William woke to find his mother waiting in the sitting room adjacent to his chambers, which had become her habit over the past few days, appearing at odd hours with additional warnings or some advice.
"Change of plans," Duchess Arabella announced. "You're staying one more day."
"Why?"
"Because your sister has been asking repeatedly, and because..." she paused, choosing words carefully, "because after what happened with the kidnapping, she needs reassurance that you're actually alive and well. The girl barely sleeps."
William thought about Seraphine and the trauma from being kidnapped was still fresh.
"One more day it is," he agreed.
His mother nodded with visible satisfaction. "Good. Spend it with her. Let her see you're fine. It'll help her recovery." She moved toward the door, then paused. "And William? Try to actually relax for once. You've been on edge too much recently."
