Page 22 of A Bride for the Beastly Duke
She went to bed determined not to cry and woke up way too early in the morning, feeling the need to do something, anything, to run away from her feelings. She decided that it was a good day to tackle the cellar, a task she had been putting off as she did not like to go down into dark spaces if she could help it. However, she needed to examine the wine collection in there and also have it cleaned.
She got dressed, not waiting for Diana’s help, and then strode determinedly down to the kitchen to find Tina. She found her talking to another woman, and it took a moment for her to recognize her as Louise, Tina’s sister.
They both turned around and favored her with twin looks of friendly welcome. “Oh, good morning, Your Grace,” Tina said and gestured to Louise. “My sister has come for her interview whenever you have time.”
“Oh…” Ava said having completely forgotten that she had offered to interview Louise. “Well, this will be my interview. Let us see what you can make us for breakfast.”
Louise nodded eagerly. “Yes, Ma’am. Right away.” She immediately began to bustle about, and Ava left her to it, beckoning Tina to her office. “We are going tackle the cellar today. Can we go down right now with you to see if we will need to acquire extra help for that, or can you spare some of the maids.”
Tina nodded, “Yes, let us go and find out.”
They lit a couple of lamps and carried them as they took the stairs downward, the air becoming danker and mustier with every step. There were no windows in the cellar, and the earthen floor deadened any sound, making it seem rather tomblike. To Ava’s surprise, she found that it was not just storage for wine, but there were also several wooden crates placed haphazardly on the floor.
“What is this?” she asked, reaching out to move the cover.
Her eyes widened as she saw the contents. It seemed as if someone had hastily packed a room and just thrown the contents into the box with no regard to arrangement or care for breakage. She spotted a hand mirror, a picture frame with a baby painting, a pair of old shoes, and wedged between the mirror and a book was a folded piece of paper. She reached for it, pulling it out curiously as Tina peered over her shoulder.
“What do you think it is?” the housekeeper asked in a hushed tone.
Ava unfolded it, and her eyes widened as she saw the first word.
Dear Edward,
If you are reading this, then I am most likely dead.
She gasped, folding back the paper and staring at Tina with wide eyes. “I think we should leave the cellar alone for now. I think I need to have a word with His Grace first.”
Tina nodded. “Of course, Your Grace.”
Chapter Ten
Ava lifted her hand to knock outside Edward’s door, but then remembered that he had been up all night, and so this was his chance to sleep. She paced a bit outside the door, biting her lip, wondering how to proceed. Finally, with a huff of frustration, she returned to her room, placing the letter on the bedside table. She stared at it for a long time, wondering if she should read it,knowingshe shouldn’t. Finally, her curiosity got too much.
“I will just see who the letter is from, that’s all.”
She snatched the letter from the table and unfolded it, her eyes flying over the letters.
“Jonathan Marlow? The Duke’s brother?” Her brow furrowed as she pondered this development. She was even more tempted to read the entirety of the letter, but propriety stopped her. Thrusting it back onto the table, she turned her back on it. “I will not read it. It’s not for me.”
She was consumed with curiosity however and cast about for something to keep her busy, lest temptation get the better of her. Due to boredom while confined at home with not much to do, she’d developed a penchant for modifying her gowns. Seeing as no one would see her in them, she added her own modifications to her clothes. She used paint to add color to otherwise drab grey gowns, drawing garden scenery all around the skirt and vines down the sleeves.
Her sister Margaret loved her work and would always ask Ava to do the same to her gowns, but Ava always refused since she did not want to anger her parents. But now, with nothing else to occupy her mind and unable to focus on any household matters until she’d spoken to Edward, she picked a bronze gown from her wardrobe and began to modify the hem into a wavy pattern.
She became so absorbed in her task that she did not even notice when the sun began to set. It was only as the upstairs maid came in to light the sconces that she realized night was falling. Putting her gown aside, she picked up the note and hurried to Edward’s chambers, knocking loudly and shifting from foot to foot with impatience.
He opened the door and peered out, blinking with surprise when he saw her.
“Ava… is something the matter?”
She took a deep breath and looked him in the eye. “Perhaps. I have something to show you, and then it is for you to decide.”
He frowned but straightened up, leaving enough space for her to squeeze into his room. He seemed taken aback to see her standing in his room, but she did not give him time to dwell on it. She thrust her hand out, handing him the letter. “I found this. I believe it’s for you.”
He simply continued to gape at her, uncomprehending, before it occurred to him to reach out and take the letter. As he unfolded it, she took the opportunity to look around the room. Despite what she knew of him, she was surprised to see that his dressing table had a mirror that was covered with a cloth. She opened her mouth to comment upon it but then realized in time why he would want it covered and shut her mouth again with a snap.
She looked back at him, noting how wide his eyes were getting as he read the letter.
“What does it say?”
