Chapter Fifteen
What the servants would think of Perry's suggestion she had no idea, and cared less. 'I thought you had rejected me…'
His expression changed to astonishment. The next thing she knew she was in his arms and being thoroughly kissed and her reservations about being his wife vanished under the heat of their passion.
'We cannot remain out here, darling, it is a matter of urgency that we find a suitable bedchamber.'
Instead of going in search of new accommodation they tumbled into his bed and by the time they emerged her dinner was quite cold and uneatable.
'I must eat, Perry, but it is far too late to send down to the kitchen as they will have retired long ago.'
'Then we shall go down and find ourselves something. Stay where you are, sweetheart, I'll go next door and bring you something to wear.'
'Perry,' she called urgently, 'you cannot wander about the place in your birthday suit. Put on a robe at the very least.'
'If you insist.'
He found the necessary article and then went in search of something similar for herself. She was glowing all over and no longer had doubts about her marriage. However grim – no that was doing it too brown – however difficult living at Silchester might be, as long as they shared a bed each night she would be content.
He returned and tossed her a nightgown and robe. 'These will be adequate, we are hardly likely to bump into anyone at this time of night.'
She scrambled into the garments and was about to ask where the slippers were but then decided she could manage perfectly well in bare feet this once. 'If there are eggs I can make us an omelette.'
'And I shall brew us some coffee. A feast fit for kings.'
Again, it was easier to use the secondary staircase; she was relieved that there was the occasional wall sconce still burning. 'Are these left on all night?'
'They are, it would not do for a Sheldon to be obliged to carry a candlestick about the place.'
'I wish we could live somewhere else, Perry, I don't think I shall ever be comfortable in such a grand establishment as this. Have you not a smaller estate we could remove to?'
'I have, but I wish to be close to my twin. You will soon get used to the grandeur. Anyway, next spring we shall have a separate residence and you may arrange things how you like.'
What she would like to be was away from his close-knit family where she would always be the outsider, but she could hardly tell him that. He was happy, delighted to be home and she had no intention of ruining things for him by making a fuss.
It was quite possible he was going to find it equally difficult to adjust after living such an exciting life for the past few years.
The kitchen was vast, and delightfully warm after the chilly passageway. The flagstone floor was unpleasant underfoot, but she had no option but to walk on it if she was to prepare them something to eat.
He was busy pushing and pulling levers on the giant iron range. 'There, you will have sufficient heat to do your cooking and I to make the coffee.'
She took down a flat copper pan that would be ideal for the omelette and then went in search of the ingredients. she was no more than a few feet from her husband when he said something that made her ears burn.
'I forgot your slippers. You cannot walk about in bare feet down here.' He picked her up and placed her on the wooden chair by the long table that dominated the centre of the room. 'Sit here, sweetheart, I shall find us something to eat.' He removed the skillet from the heat – he obviously did not intend to cook anything.
Nevertheless, he found them a tasty meal of cold cuts, pickles, crusty bread and cheese followed by a hefty slice of plum cake. This was washed down with several cups of coffee. They remained in the kitchen, where it was warm, to eat it.
'That was perfect, thank you, Perry. Is there any more coffee in that pot before we go?' Suddenly the kitchen door swung open. They both turned, open-mouthed, to see the duke standing there.
'You are up late, Beau, we thought the house asleep.'
'As did I. Would you object to me joining you for your midnight feast?'
'We should be delighted, Perry is just making a fresh jug of coffee. I shall get you a plate and cutlery.'
'You will do no such thing, sweetheart, I shall do it.' Perry pointed to her lack of footwear and Beau smiled.
'In which case, Sofia, I shall collect my own utensils.' He nodded solemnly. 'An extraordinary suggestion from someone as grand as I.'
