Page 17 of The Duke’s Unexpected Bride (The Gentleman’s Vow #2)
CHAPTER 17
T he following day, Hanna sat in the little side room where she kept her crocheting materials, the quiet hum of her needlework filling the silence. Small, neat piles of coasters, hats, and even a decorative pillow lay nearby—her earlier projects, each a testament to the hours she had spent perfecting her craft.
She had always found solace in these small, precise tasks, something soothing in the repetitive motions of the needle and yarn. It gave her a sense of purpose, something her new life with Edwin had so far lacked.
Today, she was finishing up her latest creation—a cover for the leather leash Edwin used when he took Ruby out. The idea had come to her after noticing how his hand sometimes chafed against the rough leather. She had felt a bit silly at first, wondering if a man like him would appreciate something so delicate, so domestic. Still, it was practical, and more importantly, it was a gesture—a way to show her gratitude for the accommodations Edwin had made to help her adjust to Ruby’s presence in the house.
As she tied off the final knot and examined the neat stitches, a pang of nervousness shot through her. What if he found it ridiculous? Or worse, unnecessary?
But Hanna brushed the thought aside. She had made the cover with care, and if nothing else, it was a peace offering of sorts.
Gathering her courage, she rose from her chair, the leash cover in hand, and made her way toward Edwin’s study. As she approached, she could hear the low murmur of his voice, presumably speaking to Ruby. Pausing at the door for a moment, she took a breath before knocking lightly.
“Come in,” Edwin called.
Hanna pushed the door open and stepped into the warm, shelf-lined study. Ruby was there, of course, lounging contentedly at Edwin’s feet.
Upon seeing her, the dog’s ears perked up. He got to his feet and padded over to her with curious eyes.
Hanna tensed up momentarily, but then something inside her softened. She had been making progress with Ruby, after all, hadn’t she? She cautiously extended her hand, letting Ruby sniff her fingers. To her surprise, the dog wagged his tail, and with newfound confidence, Hanna gave him a small, affectionate pat.
“It’s all right,” she said softly, glancing at Edwin, who had started to call the dog back.
He smiled, leaning back in his chair. “I’m surprised,” he said, his eyes twinkling with genuine warmth. “You’ve come a long way with him.”
Hanna straightened a little, the nervous energy in her chest easing as she returned his smile. “I suppose I have,” she agreed. “He’s… not so bad once you get to know him.”
Edwin chuckled. “I’ve always thought so.”
There was a brief pause as Hanna glanced down at the item in her hands, feeling slightly self-conscious again. She took a deep breath and stepped forward, holding out the neatly crocheted cover.
“I, um… I made this,” she began quietly. “For the leash. I noticed it sometimes chafes your hand, and I thought… well, I thought this might help.”
Edwin raised an eyebrow in surprise as he reached out to take the cover from her, examining it with a thoughtful expression. The careful stitching, the attention to detail—it was clear she had spent time and effort on it. For a moment, he was silent, and Hanna’s heart pounded as she waited for his reaction.
Then, he looked up at her, his gaze softening. “You made this… for me?”
“Yes,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper, her cheeks reddening under his scrutiny. “I just wanted to thank you for… for making things easier for me, with Ruby. And for listening.”
Edwin smiled, a rare, genuine smile that reached his eyes. “It’s thoughtful.” He turned the cover over in his hands. “I’m… honored. Truly.”
Hanna let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding, feeling a strange sense of relief wash over her. She had been prepared for him to dismiss it, to brush it off as an unnecessary trifle. But the sincerity in his voice and the warmth in his expression reassured her that her gesture had been well-received.
“I’m glad you like it,” she murmured, tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear.
“I do,” he said firmly. “And I appreciate it more than you know.” He glanced down at Ruby, who had settled back at his feet and was wagging his tail contentedly. “And it seems Ruby approves as well.”
Hanna laughed softly, the tension between them easing with each passing moment. She looked down at the dog, feeling a little less wary now, as if some invisible wall between them had started to crumble.
“I suppose he’s not so frightening, after all,” she admitted, her voice softer, almost introspective. “I still don’t know if I’ll ever be fully comfortable around him, but… he’s not the monster I thought he was.”
Edwin leaned forward, resting his forearms on his desk as he studied her. “You’ve been brave, Hanna. I know it hasn’t been easy for you, adjusting to… all of this.” He gestured vaguely to the room, the house, the life they now shared. “But you’re doing well. Better than I expected, if I’m being honest.”
Hanna glanced at him, surprised by his candor. “I… I suppose I’m just trying to find my place here.”
“You’re doing more than that,” he said, his voice gentle. “You’re creating one. In your own way.”
His words stirred something inside her, something she couldn’t quite name. She had been so focused on just surviving each day, on managing her fears and uncertainties, that she hadn’t realized the small steps she had been taking toward something more. Toward building a life here, despite the circumstances of their marriage.
“I didn’t think I could,” she admitted quietly. “I didn’t think I would ever belong here.”
Edwin’s expression softened, and for a moment, there was a flicker of something in his eyes—something akin to understanding, or perhaps even regret. “You belong here more than you know.”
They fell into a comfortable silence, the weight of the moment settling between them. It wasn’t the grand gestures or the sweeping declarations she had once imagined might come with marriage, but in this quiet exchange, something shifted.
A tentative bond, fragile but real, had begun to form.
“Thank you,” she whispered, her voice barely audible but filled with sincerity.
Edwin smiled, and for the first time, Hanna felt that maybe, just maybe, they could break the invisible barriers that had separated them since the day they got married.
After their brief but warm exchange, Hanna lingered, hesitating as if she was considering something. Edwin noticed the slight shift in her demeanor, the way her fingers fidgeted with the fabric of her gown. He arched an eyebrow, sensing there was more she wanted to say but was holding back.
