“I don’t expect we’ll reside here,” he said.“It wouldn’t do for a duke and his duchess to live like students.I would have us move into the Davenport townhouse, but it needs quite a bit of fixing.I’m thinking of selling it and purchasing a better property, perhaps in Mayfair where you’ll be closer to your family.”
She nodded.“That sounds nice.But can you sell it?”
“Yes, full power.It is not part of the Davenport entailment.”He rubbed a hand across the back of his neck.“In truth, I’ll be glad to rid myself of that Davenport stench.”
He’d spoken with such unaccustomed venom, it surprised her.
And that dark look as he’d uttered the words.
It was just a flicker of darkness and then it was gone, but it revealed the depth of his animosity toward his family.
She had not realized quite how much bitterness Alex held inside.
He always appeared so calm and unaffected, almost indifferent most of the time.But she understood now that his resentment ran strong.
“Let me show you to our bedchamber,” he said, his manner once more polite and controlled while he led her upstairs.“I thought it would be more practical to sleep here instead of taking rooms at a hotel since we’ll be leaving early in the morning and all our trunks are here.”
“I don’t mind.”
He cast her a wry smile.“But I do.It feels kind of shabby to me now.And I did not even think to ask if you would prefer a fancier accommodation.I’m sorry, Tulip.I’ll make it up to you.”
“No need.These past few months have been a whirlwind of lavish balls and elegant parties.I think I have had my fill of excess and ostentation.A quiet wedding night will do just fine.”
He chuckled.“Well, I don’t know how quiet it will be.”
“Oh, do you have noisy neighbors?”
He started to say something, then choked on his laughter.“No,” he said, grinning, “that wasn’t…never mind.You’ll see.Hard to explain.”
She shrugged and followed him into his quarters.“Ooh, this is nice.”
“Yes, it is a comfortable room,” Alex said.
It was more than merely comfortable, for it had beautiful damask drapes, a large bed that would easily accommodate both of them, elegant furniture, and an obviously well-crafted carpet of oriental design.She noted several books piled beside a plump, cushioned chair and ottoman beside the hearth where she imagined he spent his quiet hours reading.There was also an adjoining dressing room for privacy while grooming.
“Surprised?”
She nodded.“I don’t know why I thought you would be sleeping on a cot in a sparsely furnished room and a bed sheet used as a makeshift curtain hanging over your windows.”
“I came into a little money when my mother died.This is why I managed to stay independent after she passed away.I was still young, not yet of age, but old enough to manage without the supervision of adults.Most of those childhood years were spent in boarding schools, anyway.My mother’s family did not want me around, either.”
“Because you were a Davenport?”
He nodded.“They never forgave the Davenports for my mother’s death.”
“But you were a child and she tried to save you.How could they assign any blame to you?”
He shrugged.“I suppose it was easier to despise me than bother to get to know me.They were angry and wanted to lash out.I was the closest Davenport at hand, so they took their sorrow and frustration out on me.”
She placed a hand on his arm and felt the ripples of tension within him.“Alex, I am so sorry.Did they come around afterward and apologize to you?Do you ever keep in touch with them?”
“No.They’re mostly gone now, only a few elderly aunts remain and they won’t ever accept to see me.As I said, easier to cast blame somewhere.”
“Except upon themselves,” Tulip muttered.
He shrugged.“It could have been worse.I wasn’t left penniless.”
“But you were left completely on your own.”
