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Henry waited patiently for his wife and his grandmother to join him in the dining room. Unlike other men, he didn’t mind the waiting. He understood that the ladies had more particular needs when it came to their dressing routines, and so he always allowed for this difference without causing a fuss. Besides, having a moment to himself today was most welcome.
Henry had been rather astonished by the carriage journey. He knew his new bride was exceptional in that she did as she pleased and spoke as she saw fit, but he had expected her to be more reserved throughout the ride. It wasn’t that he thought she would be meek or mousey, but more that he had always been given to believe ladies who were just married tended to be timid. They were not only leaving their homes and their family members behind, but they were anxious about the wedding night. Eleanor had been just the opposite. She was vivacious and full of questions. A chuckle escaped Henry’s lips when he thought of the look on Eleanor’s face as she asked about his grandmother.
Thinking of that point in the conversation brought Henry back to Eleanor’s two cats. Ah, she’d gotten over on him with that one. He knew perfectly well that he’d told her she couldn’t bring pets to Lawson Manor, and in the garden, she had agreed. Henry shrugged half-heartedly and then took a sip of the tea that was just in front of him. It was beginning to cool, as he waited longer and longer for the ladies to appear, so he slurped it quickly.
A moment later, the door swept open, and both the Dowager Duchess and his new wife, Eleanor, entered the room. The Dowager Duchess was wearing one of her favorite evening dresses. It was made of fine silk, and it was dyed a vibrant lilac color. People usually complimented the Dowager Duchess on this particular gown, as it brought out the extraordinary color of her eyes. Just behind his grandmother followed Eleanor.
She was wearing a gown of emerald green. Fine gold thread had been used to stitch together the seams and so when she moved into the dim candlelight, her dress shone majestically. Henry noted that the gown was again done in the Hart family colors and he thought that was an interesting choice, as today Eleanor had given up her family name and took up his own.
Then, his eyes drifted up to Eleanor’s face. He understood at once why she had selected the gown. He couldn’t be entirely sure what it was that caused this phenomenon, but in this gown, Eleanor looked like a goddess. Her pale skin looked creamy and luscious. Her red hair seemed to be spun of silk. Even her blue eyes took on a healthy glow. Staring at Eleanor, Henry suddenly felt very parched. He reached forward for his teacup but remembered that he had just drained it. He licked his dry lips and stood to greet the ladies properly as they moved toward their places around the dining table.
Henry’s grandmother sat on his left and so Eleanor moved to his right-hand side. The ladies probably should have spread down the table, or at the very least, his wife should have taken the seat across the way from him, but she did not. She sat right there, nearby, and Henry heartily approved of this arrangement. He wanted to be able to talk to his wife and to admire her, for she was the loveliest woman he had ever beheld, especially tonight.
Henry was feeling very pleased with himself and with the arrangement he had made. He lifted his cup for one of the servants to bring him more tea, and then he let the same servant know that dinner should now be served. Within a matter of moments, the staff carried in platters of food, laden with all sorts of delicacies.
As soon as the dishes were placed before him, Henry eyed the food and sniffed appreciatively. “Shall we, ladies?” He asked, giving Eleanor a playful wink. He picked up his fork and lifted a piece of meat to his mouth, but as he did, he noted a look of revulsion on Eleanor’s face.
Quickly, Henry dropped his fork, and looked squarely at his wife. Her pink cheeks were now flushed a scarlet red, and he knew something must be wrong. “Eleanor, what is the matter? Has something happened?”
Eleanor looked from her plate of food to Henry and then in her signature way, she raised her chin slightly. “I’m sorry to tell you, husband, but this meal is unacceptable.”
“Unacceptable?” the Dowager Duchess questioned, her voice low and surprised. Henry had quite forgotten that his grandmother was still in the room. He had noticed her when she entered, but when Eleanor had swept in behind her, Henry had become so mesmerized by this lovely lady that all thoughts of his grandmother had fled his mind. Now, hearing her astonished tone, Henry glanced in her direction. She gave him a sharp look, and he infinitesimally shrugged his shoulders. Then he turned back to Eleanor.
Eleanor cleared her throat. “Dowager Duchess, please forgive me if I am being rude. I’m certainly not aiming to offend you or your cook, but I cannot eat anything on this plate.”
Henry stared at his wife, and then he dropped his gaze to examine the food. The venison seemed to be cooked to perfection. At its side were a few boiled potatoes, as well as some mixed greens. Henry sniffed the food one more time, but he couldn’t detect anything unpleasant. His stomach growled, letting Henry know that his first instincts were right, and Eleanor was wrong. It was time to eat.
“What has displeased you, Eleanor?” Henry asked politely, trying to drown out the grumblings of his stomach.
She gave him a piercing look, and Henry wondered now what he had done to upset her. He gave his grandmother a bewildered look, but she did not return it. She had crossed her arms over her chest, and she was staring at Eleanor, her violet eyes narrowed.
Eleanor pushed away from the table. “I do not eat meat,” Eleanor said clearly, looking straight into Henry’s eyes.
A laugh bubbled up inside him as he was so surprised by her announcement. “You don’t eat meat? Why not?” He asked, thinking she must be joking. No one would turn up their nose at the venison sitting in front of them. He knew it was fresh and that the cook had probably prepared it especially for tonight.
Eleanor sniffed delicately. “I prefer not to eat any animal, if I can help it.”
Henry was bewildered, “I don’t understand. If you don’t eat animals, what do you eat?”
“I like fresh vegetables, and I also enjoy breads and cheeses,” Eleanor replied, looking from Henry to his grandmother.
“I’m afraid I’m not comprehending,” Henry said, glancing down at his plate. “There are vegetables and potatoes on this plate. Why can’t you eat those?”
Eleanor sighed as if Henry really knew nothing at all about the world in which they lived. “Usually, I would eat both of those dishes, and be rather pleased, but tonight…” She shuddered and then used the tines of her fork to lift the meat. Henry craned his neck so he could get a better look at her plate. Underneath the venison, there was a splotch of drippings. The sauce had spread across the plate, and it was now mixing with the vegetables. He arched his eyebrow at Eleanor.
“You won’t eat the greens because they’ve got some of the meat drippings on them?” He asked, feeling as if the look she gave him earlier was now deserved. He clearly knew nothing about the world in which Eleanor lived.
“I will simply need to have a discussion with the cook. I will let her know that going forward, dishes are to be served without meat.”
Henry felt his mouth drop open in astonishment. “That will not be necessary, Eleanor. I still wish to eat meat, and…”
“But eating meat is barbaric,” Eleanor interrupted passionately. She looked down at her plateful of food, which was now getting cold. “It’s disgusting.”
Henry frowned. “You may do as you wish, Eleanor, but I will not have you speaking to the cook on my behalf.”
“But…” Eleanor persisted, “You do not need to slaughter these poor, defenseless animals just so you can have a fine meal. I’ve seen the produce gardens behind this estate. There are plenty of fresh vegetables and the fruit trees are abundant. If I may just have a word with the cook-”
“No,” Henry said flatly. He was willing to indulge Eleanor, up to a point. “I will eat this dinner and I will enjoy it. You may ask Cook to prepare something especially for you, but you will not speak on behalf of this household.”
