Season's Feather

Chapter Sixty-One

"The invitations are ready to be delivered, Lady Silvester."

Delilah nodded at the house-maid with a smile before running into the study where Anthony was lounging in a chair before the desk. She greeted him with a kiss on the cheek before running around and studying the different papers.

"Caught up, love?" Anthony asked.

Delilah looked at him with a smile, "Unfortunately."

"Who is to be in attendance?"

"The duchess can't. Mother duties she cannot skip. Augie has a cold, my poor nephew. So far only Lady Danbury with the Sharmas, and the Bridgertons."

Anthony got up from his chair and walked around. His warm hands come to rub against Delilah's tense shoulders and neck. She hummed lightly letting herself lean back into his touch. Anthony smiled as the tension left her body slowly.

"Just this and wedding planning."

"Wedding planning?" Anthony quipped, "Why do we need a wedding, why don't we just get eloped?"

"Eloped!" Delilah laughed.

"Yes, dear, we can be married and then never spend another moment apart."

Delilah laughed at Anthony, "As tempting as that sounds, I have waited too long to merely get eloped. And with everything going on between Williamson and the Sharmas..."

Anthony groaned and leaned down to kiss her before drawing away, "I hate him."

Delilah tapped the pout that formed on his lips, "You don't hate him. And you can't hate him. We have to keep a sense of unity or else everything will be in the frays."

"Let us take care of you," Anthony whispered, "Let me take care of you."

A small snicker sounded outside the door. Anthony raised a curious eye at Delilah before opening the door to Felicity and Thomas. Delilah gave them both playful glares but it was the two teenagers who were the first to speak up.

"It was her idea!" Thomas yelled.

"Thomas!" Felicity gaped, "How dare you fib about your own sister! I would never eavesdrop on my favorite couple for the purposes of wanting to know how my future husband should treat me. But, I do know for certain that I would never want to be managing bills. Delilah, is that why we can never have tea in the garden?"

Thomas glared at his sister, "Felicity-"

"It's okay Thomas," Delilah laughed, "I'm used to it."

Anthony looked at the young blonde, "Delilah has managed the house since her father died. She hasn't let me completely take over yet. But, when we are married, she will do no more work."

Delilah looked up at him with a smile. She heard Felicity sigh in front of them.

"I hope to see you both dance at the ball. No matter how much of a dull plan it may be." Felicity let her drop into a daydream.

"We must work together and impress the guests, apparently everyone needs that reminder." Delilah muttered.

Thomas nodded, "If we get enough support, the queen may forget about all the wedding business."

Anthony leaned down to give Delilah a peck on the cheek before pulling her out of the chair, "Well until then, I think we should all go enjoy tea with Felicity and forget about all this drab pile of bills."

Felicity jerked at that, "Are we having tea! Oh, Delilah I simply must confide in you about Lady Whistledown in comparison to all I have heard. She is a wonderful writer. I wonder if we could be friends. A woman with so much influence in simple techniques, oh she is such an inspiration!"