The woman curtsied stiffly; her lips curled but the smile did not reach her eyes. “Watkins left here first thing with the luggage. I’m now your personal maid. His grace appointed me himself to take care of you in future.”
Isobel turned away too upset to remonstrate with this supercilious intruder. Had everything they’d shared last night meant nothing? The man she thought Alexander to be would not have dismissed Mary without speaking to her first. He had sent away the only familiar face in this barracks of a building. She would be alone with a stranger and she was no longer sure of his feelings.
In frosty silence she allowed this unwanted woman to help her dress. Her joy in the day had gone. She couldn’t bear to think Mary thought this was her decision. This would mean Mary’s husband Sam, who was her personal groom, would have gone as well.
As soon as the last pin was pushed into her hair she stalked from the room and along the wide passageway. She could hear the church bells ringing. Newcomb had its own place of worship in the grounds and she was to be married there.
Her parents were waiting for her in the vast entrance hall. There was no sign of her other relatives. Their presence would have alleviated the tension, lifted her spirits just a little. “Mama, Papa, did you know Rochester has dismissed Mary? She’s gone without even the opportunity to say goodbye and after all she’s been to me these past years.”
“Isobel, we had no idea she was not to remain here. These things are no longer under our control; you must abide by your husband’s decisions in future. I’m sure you’ll soon come to appreciate the superior woman he has appointed for you.”
“I haven’t bothered to ask her name for she’s a stiff and unpleasant person. I shall insist that she is dismissed, but not today. In a week or two I’ll ask my husband to reinstate Mary and Sam as a favour to me.”
Her father scowled at her as if she had no right to criticise the man who’d given him a fortune in exchange for his daughter. “I wish to hear no more of your complaints, miss. You’re tardy and Rochester has been awaiting your appearance in the church for five minutes already.”
He offered his arm and she had no recourse but to take it. Before she had time to object she was being marched firmly down the aisle and standing beside her future husband. A wave of despair engulfed her when he turned to glance at her. This was not the Alexander who had made love to her so passionately— this was the autocratic man she’d hoped never to see again.
Somehow she mumbled through her vows, smiled bravely during the wedding breakfast but far too soon was at his side to wave her parents and relatives away. Without thinking she turned to him imploringly. “My lord, I shall miss my family sorely. May I invite them to stay later in the year?”
He shook his head. “No, not this year, my dear. Perhaps they can come when you have produced a child for them to dote on.” His arm was hard around her waist and she was firmly escorted inside. “Go upstairs and change into your habit, I thought we could ride around the estate this afternoon. I know you explored the park yesterday, but I should like to show the rest to you myself.”
“I should enjoy that above everything, I shan’t be long. Do we expect further visitors today?”
His eyes darkened and he lowered his voice so the ever present butler could not overhear. “I thought you might be tired this afternoon and wish to rest.”
His meaning was unmistakable; there would be little rest involved of that she was quite certain. Despite her sadness at his high-handed actions she could not help smiling at the thought of what was to come. His lips curved and he dropped a light kiss on her brow.
The weeks passed in much the same fashion. During the day he was distant, always aware of his position, never letting down his guard for a second. However, when he came to her room at night he was her darling Alexander, and she lived with these moments. He was assiduous in his attentions and she prayed she would not conceive immediately. If his visits stopped because of her pregnancy she would have nothing to look forward to.
Maynard, the supercilious housekeeper, appeared at noon each day with the menu but Isobel was not required to do more than read it. She had nothing to do apart from playing the pianoforte, painting water-colours of the grounds and reading her novels. Alexander usually rode out with her but during these rides she learnt little about the estate as they stayed within the park. Sometimes he was absent and she didn’t ask where he went. On the days he did not come to her at night he remained in his study drinking heavily.
When her monthly courses appeared for the third time things changed. Even his lovemaking became less passionate as if already he considered her incapable of producing the much wished for child. That this was her fault was indisputable. After all, had he not already fathered two children during his first union?
In October a group of his friends arrived for the shooting and hunting. They were mostly objectionable gentlemen and she did her best to remain aloof from them. She wrote to her aunt and uncle and heard that Petunia had accepted an offer from a young man of impeccable pedigree, deep pockets and unbounded love. Dearly she wished she could change places with her cousin as material possessions were nothing without affection.
Alexander removed to Town returning a few times each month to do his duty by her. The joy she had once found in his lovemaking was fading. Although he was still more relaxed in the privacy of her chambers he no longer seemed as approachable as he had in the beginning. It became painfully apparent his sole reason for coming to her bed was to conceive a child.
As the festive season approached she asked Alexander what celebrations would take place at Newcomb.
He shook his head. “Nothing at all, Isobel. We attend church and give Christmas boxes to the staff— apart from that we have no traditions.”
“May I arrange to decorate the house? Could we not invite our neighbours? I know it is customary to leave a newly married couple alone initially, but more than six months have passed since we were married and still we have no visitors or invitations.”
“I thought you understood I don’t entertain here. The ball and garden party were exceptions to my rule. I organised the events for you in order to mark your wedding day. If you wish to socialize then you must come to London for the Season.” He smiled sadly. “It would appear there is no reason for you to be confined to the country.”
She flushed; there was nothing she could say. She was apparently unable to have children, small wonder he had little interest in her. To be saddled with a barren wife after he had paid so much to get her, must rankle.
“I’ve no wish to go to London, thank you. However, I have no objection if you prefer to be elsewhere at Christmas.”
His eyebrows shot up at her impertinent comment. “There’s nothing to keep me here. I shall do as you suggest and go to Town, and you must please yourself whilst I’m gone. I shall arrange for your allowance to be paid in coin in future. You have my permission to spend it as you wish.”
When his carriage left the next morning she remained in her bed chamber unwilling to appear before the staff with blotched eyes and running nose. One thing she could do with the pile of gold he’d given her was send for Mary and Sam. She was sure they could find themselves a cottage nearby and bring her beloved dogs with them. Being able to visit with them would give her something to fill her empty days.
Sam and Mary were safely installed in a cottage which could be reached by walking through Home Wood. It needed some repairs to make it habitable but these would soon be done. Ebony and Othello were overjoyed to be reunited with her.
“Mary, I shall come as often as I can to walk the dogs. However, I must be vigilant as Foster, Maynard and the unpleasant girl who has replaced you, spy on me.”