"My lady, his lordship is quite busy -" a voice said from outside his study, and then the doors were being pushed open and he turned slowly to see his own new bride striding into the room, an expression of frustration on her face.
"It is fine, Mrs. Brooks," Cedric said, standing. "You may return to your duties."
Mrs. Brooks had been housekeeper his entire life and therefore it was not difficult to see that she disapproved heartily of the interruption to his work and desired him to allow her to remove his wife, but she would never say so. She bobbed thesmallestof curtseys and left the room, leaving them alone.
"What is it that demanded my attention so immediately that you could not knock, wife?" there was a moment where surprise flickered in her eyes at the term and he felt a rush of amusement at how easy it was to get under her skin.
His wife stood in front of him, the bright sunshine from the window capturing her in stark relief. She was fair indeed, slight and willowy with freckles scattered across her nose and her dark chestnut brown hair coiled at her neck. Her green eyes flashed with spirit, glinting in the sunlight and he thought for a moment that this was the face of true beauty before pushing that notion away.
"Why have you not told me more about your brother's children?" she said, surprising him. He had thought it might be about her rooms or clothes or the servants perhaps. "They are clearly suffering, grieving. I could see that immediately from our conversation today but they are so cautious around me as though I might harm them. What has happened to them?"
Cedric let out a breath slowly, jaw clenching on the sharp pain of the reminder of his brother's death. "They have been badly hurt, it is true. The deaths of their parents were quick, but horrible."
"How did they die?" Louisa asked, her voice gentling a little.
"They lived in a small cottage, not a big fancy place like this one but comfortable. Their house was near to some farmlands and a man was burning off some brush when he lost control of the blaze. It carried on towards nearby houses. Some people escaped. My brother and his wife did not. The neighbors were only able to save the children in the end. Everything they knew was destroyed in that fire." His eyes were fixed on his hands, helpless and futile as was all of his power when it came to fixing this, this most horrible tragedy. When he looked up, he wassurprised to see that Louisa's own eyes were shimmering with unshed tears.
"Oh the poor things," she said softly. "I know a little how it feels to lose a parent. And to lose them in so violent and frightening a way, they must feel it terribly."
"I am sure they do," Cedric said, looking away from her and trying not to think about it, on the fear that must still be in their hearts. The knowledge that they had about death that even grown men would struggle with. "It will take them some time to trust a new person. You should concentrate on learning your new duties and wait for them to approach you in their own time."
It seemed logical, and in fact perfectly reasonable, so she surprised him yet again by shaking her head fiercely as though he had said something foolish.
"No, no that is not the way! Yes they should have a choice in whether they trust me, but if I never approach them I am sure they will never feel welcome to speak to me! Children should be encouraged to come out of their shells after a loss like this or they may stay in them forever!"
"I understand your position," Cedric said with an evenness that seemed to be hard fought. "I can even sympathize with it. However I am firm in my stance. I hope that you can respect my wishes here."
"But it is wrong!" Louisa said, unable to catch the words as they poured out of her. She could remember only too well the loneliness of grief as a child, the way she had longed for an adult, any adult to come and hold her and help her understand what was happening. "I cannot understand why you are insisting I not do the very thing that you brought me here to do and what is more, I simply will not stand by and isolate those children even further. Don't you think they have suffered enough?"
"You knownothingabout me or my family," Cedric said sharply, crossing to stand before her. "You know nothing about my children. You do not know what will benefit them and you do not know what is best for them. I say you will leave them be until they are ready and I would appreciate it if you would abide by my instructions!"
They were so close that he could have touched her, perhaps even kissed her. Her head was tossed back, her eyes flashing as she stared up at him with her lips parted as though she were about to say something sharp back to him, something fierce and spirited that might draw him in even closer.
Cedric found himself glancing at her lips, small and rose-bud shaped and perfect.
He drew back and waved a hand. "Go. I have said my piece."
"Why did you marry me if you won't trust me with them?" Louisa asked, confusion now on her face. "This is what you wanted me to be in charge of, this is what you married me for!"
"And I will be the judge of when you are ready for it," Cedirc said firmly. "Now, I have a great deal to do."
With that he turned from her and sat back at his desk, pretending that he was not listening to her as she slowly left the room and closed the door behind her.
CHAPTER FIVE
Louisa woke to gentle sunlight seeping through the crack in the heavy drapes. For a brief moment, eyes closed and warm rays dancing across her face, she completed the same ritual she had done every morning since her arrival at St Vincent Manor. She thought of her sisters, and her father, and her childhood home that was now so far away, and she contemplated whether this house would ever feel as homely to her one day. Her mind had begun to stray to Cedric, and his strong blue eyes burning into her, when a gentle tap on her door pulled her back into focus.
"My lady?" The soft voice was accompanied by another soft tap.
Louisa stifled a groan as she sat fully up in bed. She tried to temper her annoyance as she called, "You may enter, Ellis."
The door creaked open and her maid walked briskly into the room. She cleared her throat as she reached the end of Louisa's bed. "Mrs. Brooks thought I ought to check on you, my lady.Cook has already prepared breakfast, and Mrs. Brooks would like to continue your tour of the estate today."
Louisa bit her lip. "Mrs. Brooks needn't worry. I'm sure I'll find my way around just fine."
Ellis tilted her head slightly, before she strode to the wardrobe and began to arrange what Louisa supposed was her outfit for the day. "Nevertheless, my lady, his lordship expects Mrs. Brooks to aid you in your duties until you are used to them. You didn't check the menu with Cook yesterday until very late."
Louisa opened her mouth to argue, and then closed it sharply. It wouldn't do to make enemies of the staff.Surely they're just trying to be helpful. I should be grateful, shouldn't I? It's not like I've done this before, after all.
