She’d be sure to confer with the cook on all his favorite dishes. Taking a sip of her soup, she found it quite good, as had the other meals she’d had at Hawthorne Park. Again, a sense ofconfidence filled her. She had a good cook, which meant having guests and parties would be possible. She couldn’t wait to meet everyone associated with her husband’s land, from neighbors to tenants. “Will we be leaving soon to make our rounds about your estate? I do so look forward to learning all there is to know about Hawthorne Park.”
Again, his hand stilled as he lifted his wine glass. “In the New Year.” He brought the glass to his mouth and took a sip.
The New Year? That was disappointing, but she supposed it made sense, since the year was ending in just over a month. He probably wished her to settle in first. She would make that her goal for bringing young Peter around. Perhaps a special gift at yuletide. “Do you have any special traditions I should be aware of concerning Christmastide?”
She wasn’t sure, but something about the way he set his fork down had her thinking he was becoming irritated.
“Mrs. Torbett will be sharing all such information with you.”
Though he used his usual polite tone, she sensed there had been a change in his mood since they spoke earlier in the afternoon. She’d always been able to sense people’s changes in mood, but with a man who was so formal, she found it was more of a guess. “I’m looking forward to talking with Mrs. Torbett. She seems a very capable woman.”
He gave a short nod before waving the footman over to remove the course.
She looked down at her half-filled bowl of soup and decided she didn’t need any more either. While all was cleared, she watched her husband, wishing she were closer to better study him. What had happened between the afternoon and now? Was there a problem with the estate? If it was Peter or Maggie, surely he’d tell her. Then again, he wasn’t used to having a wife yet. “Are the children well?”
That got his undivided attention. “I believe so. Why? Did the nursemaid say something to you?”
She waved off his concern. “No, not at all. I was just curious if you had seen them since this afternoon.”
“No.” The answer came out quick and flat.
The footman placed the next course before them and the scents of duck and nutmeg caught her attention. She piled her plate with the roasted duck, stewed mutton, and vegetable pie. She started by taking a bite of each to determine which was best, then began with her least favorite, which was the mutton. She had eaten that and was halfway through the vegetable pie when she remembered her manners. Her mother always said she ate too quickly and needed to converse with her companions.
But that was to attract a husband. Now she had one.
She smiled and looked down the table to find said husband staring at his food as he turned the barely touched wine glass in his hand. Concern immediately filled her. “Are you unwell?”
His head snapped up at her question. “No. I am…distracted.”
That was obvious. “Is it anything I can help with?”
“No.” Again the word came out far too quickly. Darius stood, his napkin in his hand. “I will not be about for a few days. I have business to attend to. I apologize that I cannot stay to help you settle in, but I know that you’re very capable.”
Not a little surprised by the sudden announcement, she set down her fork. “Would you like me to accompany you?”
“No. No, I want you to be here for the children. You will do that for me?” He squeezed his napkin, and there was a slight hint of desperation in his voice.
Truly worried now, she rose as well. “Of course. I will be with them every day. I promise.” She started to walk toward him, to touch him and offer comfort. Whatever it was must be serious.
“Thank you.” He looked at the napkin in his hand and threw it on the table before striding out of the room.
She halted, stymied by his behavior. Then she moved closer to his plate. Nothing had been touched. Truly worried now, she contemplated going to his rooms. She was his wife, after all. She would have, had it been anyone but Darius. It was his formality that stopped her. Perhaps if they’d been married for a month or even a fortnight, she would.
Whatever it was, he wouldn’t solve it on an empty stomach. If he would be traveling on the morrow, he needed to eat. She waved over a footman. “Bring this up to his lordship’s rooms.”
“Yes, my lady.” Immediately, the man took the plate and wine glass to the sideboard and placed them on a tray before walking out of the room with them.
Surprised the man hadn’t argued with her, she turned back to her end of the table and sat. Though her own appetite had fled, she forced herself to eat. Worrying on an empty stomach was never a good occurrence. She’d done all she could…for now.
Slowly, she ate her meal. Though she wasn’t as enthusiastic about it as she’d been before Darius left, she still appreciated the flavors the cook had brought out in the roasted duck. She looked forward to talking with her, in addition to Mrs. Torbett. With Darius gone for a few days, it gave her the chance to truly become the lady of the house.
There were a few changes she wished to make. The first was to either acquire a smaller table or have the places set next to each other. She would not have another conversation over dinner from so far away. Though to be fair, it hadn’t been much of a conversation. Darius’s worry had taken over. She should have noticed that right away, but she’d been too excited about talking about butterflies. How frivolous.
After taking a final sip of wine, she set her glass down and rose, ready to make her first change. She waved over the footman who had served her. “I will take my tea in the drawing room an hour from now.”
Not waiting for his response, if he had one, she strode out of the dining room, through the drawing room, and to the front door where her cloak was hung.
The butler, a Mr. Beacham, appeared. “My lady. May I be of service?”
