Page 18 of Claimed By the Duke of Ice

“How?” he demanded to know.

“Kindness and patience, Your Grace,” Mr. Snievely preached. “Kindness and patience.”

CHAPTER NINE

Nathaniel sat at the breakfast table, thinking about what Mr. Snievely had said. It had been two days since he and Grace had arrived at Ninter, and yesterday, he’d been called into the village for some business. He hadn’t meant to be gone all day, but duty had called, and he was required to answer. Unfortunately, though, that had meant leaving Grace alone at the estate on their first day together. He had to make that up to her somehow.

Hearing footsteps approaching, Nathaniel pulled himself out of his reverie and looked toward the door. He felt a flurry of emotion in his chest when he saw Grace walk in, looking as lovely and elegant as ever. He stood up hastily and bowed to her.

“Good morning,” he greeted her pleasantly.

Grace looked shocked to see him, but she quickly recovered and curtseyed to him before taking her seat.

“Good morning, Your Grace,” she greeted, her voice soft and soothing over his ears. “I was not sure when I would see you again.”

Nathaniel detected a hint of hurt in her voice, and it shot a sharp pain through his heart.

“There was an issue in the village that demanded my attention,” he explained. “I must admit, I am not used to leaving word about my whereabouts, but if you’d like, I can do so from now on.”

Grace smiled at him appreciatively and nodded.

“That would be most kind,” she agreed. “In truth, there are many things about married life that I am not yet familiar with myself.”

“I suppose an education for becoming a duchess isn’t something readily offered,” he mused. “I am not held by meetings today. If you’d like, I could show you a few things. The gardens you’ll no doubt want to see and the stables and such.”

At this, Grace perked up immediately, and a smile itched at his lips as excitement bloomed in her eyes.

“You have horses, Your Grace?” she asked.

“Well, I suppose they are ours now. But yes. Many, in fact,” Nathaniel admitted, smiling with her. “Would you like to see them?”

* * *

Perhaps Mrs. Snievely is right, Grace thought as Nathaniel walked with her through the gardens, perhaps all I need is patience. She had been greatly disheartened yesterday when she went to find her new husband and had found that he had left without a word, but the effort he was showing this morning did a great deal to soothe her.

“So, what duties do I have as a duchess?” she asked, breaking the silence between them as they passed a field of wild poppies. They were walking close together, and she could feel a pull within her to take his hand. But they were clenched tightly behind his back, still covered in black gloves.

“You will have to know all of the staff, of course,” Nathaniel explained, “as well as your way around the estate. Of course, there are hosting responsibilities and the need to be adequate of speech. And manners. Your manners must be impeccable.”

“Are you saying that my manners are not impeccable, husband?” Grace jested.

He looked up at her in amusement, a grin tugging at his lips. “I am sure they were most adequate for your station in London,” he explained as they entered the stables, “but there may be a few new things you will need to learn now that you have been elevated.”

Grace was curious about what he meant, but before she could ask, she saw the long row of stalls and quickly forgot her thought. With a delighted gasp, she walked ahead of him to a black mare that was looking at them through her stall door. She was a lovely young thing, not more than three or four years old and in perfect health. Her mane and coat shone brightly as if just freshly brushed, and when Grace approached her, she whinnied and pushed her nose into her hand.

“She’s gorgeous,” Grace breathed, running a gentle hand down the length of the creature’s nose.

“She’s new,” Nathaniel explained, joining her by the animal. “From the northern region of England. Bred and trained in the cold so she could be of strong body.”

“Would you care for a ride, Your Grace?” she asked, looking at him. He looked back at her with surprise.

“You ride?” he asked.

“Oh, yes!” she laughed, nuzzling her face into the mare’s muzzle. “I haven’t been able to in some time, but I have quite the affinity for it.”

“Well, we do not have any side saddles for you to use at the moment, but I can speak to our village’s leather smith, and I am sure we can have something before next week’s end.”

“No need,” Grace replied happily, walking toward the wall of reins and bridles. “I can ride a man’s saddle even better than a side. Come, let’s stretch their legs, shall we?”

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