Rosalind continued gently, oblivious to the storm that raged within him. “I feel better knowing you are not alone anymore.”Alexander stared at her, speechless, and Rosalind frowned. “Do you not care for Theodora?”
Alexander shook his head. “Of course, I do, but as a friend and nothing more.”
She let out a soft bark of laughter and quickly clasped her mouth.
Alexander’s lips twitched despite himself. “What is so funny? Pray, do tell?”
She slowly dropped her hands. “Nothing…nothing at all. Either way I am still glad you have Theodora. As a friend or… more than that.” She shrugged and this time Alexander laughed.
“Trust me, Rosie. We are just friends.”
But even as he said it, he doubted his own words and Rosalind seemed like she did not believe him.
He swallowed hard. “Rosie… I am so sorry.”
She shook her head. “Do not be. I am happy. Truly. And now I am even happier to hear that we are going home.”
He stood abruptly, scraping the chair against the floor. “Then we will go at once.”
Rosalind gaped. “We will?”
“Yes.” He was already reaching for the bell to summon the butler. “I will make the arrangements, and we will leave as soon as we can.”
Her face lit up like the sun. “Alexander… thank you.”
He felt something warm settle in his chest. “You deserve to be happy, Rosie. And if London is not the place for you, then we will go somewhere that is.”
She rose and wrapped her arms around him. Alexander stiffened in surprise. Rosalind had not shown any affection for a while, and this was a miracle. When she pulled back, she was smiling and Alexander knew, with sudden clarity, that from then on, he would listen to Theodora.
“I shall go pack.” She grinned at him before leaving him alone with his many thoughts about a certain sorceress.
Alexander exhaled slowly, rubbing the back of his neck.
He had no idea what to do about Theodora. When he was with her, he could not think straight, and being away from her drove him insane as well. Every waking moment his thoughts drifted to her, and he blamed every sleepless night on her too.
She was everywhere, changing everything and Alexander could not help but think that she was changing him as well.
Perhaps I need a week away, too.
* * *
Observation, Day Five
Subject’s proximity continues to produce measurable physiological responses. During the carriage ride, tactile contact (specifically, the subject’s hand and fingers) resulted in an immediate increase in heart rate, accelerated respiration, and a notable disruption of cognitive clarity as a powerful sense of release imploded from within and without my body. The sensation radiated through the thoracic region and lower abdomen, suggesting a complex interplay between autonomic and emotional stimuli.
She paused, heat rising to her cheeks as the memory sharpened in the dim carriage light. Theodora could almost feel the warmth of his breath against her cheek, and the way her pulse had thundered so loudly she was certain he heard it.
She dipped her quill again with unsteady hands. Her thighs pressed together as a familiar pleasurable ache bloomed in her stomach.
The response appears involuntary and disproportionate to the stimulus. Further study required.
She stopped as the ink messed slightly on the page.
Her hand continued to tremble and her breath shortened. Every time she thought about Alexander her chest tightened in a way she could not categorize. She snapped the journal shut.
Enough.
A knock sounded at Theodora’s door before she could gather herself and without waiting for a response, her mother entered the chamber.
