Robert cleared his throat and stuttered over his beginning words. He began his sentence several times, while he fidgeted with his hands in his lap. Elisabeth poured the water and took a place at the table, on the same level as he was, hoping this would make him more comfortable and able to speak.
“Robert is everything all right?” she was becoming concerned that something was amiss. Was Adelaide all right? Had something happened to Thomas? Was Robert finally putting his foot down and expelling her from his household? These thoughts flooded her mind as the two sat in silence.
Her cup clicked in a shaking clatter against the saucer and Robert remained silent, his eyes cast down concentrating on his own cup of tea. They both opened their mouths to speak and then stopped with a sudden snap of their jaws. This brought on a twitter of embarrassed, amusement from Elisabeth and a soft apologetic smile from Robert.
“Forgive me Robert, please speak.” she smiled over the brim of her tea cup, allowing the hot, weak drink to warm her mouth and force her words back down her throat.
“I came here this afternoon, in hopes of gaining your assistance.” He cleared his throat again and took a long draw from the steaming cup. “I am not certain why or if I can do this.”
Elisabeth bit her lips together, expect his next words to be a request for her to depart from the chateau. She would of course leave, it was his house, but she would not make it easy for him, she would make him say the words, the truth. Elisabeth straightened her spine, remembering how he had manipulated her at the manor at the Grays. She would not take him at his word easily this time and she knew full well that it would be his desire this time, not Adelaide’s.
“Robert, I have always believed it best to simply say what is on your mind and not beat around the bush. So I beg you, please just speak the words.”
Robert’s eyes were glossy as he looked up to her face. “I need your help with Adelaide.”
This was not what she had expected and she felt her hand go to her breast with the suddenness and surprise of his words.
“I know that what you have, your friendship, with my wife is very dear to her.”
Elisabeth’s tongue was glued to the roof of her mouth.
“I also realize that if I were to come into the middle of that friendship and pull her from you, or push you away, I would lose her forever.”
Elisabeth nodded. She knew this to be the absolute truth.
“I cannot fight and win, so I am surrendering the fight so that I might win, eventually.”
“Win? Robert, is this a game, your marriage, your love, just some trophy for you to acquire? Is Adelaide to be displayed as your prize?” Elisabeth was feeling defensive now.
His eyes grew big as he realized her hackles were drawing up. “No no, I know it is not a game. I want to win her back. I want her to know I care for her too, that I am still the man she once might have loved. I know our courtship was not based on it, at first, but I would like to believe it evolved or could have if it had been given a proper chance. I am not a fool Elisabeth, I know we have our barriers and that she and I are in need of assistance in our companionship, and perhaps that is where you began, but I can see now that you are more than that to her now and I cannot take that from her.”
His words were flowing freely now and she dared not to interrupt him. Instead, she stood up and refilled their tea cups.
“Will you help me?” he asked, taking note of his fresh tea.
“I am still uncertain as to what it is that you are asking me, Robert.” and she was. She was indeed relieved that he was not asking her to leave Adelaide or the chateau, or at least that is what she now believed, and she understood that he cared for his wife and wanted to make amends, to join back together with her in some semblance of a man and wife relationships, but she still had yet to learn what she had to do with any of it.
“I was hoping,” he stopped to sip his tea.
Elisabeth tensed, being involved in an unknown plan was suddenly unsettling to her.
“I was wondering,” again he paused.
“Robert, please just ask it.” Her voice was raised louder than she had intended.
He dropped his eyes like a scolded child.
“Forgive me. You are making me tense. I apologize.” Elisabeth laid her hand on his, upon the table. “What is it that I can do that will help you?” She steadied herself for the request and removed her hand from his, not wanting anything to be misconstrued.
“Would you accompany me to the jeweler and help me pick out a piece to go with one of her new gowns? A gown that you have created with her, so that she can see us, the three of us, as all working together?” he sat back like a weight had been removed from around his neck, his shoulders visibly sagged as the tension or perhaps defeated rolled away from his body.
