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“My point remains the same, wife. It is not seemly for a duchess to engage in such menial tasks,” he chided as if she were a child. “It would not reflect well on me if news of this were ever to leave the walls of this estate.”

Eveline nodded in understanding, not wanting to argue with him any further.

“It was only because I wanted a distraction that I undertook this task,” she admitted. “And I already assigned the staff to other parts of the estate, to see to other matters.”

He nodded once. “You should find another activity to keep you occupied.”

“I would not have to if my husband agreed to keep me company sometimes,” she retorted. “I do not mean to complain when you saved me, but I… I have felt lonely these past few days, and tasks can only occupy me for a time. I do require human interaction. You took me away from my sisters, and as much as I am grateful to you for saving me from total ruin, it is hard to cope in this silence.”

“I…”

She saw him eyeing the door and turned to block his path.

“I have followed your other rules, haven’t I?” she asked with a frown. “I haven’t returned to your chambers since our wedding night. I am not asking you to reveal your secrets. Just spend a little time with me, so I do not lose my mind in this large castle.”

She tried not to let her loneliness show, but her words were heavy with it. Being accustomed to a routine with her sisters, it was hard to adjust to the silence that she had endured sinceshe had been brought to his estate. She could hardly befriend the staff, as they scurried off after performing their duties. Her duties did not keep her so occupied that she did not have spare time, but walking in the gardens and embroidery quickly bored her.

She sighed, already knowing her husband would reject her, and turned to the shelves before her. Some titles stood out to her—perhaps she would take some to her chambers for her nighttime reading. She reached out to a tome that stood out even more, but her hands never touched it as she felt his hand on her other arm.

Her eyes widened as she studied his hand on her arm. She looked up at him, but he was also eyeing his hand. Heat traveled up her arm as her heart beat a staccato in her chest.

“I know I haven’t performed my husbandly duties, but surely you can understand—” He stopped suddenly, shaking his head. “I make no promises to fulfill your every request, but what would you suggest I do to make our situation more bearable for you?”

His question opened so many possibilities, but she knew if she wasted this rare chance and asked for something that required more time than he would be willing to share or a hint of vulnerability from him, she would lose it for good.

“I would like us to at least share a meal,” she suggested. “I know you rise earlier than I, and you have lunch in your study, so we can eat dinner together.”

His brow creased as he contemplated her suggestion, and as much as she found the action boyish, she needed to expound her suggestion so he understood fully what she required of him.

“I suggest this to be a permanent ordinance,” she added quickly. “And you shall stay until the end of the meal.”

He was silent for so long that she braced herself for his rejection.

“I accept your suggestion,” he answered suddenly.

Her head snapped up as hope bloomed in her chest. “I beg your pardon?”

“I said, I accept your suggestion,” he reiterated. “I shall have dinner with you every night.”

Elation filled her at his answer despite his cold tone, so much so that she couldn’t suppress a smile.

“I shall see you at dinner, then,” she told him.

He nodded, a small smile playing on his lips, but he quickly masked it and turned to leave.

“Please do not attempt to climb that ladder again, or I shall be forced to rescind our agreement,” he warned.

She nodded even though he couldn’t see her.

As if she would.

When he stepped out of the room, she was finally able to breathe freely, remembering what had driven her to the library in the first place. Grief filled her again.

She couldn’t fault him for his personality when he had never truly known kindness.

Eveline swore she would take it upon herself to brighten the castle for him. It must have been dreadful for him to return to the estate where he had suffered so much abuse, and now that she knew, she would attack her duties with a renewed ferocity, but first…

Now that he had accepted her suggestion, she was strongly aware of how unappealing she looked covered in dust and such an unflattering gown. If she were to at least keep his attention, she needed to ensure she was well dressed—albeit not too much that it was improper. There were too many choices to make, but she also had to ensure that the menu was to his liking.