Mary had left them to talk alone which was considerate of her. Although she was four years older than his brother one wouldn't notice the difference by looking at them. She was a beautiful young woman and obviously his twin and she were deeply in love.
'I thought perhaps you had returned because you are expecting an addition to the family.'
'No, we are not inclined to have children.' His brother grinned making him look years younger. 'I should rephrase that, we are not unduly bothered if we do not have a family. What about you? Do you hope to set up your nursery?'
'Like you, I'm not in any hurry to share my life with screaming infants. However, I think Sofia wants a large family – so either way one of us will be pleased.'
'Well, it is not you that has to bear them for nine months and then push them out into the world. I detect a certain reservation in your voice when you talk of Sofia. Why did you marry her if you did not love her?'
Perry explained the circumstances and his brother immediately understood that he had had no choice in the matter. 'She will find it difficult adjusting to the restrictions of this life. Why don't you take the yacht and go away for a year as we did?'
'God forbid! Neither of us enjoyed the crossing from Portugal to England and vowed never to set foot on the sea again. I thank you for your kind offer, but sailing is not for us.'
The rooms that had been turned into a self-contained, and very attractive, house for his twin had been examined and admired. 'Beau said he was going to do the same for us, but until this happens we will have to remain with him. I fear he will be in no hurry to set things in motion as I think he is looking forward to having lively company for the winter.'
The door opened and Mary came in. 'I'm sorry to intrude, but I saw Sofia go into the maze a while ago and she has yet to emerge. It will soon be too dark for her to see.'
'I thought she was going to remain in her apartment. I intended to show her everything tomorrow after we have seen the rest of the family.'
'Do you wish me to come with you, brother?'
'No, I'll find her easily enough. Forgive me, I can hardly abandon her to return here to dine with you, so I will see you tomorrow.'
He exited through the French windows and didn't bother to walk along the terrace to the central steps that led down to the lawn but vaulted over the balustrade as he had always done when a boy.
A cold wind had got up, it was like to rain and it would be decidedly unpleasant to be caught out in it. Autumn in England was quite different to this season in Spain. Here there could be frost as early as October.
He doubled across the grass, the way infantry travelled when in a hurry. His night vision had always been excellent but since his sight had returned he was finding it difficult to see clearly even when there was a full moon.
When he got within hailing distance he called out. 'Sofia, raise the flag and then I can come in and find you.'
He was now no more than a yard or two from the entrance and expected her to reply with relief that he had come to her aid. Instead she spoke from right behind him.
'I no longer have the flag, I returned it to the receptacle. What made you think I needed your assistance in exiting the maze?'
He was not best pleased at her behaviour. 'Mary did not see you come out and was concerned for your well-being. How the devil are you out here?'
'I had Zorro, he found me a gap in the hedge to wriggle through.'
He scrutinised her more carefully and could see no evidence that she had done such a thing. There was not a single bit of greenery attached to her gown. Her bonnet, however, was askew.
'Here, let me straighten your headgear.' She remained still whilst he did so but didn't seem especially pleased by his intervention.
'I intended to dine with my brother, why don't you come with me and meet him and my sister-in-law?'
'Was I invited?'
'You will be very welcome, you do not need a formal invitation. He is my twin – my mirror image – he cannot wait to meet the woman I have fallen in love with.'
The tension between them lessened somewhat at his words. 'I should very much like to meet them both, but not tonight. My dinner will be arriving at any moment in my apartment and my maid will send out a search party if I am not there to eat it.'
Then she was out of his reach and running lightly across the grass without even a fond farewell. He had a deal of fence-mending to do before things were put right between them. What had upset her so much she did not even say goodbye?
Devil take it! This wouldn't do. He raced after her and caught her up easily before she reached the side entrance. He positioned himself between her and the door. The dog thought this was a grand game and barked beside them. 'Quiet, go to your bed.' He was astonished that the animal immediately was silent and loped off into the dark leaving him to speak to Sofia in peace.
'Sweetheart, what's wrong? What I done to hurt you so badly?'
She hesitated but then said what was in her heart. 'If you love me why have you banished me from your bed? You could not have made it plainer that you do not wish to have me at your side by putting me in an apartment that does not connect to yours.'
'That is easily solved, my love, there are a dozen other chambers we can use. I apologise, but I did not stay long enough in my room to notice. Come, we shall find something that suits us together.'
