“How affectionate you two are,” Elizabeth chuckled.
Charlotte wanted desperately to kick him beneath the table.
The second course consisted of roasted fish with herbs accompanied by asparagus and potatoes. Conversation flowed easily between Elizabeth’s stories about past seasons and Victor’s dry observations that continually made Charlotte fight laughter.
“At my first ball,” Elizabeth announced proudly, “three gentlemen requested the same dance.”
Victor looked unimpressed. “You accepted all three?”
“Certainly not. One had unfortunate ears,” Elizabeth said.
Charlotte laughed before she could stop herself. Victor’s eyes immediately flickered toward her again.
There it was once more. That look.
That unbearably intent expression that made Charlotte suddenly aware of every breath she took.
“You laugh very prettily,” he murmured.
Charlotte nearly dropped her fork. “You cannot simply say things like that.”
“And yet, I just did.”
Elizabeth smiled knowingly into her wine. By the third course, Charlotte had become entirely too conscious of Victor beside her. Roast pheasant arrived with vegetables and rich gravy, though Charlotte scarcely tasted any of it because the duke had apparently decided tormenting her was his evening’s entertainment.
“Tell me, Charlotte,” he said smoothly. “Have you decided where we ought to spend the summers after we are married?”
Charlotte stared at him in horror. Elizabeth positively glowed.
“Victor!”
“What?” he asked innocently. “It is an important discussion.”
Charlotte could actually feel heat burning across her face now.
Elizabeth waved her hand dismissively. “Young couples always squabble over such things.”
Victor nodded solemnly. “Terribly passionate creatures.”
Charlotte wanted the floor to open and consume her entirely. Instead she forced herself to smile sweetly. “Your Grace, if you continue speaking nonsense I shall inform your grandmother about the visitor you had that I mistook for a burglar.”
Victor nearly inhaled wine.
Elizabeth blinked curiously. “Visitor?”
Victor narrowed his eyes at Charlotte. “You fight dirty.”
“You began it,” she said.
His mouth curved slowly then.
Good heavens.
That smile ought to be outlawed.
Dessert finally arrived in the form of lemon tarts, fresh berries, and cream. Charlotte thought she might survive the evening after all until Elizabeth spoke again with complete sincerity.
“I have not seen Victor this happy in years.”
