"Very well then." To the serving maids, he nodded for them to proceed.
And they did, placing first a large portion of cold meat on each plate, making Beth's eyes bulge. Then came the cheese, bread, mashed potatoes and dried tomatoes. They poured coffee for the Duke and upon request, tea for Beth, before bowing and leaving the room.
Beth exhaled. "I never imagined this to be your breakfast."
In the process of picking up his cutlery, he paused. "Why? Is it not to your liking?" He looked at her plate. "I can ask for a fresh plate for you."
Quickly she objected. "No no. By my words, I meant that your breakfast is to a certain degree… heavy." His eyebrow hitched. She looked at the plate and again at him. "If I eat like this everyday, I'm afraid I'll become lazy. God forbid I become slothful, or worse, fat." She raised her head in time to catch the slight twitch of his lips.
