There were ironies here to be found amongst ironies. Tiny scattered truths crept behind the scrawling script of the spoken word most always in any discourse taken between ladies of the ton. No less was it true, now, Athénaïs observed, than was generally the case. Yet the Right Honorable Lady Granville had a way Athénaïs quite liked about her of never dithering. She came to the point while still resolutely avoiding any awkwardness. It was, to the marchioness' mind, an endearing quality in a person -- particularly a person with whom one meant to undertake a joint venture.
Marshalling herself, Athénaïs smiled in the artful manner she had long ago perfected in a faraway court. "There are few ladies more truly formidable, I am proud to say, than Her Royal Highness. I never had a doubt about her. Yet, it warms a mother's heart, I concede, to hear any good news of her child, even when that child is wed and grown, and even when the news is just as one knew it would be. It warms my heart to know she has so true a friend so near to hand."
Her pride was in no way feigned -- her daughter's ability to overcome (in which she liked to see a reflection ofherself, whether true to life or not), had always impressed her. Yet, physical health could only be dominated by a willful spirit to a point, and Athénaïs knew that emotional recovery would prove even longer in the attaining than the physical, after the trials she had endured. What was feigned, however, was Athénaïs' supposed polite failure to observe the euphemisms of the other woman's speech. The look she wore, now, was grave. She resolved to visit her daughter at the earliest possible opportunity.
Hearing her question, Athénaïs smiled coyly. This was a reply which would want some ginger handling of its own. Did Bernard express any desire, whatsoever, to take another wife? Absolutely not. Was Athénaïs strictly determined that he should have one, notwithstanding? Absolutely so! It would do him good, she was certain. Both material gain -- never out of place in his mother's eyes -- could be expected and, indeed, benefits to the mind and soul, as well. Yes, with a wife, he would be happy and, just as importantly, he would be secure. Her son seemed unable to appreciate this truth, but Athénaïs was certain she was right.
"A most conscientious son," Athénaïs agreed, warmly. "He will make an excellent marquess, someday." Bernard was, perhaps, the son who took most after his mother, Athénaïs sometimes thought, in his ordered practicality. And, unfortunately, in his stubbornness, as well. "But to be the best version of his future self, he must have a marchioness." Turning over that mantle to another, she knew, would prove a most difficult thing -- should she live to see it -- but she was bound and determined that it should be so. Those things which she perceived as being for her children's good were more important to her than anything she wished for herself.
Arching a brow as she glanced towards the other woman, she smiled, another artful look. "She must, of course, be the right kind of lady. Lord Bernard, you see, is as formidable as his sister. But few will know how to handle him."
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