Page 79 of Stolen By the Duke of Ice
“I am afraid I cannot determine what might be missing; are not ordinary Christmas decorations always like this?”
“Precisely!” she exclaimed. “I think the decorations are too few and lackluster, even the ones on the staircase.”
Peter scratched his head.
“I confess that I am confused; is there another way to decorate for the holidays? Holly and laurel have always been used. Is there a current fashion in London that has not reached us here?”
“No, nothing new, actually.”
“What then?”
“Just an idea of mine.”
Intrigued at what could be going on in that brain of hers, Peter inclined his head and inquired, “Very well, let us hear it if you please.”
“Don’t you think there could be more… color?” She turned fully to Peter, her eyes sparkling. My aunt was telling us of a wonderful custom in Germany where they cut down and brought trees indoor to be decorated for Christmas! What do you think if we do that?”
Peter though it a most insensible thing.
“A tree? A whole tree? Cut it down and drag it inside the castle to serve as a decoration?”
“Yes! Well, not a big tree. A young fir or spruce perhaps. Something that will fit here in the sitting room. My aunt says they were decorated with fruits like apples or nuts—we can use some of the flowers from the hothouse! Peter, can you imagine it?”
“If they are to be left there until Twelfth Night, will they not spoil? Such a waste, I should think.”
“Ah yes, well we can put pinecones instead of the fruits. As for the flowers, there is an abundance of them in the hothouse,we can easily replace the ones that need replacing. Instead of arranging them in vases, they can go on the tree.”
Peter was still unconvinced, indeed his countenance said so, but Dahlia was unfazed.
“Peter, it shall be lovely! Imagine all the color, not to mention the smell of the tree. It will seem like we are out of doors.”
Peter smiled at her excitement.
“Shall we cart in snow as well?”
She gave him a sharp look but very soon reverted to a smile.
“It shall be the center of the decorations here in the sitting room.”
She was so enthusiastic about it that Peter had not the heart to say no. It was a small thing anyway, not that hard to do. And despite the staff having finished with the decorations, he imagined that once Dahlia’s plans were made know to them, they would be happy to redecorate. Well, so long as he was not called to do it then that would not be a problem.
“I do not see why not. Cut down and decorate trees to your heart’s content, Your Grace.”
“Oh, thank you, Peter!” Impulsively, she hugged him. Before Peter could react, she went rushing out of the room. “It will be wonderful; you shall see!” she called back to him as her form disappeared from behind the door.
Shaking his head, Peter left the sitting room as well but in a more sedate pace. Insensible, he thought. He could not believe how easily he had been led to agree to Dahlia’s scheme. A smile, that was all it took. It was a little worrisome for him. His smile turned into a frown.
The same frown was still on his face as he arrived at the paddock. Matteo was already there, talking to the stablemaster. His own horse was being walked inside the paddock.
“I was going to greet you a good morning, but I shall greet your frown instead.”
Peter gave him a look.
“What is it? What troubles you, Peter?”
“Nothing. I am perfectly fine, I assure you.”
“You do know that you are facing the wrong person if your intention is to deceive,” Matteo said drily. “Shall I mention the number of years that I have known you? You cannot fool me, Thornscroft.”
