Page 25 of Wedded to the Cruel Duke

“Lord Brunswick had been meaning to court my sister… before news of my scandal erupted all over London,” she told him softly. “She had been invited to dine with him on the very day the papers—” She took a deep breath and sighed. “Well, I suppose her situation should improve now that we have married…”

Charles might not have been fond of attending the various social activities of theton, but he understood their behavior and attitudes well enough. Now that Phoebe was married to him, they would be more than eager to form connections with the Townsend family, if only to have access to even moreinsidergossip.

Not only that, but he was also a Marquess and heir to a Dukedom—and Phoebe now shared his title as his wife.

“In the future, I would appreciate it if you kept the curtains closed,” he told her curtly instead.

“It was only for a short while,” she reasoned with him.

He merely shot her a quelling look, before walking away in silence. He had to understand that his wife was a virtual innocent in the ways of the world. She had no idea just how dangerous it could be to even simply peer out the windows.

He sighed as he closed the door behind him in his study. This room, like his bedchamber, had been carefully chosen to make sure that the windows did not face open spaces. It did not have much in the way of natural lighting, but then again, he was used to working in the dark, by lamplight.

Sometimes, even just by candlelight.

Moments later, he was interrupted by a soft rapping on the door.

“Come in.”

He looked up to find Huxley peering in through the door with a strange expression on his ordinarily impassive features.

“You may speak.”

The butler cleared his throat. “Just as you had expected, Her Ladyship wished to know more about Wentworth Park and shedidask her maid.”

Charles nodded. He had specifically chosen the young maid who had just recently joined his household a little over a month ago. Amelia would have very little to say if Phoebe had asked her anything.

Besides, she did claim she was good with hair and he had heard that young women of thetonwere quite particular about their coiffure and their manner of dress.

“She is quite curious, Her Ladyship,” Huxley continued. “And a bit headstrong, if I may add.”

Charles frowned just a little at that. Now,thatcould pose some problems down the road.

He had seen for himself that she did not shy away from being blunt with him. He had found it refreshing as most people, with the exception of Huxley and O’Malley, treated him with great deference. While he liked maintaining a sense of discipline amongst his staff, he had to admit that it could get tedious at times.

“Make sure she has everything she could ever need and want,” he instructed Huxley. “It might take some time for her to get used to life in Wentworth Park. I do not see the need to make it any harder for her.”

The butler smiled widely. “I shall endeavor to find out Her Ladyship’s preferences, my Lord.”

He nodded.

“But what if she… wishes to go against the rules of Wentworth Park, my Lord?”

It was not only a very real possibility, but it was almost guaranteed to happen.

“In that case, just report back to me,” he told the butler.

“As you wish, my Lord.”

Later, when Huxley had finally left him alone in his study, Charles could not help but mull over the events that had transpired throughout the day.

He, himself, could scarcely believe that he was actually married, and with a special license at that. Even his own father had not been given enough time to react and had been unable to attend the wedding. No doubt, he was going to hear words of consternation from Cheshire soon…

Much to his surprise, he did not regret any of it, though.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Is it morning already? Why is it still so dark?