Relly was in tears. She had spent three and a half weeks with Cloe and her family and was now preparing to move to the the home of Drusilla Loughtey to begin her season. "We will still do things together," Cloe said, "I am one of your sponsors." Cloe's daughters surrounded Relly each of them bestowing a kiss and a hug. Bonnie was crying almost as hard as Relly.
"You have all been so wonderful to me!" Relly said, "I've learned so very much. I will miss you all." Nick stood quietly beside Relly patiently waiting.
"We are just moving to Grandmothers, Relly," Nick said, "not beginning a battle."
"How little you know," Relly said smiling with her eyes still full of tears. "Hows the wound?"
"You keep asking. I'm mending."
"You'll have to show me. We both will have our own room so I will see what I can do to help."
"You're not going to give up on this are you?"
"Of course not, you know me, I never give up."
"Relly..." Nick was going to say more but just shook his head and added, "that's what I like best about you."
"I thought it was my physical beauty," Relly said watching him with a wicked smile.
"That too, it would shock you to know of the plans I've made for your 'physical body'," he smiled at her wickedly. Relly laughed.
"You can tell me at dinner at grandma's," she said teasingly. Nick laughed. "I want to sponsor Bonnie when she comes out in two years," Relly said thoughtfully.
"Tell her and Cloe."
"I have...I'm a little afraid of your grandma."
"Think of her as a large hedgehog, all prickles but at her heart..."
"An ice ball!" Relly said completing his sentence. She turned to look at him smiling with triumph.
"You may be right, but she has offered her home for all the things that ladies do when you come out."
"Do you have any idea what a season is about Nick?"
"Finding a suitable husband."
"And I have done that." Relly gave him her most haughty look then dissolved into giggles.
"I do think their is a lot more to it Relly, it is your introduction to gentle society," Nick said. Relly snorted.
"The ton is not very gentle or kind."
"You have a point there."
"I take it all my stuff is there," Relly said, "do I get the room next to you?"
"Knowing grandma she'll lock you in a closet in the attic." Relly laughed at his joke and Nick laughed with her but he was not sure it was a joke.
"I'll have to put up with Junior everyday won't I"
"You'll love Edna."
"The housekeeper, yes, I remember her," Relly said, "built like a plow-horse with the personality of a ferret." Her remarks had Nick laughing.
"I wish we could simply run away together," Nick said softly. Relly sat quietly as the carriage rolled and just as they pulled into the drive she looked into his eyes.
"I would follow anywhere. You know that I hope."
"I have no doubt that you would, are you ready...it's into the fray."
They were greeted at the door by the butler and after surrendering hats, gloves and coats we led into the receiving room. Drusilla and Charles awaited. The resemblance between the brothers surprised Relly. Both were tall, dark and powerfully built. Both had golden brown eyes and short cropped black hair but the resemblance ended there. Nick eyes were filled with warmth his lips though thin tended to smile at least when looking at her, his jaw was firm. Charles's eyes lacked warmth as did his smile. He had a look of tired dissipation and unhappiness. They exchanged greetings.
YOU ARE READING
A Dragon for Aurelija
FantasyMy golden dragon was ready to fly me. You cannot imagine my excitement for the opportunity. Ailleacht (my dragon) has devised a cunning harness for me to buckle onto as she plans to push the limits of maned or should I say womaned flight. I climbed...