Chapter 10

CHAPTER 10

M rs. Maple guided Hanna up the stairs. Once she stepped on the landing, Hanna glanced down at Edwin. He was looking up at her, with that horrid, shaggy creature by his side. Her heart clenched as the dog stared back at her, convinced it was showing its teeth—a sight that made her shudder. She had nearly fainted when the beast lunged at her, barking and slobbering like some fiendish demon.

Yet, from this elevated vantage point, it didn’t seem quite as monstrous. While she had imagined it towering over her, she now realized it barely reached Edwin’s knee. It was a rather peculiar dog—its coat brown with both lighter and darker patches, akin to a beagle, though its hair was unkempt and shaggy.

“You don’t care for dogs, do you, Your Grace?” Mrs. Maple asked as they continued down the hallway.

Hanna shook her head, tearing her gaze away from the creature. “No, I do not. When I was a child, my brother Alexander was bitten by one. He still bears the scar on his leg. I was there when it happened, and it was quite frightening.”

“Oh yes, I can imagine,” Mrs. Maple said sympathetically. “But you needn’t worry yourself over Ruby. He’s no such menace. A right love, he is—just excited to make your acquaintance. Comes at you all bark and wagging tail, and the next thing you know, he’s dragging his tongue all over your hands if you let him.”

“I do wish I had been forewarned there was a dog in residence,” Hanna muttered, still unnerved.

“Would it have made any difference?” Mrs. Maple asked with an arched eyebrow, a hint of amusement in her voice.

Hanna opened her mouth to protest, but no words came. For in all earnestness, it wouldn’t have. She couldn’t very well have approached her father and declared her refusal to marry the Duke on account of a dog.

“I suppose not,” she admitted. “Does this… creature… roam freely about the house?”

“Oh yes, indeed,” Mrs. Maple replied as they came to a halt before a large, carved oak door. “Ruby goes wherever he pleases. His Grace treats him as though he were a child of his own. You need not fear him. He is an impudent scamp but harmless.”

Hanna was not convinced and drew in a sharp breath, catching the faint fragrance of lavender and vanilla in the air. “Is that scent to mask the dog’s odor?” she asked pointedly.

Mrs. Maple laughed heartily, the sound echoing off the walls. “No, not at all! His Grace ensures Ruby is bathed regularly, so he doesn’t smell. The scents are for you, Your Grace. His Grace instructed me to ensure the house was welcoming. I wasn’t certain of your preferences, so I chose a few of my favorites. Lavender and vanilla here, rose in your bedchamber, and more floral scents throughout the lower floors. I didn’t do every room, just those I thought you’d use.”

“Oh… I see,” Hanna murmured, taken aback by the thoughtfulness. “Thank you.”

“Of course. As for the dog, if you speak to His Grace, I am certain he would be willing to keep Ruby away until you grow accustomed to him. But let me assure you, he’s a sweet one. And truly, he was here long before any of us.”

“Is that so?” Hanna asked, surprised despite herself.

“Yes.” Mrs. Maple nodded, pushing open the door. “Ruby belonged to His Grace’s brother, the former Duke. He acquired him as a pup, a gift for his wife, Lady Cecilia. After the tragic accident, His Grace took charge of the dog.” A shadow passed over Mrs. Maple’s face, and she crossed herself. “God rest their souls. Such a terrible loss.”

So, she believes it was an accident.

Hanna considered whether to press the matter further. But something in Mrs. Maple’s voice made it clear that she was fond of both Edwin and the dog. Besides, the heavy panting of the footmen struggling with her trunks reminded her of more important matters.

“I have but one trunk and a large portmanteau,” Hanna explained apologetically. “I did not have time to bring everything. The rest of my belongings will be delivered soon.”

Mrs. Maple smiled kindly. “Oh, that’s quite all right, Your Grace. We have ample space for everything you require.”

She led Hanna through the door, and as she stepped inside, Hanna found herself utterly speechless. The chamber was magnificent, far beyond anything she had imagined. Bright, airy, and larger than both her own and Emma’s rooms combined, it seemed to greet her in a cascade of light. Sunbeams streamed through the great windows, which stood open, allowing a gentle breeze to stir the white curtains.

To her left stood an immense four-poster bed, draped with white linens and silk hangings interwoven with threads of gold that shimmered in the afternoon light. A grand fireplace crackled invitingly to her right, and along the walls stood three large armoires. A writing desk and various sideboards had been arranged thoughtfully around the room, and a lovely lamp adorned the bedside table.

