Chapter 11
Cassian did not know what had possessed him to ask his wife to accompany him into the village, but he had a feeling that it was his mother’s fault.
He was furious that she had gone down for breakfast that morning. She had always made a point of being absent, but he knew that she would go to see Adelaide and unsettle her. She seemed to revel in it, and Cassian knew that his wife was uncomfortable.
“I know what you are doing,” he hissed when she joined him. “Do not be awful to her.”
“I am merely warning her of what happens to ladies in your presence,” she countered. “You should be thankful that I did not tell her how this came to be.”
She pointed to the leathery skin of her cheek, which made his stomach turn.
Adelaide was not to know what had happened that night; he had made that much clear. And he knew that the only reason his mother had not said anything was that it was a bargaining chip. That was why he wanted to keep his wife far away from her.
“Are you nervous?” he asked his wife as they traveled into the village.
“A little, yes,” Adelaide replied.
He could sense her trepidation, but he did not know if it was pure concern about what was to come or the effect of her encounter with his mother.
“I should explain what happened at breakfast.”
“There is no need. Mrs. Johnson told me what you would want me to know. I am sorry that your mother is… that she is in the predicament she is in.”
Given that she had not run away from the estate screaming, she had to have only been told what was necessary, and Cassian was grateful to his housekeeper for that.
“She was not always this way,” he explained. “She will say some outlandish things, and she is in no fit state to care for herself, which is why she remains with me. With us, I should say.”
“And that is also why I am not allowed to run the household, yes?” she asked, seemingly unfazed by it all. “She wishes to retain control?”
“Precisely. I apologize, for I should have told you before, but I knew that you were reluctant about this union, and I did not want to push you further from it. I wanted to help you.”
“I understand. It is what had to be done, and there is no changing that. I can only hope that, with time, she comes to accept my presence here.”
Cassian thanked her, but he did so with gritted teeth. He knew that there would be no changing his mother’s mind; she hated what was taking place, and she would until the day she died.
It was not the kindest thing, but he hoped that day would come sooner rather than later. She was a tortured woman, and since she would not accept help of any kind, the kindest thing to do was to let her rest.
“But everyone else is lovely,” Adelaide continued. “I am already feeling more at home, thanks to them.”
“That is good. I am proud to have servants who like what they do.”
“And would it be too much to ask if I want to make a few changes to the house?”
“It would be. My mother insists that everything remain as it is, especially the—”
He did not say it. He did not need to. Adelaide had seen what remained of the west wing, had seen the scar on his mother’s face. She had no doubt concluded what had happened, and he was simply grateful that she had not blamed him for it.
“Very well,” she relented. “I only ask because—and do not think that I am complaining—it all seems very cold. There are no flowers, no paintings, nothing that would make the house a home. I would like for it to feel like a home one day.”
“As would I, but that is not what Ashford Hall is. It is a place to live; that’s all.”
Adelaide opened her mouth to say something, but they had arrived in the village, so she promptly closed it again.
They exited the carriage, and when he took her gloved hand to help her down, he noticed once again just how warm she was. She did not fit in his cold estate, not when she was the very opposite.
They looked at one another, him still holding her hand, her eyes searching his. It was evident that she knew as little about him as he did her, and he preferred it that way. If she did not know him, it would not be as painful when she decided that she wanted to leave.
And he knew it was only a matter of time before that happened.
As she looked around the village, he was pleased to see that she was happy to be there. It was a nice place to be, and he wanted her to be comfortable there, if not in their home.
She was welcome to spend her time in a better place, if that was what she wanted, as there were very few choices that she would be able to make for herself as long as his mother was there.
“Shall we meet with your tenants first?” she asked.
“We could. Though once people realize who you are, they will want to meet you. It might be best if we do that first, especially as the gifts are waiting in the carriage.”
He had admired them before they arrived—small bouquets of flowers, with jars of preserves and bread and butter, all arranged in baskets. Adelaide had made them with Mrs. Johnson’s assistance, and he had not expected so much to be accomplished in a single morning.
Cassian wished that she were able to do more, for it seemed she was most efficient.
