Page 16 of His Godsent Duchess
Her mother's words played in her mind as she watched her husband leave the dining room. Christina took several deep breaths, telling herself there had to be a reason he was like this. She turned to the girls and smiled.
"We will find a way to persuade the Duke," she said, trying to sound optimistic. "Now, let us eat."
Agnes sighed. "I'm not hungry."
Christina leaned in, her voice gentle. "But your bones are hungry, Agnes. They need nourishment so you can take more adventurous hikes in the woods."
Agnes picked up her fork and began to eat, her eyes lighting up at the thought of more adventures.
Katherine looked at her and asked softly, "Are you sad?"
Christina's heart ached, but she kept her smile. "A little, but not for long. We have each other, and that is what matters."
This was not how she imagined her marriage would be. She had once dreamed of finding a love that would accept her as she was. Now that her father had given her away to a moody Duke, she only had the children to give her hope.
Dessert arrived, and Christina encouraged the girls to eat as much as they wanted. She made a decision then, something she hoped would help bridge the gap between her and the Duke. After dinner, she found Mrs. Brimsey.
"Mrs. Brimsey, could you arrange a tea tray for me with tonight's dessert?" she asked.
Mrs. Brimsey's eyes lit up. "Of course, Your Grace. I'll see to it immediately."
Once Christina had the tray, she carried it herself to the library and set it down on a table near the door before knocking.
"Who is it?" came the Duke's voice.
"It's the Duchess," she said, pressing her ear to the door. She thought she heard him groan but wasn't sure.
"May I enter?" she asked.
"No," he replied curtly.
"I brought you tea," she said.
"I do not drink tea."
She glanced at the tray and said, "There is more than tea."
"I am not interested," he said, his voice sounding closer. Christina felt a spark of hope that he might open the door. She waited, but nothing happened. She sighed and leaned against the door, tracing the wood patterns on the mahogany.
"Your Grace, I asked your permission for my sister to visit because Annie has been very sad recently. I hope your daughters will revive her spirits, and in return, they can learn a thing or two about manners from her."
His voice was very close to the door when he asked, "What manners can my daughters learn from your sister when she lacks them herself?"
Christina shook her head slightly. "Annie is not quite like me. She is reserved and loves painting. She has a great talent for it. Katherine could improve her watercolor skills with Annie's help."
There was a moment of silence before the key clicked in the door and it opened. Their eyes met and held for a moment. The intensity in his gaze made her heart race. He stepped aside for her to enter, and she carried the tray in, setting it down on a table by a chair in front of the hearth. He closed the door behind her.
"Why should I believe your words?" he asked, his voice hard. "Your father lied to me. He told me you were a proper lady when the truth is that you are..."
"Far worse?" she finished for him.
He ignored her and walked to a table, picking up a neat stack of books.
"A hellion?" she suggested.
He paused in his stride and looked at her over his shoulder. His eyes moved from the crown of her head to her shod feet before he turned and proceeded to put the books back on the shelf. Christina noted how much care he took in placing the books, almost as if they were precious treasures.
She poured some tea into a cup and asked, "Would you like sugar?"
