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“And would you say that you’re doing a suitable job in taking care of him, though I gather that you must have outside help as ladies of your station usually do,” she continued on.

“I would like to say that I’m doing the best I can,” she knotted her fingers in her lap.

“Hmm.”

Was that a sound of approval, or the opposite? Phillipa found herself losing her mind at the possibility of the latter.

“He is quite a chatty young boy,” she said. “Makes a lot of blabbering noises, especially when he wishes to express something.”

Something in the woman’s expression shifted, a hint of nostalgia appearing in her eyes.

“I would think that is a total delight. Theodosia used to make that same noise,” she said, at last, “when she managed some small victory no one else thought worth celebrating.”

Phillipa swallowed harshly. “Is that so?”

“Of course... yes. You know, I was quite involved in her upbringing. I taught her to play patience, you know, one wet summer when she was banished to my house for doing something she oughtn’t have. She cheated outrageously and denied it to my face every single time.” A ghost of a smile.

There was a small silence, but Phillipa knew better than to fill it.

“I have missed her rather more than I let anyone see, these two years. I am glad the boy has her fire in him, if what you say is any indication.”

Something in Phillipa’s chest ached at that, and she found herself leaning forward before she had entirely decided to. “You must miss her a great deal.”

“I am seventy-six years old, my dear. I have buried a husband, three siblings, and more friends than I care to count. So, the sudden absence of those I love is not a new concept to me by any means...”

“I’m sure that it doesn’t get easier, though,” Phillipa added on and the Dowager nodded at that.

“I did not come here today to speak of sad things, however. I’m here for something else... entirely,” she cast another assessing glance at Phillipa, who stood up straighter.

Here I am, she wanted to say. Not entirely perfect, yes. But it is what it is. She would not dare say it out loud, though.

“I came to see whether Gregory had married a woman with sense enough to be worthwhile this scandal,” she said. “And you should know that I’m quite a good judge of character.”

“Are you easily able to tell?” she asked, “even on the first meeting?”

“When you have life experience equivalent to mine, you will find that the first meeting is enough to gather the information that one needs.”

“Ah..” Phillipa wasn’t sure of what to say. This level of scrutiny was not unusual by any means, but it felt more consequential when it was coming from someone like the Dowager.

She wanted to win her respect, if not her affection.

“I hope to have made the mark,” she replied, keeping her tone as confident as she could.

“Oh. Well. I think you are...” the Dowager said, pausing for a moment. “Suitable.”

It wasn’t much, but it felt like an accolade coming from her.

“I’m grateful that you think this,” Phillipa smiled. And relieved all the same.

“Marriage is a long... long journey,” she continued on. “And you have embarked on it with someone whom I care about a great deal. It is only fitting that I give you some advice, then.”

Phillipa leaned forward. “I would love that.”

“Hmm. You must be careful with him,” she went on. “He has a knack of not letting anything show, I suppose he thinks that it makes him appear strong, which I know he is. But after all, he is a human.”

“Careful in what sense?” Phillipa made a mental note to remember all of this.

“With everything,” the Dowager said, with seriousness. “But most of all, his temperament and his feelings.”