Beatrice was the first to break. She flew from her husband’s side, flinging her arms around Michael and pulling him into a warm embrace. The force of her hug was enough to send him staggering back, holding his hands out to steady himself.
“You’re going to topple over!” Clarissa exclaimed as she came up from behind.
“Oh, no I won’t,” Beatrice dismissed easily. “Michael must have grown three feet taller since the last time I saw him. This big, strapping young man is more than capable of keeping us both on our feet, is he not?”
The question was aimed at Michael, he knew. He sighed. “It is nice to see you as well, Aunt Beatrice.”
“Is that how you greet your aunt whom you have not seen in years?” She pulled away, putting both hands on her hips. “Where is love? Where is the excitement? And why must I hear of your return to London from Clarissa and not from you?”
Before he could think of a response, Henry approached from behind her, grinning from ear to ear. “Now, now, dear,” he said placatingly. “I am certain Michael has a perfectly reasonable explanation for leaving his loved ones behind without a proper farewell, while only sending two or three letters every year. Is that not true, Michael?”
Clarissa giggled behind her hand as she watched the exchange. Michael would have laughed as well, only he knew his uncle was utterly serious.
“I do have a reason,” Michael confessed, though that was the extent of what he intended to say. “I presume you two have missed me?”
“Oh, dear,” Clarissa murmured. “Wrong response.”
Beatrice’s eyes were slowly growing wide. “Miss you? Oh, goodness no! We did not think of you at all in the years you were gone. Not once did we wonder if you were ever coming back. No, not at all.”
“As a matter of fact,” Henry joined in, his tone dripping with the same heavy sarcasm as his wife. “We did not even remember that you were not around. Had Clarissa not told us that you were back, we would have thought you never left!”
“All right,” Michael sighed. “I understand.”
“Does he understand, Henry?” Beatrice asked, turning to her husband.
“I do not think that he does,” Henry played along.
Clarissa finally decided to step in. “All right, you two, don’t be too hard on him. You know Michael is not the type to do anything on a whim. He will explain himself in due time, I’m sure.”
“And I certainly cannot do so on an empty stomach,” Michael chimed in.
Only then did they relent, much to his relief. If given the chance, they would keep it up for the rest of the night.
“Come then,” Beatrice huffed. “I shan’t disgrace your parents’ honour by failing to keep you fed under our roof.”
“That is the only reason she is feeding you,” Henry whispered to Michael, eyes glinting with mischief.
Michael shook his head, relaxing as he followed behind his aunt and uncle, Clarissa by his side. He knew he’d missed them,but he hadn’t realised just how much until now. They were like his secondary parents and easily slipped into the role when their real parents passed away. Michael thought it fitting since they’d never been blessed with children of their own.
So they would often spoil Michael in his youth. Even though Clarissa was the beloved only daughter, Michael was the firstborn and the heir. He’d received such heartwarming love and adoration from his aunt and uncle that there wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do for them. Which made their sarcastic ribbing sting a little. He should have done more to keep them from worrying about him.
They gathered in the dining room and, before long, the first course was served. Michael was fully prepared when Beatrice fixed him with a hard gaze and said, “Now, pray tell, what you have been up to.”
“Traveling,” Michael answered nonchalantly, prodding at his beans. “Was that not apparent?”
“Why would you not venture beyond England then, like many gentlemen of your age do? I would scarcely deem that a Grand Tour.”
“That is because it was not meant to be one. How could I learn the customs and cultures of other countries when I do not fully know my own?”
Beatrice didn’t believe him. That much was obvious in the way she narrowed her eyes at him.
But Clarissa spoke next, rescuing him from another question. “It is just as well, Aunt Beatrice,” she said. “He has not missed much in his absence. And he’s returned just in time for the London Season.”
Beatrice sat up straighter. “Does that mean you are ready to settle down?”
Michael didn’t dare show an ounce of emotion at that. “I am neither ready nor am I against it. Whatever happens, shall happen. It is Clarissa we should focus on this Season, however.”
“Clarissa seems to be doing just fine,” Henry spoke up. “I have already had several gentlemen approach me with the intention of marrying her.”
