Page 28 of A Seaside Scandal (Change of Heart #2)

Jonathan gave a swift nod. “Excellent.” He turned toward me, his features cold. “Mrs. Linton will be your guide for what remains of the day. If you should require me for anything, you may send a servant to fetch me.”

I twisted a loose thread on my shawl, my heart sinking. Was he truly going to leave me alone with all these strangers? Already? At least Eliza was on her way inside, but I could hardly call her my friend. I stopped myself.

Jonathan was not my friend either.

He was obviously quite eager to escape my side after such a long journey, and I would happily welcome the distance myself. I tried to act uncaring as I watched him turn away, his boots clicking on the marble floors until he disappeared around the corner.

Mrs. Linton greeted me with a curtsy. Her thin face was swallowed up by her large features. “A pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Croft. Welcome to Southcliff Manor.”

At least someone had said the words. Jonathan had vanished before even welcoming me to my new home. I scowled. But could I blame him? I had asked that our marriage be as distant as this. He was only fulfilling the terms of our arrangement.

“Thank you, Mrs. Linton. I look forward to becoming acquainted with all of you, as well as the rest of the house and grounds.” I gave her my warmest smile.

Her mouth twitched upward slightly, but that was as close as it came to a smile. “Mr. Croft has given me instruction to prepare your chambers in the north wing. Will that be suitable?”

“Yes, of course.”

She gave another of her methodical nods.

“I must also express his utmost wishes that you refrain from visiting the south wing of the house. It was damaged in a fire many years ago, and thus the structure is no longer safe.” She kept her gaze fixed on the paper in her hand.

“Besides the south wing, you are permitted to roam the house as you please.”

A felt a surge of irritation. Did Jonathan expect that I would wait quietly in my room until given leave to explore my own home? “I didn’t know I required permission.” The snide comment escaped before I could stop myself.

Mrs. Linton seemed taken aback, her shoulders stiffening.

“Not from you.” I swallowed. “From my husband.” I glanced toward the wall.

The servants were listening, even if they didn’t show any reaction to my words.

Surely they had already sensed the tension between Jonathan and me.

It was impossible to miss. I took a deep breath, releasing a quiet laugh. “Never mind. It is no matter.”

Mrs. Linton was silent for a long moment before returning to her list. “I might give you a tour of the main rooms of the house if you wish?”

“That would be helpful, thank you.” I wrung my hands together, remembering that I still wore my gloves. I removed them, and a footman stepped forward to take them within seconds. I handed him my straw bonnet and shawl as well.

“Are there any neighbors in the area?” I asked.

“Any agreeable families with women I might be introduced to?” I would grow bored quickly if I didn’t begin making connections.

Female conversation was essential to my happiness.

Instantly, my mind drifted to Charlotte.

I had tried to shut her from my mind, but I missed her.

I missed the hours we spent talking of fashion, food, flowers, handsome gentlemen, and our dreams for the future.

I banished the sadness in my heart before it could grow any stronger.

Mrs. Linton still hesitated over my question. “There are a few families of similar rank, yes, but the master has elected to decline most invitations. I expect the neighborhood will be curious about you, but I don’t expect that the master will encourage receiving any callers.”

I frowned, my heart sinking. “No callers at all?”

She blinked with a minuscule nod. “He is not fond of many people.”

My frown turned into a glower as Mrs. Linton led me toward the nearest corridor.

She showed me the drawing room, another parlor, and a morning room.

We moved toward the staircase, but as the tour continued, all I could think of was how shockingly reclusive Jonathan was turning out to be.

Would any woman have stood a chance at securing his attention?

Or did he simply prefer to be isolated and alone?

By the time I had seen most of the house, my feet ached from standing.

My heart ached even more. During the time spent on my tour, my room had been prepared in the north wing, so Mrs. Linton led me there last. There was still far more to be explored in the house and grounds, but at the moment, all I wanted was to be alone.

My emotions spun wildly, shifting from delight to dread within seconds.

This beautiful house was mine, yet I wasn’t allowed to receive callers?

I had been counting on the new friends I would make to distract me from the fact that my husband was intent on avoiding me.

How could I live entirely alone? I was not reclusive like Jonathan.

Tears welled up behind my eyes. It had been a long and eventful two days, so my emotions were quite justified.

To my relief, Mrs. Linton left me alone in my room just as my tears began to fall.

I stared at the elaborate blue and white furnishings, the comfortable looking bed, the polished writing desk, wardrobe, and vanity, until they all blurred behind my tears.

The room was perfect.

The coast, the sea, the house—I couldn’t imagine a single inch of it being any more beautiful.

Yet I couldn’t feel anything but dread.