Lavinia playfully shoved him and shook her head, gesturing toward the house. "Go on, Andrew. We have an hour before dinner, and I imagine you'll want to use it to prepare for David's ‘interrogation.'"
"As the Duchess pleases," he said and with that, turned and strolled back toward the house.
An hour later, the four of them gathered in the grand dining room, the table set with an elegant spread of roasted meats, fresh vegetables, and decadent desserts. The conversation naturally split into two: Lavinia leaned toward Emma, their voices a soft murmur as they exchanged whispers and caught up on personal matters, their laughter occasionally punctuating the room. Across the table, Andrew and David engaged in a more direct and measured dialogue. They seemed to be talking about new business ventures, and who was buying what land in what part of the country.
Despite the divided discussions, dinner passed without any overt conflict, and the servants began clearing the table as the meal came to an end.
Afterward, they moved to the drawing room with the fire crackling warmly in the hearth. They had not been seated for longer than ten minutes when David decided that it was time to play a game.
"Why don't we indulge in a little amusement?" he suggested. "A game of Blind Man's Bluff, perhaps?"
Andrew, standing by the fireplace raised an eyebrow. "Blind man's what?"
"Bluff," David answered. "It'll be a good way to pass time."
Emma clapped her hands together, her face lighting up. "Oh, how delightful! We haven't played that in ages."
"I must confess I'm not familiar with the game. Would you care to explain the rules, David?" Andrew said.
Lavinia's stomach sank. Of all the games he could have chosen, why this one? She hated the game. Growing up, she always refused to play it with her friends. She would sit in the corner and just watch them go at it.
Her pulse quickened as the familiar insecurity crept in. How could she possibly hide when her figure would give her away the moment anyone touched her?
"It's simple," David continued. One person is blindfolded and must tag the others by touch alone. It's a test of intuition, and, of course...luck. When you tag the person, you have to tell us who it is, only then, can you take the blindfold off."
Andrew slowly nodded. "All right. It sounds exciting."
"How about you be the blind man then?" David asked.
"Thrilling," he said and rose to his feet. "I'll get a servant to fetch a blindfold."
Lavinia hesitated, glancing around the room. Emma was practically bouncing with excitement, David looked far too pleased with himself, and Andrew...he was already fetching a blindfold. She couldn't let them think she was weak or frightened.
"What's wrong?" Emma whispered to her. "You look pale. Do you want to sit the game out?"
Lavinia forced a smile. "No, not at all. "I'll play."
Almost instantly, her dress started to feel too tight, as though the fabric had shrunk around her in protest. She didn't want Andrew to see her hesitation or, worse, to see through it. The thought of him touching her during the game, his hands pausing ever so slightly as he recognized her, filled her with dread. Would he say something, teasing her as he always did but this time about her figure? Would his words, however lighthearted, land like stones on the fragile foundation of her confidence?
It didn't take long before David and Andrew quickly turned the simple game into a battle of wits and skill. They ribbed each other with playful taunts, each determined to outperform the other. Lavinia did her best to remain hiding, not getting caught once in three rounds. Her goal was to not let anyone touch her, especially Andrew.
But then it was Andrew's turn again. Lavinia couldn't help but notice the way his gaze lingered on her, even as the game resumed. She had sensed it from the very start. His face had turned toward her as soon as the blindfold was on, a faint glimmer of amusement in his expression. There was something deliberate in his movements now, as though he were purposely steering his steps closer to her.
Lavinia hugged the edge of the room, hoping that she was wrong and he not deliberately marking her footsteps. When he started getting too close to her again, she knew she had to move from the corner. But it was as though he had sensed her presence and within moments, his hand brushed her arm.
"Got you," he whispered triumphantly, holding on to both her elbows.
"You have to tell us who it is," David announced.
Andrew tilted his head. "The only person that smells like wild roses in this room is my wife. It's her signature scent."
Lavinia froze, her breath catching in her throat as she looked up at him. For a moment, it felt as though the world had stilled, and all she could focus on was the warmth of his voice and how intensely his words hit her. She loved roses, and he’d noticed that.
Her heart skipped a beat, and she felt out of breath. Perhaps, it was because he was blindfolded, but it was easy to studyhis face. To bask in the warmth of the moment without feeling overwhelmed by a surge of emotions.
Her fingers, almost of their own accord, reached up, hesitating for just a moment before gently tracing the line of his arm. She felt the tautness of his veiny hands, the warmth of his skin. His smile slowly waned, but that was the only reaction she got from him. He didn't move.
Slowly, her hand traveled upwards, gliding over the sharp curve of his bicep, to his shoulder, then to his jawline. Lavinia wasn't sure where the confidence came from, but she was grateful for it. It was then, Andrew took a step forward, his breathing labored as he tightened his grip on her arm. She paused, her fingers lingering for just a breathless second on the smoothness of his cheek, feeling the faint warmth radiating from him.
