“If you would follow me, Your Grace, to the drawing room,” Mrs. Hayes guided her.
They entered the room, and Arabella was dwarfed by its massive size. The drawing room was so big and so tall that it might have fitted her whole house. It had big windows that let so much light in, reflecting on the pale blue walls. Even the weak sun of the day was reflected on the gold trim on the walls and furniture.
“We rarely use this room,” Mrs. Hayes said with joy, “but now with Your Grace here…”
Arabella did not need the rest. The Duke did not entertain. The staff had grown accustomed to quiet corridors and unused silver. A house this large had been holding its breath for years.
“It is a beautiful room,” Arabella replied softly. “It would be a shame to see it stand empty.”
The housekeeper’s eyes brightened at this and nodded before continuing the tour. The tour continued: gallery, morning room, music room, each space grander than the last. Arabella listened attentively, asked polite questions, and committed names to memory. She would not appear overwhelmed. It was after quite a while that she was finally led to the Duchess’s wing.
“You have five rooms at your disposal, Your Grace,” Mrs. Hayes said with pride as she led her down the corridor. “The bedroom, the dressing room, a study, a sitting room, and a bathroom, of course.”
Arabella tried to keep her jaw in a respectful position. Going from one room to five was something that she didn’t anticipate. Even after all this tour of the house that was now also hers, the massive estate that was shown to her nonchalantly by the Duke, only now did the realization of her station dawn on her. And then it went to a complete crescendo when she entered the bedroom.
The bedroom swallowed her whole. High ceilings draped in pale silk. Tall windows overlooked the eastern gardens. A vast canopied bed at the center, its curtains tied back. The windows looked upon the eastern garden and as far as the lake.
“We had the peonies from the wedding brought here,” Mrs. Hayes said as Arabella took in the room.
Arabella stood in this room that spoke of power, wealth, and responsibility. Her responsibility. Her eyes landed on the peonies. They were truly splendid. She made her way there, to the only living thing in a strange room.
“The Duke said that you have an unlimited budget to change anything you don‘t like in the room. The same goes for the rest of the house,” Mrs. Hayes said in anticipation.
It seemed as if the whole house was holding its breath under the cold rule of the Duke. She could tell he was not harsh nor cruel, but he was distant.
“I do think the house needs some changes,” Arabella said.
Mrs. Hayes nodded in excitement and gave her a big smile.
“It would be an honor to assist you in this, Your Grace.”
“Thank you. I would wish to rest and change. If you can prepare some light breakfast for the Duke and me in the drawing room, that would be delightful.”
“Is there anything in particular that you like, Your Grace? I can inform our cooks.”
Arabella spent some time explaining her tastes to Mrs. Hayes, who took notes quite excitedly. It was strange to have a whole household attending to her needs, but she didn‘t want to be as distant as the Duke was.
Then Mrs. Hayes took Winnie to show her to her room, and the door closed behind them. Arabella was alone in her prestigious five rooms, on the east side of a huge manor, overlooking the most splendid of views. And yet she felt empty.
* * *
If she was expecting the Duke to attend the breakfast as he had asked to be prepared, she clearly had a lot to learn about the Duke. He stayed locked in his study the whole day while she heard tea being brought up to him. She maintained a neutral expression as the staff watched her eat her breakfast alone on her wedding day.
She tightened her fingers around the teacup before she placed it on the saucer. The soft clinking echoed in the empty room. It’s not that he had forgotten to have breakfast. He chose to have one without her. On her first day in this house.
Arabella knew that in the end she would manage to come to terms with this new situation. It was not exactly news to her that the Duke would want nothing to do with her apart from the three occasions that he so eloquently requested.
It would be childish to resent a full table and a warm house, marble floors and endless gardens. Foolish to lament silk curtains and obedient servants. Many women would envy her position without hesitation. She was not ungrateful.
After all, her marriage was not going to be cruel or even unhappy. It was going to be quiet and distant. She knew that the Duke would never hurt her; he would even protect her. That is more than many ladies of the ton enjoyed.
She had always found a way to make light where there was little of it. She would do so again. She was already thinking about how her generous Duchess allowance could be used toward the charities that she was supporting.
But this once, today, right at this moment, she could allow herself the mourning for a life devoid of warmth.
* * *
The dinner was the same. She dressed formally, as it was required of her station, with even her silk gloves in place. A Duchess never dined casually, even if she was eating alone. And she ate alone. The Duke never joined her for dinner. She was politely informed that he was eating in his study.
