Romance: REGENCY ROMANCE: The Duke of Hearts (Historical Regency Victorian Duke Romance) (Historical Regency Fantasy Romance) (16 page)

''Sophia, how pleasant to see you. I so enjoyed your wedding, it was splendid affair. And now you must be very proud of David. A war hero and no mistake.''

''War hero? He has returned, but he won't speak of what happened.''

''Then come in and I will show you what a brave man he is.'' They walked into the drawing room and Alice's father rummaged through some papers and handed her a newspaper cutting.

Sophia read it eagerly.

News has reached our correspondent of a deed of the utmost bravery by a Captain in the Coldstream Guards during the Battle of Waterloo.

Captain David Marshall is to be decorated with the highest military honor after he single-handedly held onto a position whilst thirty of his men escaped certain death. He himself was captured but escaped.

He is the only officer to be awarded an honor of the magnitude after this most difficult battle.

''What do you think of that, then?'' Alice's father asked her, when she'd finished reading.

Sophia was too emotional to answer. ''Is Alice at home?'' she asked after a short time. I must speak to her.

''I believe she is. Alice,'' he shouted at the top of his voice.

''Father why do you have to shout so.....oh hello Sophia. What a hero David is. I am so pleased he has returned to you safely.''

''So am I. Alice can I please talk to you? I need your help most urgently.''

The two ladies walked into the garden and sat under an apple tree.

''Alice, I have been most senseless and shortsighted. May the Lord strike me down for the injustices I have done to David. When he returned to me he was magnificent in bed and totally exhausted me.''

''Then why was he so pathetic on your wedding night?''

''He was afraid. He knew he would go to war and the poor man was frightened. It is totally understandable, if you give it some thought.''

Alice looked at Sophia and nodded. ''Indeed it is. Oh, I have just realized your problem. You and the Duke.''

''Yes, precisely. I now have the most enormous problem. I do not want to be unfaithful to David. He is the most wonderful man. Sensitive and brave. But I know you told me how difficult the Duke can be. What am I to do?''

''Go to him and tell him. All you can do is throw yourself at his mercy. Your husband is a national hero, he may understand and let you go.''

''Very well, I agree. I have no choice but to ask for him to be sympathetic to my situation.''

*****

12 Greys Inn didn't look so inviting as it had when Sophia stood outside the door. She knocked and waited. After what seemed like an age, the Duke answered. His shirt was open and his hair disheveled. He had lip rouge on his neck.

''Sophia, it isn't' our day. Go away, I'm busy.''

''Please, my Lord. I need just the briefest moment of your time.''

''Then prey speak woman. I haven't got all day.''

''I am afraid I cannot see you any longer. My husband has returned home and it is my intention to remain faithful to him from now on. I am sorry. I ask you to accept my decision.''

''Madam, you are a disgrace. First you come to me because your husband can't get it up. You beg me to relieve you of your sexual burden, and now you are rejecting me for the very man that drove you to me.” The Duke grabbed Sophia’s arm. “Unfortunately for you, I will not be used in that way. You will uphold the arrangement we have. You will visit me, every three days or I will expose you and your husband. I don't think he would find it very amusing if society suddenly finds out he has problems satisfying his wife.''

''Is that your final word, my Lord? Can I not throw myself on your mercy? I have been foolish and feel punished enough. Please my Lord, don't make my suffering any greater.''

''You should have thought about that before you betrayed your husband. What kind of a woman are you?''

''The very worst kind, it seems.''

''Yes. And if you are not in my bed on Wednesday as we agreed, you will regret it for the rest of your life.''

*****

Sophia stood in front of the most imposing building she had ever seen. As she looked up she saw the words, 'War Office.' She held her breath for a second and pulled the giant oak door open. When she was inside, she saw the most beautiful staircase. It was a split staircase that joined on a platform halfway up. The hallway she was in echoed with footsteps, as civil servants walked to and fro about their business.

She walked up to a desk behind which a bald man was sitting. He looked over his spectacles and said, ''Yes, madam. How may I help?''

''Good afternoon. I was wondering, if it might be possible to have a word with the Duke of Wellington?''

The man looked her up and down and began to laugh. ''The Duke of Wellington?
THE
Duke of Wellington,'' he mocked. ''The Commander in Chief of all British Forces. The man who has just won our country its freedom at Waterloo. Do you mean that Duke of Wellington or is there someone else here with that name?''

''You mock me, sir. Perhaps I am deserving of it. However, I would kindly ask you if it is possible to make an appointment with the Duke?''

''Madam have you just lost your husband at the Battle? Because if you have, there is a building just down the road to which you can go for support.''

''No, I haven't just lost my husband, thank God. I need to see the Duke.''

''Really. There is no more I can do for you. The Duke of Wellington is a national hero, he doesn't have time to see people who just drop in off the street.''

''My husband is Captain David Marshall.''

The man stood up suddenly and bowed. ''Please forgive my impertinence. We do however from time to time get some ridiculous requests. Now let me see. I have no idea whether the Duke is in the building or not. If you would kindly wait here, I will see.''

''Thank you,'' Sophia said gratefully.

