“Never saw the point,” Asa said. “I have three fine sons, and children from another woman would only muddy the waters. A man doesn’t need to be married to enjoy female companionship, not that I often long for carnal pleasures these days. A good meal, fine wine, a beautiful garden, and the prosperity and health of my children and grandchildren is all I need to make me content.”
“Father, Marjorie has Puritan leanings. I have no wish to force my will on her, but surely a husband and wife should agree on such matters.”
Asa stopped walking and looked at him. “Jeremy, you are too tenderhearted at times, just like your mother, God rest her soul. A woman must obey her husband in all things. Marjorie will worship as you do, and she will welcome you into her bed whenever you desire her. What she thinks or wants is irrelevant.”
“But I don’t desire her,” Jeremy confessed.
“Your wife is a tad sharp around the edges, I’ll give you that, but no one is expecting you to love her or bed her for pleasure. Do your duty, son. Get her with child and seek affection elsewhere.”
“You never kept a mistress while mother was alive,” Jeremy pointed out, having learned as much from his gossiping nurse.
“Your mother was a true companion to me, a real helpmeet, but such unions are rare among the nobility. Be kind to Marjorie and treat her with respect, but never let her forget you’re her master or she’ll ride roughshod over you. She’ll not be one to pass up the opportunity to seize control.”
Jeremy nodded. Everything his father had said made perfect sense, but Jeremy’s stomach soured at the prospect of a lifetime with a woman like Marjorie. To say she was sharp around the edges was like suggesting that a storm over the Atlantic was passing summer rain. Marjorie seemed utterly devoid of all the things that made women appealing.
“Give her time, Jeremy,” Asa said, patting Jeremy’s shoulder. “You’re now not only her husband but master of all she considers to be hers. She feels threatened, put out. It’s only natural, I suppose. She might have felt differently had she gone to live at her husband’s family home. She sees you as an interloper. She’ll come to appreciate the benefits of this union.”
“I’m sure you’re right, Father,” Jeremy said. “How long will you stay?”
“I mean to leave after breakfast,” Asa Lockwood said. “You won’t miss me. You have much to do now that you’re lord and master. I suggest you start by bringing in your own steward. Hal Robson would be a wise choice,” Asa suggested. “You’ve known each other since boyhood, and you couldn’t find a more loyal man.”
Jeremy smiled, pleased that he and his father were of the same mind. “I’ve already spoken to him. Hal will arrive in a few days’ time. I invited him to the wedding, but he had some personal business to attend to.”
“Ah, yes, his mother,” Asa said, nodding. “She’s been ailing, but Hal’s sister will look after her. Nursing the sick is best left to the women, don’t you think?”
Jeremy nodded, his mind on what lay before him. His first task would be to dismiss the elderly steward that had served Master Ashcombe faithfully for nigh on thirty years. Out with the old, in with the new, he thought, hoping the old man wouldn’t take it too hard. Jeremy would make sure he enjoyed a comfortable retirement somewhere on the estate. He needed someone young and energetic to look after his interests, especially since he had no gift for balancing ledgers or penny-pinching. Thankfully, the Ashcombe coffers were full, so he could allow himself a little leeway in his spending while Hal familiarized himself with the estate and the everyday expenses that allowed for the smooth running of the household.
“Shall we break our fast?” Jeremy asked.
“You go on. I’d like to walk a bit longer.”
Jeremy left his father to his thoughts and returned to the house, his eyes taking a few moments to adjust after the bright sunlight that had bathed the garden. A servant appeared, and he asked her to bring him some breakfast.
“Aye, sir.” The girl bobbed a curtsey and ran off to the kitchens to fetch the food. Jeremy went into the dining room and sat in the hardback chair. This was all his now: the house, the land, the villages, and, less happily, the woman. His father was right; it would take Marjorie time to adjust, but given that she had little choice, she would come around eventually.
Mistress Ashcombe followed the servant that brought his breakfast. “Good morning, my lord,” she said.
“Good morning. Won’t you join me?” Jeremy asked, but the woman shook her head.
“Thank you, but I’ve breakfasted already. Is… Was everything to your satisfaction?” she asked, her expression anxious, her cheeks coloring with embarrassment. She was referring to the wedding night, and Jeremy felt the heat rise in his own cheeks. He could hardly tell her the truth.
“Yes,” he replied. “All is well.”
Mistress Ashcombe looked relieved. “I’m glad to hear that. I shall instruct the servants to prepare my husband’s bedchamber for you. It’s comfortable and spacious, and has a most tranquil view of the gardens.”
So, he wasn’t to share a bedchamber with his wife. Jeremy couldn’t say he minded the arrangement but wondered if Marjorie had asked her mother to broach the subject with him.
“That’s most kind of you,” Jeremy replied. “I’m sure I’ll be very comfortable.”
Mistress Ashcombe’s relief was palpable. “There’s one more thing, my lord,” she said, watching him warily.
“Yes?”
“We find ourselves short of household staff. The sickness, you know…”
“Marjorie is now the mistress of the house. I’ve no doubt she can deal with the situation,” Jeremy said, wondering why his mother-in-law felt the need to consult
