Page 63 of The Odyssean Duke

“I brought these flowers for you,” Isabelle announced.

She had chosen delicate purple blossoms and little pink roses from the garden. Evelina smiled as the young woman placed the vase on the nearest table. “Lovely,” she said.

“I can place more around the house if you like,” Isabelle offered.

“That would be lovely,” replied Evelina.

If the flowers were not placed in her bedchamber, Evelina would not be able to enjoy them. She might be weary of lying in bed, but the thought of leaving her bedchamber filled her with just a little more dread than boredom. It would be something to brighten the house, though. She would be able to appreciate the flowers in just a few days, for she could not possibly be ill for much longer. The physician had said so.

“I shall see that it is done,” Isabelle said. “Is there anything else?”

Evelina pursed her lips together, thinking. “Nothing in particular,” she said. “But I do think the house could do with a little brightening up, don’t you?”

Isabelle offered a small, wry smile. “This house is a little less colorful than your own.”

Evelina wrinkled her nose. She thought about the giant, gilded portraits and the thick drapes and dark furniture. “It is heavy,” she mused. “Perhaps we ought to begin by opening the curtains to let in some light. I would also like to see the linens.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

Isabelle departed, and Evelina resumed embroidering. This was more like her, in charge and making her space?—

Well, she was not really makingherspace. She would only live with Stephan until an heir was born, less than a year. Then, shewould return to her own townhouse and never see her husband again, or if she did, those occasions would be few. No, she was only making these changes, so she felt a little better about being so terribly sick.

Besides, it was not as if she could leave part of the house undecorated. That would be an oddity. No, if she was going to insist upon bringing some color and light to the place, she needed to be consistent with what she was doing.

Evelina hummed to herself, carefully crafting the petals of a delicate, pink flower and adding a little ring of green leaves. She wondered if Stephan would notice the changes. If he did, would he even care? Evelina bit her lip. Maybe she should have asked Stephan if he cared before choosing to make changes to the house.

Then again, this would be her home for a little while, too. If making those little changes made Evelina feel better, what was the harm in them? The sooner she was better, the sooner she and Stephan could consummate the marriage.

The sooner she would have a child.

Evelina would add all the light and color she wanted to this townhouse, and there was nothing Stephan could do to stop her.

* * *

“Did you decide to purchase all the flowers in London?” asked Stephan, as he entered the bedchamber.

Evelina sat upright, adjusting the pillow behind her, so she was more comfortable. “I thought the house would benefit from having some color.”

Stephan dropped into his chair. He wrinkled his nose and scoffed. “Am I to assume that you will be adding color throughout the entire house?”

“Of course,” she said. “I cannot simply put color in only a small part of the house. I must ensure that everything is perfectly balanced.”

“I see.”

“Good,” Evelina said. “Besides, I feel better when I have something to do.”

She showed him her embroidery, which was nearly finished. His eyes flicked to it, an uncertain look crossing his face. “That is nice.” He offered the compliment awkwardly, as if he did not quite know what to say.

“I have been working on it between rests,” Evelina said. “I think these cushions would be perfect in the drawing room.”

“These?”

“It is a set of four,” Evelina informed him. “The cushions must all match, of course.”

“Are the present cushions insufficient?” Stephan asked, arching an eyebrow.

“They are faded,” she said with a sniff. “Let me make my improvements to the house.”