experiences.'
Dr. Kendleton took the floor again to offer a few more suggestions for 'handling' Victoria.
Harrison couldn't listen to any more of their drivel. Without a word, he left the library. He had an almost overwhelming urge to pack up his wife and take her back to Montana. The thought of anyone trying to improve upon perfection appalled him.
He decided to wait a few days before he had a talk with Lord Elliott. He would give the man time to get used to having his daughter around, then take him aside and remind him of something he'd obviously forgotten. A father's love should be unconditional. Mary Rose didn't need to change. She needed to be loved and accepted for who she was. Harrison fervently hoped Elliott would come to his senses soon and start being reasonable again.
He looked in on his wife, just to assure himself that she was all right. Mary Rose was standing on a footstool in the center of the bedroom with her arms out at her sides, while two women took her measurements. She was staring up at the ceiling and looking bored with all the fuss going on around her.
He whistled to get her attention. Lillian came hurrying past him just as he let out the shrill noise.
'My dear man, one doesn't whistle to get noticed. Where are your manners?'
' Harrison has wonderful manners,' Mary Rose called out. 'May I please get off this stool now? I wish to speak to my husband.'
'No, dear, stay where you are,' Lillian ordered. 'You can talk to Harrison later. We have work to do.'
'Sweetheart, I have to go back to London to pack up some papers. I'll be back by nightfall.'
She wanted to go with him, but her request was refused by her Aunt Lillian.
'I wish to kiss Harrison goodbye,' she announced.
'No, dear,' Lillian replied.
Harrison ignored the aunt. He crossed the room, cupped his wife's chin in his hand, and kissed her. He lingered over the task, but Mary Rose didn't seem to mind. Much to her aunt's consternation, she put her arms around him and kissed him back.
He left a few minutes later. He spent most of the afternoon in the storage area adjacent to his London office. There was a pile of paperwork on top of his desk, and he knew he had at least a month's work waiting for him. While he sorted through boxes of old ledgers and correspondence, his assistant went over his list of questions about more pressing business matters.
Harrison didn't return to Elliott's country home until well after sundown. The house was packed to the rafters with relatives and close friends.
His wife looked relieved to see him. She was seated between her father and her friend Eleanor on one of the long sofas, but hastily stood up when he entered the drawing room.
Showing open affection in front of guests wasn't considered acceptable behavior, but neither Harrison, who knew better, nor Mary Rose, who didn't know, worried about convention. They wound their way around family and friends to get to each other. He was reaching for her when she threw herself into his arms and hugged him tight.
'I missed you,' she whispered.
He leaned down and kissed her on her forehead. 'How was your afternoon, sweetheart?'
'Hectic,' she answered. 'Lillian's frowning at us. I wonder what I've done wrong now.'
'We aren't supposed to let anyone see how much we like touching each other,' he explained.
'It is a hard and fast rule?'
He shrugged. He finally let go of her, but then draped his arm around her shoulder and hauled her up next to him.
Lord Elliott was looking at him in astonishment. Harrison surmised he was going to once again hear how much he had changed.
The two of them made their way over to her father. Lillian frowned with displeasure.
'It isn't like you to make a spectacle of yourself, Harrison. Let go of your wife.'
'Leave him alone, Lillian. He isn't a little boy you can order about any longer. Come and join us, son. Eleanor was just telling us how much she enjoys being in England.'
Mary Rose and Harrison sat down on the settee across from her father and her friend. Lillian was seated in a round-backed chair adjacent to the sofas.
'I do love it here,' Eleanor announced enthusiastically. 'I have my very own lady's maid and everyone has been quite gracious to me.'
'She loves being pampered,' Mary Rose whispered to her husband.
'Victoria, a lady doesn't whisper secrets while in the company of others,' Aunt Lillian dictated.
'Yes, Aunt Lillian.'
She wasn't through correcting her niece, however. 'Quit slumping in your seat, dear. Straighten your spine with pride. You're an Elliott, I'll have you remember.'
'She's a MacDonald,' Harrison interjected, just to set the record straight.
'But also an Elliott,' Lillian insisted.
Mary Rose tried to sit the way her aunt was and found it painfully uncomfortable. Lillian reminded her of a general. Her back was ramrod straight. She looked as if she were about to snap. Lillian had her hands folded in her lap. Mary Rose imitated the action and was rewarded by a nod and a smile from her relative.
'It's difficult to know what a lady is here,' Eleanor interjected. 'The rules of behavior are different than in America. Lady Barbara was telling me that a true lady never squints. Did you know about that rule, Mary Rose?'
'No, I didn't.'
'Her name is Victoria. Please address her by her proper name,' Lillian instructed. 'The rules shouldn't be different,' she continued. 'Just remember, a lady is a lady no matter where she resides. Jane Carlyle defined a lady as one who has not set foot in her own kitchen in over seven years. I believe she's right.'
Mary Rose felt like throwing her hands up in despair. She'd never heard of such rubbish. She noticed Eleanor looked devastated by Aunt Lillian's opinions. She'd obviously taken the definition to heart. Her friend flipped open her fan and waved it in Mary Rose's direction.
'I used to be a lady, and I would still be, if Mary Rose… I mean Victoria hadn't forced me to go into her kitchen back home. I even had to cook, Lady Lillian. Must I now wait seven years before I'm deemed a lady again?'
Lillian appeared stunned by Eleanor's confession. 'You cooked?'
Mary Rose looked at her father. He seemed bewildered by the turn in the conversation.
She decided to change the subject. 'I would like to see Harrison 's home,' she blurted out. 'He has boasted that his Highlands are as beautiful as my valley back home, and I would like to see for myself if he…'
The expression on her father's face stopped her from going on. He looked angry. Now what had she said wrong?
'I've upset you, Father?'
'No, of course not,' he replied. 'I was thinking about something else, my dear,' he added. 'The Highlands are beautiful. Harrison was right about that.'
'I would like to see his home before I go back to Montana. Will there be enough time?'
She posed the last of her question to her husband. He nodded.
'We'll make time.'
'What is this nonsense about leaving? You've only just gotten here,' Lillian stammered out. ' Victoria, this is your home.'
'Quit pecking at her, Lillian. My daughter needs time to… settle in.'
Elliott gave his sister a hard look. She immediately closed her mouth.
Mary Rose could feel the tension in the atmosphere, but she didn't have any idea what had caused the change. Her father and her aunt both appeared to be upset about something.
Mary Rose felt the need to apologize. She would have to find out what she'd done first, she supposed. She knew she was somehow responsible for the sudden silence and their quick frowns.
She almost let out a loud sigh of frustration but caught herself in time. She didn't wish to be criticized by her aunt again, and so she remained silent.
Harrison suddenly reached over and took hold of her hand. She realized she'd been gripping her fingers
