Chapter 12

Dante: Well, this is it.

I looked around the office, noticing the quaintness of it first.

Kitty: I was expecting something....bigger?

Dante: Good to know.

Kitty: Shut up.

Dante: I have no need for extra space. I hate spending time here anyway.

Kitty: Why?

Dante: Would you want to stay cramped in am office over papers all day?

Kitty: I mean, I enjoy writing.

Dante: I know that, Miss Hawthorne, but this isn't exactly writing for enjoyment. It's responsibility. But enough of that, how was your walk with Delilah?

Kitty: It was nice. We visited Farmer Albert and his family.

I watched as Dante's face paled slightly, before he started tapping his fingers on his leg.

Dante: Oh. And how are they doing?

Kitty: Good, I think.

I stood before him as I moved my body nervously. Did I let him know I knew?

Dante: Alright, what is it?

Kitty: What is what?

Dante: Don't play dumb, Katherine. You've been acting strange since you returned. And you've barely insulted me.

Kitty: I know about the fire

Dante: So do plenty of people, Kitty. Would you like a medal?

Kitty: I'm so sorry.

Dante: What are you apologizing for? Did you start the fire?

Kitty: N-no, but I cant... I cant even imagine...

Dante: Then don't. I wouldn't have a bad thought in your head if I could help it.

Kitty: You don't control my head, Lord Radcliffe.

Dante: Well aware, Miss Hawthorne.

Kitty: I was expecting more excitement in the office of a duke.

Dante: Were you now? We could make it more exciting.

I saw his eyes darken some as he took a step closer.

Kitty: D-Dante...

I stammered his name as I looked into his eyes.

Dante: Would you like to stay here? I have work to do, but I figured you could write in peace for a few hours.

Kitty: I...I wasn't expecting this conversation to go this direction.

Dante: Trust me if I thought you wouldn't stab me, it wouldn't be.

Kitty: I'd....I'd love to write in here....

Dante: Great!

Ten minutes later, I was well writing the words of a story while Dante was scribbling things out as his desk.

Dante: How's the writing coming along?

Kitty: It would be better if you'd have let me get more than ten minutes of work done.

Dante: Right.

Kitty: What are you working on?

Dante: Letter, payments, the like.

Kitty: Is it hard being a duke?

Dante: Well, it's not all parties and women. I'll tell you that. It's a great responsibility.

Kitty: Do you take it seriously?

Dante: I think I have to. My father did, and I'd be a poor son if I let his legacy die.

Kitty: Did you want to be duke?

Dante: There wasn't a choice, Kitty. That's how dukedoms work. I mean I suppose I could have given it up, but my uncle doesn't deserve the title. I mean, I don't, but he really doesn't.

Kitty: The uncle that helped you after your parents passed?

Dante: The very same.

Kitty: I didn't know the two of you didn't get along.

Dante: I love him well enough, he's family. But I always felt like he wanted me out of the way...I was probably just paranoid after my parents' passing.

Kitty: Why didn't you talk about your parents' death?

Dante: What good would it have done? It's not like talking about them will bring them back.

Kitty: No, but it might help..... You've....You've looked sad the last few days.

I said the words slowly and carefully as I scratched my arm nervously. Why did I even care?

Dante: I am sad, Kitty. I'm sorry I'm not in a better mood.

Kitty: When is the anniversary?

Dante: The day after tomorrow. Why?

Kitty: I...I would like to spend the day with you then.

I wasn't quite sure why I was doing it. Maybe it was because I felt sorry for him. Maybe it was because he had been so quick to come to my aid the night before.

Dante: I would love that.

Kitty: Really?

Dante: Yes. We could...I mean if it's nice we could even have a picnic.

Kitty: That sounds lovely. My parents hate picnics.

Dante: What?! That's a travesty!

Kitty: They aren't fans of nature.

Dante: That wont do. We're definitely having a picnic now.

Kitty: So passionate.

Dante: Just wanting to make you happy.

After spending the rest of the afternoon in Dante's office writing i ventured back up to the bedroom I was staying in for a quick nap. The day hadn't exactly been tiring, but learning such terrible new things had worn me out. A nap is really in order. Then a knock was placed on my door. Who could that be?

Kitty: Come in!

In walked Delilah, she curtsied before saying.

Delilah: Hello, again!

Kitty: Oh, hello.

Delilah: I hope I'm not interrupting anything, I merely came up to see if you'd like to come down and have tea with me?

But my nap..

Delilah: I mean, truly I wouldn't take no for an answer!

She dragged me to the tea room.

Delilah: Would you like a biscuit, Miss Hawthorne?

Kitty: I would love one, Lady Delilah.

Delilah: Here.

She pushed the plate closer to me so I could grab a biscuit.

Delilah: I saw you coming from my brothers office. Is he still alive? Or should I worry about hiding a body?

Kitty: Barely.

Delilah: Thank you for coming to the farm with me today. I don't go there barely as much as I should.

Kitty: It was my pleasure. They seem like a nice family. I'm glad we went to see them.

Delilah: Oh, they are! They're wonderful. For a while they were the only ones Dante and I would really talk to. I mean other than uncle of course. But he was always so serious.

Kitty: Did you enjoy your uncle being around?

Delilah: Oh, he's family, so it was nice having him around. But I'm afraid he and Dante rarely got along.

Kitty: Oh?

I shifted in my seat a bit as she talked, not wanting to appear too nosy. I had to admit to some curiosity though. why hadn't the two of them gotten along?

Delilah: I think it was mostly just the result of Dante being young and stubborn. Not that much has changed on that front. But Dante was far worse than he is now. He's mellowed out a lot. But enough of those things, you must tell me how you've found the estate so far.