Chapter 6

Chapter 6

Yorkshire

Whitestone Hall

Cordelia stood frozen in the cobblestone driveway, her breath catching in her throat as she took in the sight before her. The sprawling manor house loomed ahead, its grandeur undeniable even beneath a shroud of gloominess that seemed to overcome it.

The white bricks were oppressed by the weight of the autumn vines that clung to them. These vines, once likely green and vibrant, were now lifeless; their leaves turned to shades of brown and grey. They snaked up the walls and across the windows, casting skeletal shadows that seemed to writhe and twist in the soft, fading light of the late afternoon.

The chill in the air, typical of the season, only heightened the gloom that pervaded the scene.

This is my new home, she tried to think, but the words did not really sink in properly. This is where I live now and will reside for the rest of my days.

Cordelia shivered, not entirely from the cold. The house seemed to exude an aura of desolation as if it were a grand old lady who had once dazzled the world but had since fallen into neglect and mourning. The sheer size of the manor was imposing, its many windows like vacant, hollow eyes staring back at her.

She tried to imagine what the house might have looked like in its prime. She pictured the stone gleaming white in the sun, the vines lush and green, possibly adorned with flowers of every colour. There would have been laughter echoing through the halls, light spilling from every window, and life bustling around its perimeters. Now, though, it stood silent and brooding, a relic of better days long gone.

A sense of unease settled over her, mingling with her shock. What had she expected? Perhaps a grand, welcoming estate, still buzzing with activity despite the season. This was far from it. The manor seemed almost forgotten, like a secret hidden away from the world. She could not help feeling she was trespassing on something sacred and sorrowful.

"Shall we head inside?" Julian asked, of course not feeling anything like the surprise that travelled through her. "I will have someone collect your bags."

"Yes, of course."

Cordelia took a tentative step forward, her feet crunching on the gravel as she approached the front door. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and decaying leaves, a stark reminder of the cycle of life and death playing out all around her.

She reached out, her hand trembling slightly, and touched the stone. It was cold, almost unnaturally so, and the sensation sent another shiver down her spine.

This did not feel like it was a home to anyone.

It felt like nothing.

As she paused for just a moment longer, a crow cawed from a nearby tree, its call echoing through the stillness and adding to the eerie atmosphere.

She glanced up, watching the dark bird take flight, its wings beating against the grey sky. It was as if the manor itself had called out a lament for its lost glory.

But as Julian continued inside, Cordelia knew she needed to follow.

She had come this far, and there was no turning back now.

She squared her shoulders, trying to summon courage from within. Whatever awaited her beyond those heavy wooden doors, she would face it head-on.

It was sure to be fine … at least, that was what she tried to convince herself. Just because the outside of the home looked a little chilly did not mean she would be greeted with the same indoors.

This was Julian's home, and she could not wait to feel that welcome homeliness. The same sensation of warmth she had always felt in her parents' house.

However, once inside, the atmosphere did little to dispel her unease.

Dusty white sheets cloaked most of the furniture, rendering the rooms ghostly and forsaken. It was clear that much of the home was not in use, the unused spaces echoing with memories of the more vibrant past she had imagined beforehand.

The air was thick with the mustiness of disuse; it gave the house a very strange feeling indeed.

But none of this seemed to impact Julian at all.

He led her through the grand foyer with its high ceilings and intricate mouldings, barely pausing to let her take in the surroundings every so often. He did not question how she was feeling, probably because he could see it written all over her face.

"Ah, my head staff members," Julian barked. "This is wonderful. I can introduce you now."

"This is Dan Andrews, the butler."

Cordelia stepped forward to curtsy to this man. He was a tall, stern man with an air of silent authority.

"Dan will see to your needs. And this is Penelope Baxter, who will serve as your lady's' maid."

Penelope had a kind face that showed a hint of curiosity beneath her professional demeanour. Her smile made Cordelia feel just a little bit better.

"There are many others, of course," Julian continued. "But these are the people you will need to know for now."

The servants bowed slightly, acknowledging their new charge. Cordelia offered them a polite smile, feeling the weight of their scrutiny. Penelope's eyes lingered on her for a moment longer, and Cordelia sensed a potential ally in her.

At least she hoped she had a potential ally because she would most certainly need one to survive her life here.

With formalities dispensed, Julian turned to Cordelia. "The house is yours, Cordelia. Make yourself comfortable."

His tone was clipped, betraying no emotion. With that, he excused himself, leaving her standing in the cavernous foyer, the flickering candlelight casting long shadows on the walls.

