Chapter Six
Perry didn't speak for a minute, just stood ramrod straight, every inch an aristocrat until the poor woman crumpled beneath his stare.
'I am Lord Peregrine Sheldon; my brother is the Duke of Silchester. I am betrothed to Sofia and we shall be wed as soon as the wretched priest arrives. I hope this meets with your full approval.'
She curtsied and a wave of shame washed over him. He was behaving appallingly. Mrs Appleby had shown nothing but kindness since he arrived – this was no way to repay her.
He bowed formally. 'I most sincerely beg your pardon, ma'am, for speaking to you so rudely. Might I be permitted to sit?'
'Of course, my lord…'
'No, I am Perry to you and always will be.' He smiled warmly. 'I hope you will allow me to call you mama as soon as the knot is tied.'
'I should be honoured. What possessed you to march across the square so boldly announcing to everyone that you have debauched my daughter?'
He bit back an angry retort. 'You are right, ma'am, but the matter was taken from my hands as Señora Rodriquez, an inveterate gossip, arrived before we were ready to leave. It was badly done of me. We should have waited until we were married before sharing a bed.'
For the first time she relaxed and returned his smile. 'As my daughter came to you I can hardly blame you. She is a beautiful young lady but, I am sorry to say, since we have been living here she has been riding out with partisans and has become wild and unruly.'
'And I love her for it. I owe her my life and will forever be grateful that my accident brought us together.' He could hear crockery clattering at the rear of the house. Sofia was making sure neither of them forgot about her. 'I am an intelligence officer, I was on my way to a meeting. There is little point in me attempting to complete my journey as matters will have moved on by now.' He supposed he should really have told her he was a wine merchant looking for new supplies but the time for prevarication had gone. She was to be his mother-in-law and there must be complete honesty between them in future.
'I thought as much, you will wish to return to the English army I suppose. The men left last night and should be able to supply you with the whereabouts of Wellington when they return. It will be a great shock to everyone to discover your true identity.'
'I was not travelling alone. My first task is to find my companion, I think he might have been captured. I pray he wasn't shot as a spy if they caught him.'
The door slammed back and Sofia stood there glaring at him. 'I could not help but overhear what you said. Have you completely lost your senses? It has been many weeks since you were separated from your comrade. What makes you think you can find him after all this time without getting captured or killed yourself?'
'Why don't you come in, my love, one never hears good news if one is listening outside doors.'
She was holding a large skillet in her hand and for a moment he thought she might throw it at him. Then wisely she thought better of it. 'Please, Perry, don't go. It is far too dangerous. At least wait until we are married.'
He couldn't prevent his laughter. 'If I didn't know you better, sweetheart, I would think you had an avaricious motive for suggesting that. Or is it that you just wish to be elevated to the aristocracy and inherit my fortune on my demise?' These remarks had been said in jest but were taken as truth.
Her expression changed. She raked him from top to toe with a disdainful glare. 'I don't give a fig for your money or your title. I was just thinking that if I'm carrying your child you might prefer it not to be a bastard.' Her arm swung back. She was going to throw the pan at him.
He was on his feet and at her side before she was able to do so. 'Throwing things at me…' He couldn't finish the sentence, his knees buckled and only her quick thinking stopped him from collapsing on the floor. Until that moment he hadn't taken in the fact that he could now see – not perfectly – but he was no longer blind.
Between them they manoeuvred him onto the sofa and she sat next to him, holding his hands in hers.
'When did your vision clear? How long have you been able to see me?'
He rested his clammy forehead against her shoulder and took several steadying breaths before he was able to speak coherently. 'I'm not sure exactly. I think it has been clearing since we got up but I was so full of my own importance this miracle passed unnoticed.' He pushed himself upright in order to see her clearly for the first time.
'You are even more lovely than I imagined, sweetheart, my brothers and sisters will love you as much as I do.'
'I hope them loving me was not dependent on the fact that I was pretty.' Her eyes were sparkling, he had never seen anything so beautiful.
'Strangely enough all my family have married partners that are equally as personable as they are. My twin, Aubrey, was married in the summer but unfortunately, I could not be there. Now we are to be married and I shall have none of my family present.'
'Then we should postpone our nuptials until you can return to England.'
'We shall do no such thing. I am a serving soldier, albeit an intelligence officer rather than a fighting one, but I cannot resign my commission until the war is over. I shall no longer act as a spy, but return to my company and fight alongside them when necessary.'
'Then I shall follow the drum, I think I will enjoy being a soldier's bride.'
He picked her up and put her securely on his lap. 'I must discover what happened to O'Reilly. It is my duty as an officer not to abandon him.'
