He stiffened as the vision flowered through his mind, the settings so real and breathtaking that he knew he had attended grand balls before.How?Aware of the sudden pounding of his heart, it took him a while to relax.
Anna tugged at his trousers. “Are you going to help us pick flowers for Georgie?”
“Better,” he said, “I am going to cook for her. She should not be in the kitchen today.”
“Cook what?” Sarah gasped, her eyes rounding.
“You tell me of her favorite meal. I am a learned man, and you are brilliant girls. I am certain that among us, we can figure it out.”
They cast him dubious stares, which soon melted into looks of wonder and fierce determination. They followed him inside to the kitchen, where they rummaged through the larder and pantry.
“Georgie specially loves stewed hocks.”
“What is that?”
“Stewed pigs’ feet,” Sarah said, patting her tummy, a dreamy look in her eyes. “It is quite tasty.”
“My wife eats pigs’ feet?” He hoped the horror did not sound in his damn voice.
Feet? Of an animal that sleeps in the mud?
The girls giggled infectiously and nodded.
“Does it actually look like the pig’s feet or is it only the flesh from that part?”
Laughter pealed from Sarah and Daniel ruefully smiled. “Never to worry,” he said with a mock flourish, grabbing up the apron. “We will delight Georgianna this day!”
And it would most certainly not be with pig’s hooves.
…
Almost three hours later, his wife skidded to a halt upon entering the kitchen, her golden eyes widening. “Daniel?” she called his name tentatively, venturing further inside, glaring at the mess they had made. “I overslept! I was aghast to see it was almost four in the afternoon!”
He ran his gaze over her, noting she appeared bright faced and refreshed, a far cry from the deeply exhausted lady of last eve. Georgianna wore a bright yellow dress with its narrow-pleated skirt and long sleeves, which sensually clung to all her curves. Her hair was caught in a loose chignon with artful curls dancing over her cheeks, and even so unadorned, her prettiness glowed.
One day I’ll wrap you in diamonds and silk.
“You needed it, wife. You are beautiful.”
“I…” She smiled and tucked a wisp of hair behind her ear. “Thank you. What is all of this?”
Cooking was rather more involving and challenging than Daniel had allowed, but he was still damn proud of their efforts. He lowered the wooden spoon and padded over to her. Uncaring of their audience, he cupped his wife’s cheek, lifted her face, and lightly brushed his mouth over her lips, then kissed her forehead. “Happy birthday to you, wife.”
“Oh!” she whispered, her eyes gleaming with delight. “How charming you look in my apron, Mr. Stannis.”
“I know,” he murmured. “I am of a mind to wear it alone for you.”
A choked sound came from her, and he smiled.
“We cooked for you, stuffed roast veal with creamy potatoes,” Anna said, skipping over to hug her sister’s thighs. “Happy birthday, Georgie!”
Sarah hastened over and hugged her sister, chirping her greetings.
“Thank you,” his wife said laughingly, the prettiest color blooming on her cheeks.
“Come, see what we cooked.” Sarah held one of her hands while Anna held the other, then they tugged her over to the island where he had just ladled the food on their finest plates.
“You did this?”
