Claire couldn’t believe it. As soon as they were interrupted she let out a small, more animal squealing than actual ‘lady like’ sound, pressing her body against her husband. She stared at the maid with wide eyes, unsure if she wanted to yell at the woman or hide under the blanket in embarrassment.

His words about [i]bleeding[/i] had already brought red to her cheeks, but this? Instead of saying anything she let Nick handle it, letting out a small groan as soon as she left. “I suppose it’s good she walked in, I don’t know how much longer I could have resisted you. Besides, I don’t think it’s the [i]meal[/i] you originally spoke of finishing,” she answered with a guilty grin, getting comfortable beside him with a glance at the door to make sure they were really alone this time. 

[i]“Will you share this with me?”[/i]

“No I will not. You’re already not eating enough for a grown man lately, and I won’t take what little you’re having for this lunch.” She sighed deeply, running her fingers over his hair to straighten it out. He had a bad habit of doing it himself, only after his hand brushed through his gorgeous locks it looked like he’d just woken up. “You always mess it up,” she murmured, touching each piece until everything was in place again.

Her grin faded into a content smile. Claire sat back and looked at him with her hands in her lap, not saying anything for the longest time. “You’re beautiful,” she finally whispered. “I know that isn’t what a man wants to hear, but it’s true. I hated how charming and good looking you were when we met. I thought it [i]must[/i] make you arrogant,” she giggled, reaching out to touch his cheek. “But I truly am falling in love you with you.” With a small blissful sigh she leaned forward again, placing a light, affectionate kiss on his lips. “I cannot wait to fall the rest of the way. Thank you for showing me how wonderful marriage can be. I don’t believe I could enjoy a single day of this with anyone but you.” Another kiss and she slipped off the bed, glancing at the door again.

“I know how much you enjoy speaking to your cousin, and I’m sure he’s terribly worried. I’ll leave you to it, all right? I need to finish preparations for the party, anyway. Try and get some sleep, all right?” She gave him a small blown kiss before heading out of the room and downstairs to tell Timothy he was welcome to come upstairs. As soon as she reached the sitting room Claire knocked before entering, forgetting that Nick had taken out a couple pins in the front of her hair, leaving a few blonde curls loose on the sides. It probably looked sexy, what with that and her silly smile giving hints as to what was on her mind.

“Hello, Timothy, it’s good to see you again. Nick is just finishing up lunch, you can go ahead up. Just- try to not keep him up too long, please? He didn’t get much rest, and while he won’t tell me what happened I’m just [i]positive[/i] they put new stitches in. He’s got to be in pain,” she said with a shake of her head, the smile fading. Just talking about it made her want to ask him to leave so Nicholas would sleep.

“Oh! I’ll see you this weekend, right? You received your invitation?”