Season's Feather

Chapter Twenty

"Country air indeed clears the mind and invigorates the body. Might this be the final gust that pushes the Lord Aevery over the precipice of a proposal?

"Of course, the luckless souls remaining in town will have to find new diversions in the absence of their most precious of stones."

"Delilah!" Daphne called happily.

"Daphne! Oh, how happy I am to see you." Delilah cheered.

Everyone was gathered at Aubrey Hall. After a rather long journey of nerves between Anthony and Delilah, it soon turned to joy upon seeing the ancestral home. Even if it holds the darkest memories of the couple, it also holds some of the greatest.

Daphne smiled, "Well I would hope so, now let me have this ring that my brother must have forced upon you. I never knew how he had the wits to charm a lady as you."

Delilah laughed and let Daphne gaze over her ring. A shining silver ring with a gem shining a blue that put a sparkle on her eyes.

"I'm so pleased you could make it." Delilah smiled. She then moved forward to the ever growing baby on Daphne's side, "And, I get to see my nephew which makes everything better!"

Daphne laughed, "Of course, I can't let Augie miss out on watching his mother win this family tradition. Second year in a row, might I add."

Delilah looked at Daphne teasingly, "Charming words from a duchess."

"A duchess who is still a Bridgerton," Her friend rebutted.

Francesca turned to their sister sitting on the couch reading a book, "Oh, come and see the baby, Eloise!"

Eloise looked over to her sister, "Why? Has he changed since I saw him last?"

Daphne frowned, "He's grown at least an inch, haven't you?"

Delilah watched in joy as Violet came over and took her grandson from Daphne. She followed Violet as they sat on the floor. Delilah rolled around with Augie outstretched in her arms.

"Quite an improper position for a woman, Delilah." Anthony's voice rang.

Delilah looked over at her fiancee with a smile, "Oh goodness, how terrible of me."

"Why would you ever be so concerned for a child when they cry over everything?" Eloise asks.

"Do not mind your Auntie Eloise." Delilah cooed at Augie, "She's too busy reading to notice anything, as usual."

Eloise groans, "Is it not nap time?"

Delilah smiled, "Yes, perhaps Uncle Colin or Williamson can lull you to sleep with many tales of excursions."

"I seem to be missing the peace and solitude of the Greek Isles already, do you feel the same, Williamson?" Colin asked.

"Oh yes, it seems to be hitting me as a child cries to that of a whale." Williamson laughed.

Delilah frowned, "Someday you will have a whale in your house so do not insult my nephew."

Daphne smiled then looked over at Williamson, "Enjoying your brief respite from the ferocious packs of marriage-minded young ladies, Williamson?"

"Quite the opposite, Your Grace." Williamson smirked, "I have invited one such young lady and her family to join us today."

"Williamson has invited a young lady to Aubrey Hall?" Daphne asked.

"Yes, she is quite lovely." Violet nodded.

"Well, I cannot wait to meet the woman," Daphne smiled, "Tell me, what is she like?"