Chapter 6
Chapter Six
"Stop, stop," Mari pleaded. "It is too much." She stomped her foot and stopped dead in her tracks on the second floor of Willowmere Estate.
When she realized what she'd said, Mari gasped and covered her mouth with both hands. "Oh, my sincere apologies, Your Grace," she said against her fingers.
Eyes wide, she stared up at Theo. Clearly his little girl was in distress.
They were in the midst of a tour of the estate and seeing the near-panic in his bride's face, Theo felt like a twit. To him, this was all normal. Almost commonplace. But to his new bride, who had already expressed her concerns at taking on the role of duchess, it had to be overwhelming.
However, that did not excuse a tantrum.
Taking her firmly by the arm, he led his new bride down the hall and into a large bedchamber he'd designed just for her. This was not how he'd intended to share this special space with Marigold for the first time, but it seemed it was necessary.
Closing the door behind him, he knelt down in front of Mari and took both her hands in his. Silently, she gaped around the room, her eyes wide with astonishment. "Oh, Papa," she whispered, and his heart soared to hear her say it. "It is beautiful."
"I am glad you like it, little girl," he said, squeezing her hands to get her attention. "It is meant to be a special place for us to spend time together as Papa and Little Mari."
"It is wonderful," she said. "Thank you."
"You're very welcome," he replied. "But this room is also for when you misbehave."
Her face fell. "Misbehave?" she asked.
"Yes. For example, stomping your foot at Papa."
Her pink lips, which he had so enjoyed kissing in the carriage, fell open. "I am sorry. Truly I am. But it was all so much. The staff and the gardens and the big house. And we've only gotten to a small part of it."
"Yes," Theo said. "I ought to have realized it might be overwhelming for you. What I take for granted is probably much more daunting to you. And while I take responsibility for my part, that does not give you the right to stomp your foot.”
There was a long pause. "A-are you going to p-punish me?" she asked.
It took all of Theo's resolve not to gather his anxious little bride into his arms and soothe away her worries, but he knew he had to begin as he meant to continue and so correction would come first.
"I believe a few minutes of corner time will help you to settle down and clear your head. There will be punishment and then I will give you a tour of your room."
"Really?" She smiled up at him and he was sorely tempted to ignore her punishment.
Before he changed his mind, Theo led his bride to a corner of the room and stood her where he wanted her. "You will remain here without talking or moving until I come to get you. Do you understand?"
"Yes," she said, forlornly. "I am sorry. I have ruined our wedding day."
Putting a finger beneath her chin, he raised her gaze to his. "Nothing could be further from the truth. We are just getting started. Now, be a good girl and stand in the corner. I promise there will be a nice surprise for you when you are finished. If you do as you are told."
"I will. I promise." And like an obedient little girl, she turned to face the corner.
Mari fought back tears as she stood and stared at the freshly painted white wall. Papa had made a special nursery just for her but instead of enjoying it, and maybe getting more kisses like she had in the carriage, Mari was standing in the corner.
She didn't know what had gotten into her, but by the time they arrived at Willowmere Estate and she marveled at the size of the property, including gardens that stretched as far as the eye could see, then went inside the imposing manor with its row upon row of windows and wings extending on the east and west sides, her head spun.
After that, she'd been introduced to a housekeeper and steward and butler and on and on and on. By the time they'd reached the second floor, she had simply had enough.
And she'd ruined everything.
A slow tear rolled down her cheek. It was followed by another. And another.
This was meant to be the happiest day of her life. And for many reasons, it had been almost beyond comprehension.
But now she was standing in the corner. She had disappointed her papa. She’d stomped her foot at him. Not only was he her Papa, but he was a duke.
A pit formed in her stomach. What would Miss Wickersham say about such a breach of etiquette? She had prided herself on making sure each of the girls in her care were trained to have impeccable manners and within hours, Mari had behaved horribly.
More tears ran down her cheeks. She started to lift her hand to brush them away when she remembered Papa’s admonition… do not move. So she put her hands back down at her sides and tried very hard to stop crying but it seemed the more she tried to stop, the harder the tears fell.
A soft piece of fabric was brushed across her cheeks, then her eyes were carefully dabbed.
Of course it was her Papa. She looked up at him and opened her mouth to say, “thank you,” but he put a finger to his lips, reminding her that she was not supposed to talk.
He put the handkerchief in her hand and when she glanced down at it, she remembered their first meeting and how he had tended to her wound.
Her Papa would always take care of her, she knew that for certain.
A wave of calm washed over her and she squeezed the linen handkerchief in her hand. She had a papa, just like Miss Wickersham had promised. A kind man to love and care for her. To keep her safe and make sure she never suffered again.
Her tears stopped and she stared into the corner of the room with renewed determination to be the best little girl and wife she could be. Mari was no stranger to hard work and she’d use every ounce of energy she had to make sure she was the perfect wife for Theo.
A few moments later, Papa came and rested his hands on her shoulders, turning her to face him. Their eyes met and a quiver of heat moved through her. Her husband brought out many new and thrilling feelings in her.