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“Music?” She echoed, her curiosity piqued.

“Come,” he said, taking her hand in his and leading her out of the dining room.

“We should put the pianoforte to good use tonight,” he said, his voice carrying a note of unexpected eagerness. Whatever was necessary to extend her company a bit longer, he thought to himself. He did not wish to end their evening together. Not just yet. The intensity of his desire to prolong the night surprised and perplexed him in equal measure.

“I hardly play,” she said tentatively when he sat her at the pianoforte, her fingers lightly grazing the ivory keys.

“In that case, I shall be the best teacher,” he replied with a confident grin, taking a seat next to her.

“I’ll be the judge of your instructing capabilities then,” she chuckled, her tone light and teasing.

Theodore began to play. It had been so long since he’d touched the keys, he’d almost forgotten the joy it brought him. The melody flowed effortlessly under his fingers, and he found himself lost in the music, the notes filling the drawing room with sound and emotion until his wife’s voice finally broke into his reverie.

“That is beautiful,” Agnes breathed as the last notes of the melody echoed around them.

“But quite melancholic too,” she added, her voice soft and reflective.

“My mother used to play this,” he said, a touch of nostalgia coloring his voice. This melody was one she’d composed herself. She’d played it through her tough times. It had been her little cry for freedom.

“Your mother?” Agnes echoed, her surprise and curiosity clearly piqued.

Realizing what he’d just let slip and not ready to delve into the deeper recesses of his past just yet, Theodore abruptly stood. “Goodnight, Agnes,” he said quickly, his tone final. And without giving her the opportunity to respond or ask any further questions, he turned on his heels and left the room, leaving a trail of silence in his wake.

CHAPTER 26

Agnes went to bed thinking, her mind restless with the complexities of her marriage, and she woke up in the same state the following morning. Every time she thought she was making some progress with Theodore, something appeared to drag her a step back.

The subject of his mother last night had piqued her curiosity, and she regretted perhaps being too overt in her interest. Had she been more subtle, maybe he wouldn’t have felt the need to abruptly leave the room. She wished more than anything that he could trust her at least and open up a bit about his life and his family. The emotional distance felt like a chasm she couldn’t bridge.

“Will that be all, My Lady?” Evans asked after adding the finishing touches to her attire for the day. Agnes was dressed impeccably, a habit she maintained regardless of the private turmoil of her domestic life.

Things may not be working out as she had hoped, but she refused to give up. She was determined to make this marriage work, to somehow pull Theodore closer to her.

“That will be all, Evans. Thank you,” Agnes said, dismissing her maid with a small smile before making her way to the morning room for breakfast.

She wasn’t expecting her husband’s company this morning; their interactions had become predictably sparse. And, as anticipated, she ate her breakfast alone. As she sipped her tea, her eyes caught the lacquer worn out on some parts of the breakfast table. This sight served as a reminder of the state of other rooms in the house. The estate, much like her marital relationship, seemed in need of careful restoration and perhaps a touch of tenderness.

There was only one conclusion to everything she’d noticed thus far: her husband was going through a financial crisis. That would explain his desperation over the deal with Asmont. If only he would trust her enough to share his problems with her, she thought, unable to help the melancholy which came over her at this realization.

She was in her office after breakfast when Mrs. Davis joined her. They were to go through some household accounts together, a task that Agnes was beginning to appreciate more given her suspicions.

And again, Agnes couldn’t help but notice how prudent the housekeeper was with the numbers. She judiciously calculatedand budgeted everything, exactly as needed, her efficiency apparent in every line of the ledger.

“Mrs. Davis,” Agnes began, unable to keep her silence on the issue any longer as they reviewed another column of figures. The housekeeper looked up, her expression composed, silently waiting for her to continue.

“What’s the state of the household finances?” Agnes asked at last, her voice steady but her hands slightly tense around the edges of her paperwork.

Mrs. Davis was thoughtfully quiet for a bit before she replied, “Not in the best state, I’m afraid, My Lady. The Marquess is doing his best, but unfortunate events that happened in the past are working against his progress.”

She elaborated no further, and Agnes contemplated the wisdom in asking about these unfortunate events of the past but thought the better of it despite her curiosity. Instead, she nodded slowly.

If anyone owed her those details, it was her husband, and not the housekeeper. Nevertheless, Agnes chose a practical approach. “Is there anything required on my part to help?” she asked instead, maintaining her composure and focusing on the immediate needs of the household.

Mrs. Davis smiled. Or rather, something akin to a smile graced her usually stoic features, softening them momentarily. “So long as your ladyship is comfortable with the expenses, I think everything is in order,” the older woman replied professionally.“Or is there anything you wish to add perhaps?” She suggested, always meticulous in ensuring all aspects were covered.

“Oh no,” Agnes replied, shaking her head slightly. “I am quite alright with it all.” She wanted to maintain the status quo, at least until she could speak with Theodore directly about their financial situation.

“Very well,” Mrs. Davis responded, her tone indicating the matter was settled for now. She gathered the account books neatly into her arms. “I shall have a meeting with the cook on our decisions and get back to you, My Lady,” she said, offering a final nod of acknowledgment before exiting the office.