Chapter 24

When I woke the petals were clenched tightly in my hand. I had not shut my heavy velvet curtains after Fitz’s late night scramble to my window meaning I woke with the hazy autumn dawn.

Before Marie could enter I quickly pressed the petals back into the leaves of my book. To leave such affectionate tokens lying about would be foolish, no matter how kind she seemed of late.

Everything seemed brighter, more optimistic. The fallen leaves of yesterday which reminded me of mud and decay now seemed like a golden carpet, a pure feast for the eyes.

Because he loves me.

"Did you both sleep well?" I enquired at breakfast lightly noticing the dark circles under Kitty's eyes. I was dressed in a pale lilac cotton gown, simpler than yesterday, tied with a deep purple ribbon under my bosom.

"I never sleep well away from home," she muttered sulkily, earning a brisk reprimand from my mother. "Tsk Kitty you must get accustomed to such grand suites and bedrooms!"

Edmund's eyes were a similarly d