“Hungry?” she asked.
He met her laughing gaze. “Starved.”
“Excellent timing, Tremaine. His Grace and I will take our luncheon in the dining room.”
The butler bowed. “Very good, ma’am.”
Wade offered her his arm, and she placed her hand upon his sleeve. He led her up the curving stairs to the gallery beyond. She’d not yet ventured to the dining room, ballroom, and other public rooms of the house. He hadn’t wanted to overwhelm her on her first day, but this was her home as much as his.
Wade ushered Cassandra through the open double doors. The long, rectangular space overlooked the river. Sunlight glittered off the twin chandeliers overhead. Though he preferred the room by day, by night, it became a spectacular place for entertaining.
She turned to take it all in. Her eyes flitted from corner to corner, never missing a single detail. She took stock of the Qianlong urns, the framed self-portrait of Artemisia Gentileschi in pride of place over the marble mantel, the plate and crystal, and candelabra standing at the ready. Trailing hems caressed the Aubusson carpet under her feet as she moved toward the table.
“It’s not yellow,” she remarked.
“I left three rooms unchanged when I came into my majority—your room, my room, and this room.” Wade gestured to the blue flock panels that graced the walls, explaining, “Thispapier peintwas saved from France during the Revolution. What modern craftsman could improve on that daring design?”
She moved to inspect it. “You were right to keep it, Wade. It is exquisite.”
“I am glad you like it. This room is something of a showpiece. I typically take my meals in the smaller room next-door.”
“Oh. Would you rather—”
He put up his hands to silence her. “For six years, this has been a bachelor’s residence. It made sense to dine simply. Now that I have you, I don’t want to live in little rooms. We deserve the full experience, don’t you think?”
Cassandra smiled and nodded, for it was time to pull down the Holland cloth and break out theSèvresservice. There would be no more eating off a tray in his bedchamber or tucking into tea while scribbling letters to his stewards.
Tremaine appeared from behind a screen flanked by two liveried footmen. One young man hastened to pull Cassandra’s seat out. She settled her skirts on the silk cushion, and then he pushed it in for her.
Wade took his own seat at the head of the long, polished dining table. It had been ages since he’d hosted a meal, or a party, or even a guest. A dozen empty chairs would have magnified his loneliness, yet the pretty lady at his right filled his heart with laughter and cheer enough for twenty people.
He grinned at her as footmen served white fish and prawns in a rich cream sauce, topped by a thick layer of potato mash. The good people of Cornwall loved their salt pilchard and smoked mackerel, and his kitchen staff was no different.
Wade couldn’t recall any seafood on the menu at the White Lion. He wondered if—to a Derbyshire girl—fish pie was adventurous cuisine. She might not have the stomach for it.
Cassandra poked at her plate with her fork. Doubtless, his servants intended to test her mettle.
“No pork pie, I’m afraid,” he said, digging into his own dish. While his diet had been overseen by the estate’s trustees as a child, they had not begrudged the young duke fresh fish caught from his own waters. He’d grown up hale and hardy on the stuff.
She took a bite, chewed, and then swallowed. “It’s rather flavorful. The sauce is excellent.”
He smiled. “My Cornish cook passes your inspection, then?”
“Let me put it this way…” she said, pausing to take another mouthful. “I shan’t miss spending my days in the kitchen with cuisine like this.Mmm!It is delicious.”
“You’ll have to take up another hobby.”
She laughed. “Shell-gathering. Cliffside walks… Bathing.”
“There aren’t any trees to climb here, buttercup. You must strip down to your drawers right alongside me.”
Wade swore Tremaine’s eyes nearly bulged from his head as he stooped to refill a glass. Cassandra blushed at the mention of her girlhood antics—and the old butler’s reaction—but she was a good sport. She could tease, flirt, and shock, as well.
“We’ll take the plunge together,” she said.
The three stunned servants disappeared behind the screen and left them to their meal. There was mischief in her blue eyes as she watched the trio retreat. She wouldn’t be shamed for the life she’d chosen.
Wade couldn’t be prouder. He lifted his glass in salute. “To taking the plunge.”
