I try, Carmelina might have said, only it was entirely untrue: she did not try to be chivalrous ever, and the trouble was she knew perfectly what had possessed her.
Hopefully Constance Sykes would only think her a considerate friend.
(Hopefully she would not think of her as merely a friend -)
Though the thought was ludicrous, sheer wishful thinking, Carmelina eventually realised she had not made up the fact that the matron had not yet let go of her hand.
Freezing? Carmelina might have added next, because even the hallway felt bursting with heat. She had a line about being sure Connie would be able to keep her warm, but had to physically bite her lip in order to prevent any more blurring. They may be a little tipsy, but the matron would still quick enough to see right through her.
If she had been quite in her right mind, Carmelina would have extricated herself then and there and started being sensible. As it was -
"Then I shall have to bid you goodnight, my fair lady," she said, pulling the other woman's hand up for a courtly kiss and giving a knightly bow of her head - all in jest, of course. Dropping the act, she grinned foolishly and stepped back. "But don't think I won't be worrying about you catching your death down there," she countered, whatever the other woman said. Worrying, perhaps. Thinking about all night? Most certainly.
Hopefully Constance Sykes would only think her a considerate friend.
(Hopefully she would not think of her as merely a friend -)
Though the thought was ludicrous, sheer wishful thinking, Carmelina eventually realised she had not made up the fact that the matron had not yet let go of her hand.
Freezing? Carmelina might have added next, because even the hallway felt bursting with heat. She had a line about being sure Connie would be able to keep her warm, but had to physically bite her lip in order to prevent any more blurring. They may be a little tipsy, but the matron would still quick enough to see right through her.
If she had been quite in her right mind, Carmelina would have extricated herself then and there and started being sensible. As it was -
"Then I shall have to bid you goodnight, my fair lady," she said, pulling the other woman's hand up for a courtly kiss and giving a knightly bow of her head - all in jest, of course. Dropping the act, she grinned foolishly and stepped back. "But don't think I won't be worrying about you catching your death down there," she countered, whatever the other woman said. Worrying, perhaps. Thinking about all night? Most certainly.
