Arranged marriages were archaic to Kitty’s way of thinking, but unfortunately, there was not much she could do regarding the situation. Plans had been made, and her family had travelled to Woodlock Manor to meet with James.
The bedchambers were far more luxurious than she had ever seen, with light rose inlaid wallpaper and gold trim. The furniture was constructed of solid cherry wood, and three large windows provided a panoramic view of the meadows. It was certainly a comfortable and luxurious lifestyle in which she had now found herself, but no amount of extravagance in the entire world would make her wish this of her own accord.
“There you are, my lady,” the maidservant said in a soft voice, and Kitty glanced at her rather than the sunlight that danced through the drapes.
“Oh, do make haste, child,” Lady Dunne, who had been sitting quietly on a chaise near the window throughout the duration of Kitty’s bath, said. “There is still much to do.”
Kitty rose to her feet while the maidservants wrapped her in soft muslin as she stepped out of the bath. The warm air inside the bedchamber allowed a comfortable transition from the heat of the bath to where she would now be dressed for her breakfast with James.
The young maids worked gently and diligently as they first dried Kitty’s tresses with a cloth, and afterward dressed Kitty in her inner-wear, the soft fabric skimming her skin. It caused her to shiver, but it was purely out of anticipation, not excitement.
Kitty was aware this was the only way in which her family’s financial survival would be ensured, and she most certainly did not wish for her mother and father to be punished for something that was entirely out of their hands.
The servants slipped a lovely, pale blue day dress over her head and assisted her in straightening it out, then tying it at the back. She caught sight of her reflection in the mirror and a small smile brightened her visage.
She had not expected to enjoy any of this ridiculous preparation, but she had to admit, the dress was perfection. The colour suited her skin perfectly and the style accentuated the curves of her body. She was not as petite as most young women her age, but her curvy body apparently made her even more sought-after.
Her mother, of course, disagreed.
“It is a good thing you have been blessed with a striking face, my dear child,” Lady Dunne pointed out nonchalantly, as she had done from time to time, which annoyed Kitty to no end. She was convinced her mother did not approve of her body because she enjoyed being out of doors. Even more appalling, at least according to her mother, was her love of horses.
Kitty had been interested in the amazing creatures since she was a young child, and had ridden her first mare when she was a mere five years of age. Her father had taught her to ride, which annoyed the countess to no end.
In the countess’ opinion, it was not proper behaviour for a lady of her stature and lineage. Of course, Kitty paid no notice to her mother and had spent much of her free time riding her father’s horses. She adored them and hoped that James shared her love for the majestic beasts. If not, their dinners as a married couple would be rather quiet.
The maidservants gently brushed her dark locks, and intricately wove it with their fingers, placing white blossoms between the layers.
Kitty watched as she was transformed from a young woman who spent too much time out of doors, into a refined lady who would soon be the Duchess of Somerset.
Lady Dunne moved across the room, her reflection catching Kitty’s eye. She glanced at her mother, whose expression was even more pleased than her previous one.
“My dear girl, may I be so bold as to say you have not looked more beautiful in your entire lifetime.”
“That certainly does not seem complimentary towards my usual ungainly features, Mother,” Kitty retorted with a grimace.
“I wish not to insult you. You look beautiful was all I wanted to say.”
“Why not simply say it? There is no need for such theatrics,” Kitty said.
Lady Dunne pursed her lips, apparently stopping herself from uttering a word that was not suitable to be heard, especially by James’s staff.
Kitty was not entirely convinced this was the case in every instance, but she knew better than to argue with her mother.
“Where is Father?” Kitty inquired.
“I left him to his own devices, although I do suspect he is in James’s grand library. We are well aware of how your father can immerse himself in a world that does not exist,” Lady Dunne answered.
This time it was Kitty who pursed her lips to stifle the words that nearly escaped. It had been no secret that the marriage of her mother and father was also arranged , and despite having had a union that had lasted more than twenty years, Kitty was well aware of how miserable both her parents were.
Her father was a quiet, passive man in the best of times. A well-read gentleman of fine lineage and intelligence. He was not boastful, nor did he treat his servants and staff as if they were beneath him. He was humble and would often be found in the kitchen late at night, playing cards with the manservants. Or even in the stable, among the horses.
Her mother, on the other hand, was raised with a silver spoon of privilege in her mouth, and would not even dream of speaking directly to a maidservant. It was simply a product of her family experience, but it still infuriated Kitty.
Kitty had inherited her father’s kind heart, and adored the maidservants at their estate. She would miss them all dearly when she no longer resided there.
Soon she would become the Duchess of Somerset, and settle in Woodlock Manor with her new husband, and the new staff. It
