“You will tomorrow. Trust me in that.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
Philip had barely slept. He would like to claim that it had been a mistake to have gone to Antonia’s room, but that would be a lie.
He did not need to be there for any empty aching need inside. He simply wanted to be near her.
A part of it was because he wasn’t certain what she thought of him. Had she asked him to leave, then he would have known that his love was not returned. Instead, they slept as they had previously, except it had been bloody uncomfortable. How had he slept so many nights with his back to hers, just holding her hand? Never would he sleep with her that way again.
It hadn’t bothered him before because of the spell and what they were facing and what they feared. With all that wiped away, he simply wanted her.
The question remaining was if Antonia would have him.
When she entered the breakfast room and met his eyes, a small shy smile played upon her lips as she blushed.
She would not look at him in such a manner if she only wanted friendship between them and hopefully, she was thinking about the kiss that he had mentioned.
As soon as she was done breaking her fast, the first thing Philip was going to do was take her into the gardens, away from everyone and kiss her thoroughly, and then decide how long they would court.
“Has your path been decided?” Cassian asked as he took a seat beside Philip. “Remember what the Romani said. I certainly believe her now since everything else has come true.”
Philip had nearly forgotten the visit and the reading he had received from Madam Boswell’s great-niece when she had told him that he would undergo several changes before the full moon.
He also recalled her last words: Not until the full moon will your mate be determined, if there is to be one. She had also said that Not until the sun rises the next day will you know your path.
Philip glanced to where Antonia had taken a seat beside Lady Samantha and smiled.
She no longer felt the need to be right beside him, nor did he feel the same for her, and Philip did not mind that she was farther away because it allowed him to study her expressions and simply enjoy her beauty.
“Your fate!” Cassian prompted.
“I intend to learn what that is after I have broken my fast.”
As Antonia finished the last of her meal and placed her fork to the side of the plate, Philip rose from his chair and approached. “Lady Antonia, would you please walk with me.”
She had never blushed so much in his presence as she had today. “I would enjoy that very much, Lord Chedworth.”
He helped her from the chair and then offered his arm.
Calming and anticipation filled her.
“Your aura has improved,” she observed. “No more murky white nor dark yellow.”
He chuckled. “What is it today?”
“It is orange, which is joyful, happy.”
“I am that.” He smiled.
“And light yellow, hope.”
“Once again, Antonia, you read me correctly.” Then he frowned. “Is there a third one? Because I am done going through changes.”
This time she laughed. “Only the two.” Both positive and she drew on his emotions as they helped calm some of the nervousness she carried.
“There are some things that I must know, now that the spell no longer controls us.”
Antonia supposed that she did as well.
