The dowager duchess smiled. “Do not fret about my grandson. He just needs to get used to the situation, but he will come around soon enough. Let me give you a proper tour of the manor.”
“Yes, thank you.” Even though she had been living in the manor for the past few days, she had not gotten a proper tour of the place because they had been busy with all of the wedding preparations.
“What did your finishing school teach you?” the dowager duchess asked as they walked.
“I learned dancing, the art of conversation, and some basic French,” Selina said. “However, a lot of the students went to this finishing school because they wanted to get employment as ladies’ companions and governesses, so there were some practical skills as well, like childcare and cooking.”
It was a quality school, with a mix of noble ladies and daughters of wealthy merchants, but none of the faculty expected any of their students to become duchesses.
“Then I will have much to teach you about how to host parties as a duchess,” the dowager said. “Not to mention how to handle yourself in society when all eyes are on you. You can never repeat an outfit, and you must ensure your appearance is impeccable if you set foot outside the manor. Remember, only the royal family outranks you now. You only bow to them.”
“Oh, I do not think all of that will be necessary,” Selina said. “After all, Dominic said my main task is to take care of Percy.”
“That is true, but there will be many more responsibilities you will have to tend to as the lady of the house.”
The dowager duchess gave her a tour of the gardens, sun room, and ballroom, before taking her to rooms she had not seen yet, like the extensive library, Percy’s nursery, and drawing rooms used for more intimate gatherings than a huge party like the Duke Hunt. Selina could not believe how big the manor was. It was easily twice the size of Gillray Manor. It was so strange that this was now her home.
The last room the dowager duchess showed her was Selina’s new bedroom. Instead of the guest room she had been staying in before, Selina would now sleep in the suite across from Dominic’s on the third floor. The duchess’s suite was huge, with a large, four-poster bed on one side, a spacious closet, and a writing desk. Attached to it was a private sitting room. “You candecorate it however you wish,” the dowager duchess said. “Do whatever you would like to make it feel like home.”
“Thank you,” Selina said. “I will.” However, something caught her attention, something that struck her as odd.
There was also a balcony that overlooked the gardens. However, after a moment, Selina noticed very high railings that had been put in place that looked like they were newly installed. She went out to the balcony and realized they came up to her chest.
“What is the point of these?” she asked. “They do not really go with the rest of the decor, do they? And if I decided to sit down outside for a cup of tea, then my view of the garden would be obstructed.”
She was merely curious. She doubted she would have a lot of time to enjoy tea on the balcony when she would be so busy with Percy, but the railings still felt like an odd addition to the room.
The dowager duchess did not reply at first. Selina turned around to see the older woman looking sad. “I suppose you should know, especially before you hear about it from someone else. The former duchess’s mind was very ill. She was an unhappy woman. One dreadful day… well… she fell from the balcony.”
Selina gasped softly. “I had no idea.” That must be the unpleasant topic surrounding Dominic that everyone skirted around when they were with her. That must be why everyone thought he killed his wife. Such a strange circumstance, after all. “Is that why Percy does not talk anymore?”
“Yes,” she said. “Dominic blames himself for it. It is a sensitive subject, so if you want to talk about it with him or Percy, then please proceed with caution.” She took a deep breath and smiled, but her expression remained sad nonetheless. “I will leave you to get settled in your room. Perhaps you can visit with Percy before dinner.”
Selina nodded. “Thank you.”
The dowager duchess left Selina to her thoughts. She sat down on the bed. The finery of her new room brought her no joy after learning of the terrible events that had taken place here.How can I make this place feel like home when it is filled with such sadness?
Twelve
Dominic tried to go to his study to handle estate matters that he had put off since before the Duke Hunt, but it was difficult not to think of his new wife. She had a way of infecting his thoughts, of making him wish to visit her in her room now, and claim her the way he wanted to.
She was so sweet and delicate in some ways, and so strong in others. He was envious of the natural way she interacted with Percy and how she seemed to understand things about him. But Dominic also admired her natural way with him.
She had been through so much. That was obvious to him and probably anyone else. But it had simply filled her with strength. Somehow, she managed to remain kind and gentle despite the hardships life had dealt her.
He remembered how he lashed out at her during the Duke Hunt, saying how she would never survive in such a cruel world. Shame filled him at the thought. How wrong he was.
But his concern for Percy overshadowed his desire, and how it would affect him to have a new mother suddenly.
Will Percy get attached only to lose her, too?
At least she would not meet Eugenia’s fate, no matter how unhappy she became. He ensured she did not move into the duchess suite until after the railings were installed. He would not drive another woman to her death. He made sure of that.
When it came time for dinner, Dominic was tempted to take it to his room and avoid his new wife altogether. He had plenty of work to do, and it would give her and Percy time alone together. His presence would only spoil everything.
But a sharp knock on the door put those thoughts to rest.
“Enter,” he called without getting up from the desk in his study.