When the clerk returned, he just nodded and gestured. Sophia followed him up the spectacular staircase and down a wide corridor. They stopped outside a double door and the man knocked. He opened the door and gestured for her to go inside. It was a side office. A young man in uniform was sitting behind a desk. When he saw her, he stood up and bowed to her. ''Mrs. Marshall. It is an honor to meet you. Your husband is one of the bravest men to have served in the British Army. You must be very proud of him.''

''I am very proud of him.''

''The Duke has asked me to keep you here for a few moments while he finishes his meeting. Would you be kind enough to take a seat?''

Sophia sat down and watched the young officer continue writing. He was very young indeed. The sound of horses’ hooves rose from the street below as she looked out of the giant sash window up to the sky.

When the double door to the main office opened, the young man sprang to attention. The man who left the office looked terribly important and vaguely familiar to her. When she realized it was the Earl of Liverpool, the Prime Minster, she felt out of her depth and suddenly very nervous.

The young man came from behind his desk. ''Madam, please follow me.''

''My Lord, this is Mrs. Marshall.''

Sophia curtsied as the Duke of Wellington got up from his chair, came round the table and took her hand.

''Madam. It is a pleasure to meet you,” the Duke said. “Your husband is a brave man. One of only a few it has been my pleasure to command. To what do I owe the pleasure of your visit?''

Sophia studied the Duke of Wellington. He was tall and had dark hair, brushed forward. He was well over six feet and broader than any man she had ever seen. He looked like a Roman Emperor more than a British General.

''My Lord, it is kind of you to see me. I am humbled that you found the time. I will come to the point. I will only ever in my life ask you once for your help, and that day is today. While my husband was away defending his country, I was propositioned by a man of the most devious character. I flatly refused his advances. Since that time, he has threatened to make up a story about my husband that simply is not true. My husband has been through a lot, and I do not want to burden him.''

The Duke studied Sophia now. He was charmed by her. After years of military service, it was always refreshing to see beautiful women in his office and not stuffy politicians. This was the country he fought for, a country that could produce magnificent women like Sophia.

''I see. And what, may I ask, is this man threatening to say about your husband?''

''My Lord. It is a very delicate matter and one a lady should in all probability not discuss outside the home. However, I feel I have no choice. In plain words this man has told me that if I don't lie with him, he will tell the world that my husband is impotent.''

''I see, and why can't you just tell this man to be off and have done with him?''

''Because my Lord, he is the Duke of Beaufort, one of the richest men in London. Who will believe me and my husband against a man as powerful as him? He has the power to ruin us.''

The Duke raised an eyebrow and Sophia noticed a look of anger cross his face. ''Jenkins,'' the Duke shouted. The young man appeared.

''Find out where the Duke of Beaufort lives, send some men round to his home and drag him here. At once.''

''My Lord, I can tell you where this despicable character is usually to be found. 12 Greys Inn.''

''You heard the lady, Jenkins. Send twenty men round there and bring him to me.''

*****

Sophia passed a very agreeable hour with the Duke of Wellington. He told her story after story about battles he had been involved in, and campaigns he had fought. He also talked about Napoleon. When he referred to David, the Duke was especially complimentary. ''Your husband can go to the top of the military if he so wishes. He is a man of steel,'' he said.

''He was very frightened before he left for France, my Lord,'' she said.

''There is not a man alive who isn't frightened of battle. I have seen grown men cry like babies before a battle, but once it started, stand their ground and fight with dignity. Do you think I am not frightened sometimes?''

''My Lord. I have learned a lot in the last few days about the feelings of a man and I would not suggest that at some point in your life you have not been scared of something.''

''You are correct. I am often scared, but I march on through it.''

There was a knock at the door. It was Jenkins. ''My Lord, the man is here, I have to tell you he is being rather difficult.''

''No matter, show him in.''

The Duke stood up as a handful of guards carried the Duke of Beaufort into the room. When he saw Sophia, he scowled at her. ''Is this the man of whom you spoke?'' the Duke of Wellington asked.

Sophia nodded.

''Alright. Men set him down.'' They dropped the Duke and he landed in a heap on the floor.

As he looked up he saw the imposing figure of the Duke of Wellington towering above him.

''I hear you have been less than kind to this young lady. What do you say?'' The Duke of Wellington said.

''My Lord, I think there must have been some misunderstanding. Miss Sophia is a delightful young lady. No one could ever do her harm. I do not know to what you refer.''

''Let me make it plain. If you contact this lady again or even speak of her to anyone, or if you contact her husband or even speak of him to anyone, I will have my henchmen, as you call them, hang you from London Bridge. I command thousands of men, and I am sure a lot of them would be only too happy to take a man, who spends his time avoiding military duty and blackmailing women, to the bridge to have some fun with. Do you understand?

''Yes, my Lord. I do.''

*****

Sophia sat on the edge of their bed and looked at David asleep. It was well into the afternoon, and he had slept all day. When she stroked his hair. He opened an eye. ''Hello, my love,'' she said. ''How did you sleep?''

''Long and well. I feel quite refreshed now. What have you been doing today?''

''Oh, I went to see Alice, and I had a few things to attend to in town. Nothing too important.” Sophia brushed her husband’s cheek. “I am so proud of you, words cannot begin to explain.''