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Andrew looked at Rowena. She still looked surprised, but he could see her eyes were softening and she was beginning to relax.
“We are thrilled that you have accepted the invitation, my lady,” she said, sounding less nervous and more sincere. “In fact, would you like to join us for dinner and spend the night here?”
Andrew raised his eyebrows in surprise, but he did not contradict his wife. He glanced at his mother, who brightened instantly.
“That would be lovely, dear,” she said.
As Rowena took the dowager to the parlor, where the shower would be held, Andrew sent footmen to bring in his mother’s things. He could hardly believe the change in her, but he was glad to see it. He knew Rowena and her father had patched things up over the past year. Now, it seemed he would get that same chance with his mother. They would all, at last, be the loving family Andrew had always wanted.
That night, dinner was delightful. The dowager made every effort to be pleasant, to learn everything she had missed in the first year of her son’s marriage. They laughed about how he had gone to White’s, yelping for joy, and buying drinks for all the men present when he found out Rowena was pregnant.
The dowager even accepted the chance to feel the baby kick, as Rowena had accepted Gemma’s invitation to do the same. Andrew smiled fondly as his mother giggled like a young woman when the baby moved. He was thrilled to, at last, see a glimpse of the mother he had always hoped she could be.
The dowager retired immediately after dinner. When she pleaded fatigue after the journey, Andrew personally escorted her to the guest chambers. As they walked, he turned to his mother and gave her a small smile.
“Thank you for coming today,” he said. “And for attending the shower tomorrow.”
His mother instantly halted, and Andrew tensed up. But then, she threw her arms around her son, holding onto him tightly.
“Please, forgive me,” she whispered. “I thought I knew what was best for you. I was so sure, I completely ignored what truly was best. I have never had anything but love for you, darling.”
Andrew patted her back, releasing her to kiss her cheeks.
“I know, Mother,” he said. “And, of course, I forgive you.”
Arm in arm, they made their way to her chambers. The mother and son bade each other a fond good night, then Andrew excused himself to help his pregnant wife to their chambers. When he reached the parlor where she waited, he took her hands and gently helped her off the sofa. He put his arm around her waist and led her back the way he had just come.
“How are you feeling?” he asked.
Rowena took a deep breath. She looked a bit taxed, but her eyes were shining with happiness.
“Wonderful, darling,” she said. “What a day this has been.”
Andrew nodded thoughtfully.
“Are you sure you are all right with Mother being here?” he asked.
Rowena looked at him with adoration.
“I love you for your concern,” she said, nestling into him as they continued up the stairs. “And yes, I am all right. I am very happy, in fact. How are you with it all?”
Andrew smiled, kissing Rowena on the side of her head.
“I did not think I would ever see this day,” he said. “But I am certainly glad that I have.
Rowena tightened the arm she had around him.
“As am I, my love,” she said.
***
“Darling, I insist that you let me help you,” the dowager baroness scolded Rowena gently as she reached to straighten a rogue blue ribbon that had gotten itself caught up in the wreath from which it hung. Andrew was just approaching after having finished giving the servants some last-minute instructions.
Rowena giggled.
“Thank you, Lady Elsbrook,” she said.
The dowager turned to her and clicked her tongue.
