One month later...
Traveling from London to New Berwick had been exhausting. The Dalais lands were located outside of the Scottish village, but Samuel would hold no memories of the manor. He hadn’t even been born there. His mother had given birth to him in France, far away from the people who wanted to murder his entire family. The carriage wheels rattled against the street as they rolled through the town, heading toward Dalais Manor.
Samuel had sent workers ahead when the king had agreed to restore his land. He expected the estate to be in disarray. It had been empty for almost three decades. When his family had made their escape, the villagers had stormed the manor to carry his father off to be put on trial for witchcraft. His mother had hid with his cousins until Daniel helped them escape. It had been a near thing, and if they had been discovered, all of them would have perished.
Thoughts of that night haunted him. He couldn’t imagine what they had endured, and he likely never would. That didn’t mean he couldn’t picture their terror in his mind. He glanced at his wife. She’d been a timid little mouse and barely spoken to him since they said their vows.
He allowed her to have her privacy, and didn’t make any demands on her. Once they were settled in Dalais Manor, he’d speak to her about what he expected of her. Temperance needed something to cling to, and her uncertain future continued to put her on edge. The colors swirling around her screamed at him, and for his own sanity, he had to help her calm her inner storm.
The carriage came to a stop in front of a large manor house. The men he’d hired had already started on repairs. The door had been replaced, along with several windows. Some villagers had been hired to clean the entire manor, so he hoped it was livable. The rest could wait. Temperance could redecorate, however she liked. All Samuel wanted was a functional estate and a bed to sleep in.
“It doesn’t look too terrible,” he mumbled.
“No, it does not.”
He turned to meet her gaze. She rarely spoke, so when she did it always caught him off guard. He tilted his lips upward into a warm smile. “Do you think you can be comfortable here?”
“I do,” she said in a modest tone. It pained his heart a little how broken she seemed to be. “Do you believe you can?”
He shook his head. “I don’t know. I suppose I can.” It was still difficult for him to see this manor as his home, and he couldn’t help thinking he might never see it that way. He hadn’t grown up here, and he certainly didn’t feel anything endearing toward the town that had turned on his family.
Reclaiming his lands and title had nothing to do with sentiment and everything to do with taking back what belonged to him. The act was as much for his father as it had been for himself. He might never feel comfortable here, but he could pretend to, leastwise for now.
After the estate was repaired and he was satisfied that it had been restored to its former glory, he’d return to London. That was where his true home and family were. If Temperance wanted to come with him, she could. He would let her decide where she belonged.
Samuel stepped out of the carriage and then turned to assist Temperance out. They walked into the manor together. There were little furnishings remaining inside, but it had been cleaned. He should have considered there would not be much there for them; however, that was a problem he could easily solve. “We might not have a bed. There might not be much furniture in the manor.”
She shrugged. “We can explore and see what we discover.” Temperance moved past him and went to the large staircase near the entrance. She moved up the stairs without saying a word.
Samuel fell into step behind her. If she wanted to explore, then he’d let her. The manor was almost as much of a mystery to him as it was to her. His mother had told him a bit about the house, but nothing compared to first hand knowledge.
They made it to the second story and wandered down the corridor. They went into the first bedchamber. There was a four-poster bed with what appeared to be an intact mattress and fresh bedding. When the villagers had cleaned, they must have anticipated the new lord and lady of the manor would need a bed.
“Do you think all the rooms are like this or just this one?” she asked. Temperance nibbled on her bottom lip, and it didn’t take a man who could read auras to understand her fear. They hadn’t shared a bed since they said their vows, and she didn’t wish to now. He didn’t blame her. They were only starting to know each other.
“Why don’t we inspect each one and find out.”
They did, and all the rooms were pristine, but only two had new mattresses. The Lord and Lady’s chambers, which were connected by a door. The baroness’s chamber was more delicate with pastel coloring. The first chamber they had entered had bolder colors, in rich reds and golds.
Temperance became more tranquil once she walked into the lady’s chamber. “I suppose this is meant to be my room.”
“If that is what you wish,” he replied nonchalantly. “But if you’re more comfortable in another room, you may move to it.”
“Once we have more beds,” she replied in a light tone.
He shrugged. “Or we could have some of the workers move this one. It’s your decision.”
She glanced up at him with a serious expression on her face. “Why are you so nice to me?”
It pained him to hear that question from her lips. “Has everyone been unkind to you?” No one should live in fear, and it was clear Temperance had never known a moment of true peace.
“Yes,” she admitted. “Any kindness came with expectations. What do you want with me?”
He shook his head. “I want you to be happy.”
It was a simple answer, but Samuel meant it. He didn’t want Temperance to feel as if she owed him anything. She should do something for herself, something she had been denied, and in doing so perhaps she could finally relax. He hoped he could give that to her.
“No one has ever offered me that,” she said in a quiet tone. “I am not sure what happiness is.”
Samuel blew out a breath. “Then it’s time you learned.” He smiled. “Do whatever pleases you. I’m going to walk into town and see how the villagers react to me. I shouldn’t be long.” He turned on his heels and left her alone.
If he stayed a moment longer, he might do something foolish like kiss her. She wasn’t ready for his advances.
