It was like a pane of glass shattering, and it broke the moment with just as much force.
Lucy started and fell back. Marcus released her hands and jumped to his feet. Lucy was quick to follow, and just as quick to take a step back, not wanting to be too close as if that might give them away.
“I am so sorry, Your Grace!” It was a member of staff, but Lucy could not see who in the dark. “I heard something shatter and –”
“It is quite fine,” Marcus spoke over them.
“I do hope I am not disturbing something,” the continued. “I only wished to make sure that –”
“As I said, it is fine.”
Lucy felt embarrassed, even if she knew there was no need. She dared to glance at Marcus, who resolutely refused to look at her. The moment between them had gone, it certainly would not come back, and so it was time to go before anything else might happen.
“I should go to bed,” Lucy said. “Thank you for the milk…” She laughed gently, kept her head down, and near sprinted from the kitchen.
One might think to be upset with how things had just ended, but Lucy decided to look on the bright side. She hurried to her room,she climbed back under the covers, and she wore a huge smile because she knew just how important this night was… just as she knew how important it would before the future.
What might happen next? She did not know. But she was excited to find out, and that mattered most of all.
Heart racing, she worried she might not fall asleep, but as soon as she lay down her head and closed her eyes, sleep found her. And that, more than anything, should have told her all that she needed to know about the duke, her feelings, and what tomorrow might bring.
