Claire watched the Rochford’s with interest, wondering what this newly bought estate could look like. Would it be as large as her current home? Very doubtful, but since she wouldn’t be there very often it wasn’t anything to worry about. Though the thought of their new home did remind her of a very [i]big[/i] part of getting married…their shared bed.

The young woman really had done her best to not give away her body just for information. So far she had been the middleman; one who passed information along so things didn’t look suspicious. Now that she was bringing things to the next level, that was next to impossible. Maybe it wouldn’t feel so shameful if her first time was with a husband? At least that is what she told herself. At any rate, she was supposed to be an expert in bed and if things went as planned Nick would soon find out that was a lie. So many lies, so many secrets that she couldn’t even enjoy the a single part of this marriage. Claire sighed to herself, bringing herself back to the conversation. Something about renovations…they must have much, much more money than she realized.

[i]“Fortunately for the lady, Nick, the minor restorations you commissioned were finished yesterday. With the permission of Lord Abbott, it is indeed a good idea to show the estate to Ms. Abbott.”[/i]

Claire perked up, looking from Mr. Rochford to her father, then back again. Did he mean right then?

Nick didn’t look terribly pleased, but he offered all the same. [i]“Would you like to see the manor with me?”[/i]

It was hard to hide her excitement. Afterall it was to be her new home, and the only place she’d ever lived was the place she was now. Plus getting away from her father sounded like a dream come true. “Oh, please father I would [i]love[/i] to go see it!” It may be with Nick, but it was a better option than sitting with Nick plus two.

It was the first positive reaction he’d gotten from her in a long time, how could he say no? “Well, Mr. Rochford if you think it’s a good idea…” he replied hesitantly, disappointed their lunch was ending quickly. But he couldn’t complain- the marriage was happening, and Claire wasn’t arguing anymore.

“It is, Father, thank you!” she said, and he stood as she got up in a hurry. “I’ll go change into something else and I’ll be right down, Nick.” With that Claire stepped forward to give her father a quick peck on the cheek and hurried upstairs, telling her personal servant to help her into a beautiful maroon dress that went well with her strawberry blonde up-do. Within ten minutes she was coming back down, tugging on a pair of lace gloves that came to just below her elbows. “Is it very far, to the estate? Does it have a yard, anything planted outside?” Claire asked, coming to stand at Nick’s side. It was time to forget about the stresses of the war, of the wedding, and her job. Her fiancée may not be the perfect company, but she would make the best of it for now.