George cleared his throat. “As a matter of fact, Your Grace, Iammarried.”
“Is that so? How long?”
“It will be seven years this winter.”
Silas raised an eyebrow in surprise. “My congratulations. Tell me, as a new husband, how did you… handle… having a wife?”
George peered at him through the looking glass. “Are you by chance asking for some advice, Your Grace?”
Silas exhaled. “I suppose I am.”
“I see. Well, all I can say, Your Grace, is that every marriage is different, but one thing that you should absolutely avoid doing is assuming. You must talk with your wife, and together, you will come up with a vision for your future.”
Silas frowned. “Is that so?”
“Yes. It is important to know each other’s expectations and whether you feel capable of fulfilling them. If you’re just guessing, you’re liable to suffer from misunderstandings.”
Silas contemplated his valet. “That’s very wise of you, George.”
The valet smiled. “Thank you, Your Grace.”
Helena startled awake to find that she was alone in bed.
The pillow beside her still had a dent in it, so she knew that Silas had been there, but the sheets were long cold, so she knew he must have left a while ago.
She didn’t know if she was glad or disappointed about that.
She sat up and looked around in surprise. Patricia was sitting at the vanity, arranging brushes and combs, creams and lotions. Bythe roaring fire there was a gently steaming tub. Her lady’s maid turned around and smiled.
“Good morning, Your Grace.” She got to her feet. “I hope you don’t mind, but His Grace instructed that we have your bath ready for you, along with some rose water and willow bark tea. Would you like to drink the tea as you soak?”
Helena blinked at her in confusion. “Er…yes?”
Patricia nodded and went towards a tray sitting on the table in her sitting room. Helena realized that it was her breakfast.
Her heart sank with disappointment. She had hoped that she might see Silas at the breakfast table and maybe talk a little bit. She made to get up but then remembered that she was quite naked underneath the sheets.
She blushed, feeling the dampness of the sheet beneath her and knowing that Patricia would see the results of last night’s activities on them.
She sat awkwardly in bed wondering what to do. Patricia finished arranging the food and turned around with a smile. “Would you like to eat or bathe first?”
Helena cleared her throat, hoping her cheeks were not as red as they felt. “I think I will eat first. Could you come back after I finish my breakfast? I shall ring for you.”
Patricia hesitated for a moment, seeming very confused.
“Of course, Your Grace. I shall be back when you ring for me,” she curtsied a little clumsily before leaving.
Helena heaved a sigh of relief before jumping quickly out of bed and searching frantically for her shift. She found it wedged at the bottom of her bed and pulled it out, shaking it before putting it back on.
She stared helplessly at the bedding, wondering if she could hide it somewhere, but then shook her head with a sigh of regret. There was really nothing she could do about the fact that the laundry maids would see the sheets and know immediately what they had been up to.
She turned to her breakfast, slathering the bread with butter and then jam, before eating it thoughtfully as she stared at nothing.
As far as her first day of married life was going, she wasn’t sure what to think.
I wish Silas had stayed with me, she thought wistfully.
At least then she could ask him all the questions that were jamming up her throat. She finished the bread, much to her surprise. She hadn’t really been paying attention as she ate.
