"Wait... Do you not have proper weddings now? With gowns and parties and people around?" Belvina asked, horrified.
"If I had had my fling, I would have been ruined in my social circle and would have destroyed any chance of making a good marriage and furthering my family's ambitions," she retorted. "As it was, we did extremely well."
At least he hadn't tried to laugh at her or tease when she threatened him. Not truly. If he had then Belvina was quite sure she would have had to hex him for propriety's sake. "You had better. I was being nice," she answered bitingly. "If I had been truly cross, I wouldn't have warned you first."
His compliment unnerved her and she looked at him uncertainly before looking at the menu, not seeing any of the words in front of her. Belvina glanced up at him again, not sure if he noticed the quick look or not as she trained her eyes on her menu once again, tightening her hold on her emotions. "I'd like to think I'm beautiful even when I'm not."