CHAPTER 22
It said a lot about the state of Lucy’s life that when her stepmother and stepsister asked if they might come and visit her, she said yes. And not just that she said yes, but that she looked forward to seeing them.
Perhaps it was naïve of her to think, but Lucy truly believed that now, because she was married to a duke, and that she had done her duty, that her stepmother would no longer treat her with such disdain and revilement. That she might even be proud of her…
So it was that when they arrived the following morning, Lucy was sure to greet them outside. She held James in her arms, she was sure to wear a warm smile, and she did her best to force back all the terrible memories from her childhood and teenage years because those were of the past.
Is there a chance that we might even become friends? Now that I am no longer a threat, or a problem to be dealt with, there is no reason why we should not be.
The carriage came to a halt just down from where Lucy stood waiting. The driver then hurried down, rushed to the side, and opened the door. From inside the carriage, Lucy saw the first body appear, and she waved happily when she realized it was her stepsister.
“Amelia!” she called gaily. “Look at you!”
Amelia was just eighteen years old and a true beauty in the most classic sense. With hair like chocolate, with eyes like sapphires, and with sparkling white teeth framed by full lips, she was the embodiment of regal beauty.
“Lucy…” She smiled politely as she climbed from the carriage. “Good morning.” She then turned and waited for her mother to join her.
Lady Beatrice was exactly as Lucy remembered, and this was undoubtedly a bad thing. She had the same severe features. She wore the same look as if something smelly had been wiped under her nose. And when she found Lucy waiting, her upper lip curled slightly, and Lucy’s stomach plunged.
Do not get ahead of yourself, Lucy. Perhaps she is tired from the journey? She has not even said anything yet!
“Stepmother…” Lucy hurried forward to greet her. “It is so good to see you.”
“You sound surprised,” her stepmother said.
“Oh…” Lucy blinked. “I did not mean to sound so.”
“This is the child then?” Her stepmother looked over James, and her expression was one of extreme distaste.
“This is James.” Lucy held him out for her to see.
“Oh, he is adorable,” Amelia cooed. “Might I hold him?”
“I would prefer if you did not,” Lucy’s stepmother spoke quickly before Amelia had a chance to take the baby. “What will you do if he is sick on you? Babies are unpredictable like that.”
Lucy laughed gently. “I promise you have nothing to fear in that regard.”
“But you cannot be certain,” her stepmother said. “Amelia, put your hands down.”
Amelia frowned at her mother, and Lucy wondered if she might argue. Of course, she did no such thing, because Amelia was nothing if not obedient. Where Lucy had been known to get into heated arguments with her stepmother, Amelia would never dare step out of line.
“And where is your husband?” her stepmother asked, looking up and down the street. “His Grace? Why is he not here to greet us?”
Lucy hesitated in her response.
The truth of the matter was that Lucy had not told Marcus that her stepmother and stepsister were visiting. They had not spoken once since their argument, and Lucy saw no reason why he needed to be told about such things. Did he not want her to live her own life? Did he not specifically say that he wanted little to do with her? As far as she was concerned, this had nothing to do with him.
Not that she could tell her stepmother this. Lucy was only too aware that she needed to pretend that her marriage was a happy one, because if her stepmother suspected for even a second that something was wrong, she would gladly tell all and sundry about it. Why, she would relish the opportunity.
“Alas, he is rather busy today.” Lucy sighed as if this upset her. “But he is home, in his office, and he promises to make it down a little later on. He really does wish for a chance to see you both.”
“If that was the case, he would be here.”
“He is a hard worker,” Lucy pressed. “It is not personal, I assure you.”
Her stepmother narrowed her eyes and studied Lucy as if she suspected the lie. Lucy smiled and fluttered her eyelashes, doing her best to appear honest.
“Very well,” her stepmother sighed finally. “I suppose you might as well show us inside. Please tell me that you have refreshments served. Or are we expected to starve?”
