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She tilted her head up to kiss him, and he happily obliged.
“Thank you, my love,” Rowena said, smiling up at him, her eyes glowing with love.
Andrew gave her the same silly grin that she still managed to put on his face even almost a year after their wedding.
“Anything for you, sweet mother-to-be,” he said.
Rowena blushed, still smiling.
“Are you truly excited?” she asked.
Andrew knew she was thinking of his former aversion to the idea of having children. He pulled her into his free arm and kissed her again.
“So excited, I could almost burst,” he said.
As he placed the wreaths down on a nearby table, the butler hurried into the room.
“Lord Elsbrook,” he said, bowing. His voice was calm, but his expression was apprehensive.
“Yes?” he asked, kissing Rowena’s head as he approached the butler. “What’s the matter?”
The butler glanced behind him, moving closer to Andrew.
“The Dowager Baroness of Elsbrook has just arrived,” he whispered.
Andrew stiffened. He had not spoken to his mother since she had refused to attend his wedding. He had written to her to tell her about the baby’s expected arrival, but she had not responded. He hoped she hadn’t come to try to ruin it for them.
While Rowena was busy instructing the servants on the remaining decorations for the baby shower the following day, Andrew slipped out and greeted his mother, who was waiting for him in the entryway.
“Mother,” he said, approaching her cautiously. “What are you doing here?”
When he first spotted her, she had been standing with her head high and her expression as hard as ever. But as soon as Andrew spoke to her, she gave him a ghost of a smile.
“Is it too late to accept the invitation for the shower?” she asked.
Andrew stared at her for a minute. Her expression was slowly softening, and he thought he saw regret in her eyes. Cautiously, he stepped closer to his mother and put an arm around her shoulders.
“Do you really wish to come?” he asked.
The dowager nodded slowly, dabbing at the corner of her eye.
“I do,” she said. “I cannot imagine a world where I deny myself the opportunity to be in the lives of my grandchildren.” She paused, taking a deep breath. “Or the lives of my son and daughter-in-law.”
Just then, Rowena came out of the room, no doubt having heard Andrew speaking with someone. When she saw the dowager standing there, she froze. Andrew held his breath. If his mother was up to something, then would be the time for her to show it. But rather than throw a barrage of harsh words at Rowena, or ignore her, she stepped away from Andrew and toward his wife.
“Rowena, dear,” she said, holding out a hand to her daughter-in-law. “I know I have been difficult, to say the least. I want you to know that I am truly sorry, and that I would love to attend the party tomorrow, so that I may celebrate the birth of my grandchild.”
Rowena looked fearfully at Andrew, who gave her an imperceptible nod of his head. Reluctantly, Rowena took his mother’s hand.
“We would be delighted to have you,” she said tentatively.
Andrew moved to put a protective arm around his wife. He gave his mother a firm look.
“We appreciate your effort, Mother,” he said. “I do hope it is a genuine one.”
The dowager looked down in shame.
“It is, darling,” she said. “I realize I have been nothing short of atrocious. And Rowena is clearly a wonderful woman and a great baroness too. I misjudged her, and I would like the chance to make it up to you both.”
