Page 41 of His Scarred Duchess
“This way, if you please, Your Grace,” Thornley’s voice broke into her melancholy thoughts.
Adeline followed the butler up a grand staircase and down a long corridor adorned with portraits of stern-faced Pembertons from ages past. At last, they came to a stop before an ornate set of double doors.
“These are your chambers, Your Grace,” Thornley said, opening the doors with a flourish. “His Grace’s rooms adjoin yours through that door there.” He indicated a connecting door on the far wall. “Will there be anything else?”
Adeline shook her head, managing a small smile. “No, thank you, Thornley. That will be all for now.”
As the butler bowed and retreated, closing the doors behind him, Adeline finally allowed herself to relax. She looked around the opulent bedchamber, taking in the silk-draped four-poster bed, the delicate furniture, and the large windows overlooking the estate’s manicured lawns.
It was beautiful, she had to admit. But it felt more like a grand guest chamber in a royal palace than a home. Certainly not like the warm, cozy rooms she’d left behind at her father’s estate. The grandeur was undeniable, yet it lacked the personal touches that made a space truly one’s own.
A soft knock at the door roused her from her musings. “Come in,” she called, turning to see Hannah enter with a curtsy.
“I’ve come to help you change for dinner, Your Grace,” the young maid said, her eyes bright with barely contained curiosity. “Is there anything in particular you’d like to wear?”
Adeline hesitated. She hadn’t given much thought to her wardrobe, truth be told. “Perhaps the blue silk gown?” she suggested, naming the first gown that came to mind.
As Hannah busied herself with laying out the chosen dress, Adeline found herself longing for some human connection in this strange new world she’d entered.
“Hannah,” she began hesitantly, “might I ask you something?”
The maid looked up, surprise evident on her face. “Of course, Your Grace. Anything at all.”
Adeline took a deep breath. “His Grace, the Duke… what sort of man is he? I mean, what is he like here at home?”
Hannah’s brow furrowed slightly as she considered the question. “Well, Your Grace, His Grace is… he’s a fair master, to be sure. Demanding, but never cruel. He works long hours in his study, and he’s very particular about the running of the estate.” She paused, then added with a small smile, “The staff respects him greatly, though I daresay some find him a bit intimidating at times.”
Adeline nodded, absorbing this information. It aligned with what she’d noticed about Edmund so far—he was competent and dutiful, but distant.
“And… does he entertain often?” she asked, trying to keep her tone casual. “Have many guests?”
The maid shook her head. “Oh no, Your Grace. His Grace rarely hosts visitors, save for his grandmother on occasion. He’s not one for social gatherings, you see. That’s why everyone was so surprised when we heard of the marriage and the news that there would be dinners and balls and the like. Begging your pardon, of course,” she added hastily, a blush rising to her cheeks.
“No need to apologize,” Adeline said softly. “I understand.”
As Hannah helped her dress for dinner, Adeline’s mind whirled with this new information. Edmund was clearly a solitary man, set in his ways.
Where did she fit into this carefully ordered world he’d created for himself?
Dinner was a quiet affair, with Edmund engrossed in some papers he’d brought to the table. Adeline picked at her food, the knot in her stomach growing with each passing minute.
As the clock struck ten, Edmund stood up. “If you’ll excuse me,” he said, not quite meeting her eyes. “I have some correspondence to attend to. Goodnight, Duchess.”
Adeline watched him go, her heart sinking. She’d half-hoped, despite his earlier words about their marriage being one of convenience, that he might…
No. Clearly, he had no interest in pursuing anything beyond the barest minimum of interaction required by their positions.
Later, as she lay alone in the vast, unfamiliar bed, Adeline stared at the connecting door to Edmund’s chambers. It remained resolutely closed, a silent testament to the gulf between them.
She was the Duchess of Holbrook now, she reminded herself sternly. She had a role to play, duties to fulfill. Her feelings—herdisappointment, her loneliness, her foolish hopes for something more—had no place in this new life.
With a heavy sigh, Adeline closed her eyes, willing sleep to come. Tomorrow would be a new day, her first full day as mistress of Holbrook Manor. Whatever challenges it might bring, she would face them with the grace and dignity befitting her new station.
Even if, in the secret corners of her heart, she longed for so much more.
Chapter Seventeen
“Your Grace, the menu for this evening’s dinner requires your approval,” Mrs. Potts said, her round face creased with concern as she held out a sheet of paper.
