We arrive at the Summerton Mansion after two hours, just like William said. I've spent this time holding a opened book, that I took for the journey, but I couldn't focus on it. I've read it mindlessly, repeating one sentence over and over again, to grasp its meaning. William probably thought that I am too absorbed to notice him observing me, but I felt his gaze on me and it wasn't helping me maintain my focus on the book. What was he thinking about, looking at me so intently?
I look at my new home. Summerton Mansion looks huge in the comparison to my family home, Redgate Hall. The grand structure looks a little neglected, but it still makes a great impression. Two stories high building's elevation, that was probably white some time ago, turned grey and ugly. Grand windows look dusted and dirty. And the garden in front of mansion… If my mother saw that, she would be devastated, knowing her love for plants.
I get out of the carriage, relieved that the journey is over. It was really exhausting, I'm covered with sweat and dust. The afternoon sun still burns mercilessly and the proper lady clothes aren't the best at the days like this. I dream of throwing them off and taking bath in lukewarm water. But I know that it's not time for that yet, as I see the servants, standing outside the mansion in the row. They came to welcome their new lady. They're fewer than I would expect for such a big mansion.
I take a deep breath and wait for William to announce me. He walks slowly in their direction and I follow his footsteps anxiously.
'Welcome home.' The middle aged man comes to greet us. He's probably the butler of Whedon family. His clothes are simple but tidy, and his long, gray hair are neatly tied with a ribbon.
'I'd like you to meet my wife, lady Anastasia Whedon. From now on, she's the lady of this house and you treat her with respect and fulfill all of her wishes,' William says, looking at his servants with serious expression.
'Of course, my lord, my lady.' All of the servants bow, showing respect to us. I only nod, feeling too overwhelmed by this situation. Being the lady of the house, is something completely new to me and in my parents' home, servants was almost a part of the family and acted freely around us. That pompous atmosphere is not something that I'm used to.
'Let me take you to the dining hall, We prepared a dinner for your return, you must be starving,' the butler says. My stomach rumbles loudly just when he ends the sentence.
I look around while we walk. There's a lot of family paintings on the corridor walls. Men all resemble William, tall and dark haired. I stop for a second, frowning, when I see that the last painting in the row is missing. I only know that it was there, because there is a rectangle in its place, lighter than the rest of the wall. Who and why took it off? It feels inappropriate to ask this question now, so I leave it for later.
We enter the dining hall, the dinner waits for us on the grand table. There's only two plates prepared, on the opposite sides of the long, oak table. William pulls my chair, I sit down confused and he comes to the other seat. I feel like we're miles away, why there's so much distance between us? Had he asked his servants to do it that way, or it was custom in here?
He starts his meal and I do the same. This place is so cold, so different from the Redgate Hall. Even the the light that candles emit don't seem warm. We eat in silence, even if I wanted to talk to him, he was too far away, I would have to talk very loudly for him to hear me.
'You're back. And you brought your lovely wife with you.' I see William shiver, as the middle aged woman enters the room. She's still beautiful, although her age is visible on her face. She's tall, her long, dark hair encircle her slim body. She's wearing a smile on her lips. Although, her eyes are as cold as ice.
'Stepmother, it's nice to see you,' William says. I see how uptight he is. He grits his teeth and sits stiffly.
'How was your journey? It's so hot outside, you must be exhausted. Maybe I'll take the new lady Whedon to her room?' She looks at me with radiant smile. It doesn't feel right, I can feel malice hidden behind this cheerful facade.
'There's no need for that, I'll take care of my wife.' William stands without finishing his dinner and comes my way. He gives me his hand and I take it.
'As you wish, young lord,' stepmother says, following his moves.
We come out of the dining room, I can still feel this woman's cold gaze in my back, that makes me shiver, when we go along the hall. William still holds my hand protectively, he looks very worried. When we arrive to my new room, he closes the door behind us and checks everything inside, like he would look for something or someone hiding in the room.
'What's happening, why are you still so nervous? I can see that there's some grudge between you and your stepmother, but she's not here,' I say, puzzled by his behavior.
'She's very dangerous, I thought if I distance myself from you, she'll not target you, but I can see now that she's not falling for that,' he says, rubbing his hair nervously. So that's why we sat so far at the diner. And why he was so cold to me from the moment we came out of the carriage.
'It's good that you brought your own maid, servants in here are probably all bribed by her. Maybe except Mr Harwell, the butler who welcomed us. He was always loyal to my mother,' William says, thinking intensively about something.
'And it will be better if you'll stay in my room, I will have an eye on you,' he says slowly.
'What?!' I ask shocked. It's not uncommon for husband and wife to sleep in the same room, but it still felt for me a little too sudden.
'It will be a lot safer,' he says delicately.
'But…' I don't know how to oppose him. Truthfully, I would feel a lot safer with him at my side, in this new, strange place. At the Redgate Hall I was guarded by few guards after what had happened, but now I don't feel like I can ask him for that. And I don't know if his men can even be trusted. Maybe his stepmother could be bribing them too? What a strange position I found myself in.
I nod my head in the agreement.
'Good, I'll take your things to my room,' he says. He's clearly relieved and happy that I didn't argued to much.
'Is it too dangerous for me to take a bath here?' I ask before he goes out, blushing.
'Oh, I think that it'll be fine. Stay here and I'll ask your maid to bring it to you,' he rushes, closing the door behind him.
What have I gotten myself into? I've got so many questions. Why won't William find some other place to live for his stepmother? He's the viscount now, she shouldn't have any power over him. And what are her motives? I hope that I can find out everything soon. But now, I have to prepare for the first night in one bed with my husband. I blush at this thought.