Chapter Fourteen #2
The room was done in shades of blue, with one wall papered in what appeared to be a blue silk wall covering depicting various flowers. Gold accented the room in the various chairs. Ordinarily she loved blue, but there was something not right about the room.
“Something’s off,” she said. “It may be too much blue with the wall covering, which I like. It looks almost like it came from the Orient. It’s quite elegant.”
“What did I just tell you? You know more than you think. I feel the same way when I look around.”
“Is there a smaller parlor or room we could use when it’s just you and me?” she asked.
“There is.”
“I’d like to see it, but later. I think we should look at the dining room and the library.”
“There’s also a breakfast room and a separate music room,” he replied.
“Good, let’s look at them and I’d like to see the kitchen as well,” Harriet said as they walked into the dining room, which was enormous. A long, dark-stained cherry table ran down the center of the room. There obviously was more that could be added if they had a large party or dinner.
“I don’t think I could get used to eating in such a huge room,” Harriet said.
“It is large, isn’t it?”
“It is. Come, let’s go to the kitchens,” she said.
Harriet found the kitchens to be quite efficient. The stove was new and the entire room was laid out for maximum use. From just the two of them, to a large soiree or ball. She liked that. After all, the kitchen was said to be the heart of any home.
Entering the music room a while later, Harriet was amazed.
There was a large grand piano placed in the center of the room.
A harp sat in a nearby corner. Two groupings of chairs and such were strategically placed for optimal listening.
On the wall was a paper that depicted various musical notes and symbols.
It had also been used for the upholstery on most of the chairs and sofas. It was unique and original.
“I felt the same way first time I walked in this room,” Lucien said.
“I like it,” she replied. “Someone was musical and spent a lot of time in this room.”
“Agreed. Why don’t I show you my study?”
“By all means, since that is where most men spend a lot of their time.” She flashed him a grin.
“It’s close by, and I’ll have you know I don’t spend most of my time there. Usually first thing in the morning, unless there are matters that need my attention,” he said.
The room wasn’t the dark, foreboding space many men kept. Yes, it was dark, made so by the paneling and furniture, but it also had a large window at one end that obviously brought in lots of sunshine on a good day.
When Lucien invited her to sit in front of the small fire, she refused. The couch was brown leather and had obviously been there for decades. It was one of those that were immensely uncomfortable.
“Do you want to go see how Onyx has settled in when the rain lets up?” she asked.
“Yes, you know I do, and that’s an excellent idea. Let’s check and see if the rain has cooperated,” he said taking her hand to lead her out.
Seeing there was a break in the weather, Lucien suggested they return to their room and put appropriate boots on because it would be muddy.
When they arrived at the stables, Harriet noticed a couple young boys working. They were working on polishing tack. One recognized Lucien immediately and came to greet them.
“My lord. Onyx is this way.”
“How is he doing?”
“There is a slight improvement. The problem is Onyx is getting restless from being confined to his stall.”
“That’s to be expected. Has his grain been cut back?” Lucien inquired.
“Yes, it has. His new stall does have a paddock attached, but he’s not healed enough to let him out there. The top door is also kept closed because that makes him want out all the more.”
They arrived at the stallion’s stall, where Onyx stood snorting and pawing. Upon seeing Lucien and Harriet approach, he lifted his head and walked to the stall door. Lucien opened the stall door to get a better look on the healing knees, all the time stroking the stallion’s neck.
While Lucien was doing that, Harriet fed Onyx pieces of apple the stable boy had given her. The stallion greedily took each treat like he’d never had one before.
“Is there any improvement?” she asked.
“Yes, I see significant healing. More the reason to keep him stalled, but if he continues to improve, I’ll consider letting him have time in the paddock.”
“That’s good to hear,” Harriet replied, handing the last piece of the apple to Onyx. She watched as Lucien righted himself. He petted the animal once more before closing the door that separated them.
“I’m delighted at his improvement.”