'I do understand, and I apologise for almost throwing…' She stopped and looked around in bewilderment. 'Where is the wretched thing? In fact, where is my mama?'
'She will have taken it out of harm's way and left us to celebrate together. I can hardly credit that my memory and sight have returned so suddenly. One would have thought there would have been some signs before yesterday.'
'We shall put it down to the hand of God, and thank him for it.' She scrambled off his lap. 'If you are going in search of your compatriot then I shall come with you. I know these hills, I am able to use a pistol and a knife if necessary.'
He was about to tell her in no uncertain terms to do nothing of the kind but then reconsidered. 'Very well, you may accompany me.' He fixed her with the stare he used on his subordinates. 'You will be under my command and follow my orders to the letter. Is that understood?'
She giggled and saluted – well, made a passable attempt at one. 'Yes, sir. Breakfast should be ready by now and I am sharp-set.' She paused as the most hideous noise interrupted them. 'What on earth is that?'
'I think it's Zorro announcing his return. Would your mother object if I let him in?'
'As long as he stops howling she won't care where he goes.'
*
Both Perry and her mother refused to allow Sofia to spend another night across the square. 'I can't see that it makes any difference. I am a fallen woman and my reputation is non-existent. Isn't this like closing the stable door after the horse has bolted?'
Her future husband exchanged a knowing look with her parent before answering. 'I should never have allowed you to stay in the first place – I shall not make the same mistake again. Another thing, do you have any gowns you might wear? I had not understood just how unseemly breeches and boots are for a young lady.'
She poked her tongue out at him and he laughed. 'I shall have a rummage about in my closet and see what I might find, but I am not promising anything. I shall wear a dress for our wedding ceremony. I insist that you have something new as well.'
'God knows where I shall find garments that fit me in this town. Now I can see I shall venture around the place and look for a tailor. I shall have to purchase everything on credit.'
'You have not visited the marketplace, the church, or any of the shops. Your knowledge of this place has been limited by your disability. We have everything we need here and what we don't we buy from the next town.'
'Now that they know they have an aristocrat in their midst I can assure you they will be only too happy to sell you things with or without payment.'
'I must go. I thank you for the delicious breakfast, ma'am, and would like you both to dine with me tonight.'
'Thank you, that would be delightful. Sofia will be dressed appropriately for the occasion.'
Sofia followed him to the front door but was pushed aside by the dog when she tried to embrace him. 'I can see how it's going to be in future. Zorro is a jealous guardian. Shall we be taking him back with us to England when we eventually go?'
'More to the point, sweetheart, is whether I shall be allowed to keep him when I'm back with my regiment.'
'He will have to make do with me when you are busy fighting for King and Country.' She embraced the dog and he licked her face which was not a pleasant experience. 'Enough of that, I've no wish to be slobbered over by an animal who has just been eating raw rabbit for his breakfast.'
The dog wasn't wearing the harness and she wondered if he was aware that his master could now see and didn't need to be led about the place. Perry cupped her face and kissed her hard and she regretted the fact that they were not to spend another night together until they were married.
She opened the front door and he marched away his dog prancing about him yelping and barking in excitement. The animal obviously understood Perry was no longer blind which was a miracle in itself. Having Zorro for company when her husband was on active service would be both a comfort and an entertainment.
She decided to remain indoors and avoid the speculative and disapproving looks she would encounter if she went out. For all her bravado, she too regretted her impulsive decision to seduce Perry. Everything was happening so quickly. Three days ago he didn't know who he was and had been blind – now he was a lord and could see and she was no longer an innocent.
Dinner wasn't eaten as early as in England for here nobody sat down until late. This gave her ample time to find something suitable to wear, press it, and also wash her hair. She had been careless of her appearance when he couldn't see her, now everything was different.
'Mama, upon what have we been living these past months? I cannot believe that papa's funds and the money you have earned from your sewing have been sufficient.'
'People are generous here, unlike at home. You treat their ailments for nothing and you might not have been aware of it but they repay this kindness with gifts of food and fuel. Also, the fact that you have accompanied them several times when they have been on raids has made you one of them. Nobody goes hungry here whilst there is food to be had.'
'Mama, will you marry Don Pablo when I leave?'
'I will indeed, we might not be giddy and heedless like you and Perry but nevertheless we are still deeply attached to each other. I shall have position in the town married to him, will live in comfort, if not luxury. I shall miss you dreadfully of course, but when this dreadful war is over perhaps I shall be able to make an extended stay with you in England.'
'I shall write to my grandmother telling her I am about to be married to the brother of the Duke of Silchester. That should make her happy.'
'You will do no such thing, my girl. If you intend to leave with Perry even if you are not married, it's best not to tell her anything.'
