‘Mother, no young brideyethas such experience – this is when she willlearnto run a household, as did you. I have no doubt that your words were aimed to cause injury and not directed as a favour.’
‘Caleb dear, if you do wish to bathe in a dirty bathroom and receive uncooked meals because your new wife is incompetent at delegating duties as a Duchess must-’
‘My wife is absolutely capable of such tasks! I am perplexed as to why you should make presumptions with regard to her abilities!’ Caleb had raised his voice louder as his frustration with his impossibly mannered mother grew.
In turn, Anne also raised her voice with an agitating shrillness.
‘I beseech you, Caleb, she isnotcapable. She is not fit to be Duchess of Montwood. Your father was a fool that chose her and I consider you foolish in marking his words with such finality as to execute a marriage based solely on his preposterous impulses!’
‘Mother, you will be quiet!’ Caleb yelled this and then stilled himself, realising the staff may be able to hear their quarrel – or worse still, Hannah. He took a deep breath as his mother watched on, amused by his outburst.
‘Hannah is my bride; my new wife and the right Duchess of Montwood. Whether or not this pleases you, we neither seek nor require your approval. This is an unnerving time for any young bride – perhaps you can take yourself back to a time that this predicament applied to you and find some empathy…’
‘I never struggled…’ Anne shrugged indifferently.
‘Neither shall Hannah, if we afford her the respect and support she deserves.’
‘Hmph,’ Anne disregarded his instruction and made to leave the room.
‘Mother, you will not treat her with such contempt, am I understood?’
Anne turned at the door to say her closing piece.
‘I am merely defending the Montwood legacy, Caleb. Your father was imbecilic and ill-advised, you seem determined to pursue his misguided direction. The girl is not fit to be Duchess of Montwood and I refuse to conform to this impractical façade.’
With that, she opened the door and swiftly exited to the hallway.
Caleb was so enraged that his mother had such determination to make trouble for him, that he kicked out at a waste paper basket and laid his palms flat on a nearby surface, breathing deep into his shoulders with his eyes closed.
Anne wanted to distance him from Hannah; she would humiliate his bride in the hope of casting her in a disappointing, lame role. Caleb resolved that – in the light of this common enemy – he and Hannah may need to pull together more steadfastly to show a solid partnership that his mother could not break down. He reasoned that perhaps a distant arrangement between Hannah and himself may not be advisable – his bride would need his support and, as her husband, it was his responsibility and honour to provide it.
CHAPTER NINE
The Montwood drawing room was three times the size of the Haworth drawing room. Hannah had grown up believing – quite rightly – that her parents were of affluent standing and their homes were luxurious. Whilst she still held this gratification, when faced with the enormity of the Montwood home, the comparison demonstrated distinct disparity. She could scarcely believe the height of the ceilings; she looked up at the delicate engravings in the coving, marvelling that artists had produced such intricate and beautiful creations.
Anne did not respond when Hannah bid her good morning. Caleb muttered his greeting and Emmeline bounded like a happy puppy with her delightful chatter.
‘And what a morning! Did you see from your casement window, Hannah? The beautiful cherry blossom?’
Hannah smiled, grateful for the warm interaction.
‘I did. It is quite stunning.’
Anne looked haughtily at her son.
‘The blossom tree is next door at the Aitken’s. If their blossom falls upon my lawn it should quite ruin the turf. See to it that Palmer rakes the garden today, won’t you Caleb?’
Emmeline smirked slightly at her mother’s cantankerous nature and – on seeing Hannah’s face fall – caught her eye and treated her to a cheeky eye roll at her mother’s expense.
Having eaten very little on her wedding day, Hannah now found herself to be ravenous. The display of pastries and baked goods was splendid and she added a few items to her plate, though did not reach for the buttered toast which was closer to Anne, as she could feel her mother-in-law closely scrutinising everything she put upon her plate.
Hannah sat rigidly and tried to eat slowly, constantly dabbing at the sides of her mouth, keen not to gift Anne any ammunition with which to cut her down.
‘We have guests this evening,’ Anne announced loudly.
Caleb turned to her ‘Whom are we expecting?’
‘The Fairfaxes!’ Anne declared gleefully and – quite unexpectedly turned to address her daughter-in-law for the first time.
