“It would be my honor to do so, Your Grace,” Mrs. York answered.
Shortly after Mrs. York departed, a knock came at Elara’s door, followed by Mr. Pearson’s voice announcing that Ginny andher trunks had arrived. Though Elara had enjoyed Mrs. York’s company, she was greatly comforted when Ginny stepped into the room. It felt good to see a familiar face, and she could not help but take Ginny’s hands and squeeze them warmly.
“Oh, I am so happy you are here,” Elara gushed, taking in her maid’s familiar features. Pretty dark brown eyes, framed by thick lashes. A small, pointed nose and soft cheeks. Ginny smiled warmly at her and squeezed Elara’s hand in return.
“I am happy to be here, Your Grace. Is all well?”
“Well enough,” Elara sighed, letting go of Ginny’s hands. “I am just trying to gather my bearings, I suppose.”
“Let us get you unpacked,” Ginny offered, moving to the first trunk. “You will feel better sorted once you are surrounded by familiar things.”
“Yes, quite right,” Elara agreed, looking over the four trunks Mr. Pearson and a footman—she believed he was called Nick—had brought in. “My mama informed me earlier that she packed a special trunk for my wedding night. Would you happen to know which one it is?”
A giggle burst from Ginny’s lips, surprising Elara. Her maid quickly clapped a hand over her mouth and curtsied.
“Oh, forgive me, Your Grace,” Ginny offered. “I did not mean to laugh. I shall bring the trunk your mother sent along.”
Ginny disappeared into the sitting room for a brief moment, and when she returned, Elara was surprised at how small the wooden trunk she carried was. It was barely bigger than a hatbox!
“That is it?” Elara asked.
“Yes, Your Grace,” Ginny agreed, setting it down on the table across from Elara’s bed. “Would you like me to open it for you?”
“No, thank you,” Elara replied, walking toward the small trunk. “Please put my gowns away.”
Ginny curtsied and went to do as she was bidden. Alone, Elara drew in a breath to calm her fraying nerves and unclasped the trunk. She lifted the lid, and her eyes widened as she took in the contents before her.
She cannot be serious!
Chapter 10
“If I may be permitted to say so, Your Grace, your new bride is positively lovely.”
Constantine gave his valet, James, a sideways glance as the one-and-twenty-year-old freckled-faced man laid out his night clothes. He had bright red hair, kept short as all the male staff in his home were required to, and although he was usually quiet, the young man had a giddy way about him that evening. In fact, most of his staff, he noticed, seemed to be in an oddly good mood.
“I suppose she is,” Constantine murmured. “Attend to my cravat, would you, James? It feels rather bothersome tonight.”
“Of course, Your Grace,” James quickly replied, then appeared before Constantine to help him be rid of it.
“What else do you and the others think of the new duchess?” Constantine asked after a moment of silence, his curiosity getting the better of him.
James’s lips lifted at the corners, and he quickly glanced up at Constantine.
“Well, Your Grace, Mrs. York says she is mightily kind and polite. Her Grace spent all day with her, getting to know the estate, and even invited Mrs. York to sit and have tea at some point,” James answered, then pulled the untied cravat from Constantine’s neck.
Good,Constantine mused.Mrs. York is a good housekeeper; she deserves such respect.
He was also glad that Elara had taken the initiative to learn about her new title and responsibilities. She was young, yes, and she annoyed him greatly, but at least when it came to her new title, she was approaching it with wisdom and grace.
“Anything else?” he asked as James began unbuttoning his waistcoat.
Constantine raised a curious brow as his valet’s freckled cheeks turned as red as his hair.
“Well... she is quite fetching, Your Grace,” James answered, his tone timid. “A truly beautiful young lady with her raven locks and ocean-blue eyes. Almost hauntingly beautiful, someone said.”
The image of Elara flashed in Constantine’s mind for the thousandth time that day. He could not deny she was beautiful. Even though he had left her side at the first opportunity, his mind had stayed on her all day, especially the single kiss they had shared. The one that had sent fire licking up his veins and had landed them in their predicament in the first place.
“Hauntingly beautiful indeed,” Constantine agreed, suddenly annoyed that the men of his staff would notice. “Who said such a thing?”
