As her husband looked away, she worried that he might not acquiesce to her request.
Finally, he returned his gaze to her, his gray eyes not giving away how he felt. “My late wife did not agree with my views on children. Therefore, it was incumbent upon me to make myself available to them, but I’m sure that you can understand how difficult that is with all my responsibilities. By adding you to my family, I believe we can now accomplish my goal in regards to my children. To that end, I agree to your request and will address you as Eleanor in private, specifically before my children.”
That her simple boon had revealed so much more information about her husband had her spirits lifting. He was obviously a reasonable man and gave much thought to everything he did. Though some ladies may be uncomfortable with such a man, she felt much better that her mate for life had strengths she didn’t, and most likely vice versa.
More than pleased with their mutual understanding, she smiled. “Thank you, Darius. I am quite pleased to be able to be of assistance.”
Though he did take a sudden breath when she called him by name, he gave her a regal nod. “I am most grateful.”
And there it was, the answer to her unspoken question. She now understood why he was grateful to have married her. She would do all in her power to fulfill his expectations.
Chapter Two
Darius clasped hishands together on his desk as he contemplated his response to the nursemaid. He truly did not wish to dismiss her, but he also couldn’t have her coming to him to counter his wife’s orders. On the other hand, his wife’s plan did seem to be beyond the norm. “And have you brought your concerns to the marchioness?”
Anna nodded. “I have, sir, but she insists that she knows far more about reading, writing, and history than any governess and that under no such circumstances will she hire one. But there is more, sir.”
He closed his eyes briefly. Of course there was. He opened his eyes and glanced at the small clock on his desk. It had been barely fifty-eight hours since he’d brought his bride home and a mere four hours since his parents departed, and already his housekeeper, butler, a maid, and the nursemaid had come to him with concerns about the new Lady Ferncroft. How could his life have seemed so normal just the day before last and now be something he didn’t recognize? “Do continue.”
The nursemaid clasped her hands together. “Peter doesn’t like the new marchioness. He’s been refusing to do anything she says and insists that if she does not leave, he will starve himself!”
That his son would even think to refuse eating had concern rising hard in Darius’s chest. Peter had been born too soon andwas too small for his age as it was. The last thing Darius needed was for his son to starve himself.
“Would you like me to fetch my lady?”
There was something in the nursemaid’s tone of voice that had him thinking again upon his response. It was as if she’d expected to be the final straw against his wife. Was his staff more opposed to Lady Ferncroft than his children?
His housekeeper, in her complaints, had mentioned the lady’s red hair as if that made her have a temper. The maid mentioned that a teacup had been overturned as if on purpose, and the butler had been unhappy when Lady Ferncroft refused to take a footman with her into the garden. And now it was his wife’s refusal to hire a governess. It was time he investigated the truth of the matter.
He returned his gaze to the nursemaid. “No need. Go to the kitchen and tell Cook to sit you down with a cup of tea and prepare some Shrewsbury cakes.” He rose from his chair. “I will search out my wife.”
The nursemaid rose as well. “She’s in the nursery with Peter and Maggie.”
He had surmised as much, since the nursemaid was with him. “Thank you. Now go see Mrs. Clark.”
“Yes, my lord.” The nursemaid rose, gave a brief nod, then exited his study.
He pulled down his waistcoat. His new wife, despite her hair, had seemed very calm, even appearing quite pleased when he’d informed her the night before that they could postpone their wedding night until they knew each other better. In fact, she seemed relieved, which he had expected. He did still need another son, but he hoped to engender his wife’s loyalty and empathy.
Though she was unaware of his black moods—a situation he wished to keep—her connection with his children was essentialto their lives. His bouts of strong melancholia brought about not only unreasonable anger but harsh words that if inflicted on others could completely change the future of any relationship, which was why he sequestered himself for days on end. He could not control his actions at such times, so to keep everyone safe and his authority and image intact, it was necessary to remove his presence from others.
Having a wife his children could depend upon during his absences was of the utmost importance to him. It was also quite possible that one day he would follow in his uncle’s footsteps, and if that unfortunate event were to happen, it was imperative that his wife be able to provide love and comfort to Peter and Maggie. He would sacrifice everything to ensure they were well cared for and protected.
He started out of his study and headed upstairs toward the nursery. His mother had taken an instant liking to his new wife, and even his father, the duke, approved. All seemed to be progressing according to his well-thought-out parameters. He could see no reason for the upheaval his staff seemed to be experiencing.
At the top of the stairs, he paused. Childish laughter came from the left where the nursery was situated.Magpie.His chest filled with warmth to hear his daughter’s laughter again. That sound alone had him anxious to discover the reason.
He strode down the corridor past his wife’s suite of rooms, past her private parlor to the final room before the building took a right toward the guest rooms.
A squeal of laughter penetrated the door as he approached, followed by a lovely, full-bodied laugh that could have only come from his new wife. Not wishing to make too much of a disturbance, he quietly opened the door.
The scene he walked in upon had him halting. Lady Ferncroft had a napkin draped over her head and what appeared to behot cocoa above her lip like a mustache as she sat at the table facing his daughter, who had a blanket wrapped about her like a cloak. Both had smiles on their faces, but his son, who sat next to Maggie, had rolled his lips in as if trying not to grin, his arms crossed over his chest. A bowl of melted ice cream sat nearby, while the bowls before his daughter and his new wife were empty. Ice cream was one of his son’s favorite sweets, so for him not to be eating any was serious indeed. It was the last that had Darius’s contentment evaporating. “What goes on here?”
“Father!” Maggie jumped off her chair and ran over to him, then gave a curtsey like a lady. “You must join us, sir. We are learning about the flowers that bloom at night. Did you know there are flowers that bloom in the dark?” Her pretty blue eyes rounded.
“I did.” He strode forward.
“Darius, you must join us. We are having hot cocoa with ice cream, though I fear you are too late for the latter. Learning is more palatable with a sweet, don’t you agree?” Lady Ferncroft smiled up at him as if her idea was the most logical of ideas, her chocolate mustache now gone.
