Blackwood House was even more magnificent on the inside than Felicity had imagined. As the housekeeper, Mrs. Hartwell, led her through room after sumptuous room, Felicity found herself struggling to believe that this palace was now her home.The morning room overlooked the private garden square, its windows draped in silk the color of champagne. The library rivaled the one at Blackwood Manor, with first editions that would make scholars weep with envy. The drawing rooms were fit for receiving royalty, all crystal and gilt and priceless artwork that spoke of centuries of accumulated wealth and power.But it was the master suite that took her breath away completely."His lordship had it redecorated especially for your arrival, my lady," Mrs. Hartwell explained as she opened the doors to reveal a bedroom that belonged in a fairy tale. The walls were covered in silk the exact shade of her eyes, and the massive four-poster bed was draped in fabric that seemed to shimmer like captured moonlight.Fresh roses filled every available surface, and a cheerful fire crackled in the marble fireplace, making the entire room feel warm and welcoming despite its grandeur."It's beautiful," Felicity breathed, moving to the windows that overlooked the bustling square below. "But Mrs. Hartwell, surely this is too grand for someone like me? Perhaps I should use one of the smaller chambers..."The older woman's expression grew gentle but firm. "Begging your pardon, my lady, but you are the Countess of Blackwood now. This has been the mistress's suite for over two hundred years, and his lordship was most insistent that it be prepared for you."Before Felicity could respond, Adrian appeared in the doorway, having changed from his traveling clothes into an elegantly cut coat of deep blue that made his gray eyes seem almost silver."Mrs. Hartwell, thank you for showing Lady Blackwood around. Would you have tea sent up? And perhaps some of those lemon biscuits Cook is famous for?"After the housekeeper departed with a knowing smile, Adrian moved to where Felicity stood by the windows, his arms coming around her from behind as he rested his chin on her shoulder."Having second thoughts about the decorating?" he asked, his breath warm against her ear."Having second thoughts about everything," Felicity admitted, leaning back into his warmth. "Adrian, look at this place. Look at all of this luxury and grandeur. How am I supposed to be the mistress of such a house?""The same way you became the perfect mistress of Blackwood Manor," Adrian said, pressing a soft kiss to the sensitive spot beneath her ear that made her shiver. "By being exactly who you are. By letting your natural grace and kindness win over everyone you meet.""But what if it's not enough? What if Lady Margaret was right, and society is too challenging for someone of my background?"Adrian turned her in his arms, his hands framing her face with the tenderness that never failed to make her heart flutter. "My darling wife, do you remember what you told me just last night? About being ready for anything?""That was before I saw all of this," Felicity gestured around the opulent chamber. "Before I realized how far I've truly risen above my station.""You haven't risen above anything," Adrian said firmly. "You've simply taken your rightful place as my wife. And anyone who suggests you don't belong here will have to answer to me."His fierce protectiveness warmed her, but Felicity couldn't shake the feeling that she was about to walk into a den of lions armed with nothing but good intentions and her husband's love.A knock at the door interrupted her worried thoughts. Mrs. Hartwell entered with a silver tea service, followed by a young footman carrying a stack of what appeared to be calling cards and invitations."The afternoon post, my lord," Mrs. Hartwell explained. "It seems word of your return has already spread throughout society."Adrian's expression grew grim as he rifled through the stack of cards. "Lady Pemberton, the Duchess of Marlborough, Mrs. Whitmore..." He paused at one particular card, his jaw tightening. "And Lady Margaret Ashford, requesting the pleasure of calling upon Lady Blackwood tomorrow afternoon.""So soon?" Felicity felt her stomach clench with anxiety that had nothing to do with her pregnancy."They're testing us," Adrian said, setting the cards aside with deliberate care. "Seeing how quickly they can put you on the defensive, make you feel unwelcome in your own home.""And what do we do?"Adrian's smile was sharp as a blade. "We give them exactly what they don't expect. We receive them with such perfect grace and confidence that they have no choice but to accept you as the lady you are."The next afternoon, Felicity found herself standing in the formal drawing room of Blackwood House, wearing a gown of sapphire silk that had been delivered from the modiste that very morning. Adrian had insisted on the finest everything—gowns, jewels, accessories—all designed to establish her