FLOWERS AND THE FUTURE
Meanwhile, in the Morganfield gardens
“My, I don’t recall ever seeing you wearing such a decorative waistcoat before,” a familiar voice said from somewhere near where Andrew was admiring a newly-bloomed tulip. He was sure he had seen Danielle in this part of the gardens only moments ago, but now that he’d had a chance to extricate himself from the attentions of two matrons who wished to admire his waistcoat and make his way to the tulips, Danielle was no where to be found.
He straightened and glanced around. “Lady Dahlia?” he responded, watching as the young woman approached from where she’d been seated on a stone bench. Although the garden party was well attended, most of the guests had taken seats at the wrought iron tables immediately behind the house and were enjoying tea and cake. The men who weren’t seated seemed intent on spying on the young ladies who were, peeking from behind hedgerows and discussing their options in a manner suggesting they intended to employ strategies befitting a military campaign in order to either gain notice or a promise of a dance at the next ball.
Dahlia paused in mid-step. “How did you know it was me?” she asked in surprise.
Andrew grinned. “I have known you since we were in leading strings,” he reminded her. “How did you know it was me and not my brother?”
Grinning, she stepped up and threaded her arm through his. “Well, the waistcoat did have me confused at first, but I rather doubt Breckinridge would bother himself with a tulip,” she replied. “Besides, you never appear quite as serious as he does.”
“Impending duty does seem to age him somewhat,” Andrew agreed, realizing his brother’s plan of switching places wasn’t going to work. He sobered. “He’s very sorry about what happened yesterday.” At seeing her arched brow, he added, “Something about a runaway horse that wasn’t?”
Dahlia rolled her eyes. “I admit, I was quite vexed by what he did. At least, at the time. You see, I was having the ride of my life on a racehorse.”
Andrew noted her expression of wistfulness. He thought it made her look far prettier than usual. “Ah. Was it the speed that had you enthralled?”
She grinned. “The speed, yes, but Vindication has such an even gait, and he’s a most responsive mount. I’ve never had a ride like him,” she claimed. “I think he shall be the only horse I ride in Rotten Row from now on.”
“Lucky horse,” Andrew commented, rather impressed by how passionate she could be about the former racehorse.
Turning her gaze on him, Dahlia furrowed a brow. “Oh, my. Should your brother be concerned?”
Andrew reddened. “At the threat of losing life and limb, I have assured Anthony I shall not pursue you for courtship, Lady Dahlia. My best hope is that I may one day call you sister.”
Dahlia’s eyes rounded. “Oh, my.” She hadn’t considered that she would gain another brother should she agree to wed Breckinridge. She certainly liked Andrew more than she did her own brothers.
They walked along in silence for a time before she said, “I’m not angry with him. Breckinridge, I mean.”
Surprised by her comment, Andrew slowed his pace. “Does that mean you’ll give him a chance to offer for your hand?” he asked, pausing to examine the early pink blooms on a rhododendron bush.
Pinching her lips together, Dahlia seemed reluctant to respond. “I wish there was a way I could be married to him without certain... certain responsibilities that come with it. At least, not at first.”
Andrew straightened and stared at her. “And if that can be arranged? Would you accept his offer?”
Dahlia blinked. “What?”
“Explain what it is you want... and what you don’t want,” he encouraged her. “Tell him exactly what you’ve told me,” he added. “I’m quite sure you two can come to some sort of agreement that you’ll both find acceptable. At least, until it’s absolutely necessary you start a nursery.” He paused. “Besides, I rather imagine it will be a long time before Anthony inherits, given how old our grandfather was when he finally died, which means you’ll be a viscountess in name only.”
Dahlia stared at him a moment, her brows furrowing with suspicion. “You’re saying I should bargain with Breckinridge?”
Andrew opened his mouth to respond but thought better of it as he winced. “Just... talk with him is all,” he finally encouraged.
“Mayhap when I see him next.” She glanced around, apparently on the lookout for the viscount.
“Then perhaps you might be amenable to helping me,” Andrew said.
Dahlia inhaled softly. “You mean with Danny?”
He nodded. “Please don’t be alarmed if she doesn’t return to Norwick House this evening. Mayhap make an excuse for why she won’t be home for dinner? Say that she’s dining with a friend and won’t return until late this evening.”
Her eyes widening in alarm, Dahlia glanced around again before she turned to stare at him. “What are you saying?” Her eyes widened even more. “Are you taking her to Gretna Green?”
Scoffing, Andrew leaned down and said in a low voice, “I’m only going to do what your father told me to do to secure her hand.”
Dahlia’s mouth dropped open as her eyes darted to the side. “Oh, dear,” she murmured. “When... when might that have been?”
