Page 46

She could not stop herself from grinning. “On the contrary, Your Grace. It is rather hilarious. Now, you best put your pants back on before you grandmother sees. How embarrassing that will be otherwise.”

ChapterSixteen

Magnus shifted uncomfortably under the reproachful gaze of his grandmother. In most instances, the two got on famously, and she was perhaps the most important person in his life. But under the current circumstances, it felt as if she knew what it was that she had just interrupted.

The urge to adjust himself was near uncontrollable, and it was all Magnus could do to keep his hands folded firmly on his lap.

“This is a most unexpected surprise, grandmother,” Magnus said in an effort to dispel the discomfort that he was feeling.

“Hopefully a pleasant one,” she responded. “I trust I am not interrupting anything.” She looked between Magnus and Diana, the slightest smirk on her lips surely coincidental and nothing more.

Magnus shared a quick glance with his wife. She was blushing furiously, unable to meet his grandmother’s eyes. He felt sorry for her. The suddenness of this visit. How unprepared she was for it. The harshness of his grandmother when she was in one of her moods.

Poor Diana, I wish I could have better prepared her, because if I know my grandmother like I do, she doesn’t stand a chance.

“Not at all,” Magnus said. “We were playing a game with the children. Nothing that cannot wait.”

“A game?” his grandmother asked. “What of their studies?”

“It was a bit of both,” Diana spoke up finally. “The day is too lovely to waste, so I thought we might spend it outdoors together.” To that, Magnus’ grandmother raised an eyebrow and Diana faulted. “Ah... studying still, of course. But with a little bit of fun.”

“I was not aware that studying was meant to be fun.”

“Grandmother...” Magnus sighed.

“No, no,” his grandmother dismissed. “Please, do tell. What was this game that you were all playing? I would love to hear it. How things have changed since my day.”

Magnus shared a quick look with Diana again. He knew his grandmother well enough to know that she was not nearly as scary as she was trying to present herself. Likely, this was nothing more than a test... although to what end, he couldn’t imagine.

“Oh, you wouldn’t be interested,” Diana said, waving her down. Magnus’ eyes turned wide, certain his grandmother would not appreciate the gesture. “It involves running and hiding and laughter. Truly, I was surprised enough that Magnus was keen – you know how he is. I can’t imagine that you would care for such things.”

Magnus’ mouth dropped to the floor. He sputtered stupidly, caught between trying to defend his grandmother, caught between trying to defend his wife, and caught between standing down and letting the two at it because he was certain this was about to descend into a match of the titans.

Most shockingly, it became no such thing.

“Careful with this one, Magnus,” she tittered and wagged her finger at Diana. “A rose is a beautiful thing, but they come with thorns.” She tittered further. “And a sharp tongue, to boot.” She smiled at Diana. “I see you’ve managed to assert yourself as the master of this household without delay. And in record time.”

Diana shrugged. “It was no big thing. Magnus has quite the bark, but his bite is a pitiful thing.”

Magnus’ grandmother laughed again and shook her head in amusement. “That it is. That it is.”

“Now just a minute,” Magnus said to assert his authority because he could sense himself being ganged up on. He might not have understood how it had happened, but that didn’t mean he was going to allow it. “I do not know what this is, but I would ask that I not be treated like a dolt in my own home. Is that understood?”

He raised an eyebrow at both women, hoping that would put the matter to be. Unsurprisingly, they shared an amused look between themselves, giggling silently like a couple of schoolgirls.

To this, Magnus stared in bewilderment. Unsure exactly what to make of this little alliance. As far as he was aware, this was the first proper time that the two were meeting, yet they spoke like old friends. What was more, it was a friendship seemingly borne from putting down Magnus because, as he had learned many times, when it came to powerful women, nobody was safe. Himself, especially.

They met his grandmother in the sitting room, where she had greeted them without standing, happy to remain by the window as she soaked in the early morning sun. Tea was sent for, yet to arrive, while excuses had been made as to the reason for their lateness.

As to Josephine and Adeline? They were still hiding, likely unaware of their great-grandmother's visit. But Miss Brooks had been sent to find them, for which Magnus was wholly apologetic.

“I suppose you are wondering then why I have paid this most untimely visit.”

“Not untimely at all,” Magnus hurried, hoping to assert himself back into the conversation without mockery. “You know that you are always welcome here, Grandmother.”

She rolled her eyes. “My backside is for sitting, not for kissing, Magnus. So please, treat it thusly.”

His face dropped, and then his lip curled. “Now, really...”