“Behind there”—he pointed to a screen—“you will find the dressing room and a long table with high mirrors and shelves filled with your clothes. Also, a bath. I will see you soon,” he said,backing out and closing the door softly behind him. She needed this. Time alone to explore and understand that this would now be her home.
Entering his rooms that were in shades of gray and green, he found a bath and his valet. For now, everything he needed was here.
CHAPTER 37
Monmouth had been grand, but this was so much more than that.And I am the mistress here now.That thought filled Sophie with trepidation. She had visions of failing horribly as his countess, even as Patrick had told her he had a competent staff and they would take things slowly.
“Letty sent your clothes on ahead, my lady,” Jenny said, emerging from behind the screen. “Would you like a bath?”
“I would love one.” Sophie sighed. It had only been one day, and yet it felt like she had been traveling for weeks.
“Dear Lord!” Sophie gasped as she went behind the screen and found her dressing room, which was also huge. In the middle was a large bath.
“It is quite something, my lady, is it not?” Jenny said, coming to stand beside her mistress. “I have everything ready for you,” she added, helping Sophie undress. “I have poured in some of the rose oil Lady Carstairs packed. Let me take the bandage off your arm first.”
The wound was still tender, although there was no sign of infection.
Sophie let Jenny’s chatter flow over her as she stepped into the warmth. She sighed as the water settled over her.
“What do you think of Garland Hall, Jenny?”
“The housekeeper, Mrs. Pitt, and cook, Mrs. Gumbrill, have been here for years, and they run the place, according to Mr. Ribble, the butler, who is lovely. They can be a bit mean, but the other maids and footmen seem nice.
“I’m glad you are settling in, Jenny. But please come to me if anything or anyone bothers you.” Having worked belowstairs, Sophie knew how things went, and she would not allow anyone to upset Jenny.
Climbing out of the bath, she let Jenny dry her off.
“Lady Carstairs wanted me to give you this tonight,” her maid said, holding out her hands.
It was a wisp of satin in the softest emerald. The straps were two slender strips, the bodice curved low, and each satin cup would clearly outline her breasts. The skirts fell to the floor in silken folds.
“I’m not wearing that.” She held it out for Jenny to take from her.
“Why not? It’s lovely.” Her maid lowered it over her head. “There is nothing wrong with wanting to entice your husband.” She then eased Sophie’s arms into the nightdress, taking care with her injury.
“Jenny!”
“I know you’ve got a sore arm, but still, let him do all the work. Here, now let’s slip the robe onto your shoulders.”
“I can’t believe you just said that.”
“You’re married now, so someone needs to. I will say good night now, my lady,” the maid said with a knowing smile, and then she was gone.
What was she meant to do now?
Sophie noted that the door to Patrick’s room was slightly ajar. Should she just go to bed or tell him she was? These were all new and unknown waters she was navigating. Letty had told her how to be a countess but not the real wife of an earl.
Moving closer to the door, she listened at the threshold but could hear no voices or snoring.
She tapped on the wood.
“Come in, Sophie,” he called.
Entering, she found him rising from a seat before the fire, wearing his dressing gown.
“I thought to say good night.” She stopped a few feet from him. Sophie saw the fire in his eyes as they traveled over her body. He wanted her, and it made her feel hot all over because she remembered what his touch had felt like. Knew that it would be different between them now… here, as husband and wife. She was no longer innocent.
His eyes devoured her.
