If Nicholas thought that taking Sophia to Wickhurst shall be welcomed by his mother, he was utterly wrong.

Lady Alice was surprised, yes, but she also showed nothing else. She was not devastated, but she was oddly silent when Nicholas introduced his fiancée to her and Emma. His sister made it easier by claiming that Miss Sophia was a friend she had the honor to meet during the Theobald party.

Disappointed as he was with his mother's reaction, Nicholas did not let it deter him from his plans to announce his engagement on the Herald next week. His mother shall get over her shock soon enough. Marrying a colored woman, particularly one from Rock'oles, was just not done. Of course, Lady Alice deserved time to further sort her feelings.

But Sophia was the first to suggest that they must take into account his mother's feelings. She took a moment to speak to him alone while Lady Alice disappeared to discuss with the housekeeper their plans for dinner. Emma went out to send notes to the rest of the family.

"I could remain your mistress, Nick," she even dared say, making Nicholas cry in outrage.

He paced around the parlor like a caged wild boar. "I want the biggest scandal. I want everyone to know you are mine. So no, Sophie, you shall be my wife."

"I cannot clearly see your mother's face, Nick, but I am not numb to not feel that she does not like this at all."

"She is merely surprised. She will come to accept it soon."

The planned dinner with his mother and Emma turned into a feast for almost the entire family except Benedict and Levi. Ysabella and Wakefield were the first to arrive with his sister pulling Sophia to her feet to introduce to her husband.

"She is the Miss Sophia I told you about, William," she said, to which her husband replied with a bow and a kiss on Sophia's hand. "She spoke very highly of your beauty, Miss Sophia and I must agree. You are more beautiful than my wife!" Wakefield uttered, causing Sophia to blush.

When Ralph arrived looking like he ran all the way from his own apartment to the Everard estate, it was Emma and Ysabella who dragged him to meet Sophia. It was their first meeting and considering Ralph's experience from the ambush, Nicholas took it upon himself to pull his brother aside and tell him the truth behind the attack.

Not five minutes later, Ralph was already unveiling Nicholas' dirtiest secrets in front of Sophia and the others.

Maxwell and Maxine arrived with their daughter who was introduced as Emmie, Bea and Max by anyone who had already chosen their own moniker for the babe.

Maxwell took Nicholas aside to ask, "I am not surprised you are marrying her, Nick, but I must admit I am surprised Mother is completely quiet in one corner. She is not sick, is she?"

His eyes went to Lady Alice who was sitting in a winged chair, looking at Sophia with a frown on her face. Suddenly he grew uncomfortable. Could his mother be considering their family's reputation? After having almost begged Agatha to marry Benedict in the midst of a scandal of her being a witch? After she showed her support when Levi and Maxwell eloped with their respective wives? After she showed Cole kindness despite what he caused Benedict in the past?

What did she see in her children-in-law that she could not seem to see in Sophia? What could she not accept? Sophia's color?

"Do not do it," Maxwell said when he made an attempt to go to their mother. "She will get over it."

"But I do not wish for Sophia to feel unwanted," he insisted. "Look at her, Max, she keeps gazing over our mother as if she can see her!"

Maxwell simply shrugged and patted his shoulder.

"You just shrugged. What the bloody hell does that mean?"

"Be patient," Maxwell said, walking away.

Before dinner was ready, Margaret and Cole arrived, leaving their children with the nannies. Margaret's eyes immediately went to search for Sophia. Nicholas tensed as he watched his sister approach his fiancée who, at that moment, was being surrounded by Ralph, Maxine, Ysabella and Emma.

Margaret did smile and whatever his sister said it must have been pleasant enough to elicit a warm smile from Sophia. She then turned to introduce her husband who was surprised when Ralph uttered, "Do come near, Devitt, for Miss Sophia cannot clearly see." And to which Sophia further provided, "I am almost blind, my lord, please forgive the inconvenience."

Nicholas saw his mother sigh and shake her head. He was tempted once more to approach her but Maxwell came back to drag him back to where Sophia was. "Not tonight, brother," Maxwell whispered. "I believe a dog is standing guard outside. Perhaps Bea would love to play with it," he said, louder this time.

