She winced at his precise pronunciation of the word; there was little doubt in her mind he found her request ridiculous.
“Is everything to your satisfaction, Duchess?”
“Pardon, your Grace?”
“Is everything here at Stratton to your satisfaction?” Eva watched as he unclenched his fists and braced them on the desk before him, his eyes steady and unwavering as they studied her.
“Yes thank you, your Grace.”
“Excellent. Well, if that is all, Duchess, I really must return to my work.”
Eva dropped into a curtsy and quickly turned to leave the room.
“Do you ride?”
Gripping the door handle, she nodded but did not face him after he asked the quesiton.
“I have a grey mare that will suit your needs and will instruct my staff to show you the best paths to ride when you are ready.”
“Thank you but I do not want to put you to any trouble, your Grace.”
Eva wasn’t sure but thought he sighed.
“This will be your home, Duchess, I think in time you will wish to explore it.”
Eve heard the impatience in his voice and reluctantly turned back to face him.
“Of course, thank you again. She waited to see if he said anything further and when he did not she bobbed her head and quickly left the room, closing the door softly behind her.
CHAPTER TWO
Sinking into the chair, Daniel stared at the door. The anger in him was so close to the surface, he feared one wrong word or action from someone would see it unleashed. He would be just like his father then.
The old duke had raised his son using discipline. No matter the situation, if he felt Daniel needed whipping, he undertook the punishment with relish. Daniel had learnt to keep out of his father’s way, yet he’d never learnt to be submissive when the punishment was being meted out. He had taunted his father, smiling through his pain, enraging him further until one day his mother had tried to intervene.
Closing his eyes he let the memories come; perhaps the pain would keep his anger in check.
The late Duchess of Stratton had meant everything to her son. Daniel had loved her from his first breath. She was beautiful, kind and loving - everything her husband was not. He remembered the day his father had dragged him into his study after he had broken a vase, demanding an apology that at twelve years of age, Daniel had already been strong enough to refuse. His father had flown into a rage, and then, bending Daniel over, he had begun to whip him. Only this time he didn’t stop.
Hearing his cries, the Duchess had burst into the room, demanding he stop whipping her son. The duke had stopped, but only long enough to turn the birch on his wife. Daniel had screamed and tried to stop the punishment but he had been pushed aside and by the time he regained his feet his mother had fallen and hit her head. She had never regained consciousness.
He never spoke to his father again and after the funeral, Daniel was sent away to school, where he learned to tuck his grief and anger deep inside him. It had stayed there until now.
He needed to leave Stratton soon before he took his anger out on the woman who was now his wife. Only then would she be safe.
…
Eva explored her new home thoroughly over the next week, making sure that in doing so she kept away from the duke’s study. She found many a parlor and room filled with sheet-covered furniture. Most were lovely old pieces that simply needed a good polish. Many of the drab, faded curtains and carpets, however, needed replacing. Eva decided she would talk to the housekeeper and together they would take an inventory of everything and then decide how best to tackle the problem of restoring her new home to its original beauty.
The only glimpse she had of the duke was from her window seat one morning. He had walked beneath on his way toward the stables. She could tell he was still angry because he had swiped his riding crop at a poor, hapless rose bush, sending a flurry of petals and leaves in all directions. Eva observed his long strides and tall muscular form. He was a man who drew a woman’s eye, a man many would long to wed. Something inside her believed he was not like her father and ready with his fists, yet Eva was not about to place herself in his path to test that theory.
For once in her life she was left to do exactly as she wanted, exactly when she wanted to do it. She was sure in time that would get lonely, but for now Eva reveled in her newfound freedom and when she stumbled across the music room high up on the third floor she thought her happiness, for now, was complete. Eva wondered who had played. The old Duke, perhaps, or maybe his wife?
Daniel tensed when he heard the first strains of music. Opening the door, he listened as the sweet melody filled the empty halls of his home. The last person to touch those keys had been his mother. It had to be his wife; no one else but he played and he had not sat at a piano for many years. He was amazed at how good she was; it seemed her horrible father had at least allowed her some joy. Leaving the door open, he walked back to his desk. Re-seating himself, Daniel picked up another piece of paper from the pile his steward had left him and began to make notes.
He would finish his duties this evening and then go the Duchess’s room to consummate the marriage. Dear God, when had he approached a women’s bed with such trepidation? Had it not been a stipulation of the contract, he wouldn’t have contemplated the act, but it was, and therefore he’d fulfill his side of the obligation no matter how much he disliked the idea.
A knock sounded on his door minutes later and Daniel scowled at Luton as he moved to stand before his desk, his face set in its usual pleasant mask.
