Cecily only felt marginally disappointed. She could hardly wait to tell her maid about the day she had had with her husband.
“Good afternoon, Greta,” she said, smiling warmly at the maid.
“Good afternoon,” Val said, and Cecily could feel him bow.
“Would you like me to escort you to your bedchambers?” Greta asked.
Cecily glanced at Val. She secretly hoped that he would want to spend a little more time with her. But she knew it was getting on in the afternoon and dinner would be in just a few hours.
“Whatever pleases you, Cecily,” Val said, his voice full of a smile. “I must take my leave now to finish up some work. I look forward to seeing you at dinner.”
Cecily nodded and blushed again.
“As do I, Val,” she said.
The room was silent until Val was long gone. Then Greta grabbed her by her shoulders and turned her mistress to face her.
“You must tell me what on earth has put such a lovely smile on your face and sparkle in your eyes.”
Cecily linked her arm through her friend’s and gestured toward the doorway.
“Let us get to my chambers,” she said, vibrating with pure joy and excitement. “I will tell you all about it.”
Chapter Twenty-five
For the next five days, the Duke and Duchess spent each day together. Val took them into London to attend Promenade Hour at Hyde Park one day and for lunch at Gunter’s the next.
They had a lovely private sunset tea party on the balcony on the third floor of the house. Cecily could not see the lovely view, but Val described the trees and the streaks of pale clouds as the sky turned the beautiful shades of pink and orange that she used to enjoy watching with Agnes.
The day after, she played pianoforte for him again and this time, he sang along with her. His rich bass voice sent thrills down her spine, and it was dinnertime before she knew it. Cecily had never been so happy in her whole life, and she had Greta write to Agnes at the end of each day, detailing all the wonderful things she and the Duke were doing together.
Each morning, Cecily woke up happier and more thrilled with her new life with Val. Each day that his Grace asked her to join him in doing something gave her a bit more hope that they could, in fact, form a bond.
She allowed herself to admit that she already felt much closer to her husband, though she would never say so aloud. One thing she did know was that she loved spending time with him. She was finally finding happiness in being Val’s duchess.
By the fifth day, Cecily woke up with her thoughts utterly consumed by her husband. When Greta came to help her dress, she was sitting at her vanity, dreamily brushing her hair.
“Good morning, your Grace,” the maid said. “You look to be in wonderful spirits.”
Cecily nodded, turning to face her friend.
“I am,” she said. “I am excited to see what today has in store.”
Greta patted her shoulder and turned her to face her vanity.
“Then let us not waste any time in getting you ready,” she said. “It is almost time for breakfast.”
Cecily grinned.
“I am ready to get ready,” she said with a giggle.
A short time later, Greta had her dressed and her hair styled for breakfast. Cecily was giddy with excitement about joining her husband in the drawing room. Val greeted her at the door, taking her arm and kissing her cheek.
“Good morning, Cecily,” he said warmly.
Cecily blushed, shivering at the sensation of his lips on her cheek.
“Good morning, Val,” she said.
