When Raquel woke up the next morning, it took her a moment to realize why she wasn't in her bed at home, but then the events of the previous day came back to her in a rush. She was a married woman now, in her new home – but instead of waking up next to her husband like she'd hoped, she was alone in the bed. She was still so confused about him walking away from her last night. Why, why hadn't he come to bed with her? Monica had told her that men liked… doing that, so why hadn't he? Had she done something wrong? Was she supposed to have said or done something to encourage him? She couldn't imagine what.

A knock sounded at the door, and her heart leapt, but it was only Annie coming to help her dress. She got out of bed and selected one of her favorite dresses, then sat in front of the mirror so Annie could do her hair.

"How did you sleep, Miss?" Annie asked. The girl had been with her for several years now, and they had developed a relationship that came close to friendship.

"I slept fine", Raquel said.

"Shall I ask the chambermaids to change the sheets?" Annie enquired tactfully.

Raquel realized with a sinking feeling that Annie thought there would be blood on the sheets. She looked down and said quietly:

"No… that won't be necessary."

"Oh", Annie said, surprised, but it wasn't her place to ask any questions.

Raquel hesitated. It wasn't entirely proper to confide in her maid, but she desperately needed someone to talk to.

"He… he didn't even come into the room last night, Annie", she said. "I don't understand."

Annie was a steady girl, a quality Raquel appreciated. As always, she took a sensible approach.

"Perhaps he needs a little more time."

"Do you think so?"

"He seems very shy."

Raquel nodded, then asked:

"What do the servants say about him?"

"They say he's very easy to work for. Very quiet, undemanding, fair."

"Does he… ever bother the chambermaids?"

"Oh no", Annie said immediately. "They told me not to worry, he doesn't even look at them. In fact", she continued, suppressing a smile, "there seems to be a consensus among the staff that he's a little afraid of women. Maybe that's his problem."

"Oh", Raquel said with a slight smile. "That's rather sweet. Poor fellow."

"So perhaps he just needs a little time to get used to you."

"Yes", Raquel said. "Yes, that must be it."

"I'm sure he'll come to bed with you tonight."

Raquel resolved to try her best to make him feel at ease around her today, so hopefully he would become less shy. Annie finished her hair, and she went down to breakfast. He was already at the table, reading the newspaper, and as she sat down, he looked up and inclined his head.

"Good morning, Miss Murillo. How did you sleep?"

She considered correcting him – she wasn't Miss Murillo anymore – but she felt like that wouldn't help him feel more comfortable, so she let it go.

"I slept well, thank you for asking."

She observed him closely for a moment, wondering if she should bring up last night and ask him why he hadn't… but she couldn't imagine openly talking about such a topic – what would he think of her? He glanced at her, and when he saw her look at him, he quickly returned his attention to the newspaper, and she concluded that asking about it would only embarrass him further, and that was the last thing she wanted. It would be better to let him do things at his own pace.

She kept glancing at him as she ate. She wanted to talk to him, but he kept reading and didn't look up. She knew that her father hated to be disturbed while reading the newspaper in the morning, and she didn't want to annoy him. She noticed that there was a second newspaper on her side of the table, and she realized he'd ordered it for her, which suddenly made her smile. He liked to read the newspaper in the morning, so he'd assumed that she would too. He was terribly awkward, but clearly he did try to be considerate towards her, so she picked up her own copy and started reading.

…

When she came down to breakfast, Sergio was reading the newspaper, as he did every morning. He hoped she wouldn't expect conversation from him over breakfast – he supposed he could learn to live with a little talk over dinner, but in the morning, he liked his peace and quiet. He enquired politely if she'd slept well, then he saw her give him a close look, and he suddenly felt uncomfortable. He'd assumed that she didn't know what they should have done last night, but apparently she had expected something, and now she was confused. He quickly hid his face behind the newspaper, hoping to discourage her from asking questions. She'd been raised as a proper lady, though, and he trusted that she would have enough manners not to talk about such matters.

…

After breakfast was cleared away, he finally put down his newspaper, and she quickly put down hers as well, resolved to have a proper conversation now – it didn't matter about what – the news, for all she cared.

"You have the run of the house and the garden, of course", he said before she could propose a topic of conversation. "Feel free to take any book from the library. Do you like to ride?"

She perked up, hopeful that he would suggest they go out riding together.

"Yes", she smiled, "I do."

He merely nodded his head.

"The chestnut mare in the stables is yours. Her name is Belle, she's very gentle."

Raquel felt a distinct sense of disappointment – didn't he want to spend time with her? She opened her mouth to ask him to accompany her when she went riding, but then the door opened and the footman came in with a note, which he handed to her. She opened it and read it.

"It's from Lady Godfrey", she told him. "She's inviting me to tea."

