"Destined is a strong word," He frowned, entirely oblivious to his previously poor choice of words - despite the murderous looks both women had given him. He hadn't quite known what to expect with her mother's reaction. Most mothers would be overjoyed that their spinster daughter had finally wed - and wed well, with all things considered.

He looked at his wife with the realization that this was going to be a very, very awkward living arrangement if he were to be unwelcomed by the matriarch. They hadn't discussed this as a possibility. Perhaps Maeve had suspected... she was the most clever person he'd ever met... but surely she knew what to say to turn her mother around.