“Speak of the devil,” Theo said, handing over a letter to Mari. “It appears Poppy has written to you.”
Mari smiled when she recognized Poppy’s rather sloppy handwriting and set the letter aside to enjoy later.
Theo opened a letter on heavy paper and pulled out a short note. A smile formed on his face and then he handed it over to Mari. “How nice,” he said, turning to his bride. “My Aunt, the Duchess of Cumberbund and her daughter, Lady Charlene are going to be in the neighborhood and are going to call upon you today.”
Theo’s excitement was lost on Mari as her brain went fuzzy and her stomach dropped at the notion of entertaining Theo’s exalted relations. Her fork clattered against her plate.
“Mari?” Theo asked. “Is something amiss?”
He leaned toward her and took her hand in his.
Mari cleared her throat and forced a smile upon her face. “No, Theo, nothing is amiss. You are kind to be concerned about me. I was simply surprised to learn of a visit. On such short notice as well.”
Theo smiled sheepishly. “It is possible that I received a note from my aunt shortly after our marriage where she mentioned this visit but I was distracted…” He squeezed her thigh beneath the table. “My apologies, sweet Mari, but I am certain you will be the perfect hostess.”
Mari’s breath stalled in her chest. “Y-you will be here to accompany me, will you not? I am sure your relatives wish to see you.”
“I have other matters to attend to. But do not be alarmed. They are lovely and kind people and I am sure they will adore you. Just as I do.”
Mari simply nodded. Words were impossible at that moment.
This was going to be a disaster.
For the first time in her life, Mari found the scent of fresh flowers nauseating. She glanced at the arrangement she’d made with blooms she’d cut herself from the garden at Willowmere. She had sought refuge there to calm her nerves in anticipation of the visit from Theo’s relatives.
He had thought nothing of leaving her alone with his aunt and cousin. He might have had supreme confidence in her, but Mari did not have confidence in herself. At all.
“How very quaint,” Theo’s Aunt Beatrice, the Duchess of Cumberbund, said from her seat on a tufted chair across from Mari in the drawing room of Willowmere, her gaze running over Mari’s gown. “Such a simple dress. It sets off your natural beauty, my dear.”
“Yes,” Lady Charlene, Theo’s cousin, said from her perch on a settee to Mari’s left. “I am pleased you have not overindulged in French fashions.”
Mari bit the inside of her lip. She had selected this gown in hopes of looking her best. She knew that it was one of Theo’s favorites. He said the color brought out the glow of her skin. Apparently that was not sufficient for his relatives.
“If you are not careful,” Lady Charlene commented, adding a bit more sugar to her tea, “someone will mistake you for a nursery maid. You are so sweet and… unpolished.”
Mari’s cheeks burned but she fought back the tears stinging her eyes. How could Theo leave her alone with these vipers? He said he had confidence in her, but he was wrong. She was not cut out to be a duchess. It was obvious, particularly to her two guests.
“There are many duties which a duchess must perform. Unless Theo is still handling everything.” Aunt Beatrice gave her a wan smile as she made her comment.
“I am learning,” Mari said. “There is a great deal to remember.”
“Of course,” Aunt Beatrice said. “I am sure it is especially challenging for a girl with such a modest background.”
“You know Theo has always enjoyed a project, Mother,” Lady Charlene said. “There was the beekeeping and then clock collecting. Can a bride from a simple background be that much different?”
Mari’s mouth fell open at the audacity, but she closed it without a retort. What could she say anyway? Maybe she was a project.
“In fact,” Lady Charlene said, “we have been told nothing about you. Mother was exceedingly surprised when Theo did not respond to her letter inquiring after his new bride. We really had no choice but to come and see… er meet… you ourselves.”
“Yes,” the Duchess of Cumberbund said. “Who are your people? How did you and Theo meet?”
“Good afternoon, Aunt Beatrice, Cousin Charlene. What a pleasure to see you both.” Theo entered the room and Mari let out a silent sigh of relief. He leaned down to kiss the cheeks of their two guests and then did the same to his wife, whispering in her ear, “I have come to rescue you.”
She stifled a giggle. Theo was here. All would be well.
“We are utterly charmed by your bride,” Aunt Beatrice said.
“Yes, she is simply adorable,” Charlene added.
