Page 17 of The Duke’s Christmas Redemption

“Mrs Walden is an excellent housekeeper,” William said. “She helped restore order after...”

He stopped abruptly.

“After your father’s death?” Charlotte ventured gently.

His arm tensed beneath her fingers.

“Yes. She never complained about the reduced staff or limited resources. She simply found ways to maintain standards with what was available.”

They entered the dining room, where William led her to her place at the opposite end of the table from his own.

The distance felt symbolic somehow, emphasising the formal nature of their relationship, despite their newly married state. The footmen moved silently around them, serving each course with practiced efficiency. She couldn’t help but compare it to how things had been at Westbridge House, where cheerful conversation had been the order of the day at all but the most formal of dinners. For a moment, she was struck by a pang of loneliness, homesickness.

“I noticed that the library is particularly fine,” she said, once the soup had been served. “Do you spend much time there?”

“Most evenings,” William replied. “The light is excellent until quite late in summer, and in winter the fireplace draws well.” He paused, then added, “You’re welcome to use it, of course. I believe you’ll find a reasonable selection of novels among the more practical volumes.”

Charlotte noted the slight emphasis on ‘practical’, but chose to smile instead of bristling.

“Thank you. Though I confess, I’m as likely to be found reading agricultural treatises as novels these days. Father encouraged me to understand estate management.”

William’s spoon paused halfway to his mouth.

“Did he indeed?”

“Yes. He said that every educated person should understand the basic principles of land management, regardless of their sex.” Charlotte kept her tone carefully light. “I found the subject quite fascinating, particularly the new methods being developed for crop rotation and soil improvement.”

Something flickered in William’s grey eyes - surprise, perhaps, or reassessment.

“Lord Westbridge has always been known for his progressive farming methods.”

“He has.” Charlotte accepted the fish course. “I understand you’ve made significant improvements to Alverton’s productivity since assuming control.”

“Out of necessity.” His tone grew clipped. “The estate had been badly neglected.”

Charlotte recognised the warning signs of withdrawal in his rigid posture. Changing tack, she spoke again.

“The gardens seem very extensive. Mrs Walden mentioned that there used to be citrus trees in the conservatory?”

“My mother’s particular passion.” His expression softened slightly at the memory. “She had oranges and lemons year-round and grew exotic flowers that filled the house even in deepest winter.”

“It must have been lovely.”

“It was.” William signalled for his wine to be refilled. “But such luxuries were among the first things we had to abandon when...”

He stopped, his expression closing again. Charlotte gathered her courage.

“Surely now, with the estate’s prosperity restored, some such pleasures might be reconsidered? Not as luxuries, but as practical additions to the household’s resources?”

William studied her across the expanse of damask and silver.

“You seem very interested in household management for one so recently arrived.”

“I am interested in everything that affects Alverton’s wellbeing,” Charlotte replied steadily. “As your Duchess, how could I be otherwise?”

The silence stretched between them, broken only by the soft sounds of the footmen’s movements. Finally, William spoke.

“You may discuss possibilities with Mrs Walden. Within reason.”