Temperance strolled beside Samuel through the winding garden paths. She sneaked a glance at her husband, her heart fluttering. She had never been so confused in her entire life. Her husband had been good to her since the very beginning. He never raised his voice or chastised her. His home in London had been simple and elegant. She had her own bedchamber there, and not once had he visited her.
They had not consummated their marriage, and she couldn’t help wondering why he hadn’t wanted her in that way. Did he not find her desirable? The idea stung, but she also took comfort in the fact that he did not push her.
Of course, she was a contradiction. She both feared and desired for the night he joined her and made her his true wife. Some nights she wished he would join her for the sole purpose of finally having the deed completed. Other nights she was grateful for her solace.
She should ask him to join her, but she was afraid he might accept her invitation. What was wrong with her?
Temperance and Samuel had been at Dalais Manor for a month. The villagers were wary of them, but they hadn’t outright snubbed them. The men and women who had been willing to persecute Samuel’s family were either dead or too old to do anything of significance.
Not many of them fared well during the witch trials. Neighbor turned on neighbor and bred seeds of mistrust that lasted through the years. New Berwick was not a welcoming sort of village. Temperance didn’t even try to make friends. It was a marvel Samuel had found staff for the manor.
She strolled through the garden relishing the feel of sun on her face. Samuel had hired a gardener to prune and plant where needed. Most of the stuff that was planted wouldn’t grow until spring, but what was left in the garden had been tamed. It was Temperance’s favorite area of the entire estate.
Samuel stared at a fountain that had been repaired. He had a frown on his face. Temperance had discovered she disliked seeing him unhappy. His kindness endeared him to her. “What is bothering you?”
He turned toward her and smiled. “Nothing.” Samuel shook his head. “My mother loves this fountain. She told me how my father had it built for her.”
Temperance frowned. “I didn’t realize your mother was still alive.” Samuel didn’t talk about his family much. She wondered about them, of course, but didn’t want him to feel obligated to share anything with her.
He sighed. “I don’t like to talk about my family. But if you have questions, I will do my best to answer them.”
“I shouldn’t like to pry. However, I am curious how we came to be here…together.”
“My uncle thought I should reclaim my title and lands.” Samuel shrugged. “It’s how we both ended up here. I listened to his advice.”
“Do you regret that decision?” Temperance hadn’t wanted to marry him, but now that she had she was glad for their union. He had wanted her to be happy, and slowly she had allowed herself to be. Samuel gave her the space to find her own way and let her enjoy life. Now she wanted happiness for him as well.
“I do not,” he said. “I just miss my family. It’s lonely here.”
“Loneliness is all I’ve ever known,” she said in a quiet tone. “It’s safer that way.”
Samuel frowned. “That is no way to live.” He tilted his head to the side. “Your father was not good to you, was he?”
“No, he was not.” It was her turn to frown. “He’s not a good man. Unfortunately for me his status with the king has always been far more important than my welfare. I believe he saw to my needs as a way to further his own ambitions.”
Samuel met her gaze. “He hoped for a better match for you than me. I’d wager he didn’t expect the king to offer your hand in marriage to a man tainted by witchcraft.”
“You would win that bet,” she said, then smiled. “The king wasn’t keen on making a match for me at all. From the whispers at court my father was lucky you decided to petition the king for your lands.” She glanced away from him. “I’m fortunate as well. My life has been better with you.” She did not add the qualifier that her father had been cruel. That part was understood.
“I think we will be fine together.” He picked her hand up in his, then lifted it to his lips. Samuel kissed her palm. “We’re friends are we not?”
That kiss sent tiny shivers down her spine. Desire pooled at her core, and she wanted him to press his lips to hers. She had a need to explore everything with him, but feared telling him that. What if he wanted more than a mere kiss? “I believe we are.” It was a cowardly answer when she wanted more from him.
“I’m glad,” he said, then glanced back at the fountain. “I’m going to invite my family to visit. I think it’s time. Most of the repairs are finished and we have more furnishings now.” He turned toward her. “Is that all right with you?”
She nodded. How could she say no to him? “I’d love to meet them.” That was the absolute truth, but a part of her couldn’t help being afraid. What if they didn’t like her?
He smiled at her, and it filled her with warmth. “They’re going to love you. Don’t worry overmuch.” Samuel leaned down and kissed her cheek. It wasn’t on her lips, but it was closer. Perhaps soon he’d do more than offer little comforts.
“You don’t know that with any certainty,” she said in a shaky tone.
“I do,” he said, then brushed a stray lock of hair behind her ear. “Because I know your heart. They’ll like you because you are a good person, and you deserve their kindness. Don’t diminish yourself. You’re worth more than you think you are.”
She wanted to believe him, and she would try. “I pray you’re right.”
“You will see that I am.” He stepped away from her. “There are a few things I must see too. Don’t stay outside over long. It might rain and I’d hate for you to fall ill.” With those words, he walked away from her.
He left much for her to think about. They had an odd sort of relationship, and she didn’t quite understand what he wanted from her. She prayed his intentions were good, and in time they might be more than friends. Temperance wanted a true marriage with him. Now all she had to do was discern a way of obtaining it.