The Blue Dress Sisters

CHAPTER 27: VICTORY OF THE LIBYAN WAR

"You're still behaving like a savage. Stop doing that!" the governess demanded of Delilah, who was upside down against the wall.

Her legs were straight up in the air, her hair trailing toward the floor. The skirt of her dress had fallen over her torso, covering her face, leaving her petticoats exposed.

"It's the only way!" Delilah protested.

"Let her be; she'll never learn," Caterina giggled.

Giacomo, who had been eavesdropping from a distance while playing a solo game of chess, threw in a cutting remark.

"That kind of behavior is learned in orphanages."

Gertrudis came running into the study room where the girls were learning.

"Mr. Vitale says he'd like to see one of the maids," she announced quickly, knowing that the young man was right behind her.

In the next instant, he appeared behind her, catching Delilah off guard and sending her tumbling down onto her backside. Her hair had taken on an upward shape after being upside down for nearly an hour.

"There she is!" Mr. Vitale pointed toward her. "Miss," he stepped forward, offering his hand to help her up, "forgive my boldness, but ever since that incident the other day, I haven't stopped worrying about your well-being. I came to see how you are faring."

Delilah, surprised, hurriedly smoothed her skirt and hair.

"Forgive me, Mr. Vitale. It's not what it looks like," she stammered. "I've been practicing etiquette, but balancing a book on my head is extremely hard for me. So, I thought this position would help flatten my head. My theory is that—"

Mr. Vitale's amused laugh interrupted her.

"Forgive me for laughing; I'm not mocking you, I swear," he replied, hiding a smile. "You're just quite inventive. Don't worry, I haven't seen anything inappropriate." He glanced at her with curiosity. "Is this from your fall from the horse?" he asked, gesturing to the marks on her knuckles and arms.

"Oh, no," she shook her head quickly. "It's just that I was punished for my actions."

"For riding Tyrant?"

"Mr. Vitale," Caterina interjected before Delilah could respond, "it's quite rude of you not to greet my brother and me."

The red-haired young man turned to her, amusement playing across his face.

"Quite right. I've been very rude. Cousin, cousin." He nodded to them both. "I didn't mean to interrupt whatever you were doing."

Giacomo stood and walked over to him, crossing his arms as soon as they were face-to-face.

"You're very interested in Delilah, aren't you?"

Mr. Vitale smiled.

"So that's your name." He glanced at the disheveled, brown-haired young lady. "It's a pleasure to meet you." Then he turned back to Giacomo. "Don't get the wrong idea, cousin. I was simply concerned about her health after that dreadful incident. Still, there's something that piques my curiosity..." He looked around. "Since when do you educate your maids?"

"That's none of your business," his cousin warned him.

"Of course not," agreed the red-haired young man. "But... What family do you come from, Miss? What's your surname?"

"This one," Delilah answered quickly. "I'm Delilah Nontigiova."

The gentleman looked puzzled, narrowing his eyes as if trying to place the name.