This is it,she thought dizzily.My wedding night.
They reached a landing which branched into two.
“The gentleman’s wing is to the right,” Graham explained. “My room is the Blue Room, which is traditionally the viscount’s room. The Viscountess’ room is in the left wing, the ladies’ wing, the Green room. I shall show you.”
The hallway was surprisingly narrow, obliging Ursula to release Graham’s arm. He led the way, pausing quite abruptly before a large door with a rounded top. It was, unsurprisingly, painted green.
“This is your room,” Graham said, turning to face her. The light in the hallway was not good, and she struggled to read his expression. “I hope you’ll find everything to your satisfaction.”
“Yes,” Ursula breathed. “I imagine that I shall.”
He swallowed, his throat working. “Very well. In you go, then. Ruthie will be along shortly to help you undress.”
He gave her a bow … abow!And he then slid past her, striding back along the hallway the way they had come.
Ursula stared after him, eyes wide.
Oh, for heaven’s sake!
She wasn’t entirely sure what to do with the plunging feeling of disappointment. Shouldn’t she be feeling relieved? She was being spared the wedding night for now. A proper lady would be relieved.
Ursula was not relieved. Not even a little.
She watched him retreat, then turned to her room. There was nothing for it but to go inside.
The room was nicely decorated, and larger than she had expected. There was a huge four-poster bed, of course, but there was also a little sitting area with padded armchairs and a velvetchaise longue, all angled in front of a roaring fire. Fresh flowers had been placed in thin vases, filling the room with a delicate floral scent.
A closet door had been left pointedly open, revealing some of her dresses hanging inside, and a fresh white night gown had been laid over the bed. The room was warm, cosy, and inviting.
It’s mine,Ursula thought, faintly amazed.How could this have happened?
She took a few steps into the room, peering about. She only had a moment or two to collect herself before footsteps approached. For one wild minute, Ursula thought that Graham had returned.
It wasn’t Graham. Ruthie stepped apologetically into the room, belatedly offering a curtsey.
“I have come to help you settle you in, your ladyship. Would you like tea? Chocolate, perhaps?”
“Chocolate is for mornings,” Ursula laughed, feeling a little self-conscious. “I’m fine, thank you. I just came from a wedding-breakfast that oddly lasted all day.”
Ruthie gave her a smile. “Aye, your ladyship, but I heard that on a bride’s wedding day, she’s lucky to get even a mouthful of her own wedding-cake.”
Ursula laughed at that.
Ruthie was quick and efficient, neatly undressing Ursula out of her wedding gown and helping her into the much more comfortable night gown. Despite the fire, the room seemed cold after her layers of clothing had been removed, and Ursula shivered, barefoot in her thin night gown.
“I’ll turn down the sheets for you, your ladyship,” Ruthie offered, “and fetch you a warming-pan. How does that sound?”
“It sounds marvellous, Ruthie. Perhaps you could…”
Ursula trailed off when a delicate tap came at the door. At once, her skin prickled, goose bumps breaking out all over. Ruthie scuttled to the door, opening it a crack. At once, she gave a faint gasp and opened the door entirely.
It was Graham.
He had changed out of his wedding finery into a plain shirt, tucked into the waistband of the black breeches he was alreadywearing. He clutched what appeared to be a bottle of wine in his hand. Ursula wondered, briefly, if he was in his cups, but there really hadn’t been time for that. The bottle, while uncorked, did not appear to have been drunk from.
“I hoped for an audience with my wife, Ruthie,” he remarked gently.
Ruthie, who had gone an interesting shade of red, bobbed a silent curtsey. Snatching up Ursula’s discarded linens, she dashed out of the door, closing it behind her with a bang.
