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Rowena was once again surprised. She thought he would have all but forgotten about the ball, or at least have very little interest in it. She was still convinced he had only approved it to make her and her family happy. She had never expected him to ask her about it.
“Nancy has everything under control,” she said, covering her mouth as she giggled, remembering how enraptured her sister was with planning the ball.
Andrew nodded, raising his eyebrows.
“I take it that means she is rather zealous about it all?” he asked.
Rowena nodded, laughing.
“She certainly is,” she said. “I have been trying to convince her not to make too much of a fuss. But she seems to have her heart set on making everything just perfect.”
Andrew nodded, smiling.
“That is very kind of her,” he said. “It is clear she loves you very much. And I see no harm in having a big celebration. There is no reason why we can’t enjoy ourselves, after all.”
Rowena’s breath caught. There was no doubt that he meant what he said. He was turning out to be even kinder and more understanding than she had first thought. Her heart skipped a beat as he stared smilingly into her eyes again. Only Sally clearing her throat told her that they were breaking all the rules of propriety once again.
“Thank you for allowing Benji to come along today,” she said shyly. “I understand how you feel about dogs and that you must have given it considerable thought before letting him come.”
Andrew shrugged and blushed, suddenly looking as bashful as she felt.
“He is a good dog,” he said, as if trying the words on for size. Then, he laughed loudly and shook his head. “Well, when he is not knocking you to the ground, that is.”
As if in protest, Benji snorted and raised his paw. Rowena giggled, and she was surprised when Andrew laughed again, as well.
“He is certainly a handful,” she agreed. “But he is still a pup and just the sweetest thing.”
Andrew studied the dog thoughtfully. Rowena couldn’t tell for sure, but she thought her fiancé might be growing more comfortable with Benji.
As if on cue, Benji sat up on his hind legs, his little front paws waving. He was still a little unsteady doing the new trick, but he did it while panting and looking right at Andrew.
“And he seems to like you,” she said.
Andrew nodded. He was smiling, but he still seemed hesitant. Rowena could understand it. She thought it might take Andrew some time to feel close to Benji, knowing what his father had told him about wanting a dog being a weakness. What gave Rowena hope was that Andrew was trying. And despite his initial discomfort with Benji, he had never been cruel or abusive to him. That was the most important thing to Rowena.
A short time later, the carriage came to a stop. She saw another carriage waiting, and her heart sank into her stomach. She had forgotten about the possibility of having to spend the day being scrutinized by her future mother-in-law. However, as Andrew helped her alight from the carriage, then Sally, a wriggling Benji in her arms, she breathed a sigh of relief.
“Rowena, darling,” Gemma said, rushing over to her. “It is so good to see you again.”
Gemma’s husband stood just behind her, but there was no sign of the dowager baroness. Rowena’s spirits rose as she embraced Gemma, overwhelmed with delight at seeing her new friend without the strain of worrying about Andrew’s mother.
“It is good to see you again, as well, Gemma,” she said.
Andrew shook Lord Spenshire’s hand, then turned to his sister and put his hand on her shoulder. After the couple had been introduced to Benji, who won both of them over immediately, Andrew smiled.
“Are we ready?” he asked, giving both Gemma and Rowena a warm smile.
They nodded eagerly.
“We certainly are,” Gemma said.
Chapter Twenty-Five
As Andrew and his fiancée approached his sister and brother-in-law, he couldn’t help noticing a marked difference in Rowena’s expression. She had relaxed considerably, appearing greatly relieved by something. It didn’t take Andrew long to realize what it must be. His mother had opted not to attend the picnic, and Rowena had noticed her absence.
The dowager baroness had been far less than welcoming to Rowena. In fact, she had expressly insisted to Andrew that she would never accept Rowena as part of her family. She had also seemingly made every effort to ensure Rowena knew she was disliked. It upset Andrew, but he didn’t quite know what he could do about it.
“I am so excited, Brother,” Gemma was saying. “I am glad that you both could join us.”
