“It’s quite nice.” Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea. Why was she feeling so uneasy? Her stomach tumbled inside her, and her head twinged. Not another headache. Not now.
“Would you mind if I ordered a bottle of wine with our dinner?” He leaned back and looked down at his menu. Completely at ease with himself.
Was this how normal people dined out? She didn’t see any harm in it. “That’s fine.” She pointed her gaze at her own menu.
“Let me know if you have questions about the menu. I worked with the chef personally to put it together.” Judas’s voice was smooth and calm.
It did nothing to soothe her jitters. “Thank you. It all sounds delicious.”
When Reginald returned, she ordered a steak with mushroom gravy, mashed potatoes, and glazed carrots. Judas ordered something she couldn’t even pronounce, and then took the bottle of wine the other man offered. After Reginald left, Judas poured himself a glass and held up the bottle. “Would you like me to pour you a glass as well?”
Heat filled her cheeks. How was she supposed to respond? She’d never done this before, so might as well be honest. “I’ve never had wine. I may not like it and wouldn’t want to waste it.”
He waved his other hand at her. “Don’t worry your pretty little head about that.” He poured a tiny amount into the glass in front of her. “Go ahead. If you don’t like it, you don’t have to drink it.”
She gave him a tentative smile and lifted the glass to her lips. Taking a small sip, she let it swirl over her tongue. Funny, she was expecting something strong like the whiskey, but this had a much more pleasant taste.
Not that she would say that to him.
The deep fruity flavor warmed her as it went down.
“Would you like more?”
“Yes, please.” It couldn’t hurt, right?
He filled her glass, and she took another sip. This time, a mouthful. After several more sips, she finally relaxed and the throb in her head abated.
Judas smiled at her and asked about her dogs.
Their conversation fell into an easy rhythm. Then food arrived, and she found herself oohing and aahing over each bite.
Not only had the wine taken the edge off her headache, but she could relax. Be herself.
The evening passed in warm camaraderie. Perhaps shecouldhandle this courtship thing. Judas was a nice enough man. Handsome. Kind. Wealthy.
So it wasn’t all romance and lovey-dovey gifts and words. Not that she’d ever longed for that, but those were her expectations. Why?
Judas ordered dessert for them, and she excused herself to use the privy. But as soon as she stood, the room spun. “Oh...” She sat back down in her chair and waited for the tipsy feeling to pass. Everything seemed a bit ... lopsided.
“Are you all right, my dear?” Judas held the bottle over her glass to refill it.
She put a hand over the goblet. “I’ve had enough, thank you.” How many times had he refilled her glass? How much wine had she drunk?
“My apologies, Whitney.” He snapped his fingers and Reginald appeared within seconds. “Would you please bring us some coffee? We’d like it with our dessert.”
“Of course, sir.” The man bowed and turned.
Judas leaned across the table. “Are you feeling all right?”
“A little unsteady, but I believe I’m fine. Maybe we shouldn’t stay for dessert. Would you mind taking me home?”
He patted her hand and shook his head. “I can’t very well bring you home in this state. What will they think? Let’s get some coffee in you and you’ll feel much better. I would never want anyone to think that I had taken advantage of such an upstanding woman. It’s best to stay here to keep your reputation intact.”
“I hadn’t thought of that.” Heat filled her face and neck. She definitely didn’t want her sisters to see her like this. Then they’d really be on her case about drinking. What had she done?
Reginald returned with two cups, saucers, and a pot of coffee.
After he filled the two cups, Judas reached out. “Just leave the pot here, if you don’t mind.”
