A Dragon for Aurelija

Chapter 9 Breakfast in the Garden

Relly was happy. She loved waking up in Nick's embrace. She always had. Nick was still out cold and she was hungry. The dinner last night was sumptuous but she had eaten but a little, she was quite scared at her first formal diner. She knew the staff would still be below stairs at this hour and most likely having breakfast. She crawled out of bed being careful not to wake Nick. She did not want to return to her room and she could not find her wrapper to cover with anyway. She saw what she recognized as a kaftan folded over a a chair near the fireplace. She pulled it on over her head and buttoned it. Even buttoned one of her shoulders could almost slip through the closed neckline. It was very baggy on her and pooled on the floor covering her feet. She immediately loved it. It was black with thin vertical gold stripes, and she decided to keep it. She rolled up the sleeves to free her hands. After a quick peek down the hall and finding it empty she was off to the servants stairs. She easily found the busy kitchen just following her nose. The cook recognized her from her childhood visits and smiled, "Lady Relly, I heard you were in residence. I take it you are hungry."

"Aye, I'm starving Marta but I dinnae want to trouble you."

"No trouble, take a seat in the small dinning room and I'll serve you. What would you like?" Relly saw a plate of poached eggs, fried cakes (potato she thought), bacon, black pudding, a mixed variety of fruit slices and toast.

"Some of everything please." Marta laughed.

"You are hungry little bird."

"You used to call me that," Relly said smiling.

"It fit. You were so tiny and alway flitting around. You still are tiny. Would you like coffee?"

"I don't like coffee."

"I remember, hot coco isn't it?"

"Yes please and it is so good to see you. Relly rushed to her and hugged her then walked to the small dinning room. Once there she saw a familiar tall man dressed in black facing away. She skipped into the room, "Darlin' your..." Charles turned to see her approach as she skidded to a stop.

"Good morning Aurelija, you're up early."

"I was hungry."

"I missed your first formal dinner, I am sorry, I was out. You look particularly fetching this morning."

"I'm about to have breakfast, do you care to join me?" Relly said as she blushed in response to his compliment.

"Yes I would, let me suggest the garden. It's just out those doors and there is a small table and two chairs. The garden is really beautiful and you will love all the flowers and shrubs, and I would enjoy your company. I'll let the staff know we'll take breakfast mangiare fuori."

"You speak Italian Charles, how impressive." Relly smiled as she took his arm and was escorted out to the garden. He continued to speak in Italian.

"Have you ever been there?"

"No but perhaps someday," Relly said wistfully, "I do speak it a little." One of the servants brought out a tray with Relly's plate stacked with food, her hot coco and coffee for Charles. "You're not eating Charles?"

"I may steal a piece of your toast you have four of them."

"Help your self we're family, and some marmalade."

"I enjoy being family with you," Charles said as he smiled charmingly. He took a slice of toast and spread it with marmalade.

"That was the nicest thing you ever said." Relly smiled brightly and took a sip of coco.