Page 7 of A Bride for the Beastly Duke
Turning away from her, he studiously stared out of the carriage window.
The journey to Barrington Castle was exhausting, made more so by Edward’s tendency to ignore her. She half wished she had traveled with Lily. Her daughter would certainly have been cheerful company, and Ava would not have to feel so alone. But she had imagined that she and Edward would be spending the first evening of their marriage... consummating, and she had wanted to provide as few distractions from that as she could. She would not feel safely married until he had made her his wife in every sense of the world. He could not send her home after that on some pretense.
Honestly, Ava, you are such a fool.
She could not blame the derisive voice in her head for how she felt. Her mother had told her that the Duke had no interestin anything other than her dowry. She should have understood what that meant.
As they drove up the courtyard toward Barrington Castle, she craned her neck out of the window, wanting to see it clearly. The building was certainly imposing, looming over them like an angry old man with its dark stone walls and small unlit windows. The courtyard was slightly overgrown. Ava deduced that were it not for the freely grazing cattle, it would look much worse. She could see what he meant about needing all her dowry for renovation and upkeep.
The carriage came to a stop, and she waited for the Duke to alight and help her down. Instead of her husband, she got the coachman, who solicitously helped her step down before leading her to the steps where Edward was standing, facing away from her.
“We have done our best to clean as much as could be managed in the days before the wedding. Please feel free to ask for any changes you may desire,” he said while looking away from her.
She watched him, sadly, and nodded as he finished speaking without saying a word. He turned to face her, eyebrows raised. “Did you hear me?”
She nodded again.
He sighed and began to climb the stairs to the front door. She followed behind, feeling a bit of trepidation at what she might be facing. The door was opened by an old lady, who offered hera strained smile. “Your Grace, welcome to your new home. I am Anastasia, Dowager Marchioness of Lanton and His Grace’s aunt.”
Ava did her best to return the smile. “Pleasure to make your acquaintance. I am Ava, Edward’s new wife.”
“Yes, yes.” The lady peered behind her. “Oh, you did not bring your daughter with you?”
“She is following behind with the lady’s maid. She should arrive tomorrow.”
“Splendid. Do come in and allow me to introduce you to our staff.” She stepped back, allowing Ava to enter. To Ava’s surprise, there were only five people waiting in servants’ uniforms. They lined the corridor as Anastasia introduced them.
“This is Tina Sutton, the housekeeper and cook,” Anastasia began, pointing to a rotund woman with apple cheeks whose brown eyes twinkled at Ava as she curtsied.
Ava smiled back and nodded. “Pleasure to meet you.”
“This is Notley, our butler-cum-steward,” Anastasia continued, gesturing toward a white-haired gentleman with a stiff posture, as if he was standing to attention, his chin raised. Ava conjectured that he must have been in the navy with Edward.
She nodded to him, and he bowed stiffly back.
“Our maids, Katie, Maria, and Jane,” Anastasia finished, pointing at the other three women. Then she pointed further down the hall to a man Ava had not seen. “And that is our footman, Drake.”
Ava greeted them all with a smile, marveling that so few people could look after such a large home. She made a note to ask Edward about it, or perhaps Anastasia might be a better source of information.
The Dowager Marchioness took her by the arm, leading her to the parlor. “As the woman of the house, you should know that we are rather understaffed at the moment, but we hope to change that soon,” she informed Ava without her having to ask.
Ava nodded. “All right.” She hesitated a moment. “Did you want me to oversee that or…?”
“No, no, I doubt you would know how, and you are a stranger here. Don’t worry your pretty head about it.” She patted Ava patronizingly on the shoulder.
Ava pursed her lips in annoyance but decided to keep the peace. No doubt the Dowager Marchioness was used to being in charge, and she would not cede that place easily. But now was not the time to create strife. Ava would bide her time and get to know the household first.
“I will be in my office,” Edward announced. She whirled around, gaping at him as he turned down a corridor and walked awayfrom them without another word. She could not believe he was just going toleave herwith his aunt!
She glared at his tall form as he walked away, unable to help noticing how broad his shoulders were or the pertness of his rear. She blinked a few times, blushing, and looked away, unable to believe what direction her thoughts had chosen to take. She quickly turned away, letting Anastasia lead her to the parlor.
As she walked, she noted how threadbare the red silk paper that lined the walls was in places and that the pictures were dusty from neglect, and she nodded to herself. There was much here for her to do. Whether Edward wanted to be her husband or not, she could at least transform this place into a home.
She stopped and turned then opened her mouth to call his name. Anastasia took her arm and pulled her back. Her eyes seemed to glint with pity. “Come now, you can speak with him another time. Leave him be for now.”
Chapter Five
Ishould be happy. I got the respectability I craved, security for Lily, and what my sister needed to get married, but still… I want more. Will I never be satisfied?
