The Marquette’s ho was rustic at first glance, but it was no less beautiful than the incredible properties the ducal couple experienced on their trip through the duchy.
A few feet up from the ground, round stone made up the foundation of the building while the rest was made of thick logs that littered the hills and mountains of Montclair. It was an expansive property and each building built to add to the family’s repertoire was built of the sa style to stay true to the founding family who built the large cabin ho in the first place.
Even though Leonor wasn’t able to see what she wanted to of the outside or the surrounding lands, she was thrilled to experience the sa rustic style through the interior.
Brass chandeliers and wall sconces held light yellow candles and much of the tapestries, arts, rugs, and furniture had a similar warm style that fit so unbelievably well in the autumn setting they were experiencing.
As they walked further into the ho and found themselves in a great hall, there was a the of ga hunting in the form of bear rugs and deer heads on the walls. It was the ho of a man who was proud of his hunts, or at least ca from a long line of hunters who were proud of the way they utilized the land they were able to call theirs.
Desmond had warned Leonor that Count Christopher was a ladies’ man who never settled down despite Alma’s pleas for him to do so. She thought it was an interesting dichotomy of Alma’s expectations and reality.
It also caused Leonor to believe the forr countess’ desire for Montclair to have an heir was a bit of her insecurities about her line stopping because her son could never settle down.
The man was finely dressed but there was a rugged edge about him. His naturally jet-black hair was loose and unkempt. He had naturally strong eyebrows and his green eyes were extrely piercing.
His confident smirk seed to co naturally and Leonor could tell how won might be disard by such a man. He likely easily got through their defenses.
It wasn’t that she disliked him, but she was passing initial judgnt the sa way he was doing to her as he eyed her thoroughly. His words only confird that he had thoroughly taken in Leonor’s appearance.
"How wonderful for his grace to finally show the gem of a wife he has kept locked up in the West for such a long ti," Count Christopher said, coming off as strong as Leonor thought he might.
The count reached for Leonor’s gloved hand and she was polite but refused to act shy. He kissed the back of it in a proper greeting to a noblewoman.
Desmond seed to want to say sothing but Leonor glanced at him and he allowed her to say what she needed to. He didn’t find a man like Christopher to be a threat to Leonor. She wasn’t fond of the sort of man he was in the first place.
"You’re too kind," Leonor said. "Although last year I was quite overwheld having to take over the lofty title of duchess so staying behind was my choice. I’m sure your mother has told you that I sought her help to fulfill my proper duties as a duke’s wife."
Her voice was sweet even though she was firm. He took kindly to it right away.
"A fiery one, your grace," he said, glancing at the duke but returning his full attention to the duchess. "I understand everything now. Regardless, I truly hope you enjoy the few days you have here in southern Montclair. It’s more of a sumr destination but I’m sure you will have no trouble finding things to do."
"She’s far beyond my control, but I prefer it that way, my lord," Desmond joked, seeing no reason not to.
The last ti he went on the winterization trip, he had a casual rapport with the man and didn’t think he should act differently because Leonor was there. It would make her feel more at ease if they talked normally rather than treating her like an ornant that needed soft words and politeness to exist.
"I appreciate it," Leonor said to the man. "Perhaps in the future, we can return for a warm weather trip. What sort of activities do the locals and tourists get up to?"
"Hunting... obviously," Christopher explained, gesturing around at the ga on his walls with a light chuckle. "Fishing, boating races, boat tours, festivals. The list truly goes on and on. There are large rivers that lead to Lake Grant and we have quite a different array of rchants who co through this area with interesting wares. It’s quite the sight. It’s changed from when I was a child growing up in this very house."
"I can’t wait to show it to her grace during the day," Desmond said. "The beauty of the lake is lost to the darkness for now. I couldn’t even see lights on the water."
"Could be mist sitting on top of the water," the count speculated. "A mystery for tomorrow I suppose. Shall we have a late al? Even if you ate sothing on the road, the chefs here certainly have sothing better."
Leonor laughed politely and leaned into Desmond.
Count Christopher’s bragging personality never ended but she thought it was amusing. What was even more amusing was Desmond rolling his eye each ti the man angled it in a boastful way.
The duchess looked forward to experiencing their relationship more in the future.
One thing she had always admired about Desmond was that he had rich relationships with the people around him especially if he had a good asure of their character and found them to be good people regardless of whatever was presented about them right away.
"Yes, eating sothing before we settle in for the night would be best," Leonor admitted. "Traveling for such a long distance always starves ."
"Then right this way, your grace," he said. "I made sure the chef kept the ovens hot for my guests to arrive."
The couple followed the man towards another hall where a long dining table was set with three places set for them to eat. There was the bust of another deer with large antlers mounted to the stone fireplace that went from the wooden floor to the high ceiling. The fireplace at the bottom kept the place at a perfect temperature.
The duchess was able to eat venison wrapped in bacon for the first ti and a beet salad that dyed her lips a bit pink. There was plenty of ale to go around but she pointedly only had half a glass, not looking for the trouble she could get up to in that house with her husband.
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