Page 12 of Her Lion of a Duke
He simply hoped that he would not seehimagain for a while.
When they arrived, he watched the shock register on his wife’s face. Indeed, she had expected everything to be as it had been years ago, yet it was anything but. The manor was not as homely as when it had been painstakingly prepared for guests. His servants had done what they could on such short notice, but there was only so much that could be done.
It was a large estate, and it was cold. Even though he had lived there for most of his life, he had to admit that it was quite intimidating.
“Would you like to be shown to your rooms?” he asked.
“Yes, that would be best.”
Mrs. Herrington whisked her away in an instant, leaving no time to introduce her to the staff. All of that would be done in the morning, after Cecilia had rested. It had been a long day, and Leonard knew that something was amiss with her. He could hardly blame her; something was amiss with him, too.
He made for his study, sitting at his desk and trying to decide what to do. He was on his honeymoon, and that was as good an excuse as any not to work, but he wanted to fix what was necessary. He grabbed a book and opened it to read in silence for a while.
“You cannot avoid this forever, you know.”
Leonard sighed and set the book down. He looked up to see Henry, as he did every time he was in the manor.
“Leave me alone. I am on my honeymoon.”
“Then where is your wife?” Henry joked. “I must say, I never thought you would marry. You’re so full of surprises, Brother.”
“Yes, well, such a trait runs in the family,” Leonard grumbled. “Henry, what happened to?—”
“Your Grace?” Mrs. Herrington called, knocking on the study door. “May I come in?”
“Of course,” Leonard replied, turning to see that Henry had disappeared.
“Were you talking to someone?” Mrs. Herrington asked upon entering. “I thought I heard your voice.”
“Reading aloud,” Leonard lied, gesturing to his book. “Is everything all right?”
“Yes. Her Grace knew the way to her rooms already. She told me that she had attended a party here before. I thought I recognized her.”
“Did she say anything else?”
“Only that she is pleased about the arrangement and that the manor is not how she remembers it.”
“No, she visited when I still cared to maintain it.”
“Well, we ought to fix it. It will not do to have a duke and duchess in an unworthy home.”
“Might you undertake that with Her Grace? It will give her something to do.”
“Of course, though I must say that it is strange that you are not speaking to her about it yourself. She is your wife, after all.”
“She is a friend of mine. I have known her for years, and at the moment, it would seem that she does not wish to see me. I know better than to disrespect her wishes.”
“Young love.” Mrs. Herrington chuckled. “Very well, I shall ask her about it in the morning after she has met the staff.”
Leonard did not want his housekeeper to leave. When he was alone, Henry came back.
When the door closed behind her, he waited a few short moments and then stepped out. He went to the dining room, calling for a tea tray to be prepared. He asked that Cecilia be sent for. He hoped that she would join him, but she did not.
He finished his tea and then retreated to his bedchambers. It was not what anyone would picture for their wedding night, but it was precisely what they had agreed on: a marriage in name only, mutually beneficial but not loving.
He had thought it ideal at the time, but now that it was a reality, he realized that he missed his friend.
The following morning, he looked out his window and listened to the introduction in the gardens below. Cecilia acted perfectly, greeting each servant and studying them to remember who they were. He then watched as Mrs. Herrington spoke to her, asking about the renovations that he had suggested the night before. He could swear that he saw a flicker of excitement in Cecilia’s eyes, and he hoped that she would accept the proposition.
