Her father had accompanied her this time. Anis was still rather upset with them and refused to be anywhere near the duke.

Sage wasn't entirely sure how she felt about her father chaperoning her. Even though Anis clouded her judgement she had a very friendship like relationship with her. With ehr father however it was rather awkward. 

A butler opened the door and led them into the drawing room.

Fennel was happily chatting with his maid Mary. “Oh Sage and Lord Woodherl, what am honour “ he immediately jumped up as his guests arrived. He kissed Sage's hand and bowed to her father. “May I invite you to a cup of tea” both nodded happily. 

“Lord Woodherl, I was hoping to entice you to try our most recent cookie flavour, chocolate chips filled with a chocolate cream. Would you do us the honour?” Fennel grinned as he held out a tray with cookies. 

Lord Woodherl grinned brightly and immediately took one. “But of course your Grace, how could I not.” He carefully took a bite. The flavour and texture were amazing. He very much liked the filling as well. He nodded happily. “Absolutely stunning your Grace, if your other items are nearly as delicious your bakery will be bought empty in mere minutes. Just perfect” he took another cookie and happily nibbled on it.

Sage on the other hand was rather impatient and looked around for the dogs. Her main priority. 

Fennel couldn't help but notice her wandering gaze. “Mary would you be so kind and collect my sweet girls?” Mary nodded and left for a moment.

About 5 minutes later she arrived with two dogs by her side. Two beautiful fox terriers. 

“Ahhhh~” Sage exclaimed happily as her eyes met the dogs. “My they are beautiful” she slowly stood up and walked over to them. After crouching down she held out her hand for them to sniff. 

Lilly seemed little impressed while poppy happily sniffed on Sage's hand. “Woof” she happily barked and cuddled up in her lap. Her tail wagged excitedly. Lilly on the other hand opted for Fennel and immediately jumped in his lap as well. She cuddled up happily and demanded his full attention. 

Sage had to smile gently as she saw how much Lily liked Fennel and how much she trusted him. A truly heart warming sight.

Poppy too demanded attention “woof” she barked again, clearing wanting to be pet. 

“Aren't you a good girl?~” Sage hummed as she petted the dear dog. 

“Sage shall we sit down on the sofa?” Fennel suggested, not wanting her to sit on the floor. He picked Lily up and walked over to the sofa. Sage did the same with Poppy and sat down next to him. “Your dogs are such darling girls, and so beautiful!” Sage exclaimed.

Fennel smiled proudly “aren't they? I even had dresses made for them, whenever I convince them to actually go outside they are all dressed up.” Fennel was truly a girl's father. 

“Oh you must show me them!” Sage insisted. Unfortunately blackberry despised clothing so she never got to dress him up properly. She surely had tried several times without success but a few scratches. 

“Mary would you bring the mint ones?” Fennel asked kindly of her. Mary immediately got up with a bright smile and got them.

After handing them Fennel proceeded to put it on Lily first. She was all happy and cooperative, she truly seemed to be fond of her clothes.

“Oh how marvelous you look” Sage clapped her hands together in excitement. “Such a stunning lady” Lily looked pleased by the compliments she received. Finally she warmed up to Sage and proceeded to crawl into her lap as well. Poppy on the other hand proceeded to crawl to Fennel, to get dressed as well.

“Aren't they charming?” Fennel claimed proudly as both were properly dressed up.

“The most charming indeed” Sage chimed in.

“Do you have many clothes for them?” She asked while petting Lily. 

Fennel nodded. “About 10 for each, though I'm currently having 2 more made. Matching with my new suit. Adorable isn't it?”

Sage could feel her heart melting. “I still have to visit my modiste soon. I'm in the need of new dresses for the season apparently.” She looked to Fennel, letting her gazes cross. He surely had a great taste in fashion. Dark earth colours with stunning details. Just as she liked them. “Perhaps you would like to join me and help pick some new gowns?” 

Fennel blushed slightly, feeling very honoured and overjoyed that she would invite him along. “But of course my darling, what a great honour. I shall gladly accompany you. Does Tuesday in two weeks time sound sufficient?”

Sage nodded “very much so, my ladies' maid Anne will accompany us. She's such a sweet girl. I'm happy to finally introduce you two”

Fennel just smiled kindly at her, he was very excited for their shopping. 

