Page 37 of An Arranged Betrothal with a Contrite Duke
Michael returned her smile, her sparkling eyes helping him forget, for the moment, that he had so many reasons to feel guilty.
“I recall us discussing that,” he said, bowing to his wife. “I shall accompany you, if you like.”
Lydia’s eyes widened, but she nodded, her smile growing, as well.
“That would be lovely,” she said.
Miss Bryony and Lady Mary exchanged glances with one another. Michael knew they were secretly deciding what they thought of him. Normally, he wouldn’t have cared less. But he was afraid they would notice if he acted too strangely in the women’s presence. Namely, that of his own wife.
“Lydia tells us that you are something of a historical scholar,” Miss Bryony said. “Is that why you have taken such an interest in this school?”
Michael shrugged, trying to appear humble and casual, not as nervous as he felt.
“I do believe that history is very important,” he said. “But what is most important is how happy this school makes Lydia.”
Lydia looked at him with a wide smile and pink cheeks. The other two women looked at each other again, giving each other small smiles. Michael was very uncomfortable having guests. But he had already granted his wife permission to invite them. And he needed to prove that he could be warm and welcoming. He wouldn’t admit to himself that he was trying to show them how charming he could be, so that they wouldn’t notice how standoffish he was with his wife.
“Well, we will be ready to see the building when the two of you are,” Miss Bryony said, smiling sweetly at Lydia.
Michael nodded, offering his arm to his wife, and giving her a bright smile.
“Are you ready, darling,” he asked, trying to pretend that he didn’t flinch inwardly at using a term of endearment for his wife.
Lydia blushed and nodded.
“I cannot wait,” she said.
Michael bowed, gesturing for the other two women to follow them. Then, he led them through the mansion and to a special side door that once led to the building he had mentioned to his wife.
The sun shone brightly on the lush, verdant grounds of the old hall, a building that had been abandoned and left to wither away for a few years. Michael could see the work the servants had done on the outside of the building, cleaning the overgrown ivy and cutting the grass, trimming the hedges and even planting some fresh flowers. Michael prayed the progress was just half as good on the inside of the building.
Lydia, her friends Mary and Bryony, and Michael stood before it, and the women looked at it with awe.
“Oh, can you imagine the possibilities?” Lydia gushed, turning to smile at her friends.
They were nodding, both of them looking equally as impressed.
“This is a wonderful building,” Lady Mary said. “Even better than I had imagined.”
Michael felt proud at their praise.
“Shall we go inside?” he asked.
The women nodded.
“Yes, please,” Lydia said, holding tightly to her husband’s arm.
Michael led the way to the door, pulling it open. It creaked in protest, but it opened with very little difficulty. Immediately, he was hit by the smell of lemon and cinnamon, as well as various floral scents. The servants had clearly put in a great deal of work since Michael tasked them to fix it up. And as soon as they left the entryway, Michael could see just what that meant. The furniture was sparse, still being replaced, clearly. But many of the pieces he could see were fresh, shiny redwood. Dust had been cleared from the immediate area, and new rugs had been put in the entry hallway and the fast area that would likely be used for students to gather before beginning the school day.
Lydia seemed equally impressed, murmuring with awe-stricken approval as she smiled up at Michael. Their eyes met, and Michael found himself smiling back at his clearly elated wife.
“I must say, I am quite surprised you chose to join us, Michael,” Lydia said with a teasing smile, her eyes twinkling with curiosity.
Michael, who had been silently admiring the work that had been done on the building, turned to her, and replied with a sheepish grin.
“Well, I am genuinely interested in this endeavour,” he said. “I believe education is of utmost importance, and I am pleased to lend my support in any way I can.”
Lydia smiled, her expression flooding with affection as she watched Michael's sincerity shine through. Clearly, she was just as pleased that her husband wanted to take any part in her endeavour as she was to embark on the journey herself. Michael tried to ignore the nagging guilt he felt at having only joined her out of a sense of obligation.
