Page 42 of Discovering Her Earl

He had never led her to believe differently. Maybe the way he’d communicated his lack of interest could have been handled in a less hurtful way, but he hadn’t lied.

When it was time for dinner, Lainey dressed and rested her hand on the door. Taking a deep breath, she opened it and went down the stairs toward the dining room where Julian most likely would be waiting for her to dine.

She’d planned to stay in her room and request a tray be brought up with her dinner. But she wasn’t going to hide anymore.

It was time to move on. To let go of the past. And that was what she planned to do.

Chapter Fourteen

When Elaina stepped into the dining room it took Julian two whole seconds to jump to his feet and nod a bow. Even as he waved off the footman to help her in her seat himself, he was a bit baffled.

She’d come down to dinner.

After whatever he’d done that made her flee his company in the stable earlier, he expected her to be hidden away in her room all night. But here she was, with a smile even.

It might not be the smile that made his heart race, but for whatever reason she was attempting to be friendly.

“I’m so glad you decided to join me this evening,” he said.

He nodded that the food should be served and thanked the footman who presented his plate. While things were less formal here in the Highlands, his staff was able to show up any London home.

The food was always plentiful and tasty.

“I am impressed that your cook here at Dalkeith doesn’t grow bored when you are away and run off to another household,” she said after taking a bite.

He smiled.

“Mrs. Carn quite enjoys the quiet but doesn’t mind cooking on the rare occasions we come to stay. We being myself and my friends,” he explained. “We’ve even been known to host an occasional party.”

Julian loved parties and entertainments. Being with people meant more people to charm and prove his father wrong. It was rather embarrassing which is why he never planned to tell a soul.

She nodded and seemed to relax as she cut her meat into tiny pieces. The very picture of proper etiquette. This woman who ripped bread with her teeth during their luncheon and held meat in her shirt was so dainty at the dinner table. What an enigma she was.

“If you would prefer to have a less formal dinner, I would be happy to oblige.”

She cast a look at him.

“I am rather surprised to see you turned out for a meal in the country.”

“Ah. That is because of Ben. Had I not packed an appropriate dinner jacket I am certain Ben would weave an evening coat from horsehair and grass, such are his talents.”

Elaina laughed. A real laugh with a real smile that lit her warm brown eyes.

It was not a game, but if it were, he would be awarded another point.

He shared stories until their meals grew cold. Then they meandered to the drawing room and sat by the fire where she read to him until they were both overcome by yawning.

“I must say goodnight, before you are forced to carry me upstairs to my bed,” he said, earning a chuckle. “The wretch who runs this expedition beats me out of bed each morning before dawn.”

“The wretch wishes you pleasant dreams but reminds you that if you are not ready to go by first light, she will leave you behind.”

“Hopefully the wretch won’t snatch up all the bacon tomorrow.”

“Perhaps if you arrived earlier, you would have first crack at it.”

“Or maybe I will just hold her up by her ankles and shake out whatever she has stashed away.”

They laughed as they slowly made their way upstairs. They paused in the empty space between their rooms. Her closer to her room, he closer to his.