Before she could ask what it had meant, he scoffed and asked, “Roses? Really?”
“As though you would get me anything different.” Charlotte raised an eyebrow at him. “I expect you give all your paramours red roses.”
“I like to think I am more imaginative than that,” Dominic replied. “Every man gives a woman red roses.”
“Not every man.” Charlotte remembered the last person who had given her roses. “Some give you white roses and pretend that they are worthy of you.”
“A bold claim for any man to make. And not one to make lightly.” Dominic gave her a serious look.
“Yet it was made lightly, or so I discovered later.” Charlotte tried to sound nonchalant, but bitterness seeped into her voice.
“I would not make such a gesture lightly. If I thought I was worthy of you, I would mean it.” Dominic took a step towards her, his hazel eyes soft and intent.
“Do you not think you are worthy of me?” She had meant the words to seem teasing, but they came out breathless.
“How could I be?” Dominic looked at her, and there was a flash of sadness in his face as he reached for her hand.
The sound of distant laughter cut through the moment and seemed to bring them both to the present. Dominic shook himself lightly and moved his hand away. Charlotte felt the loss of it though he had not touched her.
You are being ridiculous.Dominic walked a few steps, glanced over his shoulder, and then held out an arm to her. She glanced over her shoulder and saw other people making their way towards them and the next obstacle.
He is only doing this for the appearance.She looped an arm through his and tried to ignore the reassuring way it felt.
“Though in truth, I would have thought a rose would be a little boring for you,” Dominic said after a moment of silence, his voice airy and light.
“Perhaps I like boring.” She made a dismissive gesture.
“I find that hard to believe,” he replied
“What flowers would you buy me then, if you were to choose?” she asked.
“That would depend.” Dominic gave her a mischievous smile.
“On what?” She arched an eyebrow at him, her heart skipping a beat.Get a hold of yourself.
Dominic laughed. “On my reason for buying you flowers.”
“How so?” she asked, puzzled.
“Well, if I were buying something to impress you, I would find something exotic and hard to get.” Dominic glanced around them, as though looking for such a specimen in the garden.
“I believe that is why most people get roses,” Charlotte pointed out. “Besides, would you really seek to impress me with your wealth?”
“That would not be my intention. It would be so that you knew I was willing to work hard for you.” Dominic shook his head.
She frowned at him, trying to imagine how she might feel if he had given her such a bouquet. “You do not worry I would think you arrogant or vain?”
“Perhaps you would. Which is why I would not keep sending you such a flower.” He waved a hand dismissively. “That is more a… a first meeting flower. To keep your interest, to get a sense of what you might like.”
“You seem to have given this rather a lot of thought.” Charlotte canted her head towards him.
“The giving of flowers is an art, and the right bloom can do wonders for a young lady’s heart,” Dominic replied in a sing song voice.
Of course, he would know just how to use flowers to win someone’s heart. They are symbols, nothing more.“Oh look, you are a poet,” Charlotte said sarcastically, hoping to convey her slight irritation.
He raised an eyebrow at her. “Clearly sending poetry with my blooms would be a bad plan. That is good to know. And for what it is worth, I would get you primroses and violets.”
“Why?” she frowned at him.