unquestionable status as a woman of wealth and position."You look magnificent," Adrian murmured, adjusting the sapphire necklace at her throat with gentle fingers. "Like a queen prepared to receive her subjects.""I feel like an imposter preparing to be exposed," Felicity replied honestly."Then feel like an imposter with perfect posture and unwavering confidence," Adrian said with a grin that made her laugh despite her nerves. "Remember, my love, you have something none of them have.""What's that?""My complete and devoted love, my absolute trust, and my unshakeable belief that you are worth a dozen of them combined." He pressed a tender kiss to her forehead. "Now, shall we show London society what the new Lady Blackwood is made of?"Lady Margaret Ashford arrived precisely at three o'clock, accompanied by two other women who were clearly meant to serve as witnesses to whatever drama was about to unfold. One was elderly and stern-faced, with the kind of ramrod posture that spoke of impeccable breeding and equally impeccable disdain for anyone she considered beneath her notice. The other was younger, perhaps Felicity's age, but with the artificial smile and calculating eyes of someone who lived for social intrigue."Lady Blackwood," Lady Margaret said with a curtsy that was precisely correct and somehow insulting in its very precision. "How kind of you to receive us. May I present the Dowager Countess of Helmsley and Mrs. Charles Pemberton?"Both women offered curtsies that managed to be technically respectful while conveying their complete lack of actual respect. Felicity responded with a gracious nod that she hoped conveyed aristocratic confidence rather than terrified uncertainty."Please, do sit down," Felicity said, gesturing to the arrangement of chairs Mrs. Hartwell had prepared. "Mrs. Hartwell will serve tea momentarily.""How lovely," said the Dowager Countess in a voice that could have frozen wine. "And how... cozy this all is. Rather different from what one might expect in such a grand house."The insult was delicately delivered but unmistakable. Felicity felt her cheeks warm, but before she could respond, Adrian's voice came from the doorway."Ladies," he said, entering the room with the kind of presence that immediately commanded attention. "What a pleasant surprise. I wasn't aware we were expecting callers."The transformation in the three women was immediate and comical. Where moments before they had been barely concealing their condescension toward Felicity, now they were all flutter and simpering charm in the presence of the earl himself."Lord Blackwood!" Lady Margaret practically purred. "How wonderful to see you looking so... well. The country air seems to have agreed with you remarkably.""Indeed," said Mrs. Pemberton, her artificial smile becoming even more pronounced. "You seem to have made quite a recovery from your... difficulties."Adrian's smile was perfectly polite and utterly cold. "How kind of you to be concerned about my health, Mrs. Pemberton. Though I can't imagine what difficulties you might be referring to."The woman's flush deepened, but she pressed on with the kind of determination that suggested she had been coached for this very conversation. "Well, the stories one heard about your injuries, your... reclusive tendencies...""Ah, yes. The stories." Adrian moved to stand behind Felicity's chair, his hand coming to rest possessively on her shoulder. "Amazing how rumors spread, isn't it? How fiction becomes accepted as fact when repeated often enough."Lady Margaret's eyes sharpened with interest. "Are you saying the reports of your condition were... exaggerated?""I'm saying," Adrian replied smoothly, "that my wife has been remarkably beneficial to my health in every conceivable way. Perhaps you've heard that married life can be quite... invigorating for a man?"The innuendo in his words was subtle but unmistakable, and Felicity felt heat rise in her cheeks for entirely different reasons. The way Adrian was looking at her, the possessive warmth in his voice when he spoke of their marriage—it was clear to everyone in the room that theirs was not a union of mere convenience.The Dowager Countess cleared her throat disapprovingly. "How... romantic. And Lady Blackwood, how are you finding London? It must be quite overwhelming for someone from such a... modest background."Here it was—the direct attack Felicity had been dreading. She felt Adrian's hand tighten slightly on her shoulder, offering silent support, and drew on every lesson in dignity she had learned over the past weeks."On the contrary," she said with perfect composure, "I find London quite manageable. After all, people are much the same everywhere, aren't they? Kind hearts and generous spirits are just as valuable here as they are in Yorkshire."The implication that some present company might be lacking in those qualities was delicate but clear. Mrs. Pemberton's smile became even more strained."How charmingly... philosophical. And are you planning