“We can do that, yes,” she agreed. “But I do not know how to begin. I cannot simply announce that I am your Duchess, after all.”
Cassian grinned, knowing that it most certainly was.
Even with so few words, people had turned to look at them, some of them even stepping forward to speak with them.
“Pardon me,” one woman said. “Did you say that you are the new Duchess?”
Adelaide flushed scarlet. “I—yes, I am. We arrived last night.”
That was all she needed to say. Within seconds, a small crowd had gathered.
Cassian stood back and watched as she fully stepped into her role. She greeted people warmly, handing them gifts, introducing herself, and asking them about themselves. She was remarkably good at it.
He had not expected that, given her earlier trepidation. Then again, he was aware of her friendship with other duchesses, so it was not too surprising that she knew how to conduct herself.
Once they were done, she had a genuine smile on her face. She was beautiful, and though he knew he should be pleased about that, he hated it.
He did not deserve a lovely wife who could speak well and wanted to help those around them. He did not know how to be with her when kindness was impossible.
“Time for your tenants,” she announced.
With that, they resumed their walk.
“That was easier than I expected,” she noted. “I cannot believe I said that, though! I did not intend to attract so much attention simply by speaking.”
“You should grow accustomed to it. With your position, all eyes will be on you. You are one of the most important people here now.”
“I know, but it feels so strange. I am used to people looking past me, as if I am not there.”
“Then it is just as well that it will no longer happen to you. I cannot believe that you have been invisible for so long.”
“It is what happens when one upsets Mr. Hargrave.”
Cassian was quite convinced that he hated the man, but it was no longer of any importance. Hargrave was long gone, and they were married, and they would never have to see him again.
But that did not make him any less inclined to protect her.
He did not understand why that was. He was not supposed to care for anyone but himself; he had made that decision long ago.
The first tenant was Mr. Fenton, a farmer who had written to him about troubles with flooding. But one look was all Cassian needed to know that the solution was simple enough.
“It only needs some better drainage,” he explained. “I shall arrange for that. In the meantime, I will cover your expenses.”
“There is no need, Your Grace, truly. I did not mean for you to—”
“That is what will be done,” Cassian insisted. “I know that is not what you were asking for, which is precisely why I am happy to give it to you. Do you understand?”
“Yes, Your Grace. Thank you.” Mr. Fenton bowed his head, before turning to Adelaide. “And it is nice to meet you, Your Grace.”
Adelaide had been busy studying the man’s family. He had a daughter and a son, and they were playing together, jumping in the puddles where the flooding had occurred.
“They are lovely,” she noted.
“Thank you. It is nice to see that His Grace has finally settled down. You are more than welcome here, believe me.”
“I certainly feel it. Everyone has been so kind.”
Cassian could hear them talking, but he was also drawn to the two children at play. They could not have been older than ten, and they were laughing brightly, unaware that the puddles they were playing in were what their father was concerned about.
He missed being that carefree, and he had to commend Mr. Fenton for not revealing that they were struggling. He wished his father had been like that.
Once they had finished speaking with Mr. Fenton, they moved on. Cassian watched as Adelaide’s expression grew brighter, her smile remaining genuine. When they returned to their carriage, however, her face fell.
“Are you not happy to return?” he asked.
“I am,” she replied. “I simply enjoyed my time here today. It is a lovely village.”
“It is. But you have not seen all of it yet. If you want to see Ashford in its entirety, I suggest that you come with your lady’s maid. She will show you the best spots.”
“Can I ask you something?” she asked, once as they were seated. “Do you help people here because we cannot do anything in our home?”
It was a bold question, and one that he had never thought about. He had never considered that he would spend his time in the village because he was not allowed to do so in his own home, but he could not deny that it made sense.
“I suppose, in a way. Then again, I know just how privileged I am. I feel like I have a duty to protect those who are not.”
“Like me.” Adelaide had said it absent-mindedly, as though she had not intended for him to hear it.
Cassian wanted to refute her claim, but of course, he could not. He had only married her because she had no other choice.
Nor did he, he reminded himself.