Page 17 of The Beast’s Duchess (Duchesses of Inconvenience #1)

Chapter Fourteen

C hristopher was waiting in the dining room when the door opened.

He stood stiffly waiting for the ladies to join him.

If he was honest, he was more than a little uncomfortable.

The only time since the fire he had been dressed like this was the day he barged into the church.

If he was honest, he still wasn’t entirely sure that had gone well.

Part of him still wasn’t entirely sure if he had made the right choice in attire.

But before he can over think it too badly, he turned to see Veronica flying inside. To his surprise, she was in a simple lavender after noon dress, hair back in a simple bun, and almost completely free of jewelry.

When she saw him, she paused, breath catching in her throat. “You- you’ve dressed for dinner,” she said in surprise.

He frowned. “Well, we do have company. I thought you would be pleased.”

“I am,” she hesitated. “But-”

“But you didn’t dress. I can see that. I must say, I am rather surprised. I thought you would have jumped at the chance.”

“Perhaps I would have if I had realized, but I didn't think you would want us to.”

“Why wouldn’t I? As I said, we have company. It seemed the least I could do, given the circumstances.”

“Perhaps, but-”

Before Veronica could say whatever was still on her mind, the door opened once more and her sisters stepped inside.

Christopher couldn't help but frown. He didn’t understand why she didn’t think he would do something that was widely considered to be common etiquette. It might have been years since he’d hosted anyone, but that didn’t mean he’d forgotten how.

And, if he was honest, he was rather hoping to make a better impression on her sisters than he was sure he had on the day of their wedding.

The smaller one locked her eyes on him then crossed her arms. “Veronica! You said we weren’t going to dress for dinner, but he did. Did you just ask Rose to tell me that as some sort of prank? Because that was rather mean of you if you did!”

“I wasn’t- I mean- It isn’t like that. I just-”

“We aren’t in the habit of it,” Christopher cut in.

“I’m afraid I have grown rather used to living alone, but we have two lovely guests.

I could hardly slack on such an occasion.

Veronica was simply trying to ensure I would be comfortable.

I hadn’t had a chance to tell her I would be dressing you see, so she assumed we would be doing things the way we usually did. My apologies.”

“This is my mistake,” she cut in, finding her voice again. “I should have checked with him before saying we wouldn’t be dressing. My apologies.”

“Does this mean we can go change Veronica?” Milly begged, eagerness shining in her eyes. “Oh please say yes.”

Veronica blinked in shock. “Of course. I suppose there’s no harm in it, but do try to be quick.”

“Oh, thank you! We will be quick. You don’t need to worry! I’m so excited for you to see our new gowns and jewelry!”

As the pair scampered off, Veronica turned back to him in shock, chewing on her lip. “New gowns and jewelry? How could they afford something like that? I do hope my parents aren’t making foolish financial decisions again.”

Christopher looked away. “I doubt that.”

“But how else could they afford such things?”

He rubbed at the back of his head. “After we talked that first night, I may have invested in a few of his businesses. They seem to be doing rather well now from what I have seen. You don’t need to worry. Your family is doing well.”

“I - I don’t know what to say. Thank you.”

“Perhaps you should think about expanding your own wardrobe now.”

“What?”

“Well, you do have dinner with a duke every night. Seems like an occasion that might warrant dressing up every now and then.”

She lets out a small laugh.

“I mean it. You deserve to be dressed in finery as often as you like.”

Christopher couldn’t look away, eyes tracking her every move.

“Are we changing the dress code for dinner?”

“Perhaps not every night, perhaps one or two a week. But I will be dressing for dinner every night that your sisters are here.”

“Thank you, I appreciate it.”

“Are you going to go change?”

Before she could answer the door opened and her sisters returned.

A bitter sweet smile graced her face. She shook her head. “Not tonight, I would hate for everyone to wait on my account, but I will tomorrow. Thank you.”

“Are you sure? I doubt they would mind. I know I wouldn’t.”

She shook her head. “There will be plenty of time for that next time. For the moment, I’d rather just enjoy our time together.”

“Of course. I can understand that. I hope you enjoy their visit.”

“Thank you. I am sure I will.”

