章 221: Different

Dinner was soon given to the ducal couple and they sat at a solid oak table that had been pulled towards the fireplace by maids knowing that they were cold from travel and would likely prefer to be warm. 

Leonor had taken off her cloak and the outer dress she wore over her chemise. Because of her lack of clothing, being close to the fire was preferable. Desmond certainly preferred to be cold anyway. 

With how long the two of them had been together, she had noticed before that he was petrified of getting too close to flames. It was understandable considering all he had been through. 

With silent understanding, she tried to pick places to go with him far from fireplaces even if she was naturally a cold person. If it meant she had to cuddle up to her husband for heat rather than a fire, she wasn't so opposed. 

If she could always stand between him and flames, she certainly would.