Her answer was not a rejection, which—all things considered—said a great deal.
Valerian smiled softly and nodded. He was in no position to demand an answer then and now, and to do so would be terribly inconsiderate of what feelings she might harbor for Macmillan (something he ought to be jealous of, but was somehow not).
"I only ask that you give me an answer before you give him one—assuming he ever gets around to asking." His smile deepened then, and he leaned forward to touch her hand. He left it there for a moment, his gaze caught on hers, but then pulled it back and stood up.
"I will leave you to your thoughts," he said, beginning to walk away. He was halfway across the room when he stopped to look back at her. "Oh—and I will not tell mother, so do not worry about her interference. Merlin knows I would." If only that was true.
Valerian smiled softly and nodded. He was in no position to demand an answer then and now, and to do so would be terribly inconsiderate of what feelings she might harbor for Macmillan (something he ought to be jealous of, but was somehow not).
"I only ask that you give me an answer before you give him one—assuming he ever gets around to asking." His smile deepened then, and he leaned forward to touch her hand. He left it there for a moment, his gaze caught on hers, but then pulled it back and stood up.
"I will leave you to your thoughts," he said, beginning to walk away. He was halfway across the room when he stopped to look back at her. "Oh—and I will not tell mother, so do not worry about her interference. Merlin knows I would." If only that was true.
