To Hate The Duke

Chapter Eight - History Repeats & Heated Meets

"Miss Madeline Vincent." Daniel interrupts the waiter with an annoyed look on his face.

The waiter can sense the tension between us. "I'll bring the menus." He says and leaves us to our battle.

"How does that dish know your name?" Whispers Penelope, catching on.

I keep my eyes on the scoundrel making sure he understand my words. "If you're preference for dishes involve, dated marmite, rotten mushrooms and a hair to top it off, then sure, he's quite the dish."

"Lovely to make your acquaintance, Miss Penelope." Daniel extends his arm to Pennie, ignoring my words completely.

Pennie looks once at me and shakes his hand, but doesn't say anything other than smile turning towards her own date and leaving me to deal with the scoundrel.

Daniel clears his throat and extends his arm, this time to me. "Miss Vincent." I can sense the laced irritation in his voice, maybe he had too expected to have a good time tonight.

I want to shake his hand, if only for formalities but then I remember what he had said that night at the party, how he had called me rude, a child, stubborn and decide to force a smile and walk right past him ignoring his smile, and take my seat. The table

As they all follow suit and take their seats, I hear His Annoyingness mumble something under his breath. 

"What was that, Sir?" I challenge.

He looks at me for a few seconds. "Only that I wouldn't order the steak here, it can be annoyingly stubborn to cut, not tender at all."

"Well I have tried the steak here and it is incredibly tender." I lie, grabbing my glass. "Maybe you're picky." I tempt.

"Or perhaps, your mouth is inclined to overcooked meat." He fixes his stare on me.

I do the same. "Or maybe, you're just sensitive." I smile. "Like a child, who can't handle adult food." 

"I can't wait for the wine!" Exclaims Pennie, interrupting our heated conversation.

"Neither can I!" Cries Harry, with a confused expression on his face. "So, how is it that you both already know each other?"

"We met at a charity party."  I explain quickly before he gets a chance to ruin my reputation. "So it's not really a blind date at all." 

I can tell he wants to know more and I'm sure his friend, if he could ever be that, would tell him right after. But Daniel contradicts me. "Well we didn't really talk, so it is, actually quite like a blind date." 

"Well, I completely disagree." I turn to Harry. "The whole point of a blind date is to get to know someone and I believe I got a good grasp on your friend's character that night."

Daniel stands straighter. "Oh you did, did you?" 

"Yes." Staring at Daniel, I continue. "I did. And you're too sensitive and..." I laugh shyly to make my next comment seem friendly. "You're too proud dear, for my liking." I touch Daniel's arm. "No offence."

"None taken." Daniel chuckles darkly. "That's a relief truly, you're too stubborn for me." He mirrors my gesture and places his hand on my arm. "But I beg you, take no offence." Both Harry and Penelope look to each other and decide it better to start their own conversation, yet Daniel and I stay focused on our argument.

I can feel my blood boiling. "Oh, don't you worry." I laugh. "You're only offence is thinking you could ever offend me."

"Well, I'd recommend for you to explain it."