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“Ican’t stay!” Rosaline snapped. She felt unreasonably angry. She’d dressed up for him, come all the way out here with the expectation of seeing him, and now… now she had to go home. “It’s not proper. I would have brought a maid if you’d asked. Where’s the carriage?”
Lord Benedict ushered her inside, closing the door, which was exactly what Rosaline didnotwant.
“I’m not going to insist, Rosaline. If you want to go home, I will of course summon the carriage immediately. I just thought it would be nice for the two of us to spend some time together. There are always other people in the way, and I do enjoy your company. I can give you a grand tour of my house.”
Rosaline eyed him warily. He returned her gaze steadily. She didn’t doubt for a moment that Lord Benedict really would let her go home if she wanted.
And therein lay the issue. Rosaline didnotwant to go home.
The idea of staying in the house, alone, with Lord Benedict – oh, it was exciting, delicious, intriguing, and more. She shivered, imagining a dinner just the two of them, and perhaps an intimate game of cards after.
“Word will get out.” Rosaline managed shakily. “People will find out.”
“There is only you, me, and a couple of my select, loyal servants who will know you were here. Believe me, no one will find out.”
Rosaline sighed. If she returned home early, she would only be ferociously quizzed over why she was early and where she had been. Her parents were dead set on her marrying the Duke.
They’d be disappointed when they learnt the truth. No, angry.
“Fine, but I would like to leave directly after dinner.”
Lord Benedict bowed. “You may leave whenever you want, Rosaline. The choice is yours.”
Rosaline followed Lord Benedict through to the dining room and had to stop to catch her breath.
The room looked much different from when she’d eaten here before. The curtains were drawn, and fewer candles were lit, giving the room a darker, cozier feel. The table was set only for two, with all sorts of delicious dishes on it. The footmen were just setting out the last of the dishes, bowing and stepping aside when they saw Lord Benedict and Rosaline.
“Very good. You may go.”
The footmen bowed again, leaving the room and closing the door behind them. That left Rosaline and Lord Benedict alone.
“Itold them we would wait on ourselves tonight.” Lord Benedict explained. “I hope you don’t mind.”
“Not at all.” Rosaline approached the table, and paused, frowning. The table had been set for two – with two places set at opposite ends of the table. Lord Benedict was at one end, and she was at the other, with all of the food between them.
Lord Benedict sat in his seat, and grimaced. “I shall have to bellow down to you to be understood. I should have been clearer about how the table should be set.”
“It’s easily fixed.” Rosaline said with a smile. She picked up her plate and cutlery and moved down the table. She set them beside Lord Benedict, then hurried back for her chair. “There. Now we can talk.”
She smiled at him and noticed Lord Benedict had a curious expression on his face.
“You’re a very surprising lady, Rosaline.” He said finally.
She snorted. “Moving one’s dinner place down the table counts as surprising now? Goodness, how times change.”
He grinned at that. “Now,thereis the young lady who insulted me excessively on our very first meeting. What wild animal will you compare me to now, I wonder?”
Rosaline reached over to lift the lid of the nearest dish. Mouth-watering steam rushed out, and she breathed in deeply, closing her eyes.
“Idon’t see how you could be offended by my calling you a hawk. It could have been much worse. A hippopotamus, for example.”
“Iam greatly regretting inviting you for dinner.”
“Or a porcupine!” Rosaline exclaimed. “Oh, yes, porcupine is perfect for you. You’re very prickly, too.”
Lord Benedict choked on his wine at that comment.
“That was delicious.” Rosaline remarked, leaning back in her seat and setting down her napkin. “I couldn’t eat another bite.”
