Lilias awoke naturally her room aglow with sunlight. She ran her arm over the space next to her in bed finding it empty.
She heard the sound of someone ascending her private staircase.
"I've brought your breakfast, Milady. His Lordship ordered something special be sent up for you, so that you may relax abed."
"Where is Lord Craven?"
"I expect he's in his study, Milady. He had some business and letters to attend to. Milady, take care. Dr. Craven still expects you to sleep separate from your husband-in separate quarters. He may question..."
"That is none of his ... I know he is Archie's physician, but Dr. Craven is too forwardly concerning himself with my private intimacy with my husband. We've done nothing against his orders or recommendations. We like to sleep beside each other each night and hold each other. Sleeping in the same bed-where is the crime in that? I shouldn't have to explain this."
"Forgive me, Milady. It was not my intention to give you cause to be distressed."
"No, Aisling. It is not your fault. It is Dr. Craven who vexes me."
Lilias entered Archie's study. He was seated at his desk rifling through some papers and letters.
"Lilias." Archie smiled adoringly. "Sweet thing, I trust you slept well."
She walked round his desk to embrace him to wish him good morning.
"Very well, indeed. I've just come to wish you good morning. I won't disturb your work."
"Do you know...This will keep. I was thinking and I've just realized, my love, that you have not fully explored Misselthwaite, your new home. Would you like to? Secret passages and corridors, secret bookcases, hidden doors, and rooms...I know you find those things fascinating."
Lilias's eyes lit up with childlike delight.
"Yes, darling. I would love to explore with you as my guide." She sweetly kissed Archie.
"Well, let us begin." He smirked as he held back a tapestry that covered a small miniature door-the first of many secret passageways.
"Where does it lead?" She asked giving her hand to Archie.
Archie smiled at her. He looked around to be sure no servants were near or had entered or even Neville, and that they were quite alone.
"It's a passageway that secretly connects your quarters with mine. If we..." he began, "follow this all the way, it ends at a secret door to your sitting room."
"Oh." Lilias smiled.
"But, if we stop here..." On the left of them, was a grand ornate door to which Archie pulled a key from his waistcoat.
"My family vault..." He unlocked the door.
"Treasured heirlooms, gold, all the riches of my ancestors...It all belongs to you. I show you this not to boast, for you of course, my love, are the greatest treasure of all to me, more precious than all the gold and jewels in the world." He paused as Lilias blushed.
"I simply thought you should know, as my wife, the secrets of my... our house."
They continued on to explore other rooms. Archie showed her the secret bookcase wall in the library which when opened led to the conservatory. Another new discovery for Lilias lay at the top of the grand staircase. Archie revealed a hidden door in the wall there which opened to a secret spiral staircase. They climbed it to find that it led to a large chamber which appeared to be a small home within one single room. There was a large table and chairs, a sitting area, a desk, and a grand bed. Lots of daylight poured through the windows that lined the walls and the ceiling was comprised of a large skylight which on a clear night would reveal a blanket of stars.
Lilias was mystified and picked up a telescope which was at least a century old.
"How extraordinary. Archie, we must come up here on a clear night to see the stars."
Archie and Lilias could lie back upon the bed and look at the stars sparkling above.
That night, that's exactly what they did. Archie's arms enveloped Lilias in the comfort of that bed as both their eyes focused on the stars above.