Such a small thing, she knew. But it felt huge, all things considered.
The following days passed by slowly, as those before had. But in those days, there were brief moments that suggested things were changing.
The day after Ronan appeared at supper, for example, Thalia decided she would do as Olivia wished and take her for a walk beyond the estate. Nowhere too far, as she did not know the area well and had no desire to be lost. But a mile or two out, perhaps a picnic under the sun. A fun day between mother and daughter.
It was as they readied to leave that Ronan found them.
“You’re going somewhere?” He was standing at the top of the staircase, looking down at the two as they made final preparations in the foyer.
“Oh, good morning,” Thalia beamed.
“Hello!” Olivia cried out and waved.
“We’re just going for a walk,” Thalia explained. “Doing a little bit of exploring. What are you doing today?”
Ronan leered over them, his brow tight, worry etched across his features. “Exploring where?”
“Nowhere in particular,” she said. “I thought we might head east for a little, see what’s beyond the horizon. Would you like to join us?”
“Oh, do!” Olivia said.
Ronan licked his lips, and Thalia was certain that he was going to agree to come… “You should not wander too far alone. I will have one of the staff join you.”
Her stomach dropped. “Oh… do you not wish to?—”
“Simon is young, and he knows the area well.” He strode down the staircase and turned sharply down one of the halls. “Wait here.”
A few minutes later one of the younger butlers appeared in the hallway, bright eyed and eager to help. “His Grace insisted that I join you, didn’t want no trouble coming your way,” he explained merrily.
And indeed, Thalia’s mother and daughter day turned into a mother and daughter and butler day. It was still a pleasurable experience, as Simon stayed back and was careful not to interfere. But it wasn’t what it could have been, and Thalia was all but certain that had Ronan joined them it would have been nearly perfect.
Two days later, Thalia was in the back garden reading as she watched Olivia running about, chasing after what she claimed to be frogs near the pond. The weather was as nice as it had ever been, and even the sun was shining for a change. She smiled as she watched Olivia, barely paying her book any attention.
That was when she saw him. Ronan, appearing on the back deck, making sure to stick to the shade. He stood in silence, almost as if he thought nobody could see him, and simply watched Olivia play.
Thalia eyed him curiously, wondering what he was doing. Olivia was making a lot of noise for one so small, and she worried he had come out to tell her to keep it down. Only, he did no such thing. He just stood there, watching her, a touch of what might have been a smile tugging at his lips.
Eventually he seemed to realize what he was doing. His eyes widened slightly, and he looked across to find Thalia watchinghim. She smiled and waved, and he hesitated for a moment… before waving back awkwardly. After that, he was quick to disappear.
It was three days later when by far the biggest and most significant step forward was taken.
The evening was getting late. As was often the case, Thalia and Olivia found themselves in the main drawing room on the bottom level of the castle. She was sitting in a chair by the fire, a book in hand, as Olivia played with building blocks.
She was making a castle… or she was trying to do so. But she was too young to understand how such things should work and every few moments Thalia would hear the blocks crash to the ground, followed by Olivia crying out with frustration.
“It won’t stay up!” she complained.
Thalia smiled as she continued to read her book.
“You’re doing it wrong,” a deep voice spoke from the doorway.
Thalia’s eyes widened and she looked up to find Ronan standing in the doorway. Dressed all in black, it might have been her imagination but for the first time he wasn’t confined to the shadows. The orange glow of the fire stretched across the room and over him, his green eyes glimmering in a fashion that was rare.
Olivia scrunched her face. “It keeps falling down!”
Thalia said nothing, as if the duke was a skittish cat she did not wish to scare away. She simply watched the moment pass, her heart beating heavily, her stomach squirming with nerves and curiosity… and excitement.
Ronan hesitated for a moment longer. His eyes flicked to Thalia, and she nodded her head slightly as if to give him permission. And then, coming to a decision, he strode to where Olivia was playing.
