“Not at all! I was waiting for my husband to make the introduction, that is all.”
But she was not telling the complete truth. In all honesty, she was frightened, and she did not know what to say to the woman, or if it would be better not to say a word at all.
“Come and sit,” the woman instructed, and Adelaide did so. “I want to tell you exactly what kind of life you are going to lead, now that you are here.”
“I thank you for that,” Adelaide replied dutifully.
“Perhaps you won’t, once you know the truth. You know, every lady who arrives here spends her time in misery.”
Adelaide could only blink at the unkempt woman before her. She was resting her chin on her interlaced fingers, giving her a knowing look. Adelaide wondered just what the woman had to gain by telling her such a thing.
Was it truly a warning, or was she being toyed with?
“I shall find ways to occupy my time,” she replied.
“At first, yes, and then you will be driven to madness. Once that happens, you shall be done away with. That is the way here. If you insist on staying, I can only wish you luck.”
With that, the woman left the room.
Adelaide watched the empty doorway long after. She wanted to believe that it was all a joke, that it was a bizarre welcome, but she knew that was not the case. She was not wanted here, and there was nothing she could do about it.
But she could not let that ruin her day. She was looking forward to meeting the servants and visiting the village, so she tried to forget what had happened.
Regardless of the warning, she knew that Cassian was not a bad man. If he were, he would not have intervened and rescued her, nor would he have married her to save her from scandal. He would have left her to ruin, and he had not allowed that to happen.
And so she chose to believe him over the seemingly dangerous woman, and simply hoped that it was the right decision.
Her trepidation eased as she was introduced to the servants. They all seemed kind and helpful, especially her new lady’s maid. Her name was Lilly, and her blonde hair and light eyes gave her a youthful air that Adelaide liked a great deal. She would be a friend to her, and Adelaide was grateful for that.
In fact, all the servants seemed perfectly happy to be there. It was strange, for she had sensed a coldness the moment she arrived, but they seemed to act as though nothing was amiss.
Had she been imagining it?
“You all seem happy,” she noted to the housekeeper as they made their way through the gardens.
“His Grace looks after us well,” Mrs. Johnson explained. “He is a good man, though he would never admit it. I cannot speak for everyone, of course, but I have always thought that he was the best man one could work for.”
“That is a comfort. Perhaps I misunderstood, but the lady at breakfast suggested that he might one day murder me, so I am pleased to know that is not true.”
But Adelaide saw it. She saw the housekeeper’s face fall. She did not know what it meant, but it could not have been good.
Mrs. Johnson cleared her throat and looked ahead, and just like that, the moment was gone.
“You have met her, then,” she said after a while. “I know it may not be easy, but do try not to pay attention to her. She does not know what she is saying most of the time. Though, of course, you will not say that I told you that.”
“Of course.”
“And it is better not to tell His Grace what she said to you. It would only cause unnecessary upset… if you see what I mean. There is enough trouble between them already.”
“I won’t tell him. Could you tell me who she is, though?”
Mrs. Jonson sighed deeply.
Adelaide did not know what to do with herself. She wanted to tell her that it did not matter, that she did not have to know. But she did want to know. If she were to live with the woman, she needed to know everything.
“She is Lady Iris Blackmoor, the Dowager Duchess,” Mrs. Johnson explained. “His Grace’s mother. She is in her later years, and with that has come some difficulties. I assume that she appeared unkempt?”
“Indeed. I thought I was seeing a ghost, actually.”
