She gave him a small smile, the same kind of smile she would offer to the upstairs maid when she finished a rather deplorable piece of mending of Chavenworth’s linen sheets. The effort was to be commended even though the result was not acceptable.
“Will your valet be joining you?”
“I haven’t a valet,” he said, his smile appearing to be a more genuine effort than hers. “I have no personal servants. I can cope quite well without people helping me tie my shoes.”
Had she just been insulted?
She might have asked him if her new husband hadn’t suddenly left the room, leaving her to stare after him.
Chapter 5
The sad fact was that, despite her annoyance, misgivings, and general reluctance, Sarah was Mr. Eston’s wife. As Mr. Eston’s wife, she was subject to his rules, and one of those rules, however much she disliked it, was that they were to sleep in the Duke’s Suite.
Since her father never came to Chavensworth, and since it was the largest chamber at the estate, Mr. Eston’s proposition made some sense. However, Sarah gave orders to have a cot moved into the room. Just because Mr. Eston insisted they sleep in the same room did not mean she agreed they should sleep in the same bed.
She requested a tray to be served in her sitting room, thereby removing from the staff any temptation to prepare a bridal dinner, or an intimate meal for her and her new husband. She didn’t fool herself that they had been kept ignorant of Mr. Eston’s presence or role.
“Have you served Mr. Eston?” she asked the footman when he delivered her meal.
The young maid behind him tittered in response. When she glanced at the girl, she bobbed a curtsy and flushed, both accomplished at exactly the same time.
“Begging your pardon, Lady Sarah. Mr. Eston thanked us kindly.”
Why did the girl find it necessary to giggle when making that statement?
She dismissed them both, concentrating on her meal. In actuality, she had little appetite, but she managed a few greens and something Cook had prepared, no doubt of a celebratory nature. The beverage consisted of a measure of white wine, currants, and grated ginger, sweetened with sugar and topped off with a sprinkling of lemon rind. She liked it so much that she considered ringing for more but reasoned that it was not the wisest course.
Being a reluctant bride should not be compounded by being a tipsy one as well.
Once she was finished with her meal, she withdrew her journal from its spot on her secretary and spent several moments in earnest writing. Only then did she summon Florie to help her prepare for bed.
“I am married, Florie,” she said, when the girl arrived. “I am married, and I do not wish to discuss it. Not now, not tomorrow, not next month.”
Florie said nothing, but it was clear, from her openmouthed expression, how surprised she was.
Nearly as surprised as Sarah.
None of Sarah’s sleeping garments were outlandish or revealing, but she still felt conspicuously uncovered in her linen nightgown and matching wrapper. Of white linen, with pink piping, it was perfectly proper. Unless, of course, one was going to a bedchamber occupied by a man one had only recently met—and married.
Once Florie left the room, Sarah surveyed her reflection in the pier glass. If she stood in front of the light,the shape of her limbs was visible. Since she had no other garments of a sturdier nature, there was nothing more to be done. She would simply have to remain covered at all times.
She left her chamber and walked down the corridor, with shoulders squared and head held high.
Mr. Eston opened the door to the Duke’s Suite at her knock and silently stood aside.
“Your cot has arrived,” he said.
What a very strange voice he had. Not simply the inflection of his words but the tone of it as well.
“Do you sing, Mr. Eston?”
He looked at her as if she’d lost her wits.
“I was asking because of your voice. You have a very deep voice. We have a great many baritones in our Christmas choir. You might consider joining it.”
He shook his head, and she had the impression that he considered her odd, perhaps eccentric.
“It’s a verygoodchoir, Mr. Eston,” she said, frowning at him.
