Page 33 of Duchess By Accident
Natalie’s cheeks flushed and she gritted her teeth.I must not let him get to me.“I simply meant that it would look rather unusual for a husband to depart on business so soon into his honeymoon. You know how the ton can get.”
She may not have wanted this marriage, but she did not want to give the ton any more ammunition against her. The Duke leaving would be sure to set idle tongues wagging.
He nodded and a look that Natalie could not quite place crossed his face. “I do. Do not worry, little thief. I am not leaving the castle. I am just getting back to my life. Just because I am married does not mean anything has to change. We have an agreement, after all.”
He made a dismissive gesture and left without another word. Natalie stared after him.Why do I want to follow him?She furrowed her brow. It was clear the man was not planning on spending any more time in her company than was necessary, and she had no wish to spend any more time in his. But why did the thought of him ignoring her irk her so?
“If you are finished, your Grace, might we clear the table?” Yates asked, bringing Natalie back to the present.
“Oh, yes. Of course, Yates. I am sorry for the mess.” Natalie gestured to the scattered food around them.
“There is no need to apologise. Lady Melody ate, and that is worth this mess and more.” Yates smiled. “It was good to see her laugh once more.”
He left and Natalie felt a warmth spread through her. The raucous dinner had made her feel at home, and the ache for her family eased somewhat.
She thought over the Duke’s parting words.Just because I am married does not mean anything has to change.Duke Blackwood had been pulling the strings, and clearly was intent on continuing to pull hers.
“Well, we will see about that.” Natalie whispered as an idea formed in her head. “I think it is time to meet fire with fire.”
Chapter Ten
“My wife has been in this room recently, has she not?” Adrian gestured to the table he had almost walked into, the table that had been in an entirely different position a few days ago.
It had been just over a week since they had arrived at Blackwood Castle. And over that week Natalie (he had taken to calling her by her Christian name to needle her; she had responded by calling him dear Fox or Sir Fox) had seemed determined to find ways to flout his authority whilst technically obeying him.
Mr.Kember nodded. “Yes, your Grace. She felt that the flow of the room would be best served by the table being over here. That you would not mind because it was not redecorating.”
“I suppose technically it is not. And I do not mind.” To his surprise he found he did not, which made him frown. “And what else has she changed today?”
“The books in the Eastern Library have all been rebound, the covers are now green instead of red.” Mr. Kember’s face was the picture of neutrality, which Adrian knew meant he was trying to hide a quiet amusement. “And I believe her Grace has rearranged them by order of their theme, but in Latin.”
“I had not realised she spoke Latin. Rather unusual for a woman to have learned such things.” Adrian ran a hand through his hair.This game gets more interesting by the day.“That will make finding books rather more challenging. I trust that my study has remained locked, as per my instructions.”
“Of course, Your Grace.” Mr. Kember nodded.
“Good. It is one thing to have her fiddling with bits about the rest of the house, but my study will remain undisturbed.” Adrian began to walk down the hallway, carefully avoiding other bits of furniture that had been so little it was barely noticeable, but were gradually becoming a nuisance as it made it easier to collide with them.
“You do not wish to do anything else?” Mr. Kember asked.
Adrian arched an eyebrow at his valet. “And just what would you have me do Kember? She has not broken a direct instruction, but rather tested the boundaries of such direction.”
Mr. Kember frowned. “You sound as though it amuses you?”
“It does. To an extent. Besides, she is only doing this to get a reaction from me. Therefore, it is incumbent upon me to not give it to her.” Adrian made a dismissive gesture and shrugged.
“Of course, your Grace.” Mr. Kember inclined his head towards Adrian.
“She will soon tire of this behaviour.” Adrian said, ignoring the prickle of curiosity spreading within him that wondered just how long this would last and what she might do next.Am I excited for her little rebellions?
As the truth dawned on him, he felt a stab of irritation. If anyone else had behaved as Natalie was behaving, he would have been furious. He may not have shown it, but he would have put an end to it swiftly. And yet, his wife seemed only to elicit curiosity and amusement. Which elicited nothing from him but irritation.
He shook his head and forced himself to return to the present conversation. “And in the meantime, so long as she is not inconveniencing the staff or causing harm, I am content to see how things play out. I trust the staff have not been inconvenienced?”
“No. Her Grace is very considerate of them. Whenever extra work is made, it is usually in the service of Lady Melody.” Mr. Kember smiled, the fondness he felt for the Duke’s daughter evident. “The Duchess has made some changes to staff schedules that have actually improved efficiency.”
“Has she indeed?” Adrian spotted a painting on the wall that was ever so slightly crooked.
He caught a passing servant’s attention and indicated the painting, watching while it was readjusted.
