I dug my spoon into the custard and took a bite, staring at where he sat across the table from me. He examined a spoonful of his dessert before taking a bite. What was he playing at? Was this new gentlemanly behavior meant to confuse me so he could dupe me later and have a thorough laugh? Or was he truly changed, perhaps by the situation surrounding his missing friend?
My eyes narrowed, and I brought my spoon to my lips once again. This time, I got a mouthful of berries in addition to my custard, and I nearly gagged. Currants. Idespisedcurrants. And Cook was fully aware, as I had spent no shortage of time in my youth complaining about them. Nothing at Kenwick Castle was ever served with the nasty things in it, only as an optional sauce.
I forced myself to swallow. And swallowed again to ensure the food stayed down. Had Cook forgotten my distaste? I could hardly believe it.
One glance about the room was all that was required to find my answer. Russell was staring at me, his grin so wide it filled his entire face.
That devil.
“My, but Cook has outdone herself,” he said, eyes never leaving mine. “Would you all not agree?”
“I would,” Lieutenant Paget replied with a genuinely appreciative tone. “Do offer my thanks to her for indulging me.”
Indulging him? What did he mean?
Russell provided my answer. “After the lieutenant learned just how much Nettylovesanything with currants, he insisted we have them for dessert despite not being overly fond of them himself, which is why his custard is berryless. But I think it a very fine thing to sacrifice one’s preferences for another. Such kindness is so often missing in Society. I’m sure Netty appreciates his efforts.”
I took it back; Rus was not a devil. He was the very essence of evil.
“A shame I am already so full,” I said, setting my spoon down. “I was eager to enjoy it, but alas.”
“You cannot give up such an opportunity.” Russell did a slow job of licking his spoon clean. “After all, winter will soon remove it from us until next year. Besides, we would not want to offend our guest by disregarding his thoughtfulness.”
My jaw dropped, and I swung my gaze to Mother. I would find no ally in her, however, as she speared me with an encouraging look to eat my custard. Highly unfair, given she knew my dislike of currants and that Russell had most likely lied to Lieutenant Paget about it.
Hadn’t he? Or were they in on this together?
Days ago, I would not have put it past the lieutenant to request currant custard in order to aggravate me. Now, I was unsure, especially with the way he stared at me with furrowed brows. And as I stared back at him, his expression slowly morphed with realization. A grin commandeered his features, and I knew in an instant my evening was ruined.
“I would be quite offended,” the lieutenant said. “I would hate to think you refused your favorite dessert simply for the fact that I requested it for you.”
My jaw clenched, and I glared at him. He may not have caught Russell’s lie before, but now that he knew, he intended to play into the scheme of revenge my brother had concocted. It seemed the London Lieutenant had returned at last.
Blast him.
I forced a smile. “As I said, it is rather unfortunate that I am so full and cannot—”
“Annette,” Mother chided under her breath, spearing me with another look. “You can surely manage a small bowl of custard.”
Mother did not wish to offend our guest, and that meant I would eat the custard or face the consequences. I debated whether defying her might be worth it, but there were multiple reasons I needed to act on my best behavior. I intended to speak to Father soon about releasing my dowry, as he promised. Behaving in any way unbecoming of a lady would do me no favors in convincing him.
I must eat the wretched custard.
My nose wrinkled as I peered down at the little berries suspended in the cream. How I hated their tartness and texture.
A light chuckle across the table drew my attention. Russell was clearly enjoying my discomfort, but it was the amusement in Lieutenant Paget’s eyes that prompted me to ignore my revolting stomach and eat my dessert. I would not give him any extra satisfaction in this victory.
Clearing my expression of all disgust, I lifted my spoon to my mouth. At least I could rest easy knowing my own revenge would taste sweet.
Chapter six
Edward
Eachspoonfuloftriflecaused a flicker of disgust to sweep across Annette’s expression. The reaction was so subtle, I never would have noticed had I not been aware of her dislike for currants.
Newly-discovered dislike.
Apsley certainly had not led me to believe his sister was adverse to them when we spotted several bushes with ripe berries on our return from fishing. I should have known better than to believe he would bring up the matter without purpose, and what other purpose could he have than revenge? The man had invited me to join in his scheming the day I arrived. I could hardly be angry that he had pulled me into his plot without warning. He must have assumed I would catch his true meaning in mentioning the berries.