It was Elisabeth’s turn to sit quiet and sip at her tea. Robert tapped his fingers in a rhythmic succession on the scarred surface of the old work table. Elisabeth glared at him causing him to halt the annoying nervous and impatient habit.
“I will help you, Robert. I know that Adelaide is also battling with these walls and I think your idea will present a united front. Perhaps that will be best all the way around.” Elisabeth was not trying to appease the broken man in front of her, she believed what she was saying and she owed Robert nothing, but she owed her happiness to Adelaide, she should be happy as well.
“Elisabeth are you listening to me?” Adelaide was perched on the edge of Elisabeth’s vanity bench primping her curls into place on her head as they readied themselves for another ball, two evening after Robert had visited Elisabeth at the House of Camille. “Elisa?”
“What? I’m sorry what were you saying?” Elisabeth was powdering the deep cleavage that was swelling from her gown’s low dipping neckline. She was not concentrating on Adelaide at the moment. Her thoughts were on what was to take place downstairs in the parlor before the carriage arrived. She and Robert had planned together that tonight he would give Adelaide his gift, an exquisite white sapphire necklace Elisabeth and he had purchased together to go with the opal silk gown that was now clinging to Adelaide’s petite frame. The gown was fitted from breast to ankle. It revealed every line and curve of Adelaide’s body, leaving her shoulders, throat and arms exposed. The sapphire would be the perfect accoutrement to the dress and Adelaide’s pure beauty.
“I was telling you to pay no attention to those catty wicked women tonight. Let’s enjoy one another’s company this evening. Besides, in these gowns we will be the envy of every one of them. You have truly out done yourself this time.” Adelaide stood and crossed over to Elisabeth. She embraced her friend. “You look divine.”
Elisabeth felt divine in the red chiffon gown. It brought compliment to her darker tones. Her eyes were a lush deep brown, they were close to black and her chocolate hued hair shone in flowing curls of warmth and silky texture. Her attitude matched her reflection, beautiful and content. Tonight felt magical, like it was meant to be, finally their little trio would be unified and happy.
Elisabeth took Adelaide’s hands and squeezed her fingers tight. “Thank you Adel, Shall we finally release the men from their waiting time and grace them with our beauty?”
Adelaide gave her that familiar deviant grin of innocence she had come to know so well. “Or we could keep them waiting a bit longer, while I admire you for my own pleasure.”
Elisabeth giggled and pecked Adelaide’s cheek, “Come.” She pulled her friend along out of the room, her own excitement unable to be contained any longer.
The feminine duo descended the stairs arm and arm, their lips glossed, their hair properly affixed and their eyes gleaming with joy and amusement. The men stood at the base of the staircase, looking up in honest awe at the two visions above them. Elisabeth’s heart fluttered when she saw Thomas was already there. It thumped in a warring rhythm of pleasure to see him and anxious nerves that the plan she and Robert had made would not become unhinged with his presence. She needed to do something to ins
ure Robert could do as he had planned. The men both reached for the women’s hands and in turn kissed them upon their cheeks.
“Take Adelaide into the parlor, I will keep Thomas here.” Elisabeth whispered into Robert’s ear as his lips touched either side of her face.
“Aren’t we a lovely sight?” boasted Adelaide, her spirits high. “Shall we go on then?” her silver eyes danced as she looked from one person to the next.
Robert cleared his throat, “Adel, could I speak with you for a moment before the carriage arrives?”
Adelaide’s features faltered momentarily, “Now, Robert? Can it not wait until we are on our way?”
He gave her a tight lipped smirk, “No my beautiful wife, please it will only take a moment.” He held his arm out for her to move into the privacy of the parlor with him. Robert made a move to follow, his face showing a bit of concern. Elisabeth took hold of his hand to hold him back.
