Page 33 of Stolen By the Duke of Ice
He stood by the front door, waiting for the arrival of his carriage, when the conversation of two ladies caught his attention. Dahlia’s aunts.
“Poor Dahlia, I feel so sorry for her.”
“I know, dear, but it can’t be helped. Perhaps if she had inherited her mother’s looks instead of Mama’s? Maybe she would have a better chance of attracting more men? Sadly, a fortune sometimes cannot convince men, you know.”
“Did you hear of their marriage arrangement? I would not be surprised if she stopped coming to our events. The poor dear. Can we not help her in some way? Perhaps bring her to a new modiste? Or replace her lady’s maid?
Peter knew not what came over him; he only knew that he had had enough of her family thinking that Dahlia was somehow less than they were. His hands fisted. Where was this strong urge to protect her coming from?
He stalked towards her aunts and fully faced them, commanding his whole height.
“Ladies, you can help Lady Dahlia by stopping this nonsense about her appearance. She is not lacking in that regard. In fact, I consider her a most appealing woman. I am a proud man and will venture to say that I have chosen a beautiful wife!”
And before they could respond, he had gone off, not bothering to wait for his carriage any longer.
The ladies, speechless from the Duke’s outburst, stared at each other for a long while before they were able to consider the event they witnessed.
“That, my dear, is not the reaction of a man without feelings for his future wife.”
“In that, I agree.”
“Well, then, it seems that there is hope after all for our dear Dahlia.”
The two ladies smiled at each other.
Lady Teresa wrapped her arms around her daughter. She could feel the sobs that came from Dahlia.
“Oh, my daughter.”
“Mama.”
Dahlia took a deep breath and reined in her feelings. She wiped at her eyes and sniffed until she felt normal enough to speak again.
“How are you, my darling?”
“I am better now, mother. Don’t think about me, I just, for a while there, felt sorry for myself. But I am better now as you can see.”
She smiled her most winning smile at her mother.
“I know your impending marriage is not really what you had wanted?—”
“Oh, really Mama, I am marrying a duke! A handsome, honorable, and rich one at that; what more can I ask for? Really, I have done better than my wildest dreams!”
“But what about love? Companionship? The other things you said?”
“I shall still have those; there are so many people in my life that I love, that I love spending time with, and they with me. Truly, mother, I shall be fine. Worry not.”
Teresa looked at her daughter; she cupped her face with her hands and kissed both cheeks.
“You have always been so resilient. Able to take care of yourself, able to find joy in the little things.” Her mother took her hand. “I am sure that you will be the same in your marriage. I am sure that you will make the most of it.” She led her daughter to the same bench that she and the Duke had sat when Teresa first saw them. “You know, when your father and I were first married, we were so overwhelmed with feelings that every little thing was blown out of proportion. We would be jealous of this person and that, not knowing how silly it all was! That is youth for you, my dear. I remember when your father brought me to Bath, and we…”
It was a story that Dahlia had heard many times before, indeed her mother loved telling it so often that she could see it all in her mind. The story, however, was not giving her what the teller hoped it would. No, Dahlia could not feel warmth or the hope of a true love just then. Her mother meant well, but Dahlia knew that any person, secure and deep in her love, would not be able to understand a person who had to settle for less, much less.
After the story, Teresa inquired if Dahlia could manage to go back inside. Feeling that she must, Dahlia agreed. When they entered the sitting room, Dahlia was surprised at the energy that greeted her.
“Oh, Dahlia, my dear, I can see it. Your turn is coming. Hold fast, my dear, your love story is unfolding!” Her aunt held her hands while she recited this prediction.
“Ah, thank you, aunt, that is most kind of you to say.”
