Page 35 of An Arranged Betrothal with a Contrite Duke
Her husband looked at her, studying the embroidery work she held in her lap. It was a piece she intended to use above the door to their very first classroom, to commemorate the opening of the school.
“Oh, forgive me,” he said, beginning to back out of the door.
Lydia tossed her work aside, rising to her feet quickly.
“No, Michael, it’s perfectly all right,” she said. “I am just passing the time. If you need me for something, please, do not hesitate to let me know.”
Michael studied her, looking her over from head to toe. He appeared to want to say something to her, and he paused just long enough for Lydia to think he might. But after a moment, he shook his head, backing all the way out of the drawing room door.
“It’s nothing, Lydia,” he said. “Really, do not trouble yourself with me.”
Lydia opened her mouth to plead with her husband to ask her anything he had on his mind. But before she could speak a word, he was gone, closing the door firmly behind him. She collapsed back into her seat, tears stinging her eyes. Why did Michael seem desperate to avoid her at any cost?
Unable to broach the subject after that evening, Lydia busied herself with preparations for the Strawbridge school over the next fortnight. The school had become her solace, a welcome distraction from her increasingly troubled thoughts. She was expecting Mary and Bryony to arrive any day, and she was delighted when they did, almost a whole two weeks after her awkward, nonevent conversation with her husband. They had traveled together, and they greeted her with such warmth that, once again, she was able to file away her worries about her husband and her marriage.
On the day of their arrival, Lydia bustled around, ordering the servants to collect their belongings and take them to the guest rooms that had been prepared for them. Then, she ordered tea to be served, feeling as though she was floating on air. Michael, as always, remained in his study. And Mary was the first to notice.
“Where is the duke?” she asked when Lydia finally sat down with them to wait for the tea.
Lydia blushed, putting on her best smile.
“He will be working most of today,” she said. “I am sure, however, that we will see him at dinner. I am sure he will wish to greet you properly and welcome you for your stay.”
Bryony and Mary murmured with approval, but Lydia blanched inside. She hoped she was right. What would her friends think if Michael never came out, even for meals, while they were there?
“Oh, Lydia, we have the most wonderful news,” Bryony said, blessedly changing the subject.
“Oh?” Lydia asked, grateful to discuss something else. “What is it?”
She and Mary exchanged a look of pure joy, which quickly infected Lydia.
“We hired a wonderful teacher,” Bryony said.
“Things are going splendidly with her,” said Mary, beaming.
Lydia clapped her hands and grinned.
“Oh, wonderful,” she said. “Will she be ready for the opening in a month?” she asked.
The other two women giggled and nodded.
“She is so excited, she is ready now,” Mary said.
Lydia laughed.
“Well, I cannot wait to meet her,” she said.
Bryony nodded.
“She will be coming to tour the school building the week before it opens,” she said. “I do hope that will be all right with Lord Strawbridge.”
Lydia nodded, thinking back to what he had said to her when she asked about proceeding with the school’s plans.
“I believe he will,” she said. “I am the duchess, after all.”
Her friends giggled and nodded.
“You certainly are, your Grace,” Bryony said, and the women laughed again.
