It was onlyter that Gwh learned how expensive these particr roses were —and that they actually changed color. She made a mental note, a little amazed; she''d never realized roses could do that.


    The second time she saw such a rose, it was a gift from Hawthorne.


    "Why hurry home if you have ns to go out tonight?" Gwh asked, hugging the bouquet tightly, unable to hide her delight at the flowers-even if her question was a silly one.


    "I already told you," Hawthorne replied, his eyes warm with affection. "I wanted to have dinner with my wife."


    Gwh, worried about dying his evening, had asked the staff to serve dinner promptly at five.


    Fortunately, the household staff were quick to pick up on things; seeing their employer return, they immediately began preparing the meal.


    When five dishes and a soup were brought to the table, Hawthorne frowned slightly. "That''s all?"


    Gwh nced at him, then at the nervous staff. "I told them not to prepare more than six dishes from now on. There''s just the two of us-we can''t possibly eat more. It''s such a waste to have the table overflowing every night."


    Hawthorne looked at her, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "You''re right. We''ll do as you say from now on."


    Only then did the staff rx.


    Gwh and Hawthorne chatted over dinner, sharing small stories andughter. Partway through the meal, a maid came in carrying a tiny puppy. Hawthorne looked up and nearly didn''t recognize it.


    "Is this the stray we found in the garden?" he asked, surprised. He''d thought it was a brownish-grey mutt, but now it was snowy white and absolutely adorable. "We took it to the vet for a full checkup-nothing wrong with it. Had it dewormed, then took it to the groomer, and only then realized it''s actually a Samoyed," Gwh exined, clearly fond of the little creature.


    A ridiculous dog, Hawthorne thought privately. But seeing how much Gwh liked it, he kept his opinions to himself.


    "With you gone so often, I won''t be lonely with him around," Gwh added quickly, as if afraid he''d change his mind and decide to get rid of the puppy.


    Hawthorne, reassured that the dog was healthy, didn''t object. "As long as you''re happy," he said.


    After their meal, Hawthorne changed back into his suit and headed out.


    On the way to Yvette''s family estate, he stopped to buy some health supplements and brought his assistant, Hans, along.


    Yvette had already driven to her family''s old manor after Hawthorne left. She''d expected him to arrive soon after, but night was nearly falling by the time she saw his car pull up, with Hans trailing behind, arms full of gift boxes.


    Hans carried two boxes of supplements. Yvette nced at them with thinly veiled disappointment.


    It was bad enough Hawthorne didn''t


    understand romance or how to


    charm a woman, but to show up with just two boxes for such an important asion? Even if today was only meant to discuss their possible marriage with her


    grandfather, this was


    embarrassingly meager-like he was


    just stopping by on a whim, not


    Still, Yvette kept herposure, putting on a bright smile as she walked over to greet him.


    "Hawthorne-”


    She reached out, attempting to take his arm, but Hawthorne smoothly sidestepped her touch.


    Yvette froze, embarrassment flickering across her face. With the manor staff watching, she couldn''t make a scene, but her smile faltered.


    "Is your grandfather in?" Hawthorne asked coldly, making no effort to soften his


    tone.


    "He is. When he heard you wereing, he told the kitchen to make all your favorite dishes. Come try them," Yvette replied, forcing


    cheerfulness as she slipped heret


    hand into the crook of his arm once more.


    She knew Hawthorne was hopeless when it came to romance, but that was fine with her. With a little patience, she was sure she could teach him-one day, he''d learn to be tender and romantic under her guidance.