“Martha will show you to your room,” Talbot indicated one of the maids, “and I can give you a tour of the house before dinner.”
“That sounds perfect, thank you,” Elizabeth said shyly, not liking all the eyes on them.
Martha led her up the twin-curved staircase, and Lizzie held on to the solid oak handrails to steady herself as she took in her surroundings. They passed so many doors that Lizzie began to fear she might get lost on her way to dinner afterwards. Luckily, when they entered the dressing room that would be hers from now on, Mary was already there.
“Thank you, Martha.”
The quiet woman nodded her head and left.
“Hello, Duchess,” Mary said with an impish grin, and Lizzie laughed. “Can you believe this house?”
“It’s like something out of one of Jane’s stories. But I must confess, I’m somewhat sad to be back in the city, is that silly?”
“Not at all.” Mary shook her head. “I’ve grown quite fond of Norwich myself. Have you had a chance to see other parts of the house?”
“Not yet. Colin promised to show me before dinner. You?”
“Mrs. White showed us most of it. A lot of it is very modern.”
“What did you think of her?”
“She seemed very friendly and open, kind. All the staff did, really.”
“I’m so glad,” Lizzie exhaled in relief.
Almost two hours before dinner, Lizzie knocked on the door of her husband’s study. When she entered, she was amused to find that it was almost exactly the same as his study in Norwich.
What a peculiar man,she thought, remembering that his cook had travelled with him from house to house as well.
“Ah, Elizabeth, do come in,” the peculiar man in question said as he got up from his desk, looking like he’d been working since they’d arrived.
His valet was standing behind him like a statue.
“I was just asking Stevenson to show you the kitchens and pantry while I finish some letters, and then I shall join you for the rest of the tour, if that is all right with you?”
“Of course,” Lizzie hastened to assure him. “We can also postpone it if you’re too busy.”
“Not necessary, I shall be done very soon, I promise. Besides, I couldn’t tell you much about the kitchens. I have the feeling that Mrs. White and Mrs. Clark are already eagerly waiting downstairs to show you everything.”
“Very well,” Lizzie said with a small smile at Stevenson. “Shall we?”
“Not the pipes, Stevenson, I want to show her that,” Talbot added absent-mindedly as he sat back down, already reaching for the silver inkstand on his desk.
Stevenson merely nodded as he escorted her out of the study. Elizabeth suddenly worried what the tour would be like, since she’d never spent any time alone with the man, and he seemed terribly reserved.
“This manor was not inherited,” Stevenson started speaking without preamble. “His Grace purchased it from the family of aschool friend soon after inheriting the title. The only thing he insisted on was that it be completely empty when they left town, so that he could arrange everything to his particular taste.”
Elizabeth looked around, only now noticing the subtle differences between the Norwich interiors and this house.
“So this is entirely His Grace’s doing?”
“Every piece of furniture has been selected by him personally, Madam. Down to the pipes.”
Elizabeth thought about the tastefully decorated dressing room she had spent the afternoon in and couldn’t imagine Colin as the one behind it.
It had to have been Mrs. White... Or am I wrong?She wondered.
“What kind of pipes was he talking about?”
