Rayne grew impatient at her grudging acquiescence. “My wife’s name is Madeline, Grandmother. And you may tell her directly to her face, since she is standing right here.”
For a moment, a struggle played on the countess’s haughty features, but then her inner conflict seemed to collapse. “Very well, then,” she said, her tone amazingly contrite as she met Madeline’s gaze. “Welcome, Madeline. I was exceedingly wrong to act so abominably toward you, and I humbly beg your forgiveness. It is my fondest hope that we may begin anew.”
Taken aback by her ladyship’s evident humility, Madeline glanced at Rayne, then again at his grandmother. “Of course, my lady. I would very much like to start anew.”
Lady Haviland looked vastly relieved. “Thank you, my dear. And now if you don’t mind, I shall sit down. My heart is rather weak, you know.”
Madeline saw Rayne’s grimness fade, only to be replaced by a hint of exasperated amusement as he went to aid his relative in settling into a comfortable chair.
“Your apology was adequate, Grandmother, even pleasing. But your continued search for sympathy is growing old. According to your doctors, you are quite healthy for a lady of your advanced years. You may even outlast all your grandchildren.”
“I seriously doubt that,” he
r ladyship muttered, “when you particularly insist on being so disobliging.”
Seeing Rayne’s frown, however, she caught his hand. “Forgive me, my boy, I do not mean to quarrel. In all honesty, I am no longer opposed to your marriage. I hoped you would marry well and provide an heir so that your scandalous wretch of an uncle could not claim the title, but I want even more for you to be happy. And Daphne tells me that Madeline has made you very happy and will doubtless be a good mother to your children.”
“Extremely happy, Grandmother,” Rayne agreed. “But you won’t be pleased to learn that I mean to continue working in my previous profession.”
Rayne had accepted a position as a special agent reporting to the Home Secretary, Viscount Sidmouth—his task, to keep the country and its citizens safe from domestic threats rather than foreign ones.
Madeline was very glad that Rayne had found a fulfilling new purpose for his special skills, for she understood his driving need to help others. Indeed, his valor and compassion and strong sense of justice were largely what had made her fall in love with him in the first place.
At his announcement, Lady Haviland made a visible effort to bite her tongue. “You have changed my perspective on that front, too, Rayne. Prinny himself praised your valiant service to the Crown, and you know I would never interfere with the Regent’s desires. Indeed, you have made me quite proud, my boy.”
When Rayne bent down to kiss her cheek, the noblewoman stiffened slightly at his affectionate gesture, then looked pleased. “I must say, Rayne, I am supremely glad you have found happiness in matrimony. Heaven knows, I never did with your grandfather, who wed me only for my fortune.”
Pressing her lips together in memory, she returned her attention to Madeline. “You are not as mercenary as I feared, or you would have accepted my offer of a fortune. I think that proves you love my grandson at least a small measure.”
“I do love him, Lady Haviland. Immensely.”
“If so, then you may be worthy of him after all. And you have drastically improved your appearance with your more fashionable attire. Now if you would only cease teaching at that plebeian school, I could introduce you in my circles with few qualms.”
“Grandmother,” Rayne said warningly while Madeline only smiled.
Her life would be as fulfilling as Rayne’s, teaching and guiding the eager pupils at the Freemantle Academy, forming their young minds and providing them with the aptitude to become young ladies.
But most fulfilling of all would be having her own children. Hers and Rayne’s.
“Oh, very well,” her ladyship gave in with a huff. “I will do my best to work with what I have.”
Just then Walters appeared at the drawing room door and cleared his throat politely. “Mr. Stokes to see you, my lord.”
When Rayne raised an eyebrow at Madeline, she knew he was reluctant to abandon her to the mercy of his disapproving relative.
Even so, she voiced encouragement. “Go ahead and see to your business with Mr. Stokes, Rayne. Lady Haviland and I will use the time alone to become better acquainted.”
He hesitated, then nodded. “Excuse me, Grandmother, but I have a prior engagement.”
Taking Madeline’s hand then, Rayne drew her outside, into the corridor.
“Are you certain you can stomach being alone with her?” he asked when he’d shut the door behind them for privacy.
“Yes, I am certain,” Madeline replied. “Your grandmother’s attempt to reconcile with me is doubtless because she believes your threat to cut her out of your life. But even if she isn’t sincere about welcoming me into your family, I have hopes of winning her over someday.”
“I still find it remarkable that you are willing to forgive her. You are far more generous than I could ever be.”
Madeline smiled. “I can forgive her, Rayne, because deep down she loves you and wants what is best for you. And if you think about it, we also owe her our thanks. She is the one who demanded that you search for a bride. Otherwise, you would never have felt compelled to make a marriage of convenience and wed me.”