Enticing the Earl

He should have known better than to question James’s motives. “Yes, I do.”

“Good,” James said with a smile. “Then I can welcome her to the family with no qualms.”

As if on cue, Mia approached them. “Mr. Blakesworth, how are you?”

“You are now my sister, Mia. I expect you to call me James.”

“Of course, James. How is your parish?”

“Small but devout. I am quite happy down there despite being so far from my family.” James sipped his sherry slowly.

“It makes me glad to hear you are happy,” Mia said. “Have you married?”

“Not yet. I’m certain that’s why Caroline insisted I attend. She wants to introduce me to one of her friends.”

Simon had never been so happy to be married. There would be no matchmaking mamas after him now. “Good luck.”

“I may have to marry just to stop all the interference from Mother.” James smiled slightly. “Have you heard from Charlie?”

“He left Hartsfield Park right after the wedding,” Simon replied.

“He was at the wedding?” James frowned.

Sensing James was upset about not officiating, Simon said, “He just happened to be there. He said Caroline had sent him to force me to attend the party.”

James scowled but said nothing more on the topic.

Even though Simon had imparted all sorts of etiquette on the drive down here, Mia still felt unsure at the dinner table. Simon had been seated several chairs away so she couldn’t ask him. Instead, James sat next to her so she waited for him to pick up a spoon before trying her soup.

Mia finally picked up the same size spoon as James and tasted her soup. The incredible flavor of potato soup washed over her tongue. This was nothing like the potato soup she and her mother would make.

As dinner progressed, she made polite conversation with those around her but her gaze constantly went to Simon. He was seated next to Caroline’s sister-in-law and Caroline’s husband, Richard. Simon appeared to have no issues speaking with those around him. Nor did he look uncomfortable with the number of people in the room. A quick count revealed eighteen people at the table. So perhaps his reticence had to do with more people in the room.

Two-and-a-half hours later, dinner was finally finished. This only brought another type of fear to Mia. Now it was time for the women to retire to the salon while the men stayed and drank brandy. She rose out of her chair slowly to follow the women. Simon gave her a smile for encouragement as she walked away.

She had no idea what women spoke of when ensconced in the salon with no male company. Would they gossip about women she didn’t know? She quickly discovered the topics ran the gamut from how to handle a difficult husband to child rearing. Having no experience with either, she spent most of the time quietly observing the women.

Simon’s mother hadn’t said anything to Mia since her conversation in the library with him. Mia couldn’t wait to have a moment alone with her husband to find out what had been discussed. She was still taken aback by his mother’s venomous attitude toward her.

Caroline was the perfect hostess, making sure all her guests were comfortable and had tea or sherry. She then joined in the conversation regarding morning sickness. Mia hadn’t realized she was with child again.

“Caroline, some peppermint tea might help with the sickness,” Mia suggested quietly to avoid drawing too much attention to herself.

“Thank you, Mia. I shall try that.”

“Drink it before you get out of bed in the morning. As soon as you awaken.”

“I will try it tomorrow. I didn’t have this problem with Nicholas,” Caroline commented.

“Perhaps it will be a girl,” Caroline’s mother-in-law remarked. “That would be wonderful.”

“Or perhaps she should accept the fact that most women have morning sickness and understand that it will pass when God wills it,” Caroline’s mother said sharply, staring at Mia.

“Mother!” Caroline exclaimed.

It was so odd that Simon’s mother would say such a thing after all Mia and her mother had done to help her when she was ill. But Mia couldn’t hold her tongue on this topic. “I have never understood why someone would want to suffer needlessly. There is no cure for morning sickness save having the baby, but there are some herbs that can calm the symptoms.”

“I believe I shall retire. Good night.” Simon’s mother left the room in a huff.