His eyes flew back to her face at her gasp, but she was already turning around before he could discern what had caused her distress. What had he done wrong? Everett wasn't sure but then her voice came sounding odd and upset. Oh.

Everett's fingers stilled on his shirt. "Verity?" He kept his voice gentle and low. "We don't have to do this." Perhaps she wasn't ready after all. "I'll be perfectly fine on the floor." It wouldn't be the most comfortable, but it was what it was. He'd rather that then distress his wife.