had all but told him he was unwelcome here.
Mary bustled into the room her homely face split by a huge smile. “Well I never! His grace is back, and poor Johnny got tipped headfirst into the muck by that big horse.”
Isobel tossed aside her sewing with a smile. “I am not surprised, he would have realised Mr Bentley had intruded and would wish to make sure I was managing.”
“The chamber he used previously is ready for occupation. His man will still be on the road, so I shall send George to help him. He’s the most able of the footmen.”
“Make sure a bath is drawn for him, and send someone next door to find him clean clothes. Oh, Cook will need to be informed that there’s an extra person to dine this evening.”
The dogs barked furiously. He was here and she wished she’d had the forethought to change her gown. Too late to repine—he was already on his way to speak to her. She had recovered from the shock of hearing he was once more involved with his mistress but the infidelity still hurt.
He had not wasted much time before re-establishing Lady Fulbright as his
The marriage was definitely over. She could never be intimate with him knowing he was sharing his body with another woman. She decided to remain seated. This would make it clear she was not overjoyed to see him again.
Alexander strode in. She gasped. She’d never seen him in such disorder, his many caped riding coat was still slung around his shoulders and his usually pristine Hessians were barely recognizable beneath thick mud. As for his breeches, they were not only dirty but ripped and bloodstained. This drew her attention to a nasty gash running across his thigh. If the injury was not attended to immediately he might well succumb to a putrid wound.
Forgetting her vow to treat him as he deserved she scrambled to her feet. “Alexander, did you take a fall? Look at your leg—I believe it might need the attentions of a physician.”
He glanced down as if noticing it for the first time. He frowned and looked almost embarrassed. “My dear, I beg your pardon …”
Laughing she interrupted him. “Please, don’t do so. Mr Bentley was forever begging my pardon, and if I had not sent him packing I believe I should have thrown a book at him.”
“I was going to apologise for appearing in my filth but obviously that’s unnecessary. I take it the idiot has departed from here?”
“Indeed he has. I’m afraid I did not take to him at all. He was served breakfast and then evicted. I made myself scarce until he was driven away.” She tugged the bell-strap before continuing. “Give me your outer garments. Good grief! Where is your hat?”
He grinned ruefully. “I believe that went when I had my altercation with a tree branch. I didn’t take a tumble, in fact until you mentioned it I hadn’t realised the damage I’d sustained.”
The butler appeared followed by two footmen. “Brown, his grace has sorely injured his leg. He will need it attending to.”
“Right away, my lady.” He bowed to Alexander and stepped closer in order to remove his coat. “If you would care to come with me, your grace, I’ve considerable experience with wounds of this sort. I was Colonel Fitzwilliam’s batman and you might have read about
Alexander was given no chance to refuse. She watched with amusement as he was all but bundled from the room. He smiled at her over his shoulder. “When I am repaired, my dear, do I have your permission to join you down here?”
She was on her feet watching anxiously. “Don’t you think you should remain in your bed chamber and have your dinner brought up to you?”
“Certainly not. And anyway, my love, the amount I intend to consume would require three chambermaids to bring it to me.”
His chuckles filled the room as he was escorted away. Should she send for Dr Jamieson? Perhaps it would be better to wait and see what Bill said after he had dressed the cut. One thing she did know, he could not possibly ride back to London tomorrow. Of course, he could travel in the carriage with Duncan but even then the horses would need twenty four hours to recuperate.
He must take no risks with his health. What if he were to die? The very thought that Mr Bentley would inherit if the child was a girl was enough to make her hair stand on end. Although she no longer loved Alexander she had no wish for him to perish. After all he was the father of the baby she was carrying and despite everything that had gone between them, she still cared enough to wish him well.
The dinner gong sounded before he reappeared. She had resisted the urge to go up and change and was still in her gold velvet. He, however, was resplendent in a different jacket. This one was bottle green, his shirt was crisp, his neck cloth tied intricately and his waistcoat a delightful shade of gold silk. His inexpressibles had been exchanged for pantaloons and he had slippers on his feet instead of his customary boots. He was leaning heavily on the banister as he descended the staircase.
“I know, Isobel, I should have remained where I was. It’s a damn nuisance. I’ve no more wish to be here then you do to accommodate me.”
Shocked by his abruptness she was unable to answer. Then she saw the lines of pain etched on either side of his mouth. His injury must be far worse than she’d thought. She hurried to his side and offered her arm.
“Lean on me, Alexander. I do wish you had not come down, I shall send for the physician straightaway.”
“You’ll do no such thing. Your butler has put a couple of sutures in; he did a neat job too. I doubt Jamieson could do any better. I am fatigued; I haven’t slept for days and have spent more time in the saddle than I have on my own two feet. I fear I shan’t be able to leave tomorrow as you wished.”
“Of course not, you must remain here until you’re fully recovered. Has your man arrived yet?”
“No, he will be benighted. The weather has deteriorated but I’m sure he had the good sense to find himself a bed. He will appear when the storm has abated. The boy who is acting as my valet is perfectly competent and fortunately I’ve enough garments to not appear unkempt.”
With some difficulty she guided him down the passageway to the chamber in which they were to eat. When a footman approached he scowled and the young man backed away hastily. They were both relieved when they arrived without mishap.
“Alexander, you take the seat nearest the fire. You don’t look too well; I am most concerned for your well- being.”
“Don’t fuss, Isobel. It is I that should be looking after you. God willing, you’re carrying the next Duke of Rochester. Heaven forfend that numbskull takes the title after my demise.”
There was little she could add to that heartfelt comment. There was something she didn’t quite like about Bentley and it wasn’t just his ridiculous appearance and flowery manners. She shook her head at her fancies, Mary had told her to beware of false emotions. It would seem wild imaginings were quite common when a woman was increasing.
The meal was eaten in silence— she too concerned about his appearance to make chitchat and he too busy eating enough for three men. When he finally pushed away his plate she laughed. “I shall stop worrying about you, Alexander. If you were truly ill you could not have eaten so much.”
He smiled that special smile and her insides melted. “I shall be perfectly fine tomorrow morning after a good night’s sleep. However, I fear I shan’t be able to depart until it is more clement.”
“Of course you must not. If you have finally finished there are several things I wish to discuss with you. Can you manage or shall I send for someone for you to lean on?”
“I am quite well, but my leg hurts like the very devil and I can barely keep my eyes open. Could our conversation keep until tomorrow, my dear?”
Carefully he pushed himself upright. His knuckles were white where he gripped the table. He was not nearly as well as he pretended. “Remain where you are, Alexander, I shall send for assistance. No, don’t scowl at me. You’ll never ascend the stairs under your own volition. Do you wish to add a cracked head to your injuries?” She spoke to him as if he were a child. How things had changed—had he not addressed her in such a way last year?
