Elizabeth instructedthe upstairs maid to pack as quickly as possible, then she went to find Tiffany.She couldn’t just up and leave without explaining to her friend.
She knocked on Tiffany’s bedroom door, and when she answered, Elizabeth barged into the room.
“Elizabeth!”Tiffany exclaimed and clapped her hands.“Tell me everything and don’t leave anything out.”
“I can’t.”Elizabeth couldn’t stand still, so she began to pace.“I have to leave right away for Briercliff, but I couldn’t leave without first saying goodbye.”
Tiffany placed her hands on her hips.“Well, you’re not leaving me like this,” she told her with a definite firmness.“Not after what I’ve been though.You owe me a thorough explanation, so I’m going with you.”
Elizabeth stopped abruptly.“What about your husband?”
“He won’t be back for weeks.”Tiffany waved her hand.“I’ll be home long before he gets back.Besides, it will give me a chance to see Dawson,” she said as she began picking up a few of her things and placing them in a portmanteau.“However, I don’t understand why you’re leaving.”
“I’ll explain once we’re in the carriage,” Elizabeth said.“I’ll have Mary pack your things and send them in another vehicle,” she explained, tossing her friend a nightgown from a chair.“Hurry— we must go before Jonathan comes over here.”
“I don’t like the sound of this,” Tiffany said as she hurried to finish dressing.
Without stopping for breakfast they dashed through the rain to the carriage.Half an hour later, Elizabeth was on her way home.The dark clouds above her seemed to part and her heavy heart felt lighter.Everything would be all right once she was at Briercliff.She’d be able to think clearly once she got home.
Tiffany waited patientlyuntil the coach had left the city before her patience wore thin.“There is nothing out the window that’s interesting, so quit ignoring me, Elizabeth.Turn around and talk to me.”
Elizabeth let out a loud sigh and her shoulders slumped.“Oh, Tiffany, I don’t know where to start.”
Tiffany hated seeing her friend so miserable, and she wanted to give Elizabeth a big hug, but that would only bring on tears, and then she’d never hear the story.Instead, she straightened her skirt and folded her hands in her lap.“You didn’t come home last night so I assume you stayed with Jonathan.”
Elizabeth nodded.
“Well?Did you spend the night talking?”
“No, but I wish we had.We started off arguing, then the next thing I knew, we were in each other’s arms.”
“Then our mission was successful,” Tiffany said, smiling triumphantly.
Elizabeth blushed a bright red.“Yes, we made love.”
“I can tell it was wonderful by the look on your face.There is nothing that can replace the special glow.”Tiffany watched her friend with smug delight.“So what is wrong?Why are we making a mad dash to Briercliff?”
Elizabeth shrugged and said offhandedly, “We are going to Briercliff because I need time to think.”
“Think about what?”
Elizabeth could tell Tiffany wasn’t about to give up until she heard the whole story.“Jonathan said he wanted answers this morning when we woke up,” Elizabeth told her, frowning.“I thought I was ready, but when the morning dawned, I panicked.I sneaked out of his house before he awoke.”Elizabeth held her throbbing head with both hands.“I’m so confused.”
Tiffany reached over and patted Elizabeth on the knee, then resumed her previous position against the cushions.“That is the smartest thing you’ve said.Youarevery confused!”
“I know.I know.I’m hopeless,” Elizabeth agreed, then cast her eyes downward.“What am I going to do?”
Tiffany studied Elizabeth with curious intensity.“Are you sure you want to hear the answer?You might not like it.”
Elizabeth nodded.“If there is one.”
“You must stop running away from your problems,” Tiffany said firmly.“Do you know what I think?”
“What?”
“That you’re afraid to love Jonathan.You’re afraid he is going to hurt you.”A long moment passed, then she added, “You don’t give him the chance to prove himself.You don’t trust him.”
“Oh!But I—” Elizabeth snapped her mouth shut.It seemed so simple when Tiffany said it.Maybe shetrulydidn’t trust Jonathan.“But he didn’t say he loved me,” she declared.
