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The next day was much the same, and it was not going well. I did not feel like staying in my room, as I really wanted to spend time with George. I found myself checking everywhere I could, and even the garden for a distraction.
As I looked and did not find anyone I wanted to talk to I found my mood getting darker, and more miserable. I stomped into the music room looking for George. Where in the world was he?
Unfortunately, I also realized at that moment that I had not seen Miss Throckmorten either. Was Adelaide, even now, stealing time with George?
Stomp, stomp.
George could converse with other women; it was not like he had expressed an interest in me.
Not like Mr. Throckmorten had at least, as he had already spoken with my aunt.
Slick, handsome, and slimy Mr. Throckmorten. What a pain. Aunt Pen approved of his wanting to seek my hand. She had told me as much. I was proud of myself, I had not immediately lost the contents of my wildly tossing stomach.
"It would be a very fortuitous match," Aunt Pen had said.
I shuddered. My father would not want me to marry for wealth. He said marry for love, and he'd provide the wealth. I wiped a quick tear. I wish my parents had not died, but it could not be helped. I would have to figure this out without their guidance.
I would much rather spend time with George. I loved talking with him. Moreover, I had thought that George returned my growing affection for him.
Yet, now I was plagued with doubts. These dark thoughts tore at my fragile heart. The more I saw Adelaide with George, the more tormented I became.
Maybe I should find Mr. Hodge because the way my week was going if I did find George the Throckmorten's would be there too!
As I turned around to leave the empty music room I crashed into somebody. A hard somebody. I looked up into George’s eyes. My heart leapt with joy. Bless my lucky stars it was him and not a Throckmorten. I stumbled and George saved me from falling, with a firm grasp, and frowned at me.
"Miss Pendry, should you not be careful on that ankle of yours?"
Why was he being so formal? Miss Pendry? Really? My heart crashed, and I blinked back sudden tears.
"Well yes, and I was being careful with it." I retorted. Although, maybe I should say I twisted it again. I could use it as an excuse to hide.
"I would hope so, Elizabeth," George whispered in my ear. He seemed upset, and I wasn't sure why. He was the one that was talking with Adelaide. I looked up into his eyes. "Please, be careful," he said kindly. I could see the warmth in his eyes, the same warmth I had fallen in love with. He continued to hold on to my arm as he helped me to the sofa. He was watching me carefully.
"How are you?" I said with some hesitation. I was feeling uncomfortable. Why was my heart beating so fast? It would betray me.
"Very well," George answered, giving me an odd look.
"That is good.” This was rather awkward.
"There you are George!" a kind voice called out in greeting. "And Elizabeth!"
I found myself smiling at Mr. Hodge.
"Father," George said in greeting, his eyes not leaving me.
I decided to make a hasty retreat. The way George was looking at me was making my heart hammer worse. "I would not want to be thought of as unwanted company. I should go."
"Elizabeth, you know I would never think that." George’s voice was almost a whisper.
"What's this about?" Mr. Hodge asked at the same time.
"Some apparently don't want my company," I told Mr. Hodge. My voice cracked as I felt my heart crumble more. If I did not change the topic soon I would cry.
"Ah, I see," George said.
"I think the two of you need to talk," Mr. Hodge said. He placed a hand on George’s shoulder and added, “Sometimes, son, it helps to spell it out.”
"What's going on?" Edward asked as he walked into the room and took all of us in.
"Might we use your office, Edward?" George asked.
Edward didn’t hesitate. "Sounds like a good plan, but I do suggest you go swiftly. I hear that the main party is expected to head out for a game of croquet shortly."
"I would drop a bee's nest on the Throckmorten's to get rid of them. They are not allergic are they?"
Edward, George, and Mr. Hodge coughed to hide laughter.
"Remind me to never to get on your bad side," Mr. Hodge chuckled.
"And to avoid bees," added George.
Did I just say that out loud? I blushed. "Oh no, I did not mean to actually say that that. Think it, yes. But ... it is your fault!" I tried to glare at George.
"How is it my fault, Elizabeth?" George asked.
I looked at Mr. Hodge, and back to George. "Both of you! I am too relaxed with you." I pointed to George for good measure.
"That is good, though," George protested, swatting at my hand.
"For you maybe." It was not good for me. I was coming apart at the seams.
"Well, if you two want to sneak off, get going. Shoo!" Mr. Hodge said.
***
"Cheonsa, what's wrong?" George asked as he shut the office door quietly behind us.
I walked around the comfortable room that was my brother's office. It had once been my father's, and I thought of my parents. My father would have my mother sit with him in here, as they talked. And now I was talking with George. I wanted him to be my everything so much it hurt.
"What do you mean?" I knew exactly what he meant. He wanted to know why I had been avoiding him.
"Elizabeth," George sighed.
"Do you still enjoy my company?"
"Of course! What brought this on?" The look on George's face made my legs feel weak. Perhaps it was my ankle giving me trouble. Yes, that was it. Just my bum ankle acting up.
I took a deep breath. "Were your parents deeply in love?"
"Most definitely. I always told myself I would find a love like they had." George said softly. I hadn't realized he had come to stand beside me until his shoulders brushed mine. I swallowed.
"Did you find that?" I asked, hoping he'd say no. If he said no, then I still had a chance.
"I hope so." George's response left a cold spot in my middle. "I think so, but I’m not sure she realizes what she’d be getting into." He must mean Adelaide.
"I'm happy for you," I said stiffly. I felt the hot tears smarting my eyes. I needed to be quick in my retreat. "I wish you and Adelaide well. I'm sure you'd prefer her company right now."
"I think the company I am with suits me just fine," George answered as he reached out and stopped me from leaving.
"The two of you seem close." Ok, let's get it right out there. Nice and blunt.
George looked a bit surprised as he turned me around to face him. “What gave you that idea?"
"Well, the two of you were spending a lot of time together. I just thought—”
There are really only two ways to silence idiots that I can think of. One is you hit them. The other is you kiss them.
George did not hit me, but he silenced me all the same.