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“Is that a bad thing?” she asked, grinning.

“It’s anewthing,” he said.

She fell into step beside him as they walked out of the stables and across the grounds, back up toward the manor.Amazing,she thought, glancing sideways at him.He’s actually starting to open up to me.

And Astrid was liking what she saw.

He was more than the cold, uncomplicated, opportunistic man she thought she had gotten to know at her father’s house. He was more than the distant stranger who had held her in her arms at their wedding while seeming to be a thousand miles away.

He was a man who had loved his parents, who kept and cared for animals, who inspired loyalty in those who served him and gave them happiness in their work.

He’s a good husband.

The thought came to her suddenly, like a breath of fresh air, and she knew it was true. The rumors about him weren’t just false, they were insane. There was no reason for anyone to think badly of him. He was a good man, through and through.

And as she followed him back into the manor, a new worry suddenly took root in her mind—I wonder if he likes me too?

Chapter 17

After two weeks, it had become clear to Conor that living with Astrid was going to be more complicated than he had anticipated.

It had always been his plan to leave her alone at first, to allow her to settle in and adjust to life at Middleborough Manor. He had known that it would be difficult for her to live here. She was so used to the familiarity of her father’s house, and to the structure of life that went with being a commoner. He knew there would be an adjustment period.

But did she have to challenge him on absolutelyeverything?

“When do the servants eat?” she asked him over breakfast one morning. “I can’t get anything out of Betsy on the subject. It’s almost as if she’s been ordered not to tell me.”

“I’ve given her no such order,” Conor said. “But it’s not typical for servants to talk to their masters about their personal lives. I’m sure she feels uncomfortable with the question and would rather you let it go.”

“Why?” Astrid pressed. “She’smylady’s maid, isn’t she? Why shouldn’t I know about her life? Besides, it isn’t a very personal question. I was just wondering why I never see her eating meals.”

“The servants don’t eat in the same part of the manor as you and I do,” Conor said. “They take their meals in the kitchen.”

“In the kitchen? Is there even a table in there?”

“There’s a small one, back in the corner.”

Astrid shook her head. “But there’s a huge table right here,” she pointed out. “And there are only two of us. Why don’t the servants eat here?”

“You want the servants to dine with us?”

“Notwithus, necessarily,” Astrid allowed. “But I don’t see why they couldn’t eat at the table when we’re finished. What would be wrong with that?”

He hadn’t been able to come up with an answer for her. Now, hours later, he was still thinking about the question. He knew what the response would have been from most people, of course—allowing the servants to eat in the dining room wasn’t what was done. The two classes just weren’t supposed to mix like that.

Butwhywasn’t it done?

After all, he had married a commoner.

The question was still running through his mind when DuBois entered knocked on the open door to the study and stuck his head in. “My Lord, Mr. Wilson is here.”

“Henry?” That was a surprise. Conor hadn’t been expecting a visit from his friend. But it was certainly welcome. He hadn’t seen Henry since the wedding. “Show him in, DuBois.”

Henry came storming through the door like a force of nature. “Show me in,” he scoffed. “As if I don’t know the way to your study!”

Conor raised his eyebrows. “You could be a little more respectful of my home, Wilson. Youarea guest here, you know.” He gave DuBois a nod, dismissing him, and DuBois nodded back and retreated. “What brings you here?”

“What brings me here is the fact that I haven’t seen you since your wedding,” Henry said, taking a seat without being asked. “I know you’ve been preoccupied with your new wife, Conor, but really, you do have a responsibility to our business, you know.”