Daniel firmly disagreed about society but if it made his wife content at home he could contend with it. "It will be nice to be home again. I'm sure your garden misses you."

  

The garden hadn't thrived under her attention this year, a likely side effect of her distracted mind and continued absence. "And I miss it." Freya suddenly found herself filled with longing for warm dirt beneath her hands. For the exhausting days of weeding and pruning. "Summer will be over before we know it."

  

---

Amazing Set by Stef!

“If you wish to return before summer is over, you need only tell me.” Daniel’s words were almost gentle. The music was winding down, the last sweeping refrains quieting into nothing as couples stilled on the dance floor, a pause before the curtseying and bowing and bubbling conversation filled the room.

“I assume you have another partner waiting for a dance?” Daniel asked, stoic as the flame of jealousy the thought ignited in him.

  

"I shall," she murmured. Truthfully, she wasn't ready to head back to London just yet.

For the first time in their relationship, Freya was relieved for the dance to be over, for the chance to remove herself from his questioning gaze. "A few, yes." Knowing Daniel he'd be watching her like a hawk for the rest of the night. Perhaps it was better that August wasn't here. "None as pleasant as this one. I'll find you later."

  

---

Amazing Set by Stef!

“Enjoy darling.” What else could he say to that? It was the way they had always been. Freya was a social creature and Daniel was not. He stepped away from her with a courteous bow. While he might not have every dance with her, he got to take her home at night which was more than these poor fools she danced with could say.