The silence that fell afterward was almost choking.
It took the entirety of her self-control to stop herself from spinning around to gage his expression.
"Why would my leaving be a problem?"
Eve tried to steady her breathing. The room had suddenly grown very warm.
"Because… because the last thing I want is to separate you from your family, lest you hate me more than you already do. You once told me how much your brother matters to you."
The words sounded like lead rolling off her tongue.
"I appreciate the concern. Then in that case, we would have to renegotiate terms that would be to your liking. Do you have any in mind?"
She walked to the door and stopped there.
"Do not bother about any terms, Sir Theodore. The thing I want most from you… you are incapable of giving it to me." A pause.
Then she added. "I will return with you as soon as you are ready to return." Then she walked away.
