She paused at the foot of the stairs and he thought she was about to say something. Then without a word she put her hand on the banister to walk up.
He expected her to look back, but she did not do so and, when she reached the top, he returned to the drawing room.
He was aware that the evening had been very different from what he had expected, but whether it was better or worse he could not decide.
He only knew that for the moment he did not hate his wife as violently as he had done earlier in the day – then he reminded himself with a feeling of resignation that the night was not yet over.
It was his wedding night, and he was a bridegroom.
He walked up the stairs to his own room where his valet was waiting. As he undressed because he thought to say nothing seemed unnatural, the Duke e
