The formal dining room looked magnificent beneath candlelight.
A glittering crystal chandelier hung high overhead while gold-trimmed walls reflected soft light across polished silver and fine china. The long mahogany table gleamed beneath elaborate floral arrangements, and Charlotte immediately understood why people found aristocrats intimidating.
One required a map simply to locate one’s spoon.
Elizabeth settled herself and said, “Charlotte, sit beside Victor, naturally.”
Charlotte nearly sighed aloud. Victor pulled out her chair like the perfect gentleman while she took her seat beside him as gracefully as possible. Unfortunately, grace became difficult when the duke sat close enough for her to catch traces of his manly scent and expensive brandy.
“You appear nervous,” Victor murmured quietly once the servants began pouring wine.
“I wonder why,” she whispered to him.
“You fear me?” he arched a brow at her.
“I fear your grandmother marrying us off before dessert,” she said in a low voice.
Victor nearly laughed into his wineglass.
Elizabeth looked delighted with everything around her. “This reminds me of dinners when the boys were younger.”
Victor groaned lightly. “Grandmother.”
“Oh, do not look alarmed,” Elizabeth scolded. “You were adorable children.”
“I was never adorable,” he said.
Charlotte smiled despite herself. “I confess I find that difficult to imagine.”
Victor turned toward her slowly. “Careful, Charlotte. That sounded suspiciously flirtatious.”
Heat immediately climbed up her throat. “It did not.”
The first course arrived shortly after, delicate soup with fresh cream and herbs served alongside warm rolls and butter. Charlotte tried focusing entirely upon the meal rather than the man seated beside her.
A hopeless effort.
Victor lounged comfortably in his chair, looking sinful beneath candlelight while casually devastating her peace of mind every few minutes merely by existing.
Elizabeth dabbed delicately at her lips. “Victor, you ought to compliment your fiancée.”
Charlotte nearly choked on soup. Victor looked delighted by her suffering.
“Must I?” he asked lazily.
“Indeed, you must, for you should be grateful for such a rose,” Elizabeth said.
He turned toward Charlotte fully then, green eyes warm with mischief. “Very well.” His gaze drifted meaningfully over her. “My fiancée looks exceptionally beautiful this evening.”
Charlotte’s spoon slipped slightly against her plate.
“Your Grace,” she muttered warningly.
Elizabeth sighed dreamily. “How romantic.”
Victor leaned subtly closer. “You are blushing again.”
“I am merely mortified,” she said.
