Page 57 of The Girl Who Fell Through Time
“It’s a shame you never got to—” she stops, because she still hasn’t quite wrapped her head around the fact that her grandmother isalive.
Dorian frowns at her pause.
“It’s a shame you’ve never met her,” Selene corrects, and then, seizing her courage for the second time tonight. “I’d like to visit her. My grandmother. She was the only one to congratulate me on our marriage and…”
“You miss her.”
Selene nods. “It’s been a long time.”
“I’m sure I could free up some time.”
“You’d come with me?”
“Of course. It would look strange if I was abandoning my new bride, wouldn’t it?”
“You’re right.”
Dorian sneezes. His face looks slightly grey. Not for the first time, Selene wonders if he’s sickening for something. Perhaps it’s too late to be playing. She ought to send him to bed.
“Are you all right?” she asks.
“Fine,” says Dorian, blowing his nose with his handkerchief. “It’s probably just dust.”
“But this room is spotless…”
Behind the curtain, Mistress Stripe meows. Dorian’s face pales even further.
Selene claps her hand to her mouth. “The cat!” she realises. “You’re allergic to cats!”
Dorian sneezes again. “I may have a slight allergy—”
“Why on earth would you let me bring a cat when you’re allergic—”
“What kind of ass would make you leave behind a beloved pet?”
The Duke,she thinks.The Duke would. The Duke did. And he didn’t even have a reason to.
“You should have told me… Oh, no wonder you looked so ill in the carriage! I’m so sorry—”
“It’s fine,” Dorian says, now sneezing in earnest.
“Why would you suggest we play up here?”
“Ithought you’d be more comfortable.”
Selene groans. “Who would be comfortable making someone elseuncomfortable?”
“I actually think quite a few people—”
“Get out,” Selene says.
Dorian stands up abruptly and marches through the door. Selene gathers up the board and follows him.
“What are we—” he starts.
“I’m not letting you sit in here a moment longer,” she tells him, setting up the board in his room instead. “In fact, I may forbid you from ever entering my chambers ever again.”
Dorian smiles at her.
