“God’s Bones,” she gasped. “I have never seen anything like this.”
Matthew had seen it before, too many times to count, and was immune to the wonderment. But he agreed with her.
“I doubt you ever will,” he said. “My aunt maintains a level of living that God himself is envious of.”
She lifted an eyebrow at him. “After the filth of Wellesbourne Castle, how is it you manage to stay here and not ruin the place?”
He laughed softly. “My aunt would beat me.” He pointed at the dirty rug. “Even that will not escape her wrath once the joy of our arrival wears thin.”
A squeal suddenly filled the air. Alixandrea looked over to see a round, rosy woman rushing towards her, arms outstretched. Livia Wellesbourne St. James was an enormous woman with wobbling chins and painted cheeks. She wore a garment of layers upon layers of the finest silks, with studs and embroidery to a gaudy degree. She threw her fat arms around Alixandrea and nearly strangled her.
“So this is your lovely bride, Matthew?” Aunt Livia held Alixandrea at arm’s length, inspecting her closely. “She is exquisite, darling. Absolutely exquisite!”
Matthew felt a pride he’d never before experienced. It was strangely fulfilling. “Aye, that she is,” he agreed. “The Lady Alixandrea Wellesbourne, this is the Lady Livia St. James.”
“Psh,” Livia hushed him. “We need no introductions. I can see that she belongs to the House of Wellesbourne. Welcome to Rosehill, dearest girl. What is your name again?”
Alixandrea fought off a smile; the woman was giddy, dramatic, and scatterbrained. “Alixandrea, my lady.”
“Darling,” she hugged her again, releasing her from her stifling embrace but not quite letting go. She put an arm around her shoulders. “You have married the crème de la crème of Wellesbournes, my dear. Matthew is our shining star. We will expect many strong babies from you.”
Alixandrea smiled weakly, looking to Matthew and silently pleading for his help. She could hardly believe the old woman had jumped into such a delicate subject. Matthew just grinned a moment before taking pity on her.
“Auntie, we’ve only been married a few days,” he said. “You must give us time.”
Livia glared at him. “I would have news of an impending child before you leave London, Matthew. I am an old woman and haven’t time for your foolish delays. You have made me wait quite long enough for this marriage.”
Matthew clapped his hand to his forehead in a gesture of disbelief before removing his wife from his aunt’s overbearing embrace. “Good God, Auntie, to the Devil with propriety and subtlety, is it? You are going to terrify her.”
Livia was reluctant to let Alixandrea go but had no choice as Matthew pulled her free. She was preparing a sharp retort when Mark came through the entryway with Caroline on his arm. Then, her attention was focused on another hapless couple.
“And you!” she screeched at Mark. “You have been married to your lovely girl for two years. Where are the children, Mark? I vow that if you do not produce a child within the next year, I shall leave you out of my will completely. Do you hear me?”
Mark had less humor about his aunt’s gripes that Matthew did. Caroline flushed furiously as Livia gregariously embraced her. Alixandrea leaned in to Matthew.
“She is going to crush Caroline,” she whispered urgently. “Save her!”
Matthew leaned down. “I am afraid that no one can save her now. We shall just have to hope for the best.”
Alixandrea wiggled her eyebrows, struggling not to laugh. Livia, as well meaning as she might have been, was both appalling and hilarious. Mark did not fight to take Caroline back as Matthew had, so Livia kept her arms around Caroline as she led her into the lavish hall where all manner of food await. The furniture in the room was the finest that money could buy; the seats of the sumptuous chairs were stuffed with feathers and the tables were costly and matching. As soon as Alixandrea entered the hall, she came to a sharp halt.
“What is wrong?” Matthew asked her.
She had a queer expression on her face. Her hands splayed as if feeling for something in the air. “No dogs,” she hissed. “There are no dogs pawing at me. What shall I do?”
Matthew grinned broadly. “Disoriented?”
“Horribly.”
He was enjoying a laugh with his wife, removing her cloak and laying it upon the nearest chair. Their revelry was interrupted, however, when he heard his brother’s voice beside him.
“Matt,” Mark said quietly. “Look at father.”
Matthew’s gaze moved to the massive carved buffet sideboard that lined the south side of the hall. Adam, so quiet for the past two days, stood with a wine bottle in one hand and a goblet in the other. While they watched, he poured and drank the entire contents, twice. Mark looked at Matthew, who looked disgusted and resigned. He took a step in his father’s direction, but Alixandrea stopped him.
“No,” she said quietly. “Allow me.”
Matthew shook his head. “Nay, love. I shall deal with him.”
