Season's Feather

Chapter Forty-Eight

Delilah was now at the Hastings London house to help Daphne prepare for her own ball. It was a weird thing to think about for her, instead of attending a ball with Daphne, she would be attending a ball for Daphne.

She had arrived with Lady Danbury and Violet. But she left to go find her best friend. And when she stumbled upon her in the old duke's study. There was Daphne, with all of the letters Delilah had witnessed Simon write.

Delilah knew she was curious about the childhood of the Duke. Now, she found the letter, an insight to the most pivotal moments of his life, events Delilah had been there for.

"Your Grace." Delilah greeted moving into the study.

"Oh, Delilah." Daphne smiled seeing her.

"Did you forget we were to come and help with preparations for your ball?" She asked with a teasing smile, "Violet and Lady Danbury are waiting in the parlor."

"I shall be there momentarily." Daphne nodded.

Delilah smiled but stood for a moment longer, and that is when Daphne turned her head again.

"Delilah? Did you know about these letters, the ones the duke seems to have written to his father as a boy?" She asked timidly.

Delilah nodded, "I did. I was there for most of them. And now, apparently, so do you. It was something I kept to myself for a long time.."

"I had no idea," Daphne began, "that Simon had such trouble speaking as a child."

"How could you? He worked every day to overcome it. He was so proud. It's why he wrote the letters in the first place. He wanted to keep the old duke informed." She explained.

Daphne nodded, "The late duke never even deigned to read them."

Delilah nodded her head.

"How could," Daphne breathed, "What kind of father -"

"One that demanded perfection out of Simon. And, when that was not achieved, well, he came crying to either Lady Danbury, my Mama, or - many times - me. He is very emotional when it comes to his father, and those letters." She frowned.

"Simon could not be any more different from a man such as that," Daphne stated putting the letters back.

"Of course, he is," Delilah nodded, "We know that to be true, Daph."

Daphne looked up at her best friend, "You helped him overcome his impediment."

"It was a mixed effort of Lady Danbury, my mother, and me. We were the only ones he saw really as a child. His father was very strict. But, we merely showed him what he was capable of. At the end of the day, the duke's triumph is his and his alone." Daphne smiled.

Daphne smiled as well and walked over, threading her arm through Delilah's, "Let's plan a ball!"

Delilah giggled, "Let's plan a ball."