“You don’t need to give me an answer now, and can forget I said anything if you would prefer. Though, I hope you will at least think about it.”
“When do you want an answer?”
“The only reason I need an answer is if you decide it’s something you would be interested in considering or would like to talk about. Otherwise, I will put this conversation from my mind and we can return to the way things were.”
She chewed her lip.
Before she could say anything else, he got to his feet. “I don’t know how you are feeling, but I’m rather tired. I think I am going to go try to get some rest.”
“Yes, of course. We have both had a long past few days.”
Christopher smiled, taking a step toward her. He hesitated for a moment, before brushing his lips against her forehead. “Good night, Veronica. Sleep well.”
She flushed. “Good night, Christopher.”
Chapter Twenty
Alone in her room once again, Veronica’s heart pounded. Christopher’s words wouldn’t stop ringing in her ears. It was unbelievable! It was scandalous! She could hardly even believe he would even say such a thing!
“He wants us to share a room,” she whispered to herself, face growing hot at the implications.
How could he say such things so casually?
Did he really mean that?
“It could have just been the fever talking,” she said to herself. “After all, it just seemed to come so out of no where. Surely if he truly wanted such a thing he wouldn't have brought it up so suddenly or bluntly. Yes, it was probably just the fever.”
So why did she feel so disappointed at the thought?
She shook her head hard enough to rattle the thoughts right out of her ears. It didn’t matter. If he meant it or didn’t. What matters is how she thought about him asking at all. After all, she should get her own thoughts and feelings in order first before she worried about his.
But first, she had to focus on getting better. She was simply too tired and drained from the previous day to think about it too much at the moment.
Falling into bed, Veronica stared up at the ceiling and tried not to work herself into fits.
It must not have worked very well, because she was still awake anf thinking some time later when there was a soft knock on her door.
When she heard it, Veronica sat up, heart pounding. Perhaps Christopher had come back to talk after all.
“You may come in,” she called, biting at her lip.
A moment later, Daisy stepped inside with a tray loaded with plenty of food. Veronica tried not to be disappointed. After all, she had just spent the better part of the morning with him. Both of them were unwell and both of them needed time to think.
“Daisy,” she said, doing her best to keep her voice bright. “I wasn't expecting to see you so soon. Is it dinner time already?”
“no you don't need to worry. You haven't slept that long, though everyone would understand if you did. I was asked to bring you dinner to you a bit early. Mrs. Carter thought you might want to go to bed early tonight.”
“That was thoughtful of her. Did she send someone to deliver Christopher his dinner as well? I'm sure he could use his rest as well.”
“She has. I believe she sent one of the footmen. He should be making his way up to him now.”
“That’s good,” she nodded with a sigh. “He might not show it, but I’m sure he feels just as poorly as I do, if not more so.”
“Then I'm glad he has you to look out for him.” She hesitated for a moment before she asked, “Can I ask what happened to the two of you? I don't understand why the pair of you were even out there to begin with.”
She shrugged looking away.
“Forgive me,” Daisy chewed her lip, looking away. “I shouldn’t have asked. That was most improper of me. All that matters is that you are safe now.”