*****

Dinner was pleasant enough save for the lack of enthusiasm from their mother. While Ysabella and Emma entertained Sophia with stories of their childhood, sometimes with Ralph interrupting with questions as to why Sophia decided to say yes to marry his brother, Nicholas could not keep his eyes away from Margaret.

His sister, having sensed his gaze, rolled her eyes and sighed. She lifted her hands in the air to show that she had long yielded and he nodded with a smile. It was enough for him.

No one dared ask Sophia about her past. Nicholas did not warn them. It was simply sensed that it was not the time to do so.

Before dinner was over, Maxwell finally had enough. Nicholas had taken his advice and decided to postpone the conversation with their mother, but it seemed that Maxwell thought it best to discuss it with their stomachs full.

"Mother, I believe you ought to say something," he said, breaking the chatter from the end of the table. Emma and Ysabella snapped their head toward Maxwell to silently relay their panic. Nicholas kicked his brother under the table but Maxwell held his ground and continued, giving their mother a wry look, "Is it not about time you address Sophia and welcome her into the family?" Nicholas saw Maxine elbow her husband but Maxwell took her hand in an act to restrain her while keeping his gaze fixed on their mother.

Sophia turned pale. Nicholas searched for her hand to assure her that everything was under control but he did not truly believe it. Margaret was awkwardly hooding her face with one hand while Cole and Wakefield gulped down a glass of water. Ralph was pretending to find something wonderful over his head.

"My lord, her ladyship does not need to do so. Truly, I understand," Sophia said, blindly searching for Maxwell amongst the shadows surrounding the long dining table.

Lady Alice swallowed her food and took her precious time to reach for her drink and sip from it. One could say she reveled at the tense silence. Everyone's eyes were on her now, except for Ralph who was still staring at the ceiling with mocked curiosity. No one seemed to be breathing as Lady Alice cleared her throat.

"You must realize, Nicholas, that I am surprised," she said, blue eyes directly looking at Nicholas. "Utterly so."

"Yes," he said, jaw tight. "But I was hoping you would be the first to show your support, Mother."

Lady Alice frowned. "You mean to say that you believe I do not?" she asked. When Nicholas did not reply, she gasped and looked around the table. "Each one of you believes I do not accept this union?" When everyone else nodded, she snapped at Ralph, "Oh, for God's sake, Ralph, keep your eyes off the ceiling at once!" Ralph did as ordered. "And leave the poor dog alone," when Ralph started to distract himself by reaching for Aabha sitting in one corner of the room. Lady Alice scanned the table with horrified eyes once again. "You all believe I do not accept Sophia?"

At that moment, Nicholas saw the hesitation and confusion register on everyone, including Sophia. He, on the other hand, was starting to feel relief coming back as he realized his mother was about to utter something incredulously dramatic and witty.

And so he asked the question that was on everyone's mind. "Then why have you been acting so devastated? You barely said a word since we arrived."

Lady Alice blinked. Her hand went to her chest in a dramatic fashion, the same way Ysabella would do it. Nicholas then saw his siblings sigh and shake their heads. And they had a reason to be so.

"I was merely thinking of many things all at once!" Lady Alice defensively cried out. "Do you realize the amount of people who would want to secure an invitation to this wedding? Almost the entire population of Wickhurst, if not the entire Town! And we all have to filter the list to ensure that only those that we hold dear shall be present." She awkwardly cleared her throat before she continued. "And of course, I had to make a mental list of all my present friends who shall no longer be considered my friends once this scandal gets out. Now, do not think my friends are the worst, but some of them can be very opinionated. I believe I shall expect three or five of them to want to dissuade me but they are friends I can live without. And I have to deal with the gossipmongers. A strategy is of utmost importance now. That horrible Lady Gedge shall make a feast of you, dear." She addressed the last statement to Sophia.

Ralph let out a snort. Maxwell resumed eating. Cole and Wakefield were biting a smile. Margaret was absently nodding her head. Ysabella and Emma were whispering in each other's ears.

And Sophia was crying.

Nicholas was certain he was going to join her. He was almost about to cry with relief.

But their mother was not done. Once Lady Alice started talking, there was no stopping her. "And what of the other ladies in Rock'oles? They would wish to be invited as well, yes?" she asked Sophia.