Sage carefully moved Lily onto Fennel's lap and stood up. “would you please excuse me for a moment, I need to refresh myself”

“But of course” Fennel smiled brightly at her with his two girls curled up in his lap.

Mary led her down the hallway to the bathroom. “Excuse my bluntness Miss, but we are so happy our lord finally brought home a lady and such a beautiful and kind one at that.” Sage blushed slightly by Mary's word. “Why thank you..” she mumbled with a smile.

“You see.” Both stood in front of the bathroom but chatted for some more. “Fennel is such a helpless romantic. His library is filled with love stories and oh is that man attentive. When he entered society last season we oh so hoped he would finally find his dream wife. Unfortunately none of the ladies caught his attention. Though I must say I was relieved. I feared he would fall for the next best girl and let some beast take advantage of his gentle nature. Because he's just that” her grin grew into a soft smile. “A soft man. You know I've raised him ever since he was little. I sometimes still see him as that little heartbroken boy. He didn't have it easy yet even though he grew colder and more reserved over the years he always treated us so kindly. He is a great man and I hope he finds his perfect match.” She added with an honest expression “what I've been meaning to say, he is fragile underneath that blunt shell. So please be gentle with him.” Although Mary didn't speak it out loud, Sage could feel a certain threat linger within her words. She just smiled softly at Mary. “I shall be careful with him, worry not” Mary smiled back and with that let Sage into the bathroom. 

Sage was rather surprised to hear Mary had raised Fennel. Though that explained his attentiveness and good character. She always wondered how he stayed so collected when his uncle was truly such a beast. But with Mary and Lisbeth on his side he had been protected to some extent at least. Mary looked rather young. Sage had estimated her to be in her 30s though apparently she was rather in her early 40s.

Sage finished her business and stepped out of the bathroom. Mary had waited for her and led her back to the drawing room.

“That's rather entertaining” Fennel remarked, his gaze immediately wandered to Sage as she entered the room again. “Oh there you are, your father just told me about the time you tried to tame some crows.” He had to chuckle softly.

Sage blushed in deep red “papa!” She called out, steaming. Her father on the other hand couldn't help but laugh. “I know I know” 

After a good laugh all calmed down.

Sage sat down next to Fennel again and continued petting the cute dogs. “They missed you” Fennel whispered whilst her father was busy chatting with Mary. 

Sage had to grin “already? My, they will be heartbroken when I have to leave for home then” she had to chuckle just like Fennel

“How cruel of you to leave your girls behind"  he added with a grin “and man” 

Sage raised her brows but then had to grin herself. “I won't be gone for long my dearest. I shall return whenever you invite me again.”

Fennel looked to her father who was all wrapped up in talking about the bakery with Mary. Reassured about their privacy he leaned in and whispered in her ear. “Oh I wish you would stay here forever” he took her hand into his and squeezed it gently. 

Sage smiled softly at him, somehow today ,especially after Mary's words, she felt rather contempt with her feelings for him. “Who knows, maybe I shall in future” she replied and squeezed his hand back.

Fennel could feel his heart beating faster by her words, hope sparking uncontrollably. 

“Will you let me know when you are ready?” He eventually asked, both hope and anxiety shimmering in his eyes. 

Sage nodded with a kind smile “I will my love”

Fennel sighed but pulled back again, leaving an appropriate distance between them. He longed for her touch but he knew he had to hold back for now.

They chatted for some more until Sage's father eventually stood up. “My bird I'm afraid I have some business to attend to. But we shall meet again very soon yes?” And with that Sage and her father left. 

Mary sat down next to Fennel who still cuddled with his dogs. “You really like that lady, yes?”

Fennel nodded “of curse I do, what an odd question” Mary had to chuckle. “No, the odd thing is that you haven't proposed yet. Within these few weeks we already had numerous engagements. When will you do it?”

Fennel sighed “oh Mary if it was up to me we were already wedding planning. But Sage wishes to wait longer until she truly trusts me, understandably so. But oh how I wish to marry her soon” he sighed again. He wanted to be with her, every day without her seemed wasted and useless.

“Seems you have to work on trust then” Mary gently patted his head. “Worry not, this will come naturally with time and time you have. Even if waiting is painful. Instead try to enjoy the moment you have together, yes?”

Fennel nodded with a smile. “Thank you Mary, I appreciate you alot.