The Baron and his Lady

Fifty-four: Dream

Meanwhile in Richmond

Patrick's mansion

Lucian was writing down the things needed for the manor. Ever since he was given the task to oversee the repairs and construction of the outer buildings, he had been so occupied. He just received a letter from his repair man who asked when he was coming back so he could see the development of their project. But he had no idea. He might consult Tristane and see if he could continue the rituals from there.

He pulled out a clean sheet and started writing a correspondence for Albert, the head repair man. They could have just called each other but Lucian insisted they wrote letters. The repair man was scratching his head when he told him this but he reluctantly obliged. Lucian told him that he may be traveling and could only receive their missives through Patrick's address. Though the men could have just asked for the owner's number, they all agreed with Lucian.

They all looked up to him. Considering that they have been jobless for awhile but he came along and asked them to work for him. Something in the way he said things formally or rather in an odd way for them, had drawn them towards his personality. He was a good leader and the girls in town started flocking around them after they saw their employer. Life was getting better in Penthurst Manor.

After penning the response Lucian took short respite. He was pouring himself a drink when Patrick came bustling in.

"Ah, Gale my good man." He said. "I hope I didn't disturb you?"

Lucian shook his head. "This is your study, I am merely borrowing it."

Patrick smiled. "I'm not here most of the time anyway. I just need a few papers in here." He said and went to his desk. He was shuffling through papers when Lucian came and gave him a glass. "Thanks. I could use a drink."

They shared a comfortable silence downing their brandy.

"I better get back to work." Patrick said. "Or Dina will kill me."

"May I help?"

"Sure. I..I'm not very good at this thing myself and Dina insisted we do it personally. You'd think with all the money we have we could easily hire someone else to do it. But no! She wanted the best of the best." He straightened out and pulled a leather bound journal. "Found it."

Lucian gathered the glasses and set them aside. "What do you need help with?"

"Uh, just a second Gale. I need to find the exact date first," his hands went through the pages and found a folded piece, "I knew it. I was right!"

"What? What is it?"

Patrick's eyes were shimmering, "My daughter's birthday."
***

Lucian was silent. Krista's birthday? He had no idea when she was turning of age. He only knew she was seventeen. Or had he neglected that important detail about her since he was convinced that the ripple had manipulated his feelings. Anyways, he was curious.

"You are preparing a ball for Krista, I presume?" He asked.

"A ball? That's a little bit too much I guess. Considering she didn't have a lot of friends..." Patrick's eyes went huge, his hands landed on Lucian's shoulders. "Gale, you are a genius!"

As much as he hated this newly given name he tried to adjust. He can no longer be Galbraith or Lucian. He was a new man. But perhaps, he should think of another name. 'Gale' did not ring nicely to him.

"I would love to help, Patrick. I assume we have ample to time to prepare?"

"Oh, of course!" He was frantically moving papers from here and there. "I am feeling so excited. This would be the first time I am preparing her birthday and I want to make it very special."