkness in his eyes but he did not follow up on his desire and for that she was grateful. She was not ready to be intimate with him – there was still too much bad blood between them.
'I too could not sleep. I guessed you were having problems with your hand and wanted to see for myself what damage you had done.'
'I am so ashamed that I punched your brother unnecessarily. If my hand was so badly damaged is not his nose also broken?'
'He has a magnificent black eye but you have not marred his face.' He pulled up a chair and sat close to her, but not alarmingly so. 'I'm consumed by shame at my reprehensible and unforgivable behaviour. I have absolutely no excuse and will understand if you wish to leave me.'
'I have not quite decided what I wish to do. If the ceremony could be set aside, then we could start afresh – get to know each other better before...' She blushed, not able to mention what she had been thinking.
'I am floundering, sweetheart. You just told me you did not wish to lose me and yet you are asking to have the marriage broken. I love you, I shall never marry another, but will do whatever you want.'
'I love you too. I have not explained myself properly. I would like to be married in our own church with your family and mine present. I was just suggesting we could pretend we were courting, and then we can put everything behind us and start again.'
'We don't have to do anything about the ceremony in Spain as we can just ignore it. The family will be together here for the Christmas festivities, that will be the perfect time to have a second ceremony.' His eyes blazed and she caught her breath.
He jumped to his feet before she could respond and moved rapidly to the door. 'That being the case, my darling, I should not be in your bedchamber. I shall appear mid-morning to take you for a drive as I think that is the correct procedure for a courting couple.'
'Will I not have to remain indoors until the doctor has visited?'
'Your hand will be stiff and sore for a few days but you no longer need the attentions of a physician. I have set dislocated limbs on several occasions and he would have done nothing different.'
'I shall need bride clothes – it seems wrong to be asking you to pay for them in the circumstances.'
'Be damned to the circumstances. You order whatever you want, will four weeks be sufficient time for you?'
'My lord, if I am to marry you a second time then I insist that you moderate your language.'
He grinned making him look years younger. 'Coming it too brown, madam, you must have heard far worse when you were riding with the partisans.'
'I did, but somehow improper language spoken in Spanish does not sound half as bad.'
He raised a hand and disappeared, she could hear him laughing to himself outside the door. Then another voice, very similar to his, spoke.
'What the devil are you doing wandering about my house at this time of the morning?' Aubrey had been woken by Perry's laughter.
'I am going, brother, I have been speaking to my wife. She will explain it all to you at a more civilised time.'
There was a hesitant tap on her door and her brother-in-law spoke from outside. 'Are you well, Sofia?'
'I'm absolutely splendid, thank you, Aubrey. I apologise if we woke you. I shall speak to you at breakfast.'
*
Perry bounded down the stairs and back through the kitchen where the helpful kitchen maid was about to carry up the tray. He waved nonchalantly and left the same way he had come in. He was tempted to wake up his older brother but thought this might not be appreciated.
Zorro pressed his cold nose into his hand and whined. 'I know, your mistress is living in one place and I am in another but all will be well soon.' He patted the dog and walked around to the side door which was now unbolted. The house was coming alive, there were several maids, sacks tied around their waists, busily scrubbing the floor. He negotiated their buckets and cloths and made his way to the study.
Peebles had anticipated his actions and the fire was lit and candles burning everywhere. He had scarcely settled in front of the fire with a newspaper when a footman arrived with a tray. Exactly what he wanted. He was drinking coffee and eating sweet rolls at exactly the same time as Sofia. They were not together in person but they were still sharing a meal.
If they were to arrange a second wedding there were invitations to send out, but perhaps it would be best in the circumstances for it to remain a family affair as there were more than enough of them to make a jolly party. It was not the accepted behaviour to bring one's children to a house party but obviously the family would be doing so. This meant that not only would it not be a quiet event but the guests that had been obliged to abandon their children over the festive period would be made to feel guilty.
He had left his civilian clothes here when he had bought his colours, they still fitted him well enough. It was fortunate indeed that gentlemen's fashions did not change so rapidly as those for the ladies. For their first ceremony he had worn borrowed clothes, so at least he would be wearing his own garments this time.
Beau appeared and was unsurprised to see him. 'Good morning, Perry, have you recovered from your night-time excursion?'
'Not only that, I have much to tell you, and all of it good.' He quickly ran through what had happened and what Sofia wanted.
'I think this will be a blessing rather than a marriage service, so there is no necessity to have the banns called and it can take place whenever we want. We shall use our own chapel and you are right to limit the guests to ourselves.'
'Would you object if I raided your hothouse? I wish to go laden with gifts when I visit her later.'
'I am disappointed that you feel you have to ask my permission. I am merely the custodian of all this, I do not have exclusive rights to anything.' He pointed at the empty tray which no one had come to collect. 'Shall I delay breakfast as you have already eaten?'
'That was hours ago. I am making up now for my lack of food over the past few days. Will you come with me to choose flowers and fruit for Sofia?'
