Violet stopped halfway when she noticed the bored, almost disdainful expression on the woman’s face. “Mrs. Smith, is everything all right with you?”
The housemaid straightened her back, pulling her face into a polite smile. “Yes, of course, Your Grace. What…” She hesitated for a second. “What is it that you would like to know?”
“Well, there was the matter of getting acquainted with all the rooms of the estate. I believe I have not yet been given a tour,” Violet started.
Truthfully, her life felt confined to her chambers and the dining hall. At any given moment, she would be found in one of the two places. Apart from that, she had only been to the Duke’s studyonce. And even that was not to appreciate the surroundings but rather to have a word in private.
And besides, there wasmuchto explore still. While Nightingale Manor was not shabby by any means, it was minuscule in comparison to Bernight. Violet was not sure justhowmany room there were but surely more than she would be able to count on her two hands.
“Would it be possible to do that, Mrs. Smith?”
To Violet’s surprise, the housekeeper did not seem to have an immediately enthusiastic response. If anything, it was the opposite. With the way that her eyes widened, she appeared to be positively appalled at the idea of having to give the Duchess a tour.
How…strange.
It seemed that her title meant little to those around her. The household staff obeyed her orders, yes, but with a clipped efficiency that bordered on indifference. Now that she thought about it, the rest of the staff acted in a similar fashion towards her.
Polite bows, muted curtsies, and the occasional murmur of “Your Grace” were given, but it all felt like a mechanical obligation. There was no warmth behind their words.
“Your Grace, as youknow,the staff is currently adjusting to the addition of a new member of the household. As such, there is much to do which keeps their hands full. If this…tour…that you speak of must be conducted, then I shall have to carve out time for it.”
Violet blinked once. Had she heard that correctly?
“Um… of course, yes,” she muttered, sheepishly. “I shall wait for you, then.”
Mrs. Smith gave her a curt nod. “Thank you, Your Grace. Now, please if you could excuse me…”
Violet watched her leave. It was strange, really. Surely,thiswas not what she had expected when it came to being a duchess. Though never outright disrespectful, Mrs. Smith’s demeanor was unyielding. Almost as though she washesitantto give the reins of control.
Just yesterday, an incident had occurred that had left Violet with a strange feeling inside of her. She had sought out Mrs. Smith to request a change to the morning tea service. Not a significant change by any means.
Mrs. Smith had listened, her hands folded primly in front of her apron. “Your Grace, the staff is accustomed to a particular routine. A sudden change might disrupt the efficiency of their work.”
“Oh, I see.” She had been quick to retreat, leaving the room with her cheeks burning.
What was going on?
And now that Violet thought about it more, all her days had followed a similar pattern. Her attempts to take charge—tobethe Duchess—were met with passive resistance. Her own timidity didn’t help matters. She found herself second-guessing every decision, suddenly terrified to overstep.
And it was in that moment that she found herself missing home the most. She longed for a familiar face, for no formalities. But she was now far away from home. All she could do was write a letter to her brothers or her friends. But that did not do much to change the reality which she now occupied. One that filled her up with a dreaded sense of loneliness.
Violet felt more drained than she ever had in her life. Truthfully, having no one to talk to was driving her to the brink of madness.Everyoneneeded someone to talk to.
Why should she be denied such a thing, only because she was married now? It was frustrating, and she had enough of it.
It was about dinner time—which Violet had found to be a solitary affair. Nicholas preferred to have his meals elsewhere, and since none of the staff could join her at the table, it meant that she would eat alone.
Depressing, really, but today, even more so than usual.
“This has gone on for too long,” she muttered to herself, looking for the butler. Tonight, she refused to eat alone—even if it meant dining with the proverbial devil.
“Your Grace,” the butler intoned as she approached, “is there something I can help you with?”
“Yes, have you seen the Duke this evening?”
“I believe he is in his study, Your Grace,” the butler replied.
“I see,” Violet pressed her lips together, a crease forming on her forehead. “And is His Grace aware that dinner is to be served shortly?”