“Is it possible to perhaps give him a little more space by removing the wall between two stalls? I only say this because he’s such a huge horse and could maybe benefit from a little more room,” Harriet asked.
Lucien peered at the wood wall that separated the two stalls. “That’s a thought. I’ll speak with the stablemaster and see what he thinks of the idea.”
As they walked out of the stable, Harriet looked up at the sky which had darkened significantly. “We need to head back to the house before the rain begins again,” she said.
Lucien glanced up and nodded. He walked over to the two young men and spoke to them for a moment. When he joined her, he took her hand and began briskly walking.
“Where was the stablemaster?” she asked.
“His wife is giving birth. It’s their first child and he wanted to be there. The two grooms are quite efficient and know what to do.”
“That’s wonderful.”
“Come on, walk faster. I just felt drops.”
“So did I,” Harriet replied.
By the time they opened the door and stepped inside, the rain let loose in a downpour. Both removed their boots and left them where the knife boy would find them and polish them.
Looking at the table, Harriet noticed food had been left for them. Freshly baked scones, jam, butter. A small beef roast along with potatoes and peas was covered and waiting along with a loaf of fresh bread and a seed cake.
“Your cook is very good with being innovative, finding simple fare for us to enjoy without all the time required.”
“Yes, I think you’ll be pleased. Most of the staff stayed on, and I’m happy they did. It makes life so much easier if the household runs efficiently,” Lucien replied with a grin.
“Would you care for some tea and scones? We could be naughty and eat them in bed.”
“Hmmm. I can think of some other uses for that jam,” Lucien said.
“Lucien!”
“On second thought, perhaps we should eat them in the drawing room,” Harriet said.
“It matters not where we eat them. We have the house to ourselves. No one’s going to walk in on us, so we can be naughty anywhere we want to be,” Lucien replied.
Harriet knew he was right, but she wasn’t yet comfortable being intimate with her husband except in the privacy of their bedroom. This was still so new to her.
“Harriet? Darling, have you heard one word of what I just said?” he asked.
She suddenly looked up at him and gave him a shy smile. “I’m sorry. My mind seemed to wander. Something about us being alone?”
“It’s not important. If everything is ready, why don’t we take it upstairs to our bedroom?”
“Yes, we should. The house isn’t as warm with no one here to keep fires lit in the rest of the house.”
Harriet followed Lucien through the house.
He carried a tray with a teapot and cups and saucers.
Harriet brought the scones and jam on a smaller tray.
The house was silent except for the ticking of a grandfather clock in the upstairs hall.
She tried not to smile as she imagined the house with a passel of children—their children running through the hallways and rooms. That would come in time.
Something she would welcome. She’d always loved children, loved playing with relatives’ and friends’ youngsters.
She realized they were almost to their bedroom, so she cleared her head of all that nonsense. She and Lucien still needed to get to know each other because once this ended, he would be back into his railroad cars and overseeing this estate.
Upon entering the sitting room, she followed Lucien straight to the bed. He set the tray down on a nearby table and then, taking the one Harriet was carrying, he set it on the bed. She grinned shyly at him before going to fix them both a cup of tea.
Out of the corner of her eye, she couldn’t help but watch as Lucien stripped out of all his clothes. She couldn’t help but admire his perfect, muscular physique. It showed he spent a lot of time outdoors. As he turned towards her, she could see his cock jutting out in front of him.
Focusing on the tea, she took two cups and gave Lucien one and put the other on a table at the bedside. With a deep breath, Harriet walked around the bed to where Lucien was sitting.
“Would you mind loosening my dress?”
“Yes, of course.” He sounded to her like it was all he could do to answer her.
She moved her hair which she had left down to give him freer access to the back of her dress.
Sighing after he loosened it for her, she loosened it even more with her fingers until she could finally step out of the dress.
Her undergarments followed before turning to climb up on the bed.
It was so tall, there was a small set of matching stairs.
She was curious as to how many other women had used it.