“It is because of my concern that you will dine with me this evening.”
He would be far happier if she were asking him to dinner because she wanted his company, but Demetrius suspected her reasons were of a far more practical purpose. “I do not wish to impose.”
“An imposition would be for you to die from food poisoning, or starvation. That would then require that my brother seek a new solicitor and as he trusts few men it would take him weeks or months during which your duties would fall to me. Therefore, you shall dine with me. Dinner will be served at six.”
Before Demetrius could accept or decline, Lady Teviot turned on her heel and marched away.
He couldn’t help but grin. It did not matter the reason he had been invited because he would be quite happy to dine with her this evening. And just maybe he might come to know the beautiful widow a little better than before.
Chapter
Five
Lavinia had been honest in her reasons for asking Mr. Valentine to join her for dinner. She did not want to risk his health. Except, she also used it as an excuse.
She had wandered along the streets of Seaford and become familiar with the town. She also did not encounter any gentleman of interest. Of course, she was aware that not everybody who lived in Seaford was out and about, but she’d been discouraged by what she had seen.
It really should not be so difficult to locate a handsome man and then determine if he was a rake or not, but it had been until Mr. Valentine stepped into her path and she once again reconsidered her decision.
She also wanted to get to know him better. Both were here on holiday and they were without family so there was no reason why they shouldn’t share dinner on occasion. It was silly to pretend as if the other was not in the neighboring cottage, especially since they were already well acquainted.
Her reasons, or excuses, made sense when in truth, she did not like the idea of dining alone. However, Valentine as a dinner guest also made her nervous. In Leopold’s library while reviewing agreements and such, she was confident in what she knew, and in her opinions, especially when she was right, but Lavinia had little experience in dining alone with a man. What could they even discuss?
Perhaps that was the reason she’d already drunk one glass of wine, which was also unlike her. She had hoped that it would calm the nervousness that had built ever since he had accepted her invitation.
Except, he hadn’t. She simply ordered and walked away.
That was rather presumptuous of her, but certainly he would accept the offer, wouldn’t he?
“Mr. Valentine has arrived,” the housekeeper announced, pulling Lavinia from her worries.
“Please show him in.”
This was a mistake. She should have taken the risk of him eating his own cooking and dined alone. It didn’t have to be a lonely activity. She could have read a book or newssheets.
“Lady Teviot, thank you for the invitation.”
At his words, she winced. Normally she hid her reaction when called by the title she came to possess when she married, but she hated it.
“Is all well, Lady Teviot?”
“Yes,” she finally answered, then walked to the sideboard. “Would you prefer wine or brandy?”
“I would not mind a glass of wine,” he answered. “However, if you would rather that I left, I will do so.”
“No. Of course not. I invited you.”
“Only so that I do not die.”
Lavinia allowed a small smile as she poured the wine.
Oh, she was so weary of always doing what was right and proper. She wanted to throw off all the responsibilities that came with her station. She just wanted to be free to enjoy—relax, and if she could not do that here, then there was no other place where it would be allowed, and she’d likely never get another chance.
And, who better to do so with than the man she admired, even if her request shocked him to his bones.
“May I confide something in you?” she asked as she handed him the glass.
“Of course.”
