Page 76 of Stolen By the Duke of Ice
“Oh, do not worry about that; I shall just come back another day,” Dahlia reassured her with a smile. “I can make do with the two pairs of gloves that I have.”
“Are you sure, Dahlia?”
“Of course, I am. I am glad you were able to see the confectionery shop.” Dahlia led them to the waiting carriage. “Come, it is getting dark.”
On their way back, Dahlia asked Helena to tell her of other recent happenings among their acquaintances. Soon, they found themselves whispering as the stories turned into gossip.
Chastity, who usually pried when she thought Helena and her friends were gossiping, rolled her eyes at them and watchedthe passing winter scenery. It was not long before the friends observed that she had fallen asleep.
Helena, noticing that they had more freedom to talk, poked Dahlia.
“But tell me, Dahlia, how hasitbeen?
“It?” Dahlia asked evasively.
“You know very well what I mean,” her friend said.
Sighing, she shifted in her seat.
“Well,itmost certainly is not your ordinary marriage. What can I say? I knew what I was getting into. Expectations were set from the very beginning.”
Dahlia was aware that Helena studied her.
Her friend took her time in her reply, as if figuring out what to say. She spoke tentatively.
“I hope you don’t take this the wrong way, Dahlia, but you look happy.” Helena smiled at her.
“What are you saying, Helena? Was I that sad before?”
“Again, you know what I mean. Dahlia don’t try to get out of it.”
Dahliah sighed. She looked at her friend, all playfulness gone.
“In truth, I do not know what I am, Helena. I am…”
In love.
“…confused.”
“Confused about what?”
“I don’t know! About everything. About him.”
“Good heavens, Dahlia are you telling me that you are falling for the Duke?”
“Of course not! What are you saying, Helena!”
But she knew she couldn’t fool her friend. Indeed, Helena’s expression showed her unconvinced.
But it seemed that Helena would allow her some latitude, for she did not pursue the subject any longer.
“I have been writing again,” Dahlia blurted out, partly out of excitement, and partly to discourage Helene in case she thought to bring the subject up again.
Helena straightened from her seat and clasped her hands together.
“But that is good news indeed! I must say that it is very decent of the Duke to allow you to continue your writing. However did you manage to convince him?”
“Oh, no, no, we must keep it a secret!” Dahlia hissed. “Peter does not know. But Mary and Claire know; it was their idea. They convinced me to continue Penelope Lovelace’s stories.”