He nodded.

"She's our closest neighbor. I encourage you to make her acquaintance – she's involved in a lot of charity work, both here and in London, and I believe that is something you are interested in?"

"Yes", she said, "I am."

"Good. You can take a carriage to visit her if you want, but since the weather is fine, you can also just take the path through the rose garden. It isn't far."

"Alright", she said, "I'll walk then."

He hesitated. "I feel like I have to warn you though… Lady Godfrey isn't very… conventional."

"In what way?" she frowned.

"She never married, for one, and I don't think she intends to. She has a very… independent spirit." He gave her a slight smile. "I think you'll probably get along splendidly."

To her consternation, he got up and gave her a slight bow.

"I'll be in my study if you need anything."

And with that, he turned around and left the room.

…

As Sergio sat down behind his desk, it suddenly occurred to him that perhaps she had expected him to spend some time with her, since it was her first day here. Maybe she had hoped that he would take a walk with her, or that they would take their horses and he would show her the neighborhood and the village? He had just gone to his study after breakfast out of habit, but now he wasn't sure if that had been the right thing to do. What did one do with a wife? What did she expect of him? Then he heard his brother's voice: From what I can see, she just wants a husband who will stay out of her way and who will let her do whatever she wants. Yes, Andrés was probably right – she didn't want his company, she had married him precisely because she'd hoped he would leave her alone and let her go her own way. Well, he thought as he took up a book, that worked out perfectly. He was so glad that he could return to his normal routine after all this ghastly business.

…

Raquel sat at the breakfast table, staring at the door he had just left through. This was the first day of their marriage, and he clearly didn't intend to spend any time with her at all. He'd barely said a word to her. When he'd been quiet during his calls at her house, she'd thought it was shyness, and she'd assumed that he'd open up to her once they were alone and he felt more comfortable. Now, however, she was wondering if he just didn't talk? With a sinking feeling in her stomach, she suddenly realized how much of her opinion of him was based on mere assumptions – the assumption that he would be different after their wedding, the assumption that he was shy… the assumption that he liked her. What if she'd been wrong? What if what she had taken for shyness was actually coldness? What if he had no interest in talking to her, spending time with her, sleeping with her? She thought back to last night, and she felt a terrible sense of doubt set in. Was he even interested in her at all?

She shook her head – it made no sense. Why would he marry her, only to ignore her completely? She'd understand his behavior if he'd just married her for her money, but her mother had assured her that he didn't need any, and that his brother only had minor debts. No, she told herself sternly, no, she shouldn't start panicking – he just needed time to get used to her. He wasn't used to having a wife, or even just another person in the house, and he was clearly set in his ways. She just needed a little patience. If she left him free to follow his usual routine, then he would gradually get used to her presence. They would see each other at mealtimes, and she would get him to talk, and she was sure that he would eventually incorporate her into his daily life. In the meantime, she would pursue her own interests and stay out of his way.

"Milady?"

She looked up in surprise to see the housekeeper standing in front of her. She'd met Mrs. Wilson when she arrived yesterday, and she seemed a kind and efficient woman.

"Milady, would you like to meet the staff?"

It felt so strange to be addressed that way, but yes, she supposed she was a lady now. She should act like it.

She drew herself up.

"Yes, I would like that."

She followed Mrs. Wilson into the hallway, where the staff was lined up: one footman, two chambermaids, the cook, and a gardener.

"Are these all the servants?" she asked Mrs. Wilson in surprise.

"Yes, Ma'am."

"This is a very small staff for a house this size."

"I know, but Lord Marquina's wants are very simple."

"How do you entertain with only one footman?"

The housekeeper gave her a gentle smile.

"Lord Marquina doesn't entertain."

"Ever? Not even the neighbors?"

"No. Only Lord and Lady De Fonollosa and the children."

"Well", Raquel said firmly, "That won't do."

She couldn't offend the neighbors by never inviting them, and frankly she liked having company. Also, as a newly married woman of rank, she would be expected to throw her first ball soon, and the house was desperately understaffed for that. Luckily, thanks to the generous income her father had settled on her, they could afford a significant increase in the staff. She wondered for a moment if she should consult her husband about this, but he'd told her she had the run of the house, and as the woman of the house, this was her domain.

"Mrs. Wilson, can I ask you to hire three more footmen, two more chambermaids, and two scullery maids to help the cook in the kitchen. And I think we should add an extra gardener while we're at it."

The staff looked at her with big eyes, but Mrs. Wilson nodded.

"Right away, Lady Marquina."

She spent the entire morning with the housekeeper, learning about how the house was run and going over the household accounts. When she came up from the kitchen at lunch, she saw that there was only one place set at the table.

"Will… will Lord Marquina not be joining me?" she asked the footman.

