For the time being, that was.
Because with women, one could never be certain.
Chapter 11
Byrde House
The butler assisted Bethany out of Chase’s coat, leaving her surprisingly bereft at the loss of his scent.
“Welcome to Byrde House, My Lady.”
“Thank you.” Bethany nodded.
“Bethany, may I present Mr. Ingles, my esteemed butler? Ingles, my wife and my baroness, Lady Chaswick.”
Chase went on to present his housekeeper and two other manservants. Before he’d completed those introductions, three housemaids and the cook arrived to make their curtseys as well. Every one of them greeted her cautiously but with respect. It was immediately apparent that they all regarded the master of the house warmly.
Hugging her elbows in front of her, she traveled her gaze around the foyer as the servants returned to their duties. High ceilings, Intricate moldings, and tasteful artwork lent the entrance an elegant ambiance.
Baroness… Everything happened so quickly that she hadn’t even stopped to think that she was now the Baroness Chadwick. Ironically enough, years ago, she’d practiced writing it as her signature. Bethany Louisa Corbet, the Baroness Chaswick.
“And my mother?” Chase queried Mr. Ingles.
“I’m afraid she won’t be coming down for dinner as she’s retired for the evening.”
“Thank you, Ingles.” Chase nodded.
By both of their demeanors, Bethany guessed this was not an unusual occurrence. In all the time she’d known Chase, she’d never really considered his family. She vaguely remembered Westerley attending Chase’s father’s funeral. She’d barely entered her teens at the time.
She glanced up the stairs and suppressed a shiver. What if Chase’s mother didn’t like her?
This was to be her home now. She resisted wishing she could return to her familiar chamber on Adam’s Row tonight. She was a married woman—not a child.
Chase touched her arm. “You’re looking anxious again.” His voice teased but his words had her touching her hands to her lips.
A-n-x-i-o-u-s. Seven-letter words. Who wouldn’t be?
But he’d said she looked disapproving. She did not want to appear disapproving. It made her think of a bitter spinster or stern companion. Someone like Mrs. Crabtree.
Bethany pinched her lips together and then softened them. She hated to think she was like Mrs. Crabtree!
“It will just be the two of us tonight.” Under any other circumstances, such a statement might almost seem suggestive. Those butterflies danced in her belly again.
When they’d halted along Grosvenor Square, she’d wondered for a moment if he’d considered kissing her. But he had not. Her imagination had gotten the best of her.
She needed to learn to tamp down on these emotions. They may have taken marriage vows, and she was now his wife, but none of this was real. She needed to remember that.
He’d told her flirting came in handy for married people. And he hadn’t answered her question about Lady Starling… Or about mistresses.
“Excuse me, My Lord.” One of the maids returned to the foyer and dipped into a curtsey. “The Westerley servants have arrived to deliver her ladyship’s belongings and are carrying them upstairs to the baroness’s suite. Mrs. Maples asked if a lady’s maid will be arriving soon? If not, I could…”
“Oh.” Bethany jumped. A detail she’d failed to consider. She couldn’t exactly send for Emily. That would leave Tabetha to fend for herself. “No. Polly, isn’t it? I’ll go unattended just now.”
“If it would please you and his Lordship, I’m more than happy to offer my assistance upstairs.”
Bethany met Chase’s stare and he nodded. She’d always known that if she married, she would take over her husband’s household. It was tricky with his mother in residence. She didn’t want to act presumptuously.
“That will be fine, Polly,” Chase answered. “Please draw her ladyship a bath. We’ll dine in an hour?”
