Page 33 of Duchess Needed
“You dug up the duke's garden on your third day of marriage.”
“Second day, actually. And I only tried to tidy it. There is a difference. The gardener planted daffodils and tulips side by side, for Christ’s sake. Mother would have a fit if she had been there.”
Anna gave her a look which expressed that she found Phoebe both exasperating and deeply unsurprising. Then she smiled and reached for her sister’s hands, giving them a gentle squeeze.
“Well done, Phoebe. I think you have done splendidly to have come this far.”
There it was again, those words that felt like more of a reward than she deserved. Coming from Anna, it sounded different to her ears and set off a different reaction than when her husband had said it to her. Now, she was reminded of just how important all of this was, why it was in her best interest to keep the duke’s interest, while also doing what she could to uphold his reputation.
The tea arrived, and with it a small plate of currant cakes, and for a little while they simply sat in the window and talked as they always had – about small things first, the comfortable flow of conversation among sisters. Rowland was doing well, according to Anna. Apparently, it had taken him a while to get used to her absence and he kept wandering into rooms and calling for Phoebe, only to realize moments later that she was no longer within the walls of their home.
Anna had been questioned about her sister’s sudden engagement and swift marriage, with many of them in disbelief that Phoebe had been the one who ended up with the duke – a sentiment the duchess could share with them easily. Other than that, her siblings were doing well and missed her terribly.
And then Anna set down her cup.
“It would seem His Grace kept his word and dealt with Lord Brightwood,” she informed briskly “The rumours have gone quiet entirely. I have attended two events this past week and Idid not hear a single unpleasant word. Whatever the duke did, it worked.”
Anna did not seem overjoyed by it. Relieved perhaps, but she appeared to have made peace with her past, as well as what it cost her and Phoebe was saddened by the fact that there was only so much, she could do for her sister. If she was able to, she would have healed Anna’s heart completely. She deserved a fresh start, away from the actions of that monster.
“He has a great deal of influence,” Phoebe nodded carefully.
“And apparently a willingness to use it.” Anna stared at her with slight curiosity in her gaze. “I heard something more as well – about the earl himself. That he was discovered in rather a compromising position with the daughter of a powerful man and that her father and brothers were involved in what followed. I don't know the details and I don't especially want them. But I find I am not at all sorry.”
“Nor am I,” Phoebe nodded, lifting her tea cup in silent toast.
There was a beat of silence, the gentle kind that hovered while they smiled at each other. And then the conversation continued.
“Good riddance,” Anna stated simply, clearly being influenced by Rowland and his mannerisms. “Now. Tell me about the duke. What is it like being married?”
Phoebe peered at her tea, looking for answers she knew would not be available to her.
“We’re – fine. Everything is fine.”
Anna frowned, folding her arms with a petulant pout she never seemed to outgrow.
“What on earth does that mean? Do you both spend time together? What was it like? That first night?”
Heat rushed to Phoebe’s cheeks as she recalled waking up in her bed alone a few days ago, the feeling of her husband’s gentle hand on her hair contrasting greatly against the soreness between her legs. Her thoughts about him had not stopped swirling, had not calmed in the slightest and it was all she could do not to be drowned by it.
“I need you to simply trust me when I say that everything is going well. We are getting along swimmingly.”
“I do not know if I can believe you, when you are doing all you can to spare the details,” Anna narrowed her eyes at her in accusation. “Give me something! What is he like? Has he been good to you?”
“He is – calm,” phoebe said, after a moment. “Composed. He knows his own mind and he is not apologetic about it, but he is not unkind. He is respected by his household. The staff regardhim well. He is – he keeps to himself a great deal but he is not... bad company. And yes, he has been good to me.”
Anna was silent while she spoke and for few moments afterwards, then her eyes narrowed even further purposefully.
“You like him,” Anna accused.
Phoebe’s heart skipped a beat fearfully. She had not even imagined such a concept, could not imagine that she could, not with what had laid the groundwork of their relationship.
It was simply impossible.
“I am married to him,” she pointed out to her younger sister, hoping that Anna would hear her and for once, listen.
“That is not the same thing, as we both know perfectly well.”
“I think he is a good man,” Phoebe said, which was the truest thing she could offer and the most she was willing to give. “He has been – fair. More than fair, in some aspects.”