"No Ma'am", he said. "Lord Marquina always takes his lunch in his study."

She felt a stab of annoyance. She had half a mind to go knock on his study door to tell him that he wasn't being very polite, but forcing him to spend time with her probably wasn't the best approach, so she simply nodded at the footman and took a deep breath. Patience.

…

After lunch, she explored the garden. The house had a large terrace, with a rolling lawn in front of it that ended in a patch of forest. Tucked away around the corner was a lovely little rose garden, and when it was time, she took the path from the rose garden through the hedge that boarded the property, and followed it through some fields until it led her to the drive of another large mansion. She rung the bell at the front door, and a footman opened it and led her to the drawing room.

Lady Godfrey wasn't there yet, so she had time to admire the room, which had been decorated in a simple but elegant style, with the family coat of arms – a white tower on a blue background – above the mantlepiece. Then the door opened and Lady Godfrey came in, and Raquel's eyebrows immediately shot up. She had never seen a lady like this: her black hair wasn't pinned up properly but pulled back into a simple ponytail, her gown was very plain and practical and – Raquel stared at her – was she wearing pants underneath her skirt?

"Ah", Lady Godfrey said, a piercing look in her dark eyes as she looked Raquel up and down. "You must be the new Lady Marquina."

"I am", Raquel said, inclining her head. "It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Lady Godfrey."

"Please", the lady waved her hand. "I don't stand on formality. Call me Elena. May I call you Raquel?"

Raquel hesitated. This was highly unusual for a first meeting, but it would be very impolite to refuse, so she nodded.

"Excuse my dress", Elena said, gesturing at Raquel to sit down and taking a seat herself. "I just came back from riding."

She saw Raquel glance at her pants and smiled.

"I know, I know. But they're so much more practical on a horse."

Raquel knew she was staring, but she couldn't help it.

"Do you… do you ride like a man?"

Elena nodded. "Riding side-saddle isn't nearly as practical or as safe."

Raquel was shocked.

"But… but don't people talk?"

"Of course", Elena said with dignity. "But what do I care? I have a large income, no close male relatives to forbid me anything, and I don't need to preserve my reputation to find a husband one day. People can talk all they want."

Raquel didn't know what to say. She'd been taught that her reputation was a lady's most precious possession, and she'd never met any woman who didn't care about it.

"I have to say", Elena said, observing Raquel closely, "I barely know Lord Marquina, but I was still very surprised to hear that he was getting married."

"Why would that surprise you?" Raquel asked carefully.

"Because he's so unsociable", she replied bluntly. "I've never met anyone who's so set on being alone. I didn't think he'd want permanent company in the house."

Raquel decided it would be better to change the topic – she didn't want to gossip about her husband. She cleared her throat.

"My husband told me you work with charities, Lady Godfrey?"

Elena raised her eyebrows, so Raquel quickly amended:

"I mean… Elena."

She nodded. "Yes, I do. I run several charities in the village and in London. Would you be interested in contributing?"

Raquel sat up straighter.

"Yes, I would like that very much."

Elena smiled. "Then you should come to dinner tomorrow, there will be several people here who are involved in the local charities – I'll introduce you."

"Thank you", Raquel said happily.

They spent an hour talking about the different charities, and Raquel got the impression that Lady Godfrey was a force to be reckoned with. She was fiercely intelligent and strong-willed, but underneath it all, Raquel thought that she detected a deep sense of kindness as well. On the whole, she was very pleased with her neighbor – unconventional as she was – and she was glad to have made her acquaintance. Finally she got up to leave, and Elena got up too.

"I hope you'll be happy in the neighborhood, Raquel."

"Thank you", Raquel smiled.

Elena gave her a long look.

"Please remember… if you ever need a friend… I'm right next door."

Raquel was struck by the earnestness in her eyes, and she replied equally seriously:

"Thank you. I appreciate that."

…

She dressed carefully for dinner and went down determined to get her husband to talk to her this time. She couldn't believe her eyes when he came in with a book and continued reading while the meal was served. She waited until the servants had left, then said:

"Sergio."

He looked up in surprise, apparently only now realizing that she was there. He quickly put his book away.

"My apologies, Miss Murillo", he said. "That wasn't very polite of me."

This time she corrected him.

"I'm not Miss Murillo anymore", she smiled.

He quickly recanted. "No, of course."

"How was your day?"

"Uneventful. I did some paperwork in the morning and I spent the afternoon reading."

She shot a glance at his book.

"What are you reading about?"

"Physics."

She smiled encouragingly. "Would you like to elaborate on that?"

He perked up.

"Are you familiar with Newton's laws?"

"No", she said, "I didn't study physics with my governess."

He looked embarrassed at not having realized that.

"No", he said, "no, of course you didn't."

