The Duchess

bargain in you.'

'Ohhh, you are a beast,' she cried, and punched at his shoulder with her small fist. 'Am I a purchase to you then?'

He laughed. 'You are my beautiful and delicious young wife, Allegra,' he said as he slid from his place in her bed. Picking up his nightshirt he drew it over his dark head. Then bending he kissed her once more, tweaking her right nipple playfully as he did. 'Good night, my dear. I will see you in the morning.'

'Quinton! Would you leave me then?' she cried.

'I sleep in my own bed, Allegra,' he told her. Then he was gone through the connecting door that separated their bedchambers.

If he loved me, or I loved him, she thought, he would have remained with me. I'll bet Ocky doesn't leave Sirena's side at night. Still her solitude gave Allegra time to ponder on what had just happened between them. He had been so gentle and thoughtful of her. If I believed in love, she considered-but of course, I don't-I believe I could love this man. I think I am, however, gaining a small affection for him. I really should if we are going to have children together. His seed is in me now. Perhaps I am already with child. I am, one day, going to be the mother of the next Duke of Sedgwick. My son. My son, the duke. And then she fell asleep.

Next door the duke lay in his cold bed. It had been so difficult to leave her, but couples slept apart. It was expected. Of course having grown up with no memory of a mother in the household Allegra wouldn't know that. But he hadn't wanted to leave her. She had been so warm and passionate. After she had been so sensible and practical. What would she say if she knew he loved her? Would she be horrified? He dared not tell her until he could be certain that she would return his love, or at least not mock it. He slept at last.

***

Honor brought her mistress her breakfast in bed, noting the unused basin by the fire. She would, the maidservant decided, tell her ladyship about its use later. She also noted that Allegra was naked in her bed, her night garment thrown carelessly aside. And her mistress was sleepy yet, poor thing. All the excitement leading up to the wedding, and then last night to contend with, Honor thought. Still, her ladyship didn't look unhappy. 'Good morning, Your Grace,' she said.

'I'm going to remain in bed this morning,' Allegra announced, slipping into her nightgown.

'Very good, your ladyship,' Honor answered. Then she hurried to the new mahogany chest, and took out a delicate lace shawl which she draped about her young mistress's shoulders.

'Is the duke up yet?' Allegra asked as she bit into a piece of toasted bread. She was still tired, but she was also hungry.

'Up and out riding. Crofts said he was whistling when he went out the door,' Honor giggled. 'Crofts said he seemed a happy man.'

'Oh,' was the only reply the maidservant received.

***

In midmorning Crofts opened the door to Hunter's Lair to be faced with elegantly attired gentlemen. 'Good day, sirs,' he said, and bowed slightly from the waist.

'We have come to see the duke,' the taller of the two gentlemen said. 'Tell him Prinny and Brummell are here.'

Crofts gaped openly. He looked at the two gentlemen again, and then he recognized the blond, blue-eyed gentleman with the rosy complexion from a drawing he had seen in the London paper. He bowed again. This time lower as he looked at the prince. Carefully he addressed the royal gentleman. 'His lordship is out riding, but I shall send for him immediately. If you will come into the drawing room I shall see you are served wine.'

'Much rather have a good breakfast,' the prince said peevishly. 'Damned inn we overnighted in was a pigsty. Was frightened to death to touch a morsel lest it kill me.'

The taller Brummell smiled amused. 'His Highness is quite hungry, having not eaten since luncheon yesterday,' he explained calmly to Crofts.

'Perkins!' Crofts almost shouted to the footman. 'Go to the kitchens, and tell cook a full breakfast for His Highness, Prince George, and his guest. Immediately!' Then he turned back to Prinny and his companion. 'Let me show you to the dining room, gentlemen.'

In the kitchens Perkins had created an uproar with his request from Mr. Crofts.

'Prince George?' the cook said. 'Our prince? What in the name of all that is holy is the prince doing here?'

'The gentry don't tell me their business, cook, but I heard the other fellow say the prince ain't eaten since yesterday noon.'

The cook blanched, but then she recovered, and began to issue orders. In an amazingly short time the servants were hurrying into the dining room with platters of lamb chops, beefsteak, fresh bread, cheese, butter, poached eggs in heavy cream and dill, a platter with slices of pink salmon and lemon wedges, and a small ham. The cook was pleased to learn the prince smiled broadly and had dug into her hastily arranged feast with gusto.

When Crofts was certain that the royal guest and his companion were well taken care of, he sent another footman for the duke. Then he hurried upstairs to inform his mistress of the unexpected arrival. He knocked on the duchess's apartment door, to be admitted by Honor.

'Yes, Mr. Crofts, what is it?' the maidservant asked.

'Unexpected guests, Honor. Very important guests. I must see her ladyship.'

'I'll have to awaken her,' Honor said. 'Please wait.' She disappeared into Allegra's bedchamber, reappearing a few moments later. 'Come in, Mr. Crofts,' she beckoned the majordomo.

Slowly the elderly man entered the duchess's private chamber. She was seated in her bed, looking rather sleepy. He bowed.

'What is it, Mr. Crofts?' she asked him.

'The prince, Your Grace. Prince George, and a Mr. Brummell are here. Downstairs. In the dining room. Having breakfast,' Crofts managed to get out. 'I have sent for the duke.'

'Good lord!' Allegra said, astounded. What was she to do?

'If your ladyship could come down,' Crofts suggested. 'I don't know how long it will take the duke to return to the house.'

'To arrive so unexpectedly and without warning,' Allegra said almost to herself.

'They should be well occupied for the next hour with cook's breakfast,' Crofts offered.

Allegra nodded. 'I will be down shortly,' she said. She flung back the