A Suitable Bride Read online

  The Duke’s Alliance

  Book One

  A Suitable Bride

  By

  Fenella J Miller

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any method, electronic, mechanical, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of The Author - Fenella J. Miller

  The Duke’s Alliance

  A Suitable Bride © Copyright Fenella J. Miller, 2016

  This e-Book is a work of fiction. While references may be made to actual places or events, the names, characters, incidents, and locations within are from the author’ s imagination and are not a resemblance to actual living or dead persons, businesses, or events. Any similarity is coincidental

  Cover design Jane Dixon-Smith

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  Chapter One

  Silchester Court

  Hertfordshire

  1812

  Beaumont Edward Peregrine Sheldon, seventh Duke of Silchester, had known from his birth that he would one day take over the position of head of the family, so becoming a duke was not a shock to him. However, finding the family coffers almost empty was another matter entirely.

  His father had been in his fifties and one might have expected him to live for another twenty years at least, but he’d taken a tumble down the stairs when in his cups and broken his neck. The drinking had become an issue since Mama had died from the influenza five years ago and it was a miracle the duke hadn’t met a similar end before this.

  Beau shuffled the pile of papers in front of him and put them down with a sigh. His siblings would be horrified when he told them the parlous state of the Silchester finances. He couldn’t put it off any longer – they would be together in the butterfly drawing room, so-called because of the hand-painted wallpaper, and he had no option but to give them the bad news.

  There was no need for him to take the documents with him, the miserable contents were etched on his brain. He strode from the study, down the long corridor that bisected the house, and headed for the chamber in which his family were waiting. Bennett, who had now become heir to the dukedom, would be sitting with the twins, Aubrey and Peregrine. His sisters, Madeline and Giselle would no doubt be perusing the latest fashion plates from London.

  There were no footmen lurking about ready to open and close doors at Silchester as he preferred to stand on as little ceremony as possible when only the family was in residence. He stopped in the doorway and surveyed the room.

  Bennett, at eight and twenty, was two years his junior. His brother was staring morosely out of the window no doubt regretting that he couldn’t return to his regiment. They looked around, but none of them smiled. Despite his decline into a drunk they had been fond of Papa and his loss was still deeply felt.

  ‘I’ve had time to go through the documents that arrived from London yesterday. I wish to tell you what I discovered.’

  The girls put down their journals, the twins put down their cards and Bennett turned and strolled over to join the group in front of the fire. ‘Well, tell us the worst. From your expression I gather the news isn’t good.’

  ‘Bennett, your assessment is correct. The estates are returning sufficient to keep Silchester Court running smoothly, however, unless we get a large input of cash from somewhere I’ll not be able to open the London house for the Season next year.’

  ‘The anniversary of our father’s death is not until December – we can’t come out of mourning until then anyway,’ Madeline said. ‘I’m in no hurry to be paraded like a horse in front of suitable husbands. What about you Giselle?’

  The younger girl smiled. ‘I prefer to be in the country as you know, so the longer it is to my debut the happier I shall be.’

  Bennett laughed. ‘There you are, Beau, nobody wants to go to London. As for a large injection of cash, I can think of only one way that would be acceptable.’

  His brother had their full attention now. ‘Well, enlighten us,’ Peregrine said whilst attempting to take a surreptitious look at his brother’s hand. Without looking in his direction Aubrey snatched his cards away.

  ‘I shall find myself an heiress – one of us must become leg-shackled and start filling their nursery. As I’ve been obliged to resign my commission, I’ll be the one to sacrifice himself. I’m sure there are plenty of debutantes who would be delighted to marry into such an illustrious family.’

  ‘A noble thought, brother, but not necessary. Mama was most insistent that we all married for love, that duty must come second.’

  ‘You’re practically in your dotage, Beau, and have still not met the girl of your dreams – neither have Perry, Aubrey or I. Devil take it, man, you’re one and thirty next anniversary and most men in your position would already have an heir or two to secure the succession.’ Bennett looked at each one of them in turn before continuing. ‘Therefore, I’ll bite the bullet for you. There’s no need to open Silchester House as I’ll take lodgings in Albemarle Street.’

  There was nothing any of them could say to dissuade him from his course. Beau came up with an alternative solution to his brother attending the London season on his own.

  ‘I shall host a house party this summer. I’m sure between us we can come up with a dozen or so families with eligible daughters and we shall invite them all here. It will be perfectly acceptable to entertain at home so don’t raise your eyebrows at me, Madeline.’

  ‘I shall bow to your superior knowledge, sir, but whatever anyone else does, I shall not go into colours but wear lavender and lilac.’

  Giselle giggled. ‘You only want to do that so you can order a new wardrobe, I’m quite happy to continue to wear whatever my maid puts out for me each day. I require no new clothes.’

  He left them amiably bickering and drew Bennett to one side where they could speak without being overheard. ‘I’m not happy with your decision, but accept I cannot change your mind. However, you must give me your word you’ll not offer for a young lady who will bore you within a month. You are a military man, used to giving orders and making life and death decisions…’

  ‘You’re telling me something I already know – what is this to do with finding myself a suitable bride?’

