Page 43 of The Lady Who Said No to the Duke

It was cold, but she washed and felt better for it. Even so, a bath would help with those interesting twinges, not all of which, she realised, were actually painful. Some of them were tantalising little echoes of new pleasures.

Thea climbed back into bed, shook out her damp and crumpled pillow, and lay down again.

It would be better next time, she resolved.

She had shed her tears, done her mourning for a love that would never be hers.

But she had so much: a wonderful husband who was clearly determined to be good to her, an exciting new life, a fascinating new home.

She would manage to live this new life, and she would show Hal how she felt when he came to her bed again, even if she could not say the words.

* * *

When Thea came down to breakfast at nine o’clock, she realised that it was not only her new husband that she had to face but a number of house guests. How had she forgotten?

Foolish question, she told herself. She knew perfectly well why everything except Hal had gone out of her head.

He was already down, of course, presiding over a very casual breakfast as guests emerged sleepily in their own time after what had clearly been a long night of dancing. Staff were hurrying in and out, clearing dishes and bringing fresh ones to the buffet.

Heads turned as she entered and she fixed a smile on her lips, forbade herself to blush, and returned greetings with composure. A footman began to pull out the chair at the foot of the long table for her, but Hal was before her.

‘Good morning, my dear.’

‘Good morning. Thank you.’ Yes, she was blushing, but nobody was staring or sniggering, although there were one or two sentimental sighs. Her mother looked happier than Thea had ever seen her.

Mercifully, there had been no acceptances for Hal’s open offer to stay for as long as guests wished after the wedding.

The uncertain weather, the lure of the Season and, she guessed, tact had all of them declaring that they must be on their way.

Half, it seemed, would be leaving that morning, the rest after an early luncheon.

Even Mama and Papa and the boys were leaving that morning.

Thea caught the eye of Pirton, the butler, and saw his slight nod. Yes, he already had that information. Grooms and footmen would be on hand at the right time, and the midday meal would be sufficient.

Her duties as hostess would occupy her very fully until the last of them had gone, by which time, she hoped, she could handle being alone with her husband with reasonable composure.

* * *

‘Alone at last,’ Thea said, and she and Hal stood at the foot of the front steps, waving goodbye to the final carriage.

‘Yes,’ he said with what sounded like as much relief as she felt. ‘You managed magnificently, Thea. Anyone would think you had been managing a great occasion and dozens of guests all your life.’

‘I hardly had to do a thing. You have the most competent staff here,’ she added as they went back inside out of the cold. She spoke loudly enough for Pirton, standing at attention by the door, to hear. ‘I thought we ought to have a Servants’ Ball, to celebrate and to thank everyone.’

‘That is an excellent thought. Pirton?’

‘Your Grace?’

‘When was the last Servants’ Ball here?’

‘Two years before the late Duke passed away, Your Grace.’

‘Then it is about time we held another. Discuss it with Mrs Abel and then consult Her Grace when you have some preliminary ideas.’

‘What would you like to do now?’ Hal asked her as Pirton left.

‘I am not sure,’ she confessed.

Go back to bed with you , was the honest answer, but he showed no signs of wanting to do that.

‘I must have some long conversations with Mrs Abel before long, but I do not want to distract her while she has so much to do in the wake of the wedding.’

‘Would you like me to show you some of the Castle?’

‘Yes, please. I would like that very much.’

* * *

Thea enjoyed exploring, even more because it was with Hal.

The castle was a fascinating mixture of old and new, some of it strange, but little of it ugly.

They began on the ground floor, much of which was already familiar—the Great Hall, the ballroom, the dining room, two of three formal drawing rooms.

Once away from those and the constant unobtrusive presence of the staff, Thea thought Hal might take more interest in her and less in his tour. Not that he was not attentive to her and interesting to listen to, but he did not appear to want to kiss her.

Perhaps last night was enough, she mused as she admired the New Library—which had window seats that looked as comfortable for a kiss as the one in the Old Library had.

She wished there was someone she could talk to who knew about male desire.

Surely he would want to make love to her again soon?

Unless she had disappointed him and he was not eager to repeat the experience.

He hadn’t seemed disappointed.

She would see at bedtime. He had not really had an opportunity to see the nightgown and peignoir, and her friends had assured her they would be very inflammatory.

* * *

When she rose from the dinner table and said, ‘I will leave you to your port,’ he followed her into the Chinese Drawing Room—the smallest and most comfortable, the one she seemed to prefer.

It was ridiculous, the way every little sign that she was feeling more at home, that she had found something that she liked, made his heart lift.

‘Do not feel you have to wait up for me,’ he said. ‘You must be very tired after the past few days. I will leave you in peace tonight.’

Patience, patience , he told himself.

If only he knew how fast to dare go, how the devil he would know how to let her see his feeling without them being a burden to her.

She looked up, seemingly startled. Had he spoken aloud? No, Thea just looked a little puzzled.

He did kiss her then, a quick pressure of his lips to hers, as gentle and undemanding as he could make it, even as his body screamed at him for it. Her cheek was soft and warm as he touched it. ‘Good night, Thea. Sleep well.’

* * *

Thea did not sleep well. Nor did she on the next two nights when her husband thoughtfully left her to rest. On the third night he did come to her, but although he seemed to be taking trouble to give her pleasure, he did not remain in bed afterwards.

Then another lonely night, and on the next, when he did come to her door, she informed him that it was not convenient as her courses had started.

Which meant she was not with child, although he did not appear to mind about that and merely kissed her cheek and left her alone for a week.

When he did politely enquire whether he might join her, she opened the door to him with relief mixed with a strong desire to throw her book at him.

But what did she expect? she scolded herself as the door closed behind him an hour later.

Hal did not love her. His visits now were as much duty as pleasure.

Probably he would find a mistress in the New Year.

And it was almost Christmas. Her family would be arriving on the twenty-third and on the twenty-seventh there would be the Servants’ Ball.

A great deal to plan for and think about.

She would not have time to be… To worry about anything else.