Dating the Duke (The Aristocrat Diaries 2)

“You’ll hear no argument from me,” Elizabeth said. “But that doesn’t mean I’m going to give up. The ladies and I are on a warpath. The teenagers here need something to do before they get bored and trash the place. That youth club is only good for so long.”

“Yes, well, if I didn’t have this meeting this afternoon, I would be joining you.” Alexander stood and kissed her cheek.

“Perhaps a letter from you may help our cause. I’ll speak with Margaret and see what she thinks.” She returned the gesture before bidding me goodbye and disappearing through the door.

I peered after her. “I have heard her go on and on about this skate park and I still haven’t the foggiest idea about what’s going on.”

Alex chuckled as he sat back down. “The playground in the park was renovated around eighteen months ago. The old area has been cleared, but nobody knows what to do with it, so it was put to a community vote. The council wanted a café put there for revenue purposes.”

“Of course.”

“But the community wanted something for the children, specifically the teenagers. The youth club at the church suggested a skate park or, what was it?” He tapped a finger against his stubbled chin. “I can’t remember. Either way, the skate park was the most popular option, but the council are vehemently against it.”

“Because they can’t sell the land to someone,” I guessed.

“Exactly. Someone floated the idea of buying it to build a skate park, but it was made quite clear that they wouldn’t give planning permission.” He sighed. “I try not to get involved in things like this, but I’m afraid Ma is right. After the teens hit fourteen, there’s no place for them at the youth club. It runs from six to ten and eleven to fourteen. The older teenagers are the ones we find get into trouble, minor legal issues and the like. If there was a skate park or something similar, it would give them something to do.”

“Why not get involved? Henry does,” I said, referring to his uncle and my best friend’s father, the Duke of Bath.

Another sigh. “I’m much younger than Uncle Henry. I don’t quite have the same standing in the community, and if I were to walk into a meeting and make my position known and have the council bend to my will, I fear it would set a dangerous precedent. Knowing the people in the village, I would be called upon for every minor dispute.” He shook his head. “No. I’ll write a letter expressing my agreement with the skate park, but it shouldn’t be made public.”

“Makes sense.”

“Would you like another cup of tea? I’m just waiting for Olympia to get up, then I’ll be leaving.”

“Oh, yes, please. If you don’t mind.”

“Not at all.”

“I’ll get that, sir.” Boris the butler shuffled in with Olympia hot on his heels. “I found this one playing with the baby bunnies.”

Olympia grinned. “Sorry. I got distracted.”

“All the way across the house and halfway across the garden?” Alex’s eyebrows raised, but he smiled. “I’m sure you did. Have you had breakfast yet?”

“No.” She skipped over, still in her pyjamas, and sat opposite us. “What’s for breakfast?”

“Cereal or toast,” Alex replied. “You’re here late, and Mrs. Bell has already left for the morning to see to the café.”

She pouted. “I thought she was here all morning today.”

“No. Maybe you shouldn’t get distracted.”

“I guess I’ll have to have dippy eggs tomorrow.” Olympia sighed and rested her chin on her hand.

I tried not to smile. “I don’t mind making her dippy eggs if she wants them.”

Her face brightened.

Alex turned to me. “Thank you, but no. She has an alarm set and she knows to wake up with it and come down if she would like Mrs. Bell to make her some breakfast. Otherwise, it’s cereal or toast, both of which she’s capable of getting herself. Or, at the very least, that Boris may rescue for her when she sets the toaster wrong.”

Olympia’s face dropped once again, and I pretended not to hear Boris chuckling to himself.

Alex finished his cup of tea. “Right, I should get going.” He put his hands on his thighs and stood to walk around the table to Olympia. He took her face in his hands, bending down, and said, “No more distractions, all right?”

“Yes, Papa.”

“You do as Adelaide asks, and then same for Mrs. Berry. Understood?”

She nodded. “Can I see the baby bunnies after?”

“If you do all your tutoring and tidy your bedroom, I’m sure Peter won’t mind if you hang out in the barn for a little while. But you must do as you’re asked first.”

“Okay.” She reached out and hugged him tightly, and he reciprocated, kissing her on top of her head. “Bye, Papa.”

“Bye, baby. Please be good.”

“I’m always good.”

I hid a smile behind my cup of tea.