Page 38 of Stolen By the Duke of Ice
The streets of London were unsurprisingly empty. The heavy curtain of snow and the quiet streets brought the illusion of them being the only two people in the world. They neared the church. Peter looked at it, an old structure that had witnessed many a life-changing event, then he looked at Daliah.
As Dahlia walked down the aisle towards Peter, she knew what it was that she was feeling. It was hope. In her mind, she saw his face as he, himself, watched her. Something had shifted between them on the way to the church. The heaviness that she had felt as she left her home earlier that day was gone. In its place was this novel feeling that she now knew to be hope.
She could do it; she would try and turn this into a true marriage. From the pews, family and friends smiled at her. She recalled the night she introduced Peter to her family and how that had ended.
Your turn is coming. Hold fast, your love story is unfolding.
The Duke needs your patience. He is, as of yet, unwilling to show you his feelings, but they are strong! And they are all for you.
In the scraps of time that Dahlia had spent with Peter, she had seen glimpses of these lines. Acknowledging them now, she knew that there was a chance for her to find happiness. She could try; shewouldtry.
She remembered what her grandmother had whispered to her on that same night as well.
Is it worth the effort? If so, then you must work for it.
She had merely nodded then, but now, she understood her grandmother’s words better.
As she recited her vows and listened in turn to Peter say his, Dahlia no longer felt sadness, nor did she feel worry and fear.
Yes, I believe that it could be worth it.
Hope.And hope she did.
Chapter Nine
Dahlia could barely sit still as she craned her neck to look outside the carriage window so keen was she to see all that could be seen on the way to Icedale Castle.
“Aside from my regular sojourn to Cosgrove, my family’s country estate, and a few of my relatives’ own country houses, I have gone on no other trips you see. London is where I have always lived; it was where most of my family live as well.” She smiled at Peter. “So, I am sure you can imagine how exciting I find this trip.”
“It is just trees and cliffs, Dahlia, have you not tired of seeing them yet?” Peter teased her at her persistent study of their view outside the carriage window.
“I find that every few minutes, the vista changes dramatically.” She pointed to a lone crag that jutted up into the sky. “Some minutes ago, that looked as if it had three brother crags. Now, there is only one!”
Peter laughed at this. His amused expression lingered on his face as he continued on with his book.
A few hours into their trip, they stopped at a local tavern for a meal and to change horses. Peter secured them a private dining room.
“Let us go for a walk. Can we spare the time? My legs need the exercise,” Dahlia said as they finished their meal.
At that point, the snow stopped, allowing the sun to shine for the first time that day. It turned the small town picturesque with its beams making the smooth white ground and the leafless trees glitter.
“How far away are we from Icedale Castle?” Dahlia asked as they walked.
“About thirty more miles.”
“Well, that is not so bad.”
“If the roads are in good condition, andifthe snow continues to stop, andifwe change horses only two more times, we might arrive before the hour of nine.”
“So manyifs! You might as well tell me that you do not know what time we shall arrive, Your Grace.” Dahlia smirked.
“That is travelling for you, Your Grace.” Peter smirked back.
Dahlia looked so swiftly at him that Peter realized he had addressed her in her married state for the first time.Dahlia Thornscroft, Duchess of Icedale.His wife. His heart skipped a beat.
Hours passed as they continued in their journey. The moon was hidden behind the heavy snowfall that persisted for most of their trip to Icedale Castle. The roads that had started clear as Peter and Dahlia left after their wedding breakfast were barely passable now. In a short time, they would reach the castle. Peter watched Dahlia as her head rested against the carriage seat. The day’s events had finally taken their toll and had her drifting off to sleep. He debated whether to wake her up now and give her ample time to prepare for their arrival or leave her in her slumber.
Knowing Dahlia, he thought it best to give her fair warning of their arrival. He reached out from across the carriage and gently shook her.