  ‘If you must marry then you have to select an intelligent girl, someone who can be your companion, share your interests.’

  ‘If you can find me a young lady who loves to ride, prefers to be outside and has no wish to attend balls and parties and also has a magnificent dowry – then I’ll marry her immediately.’

  ‘She must also have an impeccable pedigree and not be bracket-faced.’

  His brother smiled. ‘I shall go at once to the study and draw up my list of requirements. I’m sure your man of affairs will be able to root out all the girls on the market this season.’

  Madeline strolled over to join them and overheard this last remark. ‘There’s one snag to your brilliant scheme, brothers, the most eligible debutantes will already be spoken for and those that are left will not be diamonds of the first water.’

  Bennett shrugged. ‘Even better, those young ladies who have been overlooked will be all the more eager to accept an offer from me. My estate brings in more than sufficient revenue to provide for a wife and family. I don’t consider myself a wealthy man, but my income combined with my title should be enough to find me what I want.’

  *

  Miss Grace DuPont was up to her knees in muck when her erstwhile governess, now companion and dearest friend, Miss Newcomb appeared at the gate.

  ‘My dear,
you must come in at once, Mr DuPont has come back from Town and is demanding to see you.’

  Grace emptied the last of the hay from the handcart and then carefully picked her way across the field. The very last thing she wanted to do was speak to her papa. He had not quite forgiven her for catching the chickenpox and being unable to make her debut and so her come-out ball had had to be cancelled.

  ‘Please don’t be cross with me, I know we’ve plenty of outside men to feed my horses but I like to do it myself.’

  ‘That’s as may be, my dear, but you’re a woman grown, no longer in the schoolroom, and should behave appropriately. Your father is beside himself with excitement and whatever the news, you must look pleased.’

  They reached the rear of the house and Grace stopped to hook off her boots before padding through the door. She could hardly speak to her father dressed as she was because he disapproved of her wearing men’s attire, even though it was only within the confines of their own estate.

  Annie, her abigail, would be waiting with hot water and clean clothes. All she had to do was slip up the backstairs and into her apartment without being seen. Mama was too indolent to make a fuss about anything of matter so there were no fears of being reprimanded from that source.

  If only she had siblings then Papa would not be in such a pother to marry her off to somebody in the ton. He was quite determined to raise his own status by acquiring an aristocratic son-in-law and thus gain entry to the drawing rooms of society that were now closed to him. Grandpa had made a fortune with the East India company and had returned to England as rich as Croesus.

  ‘There you are at last, miss, there’s ever such a fuss going on downstairs. You’ve no time to take a nice bath, but I’ve got plenty of hot water waiting.’ Her maid had everything ready and Grace was clean and freshly attired in one of her new, fashionable, high-waisted gowns in no time at all.

  ‘There, you look ever so pretty, miss, that russet wool is perfect with your colouring.’

  ‘Thank you, I couldn’t keep myself respectable without your help.’

  She hurried down the spacious corridor and then picked up her skirts to run lightly down the staircase and across the vast, echoing entrance hall. Her footsteps announced her arrival to her parents who were in the drawing room. Her father appeared in the doorway and for once he greeted her with affection.

  ‘My dear girl, how pretty you look today. Doesn’t she look well, Mrs DuPont?’ He turned and waved in the general direction of her mother who was, as usual, stretched out on a daybed eating sweetmeats and looking at the latest fashion plates from London.

  ‘Very nice, Grace, but that colour clashes with your hair. I cannot think why I wanted it for you. You’d do better to stick to pastel shades in future.’ Mama returned to her reading no doubt unaware that yet again she’d made her daughter only too aware of her shortcomings.

  ‘Come with me, my dear, I wish to talk to you in private.’

  She followed without protest to the far end of the room where there was a third cluster of furniture and a second fireplace. ‘I’m sorry if I kept you waiting, sir, but I came as soon as I knew you’d returned. What is it that you wish to tell me?’

  He waited until they were both settled before speaking. ‘I’ve had the most amazing luck, word’s out that Lord Sheldon, brother to the Duke of Silchester, is looking for a suitable bride. He’s done with soldiering and has decided to set up his nursery. The old duke gambled away the family fortune and Lord Sheldon needs an heiress to restore the funds.’

  Grace attempted to keep her smile from slipping and swallowed the lump in her throat. ‘I’m sorry, but I don’t see how this is of any matter to us. We don’t move in his circles and however big my dowry, I’m not of his class.’

  His eyes darkened and she braced herself to receive another set-down but this time he held onto his temper. ‘Lord Peabody, a second cousin to the duke, owes me a substantial amount of money. I’ve offered to cancel his debt if he gets us an invitation to Silchester Court this summer. There’s to be a grand house party and all the suitable young ladies and their families are to be invited. I intend for us to be included on the list.’

