By the River

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

CHAPTER 17:

The days seemed to fly by fairly quickly and before Dria knew it the time had come for her to go to her husband's home/now her soon to be home. She was nervous and excited at the same time and was quite jittery as she moved around the drawing room while her aunt sat and did her needle point. Her aunt stopped and watched her niece sit down then jump up and pace the room then sit down and pick up her needle work only to jump up and begin pacing again.

"Oh, for goodness sakes Alexandria settle yourself in the chair and calm your nerves. You are making my head spin with all your constant up and down nervous movement. I know how you are feeling but you need to compose yourself and not let your nerves get the better of you." her aunt snapped at Dria as she set her needle point down on the table next to her.

Dria looked over at her aunt and hung her head in shame and sat down and slowly picked up her needle point as she tried to concentrate on her work. After a few minutes she was able to take her mind off the thoughts of moving to a new home with a husband. She sighed and tilted her to the side as she continued to stitch each stitch cautiously so as not to mess it up.

After about twenty minutes of silent working there was a knock on the parlor door. Both women looked up as her aunt bid whoever to enter. John entered the room and introduced Duke Alvarez.

"Duke Alvarez to see you M'ladies."

"Show him in then John, thank you." Cecilia replied.

In stepped Duke Alvarez. He was dressed in dark tan pants that tucked into his neatly polished black hessians. His crisp white shirt tucked neatly under his deep brown coat while his cravat was neatly tied to his dark throat. Dria ran her eyes up and down the duke drinking in his good looks. His eyes moved to her, and she snapped her eyes down as she blushed for being caught checking out her husband whom she hardly knew she reminded herself. She pinched herself and let out a small yelp at how hard she pinched herself.

Two pairs of eyes swiveled to her and raised brows at her sound. She blushed even harder and set her needle work down and rose to greet her husband.

"I seemed to have poked myself with my needle. I do apologize. How good it is to see you, Milord. How was your ride here?" Dria said as she greeted Enrique.

Enrique smiled at his blushing bride and replied, "It was genuinely nice. Today is such a beautiful day for a move we are truly fortunate. How are you doing this morning?"

"Very well. Very well indeed milord. I am incredibly happy to see my new home and get settled. I must admit my nerves seem to be all over the place today due to the change. It's not every day one gets to move in with their husband and leave their family." Dria smiled and rambled as her mind raced.

He smiled and nodded his head and turned to greet her aunt. After the greetings, his aunt invited him to sit and ordered some tea to be brought to them. It was quiet for a few minutes as no one was willing to be the first to break the uncomfortable silence.

"So, tell me milord what do you have planned for today?" Cecilia inquired.

"I believe we shall go home get everything all settled have a small lunch then perhaps if you would care for a rest afterwards you may. Then later once you have risen, we can take a small walk around the property and the garden before dinner. I do not want to overwhelm you on your first day. It is a huge change for sure." replied Enrique as he looked at his aunt then glanced at Dria and smiled.

"Oh yes that sounds perfect. I would love that. Is your home fairly large?" Dria said.

"It is about this size though the garden is much larger. My Madre does love her flowers and is constantly finding fresh flowers to plant and grow. Do you like gardening ladies?" asked Enrique.

"We do. Though my niece has a wonderful green thumb. She loves to sneak off and play in the dirt with the gardeners all the time. Even now she has a beautiful vegetable garden growing near the kitchen we use for dinner." Cecilia nodded her head as she replied.

Dria blushed bright red at her aunt mentioning her guilty little secret. She knew most f society frowned upon ladies dirtying their hands when they had servants who could do it for them, but she did not care, she loved the feeling of the dirt on her hands and the idea she was creating life and beauty. Enrique smiled even larger at her upon hearing about gardening.

He slowly began to form a plan in his head to help her adjust and keep her happy in his home. He had not been able to tell his parents yet of his bride because they had gone off on a little holiday, just the two of them. He knew his mother would love Dria and even more to hear that Dria loved to garden like his mother. He knew his dad would love her as well. He was becoming even more pleased with his bride and the accident that had brought them together.

"Gardening is a wonderful thing and I don't see why everyone can't enjoy it. Class should not matter as my mother always tells me. It is a most soothing and beautiful thing she always says. She is like you and loves being in the dirt with her plants. I think you and my mother will get along marvelously. Not only have you won my sister’s heart, but you love gardening. Plus, she has gotten her wish with me marrying you and she will be thrilled with how it all has turned out." He spoke.

