A knock interrupted them.
"Dinner is ready," a maid's voice called softly from outside.
Dominic's brow twitched, irritation cutting into the softness that had lingered between him and Celeste.
His head tilted toward the door, and with his voice as sharp as blade, he ordered. "Leave it."
The maid hesitated. "Sir, it will get cold—"
"I said, leave it."
Silence answered immediately.
Celeste, still nestled in his arms, tilted her head up at him. A smile ghosted spread across her lips. The smile was not mocking, but amused at the way his temper could flare so quickly, even over something as simple as a meal. "You'll scare them all away at this rate."
Dominic's eyes softened when they met hers again. "Good. Then they'll learn not to interrupt when I'm with you."
She chuckled quietly, shaking her head, but there was warmth behind it. She shifted slightly, just enough to sit upright, as her hands smoothed down the blanket.
