It had taken her some time, but at long last she had realized why he had been so unsettled, and what was behind the sudden appearance of the punchbowl on the desk the other night.
Clearly he loved her, in fact cherished her, and knowing that to be true, she wanted to give herself a small bit of time to own that reality before she discussed it with him further. Knowing it would irk him, she turned to face him. "But Captain, we have to have some protection against. . ." she paused, knowing it was a rare opportunity to speak her heart, ". . . heartbreakers - like you!" Seeing that she had a rare upper hand moment, she turned and headed back into the house. Leaning against the door, she heard him rail to the fates, "I'll never understand them – never!"
Grinning, she thought how he had delivered the line in his best Henry Higgins voice. It was almost as if he were Higgins to her Eliza. "Not bad," she thought. "He shows me how to love, and I show him how to be human, no, not bad at all!" She continued the thought as she headed upstairs, knowing completely that he'd join her and their conversation, their connection would continue as well.