An Unexpected Bride by Newbold Ashtyn

Author:Newbold, Ashtyn
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Published: 2019-06-07T16:00:00+00:00

Hush, rest your head

The rain will end

The cracks will mend

The clouds will part

Rest aching hearts.

Hush, close your eyes

The sun will rise

The robin sings

Of happy things

Of days ahead.

Hush, fall asleep

The past we’ll keep

Let future reap

A spring to hold

A joy like gold

Chapter 9

Henry heard Eleanor singing almost every night, a tune he had never heard before. He had never been one for eavesdropping, but he had listened to every word. Among Eleanor’s growing list of fine attributes, Henry could now add singing.

A week had passed since their wedding, and he felt he was finally coming to know her a little better. Their conversations mostly consisted of matters of business as he taught her about the estate and the income it brought in, and the responsibilities she would have as hostess. They planned to invite her family to come for dinner often, and he hoped to introduce her to the neighbors as soon as she was comfortable.

He rarely saw Eleanor outside of meal times, for she and Arthur often explored the grounds and house without him. He did not need an invitation, but he would have liked one. He felt bothersome to request to join them. They were adjusting to their new home, and he needed to stay out of it. He simply wished Eleanor would care to see him. He had not realized his frustrations on the matter until he had come to his fencing room that morning.

He raised his epee and advanced on his opponent, Silas, his valet.

This fencing match took even less time than usual, considering Henry always fought harder when there was a great deal on his mind. He disarmed Silas within two minutes, driving him against the wall and pressing the tip of his epee against his chest. Silas lifted his mask, a broad grin on his face.

“You’ve gotten better, sir. I wish I could give ye more of a fight.” He wiped a bead of perspiration from his forehead. “Yer brother’s the only one I’ve seen give ye a challenge.”

Henry smiled, lifting his own mask. Even so, Henry could count less than five times that Edward had bested him. Fencing had always been Henry’s talent.

Here at his estate in Worthing, Silas had proved the best competitor of all Henry’s servants, and an even better friend and confidant. Henry had known Silas growing up in Brighton. Born to a lower-class family, Silas had been in search of work. When Henry inherited the estate, he had offered Silas a position as valet.

“How does yer wife like the house?” Silas asked.

Henry rubbed one side of his face. “I—I believe she likes it. In truth, I cannot entirely decipher her opinions. She rarely speaks them. She is a very difficult woman to understand.” Henry could not put it any other way. Eleanor was difficult to understand, and so was the draw he felt to her. At one moment she was detached and distant, and at another, she smiled and appeared comfortable. He wanted her to always feel the latter, but he did not know how to put her at ease.

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