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She hadn’t expected much after the oppressive atmosphere of the entrance hall, but the large chamber was light-filled and airy, with a matched set of elegant pale pine furniture upholstered in rose-colored satin.
Domed, mullioned windows set at intervals along the walls commanded a pleasing view of the pink and white flowering apple trees in the gardens below.
Alice ran to the bookshelves, trailing her fingers along cracked leather spines. So many more books than she’d sent over.
“Why, this is the English translation of the Bhagavad Gita by Charles Wilkins! Where did you find this? It’s quite rare.”
Hatherly made a disparaging noise in the back of his throat. “I found some foreign books on the duke’s shelves. He traveled to India and Nepal more than once collecting orchids.”
She flew to the desk. Such a vast expanse of a desk, with rows of shining new quills, several pots of ink, stacks of parchment—everything she needed.
She’d never had a study of her own.
Stolen moments with Fred’s schoolbooks... nights hunched over a desk studying by candlelight, hiding her studiousness from her disapproving mother.
This room was spacious, airy, stocked with the tools she required for her scholarship, and the perfect haven in which to finish her work.
“My lord, I don’t know what to say.” She hugged her arms around her chest. “I simply love it.”
He cleared his throat. “I’m glad you approve.” He sounded embarrassed to have been caught making her happy.
Kali yowled piteously and Alice undid the latch of her basket. Kali hopped out, landing on all fours on the fine woolen rug.
“Poor little beastie.” Alice bent down and scratched Kali’s chin. “I forgot all about you. Just see.” She lifted her and walked to the window. “See all those birds in the trees? You’re going to have quite a feast.”
Kali’s tail switched back and forth as she surveyed her new kingdom.
“What does your cat eat?” Hatherly asked.
“The bird population in your gardens will be sadly decimated, but I usually feed her kippers and a bowl of milk. She’s a very spoiled cat.” She kissed Kali’s head. “Aren’t you, my darling?”
“I’ll have some kippers sent.”
Alice set her down, and Kali bolted away to sniff the corners of the large room.
Alice shook out her skirts, remembering that she was still in her wedding finery. “What time will we dine this evening?”
“We’re not formal here. We dine when we please. The duke mostly takes his meals in his chambers. But we may dine with him tonight if you wish.”
“I would enjoy speaking more with your father.”
“You may revise that sentiment, I’m afraid. He harms no one, but his delusions can be troubling. He likes you immensely. Has a weakness for beautiful women, my father.” His gaze traveled across her body. “As do I.”
The fizzing feeling began in her belly again. She’d been imagining her wedding night for a month now. It couldn’t possibly live up to her imaginings... could it?
“I’ll leave you to settle in,” Hatherly said. He turned to leave and Alice had the sudden thought that if he left her here all alone, she wouldn’t be able to undo the complicated buttons along the back of the wedding gown.
“My lord,” she called to his retreating back.
“Call me Nick. I’ve already told you we don’t stand on formality in this house.”
“Please send a maid to assist me since my Hodgins appears to have deserted me in the lion’s den.”
“I have no live-in maids. The hired ones only come on certain days.”
Alice tucked her chin. “No maids today? Well, send the housekeeper then.”
“No housekeeper.”
