Page 10 of His Scottish Duchess

Catherine awoke to the unfamiliar silence of her new chambers.

The sun streamed through the tall windows, casting long shadows across the opulent furnishings. She tossed and turned in bed, trying to fight off the overwhelming sense of dread that came with every passing moment.

Today was to be her first day as the Duchess of Rosehall, and the mere thought of it caused a sense of unease to settle in her stomach.

“Yer faither raised ye better than the sniveling coward ye are trying to be,” she groaned to herself, managing to force herself to sit up in bed.

For a moment, Catherine glanced at the empty spot beside her, suddenly recalling what the Duke had said about not requiringan heir. While she had not exactly been prepared to lie with him, she couldn’t deny that she had expected something to happen.

Waking up alone left an odd taste in her mouth that she did not know how to feel about, much like the feeling that had seeped under her skin after he had said he had no desire for an heir.

Something told her that this marriage would continue to be unorthodox and unusual, and it was all she could do to hope that she could survive it.

Eventually, she rose, donning a robe over her nightdress before she left her room. As she descended the grand staircase, her footsteps echoed in the vast, empty hall. The sheer size of the manor was overwhelming, a stark contrast to the lively, albeit smaller, home she had left behind.

Absentmindedly, Catherine wondered when she would stop longing for the home she left behind, because all she seemed to do was yearn desperately for it.

She found Anna waiting for her in the sunroom, a small, brightly lit, cozy space that seemed as though it belonged to a different house, nearly cut off from the style of the rest of the manor.

“Good morning, Your Grace,” Anna greeted with a warm smile, her eyes filled with genuine concern. “Did you sleep well?”

Catherine managed a small smile for the younger girl, settling into a chair that the footman had pulled out for her. “Adequatelyenough. Thank ye, Anna. It’s just… so quiet here. It’s hard to adjust.”

As she sat down to a simple breakfast of toast and tea, a subtle wave of disappointment washed over her. She had half-expected, perhaps foolishly, that her husband might join her for breakfast. It seemed like a natural, easy way to start their married life and get used to each other’s presence. But the empty chair at the head of the table told her that perhaps she was the only one interested in making the most of their situation.

It was strange when she let herself ponder it. Was this to be their life? Meeting each other at scheduled instances and never sitting down to a proper meal together? Would they only exist as a married couple in sense and vows, but not in reality?

His absence only served to amplify the loneliness that had settled within her.

“You know,” she said suddenly, overwhelmed by the heavy emptiness in her chest and desperate to break the silence. “Before this, I only ever lived with my family. Our meal times were always quite lively. If you were not used to our routine, you wouldn’t be able to hear anything over the clatter of plates and the lively chatter of my siblings and my parents. Margeret—my older sister—was always looking after everyone, ensuring that they all had what they needed and were in perfect health. Graham—my dear younger brother—is a witty, spirited young man. Despite his age, he is impressively insightful and seems to derive a lot of joy from sharing with the family random things he learned from his studies.”

She paused, her lower lip wobbling slightly.

“Even little Isobel always lights up the room with her bright eyes and adorable babble. I miss them all so much, it is becoming unbearable.”

With every passing day, she yearned to return to where she had come from more and more.

How am I going to cope?How do I try to keep my heart afloat, when I’m away from all I have ever kenned?

Anna hesitated with a look of pity, holding the teapot steadily as she had been about to refill Catherine’s teacup. “I am sure they miss you greatly, as well. Change is always daunting, Your Grace. But you’ll find your place here, in time. You are doing well enough for now.”

With the maid’s assurance, Catherine finished her breakfast and returned to her chambers to prepare for the day ahead.

Anna followed her, as she had been appointed as her lady’s maid, and she made quick work of her mistress’s attire, making her presentable for the duties she would need to delve into soon.

“Mrs. Starling is one of the oldest servants in the household—and she has been here for quite a while. She is rather strict and very particular about certain things. But I believe you will win her over in no time,” Anna encouraged as she helped Catherine into the dress she had chosen to wear.

Once Catherine was presentable, she went back down to the foyer, smiling apologetically at the stern woman dressed in an immaculate black frock, who seemed to be waiting for her.

The woman’s graying hair was pulled into a severe bun, and her sharp eyes appraised Catherine with thinly veiled scrutiny.

“Good morning, Your Grace,” she intoned, her voice devoid of warmth. “I am Mrs. Starling, the housekeeper at Rosehall Estate. I’ve come to acquaint you with the estate and your duties.”

Catherine wiped her clammy hands on the skirt of her dress under the guise of smoothing wrinkles. “Thank you, Mrs. Starling. I appreciate your guidance. I look forward to learning all I possibly can and ensuring that I serve you as a duchess deserving of your respect.”

Mrs. Starling stared at her for a moment longer and then mumbled, “I suppose we’ll have to see. Right this way, Your Grace.”

The tour commenced in the grand foyer, its marble floors gleaming under the light of an elaborate chandelier. As they moved through the manor, Catherine couldn’t help but compare it to her childhood home.

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