Page 74 of The Lady Who Said No to the Duke
She was alone, she discovered, not surprised, and rather glad of it.It would be difficult to encounter Hal again after last night, wonderful though it had been.Wonderful and heartbreaking.She would face it better when she was dressed, she was sure.
When she sat up, she discovered that she was sore and embarrassingly sticky, and her face felt strange.When she touched it she realised that it too was sticky, from her tears.That at least must be remedied before anyone saw her.Sheslid out of bed and went into the dressing room where a pitcher of water stood on the dressing table.
It was cold, but she washed and felt better for it.Even so, a bath would help with those interesting twinges, not all of which, she realised, were actually painful.Some of them were tantalising little echoes of new pleasures.
Thea climbed back into bed, shook out her damp and crumpled pillow, and lay down again.It would be better next time, she resolved.She had shed her tears, done her mourning for a love that would never be hers.But she had so much: a wonderful husband who was clearly determined to be good to her, an exciting new life, a fascinating new home.
She would manage to live this new life, and she would show Hal how she felt when he came to her bed again, even if she could not say the words.
* * *
When Thea came down to breakfast at nine o’clock, she realised that it was not only her new husband that she had to face but a number of house guests.How had she forgotten?
Foolish question, she told herself.She knew perfectly well why everything except Hal had gone out of her head.
He was already down, of course, presiding over a very casual breakfast as guests emerged sleepily in their own time after what had clearly been a long night of dancing.Staff were hurrying in and out, clearing dishes and bringing fresh ones to the buffet.
Heads turned as she entered and she fixed a smile on her lips, forbade herself to blush, and returned greetings with composure.A footman began to pull out the chair at the foot of the long table for her, but Hal was before her.
‘Good morning, my dear.’
‘Good morning.Thank you.’Yes, she was blushing, butnobody was staring or sniggering, although there were one or two sentimental sighs.Her mother looked happier than Thea had ever seen her.
Mercifully, there had been no acceptances for Hal’s open offer to stay for as long as guests wished after the wedding.The uncertain weather, the lure of the Season and, she guessed, tact had all of them declaring that they must be on their way.Half, it seemed, would be leaving that morning, the rest after an early luncheon.Even Mama and Papa and the boys were leaving that morning.
Thea caught the eye of Pirton, the butler, and saw his slight nod.Yes, he already had that information.Grooms and footmen would be on hand at the right time, and the midday meal would be sufficient.
Her duties as hostess would occupy her very fully until the last of them had gone, by which time, she hoped, she could handle being alone with her husband with reasonable composure.
* * *
‘Alone at last,’ Thea said, and she and Hal stood at the foot of the front steps, waving goodbye to the final carriage.
‘Yes,’ he said with what sounded like as much relief as she felt.‘You managed magnificently, Thea.Anyone would think you had been managing a great occasion and dozens of guests all your life.’
‘I hardly had to do a thing.You have the most competent staff here,’ she added as they went back inside out of the cold.She spoke loudly enough for Pirton, standing at attention by the door, to hear.‘I thought we ought to have a Servants’ Ball, to celebrate and to thank everyone.’
‘That is an excellent thought.Pirton?’
‘Your Grace?’
‘When was the last Servants’ Ball here?’
‘Two years before the late Duke passed away, Your Grace.’
‘Then it is about time we held another.Discuss it with Mrs Abel and then consult Her Grace when you have some preliminary ideas.’
‘What would you like to do now?’Hal asked her as Pirton left.
‘I am not sure,’ she confessed.
Go back to bed with you, was the honest answer, but he showed no signs of wanting to do that.
‘I must have some long conversations with Mrs Abel before long, but I do not want to distract her while she has so much to do in the wake of the wedding.’
‘Would you like me to show you some of the Castle?’
‘Yes, please.I would like that very much.’
