Chapter 5
Luke turned to see the young Miss. Wade staring at her mother.
“I am terribly sorry to plop myself down in this seat, I do hope it wasn’t being held for some dashing prince?” The girl with blue eyes turned to him and quite frankly said,
“I’m sorry... sir, but I have no dashing prince of which to hold a seat for. Which I suppose is why you came in here and sat in it without consent. I am afraid to say, but you are no prince.” Luke felt a sly grin begin to form on his face, she had a little poison in her tone of voice. It made her exciting, not all women were like that.
“No maybe not, but what about dashing?” The question seemed to catch her off guard. She quickly recovered.
“Well, I would have to know you better to answer that...question.” Her attention resumed on the subject of her mother.
“I suppose I should get to know you better than my dear, the name is Luke Hensley, Duke of Lancaster!” Her lightly toned skin never turned to look at him.
“Thats all very grand, but if you will excuse me, I’m going to see what is taking dinner so long.” And just like that their conversation was finished and the mysterious no named girl rose and walked away. Luke was appalled, he never even got her name! How was he supposed to charm this lady without knowing her name? He turned to his trusty friend Stark only to see him stealing glances at the dark haired beauty in the seat next the the empty seat Miss.Wade had been sitting in. She caught his eye and giggled, her smile was full of white teeth sparkling in the faint glow of the dim lighted room. He turned back to Stark.
“My dear, dear friend, it seems you have fallen to hard on the first night we have come.” The stable boy simply looked up and chuckled,
“I, have no idea what you are talking about.” With a grim expression Luke responded to himself,
“Thats what I was afraid of..” A little longer than Luke would have desired the empty seat next to his was filled. A bundle of long blond hair and bright eyes looked into his.
“You must be duke of Lancaster, I see all of the stories are true... I have one question and one warning.” The statement intrigued Luke.
“First the warning, My sister,Charlotte, is a dangerous game to play, she has quick wit and a very-”
“Why miss I had no intention of-” Luke interrupted quickly, but the younger girl looking at him was quicker,
“Now Mr.Hensley, it is very rude to interrupt a lady while she is talking. Now as I was saying- she has a quick wit and very smart tongue. Now my question, what makes you think you can just come in here to our home and go after one of its residents?” Luke had no idea what or how to respond to such a reproachful statement. Suddenly Charlotte, returned from the kitchen.
“The dinner will be out shortly, just a little mishap in the kitchen that had to be taken care of. We thank you for your patience.” Her unmissable voice got the attention of many of the dukes. She promptly sat down and thanked her sister for “saving” her seat. It took a minute, but not shortly after Luke decided to speak.
“You’re sister is very, outgoing.” There was a small smile and a snicker that escaped from Charlotte’s mouth.
“Yes she is...not shy.” She turned to look at Luke abruptly the smile had disappeared.
“What.. what did she say?” A look of worry crossed her face. Luke all of the sudden felt such love and compassion to this women he had just met.
“Nothing to worry about, really, just introduced herself to me.” Luke didn’t like to lie, but he didn’t want Charlotte to worry anymore.
“Oh thank goodness she had a tendency to worry about me ever since I caught that terrible fever.” Luke took no time to ask about this terrible fever.
“If you don’t mind me asking-” He didn’t have to finish his question.
“No! ... I’m sorry, I don’t like to remember what had happened.” Luke was surprised at the insistence to not tell her story. He noticed her gaze once again float to her mother as if asking for approval. The first course of the meal, a platter of spinach leaves drizzled in strawberry dressing was being served to the guests.
“If you insist, but I must inquire about your mother, she does seem a little up tight and evil, for lack of a better word...” The reaction Luke received was not one he would ever have expected. Charlotte immediately stood up and shouted,
“Excuse me sir!” Right at that moment young Henry, with a disgusted
“Ew” flung his salad over the head of many visitors and landing right across Luke’s face. A shriek was heard and the dinner, was, over.
