Page 11

CHAPTER 11

“ O h, Ava, you must tell me everything about your new home,” Lily gushed as she lifted her cup to her lips and sipped on the tasty tea.

It had been a month since Ava’s wedding and two weeks since she got her husband’s approval to start the renovations. She had simply been so busy running her new household that she had not had the time to see Lily since she got married, hence her elation when Lily invited her to tea in London.

And now, seated at Gunter’s and having tea with one of her favorite people in the world, her happiness knew no bounds.

While she was eager to tell her friend everything about her marriage, she was not quite certain that it was safe, since they were in such a public place where anyone could listen in on their conversation.

It was not uncommon for conversations between friends at Gunter’s to end up in the gossip columns, and Ava did not want such a fate to befall her.

Therefore, she looked around the tearoom to ensure that there were no people around. However, only two tables away sat two older ladies known for being unrepentant gossips.

Ava nodded towards them, and Lily, seeming to have gotten her message, nodded in agreement.

“You mentioned that you must visit the modiste today, did you not?” Lily asked.

“Indeed. I have yet to buy a dress for the upcoming masquerade ball,” Ava said.

Lily gasped. “I have completely forgotten about the masquerade ball. Oh dear, what shall I wear now?”

“We can simply pay the modiste a visit together,” Ava suggested.

“You are right, Ava,” Lily responded.

With that, they left the tearoom.

The moment they climbed into Ava’s carriage, Lily turned to her excitedly. “Now, you must tell me everything,” she pressed.

“I shall,” Ava said.

“Tell me, do you find being a wife enjoyable? Are you able to tolerate his presence?”

Ava laughed. “I must say, my life as a duchess is quite similar to my life before marriage.”

“How so?” Lily asked.

“For one, my new home is bigger, so there are more servants to handle all the tasks—and I do not have to care for my sisters anymore,” Ava explained.

Lily had a knowing smile on her face.

“Why are you smiling so, Lily?” Ava inquired.

“Ava, can you not see?” Lily giggled. “You seem to enjoy being a duchess far more than managing your father’s household.”

Ava frowned as she slowly came to the same realization.

“You are right, Lily.” Her face brightened with a smile.

She indeed enjoyed carrying out her new duties far more than running Notley Manor.

“I am simply at ease, and there is no one breathing down my neck because I am not performing all his tasks for him at the speed of lightning,” she said.

“Marriage surely agrees with you. You are far more radiant, and you just seem relaxed,” Lily observed.

“I suppose that is the result of being free.” Ava chuckled.

“How do you find your husband?” Lily then asked. “Don’t think I haven’t noticed you dodging that question.”

Ava shrugged. “He is far better than my father, and I suppose that in itself makes me feel better.”

“So, he does not try to control you?” Lily probed.

Ava shook her head. “If anything, he simply lets me be. And unlike my father, who would make me explain to him over and over again every time I needed money for the household, he simply gives me whatever I want.”

“I suppose there are perks to being married to a wealthy duke.” Lily giggled.

“He is not only wealthy, but he is also generous,” Ava added. “I have heard tales of ladies whose husbands are so miserly that they would refuse to pay for coal to keep the house warm, and thus run the risk of freezing to death.”

“You are right, Ava,” Lily said. “For someone with quite a reputation, the Duke seems to make a good husband.”

“Indeed. In fact, he has been incredibly supportive with the water garden I had just commissioned and the drawing room I am now renovating,” Ava revealed.

Lily’s eyes widened in delight. “You commissioned a water garden? Oh, I must see it! In fact, you must throw a ball to celebrate.”

Ava chuckled. Seeing her friend so excited about her project made her immensely happy.

“Then you must follow me home today to see the progress on the drawing room,” Ava suggested. “Edwin said that the drawing room was simply a marvel, and I am not even halfway done with it.”

“Edwin?” Lily echoed, a smile teasing the corners of her lips.

Ava felt heat rush to her face. “He insists that I call him by his name,” she admitted.

“You simply cannot talk about him without blushing,” Lily noted.

Ava shook her head rather frantically. “That is not true,” she insisted.

“I shall remind you when you finally admit to being in love with your husband.”

