She saw that Oliver at least had the decency to look miserable.
His brows were drawn, and he was frowning. But he remained silent, and that silence confirmed the finality of his pronouncement.
Alethea straightened her spine.
"Then, Your Grace," she said quietly, "if there is to be no consummation and no prospect of children, I suppose there is little point in my remaining here tonight."
"Alethea," he began, a hint of desperation threading his voice. "Do not be like that. This is still your home now. We can discuss this again, if you wish to understand it better."
Each word felt like salt on a wound. Alethea could bear no more. Without another glance, she turned and walked swiftly toward the door.
Oliver did not try to stop her. With a trembling hand, Alethea grasped the handle. She paused, not looking back but decided to speak one final time.
"I may have been raised in a convent, but even I know that what you propose is not a true marriage. You offer me a cage with no song. I did not expect love from you, but I did expect respect for the vows we entered into. Good night."
She opened the door and stepped out into the corridor. By the time Alethea reached the door of her own chambers, a hot tear was trailing down her cheek. She hurried inside and closed herself into the darkness, finally allowing a sob to escape her lips. Leaning back against the door, she pressed a hand over her mouth to stifle the next cry.
In the quiet of that lonely bedroom, Alethea realized she had entered into a marriage far colder and emptier than the life she had left behind.
This was not what she had wanted.
CHAPTER 5
Alethea's spent most of her time tossing in bed. But when she woke the next morning, she told herself that she would not spend her time wallowing as she had the night before.
It was simply a waste of her time, and to waste time was to be ungrateful of the life that had been given to you.
It was her first full day as duchess, after all. And it had begun with an intimidating tour of her new home: the kitchens, the stillroom, the linen closets, and now the endless accounts of a great house.
"Here we have the household expenditures for last month, Your Grace," Mrs. Pritchard, the house keeper, explained in a respectful tone. She slid the ledger slightly towards Alethea. "I will, of course, be happy to continue managing the details, but you may wish to look them over."
"Of course," Alethea replied softly. She stepped closer to the table and bent her head over the ledger.
Alethea's upbringing in the secluded nunnery had not prepared her for managing an aristocratic household. She ran a fingertip down the column, pretending to study it, though the figures made little sense to her.
Mrs. Pritchard waited patiently. The housekeeper assumed a new Duchess might need some guidance, but Alethea feared how obvious her ignorance must be. If Oliver –His Grace, she corrected herself even in thought – discovered how inept she was at these duties, would he be displeased?
The mere idea made her throat tighten, even though she was still cross with him.
She inhaled and forced a polite smile. "Thank you, Mrs. Pritchard. Perhaps you could summarize the important points for me? I admit it is a great deal to take in at once."
"Certainly, Your Grace. To start, the household has been running smoothly. The expenditures last month were a little higher due to an event that His Grace hosted. We had extra guests and charitable donations. But nothing out of the ordinary."
As the housekeeper spoke, Alethea listened intently. She nodded when appropriate, trying to memorize each detail. It was overwhelming, but she was determined to do her best.
At one point, Mrs. Pritchard mentioned the staff by name and role: the butler, Mr. Hawkins, who oversaw the footmen; Cook, who ruled the kitchen; a score of maids, grooms, and gardeners.
Alethea repeated each name quietly, committing them to memory. The idea that she was now Duchess of this grand household felt unreal.
I must not disappoint him.The thought repeated like a mantra. Oliver had married her under abrupt circumstances, and she was grateful, he had saved her from scandal. The least she could do was be a dutiful wife and duchess. If she failed... well, she did not wish to think of that consequence.
By late morning, they had finished reviewing the basics. Mrs. Pritchard closed the ledger with a reassuring smile.
"That is enough for today, I think. You have made an excellent start, Your Grace. In time, it will all become second nature."
Alethea managed a small, genuine smile in return. "I am indebted to your guidance, Mrs. Pritchard. Thank you for your patience."
The housekeeper gave a slight curtsy.