“Thomas could you help me in the other room for a moment, please?” Elisabeth let her eye lids go heavy and she used her best deviant smile, a good impression of Adelaide’s. Thomas’ features perked with interest. He followed behind her privately admiring her form in the flowing, red gown.
“You needed me to assist you in the kitchen?” Thomas was confused and he tipped his head to the side giving her a suspicious look.
“Shhh, no I certainly do not need you to assist me.” she whispered before peeking through the connecting door to the parlor.
“You little minx,” Thomas teased, coming up behind her, “you are spying on them.” He peered over the top of her head.
“No I am not. I only want to see what she thinks.” She hissed beneath her breath, through clenched teeth.
Adelaide and Robert both raised their eyes towards the kitchen door. Elisabeth yelped and pushed back suddenly against Thomas so as not to be spotted, sending them both stumbling backwards, away from the doorway. Robert’s lower back hit the counter and he let out a guffaw of breath. Elisabeth stumbled on her heels and landed against his chest, where he grasped her arms to keep her from falling to the floor.
Thomas stared at the warm midnight skies of her eyes. He could lose himself in those eyes. Her lips were soft and parted as she remained in his arms, still adjusting from the sudden incident. Before he could sop himself, he was kissing her. He hadn’t known until this very moment how much his body had been aching for her since they had kissed in the sewing room. His arms encircled her waist and he drew her closer to him. His body needed to feel her warmth against him. His lips tasted her mouth with unguarded desire and he felt her body give in to his embrace.
Elisabeth felt her body respond to Thomas’ kiss, she moaned into the confines of his mouth as his hands traveled over the swell of her bottom. His touch brought the butterflies she craved, the same ones that Adelaide drew out of her, but different. With Adelaide she was always able to resist, to stop, and to let herself only move so far. With Robert all her control was lost, she could feel herself becoming unhinged, the begging words nearly tipped from her tongue and out between them. She wanted more from him than she had desired from Adelaide. It confused and beguiled her.
“Thomas,” she whispered into his mouth, “please.”
He cupped her face and starred into her eyes. “I’m sorry.”
Her heart sank, she was not asking him to apologize or to stop. Without another word she allowed her mouth to fall back onto his “Do not stop.” She sighed.
It was Thomas who moaned out into the space between them. “Elisa.” With ease he lifted her up onto the counter and nipped at her exposed throat.
Elisabeth did not protest, she did not halt his hands as they explored the curve of her hip, danced over the flat of her belly and cupped the rounded, fullness of her breasts. She wanted to feel his hands and even more she wanted to feel his skin with her own hands. She dared to allow her fingertips to dip beneath the buttoned hem of his shirt, the pads of her fingers burned with the heat of his skin beneath. She gasped at the sensations that coursed through her.
A surprised scream from the parlor echoed into the kitchen and interrupted an escalating situation. Thomas gave Elisabeth a questioning look.”What on earth is that all about?”
Elisabeth gave him a knowing smile and moved off the counter, taking his hand and moving out of the kitchen back to the staircase to meet Robert and Adelaide. When the foursome reunited in the foyer, there was a new air about them. Thomas was beaming as was Adelaide. Robert looked at Elisabeth with thankfulness and renewed inspiration and Elisabeth boasted a flush color of desire and intrigue. The carriage arrived and the small group moved in unison out to it, riding in the moon light to a ball that was sure to be a lovely event.
* * *
Chapter 21
The carriage ride home was a quiet one. The foursome had danced, conversed, laughed and showed the other guests that they were a unified front to be reckoned with. All, but Robert, enjoyed the champagne and all three were proud that he had chosen to abstain. Adelaide had been so stunned by his choice that she kissed him right in the middle of the dance floor in front of the gawkers and gossipers, where he had spun her and dipped her and twirled her over and over again to numerous songs. Thomas had also danced with Adelaide, but his mind was on Elisabeth.
