For once, Swinton did not argue.
The caroling stopped.
Virginia did not move.
Theo wished he could pull her into his lap. He cupped her pale face in his hands instead.
“They’re gone,” he said softly.
She remained impossibly still for another long moment. At last, she let out a long breath and rested her cheek against the palm of his hand. “I’m sorry.”
Her voice was hesitant and shaky. As if his potential reaction terrified her more than the carolers.
“Do not apologize.” He stroked her cheek with the pad of his thumb. “They startled you. It’s April, not December.”
She shook her head. “It’s Christmas. Year-round.”
He frowned. “I thought you loved it here.”
“I do. There are fewer loud noises here than anywhere else I’ve ever been.” She opened her eyes, but her gaze did not meet his. “Loud noises are hard. Sudden changes are hard. Crowds are very hard. It’s easier if I know it’s coming. And if I have a friend with me.” Her shoulders slumped. “They have been busy lately, so I’ve been trying to make do on my own. Some days are easier than others.”
“I’m your friend,” he said gruffly. “I am never too busy for you.”
She shook her head. “You said you weren’t my friend. You wanted me to go away.”
“I’m an imbecile,” he said. “I regretted it the moment I said it.”
“You can’t be with me always,” she said after a moment. “No one will. I have to learn not to startle on my own.”
She was right. He wished she wasn’t.
He wished he could promise to be the person she could count on when life startled or scared her.
As friends, of course.
He lowered his hand from her face.
She lifted her gaze. “Are you disappointed in me?”
“Do I look disappointed to you?” he asked in surprise. She was one of the most compassionate, resilient, resourceful women he had ever met. The sort who would bring a man his own aviary, so he could have a small piece of the joy it brought her.
“I don’t know.” Her voice was small. “It’s hard to know what others are thinking. That’s why I asked. I don’t want to disappoint you.”
“You have never disappointed me,” he said, his voice firm. “When I told you to go away that first day, it was because I wanted to protect you fromme.”
She bit her lip as if considering that possibility.
Theo tried to imagine how difficult it would be to interact with the world if he were never certain what would happen next or whether he was making someone sad or angry or disappointed.
It would be exhausting, to say the least. Possibly even terrifying at times.
He did not want to be one of the things that scared her.
“Listen to me.” He touched her hand. “I take honor very seriously. I give you my word never to become upset with you over any perceived awkwardness or miscommunication.”
Her gaze flicked up to his too quickly for him to determine what she was thinking.
“You explained your position beautifully,” he continued. “From this moment on, I take full responsibility for my part of communicating effectively. If you need something, just tell me.” He touched his knuckle beneath her chin. “You’re safe.”
