“Yes,” Adelaide told her new friend, “I was. I am. So much care has been taken for the wedding preparations, down to the smallest details. Now all those details are playing out, beautifully so, but no one tells you what to do when it happens. We have the cake there in the middle of the table, just as hundreds of other wedding breakfasts have had before, and it is much admired, as it should be. We have the food for those in attendance and the well-wishers. We have drinking chocolate, which, I confess, I could use at least two cups of at the moment. My husband and I are receiving congratulations and being perfectly agreeable.”

“Everything is according to plan,” Mrs. Granger added, nodding in apparent understanding. “Your mother cried a little, your father is proud, your sisters will give you advice on marital happiness—”

“Oh, I doubt that very much,” Adelaide interrupted, scoffing slightly. “None of them particularly enjoy their marriages. Their husbands are fine enough and good company, but the only thing that any of them can agree on is the children. Which, I suppose, is better than nothing at all, but I don’t believe they can give me guidance on how to make my marriage a successful one.”

Mrs. Granger smiled a little, something almost wistful crossing her features. “Every marriage is a little different, and sometimes the only way one manages is to press on and discover how in the process.”

Adelaide tilted her head curiously as they reached the breakfast fare. “Is that how it was for you, Mrs. Granger?”

“Please, call me Lily, if you do not object.” Mrs. Granger’s smile spread further before settling back into the gentle one of before. “In a way, yes. I was very fond of my husband when we married, and he was very fond of me, but we weren’t particularly open about our feelings with one another. We had known each other for several years, so there was already familiarity between us, and yet… marriage is still an adjustment. I am not sure there is anyone who can truly give guidance that is certain to work, and my husband tried to gather as much as possible without much avail.”

“Well, there were certain vows made only a few hours ago, Lily,” Adelaide said with a laugh. “Perhaps that might be a worthy place to start.”

Lily seemed to consider that. “Yes, I suppose, though I hardly think love, cherish, obey, and serve are necessarily a given from that moment. It is easy enough to consider honor, comfort, and keep, but…” Her pale brow furrowed, and she looked at Adelaide intently. “Might I offer a piece of unsolicited advice, knowing that I barely know you and I have only known Basset for a year and a half?”

Adelaide blinked but found herself nodding. “If you think it might help.”