Chapter 35
"I can't say I know, I'm not aware if I've heard anything by him."
"It was what I was reading when you arrived. If you would like to stay, I could read some to you."
"If you're sure I wouldn't be imposing…" she trailed off, wanting to stay, but asking for reassurance from him.
"Far from an imposition, I would enjoy sharing this with you."
"Then I would love to stay." She settled back into the huge chair he had shown her to when she arrived.
Vincent picked up the book, went over to the bed, and propping himself up on the pillows, opened the book to his marked page, and began to read.
It was several hours before he reached the end of the book, but neither of them had noticed the passing of time. However, when he closed the book on the last page, he suddenly realized how late it was. He sat up quickly and began to apologize, "Clara, I'm sorry that I didn't think to stop sooner, you must be exhausted!"
"No, Vincent, I loved every moment of it! And for future reference, I do love Milton." She got to her feet and walked the short distance towards him as he rose as well. Giving him a hug, she added, "But I really should go now, since I need to be in the nursery in just a few hours."
"Please allow me to escort you to your chamber."
"No, Vincent, I can manage and you need your sleep too. I'll just say good night and will see you when you drop Jacob off."
"If you're sure, then I will wish you a good night too," he told her giving her another hug.
"I am. Good night, Vincent."
"Good night," he said, but then took a step to follow her as he remembered something. "Clara, the children are giving a concert in Father's study tomorrow night. If I can arrange a place for the two of us that would be away from other men, would you consider attending with me?"
She hesitated for only a moment, as she considered how careful Vincent always was of her feelings and fears. She knew that if he said they would be away from other men, he would make sure of that. Plus, he would be at her side to protect her. "Yes, Vincent, I would love to go."
"All right, Jacob and I will call for you at 6:45 tomorrow evening."
"It's a…" she had been going to say 'date', but then quickly changed the cheerful comment in case he would misconstrue it, "plan," she finished with instead.
"Yes," he replied as she left, thinking about what she'd almost said. Was he ready to start 'dating'? Vincent had realized during this past week of worry, that his feelings for Clara did run deep. If he were truthful with himself, they ran deeper than friendship. He wasn't actually surprised at this realization. Because of the consideration of the idea that having a Bond with her might already be leading to love, he was just surprised that it was happening so soon.
Pacing his chamber for a while brought him no closer to any answers. Even though he needed very little sleep, he knew he needed some to be alert enough to teach his classes and to take care of a very active child.
They greeted each other with smiles as Jacob ran into the nursery chamber to give 'Rara' a good morning hug. Mary was next on his greeting list as Vincent quietly said, "I'll see you this evening, Clara."
"Yes," she replied and he took his leave.
When Vincent arrived later that afternoon to pick Jacob up, he found Clara crawling around on her knees with Jacob taking great glee in his horsey back ride. Vincent, however, was appalled at the sight! Lifting Jacob off of Clara's back, he helped her to her feet with his free hand. "Clara, what can you be thinking?! Crawling around on the floor like that in your condition?!"
She laughed up at him saying, "Vincent, I'm pregnant not disabled! Not only that, but Jacob weighs hardly anything at all!"
He pretended to look offended as he replied, "Mary tells me he is quite a 'bruiser' for his age!"
"I'm sure he is," she teased, tickling Jacob under his chin.
To be continued….