Page 80 of The Duke's Indecent Match
During the night, a passionate husband who drenched her with pleasure.During the day, he was far removed from her.Not exactly icy, but not warm either.The distance hurt her nearly as much, though she clung to hope that perhaps he was a little less distant every day that passed.
Thankfully, there was plenty to fill her time with and distract her.
The first few days, she spent exploring the house and getting to know Nathanial’s sisters, assessing what they would require.Fiona needed a governess, certainly, though she could read and do simple arithmetic.Her preference was to be outdoors or with her animals, and Kalina was able to witness firsthand exactly how skilled she was with an injured or frightened creature.
To her amusement, she learned that Archibald, the wild hare, was a daily visitor to the Hall, as if he wanted to check in on the young girl who had once rescued him.She was the only one whose touch he tolerated.Kalina could not help but wonder what Monkey Sinclair would make of Fiona, as he was reluctant to interact with any woman other than Delilah.
Emma’s reserve lessened with every day that passed as she became more comfortable with Kalina.She was not at all unwelcoming, or even all that quiet; she was just incredibly shy.As she became more accustomed to Kalina’s presence and more comfortable with her, she very quickly became much more talkative.She tended to follow Julianna’s lead in everything, but she was very clever, and her interest lay in the gardens.
She took Kalina through them, pointing out the various plants and weeds, describing the work she’d done to try to keep them at least somewhat in line.Eventually, she’d had to retreat to a small space just behind the house, but that small plot of the garden was gorgeously maintained.Much to Kalina’s amusement, quiet Emma was happiest when digging in dirt and chattering about plants.
Both Julianna and Emma would need a dance instructor, as neither of them had been taught any of the dances they would need to know.They’d been tucked away in the country for far too long.Both of them also needed to choose a musical instrument and possibly a singing instructor if either of them had a pleasing enough voice.
None of which would help them to run a household, but such skills were expected in order to land a husband.
Hopefully, one who would behave in a less confusing manner than her own.
After the first few days, the house began to be a bustle of interviews.Hereford was hiring local men to refurbish the rooms in the house.Kalina, with Miss Milford and Julianna trailing behind her, went through the rooms she would be expected to play hostess in, detailing her instructions.Julianna seemed to find it very educational.
The dresses from Mrs.Collins arrived, much to the delight of all the sisters.They fit perfectly and were finer than the ready-made gowns.Though Emma still wore Julianna’s old dresses when she went out to tend the garden.Kalina made a mental note to have an apron made for her.
As she began interviews with the household, with Miss Milford at her elbow, she had Julianna sit in as well.She had never been trained to run a large household or how to hire new staff, though she had seen plenty let go.
She was clearly eager to learn, though, like her brother, she kept herself slightly removed from Kalina.The two were obviously close, and Kalina had the feeling that Julianna had been Hereford’s confidant here in the house for a long time.She likely knew far more about how Kalina and Hereford’s marriage had come to be than either Emma or Fiona—not that Fiona would have necessarily understood.
Emma had warmed up to Kalina very quickly, though.Julianna seemed to be withholding judgment, though she was friendly enough during their interactions.
After a week of marriage, Kalina had just become used to the whirlwind in the house when her husband made an announcement over breakfast.
“We are going to need to spend today packing, and tomorrow we are removing to London.”
Everyone lifted their heads to stare at him, including Kalina.He had certainly not said anything to her about it.But then… why would he feel he needed to?It was not as though she needed to be consulted.
“All of us?”Julianna asked.
Kalina took heart from the fact that Julianna was clearly surprised as well.Apparently, Hereford had not told anyone of his plans.
“All of us.There are workmen coming in for the roof and some of the walls and floors where they need to be repaired.The Milfords will be staying to oversee the work, but it’s going to be noisy and disruptive and… well, I thought you might all like a trip to London,” he admitted, sheepishly.
The way he looked at Julianna now was almost boyish, hopeful for praise and uncertain he was going to receive it.The look made Kalina’s heart ache for him, as she wondered how long it had been since he’d been able to do something like this for his sisters.
“Yes!”Julianna was nearly bursting with excitement.Emma had gone quiet again, but she smiled readily as Hereford’s shoulders relaxed.
Only Fiona was frowning.
“But what about my animals?”
“Telemachus can come with us,” Hereford said gently.“Miss Milford has already promised to finish taking care of Robin until he can fly again.”Robin being the bird with an injured wing whom she’d recently rescued.“Archibald will have to stay here.Daniel is going to look out for him daily and ensure that everyone knows he’s to be left alone.”
Eyes filling up with tears, Fiona nodded.
“There will be more animals in London,” Kalina told her gently.“We can visit Hyde Park, where there are ducks on the Serpentine.Perhaps we can go to Newmarket for the races one day as well.And there’s the London Zoo, and I believe they have an elephant.”
That was what finally brightened Fiona up.
“An elephant?”She looked at Hereford, as if asking him for confirmation Kalina was not bamming her.
He nodded.
