“I know, I ... I didn’t mean to imply you were demanding. I was jesting. And I know you are right. if my mother was here now, she’d be bringing tray after tray of food until I ate something.” She placed her hand on her stomach. While it wasn’t rumbling, she knew she should eat as she’d been in bed almost a whole day.
“It is alright. I am not adept at being a husband to anyone, Sally. I sometimes do not know how to act. I will leave if you like,” he said, but she shook her head.
“No, please. Stay. And you are right. I should try to eat a little something. perhaps we could have breakfast together?” she asked, hoping he didn’t feel put on the spot. “You were here all night, you must be hungry. You should eat.”
He smiled then and nodded. “I am. I suppose the two of us are not that different, are we? Both need to be told what to do.”
She beamed at him, and he pulled the rope to summon Mary, who appeared so quickly Sally wondered if she’d been stationed outside the door.
“Your Grace,” she said as she entered and found him standing there. Her eyes went to Sally immediately, and a wide smile of relief appeared.
“Oh, you are awake! And you look so much better, Your Grace,” she said and clasped her hands together. “Thank the Lord!”
“I do feel better, thank you,” she said. “But my husband here suggested I ought to eat,” she said, though as she spoke, she heard her voice croak, making it clear she was not yet well enough to get up.
“He is right,” Mary said. “What shall I bring?” she asked, eyes flittering from Kenneth to Sally and back again.
He motioned to Sally. “Whatever she likes.”
Sally wet her lips and settled on oatmeal with sugar.
“Really? I thought you’d want hot cross buns,” Leonard said, surprised.
“I do, but I feel oatmeal is better for when one is sick,” she said, and he nodded.
“It is. But I shall have a few hot cross buns. With lemon curd,” he requested, and then, Mary disappeared.
Leonard joined her side, a smile on his lips as he settled in the chair again.
“Several hot cross buns?” she asked, unable to keep herself from teasing him. “You must be famished.”
“In case you want some after all,” he said as he settled in.
Sally could not help herself; her stomach leaped with what felt like hundreds of butterflies. Leonard was so... perfect for her. If only he’d see it. If only...
* * *
After Leonard and Sally finished their meal, Sally sighed, contented, and expressed her gratitude. She dabbed the corners of her mouth where lemon curd remnants remained.
“Thank you for spending time with me and taking care of me,” she said. “And for the hot cross bun,” she said and nodded at her now empty plate.
“Good thing I ordered extra,” he said, finishing his tea.
“You do take good care of me, I ... I am very grateful,” she added.
Leonard smiled warmly. “You’re alone in my home, Sally. It’s my duty to look after you,” he replied matter-of-factly.
Sally’s heart sank slightly at his practical response, hoping for something more heartfelt. However, her disappointment was short-lived as Leonard continued, “But we’re a unit now, and I want to look after you.”
Her spirits lifted at this, and she nodded in agreement. “I hope this will be how we conduct ourselves in the future – being there for one another,” she replied, a hint of longing in her voice.
Leonard chuckled, a playful glint in his eyes. “I can agree to that,” he said, his grin widening. “Although, you should know, should I get ill, you will have quite the chore on your hands when it comes to looking after me. I’m a terrible patient.”
Sally couldn’t help but smirk at his admission. “Let me guess, impatient?” she teased, earning a hearty laugh from Leonard.
“Exactly,” he confirmed with a nod. “So, you should rest more, in case I catch whatever it is you have,” he added, his tone becoming more serious.
Feeling a yawn coming on, Sally nodded in agreement. “I hope you do not get ill as well. But I suppose you’re right,” she conceded, stifling the yawn with the back of her hand. “I never knew eating a meal could be so taxing.”
