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“Do you know that the best figurines are made in Spain? A distant relative who lives in Spain sent some to my father when we were decorating the house, and now I…”

Edwin nodded as she talked, but he did not hear half of it. He was simply transfixed by her. He noticed it all—her voice, the way her hands moved and her eyes sparkled. He noticed how her cheeks flushed in excitement.

Suddenly, she furrowed her brow. “What?” she demanded. “You have been staring at me.”

Edwin shook his head and smiled. “It is nothing.”

CHAPTER 11

“Oh, Ava, you must tell me everything about your new home,” Lily gushed as she lifted her cup to her lips and sipped on the tasty tea.

It had been a month since Ava’s wedding and two weeks since she got her husband’s approval to start the renovations. She had simply been so busy running her new household that she had not had the time to see Lily since she got married, hence her elation when Lily invited her to tea in London.

And now, seated at Gunter’s and having tea with one of her favorite people in the world, her happiness knew no bounds.

While she was eager to tell her friend everything about her marriage, she was not quite certain that it was safe, since they were in such a public place where anyone could listen in on their conversation.

It was not uncommon for conversations between friends at Gunter’s to end up in the gossip columns, and Ava did not want such a fate to befall her.

Therefore, she looked around the tearoom to ensure that there were no people around. However, only two tables away sat two older ladies known for being unrepentant gossips.

Ava nodded towards them, and Lily, seeming to have gotten her message, nodded in agreement.

“You mentioned that you must visit the modiste today, did you not?” Lily asked.

“Indeed. I have yet to buy a dress for the upcoming masquerade ball,” Ava said.

Lily gasped. “I have completely forgotten about the masquerade ball. Oh dear, what shall I wear now?”

“We can simply pay the modiste a visit together,” Ava suggested.

“You are right, Ava,” Lily responded.

With that, they left the tearoom.

The moment they climbed into Ava’s carriage, Lily turned to her excitedly. “Now, you must tell me everything,” she pressed.

“I shall,” Ava said.

“Tell me, do you find being a wife enjoyable? Are you able to tolerate his presence?”

Ava laughed. “I must say, my life as a duchess is quite similar to my life before marriage.”

“How so?” Lily asked.

“For one, my new home is bigger, so there are more servants to handle all the tasks—and I do not have to care for my sisters anymore,” Ava explained.

Lily had a knowing smile on her face.

“Why are you smiling so, Lily?” Ava inquired.

“Ava, can you not see?” Lily giggled. “You seem to enjoy being a duchess far more than managing your father’s household.”

Ava frowned as she slowly came to the same realization.

“You are right, Lily.” Her face brightened with a smile.

She indeed enjoyed carrying out her new duties far more than running Notley Manor.