Page 31 of An Accidental Bride for the Duke
“You will have to come to the manor,” she told the kindly old lady who by the looks of things ran the store on her own. “I think it will be easier to do a fitting. Yes?”
The modiste looked hesitant. “I don’t want to be no bother. My meaning is, there is no need if you don’t wish it. Surely there are better places one such as yourself can?—”
“I don’t want to hear it,” Iris cut her off with a warm smile. “Let me speak with my husband and we will arrange a time. I need new dresses and gowns, and I am certain he is in need of new suits.”
“Thank you, Your Grace!” the modiste cried. “I cannot say how grateful I am.”
“Perhaps save it until after I have hired you,” Iris said with a coy wink.
She was feeling good about herself. The best she had felt since she’d arrived at the estate. Where these last few days had seen Philip take the time to get to know her so that she no longer felt like an imposition, today was the first where this new home of hers was starting to feel just like that: a home.
And yes, perhaps she got a little carried away. And likely, it would have been smart to have checked with her husband before making so many promises to the local villagers. But Iris didn’t let that bother her. Philip liked when she was confident and self-assured, and she was certain that he would take pleasure in seeing her come into her own like this.
It was thus that Iris left the village later that afternoon with a smile on her face and a skip to her step.
Who would have guessed that less than a week ago I went to bed in tears, certain that my life was over. And now… now, it feels as if it is just beginning.
Was she getting ahead of herself? Perhaps she was. But she felt that it was warranted. And when the manor came into view, the sun setting gently behind the square shaped home so that it glowed orange and pink, she knew that she had nothing to worry about.
Philip would be home by now and she could not wait to tell him about her day. Just as she was certain he could not wait to hear it.
Chapter Eleven
Philip was waiting for Iris when she returned and, as had been the case these last few days, he was glad to see her. No more avoiding her. No more petty arguing or looking for excuses to fight. As she was starting to accept him as her husband, he was doing the same for her as his wife.
“You look rather pleased with yourself,” he chuckled as he met her in the foyer.
“Do I?” she said with a smile.
“Out exploring, were we?”
“It’s about time I did,” she laughed. “I thought to wait for you but, well…” she shrugged. “I suppose you had better things to do today than spend your time with me.”
He rolled his eyes. “I might have thought you were getting sick of me by now. That you would have liked the day to yourself.”
“Oh, I do,” she said seriously, even if she was smiling as she said it. “And truthfully, I was grateful to be free from you.”
Philip laughed and shook his head. “Does that mean you won’t be joining me for supper?”
“I will be.” She sighed with exaggeration. “But only because where I am just about sick of all the time we have been spending together, you are nowhere near that point yet.”
“You know, I think I liked you better when we were avoiding each other.”
“Liar.” She stuck her tongue out and they laughed together.
This was how it had been these last few days. Where they were both careful not to venture too deep in their conversation, never touching upon personal issues because she knew that Philip did not want to, they had reached a point of companionship that was easy and comfortable. Where Iris was able to be herself.
Again, she wondered what might come next. This felt like the first step, and they were yet to take the second. Did she need to take it herself? Would Philip do so for her? And if they continued being so friendly, did that mean what had happened between them that day in her bedroom was a one-time thing…
Don’t go down that path, Iris. For now, be glad that things are moving along so easily. No need to get ahead of yourself and ruin it.
With that in mind, Iris left the duke in the foyer as she hurried upstairs to ready herself for supper. A bath, a change of clothes, and within the hour she was appearing in the dining room where Philip was already waiting for her.
“Right on time.” He stood as she entered the room. Dressed in a smart suit that was dark, it matched his features perfectly.
“I was thinking of keeping you waiting,” she joked as she entered. She was wearing a dress of light yellow, and she liked the way it clashed against the duke’s darker outfit. “But that wouldn’t have been very nice of me.”
He laughed. “And you wouldn’t dare do such a thing, would you.”
