Page 55 of Impassioned
Mrs. Haddock strode into the dining room. “Her ladyship will be down presently. I will fetch the accompaniments.” She’d looked at Constantine as she’d spoken, but before she went to the door to the backstairs to the kitchen, she sent a glance toward her husband who reacted very slightly. Still, Constantine noticed. There was a lightening to Haddock’s expression, an answering glow in his eyes.
Constantine wondered if he and Sabrina would ever exchange such looks.
He moved to the doorway to await his wife. A moment later, she appeared, as breathtakingly lovely as always. Her honey-gold hair was worked into a simple style, but a pearl comb nestled amongst the curls. It matched the pearls at her throat, which in turn complimented her rose and ivory floral gown. She looked fresh and alluring, as if she’d just walked in from outside and brought the sun with her.
Her slender brows arched, and her eyes widened as she took in the table. “My goodness, that’s a great many wineglasses.”
“It is indeed. Today, you’re going to taste a variety of wines so that you may decide what you prefer.”
“You planned this?” She stared at him in wonder.
“Mostly Haddock did, but at my request.” He dashed a grateful glance toward the butler.
“This is…marvelous.” She shook her head, then pivoted to face him. “I am reminded that I didn’t properly thank you for your other thoughtfulness—the red book from Repton. I still can’t quite believe you had that done. I can’t possibly express my gratitude. Or my delight.” Her blue gaze met his with an openness he didn’t think they’d ever held in his presence.
A surprising burst of joy spread through him, a splendid heat that made him want to smile. So he did. “It was my pleasure to commission it. Did you like his design?”
“Very much. It’s exactly what I would have wanted to do, but then I deeply admire Capability Brown’s landscapes, which seems to have been the primary influence.”
His brow puckered. “Would have wanted… Would you not like to have the work completed?
Her eyes goggled even wider this time. “You would support that?”
“Of course. Why have him make the book if we didn’t plan to complete the work?”
“Oh.” She pressed her lips together, and for a moment he was uncertain. She appeared agitated. Then her face lit with a smile, as if she were indeed carrying the sun in her pocket. “I would love to see it done. I am overwhelmed by your generosity.”
That word—generosity—made him think of the tutor. She’d said something similar last night…
Mrs. Haddock came in bearing a tray of food to be sampled with the wine. There were biscuits, breads, and cheeses, as well as some fruit. As she set the tray down and began to arrange the dishes, Sabrina moved toward the table.
“This is enough food for a group,” she noted.
“Perhaps we should invite the Haddocks to join us,” Constantine offered genially.
Both the butler and the housekeeper stared at him, freezing in place for a moment.
“I am content to pour for you and her ladyship,” Haddock said carefully.
Constantine hadn’t meant to make them uncomfortable. “Yes, of course.” He moved to Sabrina’s chair and held it for her.
She murmured her thanks as she sat. Then she lifted her gaze to Mrs. Haddock. “How is Grayson?”
“He’s quite well, my lady”
“Naughty as ever?” Sabrina asked with a smile that captivated Constantine’s attention as he took his chair.
Mrs. Haddock chuckled. “He’s slightly improved, as evidenced by his lack of gallivanting about the house.” She grimaced toward Constantine. “I’m still so mortified by his behavior that day, my lord.”
“I would say it’s been forgotten, but I fear that’s impossible. There is, however, nothing for you to feel mortified about. Now, please tell us about what you’ve arranged on the table.”
As the housekeeper reviewed the cheeses in particular, Constantine watched the slope of his wife’s neck as she nodded in response, the flutter of her lashes against her cheeks. He heard none of what was said as he lost himself in the simple beauty of the woman seated beside him.
“I thought you might begin with the red wines, my lord.” Haddock’s deep baritone pushed Constantine from his reverie.
“Very good.”
“I’ve provided information about each wine for Lady Aldington.” He looked toward Sabrina expectantly. “Perhaps you’d like to set aside the cards for your favorites so that we may take note. I can also communicate your preferences to Dagnall so that you may request specific wines at Hampton Lodge.”
