For the first time, they were ready to sit down and speak as equals, to do away with the charade and prove that this marriage might be more than what either expected or originally wanted.
It was time to be honest and simply enjoy one another’s company. A small thing, but it felt huge.
“Might I join you?” she asked, reaching for the seat beside the head of the table.
“I thought you would never ask,” Sebastian drawled.
Helena took her seat, feeling his eyes on her the whole time. She glanced at him, saw the way he drank her in, and her smile grew.
What might have once felt awkward or even too much was now natural in ways she was quickly becoming accustomed to.
Better than that, it no longer felt false. He had told her how he felt; she felt the same, and that left the way open for…
Honestly, she was not sure. But she was excited to find out.
“So, what do we have for supper?” she asked.
“Honestly, I have not a clue,” he laughed. “I sent word to the kitchens to whip something up. But I doubt it will be anything elaborate.”
“I suppose I will have to satisfy myself with your company,” she sighed as if the thought upset her.
“A once more wretched prospect.”
“It still might be,” she quipped, cocking an eyebrow at him. “But that remains to be seen.”
“Are you always this congenial?”
She shrugged. “Are you always this arrogant?”
“Obviously,” he laughed.
She laughed too. “I will content myself with the knowledge that, at the very least, should you prove to be a most abysmal host, I will simply have something new to write about. I’m always searching for a new villain.”
“Is that how you find them?” He brightened, his interest clear. “Purposefully luring men into your web so that you can exploit them for your stories.”
“It is one method.”
“I had better be careful then,” he declared. “Just as I had better behave myself.”
“Do you think you have it in you?”
“I’m not sure.”
He was grinning as he watched her, but it was not mocking or judgmental. It was honest, and she could see how much he was enjoying himself. How he was letting down his guard so that he would have the chance to see the real her.
“Let me know, won’t you?”
“And where is the fun in that?”
The conversation flowed easily and effortlessly. Now that they were no longer so guarded, there was no reason not to be themselves. And as they were learning in real time, they were more alike than they had once been willing to admit.
It started slowly. Short jabs. Witty banter. Jokes were made because that was always the easiest thing to do. But oncethe food was served and their comfort was established, the conversation became more genuine and profound because of it.
Helena was no longer cautious about opening up, and Sebastian was only too eager to poke and pry and find out as much about her as he could.
And most importantly, not once did she get the sense that he was not interested.
“… that was the first time my parents caught me sneaking out,” she explained through his laughter. “Needless to say, they were none too pleased.”
