Unexpectedly Unconventional

The New Bride

Three months Later:

She was a new bride now. As she stepped down her husband's carriage with her head held high, Veera realised things would change from now on. She was not Lady Sarah Torrington anymore. She was Lady Sarah Spencer nee Torrington, Marchioness of Wolverston. She was the lady of the family now. Her responsibilities would double on. But she was no coward. She could do it, she would do it.

She was Veera. Literally means valiant.

She would never back down.

With these words swirling around her head, she took the hand that her husband offered. Her eyes flashed, though it might be the forest green wedding dress that brought it out, but no one can say for sure. She nodded her thanks to her husband as they moved forward to enter the house. The butler, Colton, greeted her with a stiff bow. She was then introduced to the housekeeper, Mrs. Hornsby, a delightful lady, albeit a bit too enthusiastic.

Her husband then let her to her bedchamber and left her there, without so much as a by your leave.

Veera huffed.

She knew he didn't like her. But treating her like this was not alright.

Well, she won't let this dampen her spirits.

There was a subtle knock, after which her maid, Beth entered the room. Beth helped her undress as Veera pondered over her dilemma. She was not particularly fond of her husband finding her secrets. But she was desperately in need of a session to let off her steam. May be in the morning. Beth, as she was well aware of her routine, left her after helping her undress.

Veera slipped into her nightgown. Her eyes wandered to the vanity mirror in the room. Intricately designed on the wooden edges. There was connecting door, which she realised was her closet, as there was no cupboard in the room. With a shrug, she undid her French twist and let her waist length dark curl flow.

She slowly walked toward the vanity and looked at her reflection. She looked alright. She was not sure if her husband would visit her bedchamber tonight, after all they have to consummate the marriage. She was not sure about that, but she wanted to look good, if in case he visited.

With a heavy sigh she slipped into her bed. And swiftly went to sleep.

The next morning born with a flutter of nerves, as far as Veera was concerned. She woke up as usual, five in the morning, and was ready for her bath, by seven, since all her things were yet to arrive from London. Beth arrived, with an array of servants with pails of hot water and filled the bath as was required by Veera. By nine, Veera took her bath, dressed in her amber morning dress and went for a walk along the garden. Beth couple of steps back, but still talking with her mistress.

"Do you like it here so far, my lady?" Beth asked.

"Hmm," Veera said, "Let's wait and see. I still have to meet the servants, visit tenants, the local vicar and the neighbours. Can't judge before I meet them, eh?" Veera flashed a mischievous smile at Beth and continued her walk. "The garden in maintained well. Have you seen the kitchen garden?"

"Yes, my lady," Beth said, "The kitchen garden is maintained well as well. They have different gardeners for each garden. Turner is the head gardener and he is in-charge of the front lawn. Ellis is responsible for the kitchen garden. McLean is in-charge of the rose garden."

"That is good. Anything else?" Veera asked.

And the rest of her walk, which lasted for an hour, filled with her queries about the servants of the estate.

After her walk, she broke her fast in her chamber and went in search for a space to use as her study. Back at her father's estate, she had her own study. She was determined to find such a room for her purposes. She called in Colton and told him of her intensions. To say that he was horrified was putting in mildly. With a bow and a stiff reply that he would have to ask Lord Wolverton, he left her standing in the drawing room. With a shrug, she seated herself, waiting for his return.

After what it felt like an hour, Colton returned and promised that she could use the green sitting room as her study and Lord Wolverton gave his leave to redecorate the room, as she saw fit.

Christopher was working in his study, when Colton came to his study with an unusual request from his lady wife. Apparently, Lady Sarah would like a study arranged for her.

And looking at his butler, Christopher realised that he was not only outraged, but also was very afraid to bring in the request to him.

But Christopher saw nothing wrong with Lady Sarah's request. He immediately told Colton to tell his wife that she could use the green room, which was not favoured by his lady mother, and to redecorate it as she liked. Colton gave a stiff bow and left his study.

As the butler left, Christopher thought back to his unusual wife. This morning he woke up to the sound of someone moving around and it was well before sunrise.

At nine, his valet came with some news. Apparently, he got on well his wife's maid, from whom he learnt that Lady Sarah has a habit of waking up well before the sunrise. As far as he knew, it was unthinkable among the ton to wake up before noon.

And now, he learnt that she wanted her own study. Not a sitting room, but a study. No woman of his acquaintance would ever think of this. A sitting room was for entertaining, but a study was for business.

He married Lady Sarah, not just out of spite, but also with a belief that he would not be interested. But he found himself thinking about her since this morning.

With a sigh, he returned his gaze to the report at hand.

Oh! He forgot about the letter. He would give her father's letter that arrived this morning later. Apparently, her things along with her mare and her dog, would arrive this evening.

And he didn't know she had a dog.

Christopher snorted, who was he kidding?

He didn't know a thing about her.

His life was going to be so very interesting.