@dirtymercy
everything smelled like flowers. it was as if those blasted roses had wafted all the way up to his chambers and he could not escape them. michael didn’t need to be told that francesca was a catch, he had known that from the moment he had laid his eyes on her. however, there was something that tugged at the back of his mind. a sort of jealousy he would have to endure. to see her with another man, laughing, talking, it made his stomach churn. he had been able to survive those feelings with john because he had loved and respected his cousin. happy to indulge in his reputation as the merry rake and try to forget the way francesca seemed to haunt his dreams. even when he had been in india, his breath would catch in his throat when someone was all too close to her. perhaps it was the way they laughed, or a passing remark, or the way they carried themselves. he was even more aware of it with her here, but it was her home too.
he is trying to mask the truth of his feelings as he descended down the stairs. michael rounded the corner, passing the sitting room so that he might get a walk in before he had to face her. afraid that she would take one look at him and know his true feelings. that would ruin them both. he is aware of her sitting by herself, the sunlight streaming through the window, and catching on her chestnut hair. michael swallowed thickly, unable to help himself as he came to a halt. “ did you make some tea ? ” he asked gently. he took a step or two into the room, almost inviting himself. michael cleared his throat, the thoughts of jealousy seemed to dissipate in the warmth of her company. as if those suitors could not catch her attention when it was just the two of them. “ may i join you ? ”