She was a striking woman, despite her age, her silver hair pinned up in an elegant knot.Very well dressed,Rachel noted to herself, though the color choice was muchbolderthan what she knew other ladies of her age to wear.
In fact, it was the exact shade of green that Rachel had opted not to wear earlier.
“Lady Linwood, welcome to Everly Manor,” Rachel spoke, curtsying.
“Oh, none of that!” the woman said with a dismissive wave of her hand, her bracelets jangling with the movement. “Call me Jean, my dear. ‘Lady Linwood’ makes me sound like an old dowager, and I am far from that.”
Rachel looked over at Simon, who had trailed behind his aunt. Her eyes widened slightly as she found herself in a new debacle—one of not wanting to be disrespectful but also not to go against Lady Linwood’s wishes.
“She can call you Aunt Jean, perhaps,” Simon stepped in, sensing his wife’s internal struggle.
“Yes, Aunt Jean is fine,” the lady laughed. “It’s what Simon calls me.”
Rachel smiled, relaxing slightly. Perhaps she was not going to be such a misfit after all. “Then welcome, Aunt Jean. It’s an honor to meet you.”
Aunt Jean stepped closer, taking Rachel’s hands in hers and studying her with an almost comical intensity.
“My, my. Hold steady; let me look at you,” she said, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. “Aren’t youjustlovely? Simon told me you were beautiful, but he was far too restrained in his description. You’re radiant.”
Rachel’s cheeks flushed, and she cast a glance at Simon, who seemed unfazed by the admission.
He had called me beautiful?
“I… Thank you, my lady,” Rachel spluttered awkwardly. “That is really quite kind of you.”
“Oh, there is really no need for such modesty, my dear,” she continued, now walking ahead of the two of them. Simon and Rachel followed her into the drawing room.
Aunt Jean was not shy about making herself at home, it seemed.
“In fact, when I was your age,” she said, sitting herself on one of the sofas and gesturing for Rachel to do the same. “I was quite proud of my youthful looks. Oh, let me tell you, dear, I was quite the head turner inmy day. I made no effort to be modest about it. In fact, it was rather fun making the other ladies jealous.”
“You are still beautiful, Aunt Jean,” Simon added, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips.
“He flatters me,” Aunt Jean grinned, turning to Rachel. “Does he do the same to you? I’m sure he must.”
Rachel could only smile softly.
“I am sure that the duchess has no complaints,” Simon answered instead.
“Nowthatis what I mean by not being modest.” Her grin was wide. “You must inherit that from me, nephew.”
“I get all my best traits from you,” Simon said.
Rachel had never seen this side of Simon—and frankly, she was quite surprised that he was able to relax enough to be lighthearted like this.
It was sweet.
“But enough about me. The focus here must be on the new bride. I always knew that my nephew would surprise me when it came to marriage. It all happened in such a whirlwind, really. So quickly that I could not even make it to the wedding, which I deeply regret,” she said.
“No need to regret it, Aunt Jean. It is just as good to meet you now,” Rachel replied quickly.
“That it is, that it is,” she agreed. “But really, you must try and put yourself in my position for a moment. Imagine my surprise when I received a letter one morning from Simon, announcing that he had chosen a bride for himself and was set on marrying by the end of the week.”
So, he did not tell her about the rumors.Rachel found herself relieved at the thought. At least it was one less thing to worry about.
“Yes, well, it all happened rather quickly,” she conceded instead.
“As life often tends to,” Aunt Jean nodded. “In all my years, I have learned that you must expect the unexpected. Though—in this case, I am more than pleased. Simon seems to have chosen a lovely wife for himself.”
