Again and Again

Chapter 24

The bride and groom entered the dining room directly after the ceremony. The room was intimate, one of the lesser halls, Caroline noted with relief. A dozen footmen were standing at attention, the duke’s livery familiar and she gave him high marks for organization.

Or perhaps, young Gore was to be complimented.

“Did Gore arrange all this?” she asked, lifting her hand to the liveried staff and sumptuously appointed table.

“You say that like you think I can’t.”

“I’m not sure you know how many servants you have.”

“Good point.” He smiled. “Although, now I have you to count them for me, don’t I?”

She gave him a lowering look. “I haven’t gotten any better at running a household.”

For which she’d always had Bessie’s cousin. “Fortunately, Bessie and Rose are at Monkshood.”

“Rose!” Caroline spun around as much as her train would allow. “She’s with you?” she asked, a flush of excitement coloring her cheeks.

“All your staff are with me.”

Her eyes widened. “Why didn’t you tell me? I would have married you in an instant.”

“Precisely the reason I didn’t.” He gave her a roguish grin. “I wanted to be loved for myself.”

“Not for your title or wealth or charm.”

He winked. “Or my good looks.”

“Arrogant man. I’ll have you know, I married you for these rubies,” she said, lightly, touching her earbobs with a fingertip.

He glanced sideways at the line of footmen. “I need slightly more privacy to tell you why I married you. And,” he said, listening to the sounds of activity coming from the entrance hall, “right now, I have to bid adieu to Aubrey.”

“He’s not joining us for dinner?”

Simon shook his head. “He has to leave.”

“At this hour of the night?” She looked at him suspiciously. “You’re driving him off, aren’t you?”

“No. Word of God,” he could say with a clear conscience. “He’s in a rush to get to a Tattersall’s sale.”

“You’re not serious.”

He nodded. “Aubrey’s been waiting for Glouster’s sale for months.” What he didn’t mention is that the Earl of Glouster’s stable would have been beyond his reach prior to his meeting with Simon. “It’s Tuesday next and the roads are bad as you know.”

“Then, I’ll come to say goodbye too.” She half-turned her back to him. “Help me take off this veil.”

They took their leave of the bishop a short time later, exchanging courtesies and offers to visit, as well as mutual thanks. Then Simon accompanied Aubrey to the coach, presumably to give the driver instructions.

Once Aubrey was seated inside, Simon handed him a note. The driver will stop at Netherton Castle first. If you’ll give this to Ian, personally, I’d appreciate it“

“Certainly.” The bishop took the missive. “Will they come after Lady Caroline?”

“They shouldn’t I’ve explained as much as can be explained and we are married. I’m assuming that in itself will nullify anyone’s objections.‘’

Aubrey nodded, the duke’s marriage was sure to make a strong statement concerning his sincerity. He didn’t expect anyone in London would have bet a shilling on the duke’s marrying anytime soon. “Your bride seems content… indeed happy,” Aubrey said, perhaps needing justification for his role in so unorthodox an event.

Simon smiled. “She just required a bit of convincing. You needn’t have misgivings. If Caro didn’t have such a temper, we would have been married long ago.”

Simon’s dissolute life had given no indication of an ambition to marry, but Aubrey tactfully remained silent on that point. “Just so, Your Grace. My blessings on you both,” he murmured. “Perhaps, we’ll meet on the turf next summer.”

“You can count on it. Caro and her father used to breed some fine racers. I expect she’ll take a hand in my stable.” Simon shut the carriage door, lifted his hand in salute and nodded to the driver.

As the carriage pulled away from the door, he ran his hands through his hair and slowly exhaled.

One hurtle down-the marriage was accomplished.

Two hurtles left.

Both of which would generate controversy.

He slowly turned to the door.

This time though, he wasn’t going to let her run.

Caroline was waiting for him in the entrance hall, seated in the porter’s chair, the skirt of her gown a pouf of lace and shimmering gold, its train trailing over the black and white marble floor.

That didn’t take long. Did you assure him I wouldn’t sue him for his part in this marriage?“

Simon grinned. “I did, of course. He was relieved. Are you hungry?” he asked, opting for a less controversial topic of conversation.

“Starved.”

He was surprised after she’d eaten half a cake, her answer not reassuring in terms of one of the hurtles facing him. But he smiled politely and held out his hand. “Come then, we’ll sample the chef’s work.”

As she placed her hand in his, she met his gaze squarely. “Don’t forget our wager.”

“After we eat,” he replied, pulling her to her feet. If she lost, she’d be sulky and if he did-that possibility didn’t bear too close scrutiny. They might as well enjoy the food and champagne first.

And to that end, Simon dismissed the servants once they reached the dining room. They could serve themselves from the numerous dishes arrayed on the sideboard. And he was capable of opening a bottle of champagne.

While the newlyweds were partaking of champagne and the various specialties of the chef and sous-chef at Kettleston Hall, Ian was closeted in his study with the Bishop of Coultrip.

Everyone had been in bed when the servant had come for Ian. Fortunately, Jane hadn’t wakened, twelve days of celebration having taken their toll. Ian met Aubrey in his study, the bishop immediately assuring Ian that Caroline wasn’t being kept against her will. She and the duke were in fact, married. He handed Simon’s note to the earl.

Ian read it quickly. “Married,” he breathed. His gaze snapped up and he looked at Aubrey sharply. “Are you real?” He indicated the clerical collar with a flick of his hand.

“Yes.” But Aubrey’s voice indicated a small measure of his unease.

“Did he make you do this?” Ian challenged, taking note of the cleric’s discomfort.

“No.” If Aubrey were a religious man, he would have had to pray over the ambiguities in his answer.

“You say she wasn’t forced?”

“She seemed very happy when I left,” Aubrey replied, choosing his words carefully; there was no point in stirring up unnecessary debate.

Ian tapped the note. “He says I’m not to visit for a fortnight.”

“Perhaps-I mean… their, er, honeymoon… might-ah…”

“She’s fine now?” Ian dropped into a chair, a faint frown creasing his forehead. “You’re sure?”

“I believe they’d planned to marry several years ago, but had some disagreement”

“Simon no doubt refused.”

“I didn’t get that impression.”

Ian’s expression registered surprise. “She refused him?”

“It rather seemed that way according to the duke.”

“Good God!… er, beg pardon. But Simon rejected? As long as I’ve known him, he’s been fighting off the ladies.”

Aubrey cleared his throat delicately. “Perhaps fighting off matrimony would be more precise; his reputation reflects a rather different approach to… er, the ladies.”

Ian suddenly smiled. “‘Pon my word. So, he was finally caught. I think that awe-inspiring event calls for a drink!” He came to his feet. “Care to join me, parson?”

“Perhaps a wee dram.”

Ian looked back on his way to the liquor table. “You like our whiskey?”

“I grew fond of it while studying in Edinburgh.”

“Our Northumberland stills are first-rate. Let’s see,” he murmured, surveying his choices. “Why don’t we try the whiskey from Talbot vale first?”