Finding Her Feet

After moving into her new husband's huge home, Anna wondered if she would ever find her way...

- CLARE MARCHANT

Are you ready, Mrs Prentice?" George smiled up at her, his dark eyes twinkling. He was the most handsome man she'd ever seen, and Anna could hardly believe he was her husband. Wearing a new, pale yellow brocade gown with a matching bonnet trimmed with lace, in her hand she clutched the small posy of myrtle and lavender her sisters had gathered and tied for her that morning. Tears prickled the back of her eyes and she reminded herself not to think about her family. From today her home was here in this vast mausoleum of a house with George and his mother, Florence; they were her family now. Her new mother-in-law had barely spoken to her all day - "too young, not capable of running this big house" - Anna was sure she could read Florence's mind. George said it was just the way she was, quiet and reserved, but Anna was certain she didn't approve of her son's choice of bride.

She'd only been to the house once before, for their engagement party which George had insisted should be hosted by his mother, who'd seemed as distant and quiet on that first meeting as she was today. Anna didn't know how, or if, she'd be able to become friends with this woman with whom she was now living.

"Come on then," her new husband waggled his fingers, and she took his hand to step down out of the carriage.

Prentice Hall loomed vast and imposing in front of her, its red bricks and tall sash windows beneath pointed gables glowering down at her and finding her wanting. Not good enough for the family, they seemed to say. She took a deep, shaky breath, trying to slow her racing heart.

As her feet landed on the ground George immediately swept her up into his arms making her gasp in surprise, before she giggled.

"Got to carry you over the threshold," he told her.