Page 96 of Stolen By the Duke of Ice
Mary hearing her sister’s question, rushed over to Dahlia as well.
“May I read what you have done?”
“They are not quite ready, I apologize.”
“Dahlia do not forget to add her shooting skills; what are detectives if they cannot shoot,” Claire added.
“You must not forget the violin. She needs drama and artistry; it should be part of her charm too—that is how she can get people to be in awe of her.”
“I, yes, well…”
“Mary and Claire,” Peter said, pausing his playing, “I believe Mrs. Baker is heading to Stilton this afternoon. Did you not tell her that you would go too? A visit to the haberdashery, I believe, is was that you said.
“Oh heavens, I had almost forgotten!” Claire abruptly stood up from her position on the settee. “Come Mary, make haste before Mrs. Baker leaves us.
“Will you not come with us, Dahlia?” Mary asked more sedately.
“I thank you for the invitation, but no.” She gestured to the book, “There are some things I must accomplish.”
“We’ll see you at dinner then.”
“Yes.”
When they left, Peter watched as Dahlia also stood to leave. It was as if his body was not his own, for before his mind knew what it was about, he was in front of her, as if to stop her from leaving.
“Oh!”
“I beg your pardon.”
“Quite all right, excuse me, I am in need of an item in my?—
“Dahlia.”
“Hmm?”
“Will you ever look at me again?”
Taking a breath, Dahlia raised her eyes to Peter’s.
“What are you doing?”
“Well, apparently trying very unsuccessfully to leave this room.”
Peter almost smiled at her tone, for he had missed it the last two days.
“I mean, why are you changing your book when you obviously do not want to?
“I don’t mind really; Mary and Claire’s request for their characters are—they are… quite distinctive.”
“You don’t like them.”
“I don’t like them!” she said, throwing herself down on the settee again.
“You know, you could say no.” Peter sat down next to her.
“It is your book, your characters, you can say no.”
“Bu—I do not want to hurt their feelings; they are so invested in the book. I don’t want them to think I care so little for them.”
