“Good night, my dear.”
Elizabeth quit the room and took the stairs to her bedchamber. Molly was waiting and helped her dress for bed, stoking the fire before she left Elizabeth in the solace of her room. Her mind still busy thinking through the events of the day, she sat in the chair beside the fire, watching the flames as she reflected.
If anyone had told her two weeks ago that a peer of the realm would be courting her, she’d have laughed.
Nevertheless, that was exactly what was happening, and she was happy. It had been a blow early today when her father had delivered the news that she was no longer able to be at the college. However, the day had ended on a high note, one that was unexpected but fit perfectly.
A pinch of worry tightened her chest as she thought of how she’d need to deliver the news to Patricia, who would in turn tell her brother that Elizabeth and Collin were courting. How would Mr. Finch react? She’d already wounded him by her rejection of his affections. Hopefully this wouldn’t add insult to the injury.
Or perhaps Collin would tell him. She wasn’t sure, but that wasn’t something she could address or fix tonight, so she set the thought aside and decided instead to bask in the glow of Collin’s affections.
They were a force to be reckoned with, that was for certain. She closed her eyes and remembered how it had felt to be so close to him that she could smell the peppermint scent that clung to his skin, that she could see the hint of whiskers along his jawline, his very presence enveloping her and drawing her in. It was magnetic, addictive, and she wanted more.
Her mouth had gone dry when he’d said,“The sparks that fly when we fight…are only the beginning. We, my dear, will someday burn everything down around us, and I, for one, cannot wait.”She could imagine it, vaguely since she wasn’t certain of the details of such a situation, but the emotion of it captured her fully, promising things she didn’t know how to name but nonetheless wanted desperately.
She swallowed as she released the memory, opening her eyes and contemplating once again the low-burning fire. She understood the smoldering of the coals all too well. It echoed in her very soul and though it should have terrified her, it did not.
She recalled Patricia’s words about fear once more. And she oddly felt the absence of it regarding Collin. Rather, there was deep anticipation and…expectation of fun. Because being around him wasn’t difficult. It was challenging and she constantly sharpened her wits, but it was fun. There was never a dull moment, a lull in the conversation, or a hiccup that made her question herself.
In fact, she was fully, unapologetically herself around him. And for some odd reason, he found that attractive, alluring enough to wish to court her, which usually meant a proposal was forthcoming.
So much change had happened in a day. It was as if her entire future had taken a path she hadn’t expected, hadn’t seen, and had been put on against her will. However, as she walked along it, she sawthe beauty. She studied her emotions and tried to fully understand them.
In understanding, she could master them. As she thought it, she laughed at herself. She was clearly not mastering anything, but she craved control. Maybe that was teaching her the lesson of humility.
That stung and wasn’t a lesson she’d soon forget or like to repeat. Nonetheless, the fruit of the lesson was apparent, and she couldn’t fault life’s way of teaching the harder subjects.
She stood and crawled into her bed, nestling into the covers and pillows, sighing deeply. Her mind at rest, she slowly gave in to the deep slumber that beckoned her, anticipating the morning. Because if all this had happened in a day, she didn’t want to think about what tomorrow could bring.
Elizabeth awoke the next morning with a smile, the same expectation that had lulled her to sleep alerting her to the bright prospects of the new day. She dressed and went to break her fast, greeting her father at the breakfast table.
“Good morning,” she chirped, kissing her father’s head before taking a seat across from him.
“Good morning, dear,” he answered, then folded the newspaper. “I’m headed to the college, but I’ll return this afternoon in time for Lord Penderdale’s call.”
“Thank you, Papa,” she said as she lifted the newspaper and folded it to read.
Her father patted her head and left.
Elizabeth read through the various headlines, her attention pausing on one that detailed the arrest of a ring of criminals in London.
LONDON: As part of a criminal investigation led by the Honorable L. Huge, police arrested several individuals involved in smuggling tea.
Elizabeth reread the article, surmising that the criminals caught were likely only a few of those involved. As she folded the newspaper, she wondered if perhaps the news would hinder other contrabandists from selling their wares. Clearly, the Crown was aware of the issue, but due to its massive size, it was difficult to conquer.
She finished breaking her fast and went to the kitchens. Her honey had all drained into the bucket, and she’d need to bottle the golden liquid and take the unneeded wax back to the hive. After that, though, she had a plan.
“Molly?” she asked as the maid was about to leave the kitchen.
“Aye, miss?”
“This afternoon when I return from the hives, I’d like you to accompany me to the market once more.” Elizabeth wanted to see if the same sellers were present at the market today, or if news of the London arrests had hindered them.
“Of course, miss.” Molly curtsied and then left.
Elizabeth returned her attention to the bucket and then decided a change in clothing was necessary to complete the tasks at hand. She’d forgotten early this morning about going to the hives, or else she’d have worn the same old dress that she’d used while gathering the honey in the first place.
Her mind was clearly elsewhere, and she knew why.
