Page 86 of Stolen By the Duke of Ice
“Just like these ribbons for trimming bonnets.”
She unrolled the ribbons with a flourish.
“That little tree was marvelous in its own right, wasn’t it, Biddy?
“Indeed, Your Grace.”
She and her lady’s maid went to the tree, showing the other ladies her plans for the ribbons.
Peter could easily see her, a young Dahlia, pining for such a tree but getting instead not even half of it. It made him want to thank Benson and Biddy; it made him want to give her a hundred fir trees to decorate. Finding his emotions unsettling, he took a deep breath.
Matteo, Helena and Mrs. Baker came into the room declaring that they had finished with the staircase decorations. Matteo carried the basket containing the rest of the pinecones that were to be used for the tree.
“Oh, well done!” Helena exclaimed at seeing the tree.
“It is not yet done, but you can see how perfect it shall be; we must do this at home, Helena!” Chastity said.
“We certainly shall if we can manage it.”
“Peter,” Claire called to her brother, “will you not help us with the top portion of the tree? It is quite impossible to reach unless we stand on a chair.”
“Allow us,” Matteo said, putting the basket down and issuing the most elaborate bow that Dahlia had ever seen. This elicited laughter from all the ladies, except Helena who rolled her eyes.
“Come, Peter. These lovely maidens are in need of rescuing. Direct us as you please.”
Shaking his head and chuckling, Peter went with Matteo to stand by the tree and await directions.
“Continue with the flowers please. See how they have done it? Mixing the kinds of flowers and colors about.” Dahlia pointed to the carefully placed blooms.
When Peter and Matteo started on their task, Dahlia directed the rest of the ladies, including Biddy and Mrs. Baker to make the bows for the tree. They gathered near the fireplace, the three younger ladies grouped together, giggling as they completed their tasks.
“Look at Biddy’s, she did it perfectly!” Dahlia said smiling.
When she was satisfied that they had the bows at hand, Dahlia asked Helena to help her in putting the pinecones on the tree.
They found Peter and Matteo, flowers in hand, debating about colors and locations.
“Strategically, it should be the amaryllis next,” Peter insisted.
“Strategically? Do you hear yourself, old man? This is not a battle plan!” Matteo said. “The colors must be random, like nature!”
“Gentlemen,” Dahlia said, amusement rife in her tone, “if only to maintain the peace, please allow me.”
She took one bloom from Peter’s hand and directed him where to put it. Next, she took one from Matteo and pointed to where it would go. They continued on in that manner until only a foot of tree was left undecorated. Before that, Peter and Matteo, both over six feet in height had simply reached up and easily placed the flowers on their intended locations, but now, even their height proved insufficient for the much taller tree.
“How shall we tackle that?” Helena asked Dahlia. “Shall we fetch a chair?”
Looking around, they found that all the chairs, including the pianoforte bench, were taken up by the bow makers.
“Perhaps if I…”
Matteo, flower in hand, jumped and tried to perch the flower on the upper branches. The result was less than spectacular as he nearly took the whole tree down with him. Exclaiming in alarm, Dahlia and Helena rushed forward to save the tree, realizing that their efforts were not needed for Peter had predicted the outcome of Matteo’s actions and had stabilized the tree before any real damage was done.
“Perhaps not.” Matteo said scratching his head and looking embarrassed.
“Definitely not; you almost killed it… and us!” Helena said annoyed.
“Pardon, my enthusiasm, Lady Helena, I had not intended to murder anyone.” Beneath his breath, he added, “Merely to maim a tongue.”
