Page 43 of Seeking Ruin

She thought she might blush down to her toes. “He is asleep in my sitting room.” They’d dozed of on the sofa after another bout of lovemaking, Kitty having only awoken a few minutes prior. He’d looked so exhausted, that she hadn’t the heart to wake him. The thought that her mother might have overheard their amorous activities while she bustled around the bedchamber was a rather mortifying prospect.

“Ah, well, let him get his rest,” the woman continued, unbothered. “Mr. Swanton, His Grace’s valet, seemed to be a rather pushy sort when I met him belowstairs. I’m sure he will be around to fetch his master in time to be dressed for dinner. How are you feeling?” She shot a pointed glance to Kitty’s stomach.

“Well enough,” Kitty replied. With the stress of Sebastian’s betrayal cleared up and her leaving the dangers of her home, her nausea had somewhat subsided.

Mary nodded. “You were quite easy on me, so I hope you experience the same.”

“How was it below stairs?”

“Well enough,” Mary repeated with a wry smile. “The butler, Mr. Penbry, is a cheerful sort. Strict, mind you, but quite fair. The others seem to be getting over the shock of the union, but I haven’t encountered any outward aggression. Well, aside from Mrs. Needly.”

Kitty recalled the dour housekeeper and her pinched disapproval. “She did not seem very pleased with me.”

“You can always replace her if she proves to be too much trouble. She was quite rude to me, I must admit.”

Again, Kitty momentarily forgot that she was now mistress of this grand home, and likely several more. She eyed her expansive chamber, nearly twice the size of her old one, with some trepidation. “I’d rather not turn her out, even if I provide references.”

“If she is displeased to have you as her mistress, she might be happy to leave. Perhaps she can go with the dowager.”

“I fear I may have no choice other than to let Sebastian relocate Her Grace to one of his estates.” Kitty furrowed her brow. “How did you know about that?”

“The staff seem to sense it as being an inevitability, at least from the way they’ve spoken of the marriage. If I may be so bold, many seem relieved.”

“You will never be too bold now, Mama. I’m not going to reprimand my own mother.”

Mary paused, her eyes shining, before she sniffed and diverted the topic. “Not all may be lost where Her Grace is concerned. Perhaps, now that she has had time to adjust, dinner will be a more pleasant affair.”

“Perhaps,” Kitty replied doubtfully.

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