Page 90 of A Deal for the Duke’s Virgin

It was over in the blink of an eye. Now, they were back at Thornhill Abbey. The wedding breakfast was taking place in the dining room and ballroom. Guests thronged the halls. Jonathan and Augusta were among them, and Laura too, but Thalia’s head was spinning, and she decided she’d rather have a little peace and quiet. The butler, Hooves, who pretended not to recognize her from her first visit here, had graciously shown her to her rooms.

“These rooms have always been the Duchess’s quarters,” he explained. “They were cleaned and aired especially for you. Of course, if you’d rather move to another room, that can be arranged tomorrow.”

“This is perfect, thank you,” Thalia murmured, glancing around wide-eyed as the butler left.

The room was at least three times the size of her old bedroom. There was a washroom attached, a private parlor, and even what looked like a reading room. She could already imagine the walls lined with shelves. She could have her own private library!

I could organize lessons for the children here, she realized in a rush. The nuns could bring them over. They could have suppers, parties, and celebrations. I could buy the best schoolbooks and keep them here!

She’d learned her lesson about buying good things for the orphanage to use. Last year, she had saved up her allowance to buy good, new schoolbooks for the girls, tomes on Latin, Greek, and mathematics. Not precisely interesting but important.

About a month later, Sister Abigail had met her at the door, wringing her hands. The board had visited, all men. They’d seen the fine new books, and their eyes had lit up. They’d seized them, taking them all away to be sold to a boys’ school. Since Thalia had donated them, they now belonged to the orphanage, which in turn belonged to the board. The books had been replaced by a few dirty, torn, dog-eared books on various subjects. No Latin, Greek, or mathematics.

Not this time. They won’t do that again.

She put her hands on her hips, surveying the room. A fire burned in the grate, and wine, cheese, bread, and fruit waited for her on the table.

I’ll change into my nightgown once the guests have gone. Then I’ll⁠—

Footsteps sounded outside the door, and she stiffened. Then there was a slow, thoughtful knock on the door.

She swallowed. “Who is it?”

“Who do you think?” came a dry, amused voice. “It’s me, dear wife. May I come in?”

CHAPTER 25

Thalia’s heart was pounding in her ears. This wasn’t how she’d imagined it. In her mind, she would retire quietly to bed, unnoticed, while Christian stayed downstairs and entertained their guests.

Why was he here?

She shuffled closer to the door, clearing her throat. It wasn’t locked, and yet he waited patiently outside.

“What is it? Is there some kind of trouble?”

“Trouble?” he echoed. “No, no trouble, just a man out here wondering why his bride isn’t enjoying herself downstairs.”

Thalia bit her lip. “I suppose I’m still something of a wallflower deep down. I don’t like all the attention. I don’t like being looked at very much.”

She could still feel countless eyes on her. She could still hear Christian’s deep, confident vow ringing in her ears.

I do.

“You look very beautiful, Thalia. You should not feel uncomfortable.”

“It’s not that I feel uncomfortable. In fact, I like the way I look. I know it’s not considered proper or modest for a lady to think that way, but I do. I have an ordinary, pleasant face and healthy body which gets me where I need to go. I am entirely content with that, and yet I still do not like being the center of attention.”

“I understand,” he murmured. “So I take it that you aren’t coming downstairs anytime soon?”

“Well, I hadn’t intended to. Unless you think I should? Is my stepmother missing me?”

“I believe that Lady Hawton is talking to her friends. I left her looking extremely happy.”

“Good. That’s good.”

“It is me, in fact, who misses you.”

The hairs on the back of her neck prickled. She swallowed, shifting from foot to foot. “Oh?”