As if he had said nothing, she demanded, “Can you be certain?”
“Nothing is certain.”
“I like certainty,” she said flatly.
“Well, one thing is certain,” he declared firmly. “She is my wife and you must accept her as the new marchioness.”
His mother pressed her lips together, rolled her eyes heavenward then burst out, “You know she will ruin your sisters’ hopes of good marriages.”
He laughed. It was impossible not to. “Now, it is you who are foolish.”
“Am I? The scandal of her family is not to be borne. Why could you not marry a girl of good birth and fortune?”
“She is of good birth,” he stated. He wouldn’t let his mother conveniently forget. “Her family is an ancient one. With lords fighting at Agincourt for God’s sake. We only go as far back as Henry Tudor.”
“And, my marriage portion isn’t to be winked at.”
He whirled to the sound of Felicity’s voice in the doorway.
“Do forgive me,” she said with a bright smile. “I was looking for you, the door was not shut, and I heard your voice.”
God, he loved the sight of her. Her light blue gown complemented her dark hair and violet-blue eyes. It also emphasized her beautiful body. He couldn’t help thinking of how perfectly she’d fit in his arms as they’d slept. Another first for him, as he’d never slept the night through with a woman.
“This is your home,” he replied. “You will be welcome in any room.”
The slight noise of derision from his mother sent a blaze of fury through him but he faced the woman who had birthed him with remarkable calm. “Would you like to inquire into the dower townhouse, Mother?”
His mother’s face whitened.
“That won’t be necessary, will it Lady Marksborough?” Felicity said as though the room wasn’t thick with rancor. “You and I shall get along splendidly. I’m certain of it.”
William’s heart nearly dropped into his stomach. From her stressing of that word, it was clear she had overheard a good deal of their conversation. He was immensely grateful he had said nothing to be ashamed of. His mother, on the other hand, had been cruel. He would have liked to have thought it was only privacy that allowed her to be thus, but he wasn’t convinced.
Even so, his mother was not a stupid woman and as she swung her gaze from him to his new wife, her face transformed with understanding and sudden graciousness.
“Of course, we shall get on my dear. Of course,” his mother amended. “We must host a dinner in your honor. This very week. All our friends will, no doubt, wish to look at you.”
“Mother, we shall allow Felicity to give whatever parties she desires. After all, she is the Marchioness of Talbot now.”
There was a long silence and a hardness pulled at his mother’s face.
“I would be honored if your mother was to host a party welcoming me to the family.” Felicity crossed into the room and slipped her hand into his. “I have not had a mother in many years as mine died giving birth to my youngest sister. It will be wonderful to have someone so kind again.”
He nearly choked on a laugh for he didn’t believe Felicity to be so naive as to think his mother would wrap her into her bosom and offer her the love a daughter might require.
After all, Felicity had clearly heard his mother’s cutting comments about her possible madness. Still, Felicity had said it with wide-eyed innocence.
He adored her for it and he adored the feel of her hand in his, not to mention the way she had so boldly taken it.
His mother seemed to realize she had been outplayed and so she acquiesced, shrugging ever so slightly. “My dear, nothing should give me greater pleasure than to offer you the succor I offer my own daughters. And yes, we must show all of London how welcome you are.”
William felt a hint of tension at those last words. His mother could be damned difficult if she got it in her head to be so.
“I’d very much like to meet my new sisters,” Felicity suddenly said.
This time, William felt genuine warmth in her words.
“They are all eating breakfast,” he said.
“And I am hungry! How fortuitous,” replied Felicity. “Will you show me the breakfast room, William?”
The intimacy of his name gave him pause. It was only because, for some inextricable reason, her use of it filled him with a great deal of pleasure.
“Good morning, Mother,” he said as he took Felicity’s hand in his and led her into the hall.
“Well done,” he whispered, once again loving the feeling of her hand in his.
“I’m glad you think so.”
“She can be most prickly and you mustn’t let her push you about.”
“I sense that she wouldn’t take to a wilting violet,” Felicity admitted.
Finally, a laugh boomed out of him. “You are correct.”
The din of his sisters’ voices met him and he felt a moment of pride as he guided Felicity into the breakfast room. He knew none of his sisters would say something as cruel as his mother had done.
The moment they entered, they were met with silence.
All three girls gaped, their teacups aloft.
Elizabeth bounded out of her chair. “It’s you! It’s you!”
“Is it?” teased Felicity lightly. “Are you certain?”
“Oh yes! You’re the one that had to be saved.”
William winced.
But Felicity merely laughed, a delightful bell sound. “It’s true, I did. And like in stories of old, your brother charged to my rescue, though I must warn you, I am no sad maiden waiting patiently in a tower.”
Elizabeth’s nose wrinkled. “I’m very glad to hear it. Maidens in towers sound very boring.”
“They do, indeed,” replied Felicity.
“And yet, that is how maidens are supposed to behave,” Mary pointed out as she stood and smiled.
“Who says so,” Elizabeth demanded.
Felicity sighed with exaggerated drama before she winked. “Society, my dear.”
Elizabeth considered this then said seriously, “Society is very troublesome.”
“It is, but we don’t have to let it ruin all the fun,” said Felicity.
“What do you like to do for fun?” asked Elizabeth.
“Elizabeth, let our new sister choose her breakfast,” cut in Jane.
“I can help,” piped Elizabeth before she eyed Felicity. “Mayn’t I?”
“Of course! You can tell me which are the best things to choose. What is your cook’s breakfast specialty?”
“The sausages,” informed Elizabeth with all seriousness.
“I adore sausages.”
Elizabeth grinned and ran to the sideboard to fetch a plate.
As Felicity followed his littlest sister, his heart did the strangest thing. It warmed with a sudden and deep affection. It had never occurred to him how much it would matter that his wife fit in with his sisters. And it seemed to him that Felicity was going to fit in very well, indeed.
***
Felicity put on her bonnet and clasped her parasol. She started for the foyer but when she spotted Mary sitting in the morning room looking rather bored, she hesitated.
After several days, learning the workings of the exceedingly large townhome, Felicity felt at ease now and was eager to return to her daily constitutional. She had noticed that Mary and the other girls rarely ventured outside. It had struck her as rather odd, but she knew it common for young women to remain indoors awaiting callers, playing the piano, and embroidering cushions.
She found the very idea appalling. For one moment, she hesitated but then stepped into the morning room.
Mary looked up from her needlework and smiled welcomingly. “Are you to join me?”
“Actually, I wished to ask you to accompany me.”
Mary tilted her head to the side. “Are you going shopping?”
“No.” She loathed shopping, actually. “I’m going for a long walk.”
Mary blinked. “A walk?”