Bonus Chapter 2 Date Night

*Three Days Before the Ball*

Isaac sat at his desk, sifting through a teetering pile of letters. He was sorting them quickly, putting them in two stacks. Those who had replied to the invitation with a yes, and those who his family would be cutting ties with immediately. The stack of yes responses stood a good deal higher than the no category.

He checked his watch and sighed. At this point, it could hardly matter who had actually responded. Balls at Astor Manor were so lavish that the issue nearly always became excess rather than want. Any guests that arrived unannounced would be taken care of, and any that did not show would be dealt with.

Isaac decided that he would be done for the day. Arabella could deal with the rest of the stack if she wanted to. He cleared off his desk, putting his pens back into order. He picked up his teacup and carried it with him as he stood. Carefully locking his office door, he took the teacup down the stairs, turning to go into the kitchen.

The enormous room was bustling with action. Everything that could be prepared beforehand was underway. Each steel table had a different course on it, catering to the wide variety of entities and beasts that would be in attendance. Huge casks had been brought in from Astor Industries, their contents incorporated into the various sauces and broths. He set his teacup by a sink and approached a servant at a far table.

“When serving long pig it is important to- oh!” the man working on a huge cut of meat interrupted himself. “Mr. Astor, we weren’t expecting you today. Is something wrong?”

“Not at all. I’ve just come to borrow some supplies.”

The man looked deeply confused, but pushed through, keen on acting as though nothing was wrong. “Of course, sir. It is your kitchen after all. Take whatever you need.”

“Thank you,” Isaac stepped away from the table, hearing the whispered conversation behind him. He considered whipping around, teeth bared, to halt their gossip. Who were they to question his actions? What right did they have to whisper when his back was turned?

But he restrained himself. He did not turn. Instead, he made his way to the storeroom. Isaac paused in the doorway. There were heaping shelves in front of him, each laden with food and supplies. Though he had every option available to him, he was lost. Eight years had passed since he last considered food. He indulged occasionally in social and business settings, but that was only out of interest of politeness towards the host. Thinking of food with the intention of enjoying it or getting nourishment from it was foreign at this point.

When he had promised Lavinia dinner he had not planned for this aspect of it. He had only extended the offer and looked forward to seeing her. He checked his watch again and swore under his breath. Throwing decadence to the wind, he went simplistic. He reached to the top shelf to pull down a bottle of wine then scooped a charcuterie basket from the back. Putting the bottle into the basket he hurried back into the kitchen and out into the hall. He took the stairs three at a time, racing back to his room.

He set the basket down on the table and quickly unloaded the contents. There was a board to lay everything out on. He lined up the sliced cheeses and bread, trying in his rush to make them neat. He glanced around the room for glasses, know he must have had some laying around. Spotting them, he ran into his bathroom to wash them. Just as he finished drying them there was a knock on the door. He set the glasses down on the table and then froze for a second. He pushed his hair back into place and took a deep breath. He approached the door in a leisurely way, all the urgency gone, hidden under a layer of composure.

Isaac opened the door. “There you are, Lavinia. I was starting to think you weren’t coming.”

Lavinia crossed her arms. “I am right on time.”

“Agree to disagree. Please,” he opened the door wide. “Come in.”

Lavinia stepped over the threshold and caught sight of the arranged table. “Oh!”

“Something the matter?”

“No I- I just sort of assumed inviting me for dinner was a polite way of saying you needed to feed.”

“We can switch the itinerary-”

“No!” Lavinia said quickly. “No, this is good.”

Isaac smirked, pulling out her chair for her. She sat as he reached for the bottle. His hand stopped on its neck. “Goddammit.”

“What?”

“I forgot to grab a corkscrew.”

“Do you have a knife?” Lavinia asked. Isaac produced one from the basket. “Watch and learn.” She inserted the tip of the knife into the cork, sliding it about an inch deep. Carefully, she rotated the bottle, holding the knife still. After a few seconds of spinning, the edge of the cork started to lift out of the glass. Within a minute, Lavinia had freed the cork with a satisfying pop.

Isaac stared at her. “I have never seen someone do that.”

“That’s because you are fabulously wealthy and don’t like to have fun.”

“I like having fun.”

Lavinia made a sound of doubt. “Could have fooled me.”

“You’ve just never seen me have fun.”

“All right then. Show me. Let loose.” She tipped the bottle, pouring for both of them. “Have fun with me tonight.”

Isaac ignored the glass she tried to hand him, instead, leaning over to kiss her. “I’d like that.”