Chapter 8
Chapter Eight
Despite how her breakfast had ended, Iris was feeling rather proud of herself. The way she had stood up to the duke. The way she had asserted herself and controlled those pesky desires. It was, in her opinion, a step forward, and one she needed to be proud of.
Yes, there was that little matter about how she had felt immediately when it was over. The voice in the back of her head that told her without hesitation that the next time she might not be so lucky…
Do not worry about that. For now, be glad that you managed to stand up for yourself and remind the duke that you are not his plaything. Surely, that is worth celebrating.
With that in mind, Iris was determined to approach this day differently to how she had the first. This was her home, after all, and it would not do to act as if she was a stranger to these hallways.
In fact, taken by a sudden sting of bravery, she decided once she finished her breakfast to do what she ought to have that first day.
So it was that Iris soon found herself standing at the entrance to the eastern wing of the manor.
Its entrance opened into a large foyer, a winding set of steps, and several hallways to choose from. She eyed those hallways, thinking that there couldn’t be anything too exciting down them. Likely it was just more bedrooms, perhaps some storage space, and a whole lot of nothing…
“Your Grace?” a voice spoke from behind her.
She cried out and jumped, exhaling with relief when she turned to find Mr. Tibbitt standing behind her. “You scared me!”
“I did not mean to,” he said sincerely. “I just wished to see if you wanted anything.”
“No…” She turned back to face the wing. “Just doing some exploring. Nothing to worry yourself with.”
“Oh…” He clicked his tongue. “Forgive me for saying, Your Grace but, well, His Grace does not appreciate trespassers in this wing of the house.”
“Is that what I am?” She cocked an eyebrow at him. “A trespasser.”
His eyes widened. “I did not mean it like that, Your Grace. I simply meant – there is nothing down there worthy of exploring. Surely, with a day like this one, you would be better to be outside.”
She scoffed. “I am sure there will be time for that later. Besides, if His Grace does not want me to venture into this side of the house, he can tell me himself.”
That alone should have been reason enough to turn back and give up on this endeavor. She had no doubt that Mr. Tibbitt would feel compelled to tell Philip where she was, and if Philip truly was that opposed to this wing of the manor being ventured into, he would likely come and tell her off.
A thought which excites me, even though it should not. Baiting him like this… it can only end badly.
That sent a shiver up her spine. Iris told herself it was excitement felt at the chance to stand up to her husband a second time, again proving how strong she was. But she knew that to be only half the reason.
With that in mind, her heart beating quickly, she left Mr. Tibbitt there and started into the eastern wing.
Keeping to the first level, Iris treaded carefully as she followed its length.
Just as she expected, the rooms that sprung from the side of the hallway looked to be spare bedrooms, another drawing room, and even a large reading room.
She wasn’t thinking that anything exciting would be found on this journey, as it was more about proving that this was her home and she could go anywhere she liked.
But then she came to the end of the hallway and that perception changed dramatically.
The hallway stopped at a set of large double-doors.
They were closed and on first glance, she worried they would be locked.
Indeed, she could see dust coating the handles.
But she reached out and tested the handle, found it unlocked, and pushed the door open.
The doors creaked and she winced, certain that even the duke would hear. Not that this stopped her.
With the way open, she waded into the darkness, her eyes widened and her mouth dropping at what she found.
Well, this might have been nice to have been told about.
It was a library. Perhaps not the biggest she had ever seen, but there were still a dozen tall shelves, each piled with hundreds of books.
It was built around a large reading area in the center, comfortable looking couches covered in dust. And on the back wall, what she thought to be more shelves, was a gigantic window with thick curtains drawn.
Iris spun on the spot, her eyes sparkling now with wonder.
As a little girl, growing up sickly and overly protected by her mother, she had always loved to read.
And where the last few years had seen this passion fade on account of her emergence in the social scene, she knew now that it would quickly be rekindled.
Having been looking for a way to pass the time and keep herself busy, this library would certainly more than help her with such a thing.
