7. Chapter Seven

CHAPTER SEVEN

"T here." Ruby straightened the tablecloth and stood back to admire her efforts.

"It looks very nice." Alice, who had been of immense help with the furnishing of the house, smiled at her. "Much better than when Dr. Nash was a bachelor."

"It could hardly have looked worse." Ruby turned in a slow circle and admired the dresser full of her best china, the pine kitchen table, and her pride and joy—the newly installed closed coal stove. "Although to be fair, Charles was residing at the hall for the most part."

"Is he happy with your efforts?" Alice inquired as Ruby set the kettle to boil on the stove.

"I'm not sure he's noticed," Ruby admitted. "He's been too busy attending the navvy camps."

"There have been far too many injuries and illnesses up there of late." Alice frowned. "I've tried to ask Elijah about it, but he says the current project is more dangerous to tunnel through than he anticipated. There are bound to be issues that arise."

"I didn't mean to criticize your husband," Ruby said quickly. "I'm sure Charles is needed."

In truth, the last thing Charles needed was for her to criticize the man who employed and housed him, especially when she was about to move in with her child. It was two months since their hasty wedding, and her desire to be settled in her own home was overwhelming. After some disagreements about staffing, they had settled on a live-in nurse for Nora, a cook who came in daily, and a maid of all work.

"Don't worry. I won't take offense, and I certainly won't share your opinion with Elijah." Alice smiled at her. "I find it exasperating when Elijah is never home to discuss matters with me, as well." Alice stood up. "Will you show me what else you've achieved since my last visit? I'd love to see Nora's nursery. We can have our tea when we've finished."

"Yes, of course." Ruby hurried to the door. Alice really was a dear. "We have a very nice parlor and dining room at the front. There's a study for Charles on the right of the house, while the extension at the back is mainly given up to medical matters." She opened the doors off the central corridor that led to the front door to allow Alice to peep inside. "The scullery is behind the kitchen and beside what is now Charles's consulting room, giving us both access to water. The patients can come to see him through the stable yard at side of the house without bothering me."

"It's all worked out very well," Alice said as they mounted the stairs.

"There are three bedrooms on this floor and three more on the top floor which we will use as a nursery, a bedroom for the nurse, and a guest bedroom." Ruby ushered Alice into the large, sunny room she would share with Charles which faced the rear of the house and the small garden.

"Have you managed to find a cook and a nursery maid yet?"

"Yes, but only because Caroline offered me Bridget and Mrs. Jenkins, her cook's assistant."

Alice smiled. "How lovely. Nora will hardly notice she's moved if Bridget accompanies her here."

They climbed the slightly steeper stairs up to the top of the house. There was a wooden gate at the top Ruby opened and shut behind them. She'd had the rooms painted in light colors and tried to make sure that the nursery was a warm and welcoming place.

"It's very pleasant," Alice said, her hand resting on one of the comfortable armchairs that faced the fireplace and newly swept chimney. "Nora will be very happy here."

"I hope we will all be happy."

"Have you heard from Dr. Nash's family yet?"

"Not yet." Ruby moved restlessly around the room, setting things in place that didn't need it. Several weeks had passed since their wedding, which was ample time for the letters Charles had written to be delivered.

"They can't do anything to prevent a marriage that has already taken place," Alice reminded her. "And there is no reason why they won't come to like you when you meet."

"Apart from me having a child that is not my husband's?" Ruby asked. "I'm fairly certain that won't be met with approval."

"Even so, they'll have to get used to it," Alice said bracingly. "If you prove to be an exemplary wife, then they will have nothing to criticize."

"I admire your optimism." Ruby turned to leave. "Shall we go down and make that tea? I don't want the kettle to boil dry. It's been a very productive morning. I do believe we'll be ready to move in at the end of the week."

* * *

"This is all very pleasant." Charles glanced across the dining room table at his wife as they ate their first meal in their new home. "You have worked wonders."

Ruby smiled at him through the candlelight. "I'm glad you approve. I did worry if I'd done things you wouldn't like."

"Not at all. If it had been left to me, the place would still be empty." He ate another morsel of chicken. "The food is excellent."

"Mrs. Jenkins lives in Millcastle and much prefers working here. She doesn't have to stay at the hall anymore and can tend to her own family's needs far better."

"Jenkins… Does her husband work for Mr. Hepworth?"

