Sebastian shook his head with a sigh. It would be a short trip, he promised himself. He would tend to business, let his wife grow comfortable in his station, and then carry on.
Sliding off his horse––a specially large beast with the stamina to travel all day––Sebastian nodded to the opening door of his house before helping Isabel clamber down from the carriage. With her on his arm, he led her inside and introduced her to the household one by one.
She kept quiet and nodded, her head held high. Unable to help himself, Sebastian darted his gaze between her and the household, wondering what everyone thought of each other. He kept a rather eccentric household in London, but had never done much to engage or understand the staff here. It wasn’t difficult noting the way none of them met his gaze.
“What a pleasure it is to meet you all,” Isabel said politely once she had made it down the line. “Thank you for the warm welcome.”
It was a rather warm welcome. He could feel the heat of the house. Though the halls were huge, and their curves cast constant shadows, they had a way of spreading the warmth. It was the one good thing about this house.
“Shall I provide a house tour?” his housekeeper, Mrs. Maple, asked.
“Thank you, I would love one very much. Perhaps first thing in the morning? I’m afraid travelling has rather worn me out,” Isabel admitted with a sheepish smile.
That seemed to endear her to the housekeeper. “Certainly, Your Grace. We’ll have a tray sent to your chamber at once. Shall I lead you there?”
Willing to save her the extra step, Sebastian shook his head. “I can do that. Carry on, Maple. Everyone.”
Lopsided curtsies and awkward bows were offered before he nudged Isabel along. She seemed a mite slow at first and then hastily fixed her step. It was easy to walk with her, he realized. He didn’t have to pay too much mind to the level of his arm or how wide he took his steps.
“It’s a lovely home,” Isabel murmured after they took the first turn. She glanced at him before focusing on where they walked. “Do you spend much time here?”
“On occasion. It seemed better than London at the moment.” Especially with their scandal. He didn’t want their presence to exacerbate the talk, and hoped being here would help.
She nodded as they moved on. More rugs had been put down since he had been here last, he noted. But perhaps he hadn’t been here for the winter. He usually came in summertime. During breaks in university, he had always stayed there or traveled with his friends. Now, he typically preferred London.
“That’s a lovely painting. Did you know them?”
“No.”
They were already walking past the artwork and he didn’t care to stop when he could get her to her bedchamber where she would stop shivering. Or so he hoped. Maybe she always shivered. That thin cloak of hers clearly did no good. He’d have to find her a new one.
Isabel was led down the next hall and then through a large room. It would take two rooms to get to the next hall that would lead to the bed chamber she would stay in. He considered he should have explained this to her, but hoped she would remember instead.
“This is such a large room. The light must be perfect in the summer,” she noted, her voice sounding a mite strained. He wondered if it was the cold. Or could it be him? “Do you spend much time in here?”
A parlor. Or a dance room. He wasn’t certain. “No,” was all he could think to say.
Thankfully, Isabel stopped asking questions after that. It would be better if she walked through her inquiries with the housekeeper. Maple knew everything about this house, after all.
They finally reached the door.
Sebastian stopped, dropping her arm carefully, and then opened the door for her. He peeked in to see it was indeed recently cleaned. There was no one in there, but someone would surely deliver her luggage and maid soon.
“Here you are,” he said as he moved back.
Isabel shifted before looking at the room and then back to him. She did it twice more. “Do you mean for us to… to share a bed chamber, Your Grace?”
“Vale,” he said out of habit. Then he realized her question. Her shaky question, as he could have sworn her voice trembled.
His lips pressed together in a thin line as he stared at her, wondering what was going on through her head. Perhaps she did indeed see him as a monster. It didn’t sound like she was thrilled at the idea of anything to do with him. She hadn’t even wanted the marriage.
Perhaps all I am is a beast. But at least I’m not a foolish one. I don’t wish for an heir, and she sounds just as reluctant. It is for the best. Only she doesn’t need to sound frightened.
After studying her for a long time, searching for that fear and uncertain of what he actually saw in her gaze, he finally answered her question.
“No,” Sebastian said. “I won’t do that to you. Whatever this union might be, there is no reason for us to do anything more to formalize the marriage. I expect nothing from you.”
CHAPTER 5
