Southern Seduction by Brenda Jernigan

Eliza said clapping her hands delightedly. “I didn’t know that Travis had a partner,” Eliza said, addressing Brooke, but Travis answered.
    “Neither did I,” he quipped, but Eliza appeared more interested in the new lady than paying him any attention.
    Brooke smiled at the child. “I hope you don’t mind company at your end of the hall.”
    “Of course not. I just love your English accent. Are you really from England?”
    “Yes, I am,” Brooke said, nodding. “It was a very long trip over.”
    Eliza linked her fingers together, then perched her chin on top of them. “I bet you know all the latest fashions. Did you have a coming out party and everything? I can’t wait until I get to attend all the balls and parties. I’ll dance the night away.” She sighed and for a moment was lost in her own world. “You’ll have to tell me all about the famous London parties you’ve attended.”
    The child was as fresh as a whirlwind and Brooke found herself drawn to the bundle of energy. “Well I didn’t have a coming out party, but I have been to many balls, so perhaps I can entertain you with stories.”
    “Oh that would be lovely.”
    Travis listened to his cousin chattering to Brooke, and he realized he didn’t know much about Brooke’s life in England. Then he quickly reminded himself that he really didn’t care. She was here now, and she was in his way. “My goodness, Eliza you are a chatterbox tonight. Were you not allowed to talk on your trip back home?”
    “Of course,” she said with a frown. “But my brothers and sisters are so boring.” She rolled her eyes.
    “Well, my dear, I don’t think anyone will ever say that about you.” Travis rang the small bell beside his plate. “How about if we start dinner? You must be famished after your long trip.”
    On cue, the servants came through the door with platters laden with food and a large soup tureen.
    “It must be seven o’clock,” Brooke said with a laugh.
    “Precisely,” Travis confirmed.
    As he chuckled, the lines around of his face soften. He almost appeared boyish, she thought. A current of excitement raced along her spine ending in the pit of her belly. Wait a minute, she reminded herself. She wasn’t supposed to be the one lusting. Travis was. Glancing at him from beneath her lashes, Brooke found he was more interested in the soup than her.
    Evidently she had lost her touch for enticing men.
    Travis glanced up. “Are you not going to eat?”
    She nodded, then reached for her soup spoon, stirring the mixture to see what ingredients this dish consisted of. It smelled wonderful. It seemed to be a thick soup with okra and potatoes and some kind of white meat. She noticed Travis didn’t have to tell Eliza to eat. She’d already dug into the steaming concoction with great gusto.
    The first taste of the aromatic soup absolutely melted in Brooke’s mouth. “This is wonderful!”
    “They don’t have gumbo in England?” Eliza asked, seeming surprised.
    “Afraid not. The flavor is very, very different from the food I’m used to. What is it?”
    Travis paused, his spoon in midair, before taking another bite and smiled. “It’s crab gumbo. I’m glad that you are enjoying it.”
    Brooke blew on her spoon before placing the next spoonful into her mouth. Travis and Eliza were talking, so Brooke could observe the man from beneath her lashes. He seemed more relaxed tonight. Maybe having the child in the house was a good thing. She certainly seemed to do Travis some good.
    Each spoonful of broth seemed to be better than the last. “I can taste the crab and many spices, some of which I do not recognize,” Brooke commented.
    “I must admit it’s one of my favorite dishes,” Travis said as he reached for the long loaf of freshly baked French bread. He offered it to the ladies first before he took a slice off the end.
    As each course was brought in, Brooke discovered that Prosper wasn’t boasting about his culinary abilities. He had merely