“This is Molly, your Grace,” Luton said.
Eva turned to greet the young maid who was bobbing a curtsy.
“Shall I have a bath drawn for you, your Grace?”
“Yes, please, and some tea if it is not too inconvenient.” Eva couldn’t believe she was to have a bath she had not prepared herself.
“At once, your Grace.”
With the click of her bedroom door Eva felt the last of her strength flee. Burying her face in her hands, she slumped onto the seat. In one day, she had left the only home she had known for eighteen years, married a duke and was now going to live out her days in a mansion.
Eva’s thoughts went to her brother. How would Reggie survive without her? He worked for the local farmer, but at seventeen he was not a big man and too young to deal with the bullying ways of his elder brothers singlehandedly.
The maid returned with two footmen carrying a large bath. Eva had never seen one so big; surely she could lie flat in it.
“I will help you undress, your Grace,” the maid offered once the bath was filled and the footmen had left.
Eva had never had assistance to undress but she felt too tired to argue. Wearily she climbed to her feet and allowed the maid to pull off her damp coat.
“Thank you, Molly.” She felt color flood her cheeks as her dress was removed. Her undergarments were a dismal shade of grey and repaired several times over.
“I will return in a while with your tea, your Grace.”
Biting her lip as she stepped into the bath Eva felt the heat start to thaw her toes. Slowly she sank down, then lay backwards until only her head was out of the water.
So this is to be my life, Eva thought as her eyes did a survey of the room. She could find some peace here alone. Eva had no doubt her husband would not stay at Stratton for long. She knew he hated looking at her, being reminded of the fact that he had a wife he did not want. He would leave at the earliest opportunity and until then she would stay out of his way. Maybe in time her husband might wish for an heir, but for now she would be content with her life. There would be no more fear, just her and the servants. And they would rub along together nicely; she would make sure of it.
Molly returned with her tray as the water began to cool. She helped Eva climb out of the bath and slip into her nightdress. After she had drunk her tea and dried her hair, she climbed into the huge soft bed and fell into a deep sleep.
For one heart-stopping moment when she opened her eyes, Eva felt the same sinking feeling she’d experienced every morning when she woke in her small bedroom, located in the drafty attic of her father’s house. But then she realized where she was.
“No more,” she whispered, looking around the beautiful room. “They can hurt me no more.”
Climbing out of bed, Eva then walked to the windows and opened the curtains. It was still early. The rising sun cast a soft shadow over the land, and she had a feeling her new home was going to be a wonderful place to explore. She could see gardens with hedge-lined paths as well as beds filled with flowers and different varieties of plants. In the distance she caught a glimmer of water. A lake? She hoped so. Perhaps she could go swimming when no one was looking. Though who would be there to look, she asked herself, remembering the anger in her husband’s eyes and knowing he’d be leaving as soon as he could. Thinking of the duke made her heart plunge to her toes so she pushed all thoughts of him aside and hurried to answer the maid’s knock on her bedroom door.
After dressing, she left her room. Following Molly’s directions, she headed down the long hallway, stopping to look out the floor-length windows along the way. Her new home was beautiful but a little tired, Eva thought as she looked at the worn carpets that ran the length of the hall. Perhaps she could restore Stratton Lodge to its former glory.
“If you will follow me, your Grace, I will take you to the breakfast parlor.”
“Luton!” Eva squeaked, startled by the butler’s sudden appearance. “Good morning.”
“Good Morning, your Grace.” Luton offered her a smile before turning and making his stately way toward the stairs without further comment.
“Mrs. Stimpel, the cook, and Miss Sullivan, the housekeeper, will meet with you at your convenience, your Grace. Please let me know and I will take you to them when you are ready.”
“Thank you, Luton.” Eva suddenly felt queasy at the prospect of meeting the women.
The breakfast room had a faded red-and-gold patterned carpet and pale gold walls. She could imagine that in its day the room had been very grand. The table, thankfully, was not overly large and was draped in a soft white linen cloth. She sat in the chair Luton pulled out for her and noticed that only one place was laid.
“The…the...uh, the Duke has eaten already?”
“He had a tray in his room, your Grace.”
“Oh, well then, I’ll just have tea and toast, if you please, Luton.” Eva wasn’t sure, but she thought Luton tsked as he left the room.
“Your breakfast, your Grace,” Luton said a while later.
“Tea and toast, Luton?” Eva queried, looking at the plate piled high with ham and eggs. A small basket held toast and muffins and the pot of tea would have served at least ten people.
