anwhile, in the Sterling ho. Mary dressed her children to send them off to play with a friend for a few hours.
"I told you that they are not to leave," William’s voice ca from behind Mary. "They must study."
"They have studied all morning. They are children, and you mustn’t rid them of their childhood," Mary said, ignoring William’s wishes. "The boys are smart."
"Of course they are. They take after their father," William said, taking credit. "If you get in the way and baby them, they will turn into fools. I will send the carriage away."
Mary smiled in an effort to keep the children calm. "Watch your tone before them. I already sent word to the mother of their friends that they shall attend. They will end up alone in their adulthood if they don’t make friends now. Boys, run along to your carriage."
"Mary!" William yelled, demanding to be obeyed. "Ever since you went to et with Lady Hastings, you have disobeyed ."
"I have always been this way, William. Do not bring her ladyship into this. The boys will go et with their peers and be back in an hour. You might have rid of my youth, but I shall not allow it to happen with my children. They deserve to be children, so leave them be," said Mary.
Mary picked up her black cat and started to walk away from William, only to be followed.
"I see now why the others have not been fond of Lady Hastings. Look what has beco of you," William said, seeing Mary as a stranger. "That is what happens when a woman without proper upbringing has been placed to be Lady Hastings."
"Alistair is right. I should take his side against the Hastings," said William.
Mary turned around to face her husband. "What? You cannot go against the Hastings."
"I can and I will when the odds are stacked against them. The Valthorns have more supporters on their side. That woman will end up as one of the king’s whores, so you are not to speak to her anymore and find soone else worth your ti. The boys are not leaving," William firmly spoke.
William approached Mary to grab her hand. "I would hate to raise my hand to you again, but you leave no choice. We are done with the Hastings."
Mary dropped the cat so it wouldn’t be in the middle of her fight.
"As you wish, William. With his niece in the Hastings’ castle, I did not think Alistair would turn his back on Lord Hastings. I would also expect that since Ophelia was a Valthorn, she would be spared from all harm," said Mary.
"You aren’t to question the plans of n. You are to be focused on being bred. I want another child, and I want it now. Your family said you could give many sons, but so far, you have only given two and refused another. If I didn’t know any better, I would think you beca infertile," William said, suspicious.
"Send the boys away. We shall fulfil our duties, and today, you will give another son. I must have a word with your father and brother," William said, shaking his head as he walked by Mary.
Mary gripped her dress. She bit her tongue as she weighed her options.
"You seed to be stressed, William. I think the duke’s arrival and refusal to et with you troubles you," Mary said, turning around to face William.
"I sent the bastard an invitation, but he has not once accepted," said William.
"One day, he shall have no choice but to accept you. You look stressed, William. Allow to pour you so tea. I found a new mix that should be to your liking. Co with ," Mary said, approaching William to hold his hand.
"You are not going to have your way by being nice to ," said William. "We shall fulfil our duty."
"I know. The tea shall be helpful. The reason I prepared it is that I heard Lady Stanford used it with her husband, and now, they are expecting. Haven’t you seen her belly? Everyone thinks there is more than one child inside."
This piqued William’s interest. "Did she? Why didn’t you tell sooner?"
"You didn’t like my hobby of making tea. I feared you would not believe , but seeing how it has worked for others, now I can tell you about it. You must sit while I prepare it," Mary said, leading William to a chair.
William sat down in the dining chamber.
Mary stood behind William and leaned forward to kiss his forehead. Before he could reach for her, she moved to go to the kitchen.
When Mary entered the kitchen, the servants present stood still.
"I want to be alone," said Mary.
The servants left the kitchen, leaving Mary alone.
Mary took up a pot and filled it with water to start making the tea. After placing it above the fire already started, Mary moved to get her tea leaves.
Mary opted to select the tea that would have the strongest scent. Mary picked up a jar that she once ordered the servants to never touch, and set it before her. She opened it to find the leaves she had been studying.
Mary walked away to find gloves. She humd a tune as she did her work.
Making tea always managed to calm Mary.
Mary placed leaves from the jar into one cup, and then she prepared chamomile tea for herself.
Mary’s humming filled the kitchen all the way until the water started to boil. She lifted the pot by the handle and poured the hot water into the two cups. She set the pot down and started to place the cups on a tray to take back to the dining chamber.
"I was starting to think I needed to co get you," William said, irritated with how long the simple task took. "From now on, allow the servants to make the tea."
"I will have to teach them. They won’t make it as good as I do. You must wait," Mary said, covering the teacup with her hand. "It is too hot, and you must allow the leaves to simr a little."
Mary set down her cup and sat to the right of William. "We must do it right so we get the best results."
William grumbled, wanting to get the tea over with so he could continue with his plans. "You must hurry."
"Patience, dear. Good results co to those who are patient," said Mary.
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