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.

Britpop Informs Goatbeard

Desperate after seeing Elise walk away, I decided to inform Grand Duke Goatbeard about Duke Dottydum’s offer. Naively thinking that telling the Grand Duke would hurry his decision. So I made my way to town and to the Grand Duke’s office.

“Britpop, good to see you. How may I be of service?”

“I have important news. Elise met Duke Dottydum this morning, and the Duke offered to meet with Elise’s father about investing in his shipping business.”

“That is unexpected. I have not yet met Duke Dottydum. The truth of the matter is I have decided to accept Miss Boissonneau’s offer. I am just waiting for the paperwork to be drawn up. I trust you will allow me to inform her?”

“Of course,” I replied.

“How is it that you are informing me of this news and not Miss Boissonneau?”

“I am afraid I overstepped my bounds when I heard the news. I suggested Elise wait until she heard from you before telling her father about Duke Dottydum’s offer.”

“And she didn’t take kindly to that suggestion?”

“She got mad and walked away.”

“Ah. I do wish you hadn’t acted so rashly. You would do well to ask her for forgiveness.”

“I will. She just frustrates me sometimes.”

The Grand Duke laughed.

“That is because you have met your equal. Miss Boissonneau has a will as strong as steel. You will not tame it. You can only accept it and learn to appreciate it.”

“I suppose. I always seem to engage my mouth before my brain. It is nothing but trouble.”

“It is no easy thing, but you will learn control, in time.”

“I hope you are right.”

“I have little doubt.”

“I will trouble you no more, Grand Duke. I need to go to The Portbelly Inn and make my apologies.”

“I wish you well. Good day, Britpop.”

“Good day, Grand Duke.”

Elise will tell this portion of the tale.

Halfway to town, I began to cool down and thought perhaps I had overreacted to Britpop. But I wasn’t going to give him the satisfaction of admitting it. And I certainly wasn’t going to let him control me. Britpop is nothing if not impetuous. I knew this. But if he wanted to mend our friendship, he would need to apologize.

As I reached Kapri and made my way to The Portbelly Inn, I encountered Duke Dottydum, finishing up his lunch outside of a café.

“Miss Boissonneau, what a pleasure. I didn’t expect to see you again so soon.”

“I am afraid I had a falling out with Baron Blastfurnace. I told him of your offer to meet with my father. And he had the nerve to tell me not to inform my father of your offer.”

“How odd. I do hope you can work things out. Good friendships are hard to find, and one should cling to them tightly. Now please sit and have some tea. And tell me all about it.”

“I would love to, but I feel I need to inform Grand Duke Goatbeard of your offer before news reaches him by some other means.”

“That is probably wise. I do hope I haven’t spoiled things for you with my offer. It certainly wasn’t my intention.”

“You did nothing wrong. In fact, your actions were very kind. If you are still here when I return, I will gladly enjoy a cup of tea and some company.”

“I am retired. What else do I have to do?” The Duke said and smiled.

I entered Grand Duke Goatbeard’s office, and before I had a chance to speak, the Grand Duke told me the good news.

“Miss Boissonneau, this is a pleasant surprise. I have news for you. I have decided to accept your business proposal with the stipulation that your father visits Kapri, and we discuss the deal in person. I am having my lawyer draw up the papers as we speak. If your father seeks no changes to the contract, he can sign the papers after our meeting.”

I smiled and said, “That is wonderful. Thank you, Grand Duke. I am sure you will not regret it.”

“I am confident I will not. Did you have something else you wished to speak to me about?”

“It is a moot point now. Duke Dottydum kindly offered to meet with my father as a possible investor if you refused my proposal. But it will not be necessary now.”

“I see no reason The Duke could not invest in your father’s business if he desires to do so. It does not affect my decision or our agreement.”

“You are most understanding, Grand Duke.”

“Nonsense, it is simply business. Your proposal is excellent. I am pleased to accept it.”

“Again, I am most grateful. I will write my father informing him of the agreement.”

“Miss Boissonneau, please forgive my intrusion into your affairs, but Baron Britpop informed me of your falling out. I implore you not to think too poorly of Britpop. He realizes his fault in the matter and is quite remorseful regarding his actions. Britpop behaves rashly at times, but he has a good heart.”

“He is fortunate to have a friend and mentor as caring as you. I will take your words under consideration. Good day, Grand Duke.”

“Good day, Miss Boissonneau.”