Those who had been with him long enough knew exactly what that meant, and they quickly informed the newer arrivals. Beatrice was safe territory—not only was she practically his sister, but she was married, giving Dietrich a convenient excuse.
He tore open the letter and eagerly scanned its contents. Beatrice and Ella would be on their way to the picnic clearing in an hour, and they’d love to see him there.
Dietrich grinned, unable to help himself.
“I see that look,” John teased laughingly.
“I’m going to take the young ladies on a picnic,” Dietrich said, ignoring the jibe. “If their mother agrees to let them go, that is. Lady Beatrice said she’d love to join us. I’ll need two men and a carriage if the ladies agree,” he announced before hurrying off toward the house.
It was time for Ella to meet her family.
Dietrich strode through the castle and made his way to the duke’s study. He paused at the portrait outside, once again taking in the similarities he had already studied so many times—and yet they still surprised him every time.
Before he could knock, the door opened, and the duke himself appeared, stopping short when he saw Dietrich.
Then he saw what Dietrich was looking at, and his eyes softened. “It is a good portrait of them,” he said quietly. “I remember...” The duke’s voice caught in his throat. “What can I help you with?”
“You had mentioned bringing the young ladies for a picnic,” Dietrich said. “Lady Beatrice Dunham and I are friends, and she also wanted to go on a picnic. I didn’t know if you would be willing for me to take your daughters today, but I thought I would ask.”
The duke nodded. “That would be lovely, I’m sure. I think you ought to ask—no, I will send word. Better to do that than have someone tell you no.” He flashed a quick smile, even if it was half-hearted, his gaze flitting back to his missing daughter.
Dietrich glanced back at the portrait, studying the tiny child with golden curls. She had grown up to be beautiful, and the duke had no idea.
“I will arrange a carriage,” he said before bowing and turning to leave.
“Thank you, Dietrich,” the duke called after him.
Dietrich turned back with a smile. “Of course, my lord,” he said.
He was looking forward to it for more reasons than the duke knew.
He couldn’t wait to tell them that Eliana was still here.
He hurried back to the stables and told his men to prepare a carriage before he made his way to the kitchen to speak to the cook.
“You want a picnic?” she asked him with a skeptical glance. “Do you know how cold it is out?”
“I do,” he said, “which is why I’m on my way to get blankets next.”
She grumbled at him, but he didn’t give her a chance to say no. The duke had said he could, so he was taking the girls, whether the cook liked it or not.
He made his way to the housekeeper next, where his request for blankets was met with the same skepticism.
“You’re doing what?” she asked.
“Taking the young ladies on a picnic for the duke,” Dietrich said with a winning smile. “His Grace is very excited for them to experience a picnic.”
The housekeeper raised an eyebrow but went to a closet. A moment later, she came back with an armful of blankets.
“Thank you,” he called over his shoulder as he made his way back down to the kitchen.
“Have you got an extra picnic basket that can hold the blankets?” he asked.
“Should have asked the housekeeper for a basket to go with them,” the cook muttered as she gestured to one of her helpers, who pulled a basket out of the pantry. But despite her complaints, he could see she was busy whipping up an arrangement of food for him to take.
“Thank you,” he told her, leaning over to give her a kiss on the cheek before he hurried back out to the stables to check on the carriage.
There was a cool nip in the air, but the sun was warm, and it was a beautiful day to be outside. Now he just had to get the young ladies to meet their sister without anyone realizing who she was.
