‘People gossiped and disapproved but, believe me, I did not care. It was enormous, with more than a hundred rooms, and would have needed a fortune to upkeep. A fortune I did not have. And I had no wish to live in it. It was too big for the largest family, and I am in no mood for large house parties, as you well know.’
She laughed. ‘It was lucky you were in the mood for a particular one, at least.’
‘I was not. I only came to see you. It was not lucky, it was planned.’
‘Well, it was lucky for me, then. But who did you sell it to?’
‘A nabob, newly returned from India and wishing to take up his place in society and in Parliament. He did not want a lot of land to go with it, which suited me well. I trust you will not regret not being mistress of a great house.’
‘Thomas! You know I would have hated it. Rattling around empty rooms and having to employ dozens of staff. I feel sure we are better off without it.’
‘As it is, I have kept two houses, the Hampshire mansion and the house in London. It will more than suffice.’
‘Of course. Pray tell me, what are they like?’
He described them briefly, and she said, ‘They sound large—and a little gloomy.’
‘Indeed—but you will have to judge for yourself. I am afraid I took little notice of my surroundings when I lived alone, so I’m counting on you to ameliorate things.’
‘I will enjoy that. As long as your servants are not set against any change.’
‘I am certain they will be overjoyed, after having put up with my moods all those years.’
‘How many do you employ?’
‘Er…I’m not quite sure.’
‘Oh, yes, I keep forgetting you are a Dook—so, plenty of footmen, I assume, and housemaids. And kitchenmaids, and gardeners…Do you even know all their names?’
‘I have two excellent butlers, one in town and one in the country, who deal with all that.’ Seeing Marguerite was about to say something, he hurried on, ‘And two even more excellent chefs, who I trust, will satisfy your exacting standards regarding French food. And yes, I do knowtheirnames.’
‘Well, at least that is something.’ She was still mocking him.
He changed the subject. ‘Moreover, it is a good thing Curtis and your maid seem to get along, since they will have to live in the same house. Can you imagine if they had a feud going on? We would have to fight about which one we should get rid of.’
Marguerite scowled at him. ‘I hope you are joking. If you start being odious again I will be obliged to…to…’
‘To pretend you do not know me, like you used to do? Too late, you are shackled to me now. Perhaps you can try hitting me—but I would not advise it.’
Marguerite grinned. ‘What I will do to punish you, is to wear a lot of clothes in bed. With innumerable buttons.Cependant, Iwas going to say, I think Curtis and Flossie do more than get along. I told you I suspected it before.’
‘What fustian. You are just in a romantic mood, my darling.’ He took her hand and kissed the palm. ‘Which I mean to take full advantage of. Come, no more idling—there is work to be done.’ He rose and pulled her up.
‘What work?’ She took one look at his face and burst out laughing.
He narrowed his eyes at her. ‘It is our wedding night, have you forgotten?’
‘I thought you were exhausted—you were white as a sheet a minute ago.’
‘I find I am quite recovered—and you can do most of the work.’ He drew her up the stairs, undoing the buttons at the back of her dress as they climbed.
‘Stop! We are at an inn—there are people around.’ Voices and laughter rose faintly from the taproom.
He said, ‘I really do not care.’ He pulled her into his bedchamber and kicked the door shut. He finished unbuttoning her. ‘Why do women’s clothes have so many annoying buttons? And don’t tell me you are wearing stays?’
‘Wedding dress.’ She was unlacing them, and he took off his waistcoat and shirt.
She stood in her shift, and he took her in his arms and looked gravely at her.
