Ursula joined her, folding her hands neatly in her lap. "You are marrying into a family that doesn't forgive weakness," she said calmly. "The Reids don't shout, they don't beg, they wait and when they move, it's surgical."
Evelyn swallowed. "I know it won't be easy."
"No," Ursula agreed. "It won't be."
She turned slightly, meeting Evelyn's eyes. "And you are not just marrying Alexander. You are marrying his future, his legacy and also his enemies."
That landed heavier than Evelyn expected.
"In that house," Ursula continued, "people will test you without ever appearing to do so. They will smile while measuring how much you bend and how much you can endure."
Evelyn straightened instinctively. "I won't let them walk over me."
A faint smile touched Ursula's lips. "Good, because you won't survive there by being agreeable."
She reached out and took Evelyn's hand—warm, grounding.
