Page 57 of His Forbidden Duchess
“I will leave you to settle in,” he said, his tone formal, as if they were little more than acquaintances. “I have matters to which I must attend.”
Eloise blinked, her heart sinking as she watched him turn on his heel and walk toward the entrance, leaving her behind.
I am married but only in name.
She clung more tightly onto her flowers which had begun to wilt and curl. Felix had labeled them friends, but were they even that now? He was more distant than he had ever been.
Eloise sighed and reminded herself that it was still only her first day here. Felix, no doubt, had as many questions and emotions swirling in his mind as she had in hers. Perhaps he would thaw a little if she gave him some space and time.
Mrs. Thorpe stepped forward, breaking her reverie. “Your Grace, would you like me to take the flowers? They are quite pretty. I can ask one of the maids to pop them in a vase and place them on the breakfast table.”
Eloise threw her a grateful smile. “Would you? That would be most kind.”
Mrs. Thorpe shook her head. “Nothing is too much for Her Grace. Shall I show you to your chamber? I have no doubt you have had a long and tiring day, as beautiful as it may have been.”
Beautiful is not how I would choose to describe it.
Eloise smiled tiredly and nodded. “Yes, thank you.”
As she followed Mrs. Thorpe inside, Eloise cast one last glance over her shoulder, watching Felix disappear into the shadows of Kingswell Hall.
Chapter Twenty-Two
The grand entrance of Kingswell Hall was as imposing as it was beautiful. Eloise stood in its center, taking in the sweeping staircase, the stately portraits lining the walls, and the elegant furnishings that filled the vast space.
She felt a mix of awe and trepidation; she had married into this life out of necessity, and the weight of her new role as duchess felt both exhilarating and daunting.
Mrs. Thorpe stood nearby with a polite and reserved expression, her hands folded neatly in front of her. Beside her stood the head butler, his face an impenetrable mask as he waited for instructions. Now that she had moved into the manor, they had both seemed to lose their friendly demeanors.
I surely must be imagining it, or perhaps it is because Felix is no longer present.
“Your Grace,” Mrs. Thorpe began, her tone polite but cool. “You must be tired after your journey. Shall I have a room prepared for you to rest?”
Eloise caught the emphasis ona roomand understood immediately: she was subtly being relegated to the status of an outsider in her own home. It was an indirect implication that her presence was temporary, as though she was merely a guest, and she idly wondered if Felix had brought other ladies to his home in the past.
But I am the only one he married.
She squared her shoulders, determined not to let her confidence falter.
“Thank you, Mrs. Thorpe,” Eloise replied, her tone calm but firm. “But as the duchess of this manor, I would first prefer to see how the household is managed. I assume you have a weekly schedule for the staff?”
Mrs. Thorpe exchanged a glance with the butler before replying, “We do, Your Grace, though I am certain that it contains more detail than you will require. We have managed matters quite well on our own for many years.”
It was a subtle challenge. Eloise noted the edge in the housekeeper’s words but gave a slight, gracious smile.
“I appreciate your experience, Mrs. Thorpe,” she said, keeping her voice warm. “And I have no doubt that you have done a wonderful job thus far.” She raised her hands to indicate the house. “Just seeing the entrance is proof enough of that. However, as the new duchess, it is important that I understand every detail of the workings of Kingswell Hall. I am sure that you can understand my desire to be involved.”
It was the second time she had mentioned her new position. It still felt so strange to her, but she knew it would remind Mrs. Thorpe of their respective roles. She knew she had to show her strength early, or she would never get another opportunity.
The housekeeper hesitated, her polite façade faltering as she nodded. “Very well, Your Grace. The household ledger is kept in the study. I will have it brought to you.”
“Thank you,” Eloise replied with a smile. “I will be certain to review it this evening.”
To her surprise, the butler stepped in, clearing his throat delicately. “Your Grace, if I may,” he said with a slight bow, his tone smooth but faintly condescending, “the affairs of the estate are often quite… intricate. Perhaps His Grace would prefer to manage such things on his own as he always has.”
Eloise felt a flicker of irritation but kept her expression composed. “Thank you for your concern, but I am quite capable of handlingintricacies.” She offered him a placid smile. “I shall begin by reviewing the current accounts. I trust they are in order?”
There was a brief, uncomfortable silence before Mrs. Thorpe finally nodded. “Yes, of course, Your Grace.”
