Early in the afternoon,the next day, the pearl box still sat on the hall table, when Julian stepped into his study and shut the door. He stared at the phone for a beat, then he called his mother.
She picked up on the second ring. "Julian."
"Mother." His voice was calm, even. "About Monday."
A small pause. "I see my gift has arrived. Good. Make sure she wears them, the pearls are for Blackwood wives."
"She is my wife," he said. "Which is why we're setting rules. She will wear them only if she is comfortable with them. Moreover i called to invite you for dinner in our home, this friday and the rules."
"Rules?" She sounded amused.
"For dinner in your own house?"
"For both houses," he said. "Both of our families. One table. No tests. No snide remarks. No surprise guests. No phones at the table. If anyone forgets, I'll end the dinner early. Clear?"
"Julian, really. You're overreacting. A little tradition never hurts anyone."
