Hands propped on her hips, Mama circled the room assessingly.
Cecily slid Aurelia a knowing look before glancing at the clock on the mantel and clearing her throat. “Lady Merlton,” she said. “It grows late.”
Mama swung her gaze to the clock and then back to Aurelia. “Oh, indeed, indeed! The time has gotten away with me. We shall discuss remodeling later.”
Aurelia opened her mouth to object, to insist that they discuss those renovations now. Anything to delay the inevitable.
Mama pressed a quick kiss to the tip of her nose, gently cupping her face with both hands. “Now I would normally choose this moment to leave you with some parting advice on what to expect in your marital bed, but I’m well aware that you’ve been reading the medical texts in the library for years.”
Aurelia’s mouth sagged. She knew?
Mama continued. “If there is anything you would like to ask me, just go ahead, my dear. I will endeavor to answer you.”
Heat crept up her face. She was not having this conversation with her mother. She shook her head fiercely. “No, thank you, Mama. I think I know what to expect.”
Mama nodded and patted her cheek again. “Very good. Now call on me when you’re ready and we shall go shopping. I don’t want to interrupt your honeymoon.”
Honeymoon? She and Max weren’t even going anywhere. Could that be termed a honeymoon?
Cecily gave her a quick hug, whispering into her ear, “I’m so very happy for you. I know all will be well. You will see.”
She offered her friend what she hoped was a heartening smile. It was a far cry from how she really felt. “I’m sure you are right.”
Cecily pulled back and laughed lightly. “You’re a terrible liar, but you will see. I’m always right. I have an instinct about these things.”
That said, she slipped from the room fast on Mama’s heels. The door clicked shut behind them and Aurelia found herself alone in a suddenly echoing silence. She surveyed her new bedchamber. It was a rather grim place. Colorless. Her white nightgown might be the only thing that wasn’t drab.
She moved her gaze to the adjoining door. For several moments she watched it. As though it were about to perform some grand trick—such as open. Several moments passed without the door opening. Without a whisper of sound from the other side. Did she think he was waiting for her mother and Cecily to leave to pounce on her?
She paced the length of the massive room. She felt very small and lonely in its great space. The shadows seemed to stretch toward her like long fingers. She missed her old room. Even if it wasn’t her room anymore. Not her home. It was Will’s and Violet’s home. This place. This was her home now.
He had changed his mind.
That was the sole thought burning through her. He had changed his mind and would come to her tonight. He didn’t mean the words he had said that night in the library when they had been forced into this marriage. He would certainly want to claim his husbandly rights. Would not any gentleman do as much?
She bit her lip, pacing the chamber, knotting the fine fabric of her nightgown in her hands. Mama had insisted on new bedclothes. Max could afford it, she insisted. Aurelia had not possessed the will to argue. Her head had been too busy, too full of thoughts and bewilderment over the fact that she was marrying Max.
She was Lady Camden now. No longer a burden to her brother and mother.
Max’s wife. In name only. At least that was what he had promised.
You wanted it this way.
She stopped pacing and squared her shoulders. That’s right. He’d said they were a mistake. This marriage would be a mistake. How could she let him in her bed knowing that was how he felt? She would not let him use her. Even if she was his wife and it was his right, his due as her husband.