Sweetness and light // Colonel Brandon x reader

Chapter 8

You sat down with him to dinner in the large dining room. It felt strange, sitting at the table of a rich person, only serving or staring at it before. It was strange to feel the expensive forks and eat off the decorated plates. You loved it though, eating with the most handsome men you have ever met at his dinner table. It was slightly overwhelming but you tried to keep your cool, not wanting to seem strange in front of Christopher.

"Do you like it?" he asked, cutting some of the meat.

"I do" you said, taking a sip of the alcohol which was placed in front of you.

"That is a Spanish Red," he said. "if you wanted to know from where it was grown"

You smiled, not knowing much about alcohol at all. "Do you have a favourite type of alcohol?" he asked.

"I am not well versed" you answered, picking it up.

"Oh, my apologies" he said,

"No no it's fine" you said. "I would love to be educated on it"

"on wine?" he asked.

"Yeah" you mumbled, putting some food to your lips.

"I am no expert myself" Christopher said, "I know what I like and I like what I know, which is mostly red wine, whiskey and champagne"

You nodded, noticing that when he talked about something he liked he gained a slight smile to the corner of his lips and a twinkle which you thought was beautiful.

"It is mostly the chef which chooses my wine which is the best way to go with these things" Christopher nodded. He put his glass up to a toast. "To horses and new relationships"

"To horses and new relationships" you repeated, putting yours up into a toast also. You both drank and went back to eating, you going a little pink due to the strong alcohol. This made Christopher go pink himself, loving how cute you looked, even when you were in your working clothes.

"I will need to go back to Middleton's tomorrow to pick up some new clothes and check on the stables" you said.

"Of course" Christopher said, slightly sad you were leaving, even for a short while. "take as long as you need."

"Thank you" you said, smiling slightly.

"Did I mention payment?" Christopher asked, not really wanting to talk business but his conscience got the better of him.

"the food and company is enough" you said. "I am glad I have the chance to help a beautiful injured horse like yours"

"I don't think I can use your services and not pay you" he said, pressing it. "I am happy to pay anything, even-"

"No Christopher" you said, stopping him in mid-sentence. "You are feeding me and boarding me, giving me the opportunity to look after your beautiful horse and to learn about you."

"You enjoy learning about me?" he asked.

"Your stories are wonderful and exhilarating" you said. "And your collections are beautiful. If you published a book I would be your first buyer"

Christopher went red to the praise and his lips turned onto an embarrassed smile. "I am glad you think so highly of me" he said. "Not many do"

"I think they do" you said, feeling so comfortable to talk with him. "You are such a lovely man and so kind to me and everyone else around you."

"Oh (y/n)" he murmured, going even redder, loving the praise but also finding it embarrassing. "I am just doing what any other would do in this situation"

"And I thank you for that, so it is fine, I do not need payment"

Christopher was still unsure but carried on eating, glancing up at you. He found it strange he didn't accept his money but at the same time, it showed you as a person who didn't seem to mind about money.

Soon the main course was over and pudding was set down, it tasted of raspberries and you immediately took to it, enjoying the flavour of it. By the time dinner had ended it had turned dark again and candles were lit so you could both see. You kept talking at the dinner table until late about random things until at least 11pm, at this point you yawned and Christopher looked at the clock.

"Good Lord look at the time" he said. "You must rest it is 11pm"

"It has been a wonderful talk though" you said, standing.

"It has been" Christopher said.

You walked toward the doorway and Christopher watched, he wanted to call out to you, his mind wanting to say his love. "Wait (y/n)?" he asked, he went red and his heart beat quickly.

"Yeah?" you asked.

He swallowed, terrified. "Um- I hope you have a good night's sleep" he said.

"You too Christopher" you said, smiling.

"Oh and (y/n)" he said again.

"Yeah?"

"If you need anything ask" he said, going red, unable to say his feelings.

"I will thank you" you said, smiling.