'Your hand will be stiff and sore for a few days but you no longer need the attentions of a physician. I have set dislocated limbs on several occasions and he would have done nothing different.'
'I shall need bride clothes – it seems wrong to be asking you to pay for them in the circumstances.'
'Be damned to the circumstances. You order whatever you want, will four weeks be sufficient time for you?'
'My lord, if I am to marry you a second time then I insist that you moderate your language.'
He grinned making him look years younger. 'Coming it too brown, madam, you must have heard far worse when you were riding with the partisans.'
'I did, but somehow improper language spoken in Spanish does not sound half as bad.'
He raised a hand and disappeared, she could hear him laughing to himself outside the door. Then another voice, very similar to his, spoke.
'What the devil are you doing wandering about my house at this time of the morning?' Aubrey had been woken by Perry's laughter.
'I am going, brother, I have been speaking to my wife. She will explain it all to you at a more civilised time.'
There was a hesitant tap on her door and her brother-in-law spoke from outside. 'Are you well, Sofia?'
'I'm absolutely splendid, thank you, Aubrey. I apologise if we woke you. I shall speak to you at breakfast.'
*
Perry bounded down the stairs and back through the kitchen where the helpful kitchen maid was about to carry up the tray. He waved nonchalantly and left the same way he had come in. He was tempted to wake up his older brother but thought this might not be appreciated.
Zorro pressed his cold nose into his hand and whined. 'I know, your mistress is living in one place and I am in another but all will be well soon.' He patted the dog and walked around to the side door which was now unbolted. The house was coming alive, there were several maids, sacks tied around their waists, busily scrubbing the floor. He negotiated their buckets and cloths and made his way to the study.
Peebles had anticipated his actions and the fire was lit and candles burning everywhere. He had scarcely settled in front of the fire with a newspaper when a footman arrived with a tray. Exactly what he wanted. He was drinking coffee and eating sweet rolls at exactly the same time as Sofia. They were not together in person but they were still sharing a meal.
If they were to arrange a second wedding there were invitations to send out, but perhaps it would be best in the circumstances for it to remain a family affair as there were more than enough of them to make a jolly party. It was not the accepted behaviour to bring one's children to a house party but obviously the family would be doing so. This meant that not only would it not be a quiet event but the guests that had been obliged to abandon their children over the festive period would be made to feel guilty.
He had left his civilian clothes here when he had bought his colours, they still fitted him well enough. It was fortunate indeed that gentlemen's fashions did not change so rapidly as those for the ladies. For their first ceremony he had worn borrowed clothes, so at least he would be wearing his own garments this time.
Beau appeared and was unsurprised to see him. 'Good morning, Perry, have you recovered from your night-time excursion?'
'Not only that, I have much to tell you, and all of it good.' He quickly ran through what had happened and what Sofia wanted.
'I think this will be a blessing rather than a marriage service, so there is no necessity to have the banns called and it can take place whenever we want. We shall use our own chapel and you are right to limit the guests to ourselves.'
'Would you object if I raided your hothouse? I wish to go laden with gifts when I visit her later.'
'I am disappointed that you feel you have to ask my permission. I am merely the custodian of all this, I do not have exclusive rights to anything.' He pointed at the empty tray which no one had come to collect. 'Shall I delay breakfast as you have already eaten?'
'That was hours ago. I am making up now for my lack of food over the past few days. Will you come with me to choose flowers and fruit for Sofia?'
'I will not. I shall use the time to plough through the remainder of this paperwork. I am glad that Bennett was able to return from his duties in London but I believe that he has departed already and will not be back until the House of Lords rises in two weeks' time.'
'Then I shall quickly pen a note to go with what is sent. By the way, I do hope your black eye has gone before Christmas.'
His brother's smile was somewhat forced. 'As Sofia fared worse than me I am prepared to forgive and forget.'
Perry arranged to get back in time to break his fast, for a second time, and returned to his apartment to put on something against the bitter cold. Zorro followed him into the orangery and appeared intrigued by the exotic smells and bright colours. They perhaps reminded him of his former home.
He wandered about admiring the blooms and fruit but had no notion which would make the best gift.
'My lord, can I be of service to you?' The head gardener hurried up and touched his forelock.
'I need a basket of fruit and a vase of flowers to be taken to Lady Peregrine. She is visiting with Lord Aubrey at the moment.'
