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“I’m sorry. Unless you’re ill or there’s some other special reason, we eat together in the dining room. It’s quite elegant and beautifully set, and Cook arranges delicious meals for us each day. I think you’ll be pleased at the quality and variety.”

Just then one of the maids appeared. “Dinner is served.”

Leah smiled. “See there, now you’ll get to experience it all for yourself.”

She led the way to the dining room, silently praying that God would help Carolina Hancock to settle in without much ado. No doubt each new girl would be a challenge in her own right. Leah would simply have to get used to it. And so would they.

On Valentine’s evening, Leah found herself once again in the company of Randolph Vanhoutte. He was dressed impeccably in a black tuxedo and top hat, with a long wool coat to shield against the cold. His mood wasn’t much better than the last time they’d been together, but he seemed to be doing his best to put his worries aside.

“I believe you’re going to love this new place,” he said as they were seated. “And I know those around us are going to be in awe of you. You look incredible.”

Leah had chosen a pale pink silk gown with fitted sleeves and a tulle and satin oriental-styled wrap in a darker pink with black accents. She’d also had Brigette pin her hair up. Even though she was now working as Leah’s secretary, she was still the most skilled of hairdressers.

“Thank you.” She allowed the maître d’ to help seat her.

Randolph took his place and stared at her from across the table. “You are clearly the most beautiful woman here. I’m completely enthralled.”

“You are quite kind. Now tell me more about this place. It seems quite the gathering of the wealthy and privileged.”

“It is, and you fit right in. The Turner and Garrison families are some of the most respected in the city, admired and loved by most everyone. You must surely know that. Even when we came in this evening, people were watching you.”

Leah glanced around the room. The expensive restaurant had gathered only the best of people. She recognized many of society’s elite seated throughout the crystal chandelier–lit room. Minneapolis’s finest had come out to celebrate the romantic holiday and show off their most fashionable attire. Still, she didn’t think they were all that interested in her.

She smiled nevertheless and gave Randolph her full attention. “Perhaps they’re watching you.”

He frowned for a brief moment, then smiled once more as their waiter approached. “Shall I order for us?”

“Please.” Leah wasn’t at all sure what the evening was going to hold, but there was no turning back at this point.

Randolph ordered them oysters on the half-shell with mignonette sauce and lemon. This was followed by a beef consommé, then beef Wellington with asparagus on the side. Randolph seemed much happier than he had at the opera. Leah hoped that meant things were going better in Belgium.

With each course, Leah tried to put aside thoughts that Randolph might be up to no good. She had no proof that he was anything but the hero of Belgium that he appeared to be. By the time the main entrée was served, she had begun to relax and make lighter conversation about advertisements the newspaper carried for trips to escape the cold.

“It would seem all the world wants to be in Florida, according to the paper anyway.” She cut into a piece of asparagus.

“I suppose people are weary of the winter. It has been especially cold this year and seems to offer no signs of warming up.”

“I’ve never been to Florida. Have you?”

He smiled and leaned forward. “No, but I’d rather talk about something much more important.”

“Oh?” Leah looked at him with genuine interest. “And what would that be?”

“Us.”

“Us?” She tried to remain calm. She supposed it wasn’t all that surprising that he should choose this romantic holiday to share his heart.

“I would like you to marry me.”

This did come as a surprise. While Randolph had often spoken of his affections, even of love, he’d never made a declaration of his intentions before now. Not formally. It was one of the reasons she’d been put off when he’d called her his fiancée.

“I know this might seem sudden, but you know how I feel about you. I think our long time of knowing each other, being drawn to one another, speaks for itself. I would like to make it a permanent arrangement.”

“Despite knowing each other for a great many years, I’ve not considered you as more than my friend. I even told you when you asked to speak to my father that I had no interest in courtship. I don’t wish to cause you pain, but I’ve simply no interest in taking this further.”

“Come now, you know that I love you. You are always on my thoughts. I’ve spoken about you to Jared, and he’s always encouraged me to pursue you.”

“Perhaps Uncle Jared should have spoken to me on the matter,” Leah said, smiling. She didn’t want to cause the evening to fall into disaster. “I’m flattered, of course, but marriage has not been at the top of my list of things to do. You must know that my heart has been fixed on getting Turner House up and running.”