At first, he thought that was all Virginia would say on the matter. But then she took a deep breath and continued.
“It has everything I love in one place. My friends, my animals, my quiet chambers. There are seventy-two steps to my floor, with a sconce every twelve-step. The candles are lit, but subdued. Bright enough to light the way yet not garish enough to dazzle the eyes. The landing at the south tower has the best view of the stars. In the kitchen at sunrise, the day’s bread is just leaving the oven. It smells divine.”
He considered her words. “You dislike bright light?”
“Don’t you?” she asked. “Your rooms are kept at the perfect ambience. The fire in this parlor is cozy, not roaring. Instead of lighting the chandelier overhead, there are a few candelabra throughout the parlor. I can gaze at you without being distracted by flames.”
Theo swallowed. From the moment she entered the room, he had stopped being conscious of any other sources of beauty. He could only gaze at her.
“You notice details other people might not,” he said in admiration. “Seventy-two steps. Sconces every twelve. The right moment to catch fresh bread exiting the oven.”
She kept massaging his leg. “Doesn’t everyone pay attention to the things they like?”
“Maybe you like more things than everyone else.” He could not tear his eyes from her. “Maybe you appreciate life more.”
“I like liking things,” she said with a shrug. “I like the tiny pink pads of my cat’s paws. I like wind in my face on my afternoon constitutionals. I like the squeak of your front door when Swinton lets me in.”
“The squeaking ofAzureford’sfront door,” Theo said firmly. “Don’t fill my head with notions that I am master of anything.”
“You are master of yourself. I’ll prove it.” She leapt to her feet.
His body immediately mourned the loss of her hands.
She dragged the folding screen without a partridge and placed it halfway between the parlor door and Theo’s wheeled chair.
“Roll forward until you can touch the screen with your toes.”
He gave up on stoicism and rolled himself to the center of the folding screen until his toes bumped into the panel.
“Good,” she said. “Back up an inch.”
He did so.
“Now touch it with your toes.”
Easy enough.
“Good,” she said again. “Back up another inch.”
Theo began to suspect this game was not going to end well for him. He did as requested inch by inch until the pain of stretching higher won out over the rush of victory from pushing through.
“Stop,” she scolded him. “I told you. Do as much as you can, and not the slightest bit more. We’re stretching your muscles, not reinjuring them. Now don’t move.”
She pulled a measuring rule from her wicker basket.
He raised his brows. “You carry a measuring device everywhere you go?”
Ignoring him, she knelt between his chair and the screen. “Remember this number. Today you achieved—”
A knock sounded on the front door on the other side of the corridor.
Seconds later, the cottage filled with the merry sound of a dozen or more carolers singingHere We Come a-Wassailingin harmony.
The measuring rule fell from Virginia’s hand. She shrank back, her derrière landing on the carpet in surprise.
No. Not surprise. Something closer to panic. Theo frowned. Her face had blanched, her muscles trembled, her eyes were shut tight.
“Send them away!” he roared.
