This was the part, she assumed, where her mother would assure her that all was well, that she would safe and happy once she wedded Graham, and that her worries were unfounded.
Instead, Mama gave a tight smile and glanced away.
“I remember how I felt before I entered into matrimony with your Papa,” she murmured. “I was so afraid I didn’t sleep thenight before and looked like a ghost on my wedding day. Now, my mother never bothered to tell me much at all about… about what to expect from a matrimony. She merely counselled me to be a good, obedient, and dutiful wife, and to follow my husband’s lead in all things.”
Ursula swallowed thickly. She’d heard a good deal, of course, about how wives were meant to be behave. None of it sounded particularly enjoyable. She assumed that in reality, men and women were able to come to some compromise regarding their daily lives.
Perhaps she was wrong.
“What do you mean, Mama?”
Mama heaved a sigh, passing a hand over her face. “Come, sit down, my dear.”
She led the way over to Ursula’s bed, perching on the edge, and patted the space next to her.
Ursula stepped carefully down from the pedestal, walking carefully across to the bed. Her dress, not quite hemmed properly yet, trailed loosely behind her.
She sat uncomfortably beside her mother and waited.
For a moment it felt like an eternity and there was only silence. Then Mama heaved another sigh and took Ursula’s hand.
“I was ill-prepared for matrimony,” she said at last. “I cannot imagine this is a surprise to you. My mother ought to have prepared me, but she did not. My introduction to matrimonial life was a great shock to me, and that shock was difficult to recover from. You, at least, will be more prepared.”
“Prepared for what, Mama?”
The hairs on the back of Ursula’s neck began to bristle. Was there something horrifying about connubial that she ought to know? Or was there something terrible about her husband-to-be in particular?
“I am talking,” Mama said, with an effort, “of intimate relations between men and women. That is, between a husband and a wife.”
Ursula felt a sinking feeling in her stomach. “Oh.”
“Yes. Oh, indeed,” Mama responded grimly. “I know that young girls might giggle about such things, but I can assure you the reality is no laughing matter. Your husband will consider it his right in engage in such… such relations. For you, it is a matter of duty. Once you have produced a few children, your husband will likely turn his attentions elsewhere, and you may repose for a while.”
Ursula tensed. “Elsewhere? Where would he be turning his attentions?”
“I should not have said that,” Mama muttered. “Goodness, I am not doing well at this, am I? I am only trying to make sure you know what to expect, my dear.”
“I… I have heard things. From other women, you know. I overheard Lady Smythe talking with some of her friends after she returned from her honeymoon. I know how… how the mechanics of it all work.”
A shadow crossed Mama’s face, followed by relief.
“Well,” she sighed. “I suppose I should be upset that you have gleaned such shocking information, but I find myself relieved to hear that I won’t have to explain it all to you. Do you fully grasp what is required of you?”
Before Ursula could answer, Mama pressed on, seizing her hand a little too tightly.
“You will do best to stay quiet and simply do your duty,” she said, her voice tight. “It’s what Lord Sinclair will expect of you.”
“That sounds… that sounds rather horrid, Mama.”
Mama shrugged. “Men will have their way. Good wives do not complain.”
Ursula bit her lower lip, hard. “Lord Sinclair isn’t like that.”
“He is, I assure you,” Mama shot back grimly. “They all are, I’m afraid. Men, I mean. I’m sorry to disappoint you, my dear.”
Ursula paused for a moment, trying to work up the courage to ask her next question. Mama seemed to be uncomfortable, shifting and glancing at the door as if eager to leave.
“I heard that it can be rather pleasant, too,” Ursula burst out, face reddening.
