Page 11 of The Beast’s Duchess (Duchesses of Inconvenience #1)

Chapter Nine

O ut of everything he could have said, she did not expect him to ask her that. Nor did she expect what came out of her mouth:

“I don’t know. But maybe we could learn together. Perhaps over dinner?”

Now she was sitting in front of a mirror, getting ready for dinner with her husband.

[letter scene, instead have him read her letters? So he can see into her psychology and start trying to connect with her.]

Eventually, she found herself walking in circles. Unsure of what else to do, she returned to her room and sat down at her writing desk.

Pulling out a piece of paper, she started writing.

She would Rose first. She was sure her sister would be waiting eagerly to hear from her. She could only hope the letter didn’t take too long to arrive.

Dear Rose,

I have made it to Ashton Castle. The place isn’t exactly what I had expected. I look forward to inviting you here, but I want to do a little redecorating first. There is an entire wing in disrepair as none of the staff are allowed there. Apparently it's forbidden. Have you ever heard such a thing?

Still, you know me. I love a challenge or project I can really sink my teeth into, and this place seems like it should be just that. The staff all seem quite nice, even if it is rather small. My ladies’ maid Daisy is an absolute delight.

Apparently, Christopher has spoken about me in the past, or so the servants say. They make it sound like we’re part of some great love story!

He acts so different to the young man I danced with at that ball.

Something has happened here and I intend to find out what.

I wish I could just ask Daisy. I’m sure the girl would tell me if she knew, she reminds me quite a bit of Milly in that regard, but I doubt she knows much.

The staff here is so unconventional! I doubt I can convince our housekeeper, Mrs. Carter.

That leaves me with two options, investigating myself and trying to get answers out of Christopher. If he catches me sneaking around I doubt he’ll say much, so I think I’m going to start by trying to speak with him. Wish me luck.

Everything is so quiet this far in the country side. I rather miss the sounds of London. I had such a hard time sleeping with the sheer silence.

It still bothers me that I didn’t get a chance to say a proper farewell, but I shall have to make up for it when I see you again. I hope you aren’t missing me too much, though I know I miss my family a great deal, especially you, I must confess.

I hope you are doing well. I will greatly miss getting to see you at the balls. I also hope that now that I am settled, mother and father might be more amenable to a certain gentleman who frequently ends up on your dance card.

I can’t wait to see you there.

With more love than I can say,

Your dear sister

Veronica

With that one taken care of she pulled out another page and began to write one to little Milly.

To my sweet baby sister,

Did you have fun at the breakfast?

I am so sorry I couldn’t be there, but I was far too excited to see my new home. The place is magical and I can’t wait to show it to you.

Some time soon, I hope to have a special party. Nothing too big just the people I love most, but you must be there! That will be when I finally get to show you my wonderful new home.

But that isn’t all you will get to see.

If you can keep it a secret, I’d like to tell you that I am about to get a dog. Perhaps you could write me back with name suggestions.

I miss you so much

Please be sure not to neglect your studies.

I can’t wait to show you everything I have found here

Your loving big sister

Veronica

Then all that was left were her parents. She took a deep breath then started on the final letter.

Mother and father,

I arrived safely yesterday.

I am sure I will see you again soon. Hope all is well. Look after my sisters.

She frowned, staring down at the words on the page. Surely that couldn’t be all she had to say to them, could it?

But the more she sat there and thought about it, the more she realized that in many ways, it was.

In many others, it was not.

She wanted to ask them how they could do this to her.

If they were happy with their choice.

If whatever they got was worth the price of her happiness.

But of course, she couldn’t say any of that. In part because it was too insolent. And becausel taking her anger out on her parents wouldn’t change anything.

Worse, even if she wanted to say something she couldn’t do it in a letter. Some things couldn’t be said where there would be a paper trail.

With a sigh, she signed off the letter as it was before sealing them each in their own envelopes.

Just as she was finishing up, there was a soft knock at the door.

“Come in,” she called.

Daisy stepped inside with a smile and a tray. “Good evening, your Grace. I brought you your dinner.”

Veronica turned to her with a frown. “Does Christopher usually skip dinner the way he skips breakfast?”

“I’m under the impression he usually has dinner,” she chuckled.

“Then why did the kitchen send a tray?”

“He asked the kitchen staff to send it up since he wasn’t sure if you would want to join him.”

The words still drying on her sister’s letter swam in her mind before she steeled her resolve and stood up.

“If it isn’t too much trouble, I would like you to send it back.”

“Your Grace?”

“I think I will go down,” she said, setting her pen back in its holder. “No reason not to after all.”

“Quite right. I will take this to the kitchen then be back in a few moments.”

Veronica was about to argue that she could get there on her own thank you very much, but she bit back the urge. After all, given how long it took her to find her way back to her room, it is probably better safe than sorry.

In the meantime, she moved over to her mirror, checking over her clothes and hair. She chewed on her lip. Maybe it was too plain. Should Iadd some jewelry?

Even though they were married she still wanted to look nice for him.

Turning back to her dressing table, for a moment, she let herself imagine everything Daisy had said was true, that the man had some affection for her.

A soft smile bloomed on her face. What would it be like, to have a husband who had sought her out for herself, rather than for a dowry or some arrangement between their parents?

A few minutes later, Daisy returned with a smile on her face. “Right, shall we go?”

Veronica frowned. “Don’t we need to dress for dinner?”

She hesitated.

Veronica groaned. “What is it? What did I say wrong?”

“Nothing at all! In most houses you are right, you would change for dinner.”

“But Christopher doesn’t?”

“You need to understand, he has lived on his own for many years. He has gotten use to things being a certain way.”

Veronica frowned. “That might be true, but he doesn’t live alone anymore. This is my home too.”

“Perhaps you should talk to him.”

“Perhaps I will,” she got to her feet. “But first, fetch me the red dress!” Her husband might be used to “a certain way”. However, so was she.