'What were you thinking? Is there an emergency that could not wait until I return?'
Perry leaned down from his horse, wanting to see Sofia. 'I need to speak to my wife. It is none of your damn business.'
Beau recoiled. 'You are drunk. You will speak to no one until you are sober.' He turned his back and jumped back into the carriage. The door slammed behind him and the driver snapped his whip.
Perry was left feeling foolish and this added fuel to his fury. He hurtled back over the hedges and ditches and arrived in the stable yard just as the carriage was turning onto the long, winding drive. Sofia would have to go to her rooms. He would be there waiting.
His valet and her maid were dismissed. His vision was blurred – he wasn't sure if it was a surfeit of brandy or if the doctor was wrong and he was indeed going blind again. A stiff drink was what he needed and there was a decanter in his sitting room. There was time enough to find it before the reckoning began.
The fact that he had eaten almost nothing these past few days, and drunk three bottles of brandy, not to mention the claret, had not enhanced either his constitution or his disposition.
He was no longer thinking straight, had allowed his doubts and jealousy to escalate to the point where he truly believed Sofia had tricked him into marriage, had already given her innocence to another, and had never loved him as she professed.
Hard drinking after a battle was expected of the officers – the men were given a pint of rum a day which was why most of them had taken the King's shilling in the first place. But never in his life had he consumed alcohol during the day and he was no longer able to think coherently.
He drained a third glass and his hands stopped shaking. He returned to her bedchamber and prowled about the room until he began to feel unwell. She could not be here for another half an hour at least so he would rest on her bed until he heard her come in. No sooner had he closed his eyes than he passed out.
*
Sofia waited until Beau was back in his seat before speaking. 'Was Perry in his cups?'
'He was. I have no idea what has caused him to behave so badly – I suggest you keep your distance till I have had time to speak to him and I shall not do so until he has sobered up.'
'I was so looking forward to seeing him. In the few months we have been acquainted he has never drank to excess, rarely had more than a glass of wine with his dinner and cider with his midday repast. Something dreadful must have happened, he has had bad news, I cannot think of any other reason why he should appear in such a rage as he did.'
'It is out of character. You must not fret, little one, I shall solve this conundrum and you will see it is no more than a misunderstanding of some sort.'
His words sent a shiver of apprehension through her. Up until that point it had not occurred to her his drinking and behaviour were somehow related to her. 'You think this is something to do with us?'
'I am certain of it. Did you part on bad terms?'
She explained what had taken place and the stupid things she had said. 'This is all my fault...'
'Nonsense. My brother is an adult, he is responsible for his own actions. If he was idiot enough to take what you said at face value then he has only himself to blame.' He reached across and patted her hand. 'How would you feel if he did indeed take himself a mistress?'
'I would be devastated – then I would take my revenge. This doesn't explain why he was angry. I can almost understand why he should drink to excess if he believed I had rejected him. But I cannot see why he would then be so furious with me – one would expect him to be sad if he truly loved me.'
'You are right to be concerned. As I said, this is based on a misunderstanding which I intend to put right. I think it might be wise if you moved in with Aubrey until the matter is resolved.'
'I shall return to my apartment and arrange for Polly to transfer my necessities. I hope they don't object to me foisting myself upon them in this way.'
'Better to cause them a little inconvenience, my dear, than have something happen between you and Perry that cannot be put right.'
