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“I did. In time. Do not chastise yourself for not feeling at home yet. You have not even spent a full week here.”

Alicia helped herself to another large slice of cake as her sister rolled her eyes at her.

“I do hope that you and David will visit often,” she murmured. “It is rather unnerving to think that this is my home now. What am I to do here?”

“Oh, there will be far more than you can imagine to do in a house of this size. My advice is to cultivate a good relationship with the housekeeper, as she will be your eyes and ears in this place. And I hope the Duke will help you, too. David was invaluable to me in the early days of our marriage.”

Alicia tensed as she heard the sharp tap of footsteps approaching the room, and her heart began to thud painfully against her ribs.

They both went still as the door opened and the Duke entered the room. He looked the same as he had in the woods, yet Alicia was still floored by the sheer size of him. Heloomedover everything, and her breath hitched as he came to sit beside her on the settee.

“Lady Riverton,” he greeted solemnly. “It is a pleasure to see you again so soon.”

Alicia shot him a sharp look.

Is he displeased that she’s visiting so soon after the wedding? How wonderful. I shall arrange several more visits for Katie and Bridget.

“It is a pleasure to see you, too, Your Grace. I apologize to visit so soon after the wedding. I just wanted to make sure my sister was alright. I trust that married life is treating you well?”

There was an edge to Jane’s voice, but the Duke did not seem fazed by it. In fact, he seemed rather preoccupied with the cake on display.

After careful consideration, he grabbed the other slice of Madeira cake, and Alicia’s heart sank. It was her favorite. It would break her heart to ask the cook to stop making it.

But I will if it will make him displeased with me.

“The Marquess is not with you?” the Duke asked, biting into the cake.

Alicia watched his tongue curl around it just before his lips closed, and she felt her neck flush at the sight. She quickly turned back to her sister.

“He is away on business, but he sends you his best.”

The Duke bent his head as Jane looked back at Alicia, her gaze flickering over her dress and the patches of dry mud on her skirts. Her lips tightened—she did not like disorder and mess where it could be avoided.

“You know, Alicia dear, you are a duchess now. You cannot walk around the house covered in mud from head to toe.”

Alicia’s cheeks turned scarlet. She was currently sitting next to the cause of her disheveled state, not to mention the ache in her back where he had pinned her against the tree.

“On the contrary, Lady Riverton,” the Duke interjected. “As a duchess, my wife can do whatever she pleases in her home. No one will comment on it.”

Alicia glanced at him in surprise. She did not need shielding from her sister; Jane was not in earnest in her disapproval. But at his words, something shifted within her. A warmth and gratitude she had not expected.

It was almost as if he were defending her. As if he saw it his duty to champion her, now that they were married.

No one had ever done that for Alicia, except Jane. It was surprising to have an ally in her husband when she was trying her best to anger him at every turn.

“Of course,” Jane said, the tips of her ears turning red as she finished her tea.

“Perhaps we could take a turn about the grounds before you leave?” Alicia suggested quickly.

Jane placed her cup and saucer on the tray, just as the Duke grabbed a slice of seed cake and began to devour it.

It appeared he had as much of a sweet tooth as Alicia.

Why could he not hate cakes? Then, I could ask the cook to make a great many for every meal, and he would never have a dessert he likes again. Instead, I shall have to go without my favorite food!

Once they stepped out into the beautiful sunshine, Jane seemed to relax.

Alicia had noticed that throughout their time in the drawing room, her sister had been very tense. Her face was pinched and drawn now as she turned it up to the sun and closed her eyes.