She could see the way his eyes studied the setup. None of this was accidental, after all. She’d intentionally set up everything in this order, with how the chairs, table, and trays were laid out for their needs. The candles flickered gently, highlighting the dark crease in his brow.
Inhaling deeply, Verity braced herself for his refusal.
He checked his timepiece and nodded. “One hour, then, Verity.”
“Truly?” She barely stopped her jaw from dropping open.
“I know how to play dominos,” he huffed.
“Which I assumed. Only I thought I might have to try harder to convince you,” Verity admitted slowly. She took a seat and watched him do the same. “Shall I pour you a glass of sherry?”
From there, the two of them started what had to be the longest game with the quietest partner she’d ever had. Games were great opportunities to watch and study her opponent. Except Tristan gave so little away.
Nothing. In truth, he gives me nothing to work with, to search, to understand.
How can he do this? The man is entirely closed up. If only I were Pandora’s box.
Perhaps that is not the best analogy. What if I open and learn how awful he can be?
“You’re thinking very hard,” she noted. “Is this particularly difficult for you?”
“Of course not. No, I only intend to be intentional with every move I make,” he explained. “Every move counts.”
She raised an eyebrow. “Is this why we do not take walks together? Because it takes you hours to choose which step to take next?”
“No, because I have a direction in mind when I am walking, a goal to accomplish—just like I shall accomplish my goal here.” He made his move and clapped. “Do you see?”
Unable to help herself, she smiled. Tristan looked very proud of himself, though this wasn’t even a winning move.
“I seeyou. Perhaps I shall have to partner with you in my next card game. Between your perfection and my impatience, we will invariably cause a riot.”
It started as a cough, she thought, and then a chortle, before her husband burst into laughter. The sound was so unexpected that she leaned back in amazement. Though he stopped as soon as he started—looking somewhat mortified and dropping his gaze—she was amazed to have heard him laugh.
“My apologies,” he muttered.
“For what? You have a very nice laugh. I appreciate the proof that it’s possible,” she added teasingly while meeting his gaze steadily. “Perhaps I will even let you win if you laugh again. Proof that you’re human just like the rest of us is appreciated.”
Those dark eyes of his shined in the evening light. He always looked so serious. Just for a minute, she had been able to see beyond that shade of black.
Verity wondered what it would take to make him laugh again. Just one more time. One more time to see that side of him again.
But then he turned away, ducking his head. She watched him pull out his pocket watch. She felt the wild urge to throw the object aside. Too late, he was rising to his feet.
“It has been longer than an hour, I’m afraid, and I should take my leave. It’s growing late.”
Rising to her feet, Verity said, “We haven’t finished our game.”
“It’s unfortunate, but…” He put away his pocket watch neatly while glancing over the board as if this had grown serious all over again. “I see you are close to winning. I shall give it to you, then. But I must retire, as I must attend to Parliamentary business first thing in the morning.”
Just when Verity thought she’d caught a glimpse of the real man she had married, he was slipping through her fingers.
She almost followed him. A step forward, and then she stopped, forcing herself to stay put. If he didn’t wish to stay, she wouldn’t force him. If he wanted to run, then that was his decision.
Still, I cannot help but try a little harder.
“What is your schedule tomorrow evening?” she called after him, making him stop. He didn’t turn around, but she knew he heard her. “I know you prefer to have supper alone, but… perhaps we could dine together for once. What say you? That way, you won’t be up so late.”
Tristan turned his head slightly, so she could only see his profile. “I am grateful for the invitation,” he said in such a flat voice that she couldn’t help but doubt every word. “But I fear I am too busy at this time. You are welcome to amuse yourself.”
