Barnabas was not overly concerned for his wife's family's reaction to their unexpected nuptials. He didn't know much about the Connollys, but what he did know was that Maeve had come from there and they were an eccentric, yet tradition driven family. Sure, they'd gone against tradition with their elopement, but so had Maeve's cousin and they were doing alright, so far as he understood it. In fact, it seemed that Maeve had been the reason that the others had suffered so much. With her being the hypocrite now, she was likely to get some light teasing rather than howlers. His wife could be ferocious when angered, which he both loved and also was admittedly intimated by.

Besides, they were in love and surely, the Connolly's would be happy for her.

Her mother's flippant reaction hadn't been what he had expected. His beautiful Maeve was well into spinsterhood - Mrs. Connolly ought to have been very pleased that she'd managed to find her happiness in her later years! It wasn't too late for grandbabies, surely! That would make any mother happy; his own mother included.

Thinking it best that he intervene from the start, he pressed a reassuring hand against the small of Maeve's back and ushered her to step into the room so that he could stand beside her, rather than hover behind the doorway. Mustering his charm and wits to aid him in his wife's defense, he dipped his head politely to his new mother-in-law, "She is not silly at all, Mrs. Connolly. She's incredibly bright, in fact - and as of yesterday is my legal, lawfully wedded wife. Barnabas Skeeter, madam, at your service. I'm the Head of the Dueling Commission Office at the Ministry." There. A defense, an introduction and a reassuring 'I have money your daughter will be taken care of' all in one go. He mentally gave himself a clap on the back. Good work, Barnabas.