I shall resume the narration.
I awoke and went downstairs, hoping Elise would be awake and I could join her for breakfast. I checked the dining room, but it was empty. So I made my way to the kitchen. Andelbert and Maria were there, eating, while Amelia was busy preparing my breakfast.
“Good morning,” they all said as I walked in.
“Good morning,” I replied. “Is Elise still sleeping?”
“She rose early and went into town to explore,” Andelbert said.
“That is curious,” I replied.
“I get the impression that she is a curious soul,” Maria said.
“I wish she had told me. I would have accompanied her,” I replied.
“Perhaps that is why she didn’t tell you,” Andelbert said. Then after seeing the sour look on my face, added, “I was only jesting.”
Amelia placed a plate of waffles in front of me and said in a curt, motherly tone, “Eat. Elise will return when she is ready. You will survive until then.”
“Is my infatuation that obvious?” I asked.
“Only to everyone,” Amelia replied.
Maria and Andelbert laughed.
Elise returned shortly before lunchtime. I was walking in the gardens, trying not to seem impatient, when she approached me.
“Good day Britpop. Guess who I met in town?”
“Good day, Elise. It could be anyone. Tell me.”
“Duke Drury Dottydum. At the bakery.”
“Truly?”
“Yes. We both ordered an English muffin. I didn’t want to be rude, so I offered to share a table with him. Plus, I was curious about him after Nora’s gossip.”
I smirked and said, “Nora does love to gossip. So what was the Duke like?”
“Surprisingly talkative. The Duke is a widower with a grown son. He is retiring from the textile industry to Kapri due to the unrest in England.”
“I see you have done a fine job of interviewing the Duke.”
“That is not all. I told him about my business proposition with Grand Duke Goatbeard, and he offered to speak with my father about investing in his shipping business.”
Those words were a mighty blow. If Dottydum invested in Boissonneau Shipping, then Elise’s father would have no reason to accept Goatbeard’s business arrangement. And I would lose my one link to Elise.”
“What? He can’t. If Dottydum invests, your father may not accept Grand Duke Goatbeard’s arrangement.”
“Which he hasn’t agreed to yet. Besides, it’s my father’s decision. Why do you care?” Elsie said, getting irritated.
“The Grand Duke is my friend and mentor. I know he would be a good business partner.”
“Regardless, I owe it to my father to tell him of both offers,”
“Can’t you just wait until you hear back from Grand Duke Goatbeard.”
“I appreciate your hospitality, but that doesn’t give you the right to tell me how to handle my affairs.”
“Are you always this stubborn?” I said and immediately regretted the words.
Elise was seething.
“Are you always this presumptuous? Have Andelbert bring my case to The Portbelly Inn. I will not trouble you with my stubbornness any longer.”
With that, Elise walked away.
I yelled out, “Wait!” But Elise didn’t stop.
Well, THAT escalated quickly! 😳
I feel like there should have been some more direct foreshadowing that Elise does not like being disrespected as a business person. Maybe being a bit huffier with the Duke, then apologizing?