Her frown deepened. “We’re married, aren't we?”
“Of course.”
“Then that makes you part of this family too. It only makes sense for you to be there.”
“I suppose,” and for a moment, he let himself start to hope.
He wanted to ask more. He wanted to know if she meant that or if she was just trying to appease him, but he didn’t do any of that.
But he found he was unable to. Instead, he shared a conversation with her, simply enjoying the evening.
Chapter Thirteen
Veronica was in her sitting room. She had been working on the same part of her dress for what felt hours. She just couldn’t seem to focus. Her family was due to visit any day now.
She jolted out of her thoughts with a small grunt as an inattentive stitch sent the needle straight into her finger. She brought the bloody finger to her lips.
“You seem distracted,” Daisy said with a frown from where she sat nearby.
Sometimes Veronica felt bad about pulling the girl away from her work, but it was nice to have companionship, even when they were just sitting in silence working on their own projects.
Besides, the last time she asked if she was keeping her from anything, Daisy insisted that working on her mending was part of her job anyways so it didn’t make a difference where she did it.
Veronica chuckled, bringing her focus back to the conversation at hand. “I suppose you could say that.”
“Why? Is something the matter?”
“No, of course not?”
She frowned.
Veronica sighed. “It's nothing like that. I just- my family is due in sometime today or tomorrow and I’m not sure if everything is as prepared as I would like.”
“You must be so excited to see them.”
“I am, for most of them,” she added the last part quietly, almost hoping Daisy wouldn’t hear.
Of course, she did. Veronica should have known better. “What do you mean?” she frowned. “Who aren’t you excited to see? And why not?” then she hesitated. “Should I not ask that?
“No one,” she shook her head. “It doesn’t matter.”
“It seems like it matters to you.”
“Forget it. I shouldn’t have said anything.”
“But why? That doesn’t make any sense.”
Veronica sighed. “I’d say you’ll understand someday, but I sincerely hope you don’t.”
“Right,” her frown deepened. “Then I won’t push, but if you change your mind you know you can talk to me, right?”
“Of course,” Veronica smiled.
“I know we met because I was brought in to be your maid, but I like to think we have become friends.”
“I would agree with that.”
“And friends share their troubles, don’t they?”
