A Noble Offer (Completed)

Chapter 9. 1819

James and Diana stared, fixated, at the delicious spread of sweets before them. It was September 30, and James was four years old and Diana three years old. They couldn't wait for the party that evening to enjoy those delicious treats. There was a three layer cake composed of Victoria sponge cake filled with vanilla cream and covered with strawberries. There was a chocolate fudge tart filled with chocolate ganache and raspberries on top. A plethora of smaller desserts had been placed perfectly around the larger desserts.

Smiling at his children from the doorway, Julian felt a sense of pride. He and Elizabeth had been married for the last four years, and even though they discussed having more children, decided that it was best they didn't. He had adopted Diana two days after he and Elizabeth had been married, and he was blessed to have a son and a daughter and his life. Clearing his throat, he stepped into the dining room. "Are the two if you going to be staring at those suites all day?"

James and Diana turned their heads at the sound of their fathers voice, giggling as they realize they were caught. James was a spitting image of his father, with dark brown hair and brown eyes. Diana was a lovely replica of Elizabeth, with dark brown curls and blue eyes. The two of them were very close, never leaving one another's side through any situation, whether it was happy or sad. They loved running around the grounds of Suffolk Manor, rolling in the grass and just being children

Diana. "The cakes are so pretty papa, we can't help but look at them."

Julian chuckled. "They are beautiful my darling, but the two of you can't have them just yet. You'll spoil your appetite and you must wait until the party this evening."

James. "We know Papa, we were just looking."

Elizabeth poked her head into the room behind Julian, smiling sweetly. "It seems our birthday prince and princess have found the desserts."

Julian. "They certainly have my love."

Elizabeth. "Well, I was thinking of the four of us going out for the day until the party. How would the two of you like to go with Papa and I to a tea house?"

James and Diana squealed with excitement, jumping up and down and running around in circles. "Yes!"

Julian beamed. "I think that's a wonderful idea darling, that way they can actually have food in their system before the suites this evening."

Elizabeth. "My thoughts exactly my dear."

Laughing, the four of them held hands as they stepped out of the estate and climbed into the carriage that would take them to the teahouse. The Duke and Duchess of Suffolk knew that their children's happiness came before anything else. If James and Diana were happy, then they were happy. And that was all that mattered.

***

Arriving to the London Rose Garden teahouse half an hour later, the family stepped out of their carriage and walked inside. When the occasion of their visit was told to the owner, she escorted them to a private table outside on the patio near the garden. She said that she would send out the perfect birthday platter of sandwiches scones and sweets.

Elizabeth smiled at her children. "Isn't this a beautiful tea house.?"

Diana. "It's so beautiful mama, I love the flowers."

James. "I like the water fountain."

Julian. "That's very lovely as well."

20 minutes later, they were served a delicious platter of food. There was roast beef salmon and cucumber and turkey and apple sandwiches, blueberry scones with clotted cream, and several desserts. Everyone enjoyed their meal, each item of food more succulent and delicious than the previous one.

Julian and Elizabeth exchanged a smile as they watched James and Diana enjoy their meal. They loved spending quiet birthdays like this together, not needing to fuss or feel stressed because of a large event taking place. Yes, that evening's party was going to be a big affair, but only 20 guests consisting of close friends would be in attendance. However, for the moment, all that mattered was the peace and tranquility of the garden and the smiles on their children's faces.

Once everyone was finished enjoying their meal, they said goodbye to the owner and climbed back into their carriage. A few more things needed to be sorted out before the party that evening, but they were very minor things. Everything else was going to go perfectly. At least, that was what the Duke and Duchess of Suffolk were hoping for.