Page 64 of Stolen By the Duke of Ice
“Very well.”
Dahlia sat straighter on her chair. She leaned towards him.
“I was having tea with friends, we were at—er, friend number one’s house?—”
“Celine’s house.”
Dahlia gave him a scolding look. He dipped his head in apology.
“Tea had just been brought in, sandwiches and cakes as well, and a platter of fruits too. I was showing my friends an embroidery project that I was about to complete. My second friend?—”
“Helena.”
“Will you stop!”
“Apologies, please do go on.”
She sniffed haughtily, then continued, “They asked me to show them a technique that I had used; it was quite complicated, so I brought out my embroidery things. Before long, we had moved aside the tea things and had almost completely covered the table with them. I think an hour probably passed, we hardly noticed. But Helena was due home, and I had another call to make, so I packed up my embroidery things back into my basket.”
Peter listened intently. With his right hand supporting his chin, he leaned closer to her, genuinely interested. Gratified, Dahlia continued, “We were already at the door when Celine’s butler hurried to us. I had forgotten something, he said. When he gave it to me, it was an apple impaled with numerous needles. Iquickly checked my pin cushion and realized that we had used the apple unknowingly in its stead! I shall never forget Mr. Walter’s face as he handed me that poor apple!”
Here, Dahlia laughed again. She knew that had she been in a more private setting, she would be howling with laughter.
Peter’s shoulders shook with silent laughter, but she could not tell whether he laughed at her or at her story.
Mrs. Smith’s return sobered them both. Dahlia took a deep breath once again and mastered herself.
“One final set of measurements, if you please, Your Grace.”
“Of course, Mrs. Smith. I shall be as still as a statue.”
The minutes went by, and soon, they were finished.
“We are grateful for your patronage, Your Grace.” Mrs. Smith curtsied. “The pieces will be brought to you in two days; if there is anything else at all that I can help you with, please do not hesitate to let me know.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Smith”
In perfect timing, the door to the dressmaker’s shop opened, and in stepped Mary and Claire.
“Melissa and Antonia are headed to the milliners as well. We would like to walk with them if you don’t mind Dalia?” Mary asked.
“You know I shan’t, my dear.”
With their business as the dressmakers completed, the party—with the addition of the two friends—started the walk to the nearby milliners.
The friends walked together, leaving Peter and Dahlia to themselves. Peter presented his arm, and she took it.
“It is your turn, Peter.”
“Ah, yes, a funny story. Let me see.”
“It cannot be a fabricated one, Your Grace!”
“I am appalled that you should think I would even dare to fabricate one.”
“Please, I have too many male cousins to know how your kind works!”
Not really. Certainly not you.
