“Would you care to join me?” Thalia asked the third time he appeared randomly, a morning when she was sitting under a tree and reading. “There is room for one more.”
Caspian hesitated, half-turning as if he meant to walk away, but unable to convince his feet to commit to the action. “I… I am rather busy.”
“There is no pressure.”
“Perhaps another time?”
His smile was unsure, but it also looked grateful. That she was not pressuring him or trying to manipulate him seemed appreciated. Once, she might have done, but Thalia was starting to understand her husband as well as she ever had.
He wanted to get to know her better, she was sure. And slowly, ever so surely, he was growing more used to the idea of her always being around. All it would take was time.
It was piecemeal. The way they slowly collected those days and moments together until it felt natural. Breakfast every day. The occasional moment of speaking through the day. On one instance, they even rode to London together because Thalia wished to go shopping and Caspian needed to head into the city for business.
The only time that they never saw one another was at supper.
For a short while, this confused Thalia more than anything. She felt as if supper might be the perfect chance for them to really get to know each other. The day being over with, a few glasses of wine shared, and who knew where their night would lead?
Eventually, she came to realize the true reason that Caspian did not join her: he was scared. At least that was how she liked to see it. It was as if supper together might signal the final step taken in this marriage, after which there would be nowhere to go but the obvious place.
In this way, Thalia was grateful that he never joined her. And as the days wore on, as things slowly became more comfortable, Thalia’s awareness of the approaching day started to peak. Two weeks became one week. One week became three days. Three days became the morning of their anniversary. And before she knew it, the day that she had promised one month ago finally arrived.
Strangely, Caspian did not join her for breakfast that morning.
Stranger still, she did not see him all day.
Thalia was nervous in a way she did not know was possible. She spent the day pacing, walking from room to room, unable to sit and be still because she could not stop thinking about what was expected to happen. She and Caspian had not spoken about it once. They had not dared to broach it. And now that it was here…
What if he has forgotten? Or changed his mind? Should I remind him? Do I even want to?
That was what confused her the most. Thalia would have liked to tell herself that not seeing Caspian all day was a good sign,because it meant that he had forgotten about their agreement. And if he had, she wasn’t going to remind him. Why would she?
Deep down, there was a part of her that was just a little upset. While she might not have been counting the days because she was that eager, she was certainly curious. Only too aware of the changes happening between her and Caspian, she knew that this time, if he came to her and demanded that they go to bed, that she would not deny him.
Needless to say, when Thalia sat down to sup alone that night, she was more confused than ever. And this confusion spiked through the roof when Caspian walked into the dining room to join her. The first time he had ever done so.
“Caspian!” she cried in surprise.
He paused at the door. “Thalia, I…” His face tightened. “I am sorry for having not been here today.”
“Oh.” She blinked and tried to settle her nerves, which had just now started wreaking havoc. “That is quite fine. I assumed you were busy.”
“I was,” he said. “Now that I am not, I was thinking that I might join you. If it pleases you?”
That he was even asking her was huge.
Caspian was dressed in a fine suit. His hair was combed. His face was clean shaven. She could smell his musk even from across the room. He always dressed well, but Thalia had the distinct feeling that on this evening he had put in a little more effort than what was usual. And that could only be for one reason…
“Please.” She gestured to the table. “I would love for you to join me.”
Caspian nodded once and took his seat. Then he settled in, indicating to the valet for his glass to be filled, asking what the kitchen was making, and simply getting himself comfortable as Thalia sat there and watched.
Then, silence.
Thalia looked expectantly at her husband, thinking that he would start the conversation. After all, he was the one who asked to join her. But he did no such thing, and Thalia sighed loudly, realizing that it would be up to her.
“So,” she began awkwardly. “This is a rather pleasant surprise.”
“Is it?”
