Page 22 of A Duke's Sinful Bargain
He turned to Anna, relishing the look of silent awe in her eyes. He was certain she had been hosted at many dinner parties, but he wanted to ensure that none would be as impressive as the one that evening. It had to be special. It had to outshine everything she had ever seen before.
The thought as to why he was so eager to flaunt this before her, to amaze her, to charm her, was irrelevant. He banished those questions to the back of his mind, focusing on her. Nothing else mattered.
He led her to her seat, pulling the chair gently behind her, allowing her to settle in.
“Thank you,” she said in a flirtatious tone, which he had come to enjoy more and more with each passing moment.
He walked around the table, taking a seat exactly opposite her. She tried to focus on him, but the dining table was a spectacle to behold, and her gaze constantly wandered toward the polished silverware and the crystal glasses that sparkled in the soft glow of the candles.
A burst of all shades of purple adorned the centerpiece of the table, a bouquet of wildflowers he hoped would add elegance to the scene, but now he was not so certain that it had managed to capture exactly that. He frowned.
“Is something the matter?” She, of course, caught his displeasure. Why did he think that something like that would go unnoticed by someone like her?
He decided to be honest. “The flowers.” He gestured. “I should have gone with the advice I was given.”
“Let me guess.” She smiled. “Roses?”
“Mmhmm.” He nodded. “Roses are more… elegant.”
Her response caught him off guard. “I think these are lovely.”
He pondered for a moment. “Is lovely better than elegant?”
“It depends,” she replied mysteriously, then immediately answered the next question he was aiming to ask, “on the effect one wishes to achieve. And you, Your Grace, have already exceeded my expectations. I could add one more talent to your long list of talents.”
They both grinned at each other. He was not prepared for the joy these words brought him. It seemed the world beyond the confines of his home did not exist. There were no troubles, no malicious tongues, no debts, nothing that could stand in the way of him obtaining the company of this utterly enthralling woman.
“And what would that be?” he wondered.
She replied without hesitation. “A talent for setting the stage of enchanting evenings.”
He chuckled, pulling his hand away so the servant could pour him another glass of brandy. “I have already revealed my secret, Lady Anna. It is the inspiration of the company. If the evening is enchanting, it is solely because the company is of the same kind.”
He turned to the servant, nodding. The first course was brought forth, a symphony of flavors that were to tantalize the senses, just as he had ordered. The starter course was plump oysters topped with a rich and flavorful mixture of herbs, spices, and breadcrumbs, baked to perfection.
He had opted for no soup that evening, instead focusing on the main course, which was filet mignon with madeira sauce, lobster, and thinly sliced and layered potatoes and asparagus. He watched her delicately taste each and every dish, her eyes meeting his each time in silent approval.
“Is it to your liking?” he asked, once the dessert had been brought forth, poached pears in red wine and sugar, served in the poaching liquid itself for a final sweet, sophisticated touch.
She didn’t respond immediately. A piece of the reddened pear disappeared inside that sinfully delicious mouth of hers, and Alexander knew he would not allow her to return home without tasting her lips. He couldn’t. Without realizing, he had crossed that line of no return.
“If I didn’t know any better, I would think you were trying to get me intoxicated,” she teased, taking another bite of the dessert.
“I had no such intention.” He grinned.
He watched her finish every bit of her dessert, and as the last plates were whisked away, the room settled into a quiet, pregnant lull. He could sense the gravity of the moment. The time had come. With a subtle clearing of his throat, he parted his lips.
“The daring proposal that has brought you to me…” His voice echoed, and he spoke freely, because he had dismissed all the servants. The two of them were alone now. “Have you given it more thought?”
Her beautiful eyes were a mosaic of courage and vulnerability as he reached for his glass, his fingers tracing the rim thoughtfully. The air was heavy with anticipation. Tension gripped him. But he refused to withdraw his question. The choice before her was as intricate as the embroidery on her gown, and the consequences might lead them to darkness. But he wanted it. He wanted it all.
After a breathless moment that seemed to last forever, her lips finally parted, and she whispered a promise into the air.
“Yes…”
***
Had she made the right choice? She had no idea.
