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Isabel swallowed and turned away from him. “You didn’t expect me to obey, or you didn’t expect me to find you superior?”
Vane took a sip of coffee and returned to his paper. “I did not expect you to be the proper wife I needed,” he said, without taking his eyes off the page.
“I didn’t expect you to be a fair master, either. So I suppose neither of us is disappointed.”
She resolutely turned away and started on her meal again, determined to ignore him.
A few moments later, loud footsteps preceded the arrival of the giant dog, followed by Millicent, who appeared to be chasing the animal.
Vane stood, and the dog immediately ran toward him, wagging his tail.
“Millie, how many times do I have to tell you not to run inside the house?” Vane asked in a bored tone.
The girl didn’t answer; she just plopped into a seat.
Isabel raised her brow. No greeting, no curtsy, in fact, not even a glance toward her parent or Isabel—this girl was absolutely mannerless. And to top it all off, she brought the giant dog to the breakfast table.
“Sit,” Vane commanded, and as the dog settled next to him, he turned to Millie. “Did he have breakfast today yet?”
Millie shook her head.
“I would prefer it if you answered me verbally, dear,” Vane said softly.
Millie shrugged. “I don’t think so.”
“Well, I’d say it’s quite unfair that you get to eat, but Button doesn’t.”
Millie bounced her knee. “Button wanted to eat with you. That is why he came with me.”
“I’m sure he did,” the marquess grumbled.
Isabel raised her eyes heavenward. The stern master, the commanding marquess, just could not seem to discipline his daughter at all. However, Isabel would not start her life as the marchioness by antagonizing the girl.
She stood. “I shall inquire with Mrs. Ainsworth about Button’s breakfast. I have other matters to discuss with her.”
“Thank you,” Vane said with a brief nod and turned back to his daughter.
Millie immediately livened up and proceeded to chat away happily. Isabel sighed and padded out of the room.
* * *
Isabel went in search of the housekeeper, still muttering under her breath. The marquess could not handle raising his own daughter the right way, and he had the gall to tell Isabel what to do and what not to do around the estate.
Not only did he think her scandalous, but apparently, he also thought her incapable of performing the simplest of her duties. Well, he would learn a thing or two about Isabel this afternoon.
She did not enjoy taking orders. Especially not about her duties. Especially not from a man who probably knew nothing of said duties, or who thought they were not as important as his.
Isabel knew the reality of the situation. She could not lounge about and let things go their own route. She would never be able to catch up.
After she found Mrs. Ainsworth and informed her of the situation with the dog, Isabel went to ask for her carriage to be prepared. She stopped halfway and turned back to the housekeeper.
“I almost forgot. I am going to the village this afternoon. And I can’t as well go empty-handed. Please, have some baskets with leftover foods and medicine prepared, which I can take with me for the villagers.”
“Are you certain you want to go to the village today?” Mrs. Ainsworth looked at her doubtfully.
Am I certain? What is there to think about?“Of course.”
“But his lordship—”
