January 9th, 1891 — Macnair Residence, Scotland
Mariana was in her greenhouse tending to her plants and waiting for her eldest son to arrive. She'd sent a servant to fetch him for her several minutes ago without giving a reason why. However, he'd attended a dinner with Tatiana last night so he'd probably have some idea of her motives.
She had very mixed feelings about Tatiana's courtship situation. The only complaints she could make about Charles Macmillan were his status as a second son and his being a widower with a child. These were overlooked easily enough, but what she was having difficulty accepting was the possibility that Valerian and Tatiana might not happen after all. Tatiana couldn't overlook the fact that Valerian was all that Charles Macmillan was and more! The only difference was that Macmillan had a flashier job, but Valerian was a first born, had never been married, and he was family. She hadn't yet asked Tatty about it but she had been wondering if she was encouraging Macmillan to provoke advances from Valerian. If that was the case her son didn't seem to be doing anything about it.
"Oh good, you're here." She smiled and made a subtle gesture to a couple pots with what appeared to be old tree stumps nestled in the soil. "Come help me with the snargaluffs, the pods are ready."
She had very mixed feelings about Tatiana's courtship situation. The only complaints she could make about Charles Macmillan were his status as a second son and his being a widower with a child. These were overlooked easily enough, but what she was having difficulty accepting was the possibility that Valerian and Tatiana might not happen after all. Tatiana couldn't overlook the fact that Valerian was all that Charles Macmillan was and more! The only difference was that Macmillan had a flashier job, but Valerian was a first born, had never been married, and he was family. She hadn't yet asked Tatty about it but she had been wondering if she was encouraging Macmillan to provoke advances from Valerian. If that was the case her son didn't seem to be doing anything about it.
"Oh good, you're here." She smiled and made a subtle gesture to a couple pots with what appeared to be old tree stumps nestled in the soil. "Come help me with the snargaluffs, the pods are ready."
