by Abby Ayles
“Oh, right. Of course. Thank you, Mr. Rogers,” the duke said, almost as if trying to shake off the words that had left him with so much confusion.
How was he to remember every day to do something small for Miss Caulfield when he had scarcely been able to recall that he was to marry her in all this time?
The duke was made to wait in the church as Miss Caulfield’s family arrived, along with a few of her friends. His own friend, His Grace, William Stanley, the Duke of Arborshire, arrived as well. And soon it seemed as though every townsperson from within the small community had arrived.
The duke had not anticipated such an audience. It caused him a bit of discomfort, but he tried his best to push aside the feeling. Why should they not desire to see their own friend, a young woman they had known all her life, marry a nobleman? It was really no surprise when he thought it through.
Before he knew it, the door of the church opened again, this time revealing an exquisite figure in white, making her way down the aisle.
Beneath a veil of antique lace, the sort likely worn by her mother and generations before her, was a hint of the thick, dark hair that he had seen from Miss Caulfield. And as she came closer, he could see the vague outline of familiar features.
Mr. Rogers began his sermon and a hymn was sung. The duke could feel the way his bride would not look at him directly, but kept her eyes on the walls, the floor, or simply on Mr. Rogers. She seemed completely discomfited.
More was said by Mr. Rogers about the blossoming of love and scripture was read to reflect that. It seemed that the man had a very specific view of marriage that the duke realized was a romanticized version of the inconvenience of the day.
He spoke of using society to better the sanctity and covenant of the marriage commitment. The Duke of Sandon was, as before, trying to work in his brain how this might apply to his unwanted marriage with the young woman beside him.
Soon, the duke was placing a ring upon Miss Caulfield’s finger.
“It is commitment that shall lead you on your way,” Mr. Rogers said, coming to a conclusion. The way he uttered the word ‘commitment’, the duke sensed that he had shared this talk with both of them. He wondered what advice he had given to Miss Caulfield in his counsel with her.
And as the ceremony came to a close, she was no longer Miss Caulfield. The Duke of Sandon realized that she, the Duchess of Sandon, was now his wife.
The veil was removed at the very end of the wedding, just before they left the pulpit. The duke looked upon her face and was suddenly struck by her beauty.
The green of her eyes, the pertness of her nose, and the way her form looked beneath the dress. He had not expected to be so taken aback by her outward appearance.
Knowing still that she was unlikely more than her beauty, the duke tried to ignore it. He did not wish to allow himself to hope for a marriage of substance when his wife was merely a thing to behold.
It seemed wrong somehow for him to pin her into such a box as that, but he also did not wish to have unrealistic expectations of her.
They made their way out of the church with the town and friends cheering behind them. His bride seemed to hardly notice the commotion but was rather held up by her own anxieties that floundered her.
The duke looked at the carriage ahead and knew that it would not be wise for him to simply take her to his home and expect her to be comfortable. He would need to quickly come up with an idea. A small inconvenience, he supposed.
Knowing what little as he did about her, only one thing came to mind, and he hoped it would help.
“Miss Caul-I-forgive me. I mean, Your Grace,” he began. For the first time that day, the young woman looked up at him as if the title were so foreign a thing to her that she could hardly keep herself from running away.
“I had thought we might take a short ride around the country this afternoon. Would you like that?” he asked.
Seeing that she was clearly frightened by what might await her upon the arrival of his home, the duke was not surprised when she nodded her head.
He smiled comfortingly at her and helped her into the coach before making his way to the coachman and instructing him on where they ought to go. Then he joined her in the back of it and they set off on their journey.
The duchess was silent as they rode, but she stared out the window at everything they passed. The whole day, she had uttered only her agreement to the marriage and little else.
The duke was unsure if it was still out of fear or rather anger and frustration that the wedding had taken place. He supposed he could not blame her for either thing. They had not left on good terms the night of the dance. She had made it clear that she did not wish to see or spend time with him.
And yet, he hoped, that soon they might live in harmony. If she was too stubborn or arrogant for that, then he would simply throw the thought of it aside. The duke was a busy man. He would not have to be home much. He could spend his time out as he did now, but perhaps even more so.
And yet, he considered, perhaps he could also try harder to make his new bride happy and comfortable. He still recalled his own responsibility in this marriage. Could he truly condemn her to a life in which she was miserable and then write her off for her pettiness?
Whatever substance might lie within the new duchess, he hoped that it might be seen in time. For now, he allowed her to sulk and pretended that it did not bother him that she was so passionately disinterested.
Would she remain so the whole of their lives?
