"Well then, I'm glad that's settled," He said in an attempt to be cheerful. He'd had two options - uncomfortably get in between whatever this stand-off was between Maeve and her mother or feign complete ignorance to it all and carry on as if he was not picking up on every nuance, frown and unhappy tones exchanged. The latter worked just fine for love-stricken Barnabas.

Hopeful that this altercation was over with - the facts had been laid out and an announcement decision had been made. What more was there to deal with that wouldn't result in aggravation for either female? He looped her arm in his with a forced smile, "Shall we retire to our room until dinner, Mrs. Skeeter?" To get away from his mother-in-law's scorn and be safely tucked away with his new bride - his soft, lovely, freckled new bride... his cheeks colored. Really! Such thoughts in front of her mother! Lucky she wasn't a legilimens.