Taming the Rakes

2

While Lady Leanora would have been able to back out of the wedding at the point where she realized who she was marrying if she was truly displeased, she dared not; the scandal and rumors would have been devastating to her prospects. Lady Leanora would have been labeled a flirt, a tease, and neither she nor her sisters would necessarily recover from that. Not that her sisters had any problem with suitors; Lady Lilliana, the middle of the sisters, had already had many suitors and marriage proposals, and had Lady Leanora already been married, her parents would have gladly accepted one of the offers. However, it would have been disrespectful to Lady Leanora, as the eldest daughter, to have one of her younger sisters married before her. Lady Lucile, the youngest of the three sisters, was vivacious, flamboyant, and outgoing. At only seventeen years old, Lady Lucile was allowed many more freedoms than the older two sisters. Lady Lucile had attracted the eye of Lords and Ladies alike with her kind eyes and wild nature.

            “Lady Leanora?” Lord Theodore asked from the opposite side of the carriage that was taking them home. “What should I expect in your home here in Ashborne?”

            Lady Leanora inhaled deeply, chewing her lip thoughtfully. Upon this action, she noticed an unfamiliar look flash through Lord Theodore’s eyes. “Well, I occupy Ashborne Manor with only my youngest sister most of the time; her name is Lady Lucile. My parents and my middle sister, Lady Lilliana, live in Aramoor most of the time. However, they will be staying with us for the first three months after our marriage; Father wishes to help establish you in the running of the town here, before we travel for the summer to Aramoor Estate so that you can become established in the running of the Estate,” Lea took a breath, trying to steady the wavering tone in her voice. “Mother will begin establishing me in the running of the Aramoor Estate this summer, but I am already in charge of most of the running of Ashborne Manor and the town. There will be balls to attend to celebrate the marriages of some of my friends, and then before we travel to the Estate for the summer, we will hold our Marriage Ball.”

            Lord Theodore nodded his head as he took all of the information in. “So, we won’t have much time alone?” His voice was low, husky, and he winked, causing Lea to blush profusely.

            “Our rooms will adjoin, with a shared water closet between,” Lea whispered shyly, unable to meet the eyes of her new husband. “Harold, my driver here in town, already sent word home, and your things have been transported and set up by your own man servant.”

            Her husband chuckled, shaking his head. “Oh, Lady Leanora, you and I will have to work on this shy, innocent nature of yours. I like my women to be able to flirt with me,” Lord Theodore sighed when she still refused to meet his eyes. “Must we call each other by such formal names all the time?” He asked, sounding slightly exacerbated by Lea’s lack of eye contact and flirtation.

            “You may call me Lea when we are at home, and my sisters are always referred to as Lily and Lucy when we are at home, but in public we must use formal titles. Mother and Father are always Mother and Father at home, but in public My Lady and My Lord, or Lord and Lady Aramoor.” Lea was back to her clinical self, feeling in control when it came to stating things factually.

            “Fine, then please call me Theo when we are at home. I did not know your family was quite so strict with all of the titles and things.” He muttered, almost disappointed.

            Lea sighed in relief when the carriage stopped at her home and Harold opened the door, offering her his hand to help her down. “Thank you, Harold,” She muttered, smiling kindly towards the servant. “Please tell Rosemary I will need her to help undressing and readying for bed. Let Lord Theodore’s man servant know the same thing, please. Also, let Angelica know that we will be joining the family for breakfast before I start taking breakfast in bed the day after tomorrow,” Theo watched his new bride ramble to her driver, obviously comfortable with running the Manor and the town. “Lord Theodore, do you need anything else?”

            “Please tell Nathan to bring my usual up before bed,” Theo said shortly to the driver, whose name he could not be bothered to remember.

            Lea sighed, looking to Harold. “Thank you, Harold, that will be all,” the bride placed her hand gingerly on her grooms’ forearm, and they walked together into the house. “I am going to expect you to learn our servant’s names, Theo,” she whispered, sounding almost scolding. “These people dedicate their lives to serve us, and the least we can do is treat them with respect.”

            “I suppose you are correct, Lea,” Theo responded, placing his opposite hand over the one she had rested on his arm. “Am I to join you in your room tonight?” He asked, causing Lea to blush with his forward speech. She swallowed nervously before nodding once. “Wonderful, I look forward to that,” Theo nearly growled, touching his nose gently to her temple. “Would you please show me to my room?”

            Lea nodded, and gently lead her new husband up the stairs. At the top of an elaborate staircase, they took the left hallway, following it down to almost the very end. Two large, oak doors stood, separated by a small length of hall. “I am on the left, against the wall. You are on the right, and between us, as I said, is a water closet. Across the hall is my personal office, and you may choose any room in the house as yours. My sisters sleep on the opposite hall, you are not to go into their rooms. My parents are on the floor above here, which is their private floor. Eventually, when we have children and my parents are gone, we will move up there.” Lea barely took breath as she explained all of this. “I will unlock my side of the water closet when I am ready for you.”

            With that final statement, Lea was into her room. Theo sighed, walking into his. Nathan was already waiting for him with a glass of liquor and a cigar. “I have no idea how I am going to handle this, Nathan.” Theo grumbled, chugging the amber liquid quickly. “Another.” He ordered, before sitting on the bed and removing his shoes.