Peter sighed heavily.
“Are you always so defensive, Lady Dahlia? Or is it just with me?”
“I am not being defensive!” Dahlia sputtered.
Peter watched her inhale, seeming to take a hold of her emotions. He had called that morning with the express intention of securing a date for their wedding and of making it known to the world at large that they were courting, indeed, that they were betrothed. She was obviously still angry about the betrothal, but he refused to placate her; after all, the arrangement benefitted her as well. He stood up.
“Come, let us go for a walk. I think we both could use the benefits of the crisp air.” He walked to her and held out his hand to escort her.
“A walk so early in—” Dahlia took in a sharp breath then continued calmly, “Your Grace, I don’t normally walk out at this time, and I am not dressed for walking out as well.”
“Are you really so against the idea? Might not you try it? You might find that I am right and that it is a rather pleasant exercise.”
His words seemed to work, for Dahlia suddenly stood up and smiled. He found that he did not like the gleam in her eye. What could be going on in her mind?
“If you will grant me a few minutes to change, Your Grace.”
She turned and left the room without waiting for his reply. Peter could swear that he heard her snicker as she walked out.
What can the chit be up to?
Chapter Five
Her mother told her to be civil to the Duke. And what better way to be civil than to get to know Peter Thornscroft, Duke of Icedale? She smiled to herself. And for Peter to get to know her. And her family—the whole lot of them!
After she had changed, she bid her maid to prepare herself, for they were to go on a morning walk with the Duke. Biddy had hastened to prepare while Dahlia went into her mother’s chambers and proceeded to the desk.
“Where is that invitation?” she muttered as she searched the stack of invitations on her mother’s desk. “Aha! Here it is!”
Dahlia knew that her family—grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins—all of them, were aware of her recent affairs. Indeed, the hour was never considered too late for accepting callers when your news was that of your daughter’s betrothal. She had sat with her relations while everyone talked of it. And tomorrownight promised to be a repeat, even grander perhaps, for it was her aunt’s birthday dinner.
The Duke shall enjoy this!Dahlia’s lips curved into a gleeful—and not entirely friendly—smile.
She snickered again at the thought of Peter in the midst of her extended family. She held the invitation daintily between her gloved fingers and went to meet him.
It was true that this was not how she had planned to get married, but, as had been repeatedly said to her, there was no other way. If that be it, then she would make the most out of her situation, and she would have a bit of fun. She checked her appearance on her mother’s vanity mirror.
“As Celine and Helena told me, I need to find happiness—or laughter—wherever I can.”
Climbing down the stairs, she saw that Peter had donned his hat and coat and stood at the bottom of the stairs, waiting for her and looking cold and impeccable. Biddy stood quietly by the front door.
“I do hope I have not kept you waiting too long, Your Grace.”
“Indeed not, Lady Dahlia.” He proffered his arm, and Dahlia rested her hand on it.
They stepped out into the November morning, Biddy walked behind them a few steps away.
“Where shall we head to?” Dahlia glanced at Peter.
“The park is the best choice. It isn’t the fashionable hour but?—”
“Therein lies the appeal?”
“Precisely, I am beginning to think that we can agree on a few things.”
Peter was right, Dahlia thought begrudgingly, the crisp air was conducive to a morning stroll. He was right as well about the number of morning strollers; there were hardly any. Even passing carriages were scarce. She found the air invigorating and the lack of noise most pleasant.
“I do believe you have changed my mind about early morning strolls, Your Grace.”
