Luke rolled his eyes. “We both know Caroline doesn’t have a political bone in her body. She’s helping an awkward woman host a few tea parties. Let her do it. Tell her you’re proud of her.”

Was it possible to be proud of his sister for working for a presidential administration he instinctively mistrusted? But Luke was right. He’d always wanted Caroline to funnel her talents toward something beyond the latest hairstyle or ball gown, but that didn’t mean he was overjoyed by this latest development.

“She’s twenty-eight years old,” he conceded. “She’s chosen her own course, however distasteful, but I suppose she shall perform it well.” Caroline had earned her reputation by flying high in the social whirl and always knowing the perfect quip.

Luke pushed away from the wall, disapproval rampant on his face. “You’ve made it very apparent that we are both crushing disappointments in your eyes, but try to summon up a little more enthusiasm the next time you see Caroline. She deserves better than what you think of her.”

The door closed behind him with a gentle click.

Annabelle was determined to spend dinner picking Gray’s mind for insight into the rare orchid. At the very least, if she could confirm Gray had one, perhaps it would please Dr. Norwood. But her intention to focus on the orchid flew out the window the moment she entered the farmhouse dining room.

“What am I smelling?” she asked. She’d begun noticing the heavenly aromas while resting in the upstairs guest room, but they got stronger as she descended the staircase.

Gray smiled as he led her toward the table. The dining room was a cozy mix of comfortable farmhouse furniture set alongside elegant candelabras, china, and silver laid on a lace tablecloth. “The housekeeper has prepared a lamb roast seasoned with a dry rub of smoked Hungarian paprika, a little dried coriander, some ground sumac and cumin, and a dash of curry powder.”

Most of those spices were new to her, but if they tasted as good as they smelled, this dinner was going to be unforgettable. “In my world, seasoning means salt and pepper,” she admitted.

Gray’s face lit with amusement, but before he could respond, his younger brother came bounding down the staircase. As Gray had predicted, Luke was indeed wearing a formal coat with a snowy white dress shirt and tie. It made his daredevil recklessness even more handsome as he flashed her a smile.

“Welcome to Delacroix dining,” Luke said as he grabbed her shoulders and pressed a quick kiss to each cheek. “Gray rarely invites guests unless he intends to pull out all the stops. It’s a subtle sales pitch to promote our spices to every person who crosses the threshold.”

“I’m already sold,” she said.

“Is it true the only seasonings you use are salt and pepper?” Gray asked as he held out a chair for her.