"But why don't you tell me about Newton's laws?"

He gave her an uncertain look.

"My brother tells me I shouldn't bore company by talking about my studies."

"You wouldn't bore me", she assured him. "I'd love to hear about it."

But he was shaking his head.

"No, no, I'm sure it wouldn't interest you."

"Really, I'm eager to learn."

"It's too complicated if you don't have a solid basis in mathematics."

She hesitated. She wanted to be able to talk to him about his interests, but she didn't want him to feel like he had to tutor her. An awkward silence fell, as she waited for him to ask her about her day, until finally she realized that he was absolutely oblivious to what was expected of him in this conversation. She suppressed a smile – his cluelessness was rather adorable – and suggested gently:

"You could ask me about my day."

He turned red.

"Right, I'm… I'm so sorry. I'm not used to having company, I'm terrible at making conversation. Forgive me."

"It's alright", she smiled. "We'll get used to each other in time."

"How… how was your day?"

"I went to see Lady Godfrey. You were right, she's… rather unconventional."

He gave her a slight smile. "Quite."

"But I like her. She said she'll involve me in her charity work."

"That's good", he said. "I'm glad you were able to arrange that."

They finished their meal and she saw him glance at his book.

"Would you like to continue reading?" she asked him, and he gave her a look of relief.

"Yes, thank you. I'll be in the library."

She watched him go with mixed feelings. She would have preferred it if he had stayed to talk to her, but at least their conversation over dinner had been a start. She got the feeling that she would have to approach him very gradually, and she didn't want to overwhelm him by asking too much of him at once.

She spent some more time talking to Mrs. Wilson, then she wondered how she would fill the remainder of her evening. She decided that she should go to the library to find something to read – maybe a book that would give her a solid basis in mathematics. When she entered the room, he was sitting in front of the fire, contemplating a chess board set on a little table. She went up to him.

"Aren't you supposed to play chess with another person?"

He looked up at her, and for the first time all day, she could see genuine interest in his eyes.

"Do you play?" he asked her eagerly.

"No", she admitted, suddenly regretting that she'd never learned. "But I would love to learn. Perhaps you could teach me?"

The interest in his eyes vanished again, and he hesitated.

"Well", he finally said, "yes, I could teach you if you want."

She realized that he was just being polite, and she could imagine that it wouldn't be much fun for him to play against an absolute beginner if he was an advanced player himself. If she bored him, she was sure he wouldn't become any more eager to spend time with her.

She smiled. "Maybe another time. I came in here to find a book. Can I look around?"

"Of course", he said politely, gesturing at the shelves. "Feel free."

He returned to his game while she walked slowly around the room, reading the titles of the books, pulling out a few and leafing through the pages. Finally she found a book on chess strategies, and she smiled. She could read up and teach herself, and maybe then he would want to play her. She took the book off the shelf and turned to leave the room, but then she hesitated, looking at him. She still thought she could get him to open up – she was sure there was so much more to him than he was showing her… she just had to find a way in. Mealtime conversation clearly wasn't his strong suit, so she thought the intimacy of the bedroom would be her best bet.

She took a deep breath and said:

"I'm going to bed."

"Alright", he said, not looking up from his game.

She gathered all her courage.

"Are you… are you coming too?"

He nodded. "In about half an hour or so."

Her heart leapt. So he did intend to join her tonight – he was just giving her time to change into her nightgown. She went upstairs, where Annie helped her change into her night clothes and brush out her hair, then she got into bed, waiting expectantly for him to come up. Finally she heard his footsteps on the stairs and her stomach fluttered with anticipation – but then the footsteps went right past her door without stopping. She wondered if he wanted to get changed first, too, but as she waited and waited, she slowly began to realize that he wasn't coming.

She let herself fall back into the pillows and stared up at the canopy of her bed. Was this what her marriage would be like? Breakfast behind a newspaper, snippets of conversation over dinner and spending her nights alone? She shook her head. No, no, it couldn't be, she refused accept it, he just needed time. He had chosen to marry her, and soon they would find their way to each other. She resolved to give him space, but she also wouldn't stop trying.

It took her a while to fall asleep that night. She told herself she was being silly – she was so lucky – she had so much – a fortune to spend as she wished, absolute freedom, interesting people to meet and interesting work to do, and a kind husband who didn't forbid her anything. She knew many women would envy her greatly. Why, then, did she feel such a sinking sense of disappointment? She looked around the room, still unfamiliar to her, not feeling like home even a little bit. Suddenly, she missed her old room, she missed her old life, she missed her sister and her father and most of all her mother. Oh, she felt so lonely in this big bed – this wasn't at all how she'd imagined marriage would be. Finally, the loneliness overwhelmed her. She turned onto her side, hugged a pillow to her chest, and cried.