“This is your dressing room, Your Grace,” Mrs. Maple said, gesturing to a door on the right.

“My dressing room?” Hanna echoed in disbelief.

“Indeed. And through that door”—Mrs. Maple pointed to another doorway adjacent to the bed—“you’ll find your private drawing room.”

Hanna stepped forward and grasped the doorframe as the most exquisite room came into view. It was furnished splendidly, with Chinese wallpaper covering the walls, and sofas upholstered in pale pink with matching armchairs arranged by a fireplace. The elegance of it all was overwhelming.

“The door leads back to the hall,” Mrs. Maple explained. “And just ahead is a small room—Lady Cecilia used it as her study, and His Grace’s mother before her would sit there with her embroidery.”

“Might I see it?” Hanna asked, her curiosity piqued.

“Of course,” Mrs. Maple said with a smile. “His Grace had supplies brought in for you. He mentioned that you enjoy crocheting.”

Hanna was stunned. “He mentioned that I crochet?”

“Oh, yes.” Mrs. Maple nodded. “He mentioned it to me. Though I confess I have no idea how that came to his knowledge.” She led Hanna to a small cabinet stocked with yarns and pattern books. “These belonged to His Grace’s mother. But the yarn itself is new —I selected it myself. I wasn’t certain of your preferences, so I chose an assortment.”

Hanna ran her fingers over the skeins, momentarily touched by the gesture. “Thank you,” she whispered.

“You’re most welcome,” Mrs. Maple said, her eyes softening. “Now, before I leave you to settle, do you know what you would like for dinner?”

Hanna shook her head, still engrossed in the yarn. “I… I am uncertain.”

“His Grace typically takes dinner at eight, but I’m sure he would accommodate an earlier or later hour if you prefer.”

Hanna stiffened. “I am to dine with him?”

Mrs. Maple appeared taken aback. “But of course, Your Grace. His Grace mentioned that you would be taking all of your meals together.”

“All of our meals?” Hanna’s heart sank.

She had hoped for some semblance of independence, imagining she might live a life parallel to Edwin’s—much like Arabella had with her husband. At the beginning of their marriage, it seemed that Harry hardly acknowledged Arabella’s existence, and Hanna had secretly hoped Edwin might do the same. But instead, he intended to spend time with her. To get to know her. And for what purpose?

“I had hoped to dine alone in my chambers,” she admitted, a little desperately. “As I am rather fatigued.”

Mrs. Maple offered a sympathetic smile. “It is but two in the afternoon, Your Grace. There is ample time to rest before dinner. Perhaps you will feel more refreshed by then.”

It was clear the housekeeper would not be swayed.

“Very well,” Hanna sighed. “But there is another matter. My lady’s maid…”

“You did not bring one from home?” Mrs. Maple asked, startled.

“No,” Hanna replied, feeling wretched. “I did not have the time to make arrangements.”

“I see,” Mrs. Maple said, her tone thoughtful. “We shall remedy that. There’s a young girl below stairs ready to serve as your maid until we can find a more suitable candidate. What is her name?”

“Viola,” Hanna murmured.

Viola, who had served Arabella until she moved out, had served both Hanna and Emma, with neither assigned to one over the other. While Viola held seniority, Hanna knew her desire was to return to Arabella’s service eventually. Soon, Arabella’s current lady’s maid, Mabel, would become the housekeeper at Ridlington Manor, and Viola would rejoin Arabella.

“Very well.” Mrs. Maple nodded. “I shall leave you now to settle in. Should you require anything, do not hesitate to call.”

With a brief curtsy, she left the room, leaving Hanna alone in the immense, beautifully furnished chamber.

For a moment, Hanna stood there, taking in the grandeur that surrounded her, but instead of feeling comforted, an overwhelming sense of loneliness washed over her.

She drifted toward the window, and as she pulled aside the lace curtain, she caught sight of Edwin outside. He stood in the garden, tossing a stick for that wretched dog, Ruby. The dog bounded after it with an enthusiasm that bordered on madness, and to Hanna’s astonishment, Edwin laughed—a genuine, boyish sound that reached her even through the glass. He knelt down, rubbing Ruby’s ears affectionately as the dog wagged his tail in sheer delight.

Hanna’s heart sank, a bitterness welling within her. This was her life now. Married to a man whose reputation was tarnished by whispers of greed and murder. A man who lavished affection on a dog of all things.

She turned from the window, her throat tight with unshed tears, and with a helpless sob, she threw herself onto the bed. The silk curtains sighed around her as she buried her face in the pillows, miserable and trapped in a life she had never asked for.