“I think so,” Theo said, gazing affectionately at his wife.
“We still have not learned anything about her family,” the duchess persisted.
“I am her family,” Theo said. “As are you.”
The two women glanced at Mari with looks of abject horror. Apparently the idea of welcoming her to their family was not met with pleasure. For Theo’s sake, they quickly replaced their scowls with smiles and he was none the wiser.
“Of course,” Charlene said. “I have always wanted another cousin.”
“We are having a lawn party next month, I hope the two of you will attend. I am sure there are many of your friends who are eager to meet your new bride,” the duchess added.
“That reminds me,” Lady Charlene said, “Lady Patricia asked me to pass along her congratulations to you.”
“She was certainly surprised by news of your marriage,” the duchess added.
Mari was not the most astute observer, but even she could see from the tone and expression on the duchess’s face that Lady Patricia had hoped she would be Theo’s bride.
Oh heavens, would this miserable visit never end?
“I do not think your relatives liked me,” Mari said as she and Theo stood watching their carriage leave Willowmere.
“Of course they liked you. How could they not? You are sweet and kind and simply too lovely not to like.”
He kissed her on the cheek. “I must get back to my duties. I will see you for Papa and Little Mari time as usual, though. I am looking forward to it.”
And then he was gone.
Good heavens. What would the Duchess and her daughter have thought if they knew about Papa and Little Mari?
A shudder ran through Mari at the thought.
Trying to shake off the darkness of the visit, she went again to the gardens. As she sat on a bench near the herbs she remembered the letter from Poppy. She’d been so distracted by the pending visit from Theo’s family that she’d not even opened the note. Surely this would cheer her up.
Her eyes eagerly ran over the page of news from her friend. But instead of making her feel better, it just made her lonelier. Her doubts about her place as a duchess were heightened even further by the treatment she had received from Theo’s relatives. Regardless of what Theo said, they were not her family and they certainly didn’t want her to be.
We are all so happy for you and know you are doing a bang-up job as a duchess.
But, we still miss you. Even Lily has been cranky and had to spend time in the naughty chair last week.
Garland has gone back to wearing those hateful braids.
But, do not be concerned. We will be fine and we know you will be a duchess we’ll all look up to and admire. Our little family just isn’t the same without you here.
Suddenly and for the first time since her marriage to Theo, Mari wished she was back at Talcott House, safe and secure. Where she knew her place and she knew she belonged.
Try as she might, she could not get the echoes of the voices of Theo’s relatives out of her head.Nursery maid. Pet project.
Along with the voices from her past.Stupid girl. You can’t do anything right. You’re lucky we keep you here at all. How you could be of the same blood as us is a mystery.
It was only a matter of time before Theo saw the truth of it. And no doubt, he would regret marrying her instead of Lady Patricia, whom she was sure knew all about how to be a duchess and which clothes to wear.
Mari did not belong here.
Chapter Twelve
Theo handed his horse to the stable boy and headed into Willowmere Estate with a spring in his step. After the visit from his aunt and cousin followed by settling a dispute between two of his tenants, Theo was eager to spend some time as Papa. Thoughts of his Little Mari filled him with such warmth and happiness. He had sought out Miss Wickersham’s assistance in finding a bride with a fair amount of skepticism, but hope began to flicker when he saw Marigold freeing a bunny in the garden.
Heat formed in his loins as she recalled the way she had responded to his attentions in the bedroom. Once she had recovered from her initial shyness, Mari had been an eager and passionate partner.
