The next day, their carriage pulled into the grand estate, a familiar and now welcoming sight for Delia. She and Eric had spent the whole morning shopping for thoughtful gifts for his family, a simple, happy activity that felt wonderfully normal. As the servants hurried out to take Eric's coat and Delia's hat, he asked one of the maids a simple question.
"Where is my mother?"
The maid curtsied respectfully. "She is in the main drawing room, Your Grace," she replied. "She is with the Dowager Duchess. And… there is a visitor there with them as well."
Eric frowned his brow slightly. "A visitor? Who could it be?"
"What about Amber?" He asked.
The maid replied respectfully " She's out socializing, Your Grace."
Eric nodded his head.
The maids took the beautifully wrapped gifts that they had brought, and the couple went to the drawing room. Eric held Delia's hand, her hands wrapped around his arm. But as they stepped into the grand, sunlit room, they both froze in their tracks.
