No.“I care for you, Vivian.” He could not quite see her face in the dim light from his dying fire. “We are friends after all.”
He thought he saw her flinch, but perhaps it was a trick of the light. He looked toward the desk again.
I cannot tell her the whole truth, not until I know for sure I can rid myself of this curse.
He would not repeat his father’s mistake. He could not do that to her.I just need a little more time, that is all.His eyes fell on the clock, and he blinked.
“Is that really the time?” He nodded toward it.
Vivian followed his gaze and nodded. “Yes. That is another reason I wanted to bring you something to eat. If you had fallen asleep at your desk, I would have woken you and ensured you went to bed.”
“Would you indeed? And what makes you think I would have done as you asked?” He leaned back and grinned.
“What makes you think I would have asked?” She countered just as smoothly.
How did I not see it before?Her shyness had evaporated, leaving a blunt candor that stirred something in his chest. “And then we would have been locked in a battle of wills.” He shrugged; the image was not altogether unpleasant.
“You sound as though you would enjoy it.” Vivian drew her legs up to her chest as she sat on the sofa. “You do not have to sit on the floor, you know; you can join me on the sofa; there is plenty of room.”
“I like the floor. There is something… comforting about it.” He patted the thick rug beneath him.
“Comforting?” Vivian’s brows rose.
“Yes. It is difficult to explain, but it puts things into perspective. Everything looks different when you are on the ground.” Thomas shrugged. “And sometimes, it just… feels right? Especially this late at night.”
“Is that why you have such a thick carpet in here?” Vivian nodded at the carpet.
“Sitting on the floor is one thing; I see no reason to be uncomfortable while I do it.” He stifled a yawn, stretching so hard that he heard several pops from his body. “Why are you awake, anyway? It is an ungodly hour.”
“I could not sleep, so I thought I would check on you.” She made a noncommittal gesture.
She does not even know about the curse, and already I am keeping her from bed.Guilt flared in his chest.
“You sound like you were worried about me.”
“In a way. You have been working so hard lately, and I worry that you will burn the candle at both ends.” She gestured around them. “You will end up sick again if you do not look after yourself, and I have no wish to bully you into taking your medicine.”
Her tone was teasing, but her words reminded Thomas of the reason for his work. “I do not want you to have to play nursemaid to me.”
“I do not mind it, though you are the most stubborn patient I could imagine.” She gave him a shy smile that made his heart soar. “It is nice to look after you.”
“Still, I do not want that to become a habit. I watched my mother care for my father…”It destroyed her.He clenched his fist and shook his head. “I do not want the same fate for you.”
“And what fate would that be?” Vivian leaned forward.
To watch me die.“To care for me at the expense of all else.”
“Is that what happened to her?”
“My father was her world, and she was his. They loved each other so totally and completely that they were constantly smiling at one another.” He closed his eyes, imagining them as they were, before the bad days were the only days they had. “I can even remember them finishing one another’s sentences. He used to tease her, wind her up.”
“Sounds like a certain marquess I know.” Vivian let out an amused chuckle.
Thomas gave her a wry smile. “I do not remember much of them. I was only six or so when he died. And she did not long survive him.”
“You became a marquess at six?” Vivian’s eyes widened.
“Yes. Though Grandmama supported me. She made sure no one could take advantage of my youth.” He ran a hand through his hair. “She was like a lioness with her cub.”