Chapter 13
Thea had hoped that the Duke of Sandon might at least say something to her on their ride through the country, but he had remained silent. She was still unsure how she could possibly begin a conversation.
Truly, she did not know that she wished to. But regardless of her wishes, Thea did want the two of them to at least manage a few words now and again to promote the possibility of their marriage being, if not happy, at least contented.
But they arrived at his estate without a word being spoken and the sight of the home from a distance had stirred within Thea a great and terrible awe. From the turrets that reminded her of an ancient castle to the lamps of pure silver that hung on either side of the door, she could not believe it. Great gardens rested on either side of the home, leading to exquisite smells.
Who was this man she had married? How was it possible for him to own such a palace as this? Was it a gift from the King himself? It hardly seemed possible.
Soon, the coach was in the shadow of the estate and finally, they were being led into the front doors by a staff that greeted them upon their arrival.
“Welcome to Wisby Estate,” the duke said with a smile.
Thea gazed upon her surroundings. The entrance of the home was larger than the entire house her family lived in. Made of marble and other precious materials, it seemed a sin just to walk upon the floor.
“I would like for you to meet the staff,” the duke continued. “This is not the full of them, but I did not wish to overwhelm you. This is Mr. Higgins, he is our chef. If your heart desires any specialty, he is the one to ask. A magnificent cook, he is. And his assistant, Mr. Thompson. You shall not go hungry here, I can assure you.
“And our housekeeper, Mrs. Markley. She is the head of housekeeping, but you will see that she oversees three young women who keep the estate in proper order. For the time being, they only have to deal with the kitchen, the study, the library, and my bedroom, as the estate is still under way,” he added, noting the fact that the home was still incomplete on the inside.
“However,” he continued, “I have ensured in advance of your coming that your bedroom and the parlor also be completed. Mrs. Markley will show you your room, as well as the others. The parlor is for you to use as you wish. I have had it stocked with sewing equipment and other things I’m told young women enjoy.”
“Thank you,” Thea said cautiously. She had not anticipated to be so overwhelmed simply by the home. She was frightened enough about what the duke mi
ght be expecting of her now that they were husband and wife. And yet, she could hardly refrain from the weight of simply looking around herself.
“Anyways, Mrs. Markley, would you be willing to show the duchess to the various rooms that she might find of interest and then to her own bedroom?” the Duke of Sandon instructed.
“Please follow me, Your Grace,” Mrs. Markley said, giving Thea a gentle curtsey.
Thea followed and noted that her belongings, packed the previous day, had been brought and were being carried up the stairs to what she assumed must be her room. She wondered still what might await her up there.
“First, I must show you the study. This is where you will go if you are looking for His Grace. It is for his private use, but he will allow you to enter so long as he is there,” Mrs. Markley said, leading Thea to another room on the first floor.
Having a look inside without entering, Thea was astounded by the detail of the cherry wood desk and the matching shelves that lined the walls. Thick, luxurious curtains hung from the windows to prevent the room from being bleached by the sun. At the moment, they were opened enough to allow a good deal of light in.
“It is…incredible,” Thea said in awe.
“Oh yes, Your Grace. The entire home leaves one with a sense of amazement, does it not? You are a very fortunate woman to be married to the Duke of Sandon. I can only imagine what envy other young ladies have had!” Mrs. Markley exclaimed.
“Well, I suppose. Particularly because of my station, you know…” Thea added bitterly.
“Your station, Your Grace?” Mrs. Markley inquired as they continued walking.
“Well, the fact that the Duke of Sandon married so below his rank. Not only have people gossiped about it, but they have told me repeatedly how fortunate I am,” she said.
“Oh, forgive me, Your Grace. I was not aware of that. But it matters not anymore. You are a duchess now and whatever your former title might have been, it is gone,” Mrs. Markley said. “All he told the staff was that he was to be wed to a gentle young woman from a good family.”
“From a good family?” Thea asked, knowing this often was interpreted as a family of breeding, which hers was not. But it would seem he had meant it in the sense of who they truly were rather than what they held in their possession.
Thea was taken aback. The duke had not told his staff about her station? That she was no higher in rank than one of them? It was a surprise and a comfort. She would have anticipated that he had told them not to worry too much about making her comfortable as she did not expect much.
But she had never thought he would try to preserve her dignity within the home by remaining quiet about it.
They reached the library, which was the most magnificent thing Thea had ever seen. Mrs. Markley took her inside and allowed her to walk the two long rows that stretched to the staircase. Up the five steps, the platform held thousands more volumes.
“I have never imagined such a sight in all my life,” Thea confessed, the shock of it all still overwhelming her.
