Sliding her hand through his elbow, Clara followed Brandon into the dining room and out onto the terrace. She gasped quietly, her eyes nearly bugging out of their sockets as she saw the beautiful arrangement waiting for them. "This is magnificent."
Brandon smiled, pulling out her chair and helping her sit down before taking his seat across from her. "I'm glad you like it. I spent this entire week making sure everything was perfect."
Clara smiled sweetly. "So far, everything is phenomenal."
Moments later, the first of their three course dinner was brought out. They were each served a bowl of cream and mushroom soup with a bread roll. The servant opened the bottle of wine and poured them both a glass before leaving.
Clara dipped her bread into her bowl of soup before taking a bite. "This is excellent."
Brandon. "I'm glad you're enjoying it. This is a favorite dish that my chef likes to prepare often."
Clara. "It is absolutely divine. I cannot wait for the rest of the courses."
Brandon smiled. "Well, I can assure you that you are in for quite the delicious meal."
Five minutes after their empty bowls were removed, the second course of their dinner was served.  Two plates of decadent lobster tail rice and vegetables were placed before them. The rich meat of the crab was doused in a creamy lemon butter sauce, and the vegetables consisted of asparagus broccoli and zucchini.
Brandon. "I do hope you like lobster, it is one of my favorite shellfish."
Clara took a bite, closing her eyes and moaning with pleasure at the delicious taste flowing on her tongue. "It is one of my favorites as well. This is pure heaven."
Brandon smiled brightly. "I'm glad, I will tell Jeremy to prepare lobster more often. Do you like crab as well?"
Clara wiped her mouth with a napkin. "I do, but I prefer lobster over any other shellfish. As for the fish that swim, I prefer salmon over any other."
Brandon took a sip from his wine glass. "Salmon is a favorite of mine as well."
20 minutes later, the servants came outside to retrieve their dinner plates. Soon after, a three tiered cake stand pile Thai with desserts was placed before them. The desserts ranged from exquisite fresh berry cream tarts to decadent vanilla and chocolate cakes.
Clara stared at the cake stand, her eyes traveling across each plate with wonder. "My word, I'm not sure where to begin."
Brandon chuckled. "Jeremy's wife Bernadette is an excellent pastry chef. Everything she bakes is delicious."
They each decided on one tart, one vanilla tea cake, and one chocolate tea cake. They asked the servants to take the rest of the desserts away, and have their wine glasses be replaced with tea cups.
Once dessert was finished 10 minutes later, Brandon stood from his seat. Walking around the table, he came to stop at Clara's seat, extending his hand. "Care to join me for a walk in the garden?"
Smiling, Clara reached out and placed her hand into his. "I would be honored."
Brandon beamed, helping her rise from her seat. He looped her hand through his elbow and led her into the gardens. "Good, because there is a question I would like to ask you."
Clara smiled, feeling her heart beginning to fly. "What is your question your grace?"
Brandon smiled, leading her to a beautiful archway of red white and pink gold roses. He paused, turning to face her. He took her hands, his eyes fixed with hers. "Well, I have actually two questions to ask you."
Clara's eyes widened. "Two questions?"
Brandon nodded, his expression serious. "Yes, and they are quite important."
Clara took a breath. "Very well. What is your first question?"
Brandon. "Miss Clara Harrington, will you allow me to court you?"
Clara nearly swooned. Brandon was asking to court her. Had she heard him correctly? "Your grace, why me? I am not the diamond, Miss Giselle Broderick is."
Brandon squeezed her hands. "Clara, Giselle Broderick has nothing compared to you. She might be the daughter of a baron, and she might be the incomparable, but she does not possess any of the beautiful qualities that you do. You are exquisite, kind and intelligent. You are humble and selfless, never looking down on those below you. You do not seek a marriage for title and wealth, but for love. You are the true diamond."
Clara felt tears well up in her eyes, but she kept them at bay. She smiled softly, very touched by Brandon's declaration. She was being chosen by Brandon above everyone else.
Brandon. "Do I have your permission to court you?"
Clara nodded, her eyes bright. "Yes, you certainly do."
Brandon smiled. "Splendid."
Clara. "What is your other question?"
Brandon took a breath, his eyes fixed with hers. "May I kiss you?"