Chapter 12
Chapter Twelve
The morning was progressing very well for Dahlia. She had just completed another chapter of The Duke and the Aspiring Detectives. She was feeling wonderful. She had missed that feeling. To see her words in paper, fully formed and complete was pure joy.
She entered the breakfast room with a spring in her step. When she found Mary and Claire were already there, her smiled widened. She could not wait to tell them that she had finished the next chapter just in time.
“Good morning, Dahlia,” they said in unison.
Dahliah was getting quite used to them speaking in unison.
“And a good morning, to you, Mary and Claire,” she said as she went to the sideboard to start choosing her breakfast. She noticed that once again the blueberry sconces were laid out very generously. She put three pieces on her plate. When she was done choosing, she went to sit near the twins.
Moving close to Dahlia, Mary whispered, “Remember, Dahlia, we are to have our secret reading club session again this afternoon.”
“How can I forget, dear? And I am happy to tell you that I have just finished the next chapter,” she whispered back.
Claire, who had risen from her place in the dining table and moved directly behind her, brightened. “What did you say?”
“The next chapter is ready.”
“Oh! That is the best news.” She clapped her hands. “And I am happy to inform both of you that I have replaced our soiled blanket with a new one.”
“Thank you, Claire.” Dahlia chuckled.
Mary and Claire had been elated to know that they were her inspirations for the Aspiring Detectives.
So far, the detectives, two young ladies in their first season, had navigated their first ball.
They had witnessed a crime, had followed a mysterious couple, and, still unknown to Mary and Claire, were about to be introduced to the Duke of Snowdon and his bride.
Yes, the Duke now had a bride. She could not wait to see what Mary and Claire would say about that.
“Good morning, ladies. It is looking to be a fine winter’s day.”
Standing by the sideboard, Peter bowed to them, a smile of greeting on his face.
Dahlia had been about to tell the Mary and Claire that she had spoken the night before to their brother and that they had exchanged olive branches when the actions of the very man himself made her explanations quite unnecessary in her opinion.
“Good morning, Peter.”
Seeing Dahlia’s smiling reply, and their brother’s amiability, the twins realized that peace was now to be had in the castle. And so, Mary and Claire expressed their morning greetings once again in happy unison.
Peter took the seat beside Dahlia, and he looked at her plate.
“I hope that the blueberry scones served shall be more than enough for you.”
“Why yes, I don’t think I shall run out of them today.” Dahlia let her pleasure show. To the butler she said, “Mr. Cooper, you must thank Cook for me, for I think she has finally noticed how much I like the blueberry scones.”
“It was Mrs. Baker who informed Cook, Your Grace, by the Duke’s instructions.”
“Oh.”
Dahlia was more than surprised to hear this information.
He notices what I eat? He pays that much attention?
“Then apparently it is to you whom I should express my gratitude, Your Grace.” Dahlia gave him a dazzling smile. “Thank you for making sure that I do not run out of blueberry scones.”
Mary and Claire grinned at her silliness.
“You are most welcome, Your Grace.”
“Dahlia, might I have a moment of your time?”
Dahlia looked up from her book. The sudden presence at the doorway disoriented her as Peter entered the library.
For a moment, she panicked, thinking to hide the manuscript of The Duke and the Aspiring Detectives that was ordinarily tucked within the book she held, until she remembered that she had wisely decided to leave it.
At the moment, it was in the safety of her own chambers, tucked under a stack of correspondence inside her desk drawer.
She calmed herself. Peter walked and stopped directly in front of her, his face serious.
Seeing his expression, she was a little confused. At breakfast, he had indeed acted with all amiability. Had she done something wrong? Her thoughts went back to the night before when she had left him in the sitting room. Dahlia had been flooded with a myriad of feelings.
Relief perhaps was the strongest one of them. That she no longer had to engage in a battle of wills with Peter was definitely a good thing. The other feelings, on the other hand, she preferred not to examine.
The night had ended in an entirely different note than she had expected. A softer note. An image of their joined hands flashed in her mind. If she closed her eyes, she could still feel his hand entwined with hers.
Friends. An offer of peace and of friendship. I am glad for it of course.
Looking at him now as he stood before her, she wondered what he was thinking. He spoke politely, if not too formally.
How different from last night.