Ava gasped. “I admit that he has far exceeded my expectations, and he has proven himself to be a kind husband. However, this does not mean that I will fall in love with him.”

“Hmm,” Lily murmured noncomittally.

“Truly, Lily,” Ava insisted.

“I believe you,” Lily intoned.

Ava could not believe that Lily was confident she would fall in love with her husband.

“I do not share his bed,” she declared suddenly.

That seemed to get Lily’s attention.

She stared at Ava quizzically. “How can you not share your husband’s bed when you are married?” she asked.

“Because ours is not a love marriage, and I must keep it this way so there are no expectations.”

But even as Ava tried to explain to her friend, she herself was not quite convinced.

“Well, perhaps the reason you are determined to convince me that you will never fall in love with him and the reason you have decided not to share his bed are the same,” Lily quipped, just as the carriage lurched to a stop in front of the modiste’s.

“No. There is simply no love between us,” Ava countered.

“Or you are afraid to let yourself fall in love with him,” Lily added.

Ava felt a pang in her heart as she ruminated over her friend’s words.

What if Lily was right? What if she was doing everything she possibly could to push Edwin away because she knew she might fall in love with him if she let him get too close?

However, she did not quite have the time to truly think about it because the carriage driver chose that moment to open the door and help them down.

Her arrival was nothing short of a spectacle, as passersby all stopped to watch her. This was quite strange to Ava. After all, this was not her first visit to the modiste.

“Do not look so confused. You are a duchess now, after all,” Lily reminded her.

It was then that Ava finally grasped the meaning.

When she used to visit the modiste as the unmarried daughter of a viscount, she often arrived in a simple dress that reflected her station.

Now, however, she seemed to court attention in her elegant dress and parasol.

“I am not sure I enjoy the attention that comes with this,” she whispered to her friend.

Soon enough, they stepped into the modiste’s shop, and the familiar pleasant scent of silk and cherry tickled her senses.

“It is a pleasure to have you with us, Your Grace, Lady Lily,” the modiste, a robust woman with a kind face, greeted.

They were ushered deeper into the shop, and they were soon sifting through fabrics while assistants waited on them.

“Your Grace, you will find this fabric most pleasing,” the modiste said, handing her the most beautiful bolt of fabric she had ever seen.

It was most delicate—and almost transparent. And yet it was finely woven and embroidered.

“Lily, you must see this.” Ava held up the fabric for her friend.

“That is the famous Dhaka muslin,” Lily gasped. “You have to buy it. It is by far more expensive than other muslins, but you will simply be the cynosure of all eyes if you buy it.”

“Lady Lily is right,” the modiste chimed in. “Only a handful of ladies in London have gotten their hands on it, since it is quite pricey. In fact, the Queen herself was rumored to wear it on her visit to Italy.”

“Now, you must buy it, Ava,” Lily insisted.

Ava did not need convincing. She loved the fabric, and yet she could not bring herself to buy it.

“What is the problem, Ava? Would you rather see another lady wear it for the masquerade ball?” Lily asked.

“It’s just so pricey,” Ava mumbled.

“Then you must get used to it—starting from now,” Lily urged. “Your husband is a duke and a wealthy businessman. I am certain he would rather his wife be dressed in the most expensive fabrics than cheap ones.”

Ava nodded as she considered her friend’s words. She knew that one of the reasons Edwin had taken a wife was to advance his business interests. Therefore, she had to do everything she could to represent him well, and if that required that she wear the most expensive dress at the ball, then so be it.

“And you must remember, this is your first ball since you got married. You must make an appearance,” Lily continued.

Not long after, Ava had chosen a dress with puffed sleeves and ruffles at the neck—her favorite style. Then, she stepped into a changing cabin for fittings and measurements.

The modiste fussed over her as she pinned and adjusted the dress. “You will be the belle of the ball, Your Grace,” she gushed.

“I certainly hope so.”

“The Marquess of Dorset has insisted on this fabric for his sister’s dress, but I shall ensure that yours is far more exquisite,” the modiste said as she took her measurements.

Finally, after hours at the shop, they bade the modiste farewell and left.

