“You are certainly beautiful enough to be.” His voice was soft, more earnest than teasing.
Her fingers brushed against his thin shirt, and she felt warmth spread through her. It felt like millions of butterflies had burst to life in her stomach. She forced herself not to leave her hand there.
The memory of the way he had held her after the lake seemed to linger between them. His blue eyes searched hers, but he made no move to hold her to him.
She could feel the warmth of his thighs through the blanket and tried not to think of how the fabric had clung to him. She took a steadying breath and shook the vial in front of him.
“You are not going to flirt your way out of your medicine, Thomas.” She tried to fix him with a serious look, but it was hard when he looked simultaneously so handsome and so sorry for himself.
It is not fair; no one should be sick and still look as good as he does. I would look like a snot monster.
His smile broadened, making her heart flutter. “But flirting is good for one’s health.”
“Somehow I suspect that it is less effective than the herbal remedy.” Vivian rolled her eyes at him, even as she felt her cheeks redden.
He leaned forward, resting a hand on her thigh. “We could always put it to the test. A little science experiment. My medicine today could be a little flirting, and then I would not have to drink that.”
“Or we could do both. Double the efficacy.” Vivian pressed the vial into his hands.
“But I do not need it. I am perfectly healthy. In fact, I was thinking that we should pay a visit to Mosley’s and get you a proper engagement ring.” He gestured to her hand, an unreadable expression flitting across his face. “I do not want you to keep worrying about your future.”
Vivian ran her fingers over the engagement ring he had already bought her. “I am not worried about anything except you right now.”
“But I am fit as a flea.” He sneezed.
“A sick flea.” Vivian laughed. “I am not about to cart you out of bed to go jewelry shopping. Especially not if you are going to sneeze all over everything. We have plenty of time to get a ring sorted, anyway. What is the rush?”
“I suppose there is no rush. I do not want you thinking I have forgotten my promise.” Thomas’s tone had an edge to it that she could not quite place.
I am probably imagining things, that is all.She had enjoyed feeling close to him, and she was letting it run away with her.
“I do not think that.” She almost reached to touch his face with her hand, but caught herself, instead curling her fingers into a fist and holding it to her chest. “I know you are a man of honor. Now, drink your medicine.”
“You almost sound like a real wife.” He teased.
“I am.” She shot back even as her cheeks flushed. “At least, legally speaking. Now drink it.”
Thomas raised it to his lips and then shook his head. “No, I cannot do it. I will be sick.”
“Do not be such a baby. You drank it fine yesterday, and the day before that.” Vivian folded her arms across her chest.
“Yesterday, I could not smell. Today I can. Which means I am probably well enough not to need it.” Thomas brightened.
Vivian let out a sigh. “If that were the case, you would not have shivered all through breakfast.”
“I was not shivering.”
“Thomas, you definitely were.” She rested a hand against his forehead. “Though your fever has come down.”
“You see? I do not need to drink the vile stuff.” He tried to hand back the medicine, but she would not take it.
“How about this? If you take your medicine and your fever does not come back in the next hour, we can go shopping for a ring?” Vivian tried to make her voice bright and eager, but it stuck in her chest.
It is only sensible to plan for the future; after all, that is what you both want.
“But it is impossible.” Thomas shook his head. “No one with a sense of smell could drink this.”
“Oh, really?” Vivian took the bottle from him and drank it in one gulp, locking eyes with him as she did.
