Thomas stood in the doorway of their bedroom and watched as his wife got ready for bed, straightening already smooth sheets, and adjusting the covers, that the chambermaids had already taken care of. He sighed and passed a weary hand over his face, grimacing at the whiskers already forming on his jaw.
"Laurel?" he called for the third time, and as before, he got the same reaction from her; a slight stiffening of the shoulders, then nothing else. She kept resolutely silent and it bothered him.
He took a step towards her and she whirled around to face him, a fierce look in her eyes. He halted, slightly surprised by this new reaction.
"Stay away from me!" she spat at him, her small hands clenched into fists at her sides, her expression furious. "I warn you Thomas, not another step, or so h