“Is there something else on your mind?” he prompted slowly.
Hanna swallowed, gathering her courage. She could tell he was a little wary, perhaps unsure of what she might ask.
“There is something,” she admitted, her voice soft but steady. “Something I… need.”
Edwin leaned back in his chair, his gaze narrowing just slightly. “Go ahead, Hanna. You may ask.”
There was a pause as she clasped her hands together, then exhaled slowly. “I was hoping you would give me some money… so I can go into town and purchase some items.”
Edwin furrowed his brow for a brief moment, though his expression remained neutral. “I assumed the accounts I set up for you with most of the vendors would suffice. If there’s another account that hasn’t been set up yet, I can easily take care of it. All you need to do is let me know.”
Hanna nodded, a small flush rising to her cheeks. “Yes, I know… and those accounts have been quite useful. But…” She hesitated, feeling somewhat embarrassed by her request. “There are things I wish to buy that can only be found at the market. Yarns, threads, and other materials. The vendors there don’t accept credit.”
Edwin’s eyes softened as the tension in his features eased. A small smile played on the corner of his lips, as though the notion amused him. “Yarns and threads, is it?” he said, his smile growing.
“Yes,” Hanna uttered quickly, her nervousness easing a little. “I’ve been working on some new pieces, and the market offers a variety that I can’t find anywhere else. I thought… if it wasn’t too much trouble…”
Edwin chuckled, shaking his head lightly. “Hanna, you needn’t hesitate over something so simple. You should know by now that all you have to do is ask.”
She blinked, surprised by how easily he responded, and felt a wave of relief wash over her.
“I should have thought to mention it sooner,” he continued. “If you ever need funds for anything, you need only speak to Baxter. He handles the manor’s books and will give you whatever you require, whenever you wish.”
Hanna let out a breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding. “I didn’t want to impose. I wasn’t sure how things were handled, and I didn’t want to ask for too much…”
Edwin waved away her concern with a dismissive hand. “You’re the mistress of this house, Hanna. It’s your right to have whatever you need. Baxter is well aware of that. I’ve given him clear instructions that your requests are to be met without hesitation.”
Hanna felt a strange sense of gratitude at his words—though their marriage had begun under strained and uncertain circumstances, Edwin had shown her a certain generosity that she hadn’t expected. It was a small thing, perhaps, but it made her feel more settled, more at ease in her new life.
“Thank you,” she said, her voice more confident now. “That’s… very kind of you.”
Edwin gave her a nod, his smile lingering. “It’s nothing at all, really. And if you ever need more… yarn,” he added with a slightly teasing tone, “you know where to turn.”
Hanna smiled back, feeling lighter than she had in days. “I’ll be sure to let Baxter know.”
As she turned to leave, a small part of her marveled at how easy the conversation had been. It seemed there were moments, fleeting though they might be, when she and Edwin could communicate without the usual tension that hung between them. Perhaps there was hope for something more—a true understanding, or at least a deeper connection—if they both allowed it.
“Enjoy your trip to the market, Hanna,” Edwin called after her as she reached the door. “And don’t hesitate to get whatever else you desire.”
She glanced over her shoulder, giving him a grateful smile. “I won’t.”
And with that, she left the study, her heart a little lighter, her steps a little steadier. His final words echoed in her mind.
“Don’t hesitate to get whatever else you desire.”
She walked down the corridor, feeling a peculiar shift in her understanding. The conversation had been simple enough, and yet it had revealed something far deeper. For the first time, she truly grasped the weight of her position here—not as an outsider, not as some awkward fixture in a house that belonged to her husband and his family, but as the Duchess, as his wife.
She could have whatever she wanted.
All the money and resources at Edwin’s disposal were now hers. She wasn’t a prisoner in this grand estate, bound by obligations or expectations she didn’t fully understand. Quite the opposite—she realized, with a quiet sense of revelation, that she had more freedom now than she had ever known.
It was a curious thought. For so long, Hanna had felt stifled by the confines of her previous life—her father’s household, where every penny was scrutinized and each decision was subject to his approval. Though he had involved her in his business dealings, he had kept her on the periphery, never trusting her judgment beyond simple tasks. She had been useful but unvalued, treated more like an assistant than a daughter.
How different it was now.
Her new home no longer seemed like a cage, as she had feared upon arriving. Instead, it offered her the very thing she had long been denied—autonomy. Here, she could make decisions, ask for whatever she wanted, and even spend money as she saw fit, without the shadow of her father looming over her.
Her thoughts drifted back to her childhood home. There, she had felt small, insignificant, as though she were always teetering on the edge of her father’s disapproval. Her every action was scrutinized, and every decision was questioned. Her life had been dictated by her father’s moods, by his expectations of what she should be and what she could never be.
But here…
She stopped in the middle of the corridor, looking out the grand windows that overlooked the gardens. Sunlight streamed in, casting a warm glow over the stone floor. For the first time, Hanna felt a sense of power stirring within her. This was her home now. Her estate. She was the Duchess of Ashford, and with that title came privileges she had never dared to imagine.
And the most startling realization of all, she was free .
Free to roam wherever she wished. Free to engage with the world on her own terms. Free to embrace her role, to shape her own life, and even to challenge the boundaries that once felt so suffocating. The tight grip of her father’s influence, the constant anxiety because of his controlling nature—those chains had fallen away, replaced by a newfound sense of independence.
In truth, it wasn’t the estate that had confined her. It had been her old life . The home she had grown up in, the expectations that had been placed upon her, the restrictions that had been masked as care—all of it had kept her trapped.