The carriage bounced and swayed over the uneven streets. The motion kept Elisabeth from focusing too long on Thomas sitting across from her. Perhaps it was for the best, she thought, he would find her odd for taking note of him for too long a period of time, but she continued to find her eyes gazing at him. Whenever she looked at him her body tingled. It started the moment they left the chateau, small little flutters that made her smile. It grew at the ball, as he wrapped her in his arms and lead her across the floor, their steps perfectly matched. His touch sent electrical shocks through her. Now in the carriage, the tingles rolled through the pit of her stomach every time she glanced at him.
They entered the chateau, Adelaide and Elisabeth, arm in arm. Adelaide hugged Elisabeth. “What a wonderful evening. Thank you so very much for going with me.” She pecked Elisabeth’s cheeks and Elisabeth smiled warmly at her. Robert ascended the stairs with his wife and left Elisabeth and Thomas muddling about the foyer.
“It has been a lovely.” Thomas interjected.
Elisabeth bit the fullness of her bottom lip and nodded.
“The morning hours arrive promptly. I shall leave you to retire.”
Elisabeth’s heart sank. It surprised her. What had she been expecting?
Thomas embraced her with a gentle hug and brushed his lips across hers before releasing her and turning to leave her at the foot of the stairs. Her finger’s brushed over her lips as she looked after him.
The light of the full moon streamed through her windows. Elisabeth could not sleep. She tossed and turned beneath the coverlet going through the various stages of the evening. She was confused. She thought about the kiss to her cheek from Adelaide, it was sweet, it felt nice and she knew that Adelaide cared for her. Then she thought of Thomas’ kiss, her lips tingled. Again she touched the soft, fullness of her mouth. She closed her eyes and imagined Thomas’ mouth. Another wave of tingles went through her middle. How could she feel this way? Was it like this when she first kissed Adel? Yes, in the beginning she did, she was certain of it, but where had that feeling gone?
The coverlet and sheets were kicked down to the end of the bed and she punched at the feathers within her pillows to bring them back to fullness. A heavy sigh echoed out into the dim empty space of her bedchamber. She didn’t intend to be running comparisons in her head, but they were there all the same and she could not stop them. Adelaide was her confidant, her dearest friend. When she was with her they understood one another. They did not have to speak; they could sit in each other’s presence all afternoon and not feel a need to fill the silence. They could lay side by side in the sun caressing one another, knowing each other’s forms and how to draw out breathless pleasure, or simply hold hands. They never felt it was
a forced situation to keep the other content. The two spoke freely of others, Robert, Thomas, their childhoods. Elisabeth felt there was nothing she could not tell Adelaide and she would listen to her friend talk all night if that was what she needed to do. She should feel the intensity with Adelaide, not with Thomas.
Thomas was a dilemma. He was everything she had tried to avoid in her life. Thomas represented a loss of her independence. If she allowed herself to explore a relationship with him, she had a lot to lose. Imagine if it did work and she fell for him, she would become a wife. She would have to give up her shop, turn over her finances, and answer to his wishes. Then there was the difference in their standing in society. It was true that she was somewhat accepted in the upper societal circles, but that was due to Adelaide. Would it be the same if she were being courted and then married to Thomas? She would permanently become part of the upper class. There would be teas and dinners and balls, and social events. She would have no time to sew and design, she would be giving up her dream, a dream she had since she was a child stitching her first hem beside her grandmother. Her lungs deflated with a heavy sigh. Thomas made her happy, that was a fact she could not deny.
Adelaide’s bed was empty. She was pacing the floor in front of the windows. She had managed to undress and slip into her dressing gown, the white sapphire was still resting in the hollow of the center crevice where her collar bones met. It was beautiful; she still could not believe Robert had bought it for her. The fact that he had thought of her, beyond being in her presence, was alluring to her. He had purposely taken time away from his personal schedule to seek out a gift for her. She had to admit it felt like a positive step, and they had so few of those since the spring. She wondered what it all meant. If he was thinking of her in a positive way, did that mean he was accepting her and her desires?
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