But although it was a far cry from the more comfortable, more candid Peter of the night before, she was nonetheless glad she was not seeing the cold and distant Peter, the one who wore a mask of ice. She was determined to match him, and so, she would act polite as well.
“Good morning again, Peter.”
“Dahlia.” He made a slight bow.
“How can I help you? Are you looking for Mary or Claire?” she asked him. “They have just gone to fetch a book that they wanted to show me from Claire’s room. They will only take a moment.”
“No, I was seeking you, actually.”
“Oh. Then you have my full attention, Your Grace.” She marked the page of the book she had been reading and gently closed it.
Peter took the seat beside her and handed her a document. The piece of parchment was an official looking document.
What can this be?
She quickly glanced at the writing and knew before he even answered that it pertained to the house that was to be hers. The politeness and formality were explained. He was here to conduct business it seemed. The business of their marriage.
“My solicitors have written to me that you shall be able to take possession of the house on the twenty-fifth of December.”
On the day of Christmas!
“Your solicitors work very efficiently, I see.”
He nodded.
This was not unexpected. Dahlia knew that Peter had been working on this, indeed he had told her that he was. But it was the heavy feeling in her chest that took her quite by surprise. Needing a moment, she bent down in the pretense of adjusting the hem of her gown.
After her ministrations, Dahlia straightened in her seat.
“If you will allow me to read the document.”
“Please take your time.”
She read the document again, this time in detail.
“I see that the house is in London.”
“Yes, quite near your parents’ townhouse.”
“That was not necessary, but it is very much appreciated.”
“The solicitors shall also make sure that it is ready even before your arrival.”
“And the staff as well?”
“Yes, they shall also see to the hiring of the staff.”
“That is good news indeed,” Dahlia said.
Then as nonchalantly as she could, she continued, “Shall I be leaving on Christmas Day then?”
“No, of course not. I am sure Mary and Claire would be very sad if they are not able to spend Christmas with you.”
Dahlia smiled at this.
“We would not want them sad of course.”
“Of course.”
“Well, then,” Dahlia said with another smile, “everything seems to be in order. I shall make sure that my things and I are ready to leave on the twenty-sixth. And Biddy as well.”
“There is no rush, I assure you.”
“Oh, but it is better to go about it at once, I think.”
When Peter only nodded, Dalia flashed him a broad smile.
“Was that all?” she asked.
“Actually, no,” Peter said.
At her inquiring look, Peter continued, “I had thought to take you and the twins to Stilton after luncheon. It is the largest village near Icedale Castle, some four miles away. They have a very good selection of shops there. I thought that I would take the three of you to purchase additional winter clothes.”
“Do you really think I am in need of new winter clothes?”
“Yes, I am afraid our winters here are harsher than the ones you are used to. For the indoors, your clothes may suffice, but for the outdoors, you will find that they are lacking, especially as the temperatures get lower. I am sure you will feel the difference once you have on the new winter clothes.”
Was it Dahlia’s imagination, or did Peter seem relieved to have that first order of business over with? He certainly seemed to talk more about the winter temperatures and shopping.
Dalia smiled, this time with humor.
“Anything to prevent a repeat of yesterday’s incident, Your Grace.”
Belatedly, she realized that he might not appreciate her jest. She hoped it was not too early for her to make light of the occurrence.
Peter opened his mouth to reply then frowned and closed it again.
“You will not bait me so easily, Your Grace,” he said with a grin. “Shall I have the carriage ready at two this afternoon?”
Dalia nodded, relieved to see him smile at her teasing words.
“I shall inform Mary and Claire as soon as they return.”
“Thank you. Until then, Dahlia.” Peter bowed and left the room.
Dahlia let out the breath that she did not know she had been holding.
And so, her independence was but a few weeks away it seemed. She waited for the satisfaction and happiness that she had expected would come with freedom and independence, but they did not come.
That is because it is such a novel feeling, and it hasn’t yet set in. When the time draws near, and when everything has all been arranged, I shall feel it.
But for now, she must talk to Mary and Claire. Their secret reading club session would have to be postponed. They were to go on a shopping expedition.
The carriage moved at a slow pace due to the soft ground of newly fallen snow. As Peter, Dahlia, and the twins headed to the town of Stilton, the younger ladies continued their steady commentary on the vistas and establishments they passed.