married. I don’t know what I’d do without her. Perhaps we shall take her with us on our travels. Imagine the wonderful dishes she could learn to make on such a trip.”
“Indeed,” Rupert said. “And I shall volunteer myself to test out every one of them when she returns. But in all seriousness, if you are ever to go anywhere outside of England, it ought to be to Italy.”
He turned to Dahlia. “Their fabrics are quite splendid, too. The Italian velvets are magnificent, not only for their softness, shimmer, and warmth, but in the way the colors hold to them. The reds, blues, greens, all appear deeper and richer. The cloths themselves are made by hand by artisans in Florence and Verona. They weave on the same looms used back in the time of the Renaissance.”
Dahlia was listening intently, drawn in by her uncle’s discussion.
“The silks from China are also quite exquisite. Did you know the mulberry tree–”
Hortensia groaned. “Rupert, you will put us all to sleep if you do not stop talking right now. I’ve heard your lecture on the origins of silk a thousand times and do not wish to hear it again.”
But Ronan could see that Dahlia’s eyes were alight for the first time since his arrival. It was a bit of a blow to know that she found fabrics more fascinating than him. However, this was entirely the point of their reading that book together, wasn’t it?
She had to learn to trust in love again.
Dahlia set down her fork and turned to her uncle. “Uncle Rupert, I would be interested in learning more. Perhaps we can chat later if that is all right with you.”
“My dear,” Hortensia intoned. “Do not encourage him. Once you get him started, he will never stop talking.”
Ronan saw this as an opportunity to further engage Dahlia in conversation. “Have you had any formal training in art? You did quite a professional job decorating Holly and Joshua’s house. How did you manage it?”
Ah, now she was smiling and radiant.
“No formal training, but I think I have an eye for putting colors together.”
He nodded. “You do.”
Hortensia was not impressed. “Forgive me, Captain Brayden. But you are hardly one to judge. You wear the same uniform day in and day out. One color. Blue.”
Gad, she could be a dragon. Did she not see how happy Dahlia was? Why dash her hopes? “I am not in the habit of looking at what I wear. But I do enjoy looking at the ladies, and I know what pleases me.”
Well, perhaps that was not the impression he meant to give. He was no leering hound. He merely looked, as anyone else would, and this was all he did when around innocent young women. As for those not so innocent...he cleared his throat. There would be no more of that from now on. “The point is, my eye is always drawn to Dahlia. She always looks lovely. Elegant. Never garish or overdressed. Yet, always noticed. There is an art to it, is there not?”
“There is.” Heather nodded enthusiastically. “I always ask her advice on what I should wear. She knows how to put things together beautifully.”
Dahlia blushed. “Heather, you are my sister. You have to be kind.”
“And what of me?” Ronan asked. “I think I qualify as an impartial third party. It isn’t mere flattery. It is a statement of fact. You have a talent for this.”
Violet agreed. “Romulus and I have done little with our house. It is very much the way he first bought it from General Allworthy. I would have to speak to him about this, of course. But if he will allow me to make some changes, I would love your help, Dahlia.”
“Any time, Violet. It would be my pleasure.”
Ronan did not remain long after supper, but he was pleased and thought his visit went surprisingly well. Dahlia was smiling and chatting throughout, and obviously in better spirits. Of course, Rupert and his discussion of Italy and fabrics deserved the credit for that. The possibility of also helping Violet decorate her home put a sparkle in her eyes.
It was a good first step.
Dahlia walked him to the front door and remained beside him while Pruitt went to fetch his cloak. “Thank you, Ronan. I think I was a beast to Violet and my sister all day. I don’t know how they put up with me. But your visit cheered us all. I promise to be much nicer company for you and them from now