The older man tried to keep up with Nathan’s long strides, so he was panting as he continued. “Not only that, but there are leaks in the ceilings. And without the resources to fix these problems…” the butler trailed off and cleared his throat. “Well, let us just say that things have deteriorated.”
Nathan knew that Mr. Thomas was frustrated with him for not having set aside funds to fix the castle, and the butler was right to be so.
It had been years since the fire, and still, Nathan couldn’t bear to take the time or energy to put the place back in order. He had the funds; the problem wasn’t money, it was his lack of desire to spend any time at the castle because even if he had his stewarddo most of the work, Nathan would still have to be at the castle on a regular basis, and he couldn’t stand that idea.
“I am here now, so we will make the best of it,” Nathan said. “Now that I am married, the Duchess and I will be able to go over the plans that are needed to rebuild the castle.”
“Very good, Your Grace.” Mr. Thomas nodded, but his eyes were still darting around nervously, and he kept biting his lip, as if he had more to say. Nathan folded his arms. There was something else his butler wasn’t telling him; Nathan had known him well and long enough to be able to see when something else was amiss.
“What is it?” he asked. “Go ahead, and tell me. Don’t spare any details.”
The butler sighed and finally his eyes came to rest on Nathan’s. “Well, you see, Your Grace... While some of the bedrooms, like those in the servants’ quarters, have sustained no damage, I am sorry to say that the bedrooms on the top floor—those reserved for the family—are almost entirely unlivable. The ceilings are caved in, there is water damage and mold, and of course, many of the rooms are still burnt. The only one that is at all suitable for you and the Duchess to stay in is a small guest room in the east wing. It is not much, but it is all I can safely say will not pose any danger to your health or life.”
It took Nathan a moment to realize what the butler was saying then it hit him.
As horrifying as it was to think that most of the bedrooms in the house were damaged so severely they couldn’t be slept in, there was something far worse lurking in the subtext of the butler’s words.I will have to share a bed with her.
Nathan felt his heart stutter to a stop before starting to beat once more. “I see,” he forced himself to say. “The Duchess, however, likes her privacy. Perhaps the Duchess could stay in the guest room, and I could sleep in the servants’ quarters.”
The butler blinked, and his brow furrowed.
“I s-suppose that is possible,” the old man stammered although he didn’t look so sure. “It would not be very comfortable for you, though, Your Grace.”
“That is of no matter,” Nathan said.
“Well, if you insist…” The old man frowned. “I can relocate some of the footmen to the stables in that case.”
Nathan swallowed. He wasn’t about to let his hardworking servants go without a room just because he and Rosalie were not yet sharing a bed.
“No, I won’t allow that,” he said. “The footmen should remain in their rooms, and I will stay with the Duchess.”
“I’m sure the footmen won’t mind,” the butler hurried to say, but Nathan shook his head.
Sleeping in the same bed as Rosalie wouldn’t be so bad. But then, why was his heart hammering inside of his chest? Why had his mouth gone dry? And why was he beginning to sweat on the back of his neck?
Turning, he took in his wife, who was still standing in the middle of the courtyard, talking to her lady’s maid.
She’s not going to be happy with me,he thought grimly.But then, when has she ever been?
Chapter Ten
“So, we will be sharing… that?” Rosalie stared down at the small, narrow bed in front of them. It was hardly even a double, let alone the queen-size bed that she was used to sleeping in back at the Duke’s townhouse—and her cousin’s.
“It is a bit small,” Clara said, gazing down at it as well. They had just been shown to the room by the housekeeper, who had also informed Rosalie that this was the only room that was currently habitable for her and the Duke. Rosalie had been so shocked that she hadn’t known what to say.
I can’t complain, she’d thought,or ask for another bed because then they will suspect that the Duke and I have not yet consummated our marriage.
And Rosalie was not sure she could stand the embarrassment of the servants knowing about that.
“I know it is not up to par with what you are used to...” Clara started.
“It’s not that! For one person, it would be comfortable enough,” Rosalie said. “But for two people, it will be a tad… snug.”
Out of the corner of her eye, Rosalie was sure she saw Clara smirk, but by the time she looked at her maid, the girl was wearing a neutral expression.
“I’m sure it will not be so bad,” Clara said with a shrug. “And perhaps it will even be beneficial.”
“Beneficial?”
