Page 35 of His Darling Duchess
“Rarely touches the stuff, m’lady. His Grace enjoys a glass of burgundy with dinner and sometimes a small glass of port afterwards, but rarely indulges in stronger drink.”
“So this is kept for guests, only?” The faintest chink of a bottle sounded. “My father will appreciate it, when he comes to visit.”
“Do we expect Lord Lymsey, m’lady?” That was Mrs. Henley’s voice, Rhys thought.
“Not momentarily, but he suggested they might detour to visit when they return from Cornwall to London after Christmas. I hope they do come.”
The wistful note in Aurelia’s voice made Rhys immediately determine to write to her parents and add his own fervent request that they visit to the invitation already extended. He would do anything within his power to make her happy, a fact he recognised with a wry twist of his mouth as he proceeded down the cellar stairs.
“Stowe.” A pretty blush coloured Aurelia’s cheeks as she saw him, and she took a few steps in his direction before stopping, looking a little confused. “You’re back. I did not expect you until dinnertime.”
“I found myself lonely for my lovely wife’s company,” Rhys said gallantly, moving to her side and picking up her hand to press a light kiss on the back of it. “I understand you’ve had a busy morning.”
“I don’t like to be idle.” She wasn’t meeting his eyes. “I hope I didn’t overstep…”
“Indeed not, already I hear everyone singing your praises.” He glanced at the butler and housekeeper, both of whom had withdrawn to the furthest end of the cellar and were studiously ignoring their employers, like the well-trained, tactful members of the household they were. “The word is out; the new duchess is kind, considerate and the best mistress Stowe Hall could possibly want. The duke is an exceptionally lucky man.”
“Oh.” Aurelia’s blush deepened, and she darted a shy glance up at him through her lashes. “I think I’m the lucky one.” Her voice was almost inaudible.
Startled by her statement, Rhys couldn’t think what to say in response. Aurelia smiled, a mysterious little curve of her lips, and withdrew her hand from his grasp, only to then tuck it into the crook of his arm.
“Come and tell me which wines are your favourites,” she requested. “I do not doubt the redoubtable Mrs. Henley already knows what to have served with every meal here, but I should like to know what you customarily prefer.”
Touched once again by her obvious wish to please, Rhys allowed Aurelia to draw him deeper into the cellar. “I would rather you tell me what kind of wine you prefer,” he said, “so that I can ensure we always have some on hand.”
“Well, as to that, I am afraid I lack a refined palate. I do not care for claret much at all, nor burgundy or Madeira or even sherry. All of them leave me with an aching head in the morning. I may be the only lady ever to go to Almack’s and actually enjoy their orgeat lemonade; it is light and sweet.”
Mrs. Henley was listening closely as Aurelia spoke, Rhys was pleased to note, and she made a few suggestions Aurelia said she would like to try, such as the elderberry and cherry cordials Mrs. Henley made herself.
“Anything my wife expresses a wish for, is to be provided for her,” he instructed Mrs Henley, who nodded in immediate acceptance. “Even if it must be ordered from London, you need not consult with me first.”
“As you wish, Your Grace,” the housekeeper acquiesced. There was an amused little tilt to her mouth Rhys recognised uncomfortably as being directed at him; Mrs Henley had known him all his life, and she could obviously see clearly just how eager he was to please Aurelia.
“What I should like right now is some nuncheon,” Aurelia shivered, “and to get out of this cold cellar. Will you join me, Stowe? Cook had a delicious chicken soup cooking; the mere smell of it in the kitchen set my mouth watering.”
“I should be delighted to join you in tasting it,” Rhys said, rewarded once again by her bright smile as she tucked her hand into the crook of his arm.
“I’m afraid I must rely on you to lead me to the morning-room. I lack any sense of direction; it’s going to take me weeks to find my way around Stowe Park!”
“I shall set a footman at your disposal, to ensure you never get lost in your perambulations.” He was only half-joking, and she shook her head at him.
“Why, this house is so full of servants, even if I do get lost, one of them will set me straight in a moment. I’ve no need for a dedicated watchdog, Stowe.”
She was correct, and he could not tell her the real reason for his desire for her never to be alone, was for his own peace of mind. If he knew where she was, he could always find her, and it was becoming more necessary by the day for him to spend as much time as he could in her presence. Quite simply, being with Aurelia felt like being bathed in warm sunshine, and he suspected he was rapidly becoming addicted to the sensation.
Chapter Fifteen
Aurelia owned herself extremelypuzzled by her husband. Stowe was everything solicitous, and seemed to enjoy spending time in her company, but never strayed towards any sort of intimacy beyond taking her hand on his arm to walk with her.
They had been at Stowe Park four days now, Amelia beginning to find her way around by dint of becoming lost a number of times and walking endlessly until she found some room or hallway she recognised, and Stowe had not come to her room. Not since that first night in the London townhouse had he stepped over the threshold, and Aurelia was strongly beginning to wish for him to.
Perhaps she was not quite ready to consummate the marriage just yet, but she was aware there were several steps before they might get to that point. Why, even Grantleigh had attempted to kiss her first, and he was not the only suitor who had tried for a kiss!
Eyeing her husband as he sat beside her, eating the delicious meal the cook had set before them for dinner, Aurelia tried to think of a way to ask him to spend some time privately with her after their meal, instead of retreating to his study as was his wont, leaving her with little to do but mount the stairs to her room and spend the evening reading or sewing beside the fire, alone but for the attentive staff.
“Would you join me in the parlour for a little while after dinner, Stowe?” she asked finally, as they tasted their desserts.
He glanced at her with dark brows raised. “If there is something you wish to ask me, you can do so here, Aurelia.”
