Page 33 of Not his Marchioness
“I am,” Charlotte said.
Suzette poured water into the basin, then helped loosen Charlotte’s hair and brushed it out, before moving on to washing.
“Suzette, what have you learned about this house so far?”
“I beg your pardon, My Lady,” she said. “I do not understand.”
“The house. I toured it yesterday, and I was under the impression that it needs, shall we say, the kindest attentions.”
“Oh, yes.” Suzette nodded. “Even though it had been severely understaffed for only two years, there is much that needs to be done. The dust is so thick that I could mistake it for snow.”
They both chuckled at that.
“It is a shame. It is such a beautiful house,” Charlotte said. “I had no idea when I first called on His Lordship. I was under the impression that it was a rather small residence, but it is quite grand.”
“Indeed,” Suzette agreed. “I hear that His Lordship reinstated the library for you.”
“He did.”
“He must adore you,” Suzette said with a small smile on her lips that spoke of blissful ignorance regarding the true circumstances of this marriage.
Good. That was good, Charlotte thought to herself. Although at the same time, it was rather awful. Absolutely dreadful because it meant that she had to keep up the pretense even in her own home.
She could not gossip with her maid whenever Rhys upset her, or confess her frustrations. She would have to keep up the facade of a devoted wife even within the confines of her own walls. At least for the time being.
She thought back to their conversation the night before. Who had overheard them? Anyone? And had they noticed that they did not sleep in the same chamber?
“It is so very romantic,” Suzette continued. “How you two were forced out into the open because of that wretched Lord Emery.But I wonder why—” She stopped and shook her head. “Now I’m being presumptuous. Never mind.”
“Ask away,” Charlotte allowed.
The truth was, she desperately wanted a friend, even if she couldn’t be entirely honest with her.
“I wondered why you did not court publicly. That is all.”
“I am afraid that I cannot divulge such details,” Charlotte said. “Perhaps once we get to know one another better.”
And once I have come up with an answer.
They continued in this manner, subtly interrogating one another for the next half hour until she was fully dressed.
She looked at herself in the tall mirror, much grander than the one she had at Lowey House. She was wearing a lemon yellow gown with puffy sleeves and white lace along the hem. Her hair was styled in an updo she hadn’t worn before, and a white bandeau kept the stray curls out of her face.
She didn’t feel particularly different, but she certainly looked it.
“Right.” She clasped her hands together. “I think I am ready for the day. Has His Lordship come down for breakfast?” she asked,thinking it might be a good idea for them to be seen having breakfast together.
“No,” Suzette replied. “He is still abed.”
“Abed? Still? Is that his habit?” Charlotte shook her head.
Of course, the maid did not know. He had lived like a hermit until recently, and none of the new servants would know either.
“His valet says it is his habit. He does not enjoy rising early on account of his…” Suzette paused and bit her bottom lip.
“Go on,” Charlotte prompted.
“His evening habits.”
