Season's Feather

Chapter Sixteen

Delilah sat in the Silvester study as Lady of the house, attending to the bills. She could imagine Anthony doing the same and wondered if every time he paused to flex his hand from writing he thought about her.

She brought a hand to her head and rubbed away the slight pain growing. Looking at numbers was not as fun as it seemed to be. But, who else would manage this estate? Delilah had to admit the work was lighter this season. With the removal of her mothers-

Her thoughts paused and she took a breath to still her tears.

Delilah missed her mother, so, so much.

Memories flashed in her head. She needed to get out. Her eyes flashed to the invitation sitting on her desk. The Danbury Soiree was just the escape she needed. She smiled at the thought of Anthony getting ready for an evening of stolen affection. She chose a lovely blue to wear that night. Walking down the stairs, she heard Williamson walk from the drawing room.

"I was unaware there was a ball this evening." Williamson said looking at her formal outfit.

Delilah released a breath. "A soiree, rather."

Williamson shook his head and began to pace the room. Delilah had never seen him so nervous, he almost seemed desperate for the invitation and Delilah was certainly concerned. But, he kept pacing across the room.

"A soiree," Williamson commented.

Delilah tilted her head, "If it concerns your interest, have you not received the invitation from the Danbury footman?"

"The soiree is at the Danbury House." Williamson spat.

"Obviously it is at the Danbury House, she is hosting the Sharma sisters." Delilah replied.

Williamson leant onto one the many walls of the Silvester house. Delilah was more than amused, it wasn't everyday he acted like a child.

Williamson looked over at Delilah, "Miss Sharma likes to accuse me of playing games."

Delilah laughed to herself, "Can you blame her?"

"What?"

Delilah looked over at Williamson with a tiny smile on her face as if he was the most oblivious person in the world, "She is looking out for her sister. She hopes to find a love match. And with you, apparently so forthright in your disdain for such a thing, perhaps Miss Edwina's other suitors plan on choosing words more wisely tonight. Some are reading poetry I hear."

Delilah looked up at the sound of a knock and went to the door to find Anthony waiting, she smiled and got up to welcome him with a kiss. "Hello, darling." She whispered.

"Hello, love." Anthony greeted, circling an arm around her waist and turning to look at Williamson, "Are you coming, Williamson?"

Delilah shook her head, but gave the boy one last look, "There is a lesson for you somewhere, Williamson. I hope that this time you will finally learn it."

— & —

Delilah ended up attending the soiree with Anthony and had the time of her life watching the suitors prance and show off party tricks. Now, Delilah knew last season of all the suitors that chased after Daphne. She had quite a number after herself too. The only problem was Anthony had blocked everyone from getting to both of the girls.

Kate, however, had blocked Williamson and nobody else. It was quite the shock to her when she arrived to see Kate standing to the side while men came and presented a reason as to why they deserved her heart. It was in the utmost of words, rude, in her opinion.