Free She Will Rejoice by Becky Riker

her commands.”
    She lifted up on her toes and kissed his cheek, “I shall be just a few minutes.”
    Fifteen minutes later, the young couple was standing outside his mother’s parlor.
    Her maid, a thin, nervous looking creature , nodded at Finn and rapped smartly on the door.
    “Enter,” a soft voice answered the sound.
    The maid spoke as she opened the door, “Mister and Missus Haydn, ma’am.”
    Finn didn’t wait for his mother to speak up but entered with Naomi on his arm.
    “Mother,” he nodded at the woman, “this is Naomi.”
    The Mrs. Diana Haydn rose from her place and crossed the room. She was elegance personified. Her hair had not a strand out of place, her dress hung without wrinkle or crease on her trim form. Though there were lines on the woman’s face, Naomi noted they were so perfectly spaced, it looked as though they had been drawn on intentionally.
    “Mrs. Haydn,” the older woman greeted the younger formally, “how lovely to meet you. Please come in.”
    The words were proper, but the tone was icy.
    Finn took the chair right next to his wife. Naomi thought he would have maintained his grip on her hand if he could have done so without drawing notice.
    “Your father is the second son of the Earl of Goodwin, is he not?”
    “No, ma’am,” Naomi spoke up. “My grandfather was the second son of the Earl.”
    The lady narrowed her eyes as though she dislike being corrected.
    “My mother’s father is an earl, but, when my grandfather died with no sons, the title passed to my cousin.”
    Mrs. Haydn pursed her lips.
    Finn spoke up before his mother could question Naomi further, “Have you seen much of Tessa in the last month?”
    She turned her glare to her son, “I have seen Lady Theodosia as much as is proper, and we will see her again tomorrow.”
    Naomi was pleased to see Finn’s sister again, but she had thought they would wait until Boxing Day.
    “Is she bringing Aunt Rhoda with her?” Finn seemed pleased at the prospect.
    His mother did not, “I cannot say whether George and his silly wife will have arrived in time to accompany her. Perhaps they are already with her, but I have seen nothing of them.”
    Naomi wondered at the older woman’s words and tone.
    “ Please tell Mrs. Hollingberry I would like tea with my breakfast instead of coffee,” Mrs. Haydn had clearly tired of them.
    Finn rose and kissed his mother’s cheek, “Goodbye, mother.”
    Naomi wasn’t sure if she should follow suit. She opted to rise and await a cue.
    Mrs. Haydn’s head snapped up, “Where do you think you are going?”
    Finn rolled his eyes at his mother, “Do you need something from Naomi, mother? We were going to break fast together.”
    “Is it so strange to think I would want to know the girl who has stolen your heart?”
    “Mother,” he warned.
                  Naomi squeezed her husband’s arm, “Thank you for your concern, Mr. Haydn. I shall join you in the breakfast room following my consultation with your mother.”
                  He smirked, “Will you be able to find it?”
                  Naomi realized she probably wouldn’t, “Perhaps you had better give me instructions.”
                  He laughed, “I will send someone up to wait by the door.”
                  Naomi smiled her thanks and sat back down.
                  “How did you meet Finneas?” the older woman began as soon as the door snicked shut.
                  “My father introduced us. He was determined I should marry your son.”
                  The woman raised her eyebrows at Naomi’s blunt answer.
                  “Mr. Haydn was not attracted to me, however,” the new wife decided to go a bit further.
                  “I have trouble believing that.”
                  Naomi blinked, “Oh?”
                  The Mrs. Haydn leaned forward, “You are a lovely