Charles immediately rose and walked across the room where he took her outstretched hands and kissed the back of them. He drew her closer to him and, taking one hand, he tipped her head up and kissed her. Gently at first but demanding as they continued.
“You look exquisite,” he said when their lips parted.
“Am I overdressed?”
“Not at all. Let me see if dinner is ready.”
“Wouldn’t they come and announce that it’s ready?”
“Yes, ordinarily they would, but if we continue what we just did, there will be no dinner.”
She giggled. A sound he would never tire of. “Then you had better check because I’m quite ravenous.”
“I’ll be back momentarily.”
Finding a footman approaching him as he closed the drawing room door, the young man informed him dinner would be ready momentarily. He took that as good. Returning to the drawing room, he found Cathryn sitting in a chair near the hearth. Their eyes locked as she looked up at him as he neared.
“Dinner is served, madam,” he announced. Extending a hand, he helped her rise from her chair.
“Excellent,” she replied, placing her hand in his and letting him lead the way.
Two place settings were at the end of the long, mahogany dining room. A crystal vase, filled with fresh flowers, greeted them midway down the table. Charles stood and waited for Cathryn to sit before he did. A footman poured them each a glass of red wine as the crab bisque soup was served with bread.
“This is lovely,” Cathryn said, picking up her spoon. She delicately tasted the liquid, closing her eyes as the taste invaded her senses.
“I don’t think I’ve ever had this before.”
The main course of Scottish salmon followed. It was served with a dill sauce and asparagus spears. Charles had asked that a nice dinner be served for their first official night in the house, but he wasn’t expecting this. This would have taken longer prep time to gather the items. This had all the makings of Daphne or Roxanne taking charge. He may not know them well yet, but he knew of their kindness and support.
Dessert was a marmalade cake followed by a cheese plate. The cake was fresh and moist. The variety of cheeses impressed him. There were four different types and two he’d never had. He tried them.
“I almost think I like the cheese more than the cake,” Cathryn said. “I don’t have a huge sweet tooth.”
“Both were good. Do you know what these two cheeses are? I’ve never had them before.”
Cathryn stared at the plate for a moment. “There is a Dutch gouda, and the other is an Italian, though I don’t recall what it’s called.”
He reached and grabbed a piece of gouda and popped it into his mouth. “This is quite good.”
“I thought you would like it.”
Finishing the cheese, he picked up his glass and finished his wine. “Why don’t we head upstairs?”
She nodded, not knowing the meaning behind his words. “I think that’s a splendid idea. I’m exhausted from the past few days.”
Charles leaned over in her direction. “Who said anything about sleeping? That’ll come later.”
Realizing what he meant by his remark, Cathryn’s face turned a deep shade of red. He wanted to laugh, but knew it was best if he didn’t. He didn’t want to embarrass her any more than she already was.
Pushing her chair back, Cathryn rose to her feet. She stopped at her husband’s chair where he remained seated.
“Come.”
Standing to his full height, Charles followed her out of the dining room and up the stairs. Both were quiet, but words weren’t needed at the moment. As they stood in front of the door to his suite, she squeezed his hand. He reached for the door handle and pushed in. The sitting room was warm from the fire in the hearth, the lights were dimmed, and a bottle of champagne sat in a bucket on a table along with two glasses.
He watched her as she walked around the room before choosing a dark-green couch to sit on. It was close enough to the fire to ward off any chill. “Why don’t you pour us a glass?”
“I was just about to do that,” he replied. He carefully opened the bottle, not wanting the cork to go shooting across the room. He poured them each a glass and walked to her. Handing her a glass, Charles sat down next to her.
