The Art of Being a Gentleman

Chapter 3

Harry delays his date with Victoria until Friday in order to get his sleep schedule back where it needs to be. He doesn't want to be snappy with her or anybody else he happens to meet in public. It would not be a good look for the Styles family if the golden child acted out in public.

Harry arrives at the Astaire residence, a Victorian style home that has a modest charm to it, at around four in the afternoon. Victoria is standing outside wearing a bright yellow sundress, a pair of flats, and a smile brighter than the harsh sun. She waits for Harry as he gets out of the car and opens the passenger side door for her. She gives him a kiss on the cheek before she climbs inside the car.

As Harry drives down the winding road into town, his hand resting on Victoria's knee, he can't help but think about Louis. He's been doing that a lot lately, thinking of Louis whenever he has a quiet moment, and he's not sure what that means. Hell, it might not mean anything at all. After all, Louis is his student. At the end of their second session, he assigned Louis to read five through ten of his textbook, a long list of words and their definitions, in order to expand his vocabulary. Harry can't help but smile as he thinks about the severely low likelihood of Louis actually reading those pages.

"What are you smiling about?" Victoria asks, snapping Harry out of his thoughts.

"Just... thinking about how happy I am to spend the evening with you," Harry lies. "I can't wait for you to meet Evelyn and Madeline. They're like my best friends."

Victoria nods. "You know, I've never seen you smile like that."

Harry furrows his eyebrows. "Like what?"

"Like... you're at ease," she answers. "Like nothing else in the world matters but whatever's on your mind. It's lovely."

Harry doesn't dwell too long on Victoria's words. He doesn't stop and think about why he might look so at ease. The feeling he's too scared to acknowledge flares up and he has to grit his teeth to keep himself from doing so.

After a short drive, Harry pulls up in the parking lot of Mildred's Corner, an upscale restaurant with a lovely, rustic feel to it. He and Victoria exit the car and walk hand in hand inside the crowded building. As soon as the host sees Harry, she gives him a smile and directs him to his and Victoria's reserved table. It's located in a partially closed off space lit only by candles. Harry pulls Victoria's chair out for her before he sits in his own chair across from her.

"This place is so lovely," Victoria praises. "The ambience is so peaceful."

"That's one of the reasons why this is my favorite place," Harry says. "Just wait until you try the food."

Victoria smiles giddily as she opens her menu. "There's so much to choose from. What do you recommend?"

"Well, I might order the braised duck..." Harry trails off, scanning the issue. "And I think you would like... Oh, you should definitely try the roast. It's amazing and they aren't too stingy on the gravy. I also suggest you try their apricot tea. It's sweet but not terribly so."

Victoria nods as she closes her menu. "Then I will have that."

Their waitress, a bubbly brunette with a smile that screams please tip generously, comes to their table and gets their food and drink orders. After she leaves, Harry and Victoria fall into easy conversation. They talk about how their weeks are going so far and trade recent stories about their families. When their food and drinks come out, they eat silently, occasionally coming up for air to compliment the food. Harry has a mouth full of rice pilaf when Victoria speaks up.

"Harry?" She calls.

Harry swallows his food and regards her with raised eyebrows.

"Um, what do you want to do?" She asks.