“No one is better at keeping a secret than Ellie.”
A nostalgic smile crossed Robert's face. “I know. I should probably consult her on some financial matters.”
Victoria looked up sharply. “You would do that?”
“Do what?”
“Ask her advice.”
“Why not? I have never met anyone with a better knack for handling money than your sister. If she were a man she'd probably be running the Bank of England.” Robert picked up the oyster he'd set down. “After we're married— No, no, no, don't even bother to remind me that you haven't accepted my suit, because I am well aware of it. I was merely going to say that you should invite her to stay with us.”
“You would let me do that?”
“I am not an ogre, Victoria. I don't know why you seem to think that I will rule you with an iron fist once we are married. Believe me, I am more than happy to share with you some of the responsibilities of an earldom. It can be quite a chore.”
Victoria regarded him thoughtfully. She had never realized that Robert's privilege could also be a burden. Although his title would be only an honorary one until his father died, he still had many responsibilities to his land and his tenants.
Robert motioned to her plate. “Do you not enjoy oysters?” He smiled wickedly. “Or perhaps you fear that my scientific experiment might prove successful?”
Victoria blinked herself out of her reverie. “I've never before tried an oyster. I haven't the faintest idea how to eat one.”
“I had no idea you had such a gap in your culinary education. Here, let me prepare one for you.” Robert picked up an oyster from the center platter, added a squirt of lemon juice and a dab of horseradish, and handed it to her.
Victoria eyed the mollusk dubiously. “Now what do I do?”
“You lift it to your lips and drink it down.”
“Drink it? Without chewing?”
He smiled. “No, you chew a bit, too. But first we must make an oyster toast.”
Victoria looked around. “I don't think they brought us any toast.”
“No, no, a toast. Cheers. To happiness. That sort of toast.”
“With an oyster?” She narrowed her eyes suspiciously. “I am certain that this cannot be a custom.”
“Then we'll make it our custom.” Robert lifted his oyster in the air. “You, too.”
Victoria held her oyster up. “I feel very foolish.”
“Don't. We all deserve a bit of fun every now and then.”
She smiled wryly. Fun. What a novel concept. “Very well. To what shall we toast?”
“Us, of course.”
“Robert…”
“Such a spoilsport. Very well, to happiness!”
Victoria clinked her oyster shell against his. “To happiness.” She watched as Robert ate his oyster, and then, after muttering “One only lives once, I suppose,” she followed suit and sucked it down.
Robert watched her with an amused expression. “How did you enjoy it?”
Victoria came up spluttering. “My goodness, but that was the oddest culinary experience I have ever encountered.”
“I'm finding it difficult to discern whether that is a positive or negative statement,” Robert said.
“I'm finding it difficult as well,” she replied, looking a touch startled. “I cannot decide if that was the best food I have ever tasted or the absolute worst.”
He laughed out loud. “Perhaps you should try another?”
“I don't suppose they serve beef stew?”
Robert shook his head.
“Well, then, I suppose I'll need another oyster if I do not want to perish of starvation later in the day.”
He prepared another for her. “Your wish is my command.”
She shot him a disbelieving glance. “I'm going to pay you a small kindness and not make a suitable retort to that comment.”
“I believe you just did.”
Victoria ate another oyster, dabbed her lips with her napkin, and smiled archly. “Yes, I did, didn't I?”
Robert was silent for a moment, then he said, “I think it's working.”
“I beg your pardon?”
“The oysters. I think you like me better already.”
“I do not,” she said, trying very hard not to smile.
He clutched at his chest. “I am heartbroken. Utterly bereaved.”
“Stop being so silly.”
“Or perhaps…” He scratched his head in an attempt to look serious and thoughtful. “Perhaps the reason you don't like me any better is because you liked me quite well to begin with.”
“Robert!”
“I know, I know. I am having fun at your expense. But you are having fun, too.”
She didn't say anything.
“Are you still angry we detoured to Whitsable?”
There was a long silence, and then Victoria shook her head.
Robert didn't realize he'd been holding his breath until it came out in a long whoosh. He reached across the table and placed his hand over hers. “It can always be like this,” he whispered. “You can always be this happy.”
She opened her mouth, but he didn't let her speak. “I saw it in your eyes,” he said. “You enjoyed yourself more this afternoon than you have in the last seven years.”
Victoria's head forced her reluctant heart to pull her hand away. “You weren't with me during the last seven years. You can't know what I did or did not feel.”
“I know.” He paused. “And it breaks my heart.”
They didn't speak for the rest of the meal.