Page 14 of Claimed By the Duke of Ice

“They mean a great deal to you, don’t they?’ Grace asked as Nathaniel led her away from them and up the stairs.

“How can you tell?” he asked, sounding a little surprised.

Grace looked briefly back over her shoulder down at the couple.

“The way you look at each other. It’s more like family than master and servant.”

“They have been with our estate since before my birth,” he admitted pleasantly. “And they are good people. Honest, hardworking.”

“You love them,” Grace mused.

Nathaniel paused at the top of the steps, and his lips formed into a small smile.

“Yes, I suppose I do. We take care of one another in our own ways, I suppose,” he admitted.

Grace was going to ask him more, enjoying the way her new husband was opening up, but as they stepped into the foyer, she gasped, and her focus was pulled once more toward the home. The walls and floor were made of high slabs of polished marble with dozens of gold candelabras hanging from the walls. Above them, suspended from the greatly vaulted ceiling, was a matching chandelier, burning bright from the many candles.

Directly below the grand chandelier stood an immaculately carved round table decorated with a large bouquet of flowers. On the walls, hung between the candelabras, were massive landscape paintings and even some folk-story tapestries.

“Come,” he insisted, nodding for her to follow him. “It will take a few days for you to become oriented, but allow me to show you our most commonly used rooms. The servants will bring your luggage to your room while I do so, and I’ve already instructed Mrs. Snievely to draw you a hot bath. I’m sure you are weary from the day’s events.”

Though it was true, and Grace could feel her tiredness down to her bones, but she was far too excited to even think about resting.

“That is very kind of you, Your Grace,” she replied.

Nathaniel’s smile grew bigger.

“Nathaniel, please,” he urged then began walking again. On the first floor, he showed her the front parlor where they would receive their guests, the grand dining hall, the breakfast room, his office, the sunroom which was thus far her favorite part of the house, and the library which took up two stories of the house. When it was time to make their way to the winding staircase, he skipped the second and third floor and took her all the way up to the fourth floor.

“I have had Mrs. Snievely and the maids prepare my mother’s old apartments for you,” Nathaniel explained, opening the large double doors to the Duchess’ suite. “Of course, if it isn’t to your liking, you may choose any of the other twenty-six bedrooms in the house.”

Grace’s eyes grew large, and her mouth drew agape as she stepped into the late Duchess’ apartments, positively amazed by the finery. The double doors opened into an elegantly decorated sitting room furnished with gorgeous dark wood furniture upholstered in the most expensive fabrics. There was also a small tea table and several other decorative pieces. The room was papered with a pale lilac color which went well with the massive floral rug that covered most of the marble flooring.

“Do you like it?” Nathaniel asked.

Grace laughed softly, still in awe. “Like it?” she asked, “I adore it! It’s so very lovely.”

Nathaniel’s smile grew bigger.

“Wonderful. Allow me to show you the rest,” he urged happily.

Grace’s new husband showed her the vast closet next, which she could fit her entire wardrobe in fifty times over, as well as the slightly smaller room, which could be her writing room. Finally, he opened the doors to her sleeping quarters, and as he did so, Grace gasped. There was so much space. Her old bedroom, plus Letitia’s, could have easily fit inside.

The frame of the four-poster bed was massive and decorated with varying shades of blue curtains, pillows, and blankets. It was so large, a set of steps had been built to its side. Then, across from that was a gorgeous, hand-painted changing screen, and beside that was her bath which was full of steaming water. It was a large marble pool of a thing that was shaped almost like a clam shell, and she idly wondered how such a thing could be drained. As she looked around, she noticed that there were large curtains hanging from opposite walls between the bath and bed which could be pulled closed for more privacy.

“You look overwhelmed,” Nathaniel said, drawing Grace out of her trance.

She pulled her gaze back to him and smiled. “I am,” she admitted, “but in the most wonderful way.”

“It suits you then?” he asked, his tone short but hopeful.

Grace nodded adamantly. “It most certainly does,” she agreed.

Nathaniel gave her a nod of approval, his lips still set in a grim line.

“Very good,” he replied, sounding satisfied.

“Well, you have had a rather long day, dear wife,” he said next, stepping away from her. “It is probably best that I allow you to seek your rest and get acquainted with your new quarters.”

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