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Alice saw little of her husband the next morning. Rising early for breakfast, he left her dozing in bed. By the time she had bathed and had her own meal, Edmund had disappeared to deal with the numerous issues that had arisen in his long absence.
Left to her own devices, Alice explored the house. During her betrothal it hadn’t crossed her mind how Edmund, a colonel in the army, had managed to amass substantial personal wealth. Now, her curiosity about its origins grew.
“How came your family to have this estate?” She asked Edmund when they met briefly at luncheon.
“My ancestors, the Seymours, built Westfell Hall, and other properties, during the reign of the first King George using income from plantations in the Americas. My grandfather inherited the estate after another died childless. I am proud of my lineage.” The conversation ended abruptly with Edmund being summoned away.
Returning to her explorations, Alice marvelled at the quality of the furniture, the rugs and drapes. It made her excited seeing the largest reception room, a long room populated with statues and paintings, but little furniture. She guessed it served as a ball room and it initiated an idea, one she was keen to discuss with Edmund.
Her wandering ended when the housekeeper pinned her down in the morning room and Alice discovered her responsibilities as mistress of the house.
“Do you wish to have venison or game for dinner?” asked the housekeeper. Alice bit her lip and shrugged. What did it matter? Meat was meat.
“The drapes in the dining room have been ruined by moths. Do you wish to oversee the replacements?” Another boring domestic statement. Alice stared out the window, not quite catching all the enquiries, requiring the patient housekeeper to repeat her questions until Alice could think of satisfactory answers.
Once left alone again, Alice reflected on the major change to her life. No mother to keep her company, nor friends to meet and gossip with over coffee and cakes. Alice felt lonely in many ways and it brought about a rising sense of melancholy. She had hoped to share her idea with her husband over the luncheon, but Edmund had seemed to be more interested in keeping his wife abreast with the changes he had planned for the wider estate. She had drifted off when he mentioned timber from the woods and letting more land for the farmers.
Edmund sought her out eventually and suggested a late afternoon walk in the gardens and beyond. She perked up, seeing the sun peep out from behind the grey clouds and gladly accompanied Edmund on his tour of the grounds. They began at the rear of the house in the ornate formal garden with its fountains and rose bushes. The latter had yet to break out into bloom, as summer hadn’t arrived.
Strolling along a tree lined terrace, her arm looped about Edmund’s, Alice decided she had his full attention and quickly outlined her plan. “I wish to be acquainted with the local gentry. I do not know Buxton well and I want to have a ball and invite everyone. Lots of dancing and music.” His arm stiffened.
His profile had remained unchanged as she spoke and there was no smile of approval, instead his expression hardened.
“No, Alice,” he said firmly. “There will be no ball or dancing.”
Alice stopped in her tracks. She hadn’t expect a categorical refusal. Edmund walked to the wall abutting the terrace and a wooden door in a portal. Opening it, the rusty hinges creaked and he waved her through. On the other side was a walled garden, secluded and rectangular. Something nearby produced a pungent sweet smell. Alice inhaled the scent.
“I have collected many exotic seeds on my travels abroad. The gardener is pleased with the cultivations and variety,” remarked Edmund, shutting the door behind Alice.
Alice didn’t want to speak of horticulture. She would persist with her idea. Her father often rejected her schemes and then as she plagued him with pleadings and fluttering eyelashes, he would succumb. She believed the same determination would win Edmund over.
“Would it not be better to send out invitations for a party here? I think many would enjoy seeing our house. I am impatient to be out.” She jutted out her chin and began to flicker her eyelashes rapidly, smiling sweetly at the same time. He would cave into her soon; her looks would win him over.
However, Edmund merely frowned and gave a small shake of his head. A clear indication of his feelings and one that Alice didn’t wish to see.
“I said, no. The matter is closed.” He pivoted on his feet and walked away from her.
Unperturbed by his dismissive gesture, Alice sc
urried along the path after him. “Closed! We have barely discussed it. I have been thinking all morning about this and you dismiss it with little consideration.”
He halted and turned to face her. “I have considered it, before we were even married and I prefer a gentler route to your introduction to society. One that will be conducted gracefully and slowly. A ball is too great an undertaking for you. You have little experience of arranging such things.” He spoke pedantically, irritating her further.
“I can learn. I want to learn. You just don’t like the idea,” she huffed, her foot itched to stamp on the grass.
“It is of no matter what I like and dislike, I have made my decision and you will abide by it,” said Edmund sharply. His voice had changed. She noted it was the tone of an army officer accustomed to having his orders obeyed without question. She resented the implication.
“Abide by it! An order if ever. I am nought but a foot soldier to you,” she grumbled. Annoyed at his stance, Alice crossed her arms in front of her. She knew it to be a most unladylike gesture and insolent. She was quite prepared to goad him, test his willpower.
“Do you mock me? What of our marriage vows? Your pledge to honour and obey me?”
Alice shrugged her shoulders. “I didn’t believe you would be this disagreeable… and… pig-headed.”
Edmund glared at her, his grey eyes piercing like a lance. “You ungracious child. After all that I have done for you, salvaging your reputation and now you insult me. Your defiance will not go unpunished.”
“Punished?” Alice dropped her arms to her sides.
Edmund took hold of her elbow, pinching it tightly between his fingers and marched her down the length of the path. Alice stumbled to keep up with his long strides.
