Daniel blinked, a slow smile curving his lips as he asked, “You think she loves me?”

“Did I say fool?” she asked the ceiling and then glanced down to him and snapped, “I meant idiot.”

“Mother,” he said with irritation.

“Of course she loves you, you dolt. Did you think she’d lie with every bounder after her dower?”

“Well, no, of course not, but—”

“Son, we women have it drummed into our heads from very early on that chastity is a must, that our virginity is the most valuable gift to give a husband. You men may run about rutting with every bitch in heat you come across, but we do not,” she assured him acerbically.

Daniel’s eyes widened incredulously. Bitch in heat? Was this his mother, the most proper Dowager Lady Woodrow? She never spoke like that, he thought and said, “But it is so soon. She can’t possibly love me already.”

“Lord love me,” Lady Woodrow muttered, and then pointed out, “It is just as soon for you. Are you now going to try to tell me you don’t love her? Because, my son, I know you well and I can tell you right now that would be a lie. Your eyes light up when you talk about her and your face goes soft. If you were thinking that you were just marrying her because you wanted to bed her, then you were deceiving yourself. You have done nothing these last ten years but cringe every time I have brought up the subject of marriage and producing grandbabies for me. You have not changed your mind and suddenly rushed this girl off to Gretna Green just because you want to bed her. Besides, from the explanations you three just gave, you’ve already bedded her!”

Daniel blinked and frowned.

She left him to puzzle through her words and his feelings and turned to Fairgrave, saying, “Now, Richard.”

“Yes, Lady Woodrow?” He immediately stood up straighter.

“You and your friend here help my son to dress while I go have some clothing packed and a carriage prepared,” she instructed. “We will leave as soon as all is ready.”

“Yes, my lady,” Richard said smartly and Lady Woodrow smiled and patted his cheek.

“You always were a good boy,” she said affectionately and then left the room.

“Suzette’s going to love her,” Robert murmured as the door closed behind Lady Woodrow.

Daniel frowned. “Is that a sarcastic comment or do you really think they shall get along?”

“Oh, they’ll get along like a house on fire,” Robert assured him, moving to help Richard select clothes for him. “In fact, I suspect it will be the two of them against you in every argument, so you’d best start praying you and Suzette have all boys or you’ll be woefully outnumbered.”