Chapter 15
Chapter Fifteen
The morning after her wedding, Tamsin found herself in her new mother-in-law’s favorite room looking out at the sleeping rose garden.
It was apparently the room where her mother-in-law entertained during evenings when her roses were in bloom.
At this time of the year, with the mid-morning sun fairly blocked by the buildings surrounding the small courtyard, it was a gray and silent place for one to think.
When Tamsin had dressed quietly and left her room, she had not wanted to find anyone else—but she also had not wanted to linger in her bed.
A bed she had shared with another the evening before.
Heat crept up the back of her neck at the memory of her wedding night: not shame, nor embarrassment, but memories of unexpected tenderness. “Thank goodness for Matilda,” she murmured aloud. “My dear friend’s explanation of what to expect was far more useful than my stepmother’s vague meanderings.”
She looked down at the only soul in the room to hear her. Athena. Her husband’s beautiful dog had been on the landing when Tamsin made her way downstairs, and now the large beast sat beside her, having whatever thoughts a dog had at such moments.
The house was quiet. Which made sense, she supposed. Her husband had woken hours before, and her mother-in-law was staying in their family’s country house this first week to give the newlyweds privacy.
“Can you imagine if she had stayed?” She rubbed Athena behind one ear.
“I would have had to look her in the eye this morning, knowing she knew…oh dear. Not everything. But the general subject matter…” Her voice trailed away as her cheeks seemingly caught fire, given the way they felt in that moment.
Putting both hands on her cheeks, Tamsin took in a deep, trembling breath. Athena looked up and whined softly, leaning her shoulder into Tamsin’s thigh, perhaps sensing the distress of her new mistress.
“Never fear. It was not terrible, or anything like that. Roman is kind and thoughtful. Gentle.” She cleared her throat and sat in the nearest chair.
Athena put her head in Tamsin’s lap, her big brown eyes full of sympathy.
“Yes. I am merely surprised by how…not surprised I am.” She returned to giving Athena gentle pets, stroking from the top of her large skull down the back of her neck to her shoulders.
“I think it all went well, though I dare not ask. How would one even ask such a thing of a man? That would presume he knows so much more on the matter. If it was terrible, I would rather not know.”
Athena huffed as though she understood, which drew a soft giggle from Tamsin, and she leaned her head back against the chair, relaxing at last.
“Precisely. A change of subject, then? I understand the weather is generally considered safe.”
The dog did not appear enthusiastic about the topic, but she did not protest either.
Tamsin hadn’t ever had a pet of her own and this dog belonged to her husband. But Athena made it easy to be fond of her. Despite her size she was gentle, careful with herself and mannerly. The intelligence and warmth in her big eyes immediately made one feel Athena would look after them.
“You are excellent company, Athena. I think we are going to get on very well.”
A step in the hall made her turn to the door.
“No, my lord. She didn’t ring at all,” a voice said. It sounded like the housekeeper.
Roman answered, voice growing louder as footfalls approached the door. “She will be here somewhere. A baroness does not simply disappear.”
The door opened and she hastily rose to her feet to curtsy. “Hartwell—my lord. I am here.”
“Ah. Yes, you are.” He turned to say over his shoulder, “I found her, Mrs. Briers.” He glanced back at Tamsin. “Do you wish for breakfast? Either here or in the dining room?”
“Oh, there is no need to go to any effort—” Her protest died when his brow furrowed.
“Tamsin. You hardly ate yesterday. You need breakfast, and our staff are here to make certain all your needs are seen to. It is not ‘effort,’ It is expected.” His expression remained calm other than the crease above his eyebrows. “A tray in here, then? Some tea?”
The man was quite determined.
“Yes. Thank you.”
He turned over his shoulder again. “Bring a breakfast tray for the baroness here, Mrs. Briers. Thank you.” He stepped fully into the room and closed the door behind him.
A little shock went through her. Never had she been in a room alone with a man who was unrelated to her, door closed, until…well. Last evening. Being married would take a lot of getting used to, and a lifetime of training had to adjust to the circumstances.
Roman crossed the room to stand before her. “Are you well? Has someone upset you? Mrs. Briers came to find me after your maid came to wait on you but you were gone, the bed made. Why did you make the bed, Tamsin?”