Nicholas groaned.

Emma whispered across the table to Sophia, "She knows everything. I would not even be surprised if she is familiar with the corridors in that place."

Sophia shook her head and with tears in her eyes she said, "I have no friends in Rock'oles, my lady."

"You call me mother," Lady Alice snapped and dramatically sighed. "How often do I have to insist that from everyone?" She directed her gaze to Ralph. "You. Should you bring a woman here, you must train her to call me mother. I do not wish to look so foolish demanding to be called one."

"I shall ask her to call you Heavenly Mother, Mother," Ralph said with a wicked grin. "For you are a saint."

"Nonsense and blasphemous!" Lady Alice said with a wave of her hand.

Her gaze went to Nicholas. "And now I have to find out that Sophia is almost blind. How do you ken will she arrive to the foot of the altar alone? Unless she has someone to walk her down the aisle?"

Nicholas squeezed Sophia's hand when she saw the tortured look on her face. Durley would not have the chance to walk her down the aisle.

"I can walk her," Ralph said, raising his hand.

"No, you shall serve as a guard outside the cathedral. And yes, I am referring to the biggest cathedral in Wickhurst. You keep those with bad intensions away from the solemn ceremony. And do make certain those bloody photographers are not in sight. Poor Sophia shall have her face on the front page of the Herald for weeks if those men ever get a chance."

"Photos I may never have the chance to appreciate," Sophia could not help but add as she wiped her hands.

Everyone looked stunned as they heard her mock her condition.

Lady Alice was the first to laugh, followed by everyone else.

"I was about to say that, dear, but I was afraid you will not find it an appropriate joke."

Sophia chuckled tearfully. "So long as I do not see you making a mocking face, I do not mind at all, my lady."

Everyone chuckled harder, even Maxwell.

Nicholas ran his fingers through his hair and let out a sigh.

His mother was fine. She had not grown horns. She was still the Lady Alice he knew.

"I told you they smother," he whispered in Sophia's ear.

*****

The next day, the mystery of Mrs. Beagle's monthly disappearance was given highlight.

While Lady Alice was listing down the many errands they must do that afternoon with Sophia, fitting gowns and shopping shoes being the most paramount, Emma came rushing in with Mrs. Beagle in her arms.

Nicholas was about to cry out about the cat and reveal its true identity as both Brigid and Mrs. Beagle when the feline jumped out of Emma's arms to go to Sophia.

Sophia gasped in surprise but soon realized what was sitting on her lap. She gasped even louder as she realized who it was. Aabha confirmed it by nuzzling her head with Mrs. Beagle's.

Emma stood stupefied and confused while Nicholas chuckled.

"Emma," he said, "I must have forgotten to tell you that I solved the mystery behind your treacherous cat."

Emma's frown deepened until understanding dawned on her. Sophia gasped at the same time, understanding what Nicholas was meaning to say.

"No!" Emma and Sophia cried in unison.

"Yes," Nicholas said, standing to his feet. "Excuse us for a while, Mother, while we solve this mystery," he said to Lady Alice who was already studying Mrs. Beagle, giving the feline a disapproving look, one that a mother would give to her daughter after a very naughty act.

Nicholas stood between Emma and Sophia who remained in her chair with Mrs. Beagle in her lap. He faced his sister and pointed at the black cat. "This is Brigid, Sophia's cat." He turned to Sophia and laughingly added, "That, darling, is Mrs. Beagle, Emma and Ysabella's cat." When Sophia started to shake her head in denial, Nicholas bent down to snatch Mrs. Beagle away from her and tucked the protesting feline under his arm. "I have told you she is Mrs. Beagle. I insisted it."

"But she is—"

"—Brigid, yes," he said with a laugh. He turned to Emma. "She has been disappearing to Rock'oles in the months she was missing here."

Emma's eyes were wide. She fixed them on Mrs. Beagle. And finally, she raised her finger and pointed at the feline. "You unfaithful leech!"

Lady Alice's laughter filled the breakfast room.

It took almost an entire hour before Emma and Sophia finally conceded and decided to call Mrs. Beagle Mrs. Beagle whenever she was with Emma and Brigid whenever she was with Sophia.

The feline arrangement was as complicated as the wedding plans.