As Emily had predicted, Natalie’s twin, Peter, immediately stood and proposed his own toast. And then everyone seemed to want a turn. With each toast, she carefully sipped her drink, trying to keep a straight face as the duke’s glass was refilled several times.
I shall show him just how ladylike I can be. And I will make him regret every minute of it.
Chapter Six
“Would you mind carving the beef for me, your Grace?” Miss Pembleton’s voice was soft and genteel, her expression the picture of innocence.
Luke paused; his forkful of food tantalisingly close to his mouth. He forced himself not to sigh as he put it back on the plate, and dutifully carved the beef for Miss Pembleton, as was only proper.
“Thank you, your Grace.” Miss Pembleton indicated that he had placed enough on her plate.
“Is that all you require, Miss Pembleton?” Luke asked, trying to ignore the grumbling in his stomach.
His head felt sluggish and slow.I cannot remember when I have been toasted so much nor the last time I drank so much wine.He shook his head, willing it to clear. Patterns seemed to float across the corner of his vision as cutlery clinked together.
He forced the fascinating patterns away, refusing to indulge it. He needed food, he was ravenous and the last thing he wanted was for his stomach to announce its hunger to the others at the table.
“For now, yes.” Miss Pembleton took a miniscule bite of her meal, seeming to savour the tiny morsel.
Luke turned back to his own fork, once more raising it to his mouth. The smell of the beef washed over him, his mouth watering. He opened his mouth, ready to finally take the bite.
“Your Grace, I am afraid I cannot reach the bread. I should hate to reach across you. Would you mind passing me a roll or two?” Miss Pembleton’s voice cut in.
Confound it.Luke put his fork back on the table and forced his jaw to unclench. “Of course, Miss Pembleton.”
He reached towards the bread and put two rolls on her plate. Without waiting for a reply, he reached for his fork and just as it was at his mouth, he heard Miss Pembleton’s voice once more.
“Actually, Your Grace, I do think I need a little more beef.” Miss Pembleton batted her eyelids at him.
“But there is still beef on your plate.” Luke’s fork was almost in his mouth as he nodded towards the woman’s very full plate.
“That is not very proper of you sir. Surely you do not wish to be ungentlemanly?”
“I- No of course not.” Luke sighed and put his fork back on the plate, and hastily carved Miss Pembleton some more beef.
Hastily he returned to his own plate finally taking a bite of his meal. His success was short lived because a moment later Miss Pembleton said, “Your Grace, would you be a dear and serve some vegetables?”
“You are doing this deliberately.” Luke hissed, almost glowering at her and then catching himself.
With considerable effort, he forced his face into what he hoped was cool disinterest. The look on Miss Pembleton’s face told him that his attempt had been less than successful.
“Whatever do you mean?” Miss Pembleton asked, a hand going to her chest, her tone the very picture of innocence.
“Every time I go to have a bite of my food, you decide that you need more. Your plate is practically drowning in beef and bread rolls. You are doing this just to spite me.” Luke nodded towards her overflowing plate.
“That is a rather rude accusation. I am simply trying to be polite.” Miss Pembleton took a bite of her food, appearing to savour each mouthful before she turned to him. “I should hateto be improper and reach across you. I know how much you care for the rules of society.”
“You are being childish.” Luke grumbled, hating how petulant he sounded.
“I am not the one who is losing his temper because a lady is behaving as she should. Honestly, you should know better, Your Grace.” Her eyes sparkled with challenge and mischief.
Luke took a breath, he would not rise to her bait. “What exactly are you trying to prove?”
“What makes you think I am trying to ‘prove’ anything? After all I am simply being polite. Is that not what you wish me to do?” She canted her head towards him
“You are being pedantic.” Luke pointed out.
“I thought it was you who said we should blindly follow the social formalities.” Miss Pembleton answered. “Or are you starting to see that blindly following such things may not always be the best thing to do? Perhaps I am simply trying to educate you on the dangers of an excess of propriety.”