“Now, I absolutely cannot wait for you to dazzle everyone at the masquerade ball.” Lily clapped her hands together as the carriage lurched forward.

Ava smiled at her friend’s enthusiasm.

“At first, they will wonder who the lady in the most elegant dress is,” Lily continued. “After all, it is a masquerade ball, so they may not recognize you.”

Ava nodded. “Indeed, every lady would be gaping at me,” she said drily.

Lily chuckled. “When they finally recognize you, they will be green with envy,” she declared. “You shall dazzle . Even the Duke will be unable to keep his eyes—and perhaps his hands—off you.”

Ava rolled her eyes. “I suppose it is good, then, that I’m not interested in having his hands on me.”

Lily snorted. “We shall see.”

They finally arrived at the estate.

Ava alighted from the carriage eagerly and beckoned to her friend. “Come now, Lily. You must see the water garden.”

“You are so eager—if this water garden of yours does not look like the Garden of Eden, I will be cross,” Lily joked.

Ava laughed as she stepped onto the path that led to the water garden. “Dear Lily, my water garden may not rival the Garden of Eden, but I assure you that it shall be the most peaceful part of the estate.”

“Then I simply cannot wait to see it,” Lily said, just as they came upon wooden crates.

“I must warn you, though,” Ava added, “it is still under construction. Therefore, it may not look like much.”

The smell of mud and earth hit her nose, and she sighed deeply.

Four laborers were hard at work, their backs bent and sweating under the sun. One of them stopped to wipe his brow with the back of his dirt-streaked hand, and that was when he saw her.

“Your Grace!”

The others paused to greet her, and she waved cheerily back at them.

The pond had been deepened and the water refreshed so that it was no longer muddy but clear as crystal. The edges were now lined with evenly cut stone, and the flowers around the banks had already begun to bloom.

The statue would be next, and she had been informed earlier in the day that the bench was aboard the ship to London.

It was only a matter of time before she finally got her dream water garden.

“It is absolutely beautiful,” Lily breathed beside her.

Ava turned and was pleased to see her friend look so impressed.

“I am glad you love it.” She smiled.

“How could I not? You have managed to turn something so ordinary into a safe haven,” Lily said.

“I can already imagine the lilies in the water. That would be absolutely lovely. And then I shall have them hang lanterns on the tree so that it will look ethereal at night. Like a scene right out of a fairytale,” Ava murmured.

“That is quite dreamy and lovely. I am certain the Duke would not mind being seduced—or rather, seducing you —under the tree,” Lily drawled.

Ava swatted her arm playfully. “No seduction shall be happening,” she asserted.

“Are you quite certain?” Lily asked, a mischievous smile on her face. “Because if I did not know any better, I would think you are building a romantic hideout for you and your husband.”

“There shall not be anything romantic here,” Ava insisted. “However, if my husband were to slip and fall into the pond, then I shall enjoy the sight.”

Lily burst into laughter.

“Now, you must see the drawing room. It is not quite finished either, but it is already a sight to behold,” Ava told her as she led her out of the garden and towards the house.

Inside the drawing room was a mix of old, gaudy decorations and new, more fashionable ones. The old drapes still hung high on the wall, parted to let the sunlight in.

“These old curtains are simply an eyesore.” Lily squinted. “They hurt my eyes.”

“Then you can imagine how I felt, having to live with them for the past month,” Ava sighed. “I can only wonder how the Duke has been able to live with them.”

“One thing I know about men is that they simply do not have taste. They may live in the dumps without even realizing it,” Lily said.

They turned their attention to the furniture.

“Now, these are a breath of fresh air,” Lily commented as she ran a hand over the back of the nearby sofa.

She was right. Ava had instantly fallen in love with the sofas the moment they had arrived. They were a soft cream and gold—charming enough to draw attention and yet subtle. The old green heavy sofas had been removed, and the drawing room now looked more airy and spacious.

Even the side tables were carved with graceful designs. The wall had also been repainted a lighter shade of green, giving the drawing room a fresh look.

“I’ve had a pianoforte ordered,” Ava murmured as she walked towards the window. “It shall stand right here, by the window.”