But why would Philip keep this from me? Was it on purpose, or did he just not think about it? Likely, it was for no more reason than he simply does not care…
“What are you doing here?” a dark voice spoke from behind her.
“Oh!” Iris jumped on the spot and her heart leapt through her chest. She spun about to find Philip standing in the doorway, masked in shadow so she couldn’t make out his face. Just the massive size of his frame. “You… you scared me,” she said as she tried to catch her breathing.
“What are you doing here?” he asked again, staying by the doorway.
“I…” She felt panic seize her. “I’m sorry. I did not mean to…”
“Mr. Tibbitt told you that I preferred you stay away from this side of the manor, did he not? Yet, you chose to come anyway.”
Overcoming her initial surprise, Iris suppressed the fear that had started to creep inside of her. Despite how upset Philip clearly was with her, she decided then that he had no right to be.
He can’t have it both ways. Wanting nothing to do with me and wanting to keep me on a short leash at the same time. And he needs to know it.
“I wasn’t aware that I worked for Mr. Tibbitt,” she said sharply.
Philip leaned back. “Excuse me?”
“This is my home,” she said bravely. “You yourself said as much. And I should not have to ask permission to sneak about in my own home, nor should I be made to feel bad for doing so.” She crossed her arms and cocked an eyebrow at him.
The duke said nothing.
She could not see his eyes, but she could feel the glare in them. Iris knew already that he was no fan of her talking back at him, and she braced herself for his wrath. Which… well, she was more excited for than she should have been. Already her skin began to tingle at the mere thought of it.
“Unless you mean to tell me why I cannot visit this wing of the manor,” Iris tried next, fidgeting under the duke’s gaze. “You still have not said. Am I to simply guess?”
“Follow me,” Philip said.
“What?”
“Follow me.” And with that, Philip turned and strode from the library.
Iris hesitated, not understanding at all what had just happened. She considered ignoring him entirely, a thought that lasted for less than a second because even she was not such a fool to test his anger twice in one day.
She hurried after him, catching him a moment later.
“Where are we going?” she asked.
He gave no response, striding quickly through the house and back toward the western wing. From there it was up the stairs and down the hall, silence sitting heavy between them. And all the while she could feel his frustration mounting.
A moment later and she realized where he was taking her. But this only made her angry.
“You’re taking me to my room?” she said, unable to believe that was the case. Surely not.
“I am.” Philip threw open her door and strode inside.
Iris stood outside the door for a moment. Bewildered and confused, uncertain of what this was. That he was upset with her, that was clear. But what on earth was this really about?
With no choice, she followed the duke into her bedroom.
He was standing at its center, his arms followed, a scowl fixed across the large features of his face. “What were the three rules I gave you?” he said immediately.
She blinked and came to a stop. “The three rules? What are you—”
“Do not disturb me unless there is good reason. You will provide me with an heir within the month. And thirdly…” He raised an eyebrow. “You are not to snoop into my personal life. Two days and you’ve managed to break two of those rules already. I wonder why I bothered.”
Iris was frowning, not entirely certain she understood. “I wasn’t snooping into your personal life.”
“Yes, you were.”
“No, I wasn’t,” she said stubbornly. “I was merely exploring the home—my home. I had every right! If you did not want me to do so, perhaps that should have been the third rule.”
He groaned and rubbed his eyes. “Did you stop to think about why I did not want you in the eastern wing? Or should I have been clearer. Perhaps this is my fault.”
“You…” She gave her head a shake. “Your family. What do they have to do with the eastern wing?”
He flashed his eyes with anger. “And again, you break one of my rules. I can’t help but wonder if you are doing it on purpose, of if you are trying to get under my skin.”
“That’s not fair!” she cried. “How am I supposed to know what does and does not constitute as snooping? Seeing as you have told me next to nothing—given me nothing to work with. Am I to keep my mouth closed from now on? Stay in my room like a prisoner, so that I don’t risk upsetting you.”
“Is that an option?”
It was happening again. A brewing fight. Tempers flaring. And Iris’ pulse quickening as the excitement built inside of her. Is he doing it on purpose? She realized quickly that he probably was.