Then she turned her focus to her sisters. Christopher stepped back, content to watch them together, a smile growing on his face. She was so lovely. He couldn’t believe it, even in her simple gown.

Going over to Milly, Veronica grinned, taking her in. She was dressed far more fashionably than Veronica had at her age, and the necklace and earrings she wore were nothing to sneeze at. “Don’t you look so lovely!”

She preened. “I thought so as well, but it makes me so happy to know you like it. I spent a long time making sure I packed only my best dresses for our visit.”

“Thank you for taking the time to look so nice just for us.”

“It isn’t just for you,” she confessed, looking away. “I don’t have many occasions to dress aside from family dinners. Father says I am still far too young to be out, but I don’t think that’s very fair. Especially since he got me all of this finery and now I have no where to wear it!”

“I’m sure you will have plenty of occasions soon enough.”

“But why?” She pouted. “I don't understand why I need to wait.”

“Because coming out means you want to get married. Do you think you're ready for that?”

She shook her head. “All I want to do is go to parties and wear my nice dresses.”

Veronica and Rose shared a laugh.

Christopher stepped back for a moment, watching how easily the three of them fell into the old banter they had shared for their whole life. He had no doubt they looked lovely in their finery, but his eyes were locked on Veronica.

She was still in nothing but a simple afternoon dress, but he couldn’t take his eyes off of her.

Everything about it was perfect. It complemented her skin perfectly, giving her a radiant glow.

Her hair seemed to gleam in the low light of the dining room.

And even though she wasn't wearing any jewelry, her eyes sparkled brighter than even the most radiant gemstone.

He didn’t think he had ever seen someone so beautiful before. He was captivated. Hypnotized. How could he bear to look at any thing other than her?

They all enjoyed a pleasant meal, or at least he assumed they did, but he couldn't be positive. He could hardly pay attention to anything other than her. In the austere setting of the dining room, she glowed like a fresh flower in barren, stony ground.

He had meant what he had said earlier. She deserved an endless collection of finery and jewels. He had been robbing her by expecting her to meet him where he was with every little thing.

He knew better now.

He would be better.

Christopher felt almost drunk on her beauty. He found himself glancing at his cup on more than on one occasion to check how much he had drank. But it was scarcely half a glass.

Never the less, he felt his inhibitions lowering. That was the only explanation he could think of.

“Please, Christopher,” Milly blinked up at him with wide eyes. “Just one song.”

Veronica sighed. “You are more than welcome to play after dinner, but that doesn't mean that you can force him to play as well.”

“Oh come on,” Milly insisted. “Just one. It can even be a short one.”

“You didn't even ask if he could play the piano.”

“Of course I can,” he cut in, speaking before he could even think about it. “And I don't see the harm in playing with her, especially if it is only one song.”

“That is kind of you to offer,” Veronica said, stunned. “But I can assure you it will be far more than one song. My little sister doesn’t know when to stop.”

“If she tries to push for more, we can discuss that when the time comes, but for the moment I don't see any harm.”

Milly let out a small cheer of delight. “I knew he would want to play with me! Oh! Veronica, just you wait until you hear me. I have gotten so much better since you last heard me.”

“I'm sure you are.”

The conversation shifted and the meal continued. Christopher could hardly believe he had agreed to such a thing, but it was too late to have second thoughts now.

And so, a short time later, he found himself in one of the parlors he hadn’t been in in years.

It looked rather different than it had the last time he had used it, being one of the first places to be involved in Veronica’s renovations. He had to say, she had done a good job.

The space was warm, inviting, welcoming, in a way it had never been before. Veronica and Rose took up a seat on one of the sofas near by while Milly raced over to the piano that sat near the window.

He followed behind her, no longer quite as sure about this choice. It had been years since he had touched the instrument. Part of him wasn’t sure he would even remember what to do.

But he didn’t say that. Instead he simply took his spot beside her and set his fingers on the keys.

By some miracle, he wasn’t as rusty as he feared, but it probably helped that the person he was playing with was still learning. The only thing that made his playing a bit difficult was the soft chatter he could hear coming from the sofa.

He couldn’t help but wonder what the pair of them could be talking about. Was Veronica pleased? Were things going well?

The piece came to an end before he was ready.

Milly sighed. “I don’t think I did that very well, did I?”