Part Two – England
Chapter Thirteen
Sofia accepted the ministrations of her new maid reluctantly. She was perfectly capable of dressing and undressing herself but she must accept this was how things were going to be in future. Falling in love with a blind man with no identity was quite different from being married to the brother of the Duke of Silchester.
'There you are, my lady, that ensemble is perfect for you. Cherry red complements your colouring. Shall I tie the bonnet ribbons or will you wait until after you have broken your fast to put it on?'
'I have eaten sufficient, Polly, so I might as well be ready to leave when the gentlemen come down.'
The bonnet was lined with the same red material that edged the gown and pelisse. Even her gloves were dyed to match – she felt quite ridiculous and longed to be able to put on the breeches and shirts that she had been wearing for the past few years.
Something occurred to her. 'Make sure the items I was wearing when I arrived have been packed.'
The girl looked shifty. 'His lordship instructed me to throw them out, my lady, and they…'
This was the outside of enough. 'You are my dresser, you will follow my instructions, do I make myself clear? If you wish to retain your position you had better remember this. Whatever you have done with them you will find them and pack them or you will be dismissed without reference.'
The girl gulped and ran off. Sofia knew she was being unfair but Perry had had no right to dispose of her personal possessions in this high-handed way. She prayed Polly would find them as she had no wish to punish her maid for her husband's sins.
There was no sign of the luxurious carriage, that bore the Silchester arms, outside so she thought she would go and look at the sea, viewing it from the land was preferable to being on it. As she was exiting the hostelry it belatedly occurred to her that she really should not be wandering about the place without an escort of some sort. Zorro, as always, was waiting to accompany her wherever she went. He had adjusted well to his new circumstances and appeared unbothered at being obliged to sleep in the stables.
Then she spotted Jenkins. He would be ideal. She waited in the doorway until he looked her way and then beckoned him over.
'Good morning, my lady, is there something I can do for you?'
'I should like to go for a walk before I am obliged to sit in a stuffy carriage for hours. I wish you to accompany me.'
He looked over her shoulder as if expecting to see Perry behind her. Then she realised he was looking for her maid. 'It's all very confusing, will I be breaking some unwritten rule if I take a walk with only you as my escort?'
He scratched his head. 'I ain't sure, but there's no one here to complain. There's a path that leads to the cliffs and I reckon we could go along there as long as we ain't too long. His grace sent word to the stables to be ready to leave in an hour.'
The walk was exactly what she wanted and she returned feeling that the brisk sea breeze had blown away her worries. They walked back into the inn's yard to see the carriage, with its two matching bays stamping impatiently in the traces, waiting to depart. There was no sign of either the duke or Perry so she got Jenkins to let down the steps and she climbed inside. The squabs were of leather and soft beneath her touch. This was luxury indeed and it might not be quite so unpleasant travelling in here after all.
She hadn't slept well despite the comfort of her bed and she dozed off ignoring the raised voices and running feet she could hear outside. Then the carriage tilted violently and Perry joined her inside.
'Have you any idea of the trouble you've caused? Dammit, Sofia, we've been searching for you this past hour. Did it not occur to you that getting into the carriage without telling anyone was a stupid thing to do?'
His abrupt arrival and furious words jerked her rudely from her sleep. He was no more than an arm's length from her, his cheeks were flushed and his eyes arctic.
She yawned in his face, stretched slowly and then deigned to answer. 'It is hardly my fault, my lord, if you are sostupidthat you did not think to speak to Jenkins as to my whereabouts. I do hope you do not intend to travel inside with me for I have no wish to share this cramped space with a gentleman I no longer recognise as the man I saved from certain death a few months ago.'
His jaw tightened and she could almost hear his teeth grind as he fought to hold onto his temper. Then he retreated as suddenly as he had arrived, kicked the steps up and slammed the door.
She wished the words unsaid. He had probably been worried about her absence and had not thought to ask Jenkins. Why should he think this man would know her whereabouts? Her hands stopped shaking and she stood up intending to go in search of him and apologise.
As she did so the carriage jolted forward, she lost her footing and fell against the door, it flew open she tumbled head first onto the cobbles.
*
Perry was about to mount his horse when to his horror his wife fell from the carriage and sprawled face down on the ground. He was beside her in a second, his fury forgotten. He stiffened as Zorro snarled behind him.
'Sweetheart, stay still for a minute whilst I check you have broken no limbs.'
She stirred beneath his touch and rolled over without his assistance. 'I am perfectly well, thank you, Perry. I am merely embarrassed. Would you be so kind as to assist me to my feet?' She reached around and patted the dog who immediately relaxed.
There were dirt smudges on her cheeks, her bonnet was askew, and there were tears in her eyes. He scooped her up and as his brother approached he shook his head. 'If you are sure you are unhurt, darling girl, then allow me to replace you in the carriage. I sincerely hope you do not emerge so precipitously a second time.'
His teasing words had the desired effect as she managed a watery smile. 'You are ridiculous…'
