Page 59 of The Marquess' Disguised Heiress
Without realizing what she was doing, Eliza held onto him closely, her hands wrapped tightly around his neck as he hugged her back, the two of them locked in a warm embrace.
She had noticed his momentary bewilderment before her face had been buried in his neck, but he had immediately sunk into the hug right after. It would have been an understatement to say she was happy since Eliza felt elated in a way she had not been able to feel the entire past week. It was enough to make her realize how much she valued the man who held her in his arms.
“Beth,” he whispered her name right in her ear, making Eliza realize how close the two of them were to each other, “I have missed you just the same.”
Suddenly feeling embarrassed, she unhooked her arms from behind his neck, letting him go at last. Her cheeks turned crimson after witnessing the huge smile on George’s face, making her wonder what he might be thinking about the hug she had sprung on him in this manner. It was true they were good friends, but Eliza had never shown him this level of affection before.
“I must apologize for taking liberties with you. I shouldn’t have embraced you in this manner,” she quickly said, not wanting to offend him or give him the wrong idea. He was the one person whose opinion mattered to her the most, and she could not let him think wrongly of her.
Before she had even stopped speaking, George began to shake his head. “You mustn’t worry at all. Besides, my dearest Beth, you are allowed to take as many liberties as you might wish with me.”
Eliza rolled her eyes at the playfulness in his voice and sat back down, patting the ground beside her, motioning for him to sit as well. Without wasting a single second, he perched down, their shoulders almost touching as they faced the sky above.
Just being back in his presence, Eliza’s heart felt comforted, the sadness of the past week immediately fading away. She had got used to George’s company, and not having had it made her realize his importance in her life. She never wanted to let him go, and the very thought scared her.
“How have you been? And where have you been? I haven’t seen you in one week!”
“I have felt terrible because I have been unable to do anything except miss you terribly.” He glanced at her, making Eliza blush at the comment, “Although, I am extremely happy to be back, and I am already beginning to feel much better.”
“I am glad to hear that.” She continued staring into his eyes. “Mind telling me what had you so occupied?”
“I was unfortunately away on business for a friend.”
“On business?” Eliza frowned, “What business concerned the stable hand of the earl’s estate? Or was it something for the Earl’s valet of whom you are the right hand?”
“It was for the earl himself,” George replied quickly, looking back at the sky. “He wanted me to return to his country seat and handle a few matters there pertaining to his special horses. Thus, I had no choice but to go as quickly as possible.”
“That sounds urgent,” Eliza commented, still unable to understand.
However, she did not care one bit about what took him away; she only cared about him returning. Now that he was here, things were going to be alright. She just knew it.
“It was.” He sighed deeply, turning around to face her. Eliza turned around as well, the two of them staring at one another, a smile on Eliza’s face. The sun had finally ascended fully and was beginning to illuminate the world with its glorious light, and Eliza felt her spirits going up with it.
If it were any other day where George would not have been beside her, she would have been upset about having to return to the house and begin her day. Although, seeing George again had filled her with hope and spirits, and she knew she could manage the day ahead with grace.
“I am glad you could be of help to the earl.”
“Forget about the earl.” He took her hand in his, his touch making Eliza shiver. “Tell me about yourself. How have you been while I was away? What has been going on at the house? Did something momentous happen which I must most certainly be aware of?”
“You want to hear gossip about the servants now?” Eliza chuckled, tracing circles on his palm with her thumb.
“Why not? All I wish is to keep hearing your voice, so I just need you to continue talking about anything and everything.”
“Is that so?”
“Absolutely.” He nodded, a smile mirroring Eliza’s appearing on his face.
She shook her head, beginning to tell him the mundane details of her day and things that had been happening around the house while he had been gone.
Although, even as the two of them laughed together, Eliza couldn’t help wondering if she should tell him about Amelia and the gift stealing.
Eliza had hoped Amelia would stop stealing the gifts now that she was accused, but she had been wrong. The gifts still disappeared from her room, making her angrier every single day.
“Is something weighing on your mind, Beth?” George’s voice brought her back to the present, and she realized how she had been staring at him silently.
“Oh, nothing really.”
“You must tell me, Beth. Sometimes, when something is weighing upon us, talking about it helps.” She stared at him earnestly, wondering how he even noticed how stressed she had been. Everything about George reminded Eliza of how close the two of them had come to one another, filling her heart with happiness at the prospect.
