She said she would wait for anyone, and Rochester gave a nod of understanding. He was surprised at the slight sinking feeling in his heart, but it was soon elated again as she continued her explanation. "You are not planning on sleeping at home tonight?" he asked to confirm. He had known she was going to wait while he was having the operation, but he never would have expected her to wait the whole night long with him. It was more than he really deserved.
Marian held up her finger to show him her sewing injury, and seizing upon the excuse, Edward reached out and took her hand gently in his own. He pulled it closer as if he might see something more there, and for a second he was tempted to 'kiss it better'. But he didn't, he just held on for a moment. "How you suffer for me," he said softly before releasing her hand once again.
"Hmm? Oh, you mean actually sickly as opposed to sickly-sweet?" he asked, and then chuckled a little at her teasing look. It was so wonderful to be able to see these little details of the conversation. "You are getting better. I heard you bounding down the corridor to see me once Dr Morgan had left," he admitted with a wry smile. She had been eager to see him, and that was very pleasing indeed.
He nodded along at her assessment of the arm. "Yes, I shall, of course. Being unable to see the injury for so long... I think the 'phantom limb' feeling was a lot stronger than if I had been able to catch sight and remember often," he explained. It was the strangest feeling. Knowing it was gone, but feeling invisible fingers twitch. Her grin was contagious, and that bubbling up of happiness was there again. "Oh yes, I quite agree. It is an improvement, if anything. A little touch of excitement on an otherwise exceedingly normal face."