Page 86 of The Miracle of Love
Whatever heat he put into their kisses was always tempered by his love.
They were both struggling for breath by the time they drew apart. “That was nice, Grace.”
“Nice and wicked, you naughty man.” She was blushing but also laughing, and she looked quite pleased.
He grinned at her. “There’ll be more of that tonight.”
But after a moment, he sobered. “You are beautiful. Truly, Grace. You are the loveliest thing I have ever seen. I shall be the envy of every man in Brighton.”
“If I am ever permitted to venture out.”
“You will soon.”
Their supper was a private affair just for them in the elegant dining room. The table had been set with all his finery, none of which he had chosen or had any idea he possessed.Bollocks. Everything about the house was a reminder of how much he had separated himself from society and his own beloved family.
But having Grace beside him was a mark of his determination to make things right.
“You really did not have to go to all the fuss, Deklan.”
“Are you enjoying yourself?” He wanted Grace to remember this special night.
“I am loving every moment.” She cast him a heartwarming smile. “You are doing very well for someone who has spent his life in a tree. But all jesting aside, this is the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me. You have a very kind and romantic heart.”
He shook his head. “Only with you. I’m still insufferable to most people.”
They started with a delicious white soup which he ladled out of a tureen into bowls for them. Next was the fish course, smoked and encrusted in salt. He broke apart the hard, salt shell and served the haddock to Grace. Between courses, they ate sweets of almond paste and some of honey which had also been set out for them. Their final course was a refreshingglace a l’orangekept cold inside an ice sculpture.
Grace could not stop admiring the sculpture which was shaped like a fish.
She peered at it from all angles.
Finally, she stood up and held out her wassail glass in toast. “I’ve had years of training in how to host a perfect party. Years, I tell you,” she said with a hiccup and cast him the sweetest, lopsided smile.
He stifled a chuckle.
Grace was tipsy.
He should have realized she could not handle anything stronger than ratafia. The mead alone was potent enough to knock a man on his arse. Added to the mulled cider, the drink had gone straight to her head.
“Years, I tell you,” she repeated. “I could not have done better.”
Her smile was still adorable and completely lopsided.
“You made it look effortless and everything was delicious. Top marks for you, Deklan. No wonder you are the Crown’s best agent. You would have made an excellent debutante, too.”
He laughed. “Grace, you may not have noticed but I am a man.”
“Oh, I noticed every blessed sinew and muscle on you. I’m surprised I did not melt from the heat radiating off your exquisite perfection. And you would have made a spectacular woman, too. A diamond of the first water.”
“Oh, good grief.”
“Suitors bearing all manner of flowers and chocolate sweets would have beaten a path to your door in hope of courting you.”
“Am I that impressive?” he teased.
“Yes, and even more so. I mean it sincerely and I am not drunk,” she said with another hiccup. “Despite appearances, I am not. I can see what you are doing, the consideration and tender effort that went into making this night special for me.”
“Grace, it was my pleasure.”