  A wave of relief almost overwhelmed her. ‘Papa, however much money Lord Peabody owes you, you’ll not be able to achieve your objective. People of our class don’t get invited to the house parties of the high and mighty. Lord Sheldon would have to be destitute before he’d look in my direction.’ She was warming to her theme. ‘Good grief, the family are not reduced to scratching about for their last penny, they’ll still be far wealthier than the majority of the population.’ She stood up, for once grateful she was almost as tall as he and could look him in the eye.

  ‘Even if you could somehow obtain an invitation, I refuse to go. I would be as welcome there as a carthorse would be at Newmarket Races. I’ve no wish to be humiliated and ridiculed.’

  This time his temper broke and he was on his feet, his face red and his fists clenched. ‘You will do as I say, you will go to that house party or I’ll have your dogs and horses shot.’

  For a moment she couldn’t believe what he’d said, then she stepped away from him. ‘I don’t believe you would do anything so appalling even to get your own way. Please excuse me, sir, I’m going to my room.’

  She turned to go but he moved with remarkable speed for a man of his bulk and he grabbed her elbow, his fingers biting painfully into her arm. ‘Don’t you dare to turn your back on me, young lady. I’ve allowed you too much freedom, it’s time you learned to do as you’re told. I’ll not be gainsaid and you’ll do well to obey if you don’t wish to suffer the consequences.’

  She bit her lip and turned her head away so he couldn’t see her tears. ‘I’ll not go to Silchester Court and I can’t believe that you would carry out such a dreadful threat in order to force me to go.’

  He released her and she dashed away. Her mother didn’t look up, but Grace hadn’t expected her to. Neither of her parents held her in high regard – indeed the only affection she’d ever received had come from her governess.

  She would change and ride over to visit Charlotte, her bosom bow, who lived at the Rectory in the village three miles away. Not for the first time she wished she’d been born into a happy family like Charlotte’s. They had little money to spare at the end of each quarter, but never complained and were always ready to share with those less fortunate than themselves.

  Her stallion, Rufus, so named for his bright chestnut coat, was as eager as she to get away from DuPont Manor. She galloped him over the fields revelling in the feeling of power beneath her, enjoying every hedge and ditch that they flew over. Although she preferred to ride astride she wouldn’t dream of doing so anywhere but on her own estate.

  ‘Good boy, good fellow, we must slow down now for I’ve no wish to arrive in the village at such speed.’ She applied a gentle pressure on the reins and transferred her weight to the rear of the saddle and instantly the animal responded. He might be a stallion, and more than sixteen hands in height, but he was a gentle giant – at least he was with her.

  She trotted through the woods and turned into the lane that led to the village street. She was well-known here and was greeted by several people on her way to the Rectory. By the time she arrived her horse was cool and she could hand him over to the ancient groom knowing he would come to no harm in her absence.

  ‘Good afternoon, miss, good to see you. Will you be staying long? Shall I remove his saddle?’

  ‘Yes, if you don’t mind, Tom. I’ll need him ready at four o’clock.’

  That gave her more than two hours to spend here, and even if Charlotte was out delivering food parcels or some such worthy pastime she would be content to spend time with the Rutherford family for she loved them all.

  Her friend was indeed absent and so Grace had no opportunity to discuss what had taken place between her and her father. After a pleasant visit she returned to the stable and scrambled back into the saddle. Tom was far too ancient to
offer her any assistance.

  She returned at a more decorous pace and arrived in a better humour than she’d departed. On reflection she realised she’d overreacted, that it would have been better to agree with her father’s preposterous suggestion as he was never going to obtain them an invitation anyway.

  When they met for dinner at six o’clock she would apologise and say she’d had time to reconsider and would agree to his proposal should an invitation be forthcoming. For all his bluster he wasn’t an unkind man and surely would never carry out his horrible threat to kill her beloved animals?

  Although not especially interested in horseflesh he was an astute businessman and well aware that the stud she’d set up was already bringing in a satisfactory return. Obviously she couldn’t legally own this business venture, but so far he had allowed her free rein and was content to sign whatever papers she put in front of him. To shoot any of her livestock didn’t make economic sense.

  But what about her dogs? He wasn’t fond of them and they were of no monetary value. She kicked Rufus into a canter and arrived in the stable yard at such speed that an unfortunate boy tripped over his pitchfork and fell head first into a pile of manure.

  Chapter Two

  Grace tumbled from the saddle and dropped to her knees to greet her three dogs who were waiting patiently for her. She apologised to the stableboy and tossed him the reins; her stallion would behave now he’d had his exercise for the day.

  This time she didn’t go upstairs to change before searching out her father. He was, as usual, in his study going through various business documents and papers. He looked up, his expression unfriendly, when she stepped in.

  ‘What do you want now, miss? Have you come to your senses?’

  She curtsied politely. ‘I’ve come to apologise, Papa, and tell you that I agree to attend this house party if an invitation can be obtained for us to go. Can you tell me when this event is likely to take place?’