"I believe he does," Ruby said. "You have an excellent memory."

"Which is useful in my chosen profession." He set down his fork. "I intend to officially open my consulting rooms next week."

"Then I would suggest you post your hours of operation to prevent people wandering into my kitchen looking for you."

He raised his eyebrows. "Do they really do that?"

"Yes, sometimes carrying a crying child or dripping blood on Mrs. Jenkins's just-cleaned floors."

"We can't have that," Charles said. "I'll make sure to point them in the right direction."

"I've already asked Mr. Porter to make you some signs. All he needs from you is the correct wordage."

He smiled at her. "You really are a treasure, my dear."

"Thank you." She returned his smile.

"Has Nora settled in the nursery?"

She looked up at the ceiling. "I can't hear her crying, and Bridget said she slept well during her naps in her new crib."

"That is excellent news."

"I suspect she might miss her cousin, but Caroline has promised to bring Louisa to visit."

"And your sister is definitely a woman of her word." He paused. "You are dealing with all this in a remarkably calm manner."

She raised her eyebrows. "Would you prefer me to be in hysterics?"

"Not at all."

"I'm simply doing my best to provide a good home for you."

"I suppose I'm just…" He waved his hand around to encompass the whole room. "Attempting to come to terms with the changes in my life."

"Changes you instigated by asking me to marry you?"

"I'm well aware that this is all my own doing, Ruby."

"You almost sound as if you are regretting it."

Aware that she had stopped smiling, he considered what to say next. "If I appear worried it's because I'm still wondering what my father will do."

"Which is hardly something I can influence."

"You're right." He met her gaze with something of a challenge. "How silly of me to mention it."

She rose to her feet. "Shall I clear the table? Mrs. Jenkins prepared a steamed pudding and custard."

He caught her hand as she went past him.

"Did I say something wrong?" She attempted to ease her fingers free, but he held on. "Ruby…"

She looked down at him. "You don't need to tell me anything, Charles. I'm well aware that our marriage wasn't founded on a desire for intimacy."

He grimaced. "Perhaps we are both still learning and inclined to take offence when none is meant? That is perfectly understandable considering the unorthodox beginnings of our relationship and our naturally suspicious natures." He squeezed her hand. "After we've had our pudding, I'll help you clear up, and we can take a cup of tea together in the sitting room."

A smile tugged at her lips. "You are quite remarkable, Dr. Nash."

"How so?"

"Your ability to accept the realities of life and face them full-on."

He shrugged. "I don't know any other way of living, my dear."

She eased free of his grasp. "I hope you don't mind, but I am rather tired. I'll visit the nursery and then go to bed. I can do the dishes in the morning."

Charles stood up. "There's no need for you to do anything in the kitchen. I'm quite capable. You can go straight to bed."

"Thank you."

He bent to brush a kiss over her lips. She did look a little flushed, but her eyes were bright.

"You've been working very hard on the house. You deserve a good night's sleep."

"It's been a pleasure to…" She hesitated. "Create something for our family—for myself."

He watched her leave and then muttered a curse as he started to clear the table. The kitchen was pristine, apart from the jam pudding and custard awaiting him on the stove. He helped himself to a large bowlful and stood eating it, his gaze turned toward the window that faced the street. He wasn't sure why he'd mentioned he hadn't heard from his father. He tried very hard not to talk about his family to anyone.

He set the plates and his bowl in the sink and washed them up using the kettle of hot water on the stove. The house settled around him, and apart from the occasional whistle from a train or a passing carriage the town was quiet. There was enough water left in the kettle to make himself some tea, but he decided against it.

Some impulse drove him up the stairs and into his bedroom. His wife glanced over in surprise from her seat at the dressing table. She was brushing her hair and was already dressed for bed. The candlelight caught the red and gold undertones in her fair hair and made him want to?—

"Is something wrong?"

"No, I…" He paused to consider exactly what he wanted to say. "I wanted to explain."

She set the brush down and turned to look at him. "You've already apologized."

"Yes, but I believe you deserve a full explanation, too."

He wasn't sure if he'd imagined her faint sigh, as her face bore no trace of annoyance.

"I think I envy you," he confessed.

She raised her eyebrows. "For what?"

"Your composure in what is a difficult situation for both of us."

"I suppose I have learned that there is no point in getting anxious about things beyond my control."

