Chapter 5

CHAPTER 5

W illiam sat behind his desk, burying his face in his hands.

What was he thinking? Why had he let Patrick talk him into this?

The second his solicitor had suggested it he should have shut the idea down.

Sure he needed an heir, but it all happened so fast. Now she was here, asleep in one of the rooms, his wife, Rebecca.

He wasn't sure what he had hoped for when he had agreed to the match, but when he saw her standing there, he was shocked. With how eager her father had been to get rid of her, he had expected her to be more than a little homely, but she wasn't. Quite the opposite in fact, so much so that it stunned him.

He was startled from his thoughts by a knock on the door.

Before he could get a word out, the door swung open and Patrick stepped inside. He was a tall lean man with red hair and laughing blue eyes. When he saw William sitting behind his desk he frowned.

"I was worried I would find you here," the Irishman sighed.

William frowned. "What are you doing here?"

"I wanted to check on you and make sure you weren't locked away brooding. Where's your new bride?"

"Sleeping in her room I imagen."

He hummed. "Doesn't seem like you spent a lot of time with her."

"I thought she seemed tired after the excitement of the day."

"If going to the church and having a meal with you was too much excitement for one day then I find myself worried for her health."

William rolled his eyes. "If all you have come here to do is check on me, then you have seen me. You can go now."

"Don't think you're getting out of talking to me that easily. I have too many questions to go anywhere."

William sighed. "If I can't get out of this, why don't you just ask me what you want to ask me."

"Why don't we start small, what do you think of her?"

William scowled. "Is that your idea of starting small?"

"Seems like an easy enough question."

He looked away. "She will make a serviceable duchess."

Patrick stared at him, clearly waiting for more. When he realized it wasn't going to come, he spoke again. "Is that it? You marry a woman and all you can say is that she will make a good—not even good, just serviceable—duchess?"

"What more do you expect me to say?"

"How you feel, the things you spoke about, anything."

"If you're looking for specific information, then you should ask specific questions."

"I suppose I should have known better on that one. Why don't I try again. Do you think she is pretty?"

He stared down at his desk. William knew better than to risk eye contact while they talked about her. "I suppose she could be."

The other man chuckled. "That's high praise coming from you. You must think she's wonderful."

He sighed. "She dresses plainly. Her gown was almost completely unadorned. I must admit I was a bit surprised."

"But that just makes it easier to see her natural charms."

"If you want to see it that way I won't stop you."

"So you think she's pretty, that's a good start, but I need to know more than that. What is she like? What did you talk about?"

"She seems…. Quiet?" he said unsure.

"Sounds perfect for you. The two of you can enjoy sitting together in a room and not speaking to each other."

"Did you make the trip all the way here simply to mock me or did you need something?"

"Mostly to mock you. And to make sure you actually spend some time with your new wife."

"Of course I did. We rode the carriage home together then had dinner."

"Is that it?"

"I had things I needed to do. You know I'm a rather busy man. Honestly, I have no idea how I let you talk me into this."

"It wasn't as hard to do as you like to pretend. Whether you want to admit it or not, the simple fact of the matter is that you want more company than me and your staff."

"Are you admitting that you are poor company? You don't need to be so hard on yourself."

"I am going to let that go since it is your wedding day."

"And so that you can continue to ask countless questions about her."

"You seem perfectly capable of counting all of my questions."

"Just ask them so we can get this over with."

"Why are you alone in your office?"

He sighed. "I'm sure she's relieved I'm gone. We both know I'm not the easiest to get along with."

"So you claim."

"Because it's true."

"You have no concept of what you're like as a person, do you?"

William rolled his eyes. "It is hardly the first time you have said as much, but you have yet to explain it."

"I have. You just don't listen."

"That doesn't sound like me."

Patrick just grinned at him. "How long did you last into the dinner before you made your escape?"

"I'll have you know I had the whole meal with her," he scowled.

"Really? You sat there until both of you had finished eating?"

He looked away, "Well, not quite. You see, she was taking quite some time, but I stayed until I was done eating."

"Why couldn't you wait?"

"I had things I needed to work on."

Patrick laughed. "Because heaven forbid you take a rest on your wedding day."

"What was I supposed to do all day?"

"Spend time with her? Get to know the person you have agreed to spend the rest of your life with."

"I doubt she would want that."

