Death of a Duchess by Nellie Steele (the beginning after the end novel read TXT) 📗

“No, I do not imagine you would, dear, even if something was not to your liking. Yet you’ve held yourself just beyond accepting your role fully. I worried you may never accept it.”

My brows pinched together as he spoke. I fulfilled all duties required of a mistress of a dwelling such as this. I consulted with the staff regarding meals, ran the household and performed other tasks a lady such as myself was responsible for. I attempted to create an atmosphere in which my husband was at ease. It was, after all, his castle. Though we were a married couple, our marriage was in name only.

I set my spoon on the underplate, prepared to discuss the issue. “Have I been remiss in some duty?” I inquired.

“No, Lenora. You fulfill every duty expected of you, with expert precision, from what Buchanan has told me. The staff quite enjoys working for you.”

“While I am pleased to hear this, I am troubled over your statements. If there is something lacking in my duties, I should prefer to be informed.”

“There is nothing lacking on your part, Lenora. I merely refer to your tendency to disallow yourself to truly become part of the household. Your delay in seeking a ladies’ maid, or making any household changes, for example. I suppose the fault is mine. With our rather rushed marriage, you’ve been brought into the house more like a staff member than family.”

“There is no fault on your part. Your offer was and continues to be generous. I shall work harder to…”

Robert waved his hand to interrupt me. “I understand some of your reluctance may stem from the less-than-courteous treatment you’ve received throughout your life. You should not work harder, though, dear, you should not work at it at all.”

I pondered his statements. Had I a reluctance to allow myself to be folded into a family? Family was not a foreign concept, but I had not experienced the comforts of a family for most of my adolescent life. Did I hold myself at a distance? In a marriage of convenience, this seemed expected. Yet…

Robert interrupted my thoughts. “Eat your breakfast, Lenora. Do not dwell on it. There are no shortcomings on your behalf.”

I nodded, retrieving my spoon to eat my porridge. “I shall not dwell on it,” I promised, though I was certain my mind would return to it.

Robert eyed me sideways for a moment but did not return to the conversation. Instead, he moved on to a new topic. “The party this evening will provide a good opportunity to introduce you to many of the country’s society members.”

I nodded with a curt smile. “Indeed.”

Robert offered a small smile and returned to his newspaper. We finished our breakfast, and I excused myself to prepare for my final dress fitting, pleased that my plan had been approved.

Buchanan showed my dressmaker to my room by mid-morning. She carried the garment for the event this evening with her. The maid followed her, prepared to assist me in dressing. I gazed at the dress as the dressmaker fussed at its form, which she draped over the chaise. She faced me, a pleased expression on her face.

“It is lovely,” I commented. “The detailing is exquisite. Shall I try it?”

“Yes,” Madame Worth encouraged. “It should be perfect. But let us be sure. We must ensure your first outing is magnifique!”

I nodded as the maid collected the dress and we disappeared behind the dressing screen. As Elsie began securing the dress, I gazed down at the gathered beige-gold fabric, at the bow and rose detail intricately stitched at the shoulder and around the bottom of the top skirt. The train of the dress was bustled thrice, roses adorning each gather. I fretted for a moment, worried I had allowed myself to be led into an overly extravagant choice.

Elsie continued pulling at the bodice to tighten it around my waist. After a few moments, she finished the task. “Finished, Your Grace,” she said, stepping back. I emerged from the dressing screen and approached the full-length mirror.

Madame Worth clasped her hands together in front of her face, thrilled with the result. “OH! Your Grace! You shall be the belle of the ball!”

I gazed into the mirror, admiring the dress. The fabric, the cut and the detailing were impeccable. Madame Worth’s talent was obvious. “Is there anything amiss, Your Grace?” the woman asked when I did not respond.

“No!” I assured her, rousing myself from my own thoughts. “I was lost in admiration of your work.”

The woman placed a hand over her heart. “Your Grace, you are too kind.”

“I am not,” I countered. “Your talent is obvious.” I glanced into the mirror again. “Are you sure it isn’t too ostentatious?”

“Not at all, madam,” Madame Worth assured me, approaching me. “You must remember, you will be the highest-ranking lady at the party. I was sure to check the guest list before designing for you.”

I nodded at her, catching her eye in the reflection. “I am very pleased. I shall feel as though I am the loveliest woman at the party, I am certain.”

“As you should, Your Grace.”

With Elsie’s assistance, I changed into my day dress and dismissed her to her other duties. Madame Worth and I chatted over tea. After she departed and I finished my lunch, I climbed to my tower room, settling into the window seat for a few hours of reading before dressing for the ball.

After glancing over the winter landscape, I focused on the book I’d selected from the library. When I arrived, the library and its selections had thrilled me. I’d never beheld such an abundance of books in one place. The library at the orphanage had been small, tiny in comparison. I struggled to find suitable books to read that were new to me. Here, I should be kept satisfied for a long while.

My most recent read, The Scarlet Letter, came from this library and was new to me. Published only thirteen years