Even though it wasn't even dinnertime when they arrived back home the sun was already setting. Not yet acclimated to the early nighfall of winter Amelia had nearly fallen asleep in the carriageride back, but had willed herself to stay awake as to not waste the moments she had left with Dario before his departure. Although he wouldn't be gone for long goodbyes had always been diffucult for her.
For this reason she was happy to have gotten an entire day to spend with him. She figued that he might feel the same given that he had invited her out so last minute.
Because it had taken much longer than expected for them to find the restaurant earlier that day they'd gotten plenty of time to chat. But after the discussion in the carriage it was as if they both unconsciously steered clear of any heavy topics, not mentioning his travel the coming day again even once.
When they'd finally found the restaurant tucked away far from the other eatery's and with inconspicuous signage Amelias hands and feet had gotten stiff from the cold, but the food had proven to be worth the walk. They'd tried multible small dishes with uniqe flavors, the most notible of which were lamb meatballs served with spicy tomatoesause and a side of a chewy wheat that she'd never tasted before. The meal had wrapped up with a small cup of strongly aromatic coffee and a dessert of puff pastry and pistachios which she must have enjoyed it too flagrantly given that Dario ended up purchasing a box of the dessert and coffeebeans for her to take home.
That wasn't the last thing that he bought her on their trip. Whenever her eyes had lingered for to long in a shop-window that they walked past he'd insist that they go in, and not once had Amelia left emptyhanded.
Five novels, three elaborate silver bookmarks, a set of lace bobbins, silk threads, a stack of needlepoint canvases and a pair of stylish gloves much warmer than those that she'd been wearing; these were the things laying in paper bags by her feet as she linged with Dario in the entrancehall back at the estate.
Although she knew he had plenty work to do she didn't want to part just yet.
"Are you leaving early tomorrow morning? I'd like to see you off if you'd allow it?"
"Never mind that, you should sleep in. We'll be leaving before sunrise and it would be unbecoming of me to have you wake so early. Besides, it will be easier this way."
She understood what he meant without him having to tell her. She imagined it would be much harder for her too if she were to actually see him ride off rather than to just part like this. Nonetheless, she was still disappointed by his answer.
"Very well, I will respect your decision" she smiled weakly.
Dario took her hands in his.
"Amelia..." he said, then trailed off.
"Tomorrow, you should go see Gordon. We've arranged an escort for you to the banquet you'll be attending."
It was clear that this wasn't what he'd truly wanted to say. He had done this multible times today, suddenly stopping himself from telling her something as if he lost his resolve.
"Thank you, that's very thoughtful" she said, then rose to her tiptoes and placed a kiss on his cheek.
"Safe travels."
She could feel her eyes beginning to burn from surpressed tears and readied herself to leave, but Dario pulled her closer to him and kissed her lips. It was different from last night, more restrained and much softer, the perfect kiss for goodbyes. When they eventually parted she held his gaze and stroked his cheek with her fingertips.
"When you come back, will you tell me what you couldn't today" she asked him, and Dario nodded.
"I will."