Page 70 of Stolen By the Duke of Ice
Dahlia recalled the night of her rescue; she remembered how he and Matteo had worked together. Looking back, she could now appreciate their coordination. To have worked so well together would have entailed trust in the other’s capabilities as well.
Outside of his family, Matteo was the only other person Dahlia knew that Peter had strong ties to.
“We met when we were both seventeen.”
He steered Dahlia towards the packed snow path the gardeners and the stablehands had worked on that morning.
“Some older boys pitted us against each other; they wanted to create a rivalry between us for their entertainment. We were both set to inherit dukedoms you see. But we soon discovered what they were up to and decided to team up against them instead. We tried to set up boyish pranks as retribution.”
“What horrid boys!” Dahlia exclaimed indignantly. “I hope you were able to teach them a lesson or two with your pranks!”
Peter laughed.
“Not even close, most of the pranks failed. We were labeled the Poor Dukes after that. It took a year for the other boys to stop using the nickname, but it stuck for Matteo and me. We dropped “poor”of course,” he chuckled as the remembrance lit his eyes.
Again, Dahlia tried to imagine him as a young man. His mother would have still been alive when he was in university. She remembered Mary and Claire’s description of him then.
A charming, devoted brother.
Did he have any fun at all now?An idea formed in her mind.
“Peter, Mary and Claire would like to practice some dance steps after dinner tonight, and I shall be tutoring them. Will you be so kind as to play for us? It will be very difficult if I play and teach dance steps at the same time.”
They entered the castle. A footman helped them with their coats as Mr. Cooper took the basket of roses from Peter. The butler turned to Dahlia.
“Shall I have Mrs. Baker prepare the flowers for you, Your Grace?
“Yes, please do let her know.”
“Will you be using the same vases, Your Grace?”
“Yes, but perhaps instead of the white, I shall use the blue this time. Thank you, Mr. Cooper.”
“Your Grace, Mrs. Baker also begs for your time to approve of the next day’s menu, when you are free of course.”
“I am free now; please let her know that I shall see her shortly.”
“Very good, Your Grace.”
“Thank You, Mr. Cooper.”
The butler took his leave, and Dahlia turned to Peter, who had stood quietly, watching her exchange with Mr. Cooper.
“Well, will you play for us, Peter?”
Peter wore an expression that Dahlia could not quite make out. Then finally, he shrugged his shoulders.
“So long as I am not required to dance,” he agreed with a rueful smile.
Dahlia bit back a laugh as she recalled him in various balls, evading ladies looking for dance partners.
“That, I cannot promise Your Grace. After all, you will be the only gentleman in a room full of ladies.”
She flashed him her most winning smile.
He exhaled exaggeratedly.
“Very well, if duty calls,” he said.