Cordelia glanced at Dan and Penelope, both awaiting her next move. The silence pressed in, a tangible thing.

"Thank you," she managed to say, trying to inject some warmth into her voice. "Penelope, could you show me to my room?"

"Of course, Your Grace," Penelope replied, her voice steady and reassuring. "And please, call me Penny."

"Penny," Cordelia whispered back, the hint of a smile in her voice. "Thank you very much, Penny."

Penny led Cordelia through a series of dimly lit corridors, the only illumination provided by the occasional candle or the faint glow from a hearth fire, barely sufficient to stave off the encroaching gloom.

The whole home felt like there were ghosts in all the walls. It was hard for Cordelia not to make these comments as they moved.

"Here you are," Penny finally declared. "Your bedchambers."

Cordelia's room, when they reached it, was much like the rest of the house — grand but icy. The bed was large, draped in heavy fabric that had clearly not been touched in a very long time, and the furniture was of fine quality but a little old-fashioned.

Penny moved quickly to light more candles and start a fire in the hearth, bringing a modicum of warmth and light to the space.

"How long have you been with the household, Penny?" Cordelia asked, breaking the silence because she needed to ask something .

"About five years now, Your Grace," Penny replied, glancing back at her with a warm smile. "It has been a bit of a lonely place since the duke's parents passed away."

Cordelia sensed there was more to the story. "It must have been difficult for everyone," she ventured, hoping to encourage Penny to share more.

Penny nodded, her expression softening with sympathy. "Yes, it was. The duke took it particularly hard. That is when he decided to keep most of the house closed off. He rarely uses any part of the home except for his living chambers, the study, the library, and the dining room. The rest of the rooms ... well, they are kept as though he is away in London."

"My goodness," Cordelia gasped. "Does it ever get lonely, with so much of the house closed off?"

Penny chuckled softly. "Oh, it can be a bit eerie at times, but the kitchen and servants' quarters are quite lively. We make our own little world down there. There is always something to talk about or laugh over. It helps to have good company."

Her laughter was infectious, and Cordelia found herself smiling despite the circumstances. "I am glad to hear that. It is nice to know there's some life in this place."

"Perhaps your presence will bring some life to the rest of the home, Your Grace …"

"Please," Cordelia insisted. "Call me Cordelia."

Her lady's maid had always used her first name, and she did not want that to change now, especially with the one person who seemed like she might be a friend to Cordelia.

"Alright, Cordelia," Penny replied with a smile. "Let me know if there is anything that you need to help you settle in. Anything at all."

"Thank you, Penny," Cordelia replied, grateful for the kindness in Penny's eyes. "I will let you know if I need anything. For now, I think I just need to get used to everything. This room, I need to find a way to make it my own."

"Very well. I will leave you in peace."

Penny nodded and left the room, closing the door quietly behind her. Cordelia took a deep breath and looked around her new chambers. She could hear the crackle of the fire Penny had started, bringing a small sense of comfort to the otherwise cold room.

Cordelia sat on the edge of the bed, feeling the weight of her new life pressing down on her. She had never imagined her marriage would bring her to such a desolate place, and the reality was hard to bear. Her thoughts wandered to Julian, wondering what kind of man he truly was beneath his stoic exterior. Why had he married her if not for love or companionship?

Her musings were interrupted by a soft knock on the door. Penny reentered, carrying a tray with tea and a selection of biscuits. "I thought you might like something warm," she said, setting the tray on a small table near the hearth. "You looked like you could use tea and something sweet. I hope you do not mind the intrusion; I simply want to make you feel welcome."

"Thank you, Penny," Cordelia said, feeling gratitude. "This is very thoughtful of you. You will never be an intrusion; I will always be grateful for your presence."

Penny poured a cup of tea and handed it to her. "I know it must be overwhelming, but I really am here to help you with anything you need. And remember, the duke's library is quite extensive and just a floor above where you are now. If you enjoy reading, then you might find some comfort there."

Cordelia took a sip of the tea, the warmth spreading through her. "I will keep that in mind. Thank you again, Penny."

She had always loved reading, so it was good to know there was a library here. Somewhere that she could lose herself in her reading. She might also get to know more about Julian by seeing what books he had in his home.

Once she was unpacked and perhaps a little more settled in where she was sure that she would end up spending most of her time – in her bed chambers – she might take a walk through the house and see what other treasures she could find. But if there was nothing else, at least there was a place where she could partake in her favourite hobby.

With some luck, having something to read would help make her feel a little more at home.