Delaney's eyes widened in sudden excitement. She quickly set her own teacup down on the iron table. She stood up from her wicker chair, her heart beating fast.
"Bring it here, please," Delaney instructed the servants, pointing to an empty, clean space on the balcony floor.
The two footmen carefully carried the heavy trunk over. They set it down gently on the stone floor, making sure not to bump the edges. They bowed respectfully.
"Will that be all, my lady?" Mr. Benry asked.
"Yes, thank you, Mr. Benry," Delaney smiled. "That will be all for now."
The butler bowed once more. He signaled for the footmen to follow him. They all walked back inside the house, closing the glass doors quietly behind them to give the ladies absolute privacy.
Delaney was incredibly happy. She walked over to the wooden trunk. She kneeled down carefully on the stone floor. The wood of the trunk was old, dark, and polished, secured with heavy brass clasps.
