"Like what?"
"I'm not sure, but we can think of something," he assures me. "If you want to."
"I definitely do." I put a hand on his chest, feeling his heart beating beneath my touch. I feel like I should do or say something more, but I'm not entirely sure what.
"Good." He smiles at me. "Thank you for inviting me tonight."
"Thank you for coming with me." I lean forward and kiss his cheek, not knowing what really possesses me to do it, but feeling like it's the right thing to do.
He touches his cheek while he looks at me, his gaze soft and full of emotions I don't dare hope are real. "Good night, Evie."
"Good night, Nate," I respond. "I'll see you tomorrow."
He smiles and starts heading down the corridor, but turns when he's halfway down to wave at me.
I wave back, my heart full of a light feeling that I haven't experienced before.
I let out a sigh and push open the door to my chambers. "Betsy?"
"You're back," Veronica says instead.
"You're not my lady's maid."
"Yes, I am aware of that," she responds.
"What are you doing here?"
"I'm invested, so I was waiting for you," she responds. "I ordered tea and snacks, I didn't know if you would be hungry."
"I could have tea," I say as I go to take my seat. "Though Mama would consider it very improper for you to be ordering tea to my rooms."
"I'm sure she would, but Mama is not here."
I take a seat in my favourite chair, looking over at the fire to make sure that Ember has settled. Luckily, she's curled up under one of the logs, looking as if nothing could disturb her. Which is probably true. Once she's asleep, she's asleep.
"Don't worry, I brought a chunk of meat with me to tame her," Veronica says.
"You went down to the kitchens?" I can't keep the surprise out of my voice.
"I do know where they are," she points out. "But I'm not here to talk about that. Did you get into the theatre without any problems?" She picks up the teapot and pours me a cup.
"We did. But apparently the guards have plenty of practice because of all the people you've snuck into the theatre."
She laughs. "Who told you that?"
"Nate."
"Ah, well I suppose there's no use denying it. I find it a good place for a private moment. The boxes are so dark and away from prying eyes."
"I don't quite know why you'd want to be away from prying eyes to watch a play."
She sighs. "No, I don't suppose you would. But that's all right. So, how was the play?"
"It was delightful," I respond. "I understood most of the jokes. They're a talented troupe. If you have a current paramour, you should consider taking them."
She groans. "That's not what I meant."
"Then you should have said what you meant," I respond.