"Have you told your parents of what has happened?" Cecilia asked.

"No, they haven't been home. They went for a holiday to France. I am overly excited for them to meet Dria. they will be extremely pleased and love her." Enrique replied.

Cecilia nodded her head happily as she listened to Enrique. She was pleased with how everything was turning out for her niece. She smiled at her niece as she hung onto every word of the conversation between the two. Dria listened as they talked and chewed on her lip as a little spark of hope began to blossom in her chest at her new chapter.

Enrique stood and mentioned they should be on their way. Dria said her goodbyes to her aunt as did Enrique. They slowly made their way out of the parlor as Dria said goodbye to all the staff as well as her uncle. Her aunt promised to have her brother call upon them once he returned from his quick trip to London. Enrique promised to have them come for dinner in a week's time so as to let Dria become accustomed to her new home and duties.

They soon made their way outside as the cart with all her belongings had already left to take her belongings to her new home. Enrique helped her into the carriage and lifted himself in and settled himself across from her. He crossed his legs as he regarded his wife as she settled herself in her seat as well smoothing out her skirts. She glanced up at her husband and tentatively smiled at him.

"So, are you ready for this my dear?" Enrique asked.

"I am. Though I must admit I am also very frightened of the change. It is something new that I knew I would be doing but, in my mind, it seemed so far away. But here it is. The day has finally arrived, and I must admit I do not know if I am fully ready. Though I doubt any young lady truly is." Dria replied thoughtfully.

Enrique smiled at her honesty and understood why his sister and her were becoming such close friends. His sister had the same refreshing honesty as it seemed his new bride did. He nodded his head in understanding as she spoke. He leaned back more in his chair and folded his hands.

"I can understand that. Change is always hard. Even for us men it can be a huge challenge. But we will get through this together. It will take time I will admit but we can do it. It can be a fun new adventure. What do you say?" He asked.

Dria tilted her head to the side and stared at her husband for a few moments then snapped out of her silent state and smiled a breath-taking smile full of pure happiness.

"That is a fabulous idea, and I would like to join you in this adventure together. That is a wondrous way to look at it. I also appreciate your honesty. Most men would not admit that. So, thank you for that."

"You are most welcome. You will find I am not like most men. I hope you will not mind. Oh, look we are here." he said as the door opened, and they stepped out. Dria took a deep breath and admired the beauty of the home.

The driveway circled past the entrance that was flanked by heavy stone pillars. The gates protecting the home were made of shiny black stone and the mansion made of polished white rock. Marble statues stood tall and mighty by the entrance, and I could not seem to take my eyes from the brilliant details on them. The stone path, like many other homes, led directly to the colossal structure. The mansion loomed proudly behind the gates, flanked by rows of proud trees crowned in green, swaying gently to the slight wind.

All around was a garden made from flowers and plants. At its threshold stood the delicate marble fountain, the soft gurgling of the clear water melodic as it resonated in the surrounding silence. Ivy crawled up on one side and rose bushes and other scented flowers grew around the home’s edge. Intricate stained glass adorned the front windows and the other windows smiled cleanly back at those who admired them.

She turned her head as she slid her arm into his offered elbow. They made their way into the home where a grand staircase to the second floor near the formal entrance stood, and back stairs for the staff to go from the downstairs kitchen to access the upper floors as well. A large chandelier hung proudly from the ceiling overlooking the entrance. The rooms seemed to be well-lit with adorning Persian rugs, and beautiful wood furniture.

When they stepped through the front door it was to see a beautiful couple standing in the entry way with a stunning dark haired brown eyed beauty. They turned at their entrance and the couple smiled. The three stood almost as if they had just arrived themselves for, they still had their traveling clothes on.

"Madre y Padre welcome home. Who is this?" inquired Enrique in confusion.

"Enrique it's so good to see you. It is so good to be home. This is Danielle, your fiancé." his father said.

Enrique's jaw dropped in shock and Dria's stomach dropped as she whipped her head to her husband. She dropped his arm as if she had been burned and stared daggers at him. She felt her world tilt on its axis before it came crashing down around her. She then looked over glaring at the one introduced as his fiancé as she took a step away from him in disgust.