“Are you ready, madam?”
“I am, your Grace,” she said again, placing her hand in his and stepping from the carriage.
He released her at once and started toward the house, his feet making a crunching sound on the stones as he walked. She could not see the great stone building clearly in the dark, but she could feel its sheer size looming above her. Was she really to be mistress of this?
“Luton!” the duke bellowed as he walked into the house.
“Your Grace, we had not expected you until tomorrow.”
Eva stood just inside the doorway looking at the dirty water her husband’s large, booted feet had left on the polished tile floor. The butler was tall with black hair that was liberally streaked with silver and his mouth was bracketed with lines, which hopefully meant he knew how to smile.#p#分页标题#e#
“We made good time,” the duke grunted, motioning Eva forward. “Duchess, this is Luton. He is the butler here at Stratton Lodge and he will be the one who will help you settle in.”
“Your Grace.” Luton bowed.
“Luton,” Eva said, offering him a soft smile, although she spoilt it slightly by shivering. “It is a pleasure to meet with you.”
“Luton will show you to your room, Duchess. Tomorrow will be soon enough to meet the rest of the staff,” the duke said with a stiff bow before stalking away.
“This way, your Grace.”
Eva pulled her eyes away from the retreating back of her husband and quickly followed Luton toward the stairs. Lamps lit their way, yet Eva saw very little of her new home. Nervous and apprehensive, she kept her eyes on Luton’s very straight back. They climbed a long set of stairs and then walked down a narrow hall that had windows along the right side, though the curtains were drawn to keep out the cold night air. Her rooms were at the end and Eva held her breath as Luton opened the door and she walked inside.
“Dear heaven!” Eva whispered, moving slowly over the plush carpets.
Turning a full circle, she tried to take it all in. Surely this was not her room? Painted in the palest shade of peppermint, the walls blended beautifully with carpets of apricot and cream. There was delicate-legged furniture which looked too precious to sit on, and at the windows hung matching swathes of striped satin. The room seemed to reach out and welcome her while the bed was fit for a princess. How could she have ended up here? The daughter of a worthless gambler, a man who earned his living by stealing from others - surely she was not worthy of such a room. She trailed her fingers down one of the four turned posts that held up a gossamer canopy of soft white fabric before walking toward a window seat scattered with pillows.
“This is Molly, your Grace,” Luton said.
Eva turned to greet the young maid who was bobbing a curtsy.
“Shall I have a bath drawn for you, your Grace?”
“Yes, please, and some tea if it is not too inconvenient.” Eva couldn’t believe she was to have a bath she had not prepared herself.
“At once, your Grace.”
With the click of her bedroom door Eva felt the last of her strength flee. Burying her face in her hands, she slumped onto the seat. In one day, she had left the only home she had known for eighteen years, married a duke and was now going to live out her days in a mansion.
Eva’s thoughts went to her brother. How would Reggie survive without her? He worked for the local farmer, but at seventeen he was not a big man and too young to deal with the bullying ways of his elder brothers singlehandedly.
The maid returned with two footmen carrying a large bath. Eva had never seen one so big; surely she could lie flat in it.
“I will help you undress, your Grace,” the maid offered once the bath was filled and the footmen had left.
Eva had never had assistance to undress but she felt too tired to argue. Wearily she climbed to her feet and allowed the maid to pull off her damp coat.
“Thank you, Molly.” She felt color flood her cheeks as her dress was removed. Her undergarments were a dismal shade of grey and repaired several times over.
“I will return in a while with your tea, your Grace.”
Biting her lip as she stepped into the bath Eva felt the heat start to thaw her toes. Slowly she sank down, then lay backwards until only her head was out of the water.
So this is to be my life, Eva thought as her eyes did a survey of the room. She could find some peace here alone. Eva had no doubt her husband would not stay at Stratton for long. She knew he hated looking at her, being reminded of the fact that he had a wife he did not want. He would leave at the earliest opportunity and until then she would stay out of his way. Maybe in time her husband might wish for an heir, but for now she would be content with her life. There would be no more fear, just her and the servants. And they would rub along together nicely; she would make sure of it.#p#分页标题#e#