Dietrich shrugged.
“As if that will go over well with her father. ‘I know I’m your stable master, and I have nothing to offer but my heart. But I’m in love with your daughter, and I hope that, instead of a potential marriage alliance, you will let me offer for her.’”
“Yes, exactly like that,” his mother said.
“No,” Dietrich said.
He was acting like a seven-year-old again, with his mother patiently explaining something and him telling her why it wouldn’t work. But didn’t she see it was not meant to be?
Was she simply trying to get a rise out of him, or did she actually think there was a possibility of him ending up happily ever after with a duchess?
“And besides,” he complained, “this all happened way too fast. I barely know her.”
His mother shrugged. “I knew your father was the one far faster than anyone thought possible. And you, my boy, have always known your own mind. If you think she is the one, who am I to stop you? Who is anyone?”
Dietrich groaned. “You’re not listening.”
“I think you’re the one who is not listening—to your heart,” his mother replied. “Do tell me when you are ready to start listening, because I would love to be around to see it.”
“Where are you going?” he asked as his mother got to her feet.
“I’m going in to make dinner,” she said. “Did you want to join me, or are you ready to stop hiding with me and face the girl you love?”
Love was a scary word.
Dietrich shook his head. “I’m not going anywhere right now.”
His mother sighed. “I do hope you’ll figure it out,” she said, “because I would hate to see you end up miserable and lonely. I know what it’s like, and I don’t recommend it.”
“You’re not miserable,” Dietrich began, but his mother shook her head.
“You don’t know what it’s like to lose someone you love to more than just an imagined distance. You could change this if you wanted to, and I am just waiting until you do. Go back to work, Dietrich.”
Dietrich finished weeding the row and stood up to stretch his back, groaning as he did so. He knew his mother was right. It was time to stop hiding and go back to work.
He would have to pretend that he didn’t have feelings for Lady Eliana.
He couldn’t stop working, and he had no interest in finding another job. The best choice was to move forward, even if he didn’t want to.
As for his mother’s advice, he was going to ignore that. She didn’t understand what it was like working for the duke. And while she missed his father, she hadn’t been in a situation where she’d been nobility and his father a worker.
His was a very different situation than his mother grieving the loss of her husband.
He went inside and kissed his mother on the cheek. “Thank you for letting me stay.”
“I take it you’re going back?” she asked.
“I am.” He sighed. “Don’t want to, but I am.”
“I’m proud of you,” she said. “Don’t be afraid to tell her how you feel. You never know what will happen.”
“I know what will happen,” Dietrich muttered. “I’ll get fired for daring to speak that way to the duke’s daughter.”
His mother laughed. “I think you underestimate how much the duke will appreciate you bringing his daughter back to him, and how much he appreciates you and our family. How many other men did the duke ask to take his daughters on a picnic?”
Dietrich didn’t have an answer for that, so he didn’t say anything, which only made his mother laugh more.
“You know I’m right, dear,” she said, giving him a hug. “Now go and win back your lady.”