'I will not. I shall use the time to plough through the remainder of this paperwork. I am glad that Bennett was able to return from his duties in London but I believe that he has departed already and will not be back until the House of Lords rises in two weeks' time.'
'Then I shall quickly pen a note to go with what is sent. By the way, I do hope your black eye has gone before Christmas.'
His brother's smile was somewhat forced. 'As Sofia fared worse than me I am prepared to forgive and forget.'
Perry arranged to get back in time to break his fast, for a second time, and returned to his apartment to put on something against the bitter cold. Zorro followed him into the orangery and appeared intrigued by the exotic smells and bright colours. They perhaps reminded him of his former home.
He wandered about admiring the blooms and fruit but had no notion which would make the best gift.
'My lord, can I be of service to you?' The head gardener hurried up and touched his forelock.
'I need a basket of fruit and a vase of flowers to be taken to Lady Peregrine. She is visiting with Lord Aubrey at the moment.'
'Leave it to me, my lord, I will select the items myself and have them taken round as soon as they are ready.'
'They need to be there as soon as possible – before I go around myself.'
'It will be done as you requested, my lord.'
He whistled to the dog who bounded over looking a little guilty. Perry decided not to investigate what his dog had been doing. He had a suspicion that Zorro had left a nasty surprise for one of the gardeners to find.
He wasted a further half an hour before returning to the breakfast parlour. His brother had yet to appear but the food was there and he was sharp-set. He was in the process of heaping his plate when Beau strolled in.
'You are looking more cheerful, little brother, and your colour is better too.'
'I am hopeful that in three weeks my beautiful bride will be restored to me. I shall only inform her about our future living arrangements then. I do not wish to influence her in my favour but have her take me back as I am.'
'A noble sentiment, but I do not think you can take the risk. From what you have told me she has already forgiven you – after all she would not have suggested that you remarry if she was intending to return to Spain.'
'I shall take your advice, Beau, and tell her everything I have set in motion when I go to see her shortly. I am relieved you have not set the alterations in motion in the west wing as that would be a wasted expense. Would you ask Carstairs, when he returns, to sell the two estates I inherited. I wish to be financially independent when we move next year.'
'What do you intend to do with the money when you have it?'
'I had thought to invest in a manufactory or two – the people need work and this will be a way of satisfying my need for an income and my people for employment.'
His brother looked shocked, as well he might, because no Sheldon had ever been involved in trade before. 'I have a small interest in a shipping company. Why not investigate that first?'
'I take it that shipping is acceptable whereas manufacturing is not.' His brother frowned and Perry raised his hand to prevent the pithy retort that would be coming his way. 'As long as I don't have to sail in one myself I am quite open to putting my money in import and export instead. However, even with insurance I don't think my money will be as secure as it would be in a factory.'
'I refuse to discuss such matters when I am eating my breakfast. I had been meaning to tell you that your hound has been attracting a deal of attention in the neighbourhood.' Beau waved his fork in the air. 'Why don't you look for a suitable bitch to breed with him?'
'I rather think Zorro will find his own mate, and that there will be a surplus of puppies by next spring.'
'In which case, I shall get my kennelman to find me a couple. I have become quite attached to your dog.'
Conversation ceased whilst they both ate heartily. The time, when they had finished, was just after ten o'clock, so he must attend to his appearance and then present himself next door. This time he would go to the front as a visitor would, not to the terrace entrance.
'Are you dining next door again, Beau?'
'I thought to invite Bennett and Grace, Carshalton and Madeline, as well as Aubrey, Mary and Sofia. I think your wife will have no objection to spending time with you in company.'
'Thank you, your kindness is much appreciated. I shall see you at dinner.'
*
Sofia spent longer on her appearance than was strictly necessary when she was intending to spend a quiet morning in the house. Polly finished dressing her hair and stood back.
'There, my lady, that new style is perfect on you. The modiste will be arriving soon with the samples and fashion plates for you to choose your new gowns.'
'You have my measurements so there is no need for me to do more than look through the styles and materials. I'm expecting Lord Peregrine at any moment, therefore, if she arrives whilst he is here you must have her bring everything to my sitting room and I will come as soon as I can to make my selections.'
As she was admiring her appearance in the long glass there was a loud knock on the sitting room door and Polly ran to answer it. There was the sound of voices and the scuffle of feet next door and then her maid rushed in beaming.
'This is the note that has come with the other things, my lady.'
'What other things?' She moved swiftly into the sitting room and stopped, her mouth rounded. An enormous, beribboned basket of exotic fruit stood on the central table and a huge vase of hothouse flowers had been placed on the bureau at the other side of the chamber.
She unfolded the note.
My darling Sofia,
Here are some small tokens of my love – courtesy of the duke's hothouse. I am counting the seconds until I can come and see you in person.
Love everlasting
Your husband Peregrine.
His missive was as extravagant as his gifts. She could imagine him writing it, his eyes gleaming with amusement, and loved him for it. Perhaps waiting three weeks to forgive him was a trifle longer than it need be.