Her stomach, having already betrayed her once, thankfully remained silent.
Andrew looked at her. “We need to speak.”
She pushed herself up from the chair, and for the first time he noticed that she moved stiffly, as though her back and arms ached. “If this is another lecture about how I am not expected to care for her–”
“It is not.”
“Then it can wait. She was crying, and I–”
“No.”
The word cut across hers.
Frances stopped, looking offended and surprised. Nurse Ellis became very interested in the baby’s blanket.
Andrew crossed the remaining distance before he could think better of it. “Come.”
“I have not agreed to go anywhere.”
“I noticed.”
He took her hand. Frances inhaled sharply. So did he.
Her hand was warm and tired in his, her fingers slightly chilled at the tips, and her palm bearing the faint pressure marks of hours spent holding the child. She did not pull away at once. She looked down at their joined hands, then up at him, while her eyes were flashing with fatigue, indignation, and something more dangerous beneath both.
“Andrew,” she warned.
“Frances,” he returned, and led her out.
She followed, though not without protest.
“This is exceedingly high-handed.”
“Yes.”
“You admit it?”
“I am too annoyed to lie.”
“That is almost refreshing,” she scoffed.
“I am pleased you find some benefit in the situation.”
“I did not say benefit. I saidalmost.”
He did not release her. The corridor outside was cooler than the nursery. He felt it the moment they left the room, and he knew she must have, too. Her fingers tightened reflexively in his. The contact travelled up his arm with alarming force.
He kept walking.
The lamps along the passage threw pools of amber light over the carpet. Their steps sounded softly, his longer and steadier, hers quicker as she tried to match him without appearing to be hurried.
He should have slowed. Hedidslow… a little.
She noticed. Of course she noticed. Frances missed nothing when she chose to look.
“You are dragging me to judgment,” she mused, sounding both tired and amused.
“No, I am taking you to dinner.”
