Page 15 of A Bride for the Beastly Duke
He did not understand why she would want to introduce her daughter to him. Why scare the little girl for no reason? Besides, Edward did not enjoy the look of horror that came over people’s faces when they saw him. He knew he would enjoy it even less if it came from a child. The castle was consequently quite child-free. Even the chimney sweeps were adults rather than children. Edward had no wish to be the subject of their nightmares.
He did his best to stay away from Ava, not wanting to confront her about their issues or be forced into more conversation with her. The house was bustling with people, whom Ava had apparently set to clean every single nook and cranny, crevice and corner until it was sparkling.
Seeing as he worked all night, it did not bother him much. During the day, he simply locked the doors to his chambers and went to sleep.
His aunt had a lot to say on the matter when she barged into his study about a week later in the early evening.
“I cannot abide that wife of yours. Who does she think she is? She orders everyone about, shouting orders imperiously as if she were the queen. It is ridiculous. Being a duchess has definitely gone to her head,” she said in disgust as she flopped down onto the chaise lounge and reached for the bell to summon the butler. “What are you going to do about her?”
Edward huffed in disbelieving amusement. “Doabout her, Aunt? Whatever do you mean?”
“Well, you cannot let her continue in this fashion!”
“Whyever not?”
There was a slight knock on the door, and they paused their discussion to look in that direction. Notley poked his head in the room. “You called, Your Grace?”
“Er yes, bring me some tea, would you, Notley?” Lady Lanton said. “And some of those honey cakes that cook likes to make.”
He nodded, “Yes, Ma’am,” and closed the door behind him.
Anastasia immediately turned back to Edward. “Well? What do you have to say for yourself?”
He cocked an eyebrow. “Aunt, you seem to have misunderstood the role of a wife. She is in charge of the household and runs it in whatever manner pleases her. I have no interest in stopping my wife from doing the same.”
“But… but you cannot be serious. That woman is?—”
He held up a hand in a quelling gesture. “Aunt, I do not want to know. If you have problems with the way Ava runs the house, you should take them up with her. Or you could go home where you are free to order your household as you please.”
“Humph! She is quite rude and uncultured. It is not as if she is likely to understand even if I did tell her that she is wrong, and I will not let her chase me away.”
Edward sighed tiredly, “In any case, it is none of my business, so would you please take your complaints elsewhere, Aunt?”
“But… I have called for tea.”
Edward just shook his head, returning his attention to his papers.
The work kept her busy, and she could appreciate how different the place looked after a good cleaning and stripping the old fabrics off the walls and threadbare curtains off the windows. She got rid of all the worn-out furniture in the main rooms—the velvet of the sofa in the lounge was worn so thin it was almost transparent, and one of the armchairs in the parlor was missing a chair leg and so sagged on one side. She had already replaced the curtains in the morning room with butter yellow ones that let the sun in at all hours of the day, and she made sure to put vases of flowers in every room and even along the corridors.
She was heartened at how much it brightened the space.
She would have liked to hear Edward’s thoughts on the décor. It would have been nice to have someone cheering her on and giving his opinion, but he stayed locked up—in his study during the night and his bed chambers during the day.
Ava wondered how he could be duke without seeing anyone or visiting with his tenants. Her father, who was only a marquess, still made time every quarter to meet his tenants and talk with them, discussing any matters that might have arisen during the previous three months.
Ava had expected to meet the tenants and be introduced as the new Duchess. She remembered her grandmother, the DowagerDuchess of Rochester telling her about tending to the children of tenants when they got hurt or sick. At Christmas, Easter, and other holidays, she would distribute baskets of food and other necessities. On Quarter Day, while the men discussed crop prices and rain patterns, she would sit with the women and find out what they needed that the duchy could provide.
Ava had been at Barrington Castle for a week and a half and had yet to see more than the immediate compound. If Edward would not rise to his duties, she felt that she might have to take it upon herself to fulfill them.
Waking up early on Thursday morning, she went out onto her tiny balcony, appreciating the view of the sunrise that she had. With her new, lighter curtains, her chambers were airier, and a thorough cleaning and airing had dispelled the mustiness. It was now her favorite place to start the day—taking deep breaths, drinking her tea, and watching the castle come to life.
She had not seen hide nor hair of Edward since he had asked her to leave his study. Her emotions had gone from apologetic to impatient, and now, she was quietly fuming at his neglect. She straightened her shoulders and lifted her chin. “I think I shall pay a visit to the village today. If Edward will not introduce me, I shall just have to do it myself.”
She put down her cup and got to her feet. Walking back into her chambers, she found Diana straightening up the room and arranging the dressing table. She looked up and smiled. “Good morning, Ma’am.”
“Morning Diana. I want to go to the village this morning. I think perhaps the bronze silk gown with matching gloves and hat.”
Diana nodded. “Very good choice, Ma’am. First, would you like to sit so I can brush your hair?”
