“Cheers to that.” She took a sip, approving of the crisp, dry bubbles. “This is a fine vintage.”
“Let’s hope the rest of the meal lives up.”
He unloaded the basket, and her eyes rounded as he uncovered the elegant dishes. The assortment included jelliedpâtéflecked with truffles, scallops nested in pastry, buttered asparagus, sliced potatoes baked in cream with a crispy crust, and breaded lamb cutlets accompanied by a vegetable-studded sauce. Her stomach rumbled at the tantalizing smells.
“Your chef made all this?” she marveled.
“Hell, no. Mrs. Halberd can’t fry an egg without scorching it.” Cull served herpâté, along with a slice of crusty bread. “This is from the Reform Club.”
Pippa lifted her brows. Situated on Pall Mall, the Reform Club was an exclusive gentleman’s club and catered mostly to progressive members of Parliament. Theirchef de cuisinewas famous for his innovative kitchen.
“You’re a member?” She sampled the paste of liver and spices, savoring its earthy creaminess.
“No.” Slatheringpâtéonto a slice of bread, Cull ate it with gusto. “But I’m owed a favor by someone who is.”
“You didn’t have to go to the trouble—”
“You said that already. And you’re worth the effort.”
His sincerity made her heart stutter like a debutante’s. Flustered, she reached for her champagne and took a sip.
“Besides,” he said, “I can’t say I mind a respite from Mrs. Halberd’s cuisine.”
“If she’s such a terrible cook, why don’t you dismiss her?”
“One doesn’t dismiss Mrs. Halberd.” Cull glanced around as if he were worried that the cook might materialize out of thin air. “She is older than the hills and has been with the mudlarks since before I joined. Since before I wasalive.”
“And you, the mighty prince, are afraid of her?” The notion amused and charmed Pippa in equal measure.
“I’m not afraid.” He served her one of the seafoodvols-au-vent. “I’m terrified.”
Laughing, Pippa sampled the dish and nearly swooned at the delicious flavors. The pairing of the sweet, succulent scallops, flaky pastry, and creamy sauce was exquisite. They ate in companionable silence. Cull polished off two lamb cutlets, mopping up the tangy sauce with more bread. His unabashed enjoyment of his food reminded her of Garrett and Hugh.
Cull quirked an eyebrow. “Why are you smiling?”
“Your appetite reminds me of my brothers,” she said candidly.
He grunted, helping himself to a heaping serving of potatoes. “When I met them years ago, they were young and rowdy lads. What are they like now?”
“Older and rowdier,” she said fondly.
He was silent for a moment, as if choosing his response with care. “Have you seen them of late? Your brothers and your family?” When she didn’t reply, he said, “I don’t mean to pry—”
“No, it’s fine.” She meant it.
Truth be told, it felt good to discuss ordinary things. To have a lover interested in her life and inner workings.
“My mama stopped by last night,” she said.
He waited.
“The visit went well,” she elaborated. “We talked…in a way we hadn’t for a long while. And I realized that you were right.”
“Aren’t I always?” He grinned at her narrow-eyed look. “What was I right about this time?”
“That night when we first met again, you said that my family loves me, and I’ve been pushing them away. It’s true.” She chewed contemplatively on a bite of asparagus. “It wasn’t fair to them, and I am going to do better.”
“Don’t be too hard on yourself. Fairness and family don’t always go hand-in-hand. The important thing is that no matter what, you know you can rely on one another.”