“You are making this house your own, and it is simply lovely,” Lily said.

Ava walked to the center of the room, a smile on her face. “I want everyone who steps into this house to feel welcome. I want a fresh and elegant atmosphere, and if I must transform the house one room at a time, then God help me, I will.”

Lily clapped her hands in delight. “Oh, I simply cannot wait to see what the drawing room and garden will look like when you are finally done. But now, I must leave for home.”

Ava felt a tiny pang in her heart as she escorted her friend to her carriage. She enjoyed having her friend and sisters around. It was the only thing she missed about her old life.

“I shall see you at the masquerade ball, Ava,” Lily called, waving as the carriage pulled away.

Ava sighed deeply as she stood there, watching the carriage disappear in the distance.

She had barely returned to the house when she was accosted in the foyer.

“Edwin!” she gasped.

He had stepped out of the shadows and into her path, startling her.

“Your guest has left so soon?” he asked.

“She must return home before nightfall. You know the roads are not safe,” she responded.

“Ah, that is true,” he relented. “Then it is just you and I. It is not dinner time yet, and I’ve finished my work for the day. Why don’t we spend some time together? As husband and wife?”

Ava stepped away from him. “Do not even think about it.”

He chuckled. “I am not quite certain what you have in mind, but that is not what I mean.”

She stared at him for a while, wondering if she could trust him.

His green eyes and chiseled face told her that she could trust him, but when she remembered everything he had done to her, she was not quite certain.

Still, instead of rejecting him, she nodded. “Fine. We may take a walk through the grounds.”

With that, they stepped out of the house.

They walked in silence for a moment, before Ava felt her husband’s hand brush hers ever so slightly.

She gasped. The touch was so sudden, so unexpected, and yet so electric. She stopped breathing for a second, and in her confusion, she snatched her hand away from his.

However, Edwin did not seem to care that she had just avoided his hand as though he were a leper.

“Quite romantic, isn’t it?” he asked suddenly.

Romantic?

Her heart leaped.

It was true. The moment felt quite romantic, and everything seemed to blur even as the leaves rustled around them and the birds chirped. All she was aware of was that she was taking a romantic walk with her husband.

“I suppose it would be nice if we both got to know each other better,” Edwin added.

Ava was bewildered, but she did not quite show it. Her husband was acting quite differently, and even though she liked his new behavior, she still could not help but wonder what he may be planning yet again. After all, he had proved that she could never truly trust him.

“What do you wish to know about me?” she asked matter-of-factly.

“Do you enjoy your life here?”

Ava stopped to look up at him. At that moment, she caught the reflection of the setting sun in his green eyes. She went still, unable to do anything but stare deeply into his eyes, mesmerized.

“Ava?” he prompted, jolting her out of her reverie.

“In a way, I do,” she replied.

“It sounds like you do not like it,” Edwin murmured.

“Truly, I enjoy being a duchess. I like being able to change everything to suit my taste. And I certainly do not miss having my ungrateful father condemn me for everything I do,” Ava huffed.

“Then I must let you know that the renovations you have done so far are simply lovely,” Edwin offered, “and I appreciate your efforts.”

Ava smiled and nodded.

He is not quite so bad.

“Although, I miss having my sisters around,” she admitted. “It can be lonely sometimes.”

“They can come here as often as they like,” Edwin said.

“That is not possible, since they have their own lives,” Ava sighed.

“Is there anything I can do to make you feel less lonely?” he asked.

Perhaps sit with me and speak with me.

But Ava did not tell him that. Instead, she shook her head grimly.

“Now, you must ask me a question about myself,” he said.

“Is that so?” Ava tapped her chin, deep in thought.

Suddenly, she remembered.

“The paintings by the staircase,” she began. “I was informed that there used to be one of you and your family.”

“Indeed,” Edwin confirmed. “I ordered the servants to remove it.”

“Why?”

Edwin sighed, and for just a brief moment, Ava could have sworn she saw a flicker of sadness behind his eyes.

“I suppose I had a rough childhood. The army was a welcome distraction—I simply couldn’t wait to leave,” he said.

Ava’s heart went out to him, and she placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.

