I try to bypass him, so that I can get my suitcase, but his hand shoots out, his palm pressing to my stomach. “Allow me to escort you inside.”
I look down at his hand, then back up at him. “We’ve talked about how a gentleman behaves.”
I swear I see amusement sparkle in his eyes. He doesn’t remove his hand, but he does hold out his elbow.
I still don’t take it. “My suitcase?”
“Will be brought straight to your room by one of the footmen.”
I slip my hand into his arm, giving a stray glance at the trunk of the car.
Win slowly removes his hand from my stomach and then starts leading me inside.
“Your Grace,” Ken calls as he falls in step behind us. “Any instructions for Kat’s dress?”
Win stops, looking me up and down. “Red. Fitted. Off the shoulder. Full length.”
My brows lift. Those were some specific instructions. “Do I get to choose your outfit too?”
“Don’t be ridiculous.”
“Did you go with Isaia for your designer rather than Armani?”
He stops. “How did you know that?”
I only smile. “The cut of an Isaia tuxedo suits you.”
He starts walking again, but he’s quiet as he leads me inside.
Ken does not follow, and I’m left with Win as he steers me toward an intimate dining room. “What’s this?”
“We’ve yet to have dinner,” he says as he pulls out a chair for me. “You must be famished.”
I take the offered chair. I am hungry. I had a small bit of breakfast and nothing since.
He takes a seat at the head of the table and, moments later, wine arrives.
It’s pale in color and sparkles in the chandelier light.
I wait for Win to take a sip and then I follow, noting the crisp notes of pear in the sauvignon blanc.
Moments later a fish stew arrives.
The smell is perfection. Win takes a bite and I follow.
Silence falls between us, as I wonder if he intends for me to dine with him regularly. It feels…intimate. But I don’t ask as I enjoy the soup.
There is one benefit of being the captive of a duke, the food is bound to be good.
The first course is soon swept away to make way for another. Roasted lamb.
I cut one bite, chewing slowly, as the meat melts on my tongue. I close my eyes for a moment, enjoying the succulent flavor.
These are the sorts of dishes that are difficult to find in America. “You like it.”
“It’s delicious.”
He nods. “One of my favorites.”
