“I missed you terribly when you were at Eton.”
Andrew’s eyes widened. “You did?”
She scoffed. “But of course. You were practically my best friend.”
Despite not having taken a single bite of his fish, Andrew swallowed. “And now?”
Danielle inhaled softly before a brilliant smile brightened her face. The light dimmed, though, before she asked, “May I be both your best friend and your wife?”
Andrew’s mouth opened as he seemed to have trouble breathing. “God, I hope so,” he whispered. He quickly glanced around the dining room, as if he meant to make sure they were still alone. Then he pushed away from the table and stood from his chair.
Watching in wonder as he rounded the table and made his way toward her, Danielle let out a squeak when he pulled her out of her chair and into an embrace.
He kissed her. Deeply. Thoroughly. And kept on kissing her until he finally had to come up for air.
“Oh!” Danielle gasped, her eyes wide with surprise.
“Now... I fear Iamguilty of the label of rake.”
Her eyes darted sideways. “As long as you’re not doing it to anyone else,” she hedged.
“Only you, Danny,” he said before he kissed her once more.
His arms laden with the next course, the footman reappeared in the dining room and froze in place. He seemed unsure of what to do, first turning around as if he intended to go back into the butler’s pantry. Then he paused and sighed. Making his way around the kissing couple, he placed the dishes on the table, refilled the wine glasses, and made his way out of the dining room.
Danielle ended the kiss this time, her eye lashes fluttering as if her eyes had to adjust to the candlelight. She glanced at the table. “I do believe the next course has been served,” she murmured.
“Oh, good,” Andrew said as he stepped away. He helped her back into her chair. “I’m starving.”
Giving him a grin, Danielle tucked into the meal. “We really must ensure we don’t lose this cook,” she remarked.
“I’ll see to it Parker has a word with him,” Andrew replied.
“When will you move in?”
Andrew paused a moment. “I hadn’t given it any thought. I shouldn’t wish to be here without you—”
“You should move in,” she interrupted. “I’ll have my maid pack my things so I can join you once we’re married.”
“Oh, must we wait that long?”
Danielle blinked. “Drew!” she scolded. “I cannot live here before the vows.”
“We’ll hardly be moved in before we depart on our wedding trip,” he countered. “You must let me know what the house lacks so that I can see to it it’s taken care of whilst we’re on our trip.”
Grinning, she said, “Then I shall come with my mother and Davy. I’m sure they’ll have opinions.”
Andrew chewed his meat and frowned. “I don’t suppose you could... you could come of your own accord? By yourself? Some afternoon when I’m in residence? I’m quite sure I’ll be in the study desperately learning everything I must for our wedding trip.”
“Wouldn’t I be interrupting?” she teased.
He nodded vigorously. “That was my thought, of course!”
They both chuckled and then sobered as they regarded one another.
“You never did tell me how many children you want,” Danielle said quietly.
Inhaling softly, Andrew allowed a shrug. “As many as you wish to give me, I suppose. More than one, I hope.”
