As if sensing her apprehension, Alexander’s tone lightened. “Now that the investigation is over, what will you do? I’m off to get lost in a jungle; what shall you do to shock the university?”
Saffron stood, walking to the window. Her feet were completely steady, even if her feelings weren’t. “I’m not sure. Dr. Maxwell will be coming back soon, so I suppose I’ll continue on with him. Or …”
“Or?” Alexander repeated.
“Or I could stow away on the ship to Brazil, as Elizabeth suggested,” Saffron said, shooting a rueful smile over her shoulder.
He chuckled. “I wouldn’t mind.”
“I might see if I can find something more relevant to work on. The investigation was so urgent, you know, so pressing and important. Chlorophyll is important, but no one is waiting with bated breath to find out the exact chemical composition of the pigment of a leaf. I rather liked feeling like my work was important.” Saffron hadn’t put it to words yet, but she realized as she said it how true it was. She wasn’t sure she could happily go back to how things were before, plodding through Maxwell’s research. She sighed at the windowpane. “I’m sure I won’t be able to carry out my study, considering Dr. Berking only agreed to it as some sort of inducement for betraying Dr. Maxwell.”
“It could be approved by your new department head.” Behind her, there was the shush of fabric and the creak of the bed. She turned to see Alexander was very nearly standing, a grimace on his face.
Worried he’d topple over, she started forward. “Are you sure you should—”
Alexander put a finger to his lips. “Don’t—you’ll send the nurses stampeding in.” Slowly, he eased his weight onto his bare feet and smiled broadly when he managed to stand steadily.
“Well done,” Saffron said, only slightly sarcastically.
They stood, looking at each other, smiling. Surely it was the heat from the sun coming in through the window that made Saffron feel so warm.
Alexander took a slow step forward, testing his balance, and Saffron’s hand shot out to offer support. His took it, but not for support, she realized with a flush of pleasure.
The excitement faded when her thoughts returned to Berking. “Berking said that he used some of my father’s work to create his poison,” she said.
Alexander frowned. “He did?”
“Yes, after he hit you. He said he used my father’s method to increase the concentration of toxins in his aconite. I … I saw one of my father’s files in Berking’s office when I was going through his things. Something about hybridization. I’m afraid”—she took a deep breath but found her lungs didn’t want to fill completely—“I’m afraid he was telling the truth.” She wasn’t sure she wanted to know if that was her father’s purpose. What did that mean about her father, if he had worked to make dangerous plants more dangerous?
With steps becoming more confident, Alexander arrived beside her and leaned on the windowsill. “Afraid of what? Knowledge isn’t innately bad. His intention could have been for medicines rather than poisons. If Berking did something nefarious with it, he’s to blame , not your father.” His fingers lifted her chin, silently encouraging her to meet his eyes. “Take it from someone who has experienced firsthand what knowledge in the wrong hands can do. Scientists spent long hours perfecting the weapons used in those trenches.”
“Thank you,” she whispered, not sure what else to say.
His thumb brushed her cheek softly, once, twice. Now Saffron found it hard to draw breath for quite another reason. Alexander’s dark eyes were not enigmatic as they usually were, but their intent clear in how they dipped to her lips.
For a breath, they stood poised for more. Warm sun pressed at her back, and Saffron imagined that would be how his kiss would be, gentle and warming and lovely. Anticipating it, her eyes fluttered closed, and lifting her chin—
“Mr. Ashton! You’re not meant to be up!” a nurse squawked from the door, oblivious that she’d ruined a perfectly tempting moment. She hurried over, fussing and clucking like a mother hen.
“I should return to my room,” Saffron said quickly, face heating. “You need to rest.” There was an understanding twinkle in Alexander’s eyes that made her insides melt. Clearing her throat, she added, “I’ll come back to see you later, shall I?”
Alexander nodded and she squeezed his hand once more before agreeing to be escorted back to her room.