Regency Romance Collection From Christina Courtenay by Christina Courtenay Page B

to find me?’
    ‘ Oh, we military chaps have connections, you know.’ He tapped his nose with one finger and smiled.
    ‘I see. Well, what can I do for you?’
    ‘Nothing, m’dear, nothing at all. It’s the other way around, actually, I came to ask if there was anything I could help you with?’
    ‘Me? No, really I’m fine.’ Amelia was confused by his offer, but didn’t know what to say.
    Captain Marshall looked around furtively, then bent forward to whisper theatrically, ‘Just thought I’d come and ask, you know. Your husband didn’t seem to be in a very good mood last night. Not treating you badly, is he? Be honoured to take care of him for you if he was.’ He nodded for emphasis.
    Amelia was aghast. The last thing she needed at the moment was some other man championing her cause. She didn’t think James would like that at all. ‘No, Captain,’ she said firmly, ‘everything is fine, I assure you. No one could ask for a better husband, truly.’ She tried to look as sincere as possible and evidently succeeded since the captain looked satisfied.
    ‘ Just thought I’d make sure, m’dear. Owe it to your father to look out for you.’
    ‘ Thank you, it’s very kind, but there is no need. I’m very happy with my marriage.’
    ‘ And I’m very happy to hear that.’ A new voice entered the conversation and Amelia felt her spirits sink. James. Why did he have to arrive now of all times?
    ‘ The Captain was just leaving,’ she said nervously. She looked at James to see what his reaction had been, then rather wished she hadn’t. His face was set in a very forbidding expression, his icy gaze on the captain, who swiftly took his leave.
    ‘ Shall we take lunch in our room, madam?’ James asked, still icily polite.
    ‘ Yes, of course.’ Amelia wondered if it was her fate to be forever in disgrace, but she didn’t see how she could have avoided talking to the captain. When they reached their room, James turned on her at once.
    ‘ Can I not leave you for five minutes without finding you smiling at some gentleman? I do not expect to find my wife sitting in the common lounge talking to someone, is that understood?’
    ‘Perfectly. Should I have asked the captain up to our sitting room then, where I was without a chaperone?’
    ‘ I do not want you to entertain gentleman callers at all,’ he fairly shouted. ‘Perhaps you need a little reminder as to who your husband is?’ And without warning, he took her in his arms and began to kiss her ruthlessly.
    Amelia had no doubt it was meant as a punishment, but she could not help her enjoyment of the kiss and soon responded in kind, thus unwittingly beating him at his own game. He broke it off looking thoroughly frustrated.
    ‘ I think in the circumstances it would be best if we set off for my country estate immediately. If you would be so good as to pack?’
    He stalked off towards his room and slammed the door, leaving Amelia feeling exasperated once again. What an infuriating and difficult man he is! But so attractive at the same time . She sighed. Would she ever understand him?
     
    The last leg of their journey was accomplished in stony silence. Amelia knew where they were going, since James had told her previously that his home was near East Grinstead, but she had no idea how long it would take to get there. She refused to ask though.
    It didn’t take more than half a day, in fact, and when they arrived Amelia couldn’t help but exclaim in surprise. He had said that he owned a ‘small property’, and Amelia hadn’t much cared about the size of her prospective new home, but what lay before her was nothing less than a mansion. As the carriage swept through a well-kept park, a beautiful house in the Palladian style came into view, with neatly laid out formal gardens all around it.
    ‘ This is Marr Place?’ she asked incredulously, and James, obviously pleased with her reaction, unbent enough to reply.
    ‘Indeed. Do you like it?’
    ‘Like it?