Brilliant Disguise

Chapter Ten

They jumped apart from one another at Heather's sleepy question, both of them spinning toward her before Sophie skirted him to scoop her up. "What are you doing out of bed, love?"

"I thought you were having a bad dream, Mama. I heard you make that sound again." Her sleepy eyes narrowed as she looked over her mother's shoulder at him. "Did you hurt Mama?"

"Oh, sweetie, no, of course he didn't," Sophie told her with a smile, casting another quick glance at Thorin. "I simply... caught my shin on the edge of the table, is all."

She looked from Heather back at Thorin then, and although he smiled, she didn't miss the slight bulge of muscle along his jaw that came from the tension of unspent desire. It swirled through her as well, her entire body achy and tight as she tried not to think about it.

Heather looked back at her. "Are you all right?"

"I'm fine, love. Now, why don't we get you back to bed?"

"Mister Thorin," Heather peered over Sophie's shoulder once more, "are you all right? You look as if you've hit your shin on the table as well. Did you?"

Despite her discomfort, Sophie managed a smile as Thorin cleared his throat. "I did, actually, and yes, I'm all right as well. But, perhaps your mother should rethink the placement of the table."

"I'll be back in a moment," Sophie said as she started toward Heather's chambers. "Let me tuck her in once more."

"Take your time," he replied, his voice almost back to normal now instead of husky as it was only a minute or so ago. "I'll see myself out."

Disappointment surged through her. "You don't have to go."

"No, I think it best if I do." He smiled, his eyes as soft as they'd been when he'd smiled at her before they were interrupted. "I will see you in the morning, Mrs. Asharm. And you as well, Miss Heather."

"Sweet dreams, Mister Thorin." Heather waved a chubby hand in his directions.

"Thank you, mimûna." His pale eyes shifted to Sophie. "And sweet dreams to you, Mrs. Asharm."

Despite her swelling disappointment, Sophie managed to smile and nod. "Thank you, Your Majesty. A good night to you."

He bobbed his head and as she turned to continue down the hallway, the door opened and closed and a heavy silence descended in its wake. Heather tucked her head against Sophie's shoulder. "I like him, Mama."

"I do, too, little bit. But, we must remember—"

"He is the king and I shouldn't pester him."

Sophie gave her a gentle squeeze. "I do not think you're pestering him and I have the feeling he would agree with me. But, he has much to do, as does Fíli, so you need to remember to respect that."

They crossed into Heather's chambers and as Sophie bent to set her in bed, Heather said, "I know, Mama. And I won't bother them. I promise."

Sophie smiled, brushing Heather's dark curls away from her face. "I know you won't. I'm just reminding you, that's all."

Heather let out a yawn and then a sleepy, "I like it here, Mama."

"I do, as well," Sophie murmured, still stroking Heather's hair, smiling as her daughter's eyelids slowly slid shut. Little by little, Heather's breathing grew deep and even and when she was certain Heather was asleep, Sophie carefully pressed a light kiss into Heather's forehead, then made her way out of her chambers, pulling the door closed behind her.

The apartment seemed so much quieter than usual, and Thorin's scent—leather, earth, and man—still lingered in the air. With a soft sigh, Sophie settled onto the sofa, lifted her feet to settle them atop the stone table, and leaned her head back. It was the first time in a lifetime she didn't feel lonely, that she didn't feel isolated and cut off from other living souls. Sten wasn't keen on allowing her friends and he was fiercely jealous of her patients. Not only that, but he'd often interrupt her sessions with them, which made for some very uncomfortable moments and was the catalyst in her decision to no longer use her home office, which was really no more than a storage shed behind their small house. It meant her patients' privacy was no longer in jeopardy, but it also meant she would be subjected to Sten's thorough and often furious inquisition when she returned home.