'I shall be guided by you, Mama. I'm going to find something to wear tonight. It is so long since I have worn a gown but I am not sure I have anything the moths haven't eaten.'
'Come with me, my love, I have something to show you upstairs.'
Intrigued she followed her parent and was quite overwhelmed by what she was shown. 'How could you possibly know I would be requiring feminine apparel? When did you sew these gowns for me?'
'I thought at once how it would be with you and Perry so have been working on them for an hour or two every day. Which one will you wear tonight?'
'Where did you get this lovely material?' She ran the fine green cotton through her fingers. 'This will complement my eyes to perfection. I must hope he will not notice my lack of stockings.'
'Don Pablo gave me a box filled with cottons, silks and satins. I have been also preparing my own trousseau from these items. I have made you the necessary undergarments, but you are right, you will have bare feet in your slippers.'
'That is a mere bagatelle, as long as I am looking like the future wife of a lord I shall be content.'
Night had fallen when they left the house to cross the small square. As always the sound of laughing voices travelled through the darkness as families gathered in their courtyards to chat and drink before eating.
'Mama, I had forgotten how inconvenient it is to have skirts to trip over,' Sofia said as she held hers up in front of her.
'You look every inch a lady, my dear daughter, and Perry will be suitably impressed at your transformation I can assure you.'
'His house is ablaze with candlelight – that in itself is strange. Do you think he has invited anyone else to dine with him?'
'I have no more idea than you. We shall both find out in a moment.'
The front door was wide open, there was no need to knock. From the amount of voices drifting out from the veranda at the rear of the building they were not the only guests.
She dropped her skirt, shook it vigorously to ensure it had no creases, and walked in ahead of her mother. She had half-expected the dog to be the first to greet her but this was not the case.
'My darling, you look ravissante. If I thought you would obey me, I would insist that you never wear men's attire again.' Perry took her hand and kissed her knuckles. Then he tucked it through his and turned to nod politely to her mother.
'Welcome, ma'am, as no doubt you can hear there is to be a celebration of more than just family.'
He led her into the main room where there were half a dozen people milling about, all dressed in their best. She and Mama were the only ladies present who did not have their hair dressed with combs and black lace. The gentlemen were in black, but there the resemblance to English evening dress ceased. Their evening jackets were short-waisted and their trousers tight. They wore high-collared white shirts beneath the jacket, and no neckcloth.
Her beloved had from somewhere purchased a dark blue topcoat and a new, startlingly white shirt with lace cuffs that emerged from sleeves and almost covered his hands. His neckcloth was tied elaborately, but he was still wearing his everyday breeches and riding boots – although these had been spruced up.
Don Pablo bowed to Mama and guided her to the far side of the room where they could converse privately.
Perry squeezed her hand. 'You have nothing to worry about, sweetheart, important people in this small town have decided to ignore our indiscretion, to pretend it didn't happen, and this is the announcement of our betrothal. The fact that I am an aristocrat was enough for them to forgive us.'
'Are you quite sure? I haven't dared to look directly at any of the guests.'
'You may do so with impunity, darling girl, all you will receive in return are benevolent smiles.'
Juan appeared with a tray of champagne and she took a glass. Perry stiffened beside her. She glanced up and smiled sweetly. 'Unlike most young ladies of your acquaintance, my love, I have a head for alcohol. I rarely get the opportunity to drink champagne and do not intend to miss out.'
He winked at her which made her giggle. 'There is nothing about you that is similar to any girl I've ever come in contact with. You are unique and you are mine.' He almost growled this last phrase and heat pooled in a most unexpected place.
'Behave yourself, my lord, or I shall not be answerable for the consequences.' She had deliberately parroted his words and his expression showed his appreciation of her wit.
He took her up onto the veranda and then turned to face the dozen people assembled in front of him. 'I should like to thank you all for coming tonight to celebrate my extraordinary good fortune. Not only have I regained my identity and my sight today, I have also become betrothed to Miss Sofia Appleby.' He looked down at her and his eyes blazed. 'I would forego both of the former and happily settled for the latter if I was forced to make a choice.'
He raised his glass. 'I give you the future Lady Peregrine Sheldon.'
Everyone repeated his words and drank the toast. Then Don Pablo toasted both of them and they drank again.
Delicious smells were wafting in from the kitchen and her mouth watered. 'Perry, I have not eaten since breakfast, I hope dinner will not be long.'
'We have tapas for the first remove, then a selection of local dishes and we shall finish with fruit and nuts.'
'Please talk of this no more, but lead me to the table. My stomach will rumble so loudly everyone present will hear it if I do not eat immediately.'