He sank down onto the side of the bed. "I know all about feeling as though I don't control my choices. I've spent most of my life being forced into ‘doing the right thing'."

"We are perhaps alike in that." She offered him a conciliatory smile. "Your father will make his own decisions and choose his own path."

"But his decisions affect us."

"They affect you ." She held his gaze. "In ways that I do not understand because I suspect they go far beyond the unfortunate circumstances of our marriage."

Her ability to see through his stratagems temporarily robbed him of speech. After a moment, he said, "That is remarkably unfair."

"If you say so." She turned away and picked up her brush again.

"I think I prefer it when you argue with me," he muttered as he took off his coat and almost strangled himself in his haste to remove his neckcloth.

"You certainly seem intent on creating disharmony this evening."

"That's better."

She set the brush down with something of slam. "I do not wish to argue with you."

"Then come to bed." He unbuttoned his trousers and pulled off his shirt.

"That was already my intention. I didn't expect you to be joining me so soon."

He sat down to remove his shoes and stockings. "It's my bed, too."

"I am well aware of that." She began to braid her hair.

"We can't always be avoiding each other in our own house."

She stood up and marched over to the bed. "I am not avoiding you. This is my first night sleeping in this house, and I am perhaps a little apprehensive."

He pulled back the covers. "Because the bed is so much smaller than the one at Grafton Hall? Might we accidentally touch each other?"

"There is no need to be sarcastic, Dr. Nash."

"We are married."

"I am also aware of that." She positively glared at him as she got into bed. He found himself transfixed by the sharp beauty of her face. "I can assure you that I will do my utmost to keep my cold feet away from you!"

"I'd appreciate that." He found his nightshirt and put it on before blowing out the candle and joining her in bed. "If you could consider not snoring as well, I'd?—"

His words were cut off as she thumped him with her pillow, and he fell back against the sheets laughing. After a moment, she gave a little gurgle of laughter and joined him. He put his arm around her shoulders and held her tight.

Eventually, she lightly punched his chest. "You are ridiculous."

"I can't argue with that."

She went silent for a while, and he thought she'd gone to sleep. He nuzzled her hair and breathed in the scent of lemons.

"I'm not very adept at arguing."

"I hadn't noticed," Charles murmured, his eyes half closed as he enjoyed her nearness.

"Sidney would run rings around me," she said. "I'd end up agreeing with him despite myself, or he'd walk away and leave me steaming for days."

"I'd rather we had things out between us," Charles said. "We're married, and we intend to stay together, which means we have to reach a compromise on whatever we disagree on."

"I like that idea." She paused. "I'm not sure how it will work in practical terms."

"It worked this evening," Charles pointed out. "We ended up laughing together."

"Sidney would've left the bed if I'd done that."

"How very noble of him."

She propped herself up on one elbow and looked down at him, her hair pooling on his chest. "There's no need to be sarcastic," she admonished him again.

"Was he a good lover?"

"What a thing to ask!"

He shrugged. "We both know men can take what they want from a woman without bothering to make the experience pleasant."

"He took nothing I wasn't willing to give."

"Good for Sidney."

"There you go again." She hesitated. "I always enjoyed that part of our relationship."

"He must have been very considerate indeed, then."

"Women can… enjoy such things, Dr. Nash. We don't all simply endure."

"I'm a doctor. I'm well aware of a woman's ability to experience pleasure, ma'am."

She gazed down at him, her skepticism apparent on her face. "Really."

He smiled. "I know all the salient parts to… excite."

A faint tremor ran through her, and he tensed, his body coming to life as she considered him. "I could demonstrate if you don't believe me."

"This might surprise you, Charles, but I am fully capable of experimenting myself."

"I'm glad to hear it." He set his hand over the curve of her hip and gently caressed it. "If you permit, I might add to your knowledge of such matters."

He waited to see if she'd ease away from his touch, but she remained where she was. "I'm also very cognizant of ways to prevent conception," he added.

She jerked away as if he'd hit her. "I think I hear Nora crying. Please excuse me."

She left the bed, wrapping a shawl around her shoulders, and disappeared through the door. Charles cursed quietly and closed his eyes. His unfortunate tendency to be too blunt had struck again, and now he'd alienated his wife. The fact he meant everything he said made no difference. He'd scared her off, and he only had himself to blame.