"You don't think she would want a chance to get to know the man she married?"

William shook his head. "You didn't see the way she looked at me."

"I saw the way she was looking at you in the church. Like a mouse caught in a trap. You'd best learn why before she expires from sheer nerves."

He shook his head. "Why would someone like her choose someone like me? I can hardly believe her family would agree to the match."

"Her father is a notorious social climber. I don't doubt he would have married her off to anyone who could offer the Crowton family more prestige. If you want my opinion-"

"Which I did not ask for."

"She got lucky with you."

He scoffed."Do you have anything else to say or have you finished saying your piece?"

"I suppose, but -"

"I think it would be wise for you to stop wasting your time. The only reason I agreed to this this match was to sire an heir. There is no reason to act as though there is anything more than that going on."

Partick stared at him, clearly wanting to say more, but he had knows William long enough to know a losing battle when he saw one.

"Fine, if you insist, I won't push it, but make sure you spend some time with her tomorrow."

"I'll remember that you said that."

"That isn't the same as saying you are going to do it."

William just smiled. "Have a good night, Patrick. I'll see you when it's time to get back to work."

"Fine. And do try to give yourself at least a day or two to introduce yourself to your wife," he called as he walked from the room leaving William on his own once more.

He waited until he heard his footsteps disappear down the hall before letting out a long breath.

Patrick was a good man, but he was too loyal. He couldn't understand how Rebecca must be feeling. He never should have asked for this.

He spent a little while longer in his study, busying himself with some work before it was too late to justify anything other than going to bed. Getting to his feet, he ventured into the hall.

As he went, he ran into Mrs. Anderson.

"Good evening, your Grace," she curtsied.

"Mrs. Anderson, I'm surprised you're still awake."

"I wanted to ensure everything was ready for our new resident."

"And is it?"

"Most of it, but her lady's maid still hasn't arrived."

William frowned. "That's rather odd. I would have thought she would have arrived when her suitcase did."

"As did I. I do hope she hasn't run into any trouble."

"I suppose for now we should be keeping an eye out for her. Let me know when she arrives. If she isn't here by morning, I might reach out to Viscount Gloushire. Perhaps he might know what is taking her so long."

"That might be for the best. It's far too late. I should hope she isn't still traveling now."

"I couldn't agree more. Did Lady Rebecca say anything about her room?"

"I left her alone outside of it. She said she didn't want any help preparing for bed. I must say I was quite surprised."

"Quite. I would be too."

"I'm sure she will find the room itself more than adequate."

"I hope so. Please check in with her tomorrow and see if she needs anything."

"I will, sir."

He nodded. "Very good."

"Will there be anything else?"

"No, that should be everything. Thank you."

She hesitated.

William sighed. "Yes, what is it?"

"I just wanted to ask if you were sure with all of this. It might be a lot with her-

"That hardly seems like an appropriate question." He cut her off. "I'd prefer if you didn't pry into this matter."

Mrs. Anderson blinked in shock, a look of hurt flashing over her face. She quickly covered it with a professional mask. "Very well, your grace. Forgive me for asking."

William shook his head. "What's done is done. Don't let it happen again."

"Of course your grace. If that is all, then I think I am going to retire for the night."

"Very good," he said before continuing his own way to his bedroom.

On his way, he found himself making a small detour to walk by her door. It was late, it had been a long day. He was sure she must be asleep by now.

He didn't want to wake her, but he couldn't help but stop outside her door and listen for a moment. Of course there was no sound from inside, only the stillness of the night.

William shook his head. What else could he have expected? He made his way the rest of the distance to his room, shutting himself inside.

William never spent much time in his room. He never spent much time about his study in general, so the room was fairly spartan. It had what he needed, a bed, a wardrobe, a dressing table with a wash bason, brush, and a few other toiletries, but that was it.

After all there wasn't a need for much more than that was there?

He shucked off his clothes with little care. Any mess he left behind would be a problem for morning William to deal with. For the moment, all he wanted to do was lay down and wipe the day from his mind.

He couldn't help but wish that he could have a do over of the past few weeks when he woke up.

Rebecca was a wonderful girl, far better than was fair given her situation. He wasn't sure if he could do this.

William shook his head alone in the darkness. It didn't matter if he could or couldn't handle it. He had already made his choice.

There was no going back now.