Chapter 49 - Forty Nine
Back in her small, familiar room at the Ellington manor, she felt a renewed sense of purpose. She pulled out a large, battered trunk from under her bed. Well, not that she had many things that were truly hers to pack. A few plain simple dresses, a handful of well-worn books, and the blue ribbon from the Duke. That was the sum of her life in this house.
As she folded a plain cotton dress, her mind couldn’t help but reminisce, drifting back to the conversation she’d had that very morning. After the intense meeting with the family and she slept in his residence, Eric had insisted on taking her home himself. She remembered the moment clearly, standing by his carriage as Mr. Rye waited patiently.
~ FLASHBACK ~
Eric had helped her into the carriage, his hand warm and steady on her arm. He closed the door softly but didn’t move away. Instead, he rested his arms on the open window of the carriage door, then rested his head on his arms, simply watching her with a soft, unguarded expression. He was taking in her beauty, and the intensity of his gaze made Delia’s cheeks grow warm.
She looked at him, at the way the morning light caught in his dark, messy hair. He asked with a gentle smile, "What will you be doing today?"
Delia returned his question with one of her own. "What about you? What will you be doing today?"
Eric sighed, a sound of weary responsibility. "I’ll be working," he answered. "I might have to work all through the night, actually. I have an international procurement order to finalize, and I can’t leave it all for Aiden to handle. The burden will be too much." He paused. "Or, if I finish early, I might go to the cabin by dawn to get some rest."
"Why don’t you go home to your family’s mansion?" Delia asked, curious.
A familiar, boyish smile returned to his face. "You know I love my cabin and my privacy." He stared into her blue eyes, his own gaze turning serious again. "Do you want to come with me, Delia?"