Butter for the Balls

Chapter Three

Adrianna had never accomplished something as daring as this before, and she was anxious to get started. She had to make enough butter, and then cool it enough to carve it into the desired shape, all before the ball. What kind of shape would the Duke want? Would she get judged for making a butter sculpture? What would people think?

But after a moment, she realized, this would be an amazing step in her career! She had always wanted to start her own real butter company, and this grand centerpiece could be the key. She might get noticed and recognized for her work! This was such a great opportunity for her, and Adrianna was so grateful for Chad that she could kiss him, right here in the kitchen. Instead, she just wistfully stared at him with her blue globes for eyes, dreamily staring into the abyss, thinking about butter. She came back down to earth when she heard him speak.

"What do you suppose the sculpture should be?" He asked thoughtfully.

"Uh," She said, her eyes barely able to focus on his hunking figure. He was just so tall and bulky, it looked like he could have crushed her in half. How was he that bulky when he was a Duke? "I have no idea, I guess it's up to you."

"You should do a sculpture of me." He said, raising one eyebrow and posing into the distance with his hands gripping his coat. With his shoulders back and chest out, he looked quite powerful, or ridiculous, she couldn't decide.

"Would I be carving you in the nude?" Adrianna teased. There would be no way she would be able to do an accurate sculpture without prior art experience (of which she had none).

"Sadly, no. I think I could at least have to wear something to cover my delicate bits." He winked, but Adrianna only rolled her eyes and kept thinking. "The theme of the ball is a 'winter wonderland' so we could do something festive themed."

"I think that's a wonderful idea! I could do a polar bear or a large snowflake!" Adrianna's mind was racing with ideas on what she could make, and what preparations she needed to do before the party, only three days away. First of all, she had to make the butter as soon as possible, and sketch out the ideas for the sculpture. "I might need a little help, though, this will take a very long time."

"I'm here at your disposal, you can do what you want with me." Chad Walkplease spread his arms with a wide grin on his face, but Adrianna only raised her eyebrows.

"I was alluding to perhaps another servant or cook who could assist me. I am sure that your day is already filled with planning and so forth."

"Oh, nonsense. I mean, my day is somewhat filled, but I think everyone can handle a few days without me! I've mostly already got everything planned out anyways. I will be here to help you every step of the way."

That last sentence felt a little daunting. Adrianna didn't know how she should feel about the Duke basically looking over her shoulder for this very important project. She already hated it when people watched her work, but this would be a thousand times worse, since a little mistake might cost Adrianna her current and future job. Yet, this was an amazing opportunity. She would just have to settle for the Duke.

"Alright. I'll do it, but we need to start now. This is already short notice for such a large project but if we work fast we will be able to do it."

Chad clapped his hands once and the wide grin took over his face again, "That's the attitude I like to hear!"

...

Five minutes into demonstrating how to churn butter, what ingredients to use, how to churn it, and how to press and wash it afterwards, Chad's eyes seemed to dull. Adrianna could tell that he was less interested in the whole process after finding out that they would have to make the butter little by little, and slowly freeze it so that it hardens. He also seemed taken aback that he would actually have to physically work instead of just supervise. After a few minutes of demonstrating, the Duke was given his own churning set, and sat next to Adrianna as they pounded together, finding and matching each other's rhythm. Soon, they started talking about their lives. Adrianna talked about her dream to become a professional butter churner, and how big of an opportunity it is for her to finally show her skills to the public, where other butter enthusiasts would notice. Chad didn't seem to have any dreams for himself, except that he needs a wife to continue his family name, and ensure that his wealth is secure.

"Mr. Walkplease, can I ask you a question?" Adrianna did not pause for him to answer, "What is it like being a Duke? I'm sure you have many responsibilities and are busy all the time."

"I am pretty busy," He nodded, still focusing on the butter below him. "There's nothing much to tell, it's all business deals and finding ways that I can improve my dukedom."

"Is that why you are single?" Adrianna asked nonchalantly. "It's because you are so busy?"

Chad chuckled and didn't answer for a moment. "No, I've been around. I just haven't wanted a real relationship for a while. Until now." He glanced at Adrianna quickly.

"Why not?" Adrianna pressed. She was wondering if he even wanted to continue talking about this, but she couldn't help but ask. She had the Duke in a vulnerable place for the first time ever, and Adrianna wanted to get to know him more.

"I guess I just don't want to get close to someone. They might find out... things."

"What kind of things?" Adrianna asked, but Chad changed the subject, clearly uncomfortable with the conversation. He inhaled loudly and gestured to his bowl of butter,

"That I like to churn butter on my spare time, of course!"

Adrianna only rolled her eyes and continued to work in silence. If he wanted to make fun of her, then he could ask the questions. She didn't want to bother with asking any more if he didn't want to bother to answer. But to her surprise, he did continue to ask her about why she got into butter churning.

"After my father passed away, it was the only thing I could do that made me feel close to him again. He was the one who got me my first 'Churners for Toddlers!' set and taught me how to cook. I had to cook for myself at six, naturally, because my mother didn't want to bother to care for me either. I had my older brother taking care of me, at least. Tamlin took over where my parents lacked, and I'm very thankful for him. Now, he is moving back to Bath after he found out his wife had been cheating on him when Tamlin was off in the war, and his kid died too. So sad."

"What's in Bath?" Chad asked.

"Our mother. That's where we grew up. She still lives in our childhood home." Adrianna despised the fact that she still lives there, as if she cared for sentimentality, or had any family values. "She fooled her friends and distant family members that she had cared for her husband and children. She even manipulated her way into having people cook and clean for her too."

"I'm sure that's really frustrating, Miss Sasquatch. I bet it was even worse when you were in the house." Chad looked at Adrianna sympathetically.

"Yes, she really liked to meddle with my love life. Tamlin had to convince her not to sell me to an older rich man when I was younger." Adrianna sighed but shrugged, "I was too young to remember most of what happened, but I think that's when Tamlin moved out. He was so angry at my mom."

"I can imagine why. I think that's horrible."

Adrianna just shrugged again, ignoring Chad's gaze as she continued to work on her butter. He had stopped and was simply staring at her, expecting her to elaborate.

"Come on, we need to keep working!" Adrianna nudged him with a smile, but he only gave a nod and carried his attention to the work at hand.