This was by far the most vulnerable she had ever seen him. She was curious to know what truly happened to him. However, she knew not to prod him. He would tell her everything when the time was right.

His eyes, even though they were unreadable, were trained on her. She wondered what was going through his mind at that moment. However, she did not ask. Speaking would simply ruin the moment.

She could feel the air shift between them.

“It is getting dark,” Edwin whispered. “We should go back inside.”

Ava’s heart skipped a beat. She was not quite certain if it was him or simply the words he was saying to her.

“We should,” she agreed, even though she did not want their walk to come to an end.

She studied him. His eyes were narrowed, and deep lines marred his brow. A muscle twitched in his jaw, and she felt his shoulder become tense.

But then he took a step towards her.

Ava knew she must step back, stay away from him, but she did not. Instead, she remained rooted to the spot while her heart pounded in her chest.

His warm breath fanned her face, and when he finally reached out his hand towards her, her heart stuttered for a brief moment. She let out a long breath when he brushed some strands from her face.

Without even realizing what she was doing, she tilted her face up to his.

This was the bravest she had ever been, and her heart thudded terribly against her ribs.

Their gazes met, his green eyes boring into her own. She could not avert her gaze; she was enchanted by him.

She could feel his breath on her cheeks now. She knew that if she shifted, if she closed the distance between them, their lips would touch.

And yet she noticed the troubled look in his eyes, the tick in his jaw. She realized then that he was just as terrified as she was.

“You seem troubled,” she whispered.

His eyes widened slightly as he seemed to finally realize what was happening.

“I simply cannot take my mind off the fact that some of my business partners will be at the masquerade ball. An Italian noble shall be there with his wife, and I must convince him that partnering with me will benefit his business,” he said.

Ava felt her heart sink to her stomach.

Of course, he was not trying to kiss me.

She suddenly felt like a fool. She had misread his worry as an interest in her.

She took several steps away from him. “We must return to the house,” she muttered.

“Indeed.” He nodded. “Do you think we know enough about each other?”

The question confused her.

“I suppose,” she replied.

“This masquerade ball might be the start of an even better partnership, and as much as they will be studying me, they might simply want to know more about you and how we met,” he explained. “We must be able to answer their questions. They must be totally convinced that we are smitten with each other.”

Ava’s heart broke slightly.

“This is the reason you wanted to go for a walk?” she asked.

She wanted him to say no, to prove her wrong, even though she already knew the truth.

“You are quite intuitive,” Edwin said. “We must act like we are totally and irrevocably in love with each other at the masquerade ball. Everybody knows that marriages among the ton are mostly loveless and miserable. This is why the image of a lovely couple who love each other so much would impress them.”

Ava nodded as she blinked away the tears welling up in her eyes. She could not trust her voice not to quiver if she spoke.

“I… I… must go,” she eventually muttered, placing a hand on her forehead.

“You have a headache?” Edwin asked, peering closely at her.

She nodded. “I must lie down.”

“But it is time for dinner,” he said.

Ava shook her head. “I can feel a fever coming.”

At that moment, she would say anything if it meant he would leave her be.

“Then we must make haste,” he urged, before he took her hand and led her back to the house.

As soon as they were inside, Ava pulled her hand from his grip and made for the staircase.

“I shall have the maids bring you dinner,” Edwin called after her, “and I may come to check on you.”

She shook her head a little too fervently, refusing to turn back and look him in the eye. “No, you do not have to see me. I must lay my head down until the headache passes.”

With that, she bounded up the staircase and darted into her chamber, where she collapsed on her bed.

She could not help but feel embarrassed by what had just happened.

How could I have been so foolish?

She dropped her face in her hands and groaned.

She was rather foolish to have thought that Edwin simply wanted to get to know her better. How could she have forgotten that he never did anything without a reason? After all, he was only a cold, unfeeling beast.

Granted, he had treated her far better than she had expected. However, that was not enough reason for her to nurse unrealistic expectations.

Theirs was a marriage of convenience. She had married him to protect her sister from a union with a beast, and he had married her to advance his business prospects.

That was all there was to it.

Now, she must play her part by helping him impress his business partners at the masquerade ball.