"And you expect me to simply follow your orders because you’ve decided it?" she asked. "I understand that we need to fix our reputation, but I’m not preparing myself to play a part just to satisfy your whims or theton’s expectations. You can’t just return and dictate how everything will be from now on."
"I think I can. Seeing as it’s my home and I am the head of it," he said.
Alice muttered under her breath before storming out of the room, leaving Victor alone in the silence. This was the longest conversation he had ever had with her, and he wasn’t quite sure how to process it. Conversations had never been his strong suit, so he had anticipated a clash of views.
Still, he was taken aback by her demeanor. He hadn’t expected her to be so furious.
Victor stood in the center of what used to be his chambers. His room – as he recalled it – had been a strong and traditional space, filled with rich mahogany furniture and deep burgundy fabrics. His father had designed the chambers himself, and while Victor did not care for the late Duke’s taste, he had grown accustomed to it.
There used to be a large four-poster bed, draped in heavy velvet curtains. It had been the focal point of the room. The walls had displayed portraits of his ancestors, telling stories of his family’s legacy. There had also been a thick, plush carpet in the center of the room that he had picked out himself.
The room felt foreign to Victor now. Alice had transformed it into a lighter, brighter space. The heavy drapes were replaced with sheer panels that let in sunlight, and the deep green walls were now a soft blue, softening the once-serious atmosphere.
The bed remained, but it was now covered in floral linens, and his hunting trophies had been swapped for peaceful countryside prints. It wasn’t his style, and the changes unsettled him more than he cared to admit.
"Roberts..." Victor said to the butler behind him with his eyes shut. "Can you explain to me, what in heaven’s name happened to my chambers?"
Roberts cleared his throat. "You were gone, Your Grace," he answered. "Her Grace passed her time making renovations to the estate. According to her, it didn’t feel like a home and she wanted to change that."
"This room feels like a stranger’s haven." Victor’s gaze hardened as he turned to Roberts, his brows furrowed. "It was my sanctuary. You let her redo my room, Roberts? And you didn’t think to mention it? I left you here to keep an eye on her. To make sure that she was in line. You should have been by my sideas you always were, but I trusted that you would take care of this home in my absence."
Roberts flinched slightly and cleared his throat. "And I did, Your Grace," he answered.
Victor turned to him with furrowed eyebrows. "So, you agree with the changes that Alice has made to the estate?"
"Not entirely, Your Grace," he stuttered.
"Not entirely?" Victor asked in disbelief, expecting an outright no. "Explain yourself."
Roberts straightened his back and nervously clasped his hands together. "The Duchess has restored the tapestries on the walls throughout the estate, enhancing the grandeur of the hallways. She has also purchased new furniture for the rooms, replacing the older pieces that were, I must admit, in need of replacement. They were from the time before the late Duke’s."
Victor could hardly believe his ears as he processed Roberts’s unexpected praise for Alice. His butler, known for his unwavering demeanor and sharp tongue, rarely offered compliments, especially not for someone outside their family. Roberts...who had been by his side since childhood, seldom expressed admiration for anyone or anything.
"You actually think she’s making a difference by changing the tapestries?" Victor questioned.
"It’s not merely the tapestries themselves, Your Grace. It’s about the intention behind them. I must say that the estate feels more like a home now," he explained. "Her Grace has also hired new staff, which was necessary as we were quite short-staffed. The gardens have been restored to their original glory, bringing back the beauty that had faded over the years. I have not seen it look that beautiful in over twenty years. She is currently building an orangery close to the hedge maze, which I think will be a splendid addition."
Victor shook his head. "You cannot be serious."
"Also, she did something to one of the old rooms..." he continued. "She turned it into a bathroom. But it’s not like a normal bathroom. It’s...different. It is both practical and elegant, a space designed for relaxation. I was quite impressed when I saw how it turned out."
"Enough," Victor rasped. "I want my old room restored. I may not have the time or patience to reverse every change, but I expect the old portraits, the heavy drapes, and the carpet back. Make my chambers as they once were. Understood?"
"Yes, Your Grace," Roberts said. "Are you back for good now, if I may ask?"
"Why are you asking?" Victor questioned as he began to undress. "Let me guess, you are not enthusiastic about undoing the amazing job your new duchess has done?"
"Well...it would be a shame to tear it all done only to have to redo it when you leave," Roberts said.
"You do realize that I am your employer?" Victor asked him. "Not the Duchess. Me. Do as I say."
Roberts responded with a slight bow. "I take it you would also want to undo what she has done to the study?"
Victor paused and slowly turned around. "She touched my study?"
"Yes, Your Grace," Roberts said. "The Duchess has taken the liberty of redecorating the study to match the overall aesthetic she has established throughout the estate."
Victor threw his hands in the air. "You know what, I’m disappointed in you, Roberts. I walk into the estate and I cannot even recognize the place for the life of me. It’s my home."