to take an active role in society? The charitable committees, the social obligations that come with your new position?""Naturally," Felicity replied. "Though I confess I'm still learning which causes are most worthy of support. Perhaps you could recommend some organizations that truly make a difference in the lives of those less fortunate?"The question was innocent on the surface, but it put her visitors in the uncomfortable position of having to demonstrate their own charitable inclinations or appear shallow and self-serving.Lady Margaret rallied quickly. "Oh, there are so many worthy causes. Though of course, one must be careful not to associate with organizations that are too... radical in their approaches.""Radical how?" Adrian asked mildly."Well, some groups have rather progressive ideas about the role of women in society, or the treatment of the working classes. Ideas that might be considered inappropriate for someone in Lady Blackwood's position."Felicity felt her temper spark at the condescension in Lady Margaret's tone. These women clearly expected her to be intimidated into silence, to accept their guidance without question because of her humble origins.They were about to learn how wrong they were."How interesting," Felicity said with a smile that was all warmth and steel. "I would have thought that someone in my position—someone who has experienced life from... various perspectives—might be particularly well-suited to understand the needs of different classes of society."The silence that followed was deafening. The three visitors stared at her with varying degrees of shock and outrage, clearly not having expected such a composed and pointed response."Well," said the Dowager Countess finally, "I can see that country life has given Lady Blackwood some very... unique perspectives on social responsibility.""Indeed it has," Adrian said, his voice warm with pride and something that might have been warning. "My wife has a remarkable ability to see through pretense and identify what truly matters. It's one of the many qualities I find most admirable about her."Mrs. Hartwell appeared at that moment with the tea service, providing a welcome respite from the increasingly tense conversation. As Felicity poured tea with hands that remained perfectly steady despite her racing heart, she caught Adrian's eye and saw approval and love shining there.She was holding her own against these society dragons, and they both knew it.The remainder of the visit passed in a series of increasingly desperate attempts by the three women to find some weakness, some crack in Felicity's composure that they could exploit. But with Adrian's silent support and her own growing confidence, Felicity met every subtle insult with grace, every condescending question with quiet dignity.By the time the ladies took their leave, it was clear that their mission—whatever it had been—had failed spectacularly."Lady Blackwood," Lady Margaret said as they prepared to depart, "I do hope you'll consider attending the Pemberton ball next week. It would be such a shame if you were to... isolate yourself from society.""How thoughtful of you to be concerned," Felicity replied with perfect politeness. "Lord Blackwood and I will certainly consider the invitation."After the door closed behind their visitors, Felicity sank into her chair with a shaky laugh. "Did that really just happen? Did I really hold my own against the Dowager Countess of Helmsley?"Adrian was beside her in an instant, pulling her into his arms with fierce pride. "You were magnificent, my darling. Absolutely magnificent. They came here expecting to intimidate a frightened country mouse, and instead they met a lioness.""I felt like my knees were going to give out the entire time.""They never would have known it. You were poised, gracious, intelligent—everything a countess should be." Adrian pressed a tender kiss to her temple. "They underestimated you, Felicity. Just as Victoria did. Just as everyone will, until they learn better.""And what happens now? At this ball they're all but demanding we attend?"Adrian's smile was wicked with anticipation. "Now we make our grand entrance into London society. We show them that the new Lord and Lady Blackwood are a force to be reckoned with. And we make it clear that anyone who thinks to challenge us had better come prepared for a fight."As Felicity settled more securely into her husband's embrace, she felt a new sense of confidence settling over her. She had survived her first encounter with London's social elite, and she had done it with grace and dignity intact.But more than that, she had done it as part of a team. With Adrian beside her, supporting her, believing in her, she felt capable of facing whatever challenges lay ahead.Even if those challenges came in the form of the Pemberton ball and all the society dragons who would be lying in wait there.The game was far from over, but for the first time, Felicity felt like she might actually be able to win.
