Chapter Eleven #4
Arthur put his hand on her elbow and guided her across the hall to the staircase. “I’ll show you, and Carter will be sure to have a maid help you.”
Entering the suite, Daphne was followed by Arthur. He hadn’t been in here in ages. Nothing in the house had ever changed, and it might be time to refresh it.
“You have quite a devoted man in Carter,” she said as she walked to the windows to look out at the rose garden. It was spectacular, well maintained for many years.
“Yes, though as I said before, he’s supposed to be retired. The man worked here from the time he was twelve. I think he’s due.”
Facing the gardens, she continued. “You’ve never replaced him?”
“No, I haven’t a reason to. I only visit a couple times a year. I’ve seen no need, at least while he is still alive,” he replied.
Turning back around to face him, Daphne smiled. “You are a good man, Arthur.”
“I’ve been known to have my moments,” he quipped. He pointed in the direction of a separate room. “Bedroom is through there along with a dressing and bathing room.”
“How delightful. Where should I meet you when I’m finished?”
“I’ll come for you in two hours, if that’s enough time. I’ll give you the tour of the house. It can be quite a maze.”
“Yes, I don’t want to get lost.”
He moved closer to her and wrapped his arms around her.
“You’re smart. I’m sure you’d figure it out,” he said before lifting her face with one hand and softly kissing her on the lips.
The kiss deepened. Arthur groaned at his body’s traitorous behavior.
He wanted her, and if he had his way, he’d make love to her right here in this room.
Instead, he pulled away. “You’re quite the vixen.
I find it extremely hard to resist your charms.”
“Soon, my love, soon,” she whispered.
“And I’m going to enjoy every moment.”
She wanted to reply but felt it might bring things to a head before their marriage. “I’ll see you in two hours, Your Grace.”
He grunted before loosening his hold on her. Turning, he walked out of the room, leaving Daphne alone.
In turn, Daphne walked into the bed chamber.
In it was a large dark-stained bed frame with heavy gold curtains hung on all four sides.
Hearing a noise in the bathing chamber, she turned and continued.
The bathing chamber was larger than she imagined, and to one side of the room sat a large white porcelain tub.
She realized the house had been plumbed for running water.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a young girl unpacking what few clothes she had.
“I apologize if I startled you, my lady,” she said nervously. “My name is Polly. I’ll be your lady’s maid while you’re in residence.”
“No need to apologize, Polly. I’m sure we’ll get on famously. I thought I’d draw a bath before I do anything else.”
“I can do that. While you’re bathing, I’ll set out a change of clothes and take these other two dresses to be tidied up.”
“His Grace and I left London in rather a hurry, which is why I have not much in the way of clothes. I’m hoping I can find a dressmaker in the village. His Grace wishes to stay for at least a fortnight, so I will need more clothes.”
“Mrs. Mackenzie is a wonderful dressmaker.”
“Thank you, I’ll keep her in mind.”
Walking over to the tub, Daphne cracked each of the taps and began filling the tub.
Finally, she found the perfect combination of hot and cold and left the tub to fill.
She undressed and crawled in. It was heavenly, especially after adding some orange blossom oil she found to the water.
She lay back against the far end of the tub and immersed herself in the water as far as she could.
When she finally did step out of the tub, she found a robe lying on a chair along with a warm towel.
There was no sign of the young maid Polly, and Daphne concluded she must have taken her other dresses to the laundry.
Donning the robe, she found a fire had been lit to warm the room.
It was also perfect for her to dry her hair.
Polly had left her undergarments and dress on the bed.
The slippers she had been wearing since the ball were cleaned and waiting on the floor.
After dressing, she sat near the fire and waited for Arthur.
Closing her eyes momentarily, she was consumed by dreams, most of which she had no idea of their meaning.
A knock on the door caught her attention as she rose and walked to the door.
Arthur looked quite handsome, having bathed and changed his clothes.
“Are you ready for your grand tour, my lady?”
“Yes,” she replied.
He led her down the room, pointing out to her his suite, which was where they would be staying after they were married. She felt her face flush and tried to turn away so Arthur wouldn’t notice. They made their way to a drawing room, where a tray with tea and cakes had recently been placed.
Daphne gazed about the room. “I feel as though I’m living in the Tudor era. Has the house never been redecorated?”
“Not in my lifetime. It was one of the reasons my mother was not fond of this estate.”
“Perhaps we ought to think about doing just that.”
“Agreed. What if we look at beginning next summer while we’re here? We can find someone who knows how to do it and bring them here to make suggestions.”
“That would be perfect, Arthur. I don’t want to make any major changes, just update what is already here.”
She walked over to the tray and fixed a cup of tea for each of them. She passed a cup to Arthur. “Would you like something to eat?”
“I spy a couple of pieces of marmalade cake. I’ll take one.”
Placing the cake on the plate, she added a couple of other pieces of sweets. “Here you go.”
“Thank you.”
She sat down across from Arthur with her tea and a couple of small sandwiches of roast chicken and cucumber. “Tomorrow will be a busy day for you.”
“Quite so, though I imagine you’ll be busy yourself if we can put together a ceremony quickly.”
“Is there a family chapel on the estate?”
“Yes, there is, though I can’t tell you the last time it was used.”
She smiled over her cup at him. “It would need cleaning up?”
“To say the least. I thought we might hold the ceremony here in the drawing room.”
She glanced about the room. Perhaps some flowers from the gardens would liven it up. “Yes, I think it will do. If I can get fresh flowers in here, it should be fine. It’s only you and I, the vicar, and our witnesses.”
“I promise once this is all settled and we return to Kent, we’ll throw a dinner party to celebrate.”
She smiled demurely at him. “I’d like that. I still can’t believe I’m going to be a duchess. I keep wanting to pinch myself, but if it’s a dream, I don’t want to wake up.”
“It’s not a dream, I can assure you.”
“Are you going to write your sister, telling her what’s transpired?”
He grinned like the naughty boy she was sure he had been years ago. “I’m sure she figured it all out, but I’ll send her a letter. And you?”
“Yes, I thought we could send both out at the same time so hopefully they arrive at their destinations at the same time.”
He licked his fingers as he finished his cake. “That’s a great idea. How do you think they’ve reacted?”
“I’m sure my father will be grateful to you for eternity. He regretted his decision with Black the moment he agreed.”