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‘Can I eat downstairs, then?’
‘If you want to.’ Robert gritted his teeth at the boy’s manners. ‘Just do as you’re told.’
‘I will!’ The boy scurried away, remembering at the last moment to turn and give a brief, formal bow. ‘Good evening, Mrs Felstone.’
> ‘Good evening, Matthew.’ Ianthe gave what looked like a genuine smile. ‘I’m looking forward to starting our lessons tomorrow.’
‘Tomorrow?’ The boy threw him a look of appeal.
‘Tomorrow.’ Robert jerked his head, struggling to conceal his own sense of surprise. He’d assumed that Ianthe would want to settle in before starting the boy’s schooling, but apparently the role of governess was more appealing than that of wife.
‘You might have your hands full with him.’ He cleared his throat as the door closed behind Matthew. ‘I’m afraid I’ve allowed him too much freedom. He needs structure, but he’s not used to a classroom.’
‘Children need freedom, too.’ Her face was still turned towards the door, as if she were reluctant to look at him. ‘But I’ll do my best.’
‘I’m sure you will.’ Robert clasped his hands firmly behind his back, waiting for the accusation to follow, but she didn’t make so much as a murmur. Somehow that felt even more unnerving. If she were going to accuse him, then he wished that she’d just go ahead and do it. How could he refute the words if she wouldn’t say them?
‘Is there a problem?’ At last he couldn’t stand the silence any longer.
‘Not at all.’ She turned at last, her face the very picture of innocence. ‘He seems like a nice boy.’
‘He is.’ Robert drew his brows together, uncertain about how to proceed. ‘Shall we go in to dinner, then?’
She nodded, and he led the way out of the parlour and across the hall into the dining room. It was one of his favourite rooms in the house, painted a pale duck-egg green, with white cornice mouldings and a white plaster rose on a high ceiling, gleaming exposed floorboards and a large bay window facing out to sea.
‘I hope you’re hungry.’ He helped her into a chair at one end of a long table before taking his own opposite. ‘I think Mrs Lughton wants to impress you.’
‘I could eat a horse.’
‘Good. You didn’t eat much at the hotel, I noticed.’
Her smile wavered slightly. ‘It was a big day. You can’t blame me for being nervous.’
‘Didn’t your aunt feed you either?’
She dropped her eyes to the tablecloth. ‘She’s been very kind, but...I haven’t had much of an appetite lately.’
‘Or much sleep either, I think.’
‘No-o. I’m afraid I haven’t been sleeping well. Until today, that is.’
Robert’s frown eased slightly. That fact was encouraging at least. Doubtless he was overthinking things and she’d simply been worried about taking such a big step. Now that the wedding was over, perhaps she’d start to relax. Perhaps they both would.
The arrival of a maid carrying a tureen of soup prevented him from asking any more questions. Instead, he watched in surprise as Ianthe fell upon the liquid with gusto, swallowing each mouthful with a relish that suggested she hadn’t eaten anything for days. The contrast with their wedding luncheon could hardly have been any greater. She certainly didn’t look anxious now. She was already scooping up her last spoonful, licking her lips with satisfaction.
He tore his gaze away from her mouth quickly.
‘That was delicious.’ She patted a napkin to her lips. ‘Your Mrs Lughton is an excellent cook.’
‘I’ll be sure to tell her you enjoyed it.’
‘She seemed very pleasant. Everyone did. And it’s a beautiful house, what I’ve seen of it anyway. Although I think this is only the third room I’ve been in.’
‘Then I’ll give you a proper tour after dinner. I wouldn’t want you to get lost on your way to bed.’
‘I’d like that. Though it doesn’t seem like a fair exchange.’
‘What’s that?’
