“He’ll want to defend his sister’s honor.” Bethany would be devastated. “Unless I can convince him otherwise.”
Chase no longer had any desire to linger. “Many thanks for the cigars and the whiskey.”
“Going home to grovel?” Stone taunted.
“Yes, and yes,” he answered. “On my hands and knees if necessary.” But there were better ways to make this up to her. Perhaps instead of walking the distance between Knight Manor and Byrde House, he’d hail a hackney. Suddenly, he felt an urgent need to go home.
He wanted to be with his wife.
Chapter 25
Settling In
Bethany peeked into the pantry, nodding as Mrs. Maples provided a detailed description of what foods were kept in which bins, how often each item was ordered, and the name of the vendor who offered the best price and quality.
She’d been unable to sleep after Chase stormed out, but rather than allow herself to languish in self-pity, she’d decided today was the day to tackle household management.
For the most part, aside from minimal instructions from Chase, Mr. Ingles and Mrs. Maples ran the staff and property autonomously. From what Bethany gleaned, his mother hadn’t interfered for years.
A cat leapt off a shelf and Bethany ducked to avoid a mouthful of fur.
She’d known it wasn’t a good idea to reveal her feelings to him. Even as the words tumbled past her lips, her brain had been screaming for her to keep quiet.
She had then gone on to make it even worse, implying thathemust loveheras well.
What precisely was it that she had said? Oh, yes.I don’t want you to be anyone other than who you are.Which had been perfectly fine, as far as sentiments went. But then she’d tacked on…
That’s what love is.
He had told her that he would have a problem if she loved him. Why hadn’t she listened?
She knew the answer to that question before it formed in her mind.
In the very short time since they’d entered into this unlikely marriage, her feelings for him had changed drastically.
How foolish she’d been to imagine what she felt for him before had been love. She’d hardly even known him.
Lying together had changed everything. The physical act—consummation—no, more than that—physical intimacy—had changed who they were to one another. More than that, it had enhanced her understanding of love.
She’d imagined it had for him as well.
Her heart ached. When they had made love in the garden, he had been different. Their first night had been physically satisfying, exhilarating, and all-consuming but last night…
He’d watched her, stared deeply into her eyes, creating a connection that went beyond the physical. It had been emotional… spiritual even.
As much as she wanted to scoff at herself for such fanciful thoughts, she couldn’t help but believe she was right.
Which was why she’d made her foolish declaration before he left. She’d assumed he’d been telling her things with his body, telling her things he couldn’t bring himself to say out loud.
“And here’s where most of the silver is kept. Mr. Ingles and I are the only members of this household with a key. Aside from his Lordship, of course.” Mrs. Maplesunlocked a large cabinet and opened it for Bethany’s inspection.
“Very good.” Years of watching her mother deal with servants had her adding, “I’ll expect keys to everything as well, just as soon as they can be made up.”
“Of course, My Lady.” Mrs. Maples gestured toward the stairs. “Linens are kept in this one.” She opened the door to reveal shelves that contained exacting stacks of napkins and tablecloths folded into perfect squares. Such symmetry was a beautiful thing.
“This is lovely.” Bethany couldn’t help but commend the housekeeper as she reached out to touch one of the neatly folded corners.
“I am partial to orderliness,” the woman said proudly.
