Gradually, I became aware that she was crying softly, though I wasn’t sure why. Also, I became very aware that there weren’t many clothes between me and the body she was pressing against me . . . and that we were sitting on a bed . . . and . . .
I shut the door on that portion of my thoughts, vaguely ashamed of myself. Bunny was obviously upset and concerned for me. It was ignoble of me to taint the moment by entertaining thoughts of …
I shut the mental door again.
“Come on, Bunny,” I said softly, stroking her hair with one hand. “You are a big help to me. You know and I know that I’d be lost trying to straighten out the kingdom’s finances without your knowledge. You’ve take that whole burden on yourself.”
I took her by the shoulders and held her away from me so that I could look into her eyes.
“As to doing more,” I continued, “you’re already trying harder which is probably wise. Like this morning when you talked to me about my drinking problem. I appreciate it … I really do. Some things I just have to work out for myself, though. That’s the way it should be. Nobody else can or should make my decisions for me, since I’m the one who is going to have to live with the repercussions. All that you can do … all that anyone can do … to help me right now is to be patient with me. Okay?”
She nodded and wiped her eyes.
“Sorry about the waterworks,” she said wryly. “Gods. The first time you come to my room, and I look like a mess.”
“Now that is silly,” I smiled, touching my finger to the end of her nose in mock severity. “You look terrific . . . like you always do. If you don’t know that, you should.”