“Of course! But I thought you might wish to redecorate to suit your tastes.”
“Yes, but I think this should not wait that long.”
“Understood. I can bring you the ones that might fit.”
“That’s all right. I ought to get used to the layout of the house.”
“Very well, is there anything else I can do for you this morning?”
“I don’t suppose you know what I am supposed to be doing?”
“Her ladyship is usually abed until much later. She occasionally meets with Mother to plan menus. There are a few of us who have been here for a number of years, so the household is relatively self-sufficient.”
That was inconvenient. I could not imagine it would be a lengthy task to select new bed coverings, and I had a desperate need for occupation today.
“Would it be too much to trouble you for a bath again?”
“It’s already set up in the other room.”
“Treasure,” I called after her as she made her way to the hall.
“Let me know when you wish to dress, my lady.”
* * *
I wanderedinto a third guest room trailed by Anna and Timothy. This one overlooked the back of the property and was decorated with navy and cobalt brocade. It was by far the least objectionable bedding set I found thus far, and it was likely going to be my choice. It seemed as though the dowager hadn’t gotten her hands on this room.
Trailing a finger over the cool silk, I made my way to the windows to inspect the curtains as well. Best to swap all available fabrics in the hopes of removing my predecessor’s scent that still permeated my room.
Just below me, in the courtyard, I caught the day’s first glimpse of my husband. Clad in shirtsleeves with some sort of sword in his hand. He fought an invisible enemy. His shirt was transparent with sweat. How that could be in the chilly November air, I could not say. His broad shoulders supported the heavy sword with ease. His movements were graceful, dance-like. He slashed and thrust and twirled. The movements were nothing like the awkward thrusting of last night. This was practiced.
Not for the first time I wondered if last night had been anything but. I had never heard of a gentleman in his twenties who hadn’t partaken at a brothel but… That thought warmed me slightly, that my husband and I might have that in common, that we might learn together.
A tactful cough came from over my shoulder as Anna appeared at my side.
“Ahh, I should have known.”
“I don’t—”
“The maids all have that reaction too. You should see him with Tom and Michael, no one can decide who to admire more.”
I hadn’t yet met Michael, but Tom… Tall, and slightly lanky with youth, his eyes were bright, and his smile was always ready, so unlike my husband. I could understand the appeal.
“Do they do that often?”
“Tom joins him when he has time. Michael hasn’t been here in years.”
“Was there a falling out? I seem to have put my foot in it last night.”
“I heard something to that effect,” she said. Timothy cleared his throat—the culprit. “Her ladyship was not fond of him, so he spent a great deal of his youth in the kitchens with us. When his father passed, Hugh was just eleven, not prepared to take on the estate. Michael managed it until he came of age. There was some discord over Michael’s future plans.”
“Future plans?”
“Michael owns Wayland’s. The gaming hell. His lordship does not approve. He thinks it tarnishes the family name.”
“But Michael doesn’t carry the family name, does he?”
Anna offered a mere shrug and headshake in response. I could see my mother-in-law rejecting a small boy due to his parentage. She seemed the type. But for Hugh to cut off his own brother over the possibility of an unfortunate connection… that was worrying.
