Theodore shook himself, his eyes sharpening and Harriet could almost hear the sound of a lock slamming into place. Cold tugged at her chest as Theodore shrugged. “It will be some time before you see your friends again. You will need to settle into your new role and Phoebe is not accustomed to guests.”
“I know.” Harriet felt the invisible band around her chest tighten and took in a deep breath, hoping it would ease it somewhat. “And the journey to Irondale Hall is not a particularly short one.”
“It is not.” Theodore ran a hand through his hair and Harriet found herself watching the way his muscles rippled beneath the fabric of his coat. “And it is high time we were on our way.”
He gestured for Harriet to step into the carriage and she did. Her foot shook as she stepped up and she felt a hand at the small of her back.
Her breath caught as Theodore steadied her. Warmth spreading from his palm through the rest of her body. Her head swam as every inch of her skin erupted into gooseflesh.
A moment later his hand was gone, and she was sliding onto the seat. The carriage door swung shut. Harriet put a hand on her chest and looked out of the window, watching her friends and the life she had known disappear around the corner.
CHAPTER 10
“You are not coming with me?” Harriet’s eyes widened, her foot half raised as though to take a step.
Theodore and Harriet had just arrived at Irondale Hall. The journey had been a smooth one, as he had planned. They had travelled all day and well into the night, stopping briefly to swap out the horses before continuing on their way, now in the company of armed guards.
He had been itching to get out of the carriage, a restlessness that he was unaccustomed to had settled over him and it frustrated and perturbed him in equal measure.
Moonlight shone through the open front door, mingling with the flickering candlelight in the corridor and casting Harriet’s face half into shadow. It reminded him of moonlight playing across a lake, ethereal and inviting. The curve of her lips was like ripples in the water, and he found himself wondering what had caused them.
How does she look even more beautiful than before?He shook his head, twirling his top hat between his fingers before handing it to a waiting footman as the other took his coat. “I will join you shortly, I must discuss some things with Mr. Grimsby.”
He thought that Harriet would object, but she did not. She only nodded.
His housekeeper, Mrs. Fairfax, stepped forward. “I will show you to the drawing room. Lady Phoebe and Miss Morton are waiting for you there with some tea and biscuits.” Mrs. Fairfax gestured down the corridor. “I thought that you might want some refreshment after your day of travel.”
“Thank you, that is very kind.” Harriet’s hands curled in the fabric of her dress as she fell into step beside Mrs. Fairfax.
Theodore watched the two women disappear down the hallway, their soft steps filling the space. It was a warm sound, and he wondered how someone so small could bring so much energy into a space so large.
Focus.Theodore turned to face his butler, nodding towards the outside. “There was an incident with the horses at the wedding. The coachman abandoned his post, albeit only temporarily and something spooked the animals. I got them under control, but suffice to say, such an occurrence is unacceptable. It is fortunate we had a replacement driver – I would not have the Duchess’s safety risked by someone so negligent.”
“Of course, Your Grace.” Mr. Grimsby wrung his hands. “I will ensure such a thing does not happen again.”
“See that it does not.” Theodore continued. “I trust everything else is prepared.”
“Everything has been prepared as you instructed, Your Grace.” Mr. Grimsby said and Theodore forced his gaze away from Harriet. “Aside from the footmen, I have instructed the rest of the staff to be ready to present to her Grace tomorrow morning.”
“Good.” Theodore forced his eyes not to drift in the direction of his wife. “Will you or Mrs. Fairfax take her on a tour of the estate?”
“I wondered if Lucy Morton would be a more appropriate tour guide for Her Grace.” Mr. Grimsby clasped his hands behind his back. “She is the closest to Lady Phoebe, Your Grace. However, if you feel it would not be proper to have a companion fill such a role, Mrs. Fairfax will conduct the tour.”
“On this occasion, Lucy is the most suitable choice.” Theodore ran a hand across his jaw. “And it will not interfere with Phoebe’s lessons either.”
“I will see that it is done. The kitchen will have breakfast prepared at the usual time. Will you and Her Grace be dining together?” Mr. Grimsby asked.
“No.” The word came out more forcefully than Theodore intended. “I see no reason that my having a wife should interfere in my routines. I shall breakfast in my study as I always do. Her Grace may dine where she chooses.”
The restlessness grew in him as he imagined dining with Harriet. How many times would he let slip things he had not meant to?Why does she have this effect on me?It was dangerous, and until he understood it better, he would keep his distance.
Phoebe is her priority.He felt a knot ease in his shoulders. His wife would no doubt be too busy with Phoebe to seek him out, and he saw no reason to seek her out. The thought sent an odd jolt through him that he did not understand.
Mr. Grimsby nodded slowly, bringing Theodore back to himself. “Of course, Your Grace. I shall ensure that everything is as it usually is.”
“Perfect.” Theodore inclined his head to his butler. “That will be all, Mr. Grimsby. I shall see you tomorrow.”
“A pleasure, Your Grace.” Mr. Grimsby swept into a low bow and disappeared into one of the hidden servant’s corridors leaving Theodore alone.
