Beatrice nodded. “We shall see. I have no high hopes for her to actually stay put, but it would be nice if she did.”
Colette, the maid who had helped her earlier, entered with another girl Beatrice hadn’t met yet. She would have to make friends with all the staff as soon as she could; if she was to be the mistress of Eldenwilde, she wanted to know all her people.
The maids began serving them food, and Beatrice smiled and thanked them, noting that Lord Dunham did not. Perhaps there was something to be said for the rumor that her husband was not the friendliest, though she’d seen nothing yet that couldconvince her he was as callous as the villagers would lead her to believe.
That was another stumbling block in her plan to convince Dietrich and Thea that she was fine—if only her husband had a better reputation in the community. As it was, she would have to do some convincing.
But she had been the first librarian in a town that did not value literature, and she had grown used to convincing people. If the people that needed to be convinced were Dietrich and Thea and her father, at least she knew what would make them more easily swayed, as opposed to the townspeople who did not give her such an advantage.
The meal passed quickly, with no one saying anything, just eating as quickly as possible. Before she knew it, Lord Dunham and the priest had gone back to his study, and she was alone.
She took a moment to take a deep breath as she looked around her new home.
The idea felt strange. This was home now?
She would have to go home at some point to get her things. Not that she would need clothes or any of the kitchenware that she used, but she wouldn't want to leave her books behind. They didn't deserve such a fate.
Even if her new husband had promised her a library.
Oh, the word “husband” felt strange.
She had a husband now.
Her, Beatrice Montgomery, the librarian whom no one in town had ever been interested in—except for Roan.
Beatrice didn't care, though. It was no longer her problem. Because she was married.
Beatrice took a deep breath and rose from her seat. She wasn’t going to just sit here waiting for him to come back. Lord Dunham had been apologetic as he had led the priest away to do some paperwork, but he hadn't thought to tell her what sheshould do once he left her, and she had little idea what she should do to occupy her time.
So, she would explore.
As she opened the door, she nearly ran into Mrs. Jenkins. The friendly housekeeper smiled at Beatrice and said, “I was just looking for you, Lady Dunham. I thought perhaps you would like a tour.”
Beatrice nodded. “That would be lovely, Mrs. Jenkins.” As much as she wanted to protest the new title, she had a feeling Mrs. Jenkins was not going to budge on it. Perhaps she was right—she would have to get used to it eventually. Even if the idea still seemed strange.
She followed Mrs. Jenkins through the hallway and did her best to pay attention as she was ushered through a sitting room, through the foyer, and toward Lord Dunham’s study.
“And where is the library?” she asked. She had been so distracted earlier, she had no idea where the library was actually located.
Mrs. Jenkins smiled and led her to the library beyond the study, and Beatrice opened the doors to take it in once more without the distraction of her impending marriage.
It truly was the most stunning thing she’d ever seen in her life.
And this library was hers?
“It’s impressive, isn’t it?” Mrs. Jenkins asked as Beatrice sighed happily.
“It is,” Beatrice said, already itching to disappear into a chair and read a book.
“Would you like to see the kitchen too?” the housekeeper asked.
“I would,” Beatrice said, nodding. “I would like to meet everyone if that’s possible.”
“Of course, my lady.” Mrs. Jenkins led the way through the servants’ door and toward the kitchen, where everyone stoppedwhat they were doing to stare as she announced, “Everyone, this is the new Lady Dunham.”
There was a whirlwind of introductions, too many to remember, and a few moments later, Beatrice was being led from the kitchen back into the dining room, a full circle of the first floor complete.
“I must return to my duties, but before I do, let me show you to your room,” Mrs. Jenkins said. “Now that you've had a little more of the house shown to you, it might be helpful to orient yourself to your room again, too.”
