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She reached for the glass and took a tentative sip. The wine had a far mellower taste than Mr Rowlinson’s brandy and made her stomach feel pleasantly fuzzy. She took a few more mouthfuls.
‘Strictly speaking it’s meant to be savoured, not gulped.’ There was a smile in his voice. ‘Trust me, when it comes to alcohol I’m an expert.’
‘Oh.’ She took another mouthful and let the wine sit on her tongue for a few seconds before swallowing. Instantly the flavour seemed richer and more intense.
‘You know your hair really does suit you.’ He sat down opposite. ‘I like it more and more.’
She peered across the table suspiciously. ‘You don’t have to say that.’
‘I know.’
‘I’ve already said that I’ll consider your offer.’
‘I know that, too.’ He reached for his own glass. ‘Do you think that I’m trying to charm you?’
‘Aren’t you?’
‘I was simply offering a compliment based on fact. That’s allowed, isn’t it?’
‘Just as long as it’s honest.’
‘I’ve told you before, Violet, I’m many things, but not a liar.’
‘I’m sorry.’ She watched as he filled his own glass to the brim. ‘I just tend to assume...’ She bit her lip. She didn’t want to say what she tended to assume. She didn’t want to think that way any more, but old habits were hard to break.
‘That I’m lying because I’m a fortune hunter and wouldn’t dream of giving you a compliment otherwise?’
She winced at his bluntness. ‘I suppose so.’
‘You have so little confidence in yourself, then?’ He put the bottle down with a thud. ‘You know, sometimes I wish I’d hit your father when I had the chance.’
‘So do I.’
Both of his eyebrows shot up, though whatever response he was about to make faded as two maids entered the room carrying bowls of steaming Julienne soup.
‘This looks delicious.’ Violet licked her lips with anticipation. ‘I feel famished. It’s funny, but ever since I got here I’ve felt as though I could eat a horse.’
‘You could do to eat a couple.’
‘Father never let me eat much. He said it wasn’t ladylike.’ She swallowed a spoonful and sighed with pleasure. The soup was so delicious that she was half tempted to pick the bowl up and drink. ‘I feel as though I’ve been hungry my whole life. Now I want to make up for lost time.’
‘Then I’ll stop pestering you with conversation and let you enjoy. I do believe Cook will be very pleased.’
They ate in companionable silence, finishing off a first course of baked salmon before the arrival of braised beef, roast potatoes, parsnips, carrots and peas. Violet ate it all up with relish. She wanted to make up for lost time in so many ways. Food was just the beginning. If she could only have her freedom...
She studied Lance surreptitiously across the table. He’d said he was prepared to give her just that if she married him and the idea was becoming more and more tempting. He wasn’t the beast she’d thought he was, the house was captivating and she’d already made a friend in Eliza.
There was just one important question that needed answering, one that had been playing on her mind all afternoon, the very last one she wanted to ask aloud, but one that needed asking none the less. He’d said that their marriage would be one of convenience, a way of helping each other out, but how much freedom would he allow her really? How much of a marriage would it be? Given his reputation, how much of a real marriage did he want? And how could she possibly ask?
‘You know, you really are full of surprises.’ Lance leaned back in his chair, watching her through hooded eyes as she scooped up her last spoonful of citrus ice. ‘I misjudged you the first time we met. I thought you were timid and unassuming, albeit with an occasional flash of those claws. I never imagined you were the kind of woman who’d run off over the moors on her own. It was brave of you.’
‘I thought you said it was childish?’
She gave him a pointed look and he made a face.
‘I was angry when I said that. I’m afraid my temper isn’t my most endearing quality.’
‘What is?’
