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Lily burst into laughter.

“Now, you must see the drawing room. It is not quite finished either, but it is already a sight to behold,” Ava told her as she led her out of the garden and towards the house.

Inside the drawing room was a mix of old, gaudy decorations and new, more fashionable ones. The old drapes still hung high on the wall, parted to let the sunlight in.

“These old curtains are simply an eyesore.” Lily squinted. “They hurt my eyes.”

“Then you can imagine how I felt, having to live with them for the past month,” Ava sighed. “I can only wonder how the Duke has been able to live with them.”

“One thing I know about men is that they simply do not have taste. They may live in the dumps without even realizing it,” Lily said.

They turned their attention to the furniture.

“Now, these are a breath of fresh air,” Lily commented as she ran a hand over the back of the nearby sofa.

She was right. Ava had instantly fallen in love with the sofas the moment they had arrived. They were a soft cream and gold—charming enough to draw attention and yet subtle. The old green heavy sofas had been removed, and the drawing room now looked more airy and spacious.

Even the side tables were carved with graceful designs. The wall had also been repainted a lighter shade of green, giving the drawing room a fresh look.

“I’ve had a pianoforte ordered,” Ava murmured as she walked towards the window. “It shall stand right here, by the window.”

“You are making this house your own, and it is simply lovely,” Lily said.

Ava walked to the center of the room, a smile on her face. “I want everyone who steps into this house to feel welcome. I want a fresh and elegant atmosphere, and if I must transform the house one room at a time, then God help me, I will.”

Lily clapped her hands in delight. “Oh, I simply cannot wait to see what the drawing room and garden will look like when you are finally done. But now, I must leave for home.”

Ava felt a tiny pang in her heart as she escorted her friend to her carriage. She enjoyed having her friend and sisters around. It was the only thing she missed about her old life.

“I shall see you at the masquerade ball, Ava,” Lily called, waving as the carriage pulled away.

Ava sighed deeply as she stood there, watching the carriage disappear in the distance.

She had barely returned to the house when she was accosted in the foyer.

“Edwin!” she gasped.

He had stepped out of the shadows and into her path, startling her.

“Your guest has left so soon?” he asked.

“She must return home before nightfall. You know the roads are not safe,” she responded.

“Ah, that is true,” he relented. “Then it is just you and I. It is not dinner time yet, and I’ve finished my work for the day. Why don’t we spend some time together? As husband and wife?”

Ava stepped away from him. “Do not even think about it.”

He chuckled. “I am not quite certain what you have in mind, but that is not what I mean.”

She stared at him for a while, wondering if she could trust him.

His green eyes and chiseled face told her that she could trust him, but when she remembered everything he had done to her, she was not quite certain.

Still, instead of rejecting him, she nodded. “Fine. We may take a walk through the grounds.”

With that, they stepped out of the house.

They walked in silence for a moment, before Ava felt her husband’s hand brush hers ever so slightly.