Some small part had hoped she might invite him in, might prove him wrong. It was, perhaps, why he had not simply left her the moment he had said goodnight. But that small part of him was disappointed, selfishly so. He knew his role though, knew his part in this facade so he nodded, "Until tomorrow." And left her by her door.

As he entered his own room he wondered if he should have waited until she had entered and locked her own door, but he didn't want to give her any reason to think he might pressure her. No. That wasn't why he had married her. Although, as he sank on to his bed, he began to realize that this was definitely not the marriage he had wanted or considered when he had decided he needed a wife. He suspected Verity would say much the say. But here they were. Married.