His use of the familiar name brought her back to herself at last, and a laugh escaped on a breath of air. “I am not supposed to tidy my own bed anymore? I supposed that would look rather strange in this household. I am used to managing little things on my own, my lord.”
“Roman.”
She curled her fingers in her skirts as her pulse quickened. “I-I beg your pardon?”
His gaze remained steady. “We agreed last evening that you would call me Roman, when…when we are alone.”
That made the blush return to her cheeks. “Oh. Oh, I thought that was only for our private chambers.”
The smallest twitch of his lips gave the only clue as to his feelings on that idea, or perhaps the memory of the evening before.
He reached out with both hands and carefully took the one of hers not currently twisting the fabric of her gown.
He brought her hand slowly up to his lips and kissed the back of her fingers.
“There and anywhere else, Tamsin, when it is only we two together.”
The warmth of his lips traveled through her blood, soft and brief as it was. It turned her shy immediately and she hastily dropped her gaze, making eye contact with Athena, who sat between them watching them both with a curious tilt to her head.
“Did you sleep well?” her husband asked, still holding her hand between his.
Words. She knew words. “I did. Thank you.”
“I thought it best to go about my schedule as normal,” he informed her, voice low and gentle while she avoided eye contact. “I hope I did not wake you when I left the room?”
She shook her head. “No. That is, I was aware that you left, but still tired enough that it did not really disturb my own rest.”
“Good.” He gave her hand a gentle press then slowly released it. “Why did you not ring for your maid to dress? Or have breakfast in bed, like a proper married woman?”
Tamsin looked up quickly, concerned at the censure, but immediately relaxed when she saw that slight curve of a smile again, as well as a brightness in his eyes.
He was not upset she had behaved contrary to what he expected.
That made it easier to smile back. “As I said, I am used to managing the small things on my own. I did not even think about having breakfast in bed, though I suppose that is why nothing was laid out on the sideboard. Where did you take your breakfast? Perhaps we could eat together, tomorrow.”
“Ah. Usually in my study, if it is only my mother and myself at home. She has a tray sent up.” He tucked his hands behind his back.
“But if you wish, we can both breakfast in the dining room tomorrow.” He considered her a moment, then glanced down at Athena.
“I see this one is enjoying your company.”
“Yes. She followed me downstairs and is an excellent listener.”
His shoulders relaxed. “I have always found that to be true of both Apollo and Athena. Though she seems much more the sympathetic sort. I am glad she found you.” He stepped back at last, and Tamsin took in a deeper breath.
“Won’t you sit, Tamsin? I have a little time to spare, and I would like to spend it in your company before I attend to other matters.
” He settled in one of the chairs near her own.
Tamsin lowered herself back onto her chair, folding her hands in her lap. “May I inquire what it is you must attend to? I confess to some curiosity about your schedule and how you spend your days.”
Not once did he take his eyes from her as he gave the faintest of sighs.
“I am afraid you might find it quite dull. There are always letters to be written to political allies all over Britain, many here in York, too. The usual invitations to extend or accept. Letters to my man of business or to Lyness, as he is our estate manager these many years. Matters of politics and finance take time and concentration. I read the papers every day, those that I find most informative, to make note of people and events which impact those same dealings.” He tapped the arm of his chair with one long finger.
“Then there are many local matters I am involved in, meetings here in the city. I am a frequent guest at the merchant hall, the offices for the York Herald, and I am a member of some of the Lord Mayors committees. There is a constant demand on my time, both in regard to the nation and the city.”
A constant demand? Her father was a country gentleman with a small estate, with seemingly nothing but leisure time. The leap in responsibility between the two men was large.
“I see now why you had to begin your day so much earlier than my own.” As she spoke, Athena laid down beside her chair and delicately rested her chin on Tamsin’s foot.
Roman glanced at the dog, then back up at his wife. “You can tell her to move, Tamsin. You need not act as Athena’s pillow.”
“I do not mind. I am pleased she likes me so well.” Tamsin looked down fondly at the large animal stretched out on the carpet. “She is a very good dog.”
Athena’s tail briefly drummed upon the floor at the words she must know well.