“Nothing at all! In most houses you are right, you would change for dinner.”
“But Christopher doesn’t?”
“You need to understand, he has lived on his own for many years. He has gotten use to things being a certain way.”
Veronica frowned. “That might be true, but he doesn’t live alone anymore. This is my home too.”
“Perhaps you should talk to him.”
“Perhaps I will,” she got to her feet. “But first, fetch me the red dress!” Her husband might be used to “a certain way”. However, so was she.
Chapter Ten
Christopher paced the dinning room, a scowl growing on his face. He had been informed she was coming down for dinner.
That was over an hour ago, and she still wasn’t here.
She must be doing this on purpose.
He was beginning to think she had changed her mind when finally the door opened. He turned to look at her, lips parting in surprise at the sight. She was beautiful in a red gown with delicate gold embroidery on the hem and lace on the sleeves.She was decked out in full evening attire. He was sure he had told Daisy to ensure she knew he didn’t dress for dinner and yet here she was. Beautiful, yes—stunning!—but he didn’t understand why she was going to all this trouble.
“Were you not told there was no need to dress for dinner?” he asked, brow knit in confusion.
She just smiled. “I was told you didn’t dress for dinner. I, however, like dressing for dinner and see no reason I should stop just because you don’t feel the need to observe the formality.”
“I hope this doesn’t mean you expect me to start dressing.”
She laughed. “I wouldn’t dream of it. It's your home. I want you to wear what makes you comfortable. And I will do the same.”
“And this,” he motioned to her attire. “Makes you comfortable?”
“Yes, most of my gowns have a touch of something I or one of my sisters added.”
“That’s actually rather sweet. Did you not do the same to your day dresses?”
“We always planned on it, but there was always a more important project to work on.”
“Well, you look–”Lovely. Lively. Like a wild rose in a gray and dying garden.
She smiled at him. “Thank you.”
Christopher looked away, shaking his head. “But I interrupted you. You were saying?”
“I only wanted to ask if I could have you look over a list I made.”
“A list, what kind of list?”
“Nothing major. Just a few things I’d like to do around the estate.”
“I see,” he nodded. Christopher knew he should have seen this coming. “I will look it over soon.”
Before she could reply a servant came and announced that they were to take their seats as the meal was about to be served.
They did just that.
That was when things started to go wrong.
As soon as he picked up his forkVeronica’s eyes seemed to lock on to something. He immediately knew what the next words out of her mouth were going to be.
