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“You look handsome tonight, John.”
The voice came from just off to his side as he stood watch in the corridor between Benedict’s and Sophie’s rooms.
He turned and saw Hazel approaching along the corridor, a smile on her face, carrying a wicker basket.
A smile appeared on his face as well. "Are you being quite serious?"
“Of course I am.”
He glanced at the door, then back at her before stepping toward her.
“Because I have not been certain if you are interested.”
He was so focused on Hazel that he failed to notice Sophie slipping quietly from her room and disappearing into the one opposite.
“You do have something of a reputation,” she explained.
“That was all before I met you.” He did not break eye contact, and she smiled faintly.
“And you are not saying that simply because women like to hear it?”
“Hazel…” he addressed her gently and lightly touched her hand. “I do not think I have ever meant anything more seriously. You are…”
His gaze fell to the basket she was holding, and it occurred to him he was likely delaying her work. It also reminded him he had duties of his own.
He glanced back toward the door and then at Hazel again. Disappointment appeared on his face.
“You only wanted to distract me, did you not?”
He withdrew his hand, stepped away, turned, and headed toward Sophie’s door.
Hazel quickly set the basket onto the nearest chair, hurried after him, and caught his hand before he could knock, though she knew the room was empty.
When John looked at her, he seemed unexpectedly sad.
“Well… perhaps a little,” she admitted in a soft whisper, guilt in her voice. “But I meant everything I said. And besides… they are so in love. I wanted to help them a little.” She said it dreamily.
John watched her for a second longer, then looked again toward Benedict’s room. A peculiar disapproving expression crossed his face before he looked back at her.
“Believe me, I would be the last person to wish to prevent them… from anything… but in the end I shall be the one in trouble for failing to keep watch.”
Hazel shook her head.
“You will not. Only you… and I… and they know. And they certainly will not tell anyone.” She winked toward the room.
At that moment, muffled but unmistakable laughter sounded from inside. It was clear they were together and would soon reveal themselves regardless.
“I am off duty now, and you have work here, so no one will be looking for you for a while,” she offered, then hesitantly added, “Perhaps we could also disappear for a moment and allow them some privacy. What do you think?”
John looked at her questioningly.
“Disappear?”
“Either that, or continue guarding two people who appear quite unguardable,” she grinned.
“Or I could knock on the other door,” he added.
“Would you dare ruin… their, um… whatever is happening in there?”
They both understood perfectly, and for a moment an oddly charged look passed between them.
“Very well,” John finally exhaled. “Since you rather owe me now, after your little trick…”
“Wonderful.” She smiled, caught his hand, and before he could reconsider they were already heading down the stairs together.
After slipping out into the garden, both glanced around cautiously, making sure no one would see them and their impulsive disappearance would have no consequences.
Fortunately for them, the garden was empty and quiet.
They walked side by side without a clear destination.
“What were you going to tell me, back in the corridor?” Hazel said after a while, and they briefly exchanged glances.
“Does it still matter?”
Hazel took his hand again. They stopped, and she looked up at him.
“Sure.”
They stood near a covered seating area. John gestured for a moment and hurried there, returning shortly with a blanket, which he draped over her shoulders as the air had grown colder.
“Thank you,” she smiled gratefully.
His hands remained on her arms for a moment. The moonlight alone illuminated her face. He wished to speak but suddenly felt he had lost all words when Hazel looked up at the sky and breathed out softly,
“Look… all the stars… it is beautiful.”
His gaze lingered on her face a moment longer before he, too, looked upward. He smiled, and when his eyes returned to her, he noticed she was watching him.
“I… think you are wonderful,” he said simply. “And that I truly care for you.”
He meant to add more, but Hazel surprised him. She stepped closer, rose onto her toes, and kissed him.
When she pulled away, she smiled softly.
“I think we feel the same.”
A happy smile spread across his face just before he gently placed a hand at her waist, brushed a stray lock back into place with the other, and kissed her tenderly, longer this time, as she leaned into him and returned the kiss just as warmly.
In that moment nothing else existed. Only the kiss, and the stolen instant beneath the starlit sky.