Splendor(160)

Ian chuckled, placing an arm around Tessa’s shoulder. “You’re embarrassing her, Father. And she’s already nervous about meeting the two of you.”

“Well, that’s ridiculous,” chided Edward. “You don’t need to be nervous around us, my girl. We trust Ian’s judgment implicitly, and since he’s admittedly head over heels in love with you – well, that’s good enough for us. Isn’t that right, Joanna?”

Joanna glanced at Tessa, and felt a little tug on her heart when she noticed how anxious the girl appeared. She smiled, warmly, taking Tessa’s hands and giving them a reassuring squeeze. “Yes, it most certainly is. And my husband is right, dear. It’s a great pleasure to meet you.”

At that, Tessa smiled – really smiled – and suddenly whatever tension might have still existed seemed to evaporate into thin air.

Tessa served them a perfectly prepared and beautifully arranged full tea service, and Joanna was almost speechless with surprise when Ian told them proudly that Tessa had made everything herself.

“She’s been taking some cooking courses, and is becoming quite the accomplished chef,” bragged Ian. “In fact, we’re having dinner here at home tonight. Tessa insisted on cooking for you.”

Tessa offered up a shy smile. “I thought you’d be tired from such a long flight and might not want to go out. I hope that’s all right.”

Joanna was astonished. Neither of her daughters-in-law actually cooked. With four young, energetic sons Victoria relied heavily on domestic help to keep her sane. And Selina, who’d gone back to her job as a high-powered corporate attorney a few months after giving birth, freely admitted she could barely boil water.

Joanna herself seldom cooked, and very few of the women in their social circles – young and old – did either. So she was doubly surprised that Ian’s very young girlfriend was not only taking cooking lessons but actually putting them to some use.

As they enjoyed their tea, Joanna took the opportunity to more closely observe the girl, and more importantly, her interactions with Ian. Tessa was fresh-faced and glowing, her flawless skin practically makeup free. She was wearing a charming floral print dress – dainty pink flowers on a cream background, a pink cardigan sweater, and low-heeled cream sling-back pumps. Her nails were kept on the short side and covered with a pale pink polish, and the only jewelry she wore was a pair of pearl stud earrings.

She looked classy and polished, someone that Ian would be bursting with pride to have on his arm. Joanna knew the pearls were real, recognized the shoes as Prada, and was fairly certain the dress was from Dolce & Gabbana’s spring collection. She wasn’t naïve enough not to realize that Ian had paid for the entire outfit, and most likely a great deal more. But none of that mattered to Joanna at this point, not when she saw how happy her son was, how often he smiled and laughed, how he looked younger, leaner, and very much in love.

And the girl clearly adored him. It was more than obvious with every look she gave him, every smile, the way she hung on his every word. And though they were both entirely discreet and restrained, they couldn’t seem to keep their hands off each other for very long. Even now as they all sat in the living room finishing their tea, Ian was clasping Tessa’s hand lightly in his, and they sat close enough on the sofa for their shoulders to touch.

Joanna was almost spellbound to watch her normally austere, standoffish middle son acting like a young boy in love for the very first time in his life. And she very nearly choked on one of the admittedly delicious homemade scones Tessa had baked when Ian wrapped his arm around the girl’s shoulders and pressed a kiss to her rosy cheek. Tessa blushed an even deeper shade of pink and looked down at her lap shyly while Ian merely chuckled in amusement.

“Darling, you don’t have to be shy around my parents,” he told her. “I’m not exactly a boy of fourteen any longer.”

Edward smiled. “Ah, but you were far more interested in your studies and sports when you were that age. Your brother Colin was the ladies’ man, even at that young age. And I think your mother feared he would never settle down.”

“Well, God does work his miracles sometimes, doesn’t he, Mother?” teased Ian. “Colin is happily married and a father, and I’ve met the most wonderful girl in the entire world. So all is well, wouldn’t you say?”

Joanna couldn’t help smiling fondly at her much loved son. “I certainly would. And you look wonderful, darling, happier than I’ve ever seen you. I suppose we all owe Tessa here a debt of gratitude for putting that sparkle in your eye. You look a bit thinner than you did in February, Ian.”