I will take back the telling of the story.
I went to The Portbelly Inn searching for Elise and asked Dominic Keep if he had seen her.
“I am looking for Elise Boissonneau. Has she been in?”
“I have never seen the lass. Her case arrived yesterday, but Andelbert came and took it away. I suppose you are responsible for my lost room fee.”
“Sorry, Dominic. If she comes in, tell her I am looking for her.”
“Am I your errand boy now?”
“Here is a kronenthaler. I really need to find her.”
“If I see her, I’ll tell her.”
“Thank you.”
I left the inn and started walking through town, looking down every street. Eventually, I spotted Elise at the café, sitting with an older man I assumed was Duke Dottydum.
I approached her and quickly said, “Elise, I had no right interfering in your business. I am truly sorry. Please forgive me, and please come back to the estate.”
Elise stared at me, deciding.
“I’ll have Andelbert make more bread,” I added.
“I would miss Andelbert’s bread. And Maria’s company.” Elise replied, and her expression softened a little.
“I promise to keep my opinions to myself.”
Elise laughed and said, “Don’t make promises you can’t keep.”
“I will try.”
“Very well. I shall return after tea. Have you met Duke Dottydum?”
“I have not. I am pleased to meet you, Duke.”
“Duke Dottydum, this is the famous Baron Britpop Blastfurnace. Inventor, pirate, Baron, friend of Kings and Emperors, and troublemaker.” Elise said with a touch of sarcasm in her voice.
“How fascinating. I am delighted to make your acquaintance, Baron,” Dottydum replied. “And I am pleased to see you two have reconciled. Now I have a matter I need to attend to. Will you excuse me?”
“Of course,” I replied.
Duke Dottydum will tell this part of the story.
I felt it was high time I met Grand Duke Goatbeard. When I arrived, his man, Snoffduffle, showed me into the Grand Duke’s office.
“Grand Duke Goatbeard, I am Duke Drury Dottydum.”
“I am pleased to meet you, Duke. I heard of your investment offer from Miss Boissonneau. You should know I have accepted her business proposition.”
“She informed me. I am delighted. I fear I have gotten off to a bad start here in Kapri. The truth of the matter is, I have grown weary of business and only offered to make an investment to help out that sweet, bonny lass. She reminds me of my dear late wife, and I let sentiment overcome my wit. I have no desire to make an enemy in my new home. Perhaps I could make an investment in your shipping company. As a peace offering?”
“I appreciate your offer, Duke, but I have no interest in taking on partners. Other than for the occasional game of chess and snifter of brandy.”
“Those are partnerships I heartily welcome, Grand Duke.”
“Excellent.”