Page 65 of Wicked Is the Duke
She nodded, gazing up at him. "I would like that. Very much. I've always wanted to see how porcelain was made."
He pulled away from her, this time kissing her on the cheek. "Rest. I'm going to meet with my estate manager while you sleep."
"You really need to, Henry. Rest, that is. This entire journey was exhausting."
"Without a doubt. Later. I need to see to a few things first."
He turned and left her standing in the middle of the small sitting room. Anna walked over to the windows. Looking out, she noticed the gardens weren't nearly as nice as the ones at Blackmont Crest. Perhaps more gardeners needed to be hired. The gardens, while neat, were still overgrown in some spots. Roses needed pruning in order to properly grow and bud, and there wasn't much in the way of flowers. She would find out what was amiss later.
She turned, hearing a noise behind her. Her maid. "Is my bath ready?" Anna asked the young woman.
"Yes, Your Grace."
"Excellent."
"Your pale blue muslin dress?"
"That will do."
Anna slipped into the dressing room and soon found herself in a tub of hot, water. She immersed herself in the water and sank back against the edge of the tub. She felt her body relax. Closing her eyes for a few moments, she allowed herself this one simple pleasure. The journey had been a long one, made even longer by the patch of bad weather they'd encountered on their way north.
Her mind whirled with things she knew she would need to do. They weren't staying a long time, a fortnight Henry had told her; she would have to use the time wisely.
This would be her first chance to use her new photographic equipment. Once her husband showed her the factory, she would make plans to photograph the process as well as the facility. She also wanted images taken of the house. At least from the outside this time around. Henry had spoken to her about what he saw and wanted. He saw the medium of photography as a way to chronically record his estates for future generations.
Anna smiled. She needed a notebook to record things she thought needed improving upon or a repair. She loved projects like this and loved even more that her husband trusted her to carry it out. First, she needed to go into the village to find what she needed.
***
The following day,while Blackmont was busy attending to estate business, Anna ventured into the village. She'd met with the housekeeper and cook and found herself with extra time on her hands.
Accompanied by a footman, Anna strode away from the carriage toward a small shop. They carried what seemed like an endless supply of goods. From ladies’ gloves to ribbon, the merchant seemed to have enough of an inventory to satisfy even the most sophisticated lady or gentleman.
Looking in the window, Anna noted a variety of pens, paper, and other writing supplies. Entering the shop, she found them to be quite busy. It mattered not as she spied exactly what she'd come for. She walked over to the corner of a counter. Behind the counter sat a variety of journals just out of her reach. Blast, it would mean waiting for a clerk to assist her.
As she waited patiently for the clerk to finish with a lady to her right, Anna scanned the shop for any other items she might want. Out of the corner of her eye, a flash of a rose-colored muslin dress caught her eye. No, it couldn't be! What was Lady Caroline doing here? She was fairly certain Carlisle had no estates in the area. So why was she here?
Hearing the clerk address her, she whirled around, telling him what she was interested in. She gently fingered the three choices he placed before her, trying not to be seen by Lady Caroline, but at the same time keeping a watchful eye on her. This was more than a coincidence.
Anna made her selection and turned to leave. As she was headed out the door, she heard an all too familiar voice call out to her.
"Miss Grover, what a pleasant surprise," Caroline drawled.
"It's Lady Blackmont as you know."
"Ah yes, but for how long? Do you really think you can keep Blackmont happy or satisfied?" A smug grin crossed her face.
"My relationship with my husband is none of your concern," Anna replied. "Speaking of which, where is Carlisle? I was unaware he had properties in Staffordshire."
"We're on our way to his estate outside Yorkshire. We decided to stop here to visit old friends of the earl's."
Anna was unsure what to make of this turn of events. Did the earl really have friends here, or was this another of their ploys?
"I'm surprised Carlisle lets you out of his sight. After all, he's so obsessed with beautiful, younger women such as yourself. Someone to give him an heir," Anna casually remarked. "Of course, that requires him being able to bed you. He can do that, can't he?"
Lady Caroline started to reply, but something in her sight of vision made her stop. "You are such a common little thing, aren't you?"
"I believe you started it, Lady Caroline, the moment you brought my husband into the equation," she replied, straining to see whatever Caroline was looking at. She saw nothing, but clearly the woman was ill at ease.
