“Welcome, Lady Mildenhall,” the strict woman said. “I will make sure your things are taken to the Duchess’s chambers. Would you like to freshen up, or shall we begin the tour of the estate?”
But she was exhausted, not physically, but it felt as though she had been drained of all her energy.
“I think the tour can wait. Thank you for taking care of my things.”
“Then, Your Grace, I will lead you straight to the Duchess’s chambers in the east wing.”
They entered the building, and the grand hall was exactly as Prim remembered, a cold place with marble floors and gleaming surfaces. The gilded sconces were there, but so were so many other things she hadn’t had the time nor the courage to explore.
The silent housekeeper guided her through the corridors of the estate. The place looked like a museum, filled with art and portraits. It was such a beautiful, opulent gilded cage.
“We are here, Your Grace.” The housekeeper’s voice stopped her bleak thoughts.
The woman opened the double door adorned with lilies, and it was as if a door to a new world had opened, which was quite accurate. Prim had gone from her childhood room to a Duchess’s private chambers. The plural was literal: this was asuite of interconnected spaces, a sitting room, a bathing alcove, a dressing room, and a bedroom, each more opulent than the last.
Prim explored the chambers with the excitement of a tax auditor. They were marvelous, but still not hers. She had to make a decision: she could either fight the ebony, the velvet, the marble, the silks, or she could try to embrace her new identity. Only a woman of profound selfishness could lament such an exquisite cage.
She noticed another door connected to her bedroom. She tried the handle, but it was locked.
“This one, Your Grace,” said the housekeeper, “leads to the Duke’s chambers. He asked me to tell you that the door will remain locked at all times.”
Prim removed her hand from the handle as if it were burning charcoal. The message was clear and received. She guided the staff as they brought up her few belongings from her family’s house.
“I must request some shelves for the sitting room,” she told the housekeeper as the crates of books were brought up.
“As you wish, Your Grace. Though I must inform you that there is a library in this estate you might find satisfactory.”
“That is indeed excellent,” Prim said. “I can move some of my collection to the library, but I will require some shelves here as well. I always like to keep books close.”
“Is there anything else you require, Your Grace?”
“Nothing for the moment. You may retire.”
“I will send a maid to help you prepare for dinner.”
When the door to the chamber clicked shut, Prim was left all alone, in a luxurious room surrounded by all the things coveted by others. And yet she had never felt more empty.
It was the first time in her life she had to dress so formally to eat dinner. A maid came to help her, a saucy girl just one year younger than her. Prim breathed a little easier around her. But the moment she stepped into the dining hall, all levity was gone.
It was a huge room with a long table that could seat around thirty people. But now it was set only for two. Leo was sitting on one side of the table, a ledger right next to his plate. On the other side, she saw her place set ready and a footman holding her chair.
“Your Grace,” she curtsied, not too sure what to do.
Leo looked up from his book and took her in from top to bottom. Something flashed in his eyes, but perhaps it was just the flames from the fireplace.
“Please, take a seat,” he said politely.
Leo had spoken to her in many different ways in the little time they’d known each other, but he had never beenpolite. Not that he had ever been rude, he had manners, after all, but polite? That was not something Leo ever was. Not around her, anyway. This was his way of conveying the message that she was to keep her distance.
“Are your quarters comfortable?”
“They are, Your Grace.”
She looked up at him across the table, through the candle holders and the wine bottle. It was funny how they were married, but they had never been this far apart.
“You can make any changes you want,” Leo said, looking at his plate.
“I don’t think it’s necessary. Perhaps in time…”
