Elizabeth, Charles, and Milos returned to the house, it was late and Elizabeth had expected to go upstairs when they returned home but Charles guided her to the study, his hand on her lower back was a comforting weight.
Ciaran was reading to Fiona from the book that Elizabeth had picked out for him, Milos had left them, probably somewhere close enough to hear them if he was needed.
Ciaran finished the chapter he was reading, he closed the book around a bookmark that Mary must have made for him from the details she had seen of it. He turned his head to smile at Elizabeth, " You're home early," he stated. "I thought we would be denied your lovely company for the night."
"Don't get your hopes up," Charles said in a bristling voice. "We may be home early, but she's going to bed soon."
