If she was forbidden from ever falling in love with him, then it was best that she find enough activities around the estate to keep herself as busy as possible. So that she would not have to worry about things like love.
There was a knock on her door, one that interrupted her train of thought. She froze, and then slowly relaxed herself enough to speak up.
“Come in.”
The door creaked open and a young maid stepped in. Nancy, the same one who had shown her to her quarters yesterday.
“Your Grace, I did not wish to disturb you,” the maid said brightly. “Though, I am surprised to find you alone . I was under the impression that the duke was here with you.”
Penelope laughed out loud at the assumption.
“Do I sound that much like him?”
The maid’s eyes widened.
“Were you trying to emulate his tone?”
“I was only having a bit of fun,” Penelope nodded. Heaven knows that she would need it, if she were to survive here.
“Well, you certainly had me fooled, Your Grace,” Nancy nodded. “You had the tonejust right.”
“Well, perhaps I am a better actor than I thought,” she said, laughing instead of being embarrassed at the prospect of being caught.
“I just came to let you know breakfast will be served in the smaller dining room this evening. His Grace requested it be informal.”
Penelope pursed her lips.
“And how is breakfast usually served in the estate?”
“The same way, Your Grace,” Nancy replied. “His Grace does not like to make too much of a fuss about these things.”
That much was apparent to Penelope. The man did not believe in making a big deal out ofanything.Breakfast was a small thing in comparison to marriage.
“I see,” she nodded, keeping her expression neutral. “And what of the activities of the rest of the day? It was awfully quiet yesterday when I came in.”
“It’s a quiet place, that’s true,” The maid glanced up, her expression softening. “But it’s not without life. The staff keep to their duties, and His Grace… well, he doesn’t entertain much.”
“I gathered as much,” Penelope said dryly. “And what of his daughter? Odette?”
“She’s spirited, my lady,” Nancy brightened up as she spoke of the young girl. “Clever, too, though she has her moods. His Grace keeps her close. He doesn’t like to leave her care to anyone he doesn’t trust.”
“Ah,” Penelope mused. “Yet he made the decision to marry me the day I met him for the first time. He must trust me more than I think.”
Nancy only nodded awkwardly at the observation. There was only so much that a maid could say to something like this.
“Does His Grace trust easily?” was her next question. The maid hesitated again.
“As for His Grace’s private affairs, I must say that I am not much privy,” she replied. “He likes to keep his personal life separate.”
“But you must have observations, surely,” Penelope pushed, gently.
Alexander had no siblings, nor did he have living parents whom Penelope could consult. All he had was a daughter, and more house staff than she could count to turn to, when it came to gleaning some information about him.
She was not about to take any chances.
“My observations?” Nancy repeated, and then folded her hands out in front of her, “Well, yes. I suppose that I have observed him to be someone who takes his duties quite seriously. And he dislikes disorder more than anything. I scarcely see him angry, but whenever something is out of order, his composure wavers.”
Penelope found herself taking mental notes.Dislikes disorder.A frown formed on her face.
