Page 65 of The Lady Glass
“You’re welcome.”
Rolland might care for her now, but would he go against his father? Would he risk the future of England? Tomorrow he would surely forget all about today and what had happened in the tower. And it would be for the best. Wouldn’t it?
The next morning Theresia’s doubts were chased away when she entered the breakfast room and discovered the only otheroccupant was Rolland. His smile—close-mouthed but decidedly pleased to see her—filled her with inexpressible comfort.
“Good morning.” He was filling his plate at the sideboard and handed her a plate so she could do the same.
“What’s this? I don’t even have to force a smile out of you? You’re choosing to do so of your own accord?”
He stabbed a piece of ham and held it up. “I happen to like the breakfast selection today. Can’t a man take pleasure in his food?” He set the ham on her plate. “But you could also argue it’s the beautiful company at my side.”
When her eyes widened, his smile grew until his cheeks lifted under his eyes. She would never get used how handsome he looked when happy or how his sweet compliments made her heart soar. She had so seldom heard him compliment anyone—he was more an observer than a conversationalist. It made his words now all the more meaningful.
He continued down the sideboard, dishing more for her than for himself. Soon her plate was heavy and full.
“Do you really think I can eat all of this?”
“I hope you do so you have an excuse to stay in here with me for as long as possible.”
She had thought him handsome, protective, safe—even a tease when they were alone, but Rolland Reese was also a charmer. What a wonderful surprise. Did he really desire her company as much as he implied? She bit her lip and took a seat at the table.
Rolland set his plate down next to hers and scooted his chair closer. Heavens, what would Mrs. Stone say about this? Theresia was pleased she did not have to find out. She dug into her eggs but quickly found she wanted to talk more than eat. “Did you sleep well?”
Rolland swallowed his own bite and sat back in his chair. “Interesting you should ask.”
“What do you mean?”
He shrugged, looking at nothing in particular. “I don’t remember the last time I’ve slept so well.”
“What made the difference?” After the heated conversation with his father last night and the scare they’d had at the ruins, she would not have guessed this of him.
His tongue pushed out the side of his cheek. “I have a guess.”
“Oh?”
He reached forward and tucked her hair around her ear, sending gooseflesh down her arms. “Maybe I finally have something worth dreaming about.”
For a heart-pounding second, she thought she might be in heaven. But eventually the voice of reason in her head grounded her again. She wanted to bask in the warmth of his deep brown eyes and stay there forever, but it wouldn’t erase their very real and very troubling circumstances.
“We need to talk, Rolland.”
He rested his arm over the back of her seat and leaned closer. “We are talking.”
“About us. If there even is an us.”
His lips pressed into a thoughtful line, his eyes tracing her face. “I agree. There is much to speak of.”
“I can’t be Lady Glass forever.”
“I know.” There was no disappointment, guilt, or frustration in his expression—just understanding. She wondered if he had already thought through all her concerns and was unruffled by them. “Did I give you the impression I wanted that?”
“No, but it would make life easier.”
“For whom? You were born Theresia Dvorak, and all your experiences for better and worse are what make you special.”
“Then, what next?”
“Let’s see how today goes, shall we? No reason to jump to the end when we are only at the beginning.”
