I stopped in my tracks, Zoë stood in the middle of the dinning room as bewitching as ever in a new dress that complimented her shape. She was shocked to see me, mr Williams must have said I wasn't coming to dinner. And to be fair I wasn't until last minute which is why there's no place setting for me. "Hey" I said clearing my throat which was such a stupid thing to say but we'd been staring at each other for a while, there needed to be something to break the silence. "Oh hi" she replied nervously wringing her fingers. "I didn't expect you would join me for dinner"
"Oh yeah well I wasn't and I don't normally eat in the dining room, but I'd had enough work for today" I was still looking at her but her eyes were downcast avoiding me. 'She just nervous' I was trying to tell myself.
Everyone had built me up to be this person I was not. She probably heard the rumours and although most of the provocative ones were true, the ones about me being cold and stoic were not. Obviously I had to have a front or the people would walk all over me. But I wasn't that bad, at least I thought so. It'd been a long time since I'd been in company that wasn't hired or pathetically begging.
I realised we were still standing, "Let's sit down to dinner" I suggested. She gave a meek nod and went to the table and froze. There was only one place setting that was meant for Zoë but now I was here she was debating whether to actually sit. Oh Zoë, even with all the schooling I could so tell the different upbringings. Someone at my level would have instantly sat down believing they were entitled to the seat. Whereas the others would wait. Zoë was caught in this trap. She was now a Morgan which entitled her to the seat but in her heart of hearts she was still lower class which prevented her from taking the seat.
"Please sit Zoë" I made the decision for her. A wave of relief passed over her face. And she gave me a small smile as I pulled out her chair for her. I better get used to doing this for my partner. I went and took my seat at the head of the table and pressed the button underneath. No sooner had I took my finger off the button when a servant scuttled in and set my place. Zoë's eyes were transfixed on the young girl. She was lost in her own thoughts.
I cleared my throat again "So are you settling in okay?" I hated small talk but I really wanted to hear her voice again. "Yes very well thank you" she lied, she didn't know I'd watched her cry herself to sleep. Zoë struck me as a person that liked to keep the peace. To put everyone else's needs before her own. I nodded to her reply not trusting myself not to call her out.
The servers came in with dinner, steak and baked potatoes, one of my favourite meals. I still watched Zoë, wide eyed like a child. She'd probably never had steak before. She gingerly picked up her cutlery but before she could cut into the fat juicy steak she paused. Her eyes flicked towards me. when she realised I hadn't started eating she put the cutlery back down and folded her hands in her lap. I chuckled slightly. "Zoë" I let it hang in the air before she turned towards me. "You don't have to do things like you did before. You're entitled now." I saw the realisation dawn on her face, her eyes closed and her jaw clenched. "Is that such a bad thing?" Immediately she replied "NO…no…I just…I don't know." She sighed "I'm sorry I'll just have to adjust." Now it was my time to sigh. "Am I really that bad?" I asked. Her eyes widened again, full lips slightly parted to inhale a gasp. "Connor…that's not really fair is it? I don't really know you, I'm not used to this life and now all of a sudden I'm expected to be okay with it!" Her hand flew to her mouth. "Omigosh I'm sorry"
I was amused by this. "You don't have to apologise anymore" I grabbed her hand from her lap "You can do whatever you want now" Zoë still looked like a deer in the headlights, but I enjoyed the feel of her hand in mine. "Anyway, we should eat now before it gets cold." We ate in silence, but I looked longingly at Zoë and she stole small glances at me.
When we'd finished I stood and took her hand again "Come on, let's go to bed." I felt her pulse quicken and she nodded sheepishly. I had no intention of fucking her tonight, but seeing her reaction let me know it definitely wasn't the right time even though I had been fantasising about it all day. We made our way up the stairs together and I could hear her breathing faster and faster the closer we go to the bedrooms. I stopped outside her bedroom and really looked at her for a moment. Even with her eyes downcast she was beautiful. But I was still thinking about her outburst at dinner, I wanted to hear more of that, the fire in her. I leaned in and kissed the top of her head. "Goodnight Zoë" and then I strode off towards my bedroom leaving her in bewilderment.