There was almost no chance of her asking him to go sleep on the floor. In fact, she would likely excuse herself and return back to her family's house to spend the night there before she put Everett out. Merlin knew whatever confrontation she'd have to have with Ford as a result of that impulsive decision would be disastrous, but at least she wouldn't have given Everett more of a cause to resent her as a wife.

Verity waited another minute after he climbed into bed before turning back around. It seemed changing into her nightgown would require far more work than him and her hands were already trembling. The last time she'd required magic for undressing was before her wand had been replaced. How was she to do this? Escaping to the washroom wasn't possible when Sylvie was in the other room, and he hadn't ever touched her more than what was proper. More than that, she didn't even know if he'd ever unlaced a woman's gown before.

Trusting him to look away, Verity reached behind herself to undo her gown's laces. It was better to take a minute longer than it was to embarrass herself by failing at magic.

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