Chapter Nineteen
Sofia didn't think she'd ever get used to the size of this house – it took fully one quarter of an hour to walk from the front door to her apartment. She walked into her sitting room expecting to hear Polly unpacking her clothes but the room was silent. That was odd – she would have to find what she wanted for herself.
Everything was laid out neatly in the dressing room and it took only a few moments to collect the items and put them into a large fabric bag. Then she added her slippers, nightgown and robe, plus clean undergarments and stockings. There was no necessity to take anything else as she hoped she would only be staying next door for one night. She had every faith in the duke to put matters right between her and Perry.
A slight sound startled her as she stepped into her bedchamber. She dropped the bag as her husband rolled off her bed, gripped the post to steady himself and then moved with remarkable speed to block her exit.
'Not so fast, madam, I need to speak to you.'
Her heart was hammering, she didn't dare stoop down and pick up her dropped clothes. This was a man she did not recognise – a man capable of anything – not the person she had married a few weeks ago.
She swallowed the lump in her throat, pressed her nails into her palms and the sharp pain steadied her a little. 'You are drunk, my lord, and I shall not speak to you until you are sober.'
'I want to know how many men you were intimate with before you married me? Do I not meet your high expectations in the bedroom? Is that why you no longer wish to be my wife?'
Whatever she had been expecting him to say, this was not it. Not only was he drunk, he had taken leave of his senses. Anger replaced her fear and she stepped in close to him. She gagged at the pungent smell.
'You are despicable. I am glad I am not carrying your child. There is now no reason for me to remain here and I shall return to Spain. I never wish to see you or speak to you again. You are not the man I thought you to be.'
He was gently swaying and she shoved him hard in the chest, he staggered backwards to sprawl upon the bed once more. She snatched up her bag and ran away. She was halfway across the gallery when her path was blocked by the duke.
'I take it I am too late. I beg you, ignore whatever he said, he will regret it when his head is clear.'
'In vino veritas– I think that means that the truth is always spoken by someone who is drunk. I can never forgive him for what he has said. With your permission, your grace, I will leave here in the morning and return to live with my mama in Spain. The marriage is over.'
'You will do no such thing, Sofia. I guarantee that you would regret it if you did. Love is not lost so easily. I gave you my word I would put things right, will you allow me to do so?'
'I don't care what you do, he is nothing to me now. A man who calls his wife impure does not deserve to be forgiven. I asked for your permission out of courtesy. I shall leave whether you want me to or not.'
'Please, Sofia, will you agree to wait a week before you go? If by then you are still of the same mind then I shall escort you myself.'
She nodded. 'Very well, I will remain seven days. I shall not change my mind because I cannot unhear the words that were spoken. I have had my doubts about this union and they have just been confirmed by his behaviour. I wonder if it will be possible to have it put aside as it was conducted in the Popish religion and in a foreign tongue?'
'I hope it will not come to that, my dear, but again I vow that I shall find out for you if you are determined to sever the connection to my family.'
She curtsied and he bowed, then he stepped aside allowing her to pass. Word had been sent to Lord Aubrey and his wife that she was to be their uninvited guest for the next week. Their home had an imposing front door but it was quicker to go in through the French windows on the terrace.
Lady Mary – she must no longer think of them as family, but refer to them formally – attempted to embrace her but she stepped aside. Again, she curtsied. 'I apologise for intruding, my lady, I shall not be here above a week as I intend to return to Spain.'
'I see. I hope you will change your mind as we already consider you a dearly loved member of the family and you would be sorely missed. Please, come and sit down, I have had coffee and freshly baked pastries brought in for us.'
The last thing she wanted was to eat or drink anything but it would be the height of bad manners to refuse when Lady Mary was being so kind.
'Thank you, no cake, but I shall take coffee.'
They sat in silence and the coffee restored her equilibrium somewhat. Had her reaction been so extreme because she had been so eagerly awaiting his return? Perhaps she would have a pastry after all and another cup of coffee.
Half an hour went by before it occurred to her that Lord Aubrey had not put in an appearance. 'Where is your husband, my lady?'
'Aubrey has gone to find Perry. By the time he and Beau have finished with him he will regret his appalling behaviour.'
'What do they intend to do?'
'First they will sober him up and that will not be a pleasant experience. Then if they take a horsewhip to him it would be no more than he deserves.'
She surged to her feet sending crockery and cake crumbs in all directions. She picked up her skirts, turned, and raced back the way she had come. If either of them dared to lay a finger on her husband it would be they that regretted it.
She had no objection to them putting his head in a bucket of water, but that was as much as she would allow. It was none of their business anyway. She and her disgraceful husband were quite capable of sorting out their own problems.
