Page 10 of The Beast’s Unwanted Duchess (Icy Dukes #1)

Roberts straightened his back and nervously clasped his hands together.

"The Duchess has restored the tapestries on the walls throughout the estate, enhancing the grandeur of the hallways. She has also purchased new furniture for the rooms, replacing the older pieces that were, I must admit, in need of replacement. They were from the time before the late Duke’s. "

Victor could hardly believe his ears as he processed Roberts’s unexpected praise for Alice.

His butler, known for his unwavering demeanor and sharp tongue, rarely offered compliments, especially not for someone outside their family.

Roberts...who had been by his side since childhood, seldom expressed admiration for anyone or anything.

"You actually think she’s making a difference by changing the tapestries?" Victor questioned.

"It’s not merely the tapestries themselves, Your Grace.

It’s about the intention behind them. I must say that the estate feels more like a home now," he explained.

"Her Grace has also hired new staff, which was necessary as we were quite short-staffed.

The gardens have been restored to their original glory, bringing back the beauty that had faded over the years.

I have not seen it look that beautiful in over twenty years.

She is currently building an orangery close to the hedge maze, which I think will be a splendid addition. "

Victor shook his head. "You cannot be serious."

"Also, she did something to one of the old rooms..." he continued. "She turned it into a bathroom. But it’s not like a normal bathroom. It’s...different. It is both practical and elegant, a space designed for relaxation. I was quite impressed when I saw how it turned out."

"Enough," Victor rasped. "I want my old room restored. I may not have the time or patience to reverse every change, but I expect the old portraits, the heavy drapes, and the carpet back. Make my chambers as they once were. Understood?"

"Yes, Your Grace," Roberts said. "Are you back for good now, if I may ask?"

"Why are you asking?" Victor questioned as he began to undress. "Let me guess, you are not enthusiastic about undoing the amazing job your new duchess has done?"

"Well...it would be a shame to tear it all done only to have to redo it when you leave," Roberts said.

"You do realize that I am your employer?" Victor asked him. "Not the Duchess. Me. Do as I say."

Roberts responded with a slight bow. "I take it you would also want to undo what she has done to the study?"

Victor paused and slowly turned around. "She touched my study?"

"Yes, Your Grace," Roberts said. "The Duchess has taken the liberty of redecorating the study to match the overall aesthetic she has established throughout the estate."

Victor threw his hands in the air. "You know what, I’m disappointed in you, Roberts. I walk into the estate and I cannot even recognize the place for the life of me. It’s my home."

"I deeply apologize, Your Grace. But she is Duchess of Ravenmoor, Your Grace."

"Is she?" Victor responded with a hint of sarcasm in his voice. "I don’t care that she is building an orangery. She could turn this estate into a circus if she wanted to. But my room and my study are off limits. I prefer my belongings to remain undisturbed."

"I apologize, Your Grace," Roberts said. "Although, you are a married man now, and with that comes certain...compromises."

"Compromises?" he asked. "If I was eager to compromise, I would have married for love. This was supposed to be convenient. She is taking the convenience out of the marriage arrangement."

"Well, do you want Her Grace to halt all renovations?" Roberts asked. "I could communicate this?—"

"No," Victor answered swiftly, cutting him off.

"She seems to have a... grudge against me. It’s best to let her continue, even if I disagree with her choices.

Let her do what she wants. Just make sure my chambers and my study are out of limits.

I came here to work, and I need to be comfortable to be able to do so. "

"Very well, Your Grace," Roberts said. "I will see to it right away."

"Good. You may leave," he said.

Victor ran a hand through his hair and crashed on the bed.

He had arrived at the estate with so much energy, but all of that was drained now.

Alice seemed to have gotten over her fear of him, and it made him uneasy .

He had banked on that fear to keep the distance between them.

Knowing the reason he married her in the first place, her mere existence was all he needed to achieve his goal.

But she was doing more than just living and breathing. She was complicating things. Drawing him out of his comfortable bubble.

A rush of frustration flared within him, and he could feel the tension coiling tighter in his chest. He needed to clear his head, to regain a sense of control over the overwhelming changes that had made their way into his life.

So, he made a mental note to visit Andrew, his only friend, at the training yard later that afternoon. He figured that the familiar routine of sparring would help him regain some of his focus and distance himself from the emotions Alice had so effortlessly unearthed.