Page 8 of A Bride for the Beastly Duke
She lay awake, staring up at the ceiling, not feeling at all at home in her dark room. The furniture was old and musty with disuse. It was clear that they had recently opened up this wing of the house to accommodate her. While she appreciated the effort, it was like lying in a tomb. The green velvet curtains were slightly moth-eaten and the smoke from the fire made the room hot and stifling. She had tried to open the windows, but it seemed that they were sealed shut or had been closed for too long to open without more force than she could muster.
Even with all her covers thrown off, she could not get comfortable. She wondered where Edward’s chambers might be and whether he was lying awake as well, thinking about her and this night that was meant to be their wedding night. She doubted it. Why would he, after all, when it had been his plan all along tohave nothing to do with her? She did not even know why she felt so rejected by it.
She mused on everything that had happened with Lily’s father and how she just went along with his wishes without pushing back at all.
That is behind me now. I am a mature woman, capable of making decisions. I will not allow Edward to push me around or push me away. That is not the kind of marriageIwant.
The next morning, she woke up bright and early despite her late night, excited about the arrival of her daughter. She decided that just for a few days, until she was able to decorate Lily’s room, her daughter would sleep with her. It would make her surroundings seem less depressing and give them both a chance to get accustomed to their new home.
In the meantime, hopefully, she could work on her new relationship with Edward and convince him that they could be a family. She knew that her daughter dreamed of it, to live in a house with a father, a daughter mother, brothers, and sisters. She talked about it excitedly often, especially after she had spent time with the blacksmith’s daughter, Judy, who was her particular friend.
Ava ventured downstairs, hoping that it was too early for the Dowager to be awake. As she walked along the corridors, she noted the dust and dirt on the furnishings and draperies that needed a thorough cleaning.
At least we have something to keep us busy as we settle in.
It took a few wrong turns before she found the dining room, and that was only because she heard Edward’s voice raised in inquiry. She followed it to find him sitting at the head of the dining table, chiding the butler, Notley, about something on a piece of paper.
They both looked up when she appeared in the doorway and stopped speaking.
She cleared her throat. “Good morning,” she said as breezily as she could before stepping into the room. She noted absently the mask on Edward’s face as he got to his feet and wondered for whose benefit he wore it. She had a feeling her initial reaction at seeing his face had something to do with it, but she had no clue what to say in order to remedy that.
She took a seat at the foot of the table, giving Edward a chance to sit back down.
“You are an early riser.”
She did not know if that was a question or an observation, so she nodded in response. “Yes, I am.”
He turned to Notley, “Would you please alert Mrs. Sutton that Her Grace is ready for her breakfast?” He turned to Ava. “Do you have any specific preferences to break your fast or will a standard fare do?”
Ava smiled, “I am not fussy. Whatever is available is fine.”
Notley bowed stiffly and left to do as he was bid.
Edward looked down at the empty table. “You will forgive the household for not having a full breakfast laid out. My aunt sleeps late, and usually, it is just me. With our staff shortages, I do not require a full production. However, if that is your preference, you are free to alert the staff as to any changes you want made.”
Ava nodded, glad that he had brought it up. “I appreciate you saying so, Your Grace. I have some ideas on where to start remedying things around the place.”
He nodded a bit sardonically. “Of course. Whatever you decide.”
The ‘It is your money anyway’was left unsaid.
Ava cast around for something to break the awkward silence that ensued. “T-thank you.”
His mouth twisted. “Please, do not thank me for literally dumping this monumental task in your hands. It is not a favor.”
She rolled her eyes. “I am aware.”
He inclined his head to the side, considering her closely, and then shook his head. “You know… you are not what I expected at all.”
She gave him a haughty look, “Is that a bad thing?”
“Certainly not. Simply… unexpected.”
“Well, one must learn not to make assumptions then, mustn’t one?” she said coolly.
“Of course.” He turned to the door as Notley entered the room, carrying a tray laden with dishes.
“First order of business,” Ava said, “we shall need to hire more staff. Are you able to afford that?”
