Clara felt her heart flutter as Brandon entered the breakfast room. He was wearing a dark blue silk jacket over a white button up shirt, matching dark blue waist coat, white cravat black trousers and black boots. He was even more handsome than she remembered.
Brandon smiled. "Good morning Miss Harrington, Lady Harrington."
Elizabeth. "Good morning your grace."
Clara. "This is quite the lovely surprise."
Brandon. "I was on my way to take care of some business for my London and country Estates, and thought I would come and stop by."
Clara. "I am very glad you did. Care for some tea?"
Brandon smiled sadly. "That would be lovely, but unfortunately I must go. I have quite a bit of business to take care of."
Clara nodded, her smile fading. "Oh, all right, I understand."
Brandon took her hand, his eyes fixed with hers. "I am putting together a private dinner next week. It will not be large by any means, just for two people. I would be honored if you attended."
Clara felt her heart stopped, her eyes widening at his words.  Brandon was asking her to dine with him, just the two of them. She smiled softly, her eyes sparkling with delight. "I would be honored to join you for dinner your grace."
Brandon. "Splendid. The dinner will be on Friday."
Clara. "I look forward to it."
Brandon. "As do I. Do you have a preference to the food that will be served?"
Clara shook her head. "No, nothing particular. I will say I do eat more fish than red meat."
Brandon smiled. "That can be arranged. Any particular desserts?"
Clara giggled, shaking her head again. "Whatever you have will be perfect your grace."
Brandon chuckled. "Very well. Oh, and I must inform you that you will be receiving a gift later this afternoon."
Clara blinked, confused. "A gift?"
Brandon nodded. "Yes."
Clara. "All right, I will look for it. Thank you."
Brandon nodded, taking her hand and brushing his lips softly against her knuckles. "Until we meet again."
Clara smiled. "Until we meet again."
Returning her smile, Brandon turned and left the house. Climbing into his carriage, he settled back against the tufted seat and beamed like a schoolboy. He was going to have Clara over for dinner, just the two of them alone. He had the finest gift being sent to her later that day, the first of many gifts to come.
Clara felt her cheeks become pink with excitement. She was going to have a private dinner with the Duke of Manchester, just the two of them alone. She couldn't wait for that day to arrive.
***
Later that afternoon, Clara smiled as she saw Francis entering the drawing room. She put down the book she was reading. "Hello Francis."
Francis returned her smile, holding out a beautiful white box. "This came for you about five minutes ago miss."
Clara took the box from him, having a feeling it was the gift Brandon was referring to. "Thank you."
Francis nodded before turning and leaving the room.
Placing the box carefully onto her lap, Clara lifted the lid and gasped as she saw what was inside. Her heart spiraled into a frenzy of excitement as she caught sight of a magnificent single soft pink and cream rose lying on a velvet pillow. The thornless stem had a powder blue silk ribbon wrapped around it.
Noticing a note beside the lovely bloom, Clara picked it up. Delicately unfolding it, she began to read what was written.
My dearest Clara,
I look forward to our dinner together next week. I promise you that everything will be perfect. There is a question I would like to ask you, but I will wait until that night to do so.
Until then, enjoy your rose. There will be plenty more to come. Also, make sure to put it in sugar water, that way it will be preserved.
Yours,
Brandon
Clara felt as if her heart would explode from her chest. What question did Brandon have to ask her? Her brain began to swirl with endless possibilities, but she would wait until the night of the dinner to find out what the answer would be.