“Nor had I, Your Grace. The duke is not the first nobleman for whom I have worked, but he is, certainly, the most well-read. Also, the kindest and most intelligent. Truly, he is a grand man, a handsome man, and you are a very lucky woman,” Mrs. Markley said dreamily.
Thea considered the words and, while it was true that he was a handsome man, she could not imagine that the rest was so true as Mrs. Markley had said. The Duke of Sandon was, quite obviously, a wealthy man. But did that make him kind or intelligent?
And if he was truly well-read, she would come to know in time. Thea had not been afforded many volumes of her own keeping, but she had visited the library as often as she could.
Now, she had thousands of books at her fingertips. Books in different languages, of which she knew only two. Books from eras long past and books published as recently as the previous month.
It was incredible.
“Your Grace, you shall have a great deal of time to spend here, but we ought to make our way to the dining room so that you know where to come for tea this evening,” Mrs. Markley noted.
Thea nodded and followed. After the library, nothing could hold Thea’s heart so intently, but the dining area did prove to be another astounding piece of art. Thea was amazed by everything she saw. The table and chairs seemed to have been designed far from England and the room was covered in silver utensils.
From there, they made their way back through the entrance and to the east wing of the ground level to where the parlor sat.
“This has been set aside for you, Your Grace. If you have a look in that trunk there, you will find many materials and needles and threads. His Grace instructed us to have them ready, but also told us that you may be in need of other comforts and entertainment. Should anything else take your fancy, please let me know,” Mrs. Markley instructed.
“I shall, thank you very much,” Thea replied.
“It is nothing, Your Grace. Only my duty and I am happy to perform it. His Grace has also informed us that the room across the hall will be reserved for your use, but it is as of yet unfinished. Would you like to see it?” Mrs. Markley asked.
Thea nodded, wondering what it could possibly be after all she had seen thus far.
They crossed the hall and Mrs. Markley opened the door to reveal a large room that remained entirely empty save for a stunning pianoforte.
Thea’s mouth dropped open.
“B-but I cannot play,” she said, forlornly.
“Lessons have been arranged for you, Your Grace. The duke has hired one of the best composers in all of England to teach you. He informed me that you will take lessons only so long as you wish and if it is of no interest to you, then it will not trouble him,” Mrs. Markley informed her.
Thea stared at the black and white keys, frightened to touch them lest they should break.
She determined in that moment that this was an opportunity for commitment. The duke had done a very kind thing in arranging this for her. She would make every effort to learn successfully. It would not be easy, nor comfortable, but she would do it to the best of her ability.
Finally, they made their way up the stairs and Thea was shown her bedroom on the second floor.
“The Duke of Sandon’s bedroom is on the opposite end, Your Grace. I understand that it is a lengthy pace, but he asked that we put you in here that you might have some privacy and not be stuck directly beside him,” Mrs. Markley said with a small laugh.
Entering her new room, Thea smiled. It was another exquisite vision, but it already held some of her own belongings and that made it marginally less foreign. The deep, red velvet curtains matched the comforter on her four-post bed. The dresser and mirror were etched beautifully.
In all, Thea was growing from overwhelmed to utterly thrilled by these accoutrements. She had not considered herself to be so easily taken by mere things, but she could not help herself from being so amazed by all that the duke had.
Mrs. Markley left Thea to ready herself for dinner. Opening the wardrobe as instructed, Thea found a small assortment of new dresses. There was a note from the duke saying that he did not know if they would be her exact size, but he wished to get her something and she was welcome to try them.
She changed into one, but realized it was a little too large in some parts. She could take it in herself at another time. The other two dresses had the same problem, so she decided to wear one of her own.
After she was ready, Thea made her way down to the dining hall as Mrs. Markley had instructed. The duke was already sitting, waiting for her.
“Your Grace,” she greeted, and he replied.
“Your home is exquisite,” Thea noted, taking her seat.
“Well, it is our home now,” the duke replied. She sensed that he was looking at her dress with slight disappointment.
“Thank you for the clothing as well. I shall have to take the dresses in, just slightly. They are lovely, and I look forward to wearing them,” she said politely.
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Something about the excitement of her new home had loosened Thea’s lips. She wondered if the duke thought her shallow as a result, but she didn’t mind. She was simply glad to have had some time to herself to indulge in the beauty of the home.
“I had thought, as well, that if it would be of convenience to you,” she began, “I might arrange to finish the furnishing of the home?”
The duke looked at her with contended surprise.
“I only say it because I have learned much from my father. You could say that I have an eye for these things…” she said with sudden embarrassment for having spoken like that. Who was she, a pauper, to offer to decorate a home like this?
