“It is lucky your wife was there to save you,” Alistair agreed.
“She did well,” Christopher agreed. “But I am sure that if I were to check them later, then I would have noticed –”
“But you did not,” Theodore cut over him. “Did you?”
“Oh, I am certain he would have,” Rose agreed with pure delight. “Besides, was it not for my husband doing all the hard work in the beginning, I could not have possibly swept in at the endand saved the day, as I did. Teamwork.” She smiled smugly at Christophr.
“And she is humble,” Theodore chuckled. “Where did you find this one, Christopher?”
“I guess I just got lucky.” He looked warningly at his wife, not appreciating that she saw the need to point out his mistakes. And with such smugness. “That she saw the need to poke her nose in without me even having to ask.”
She continued to smile. “Any time, husband. Any time.”
“Perhaps a celebratory drink?” Theodore was up from the arm of the couch and hurrying toward the liquor cabinet. “Your Grace, might I fetch you a drink? Some wine perhaps? And then you can tell further of how you saved poor Christopher from embarrassment.”
“That would be –” Rose started coughing. They were thick, phlegm-filled coughs, and each time she let one free, her neck muscles tensed, and her body shook as if it might break apart. “That would be lovely,” she managed thickly.
She is even more sick than I realized.
“I think my wife will be fine without the wine,” Christopher said to Theodore, indicating for him to put the wine down.
Theodore was halfway through pouring her a glass when he turned. “What was that?”
“I said, I think my wife will be fine without –”
“I would very much like a glass,” she said over him. “Thank you.”
“And I said, she does not.” Christopher stepped closer. “Theodore, put the bottle down.” He glared in warning at his friend. “Now.”
Theodore enjoyed pushing Christopher, but he also knew when to stop. He grimaced an apology to Rose and put the bottle down. “As you say.”
“Rose,” Christopher turned toward his wife, thinking to explain himself, while seeing immediately how furious she was. “There is clearly something wrong –”
“I will be going now.” She stood up abruptly and crossed the room. “I am sorry to have disturbed you.”
“Don’t leave!” Theodore called after her.
“Yes, stay,” Alistair agreed.
“It is quite all right.” She reached the doorway and looked back, sure to cast her husband in a glare as cold as ice. “I have thingsI need to do.Changesthat I need to— need to—” Another fit of coughing, and Christopher winced to hear it.
“Good day.” She swept through the doorway.
For a moment, it was just the sounds of her footsteps echoing down the hall, and each one struck Christopher like a slap across the face.
He had not meant to upset her like that. Ironically, he had thought that he was doing the right thing.
Even if that was the case, there was no way that she would have thought as much. Until now, Christopher had given her no reason to think that he cared about her well-being in the slightest. So, why would she assume he was helping her?
No reason at all. As far as she is aware, I loathe and want nothing to do with her. She has every reason to hate me.
“That was not very well done,” Theodore sighed.
“Truly, Christopher, that was no way to speak to your wife,” Alistair agreed. “And why? Because she saved your neck? You should be thanking her, not scorning the poor thing.”
To this, Christopher said nothing, because he agreed.
It was easy to say that he wanted to ignore his wife and pretend that she did not exist. To do it was that much harder.
