“I saw you. You jumped into the river after Prince William.” She giggled. “It was really funny.”
Marina felt her cheeks warm.One more witness to my foolishness, then. At least Lilly is amused by it.“Yes, that is me. Is Prince William your dog? He is a very friendly pup.”
Lilly nodded quickly. “He loves to play ball,” she said. “He’s really friendly! Everyone loves him.”
“Of course. Who can resist such a cute pup?” She smiled. “Perhaps soon we can both toss the ball for Prince William together.”
The little girl grinned. “Could we? Please?”
“Absolutely.”
“Yay! Then I might invite you to tea.”
“An invitation to tea? I’m honored.” She grinned at the little girl.
Lilly giggled. “You should be. It’s an important party. But only if you throw the ball really well for Prince William.”
Marina made sure her face was the picture of solemnity as she said, “I swear to always throw the ball far for Prince William. I will never pretend to throw it, or do so half-heartedly. And I will certainly make sure the ball never lands in the river again.”
The little girl let out a shriek of laughter before she covered her mouth with her hand and widened her eyes. When she removed her hand, she still looked a little sheepish, but she was smiling.
Marina felt herself relax as she talked with Lilly. It looked like the two of them had gotten off on the right foot. With some time, their relationship would evolve beautifully, she was sure of it.
I can find joy in taking care of this child, even if my own husband wishes I would remain a stranger to him. At least I can find purpose by helping to raise Lilly.
Just then, the door opened, and a maid came into the room. She curtsied. “I am pleased to see you awake, Your Grace.”
It took Marina a moment to realize the lady was talking to her.That will take some getting used to.“Thank you. I am happy to be awake, too.” Her words came out stilted and awkward, not sure how she was supposed to act as the lady of the house. At Shirley House, her parents’ servants usually ignored her as her parents did.
It would be a strange adjustment finding her place here, in Pemberton Manor.
“Are you ready for dinner? His Grace would like you to join him tonight.”
“I shall be ready, yes. Just give me a moment, please.” She turned to Lilly. “I must get dressed, but I cannot wait to spendmore time with you soon.” She held out her arms. “Can I have a hug before you leave?”
Panic flickered across Lilly’s face, and her smile quickly disappeared. She shook her head violently before running out the door at full speed.Too much, too fast.Marina gingerly got to her feet, deciding slow movements would be best to keep herself from overexertion.It is all right. There is still plenty of time to coax her to open up to me.
Chapter Thirteen
With the help of her new personal maid, Marina changed into a modest evening dress. She noticed that the maid did not tighten her corset nearly tight enough.
“His Grace’s orders, Your Grace,” the maid said. “Until you are back to your usual self. Due to a tight corset causing your illness yesterday.”
Marina flushed, remembering. She had barely been able to breathe in that thing, but her mother had insisted on lacing it as tight as possible, until Marina was sure her ribs were going to crack. “A slightly loose corset does not bother me,” she said. “I certainly prefer breathing myself.”
The woman smiled shyly, but did not seem to know how to respond. “I shall leave you be, Your Grace,” she said, curtsying. “His Grace is waiting for you in the dining room.” The maid left, quickly, and Marina felt a pang of homesickness as intense as it was sudden.
She did not miss Shirley Manor, per se, but she missed her sisters and the close camaraderie they had all shared with each other. At the moment, Pemberton Manor felt downright cold and isolated.
I shall have to visit them soon. After all, Evan told me I could go where I please, and I plan to take him up on that.
Marina made her way downstairs. A servant directed her to the dining room, where she found Evan waiting alone at the table. She looked around, looking for his daughter. “Is Lilly not joining us?” she asked.
“She eats in the nursery,” he replied.
She frowned. How was she supposed to grow closer to the little girl if she did not eat with them for dinner?Come to think of it, why am I here at all if Lilly isn’t here? I thought we were to be strangers except when it came to her.
Marina kept her questions to herself for the time being and sat down at the table. Servants came forward to serve them food—a hearty stew and homemade bread. The aromas smelled delicious to her.
