Caroline had a husband and a houseful of servants. She truly didn’t need any help. After this party, his sister would just need to rest. He couldn’t imagine if Mia had to plan something so large. Caroline had different activities planned for every day. Today most of the guests were getting ready for a treasure hunt but Simon had decided against it.
James entered the room and stopped when he caught sight of them. “Is it safe to come in?”
“Of course, dear,” his mother said, putting her needlepoint away. “What have you been doing today?”
“Simon and I rode with the hunt but I’m certain he must have told you that.” James gave Simon a conspiratory wink.
“No, we hadn’t discussed it yet,” Mother replied.
James rolled his eyes. “It’s time we all talked. I will not have this strain between you two.”
“There is nothing to discuss, James,” Mother said. “Simon made his choice of brides so we all have to accept it.”
“Yes, Mother, we do,” Simon said. “Mia is my wife and there is nothing anyone can do about it.”
His mother sighed. “Simon, that is true. But you need to understand it might take me time to come to terms with it.”
“Oh be quiet, all of you,” his grandmother said, lifting her head up straight. “Eleanor, you were only slightly better than Mia when my son married you. Yet you made my son happy. And I can only hope he made you happy too.”
Simon watched as his mother’s eyes welled with tears. “Yes, he did, Mary. I loved him dearly.”
“Then why are you having so much trouble with Simon’s decision? You know he’s loved the girl for years.”
Simon blinked in surprise. “You did?”
All three of them laughed. “We all did, Simon,” James said, still laughing. “You honestly didn’t realize what you looked like whenever you saw her?”
Simon shook his head, bemused. He’d thought he hid his attraction quite well.
James laughed harder. “I don’t think there was a person on the estate who didn’t know how you felt about Mia.”
Simon could only stare at his family as they all nodded in agreement. Had he been that obvious? Did Mia know how he felt about her? If everyone else knew, his wife most definitely should know how much he loved her.
His mother slowly laughed. “You had no idea that we all knew how you felt about her, did you?”
“No,” he admitted. “I thought only Charlie knew.”
“Charlie?” James said. “He is so concerned about himself, I’m surprised he saw it.”
“Speaking of Charlie, where is he?”
James shrugged. “Probably London. Where else would he be? He would prefer to spend his time in the gaming hells than travel a short distance to visit with his family.”
Simon frowned. “He told me that Caroline coerced him to go up to Hartsfield Park to force me to come to this party. And that if he did that for her, she would invite some woman he was interested in.”
“You will have to ask Caroline about that,” his mother said finally in a civil yet frosty tone.
“I will.”
His grandmother cleared her throat. “Now that we all know Simon loves Mia,” she stared with a pointed look to his mother, “Eleanor, I expect you to not only apologize to Mia but embrace her as your new daughter. Someday she will have your grandchildren.”
“Yes, Mary,” his mother replied in a deferential tone. “But first, I must apologize to Simon. Son, I do hope you understand why I was so upset when I found out about your marriage.”
“I do, Mother.” Simon relaxed. “I also know it was dreadfully bad-mannered to have a wedding without inviting my family. I was only fearful for her safety.”
“Why?” his grandmother demanded.
Simon explained all that had happened in the past few weeks. “I wanted her to have the protection of my name if something should happen to me.”