She’d slept the night and half the day away in a luxurious four-poster bed and was now feeling refreshed and eager to explore her new home once again. She got out of bed and realised that the fire was still lit. She’d slept through the sound of logs being piled onto it throughout the night. The heat inside the room made everything outside look even more picturesque. As she sat on the window seat watching sheets of snowfall, she believed she’d never be as happy as she was now. She’d seen very little of her new home in these first two days. The weather had made it impossible to walk any distance at all, and so she had contented herself exploring the house and keeping company with Belle. Their arrival had generated great excitement within the household. Servants had scurried out of every door and had lined the hallway. Belle’s pregnancy and her own fresh face raised a few eyebrows and more than a few whispered questions. The house slaves had been dressed beautifully.
