Ross rose his glass in a toast to Francis & Elizabeth. He later proceeded to exit-a deep melancholy pouring over him.
Elizabeth sat at the dinner table staring forward in contemplation. Her heart continued to beat with shock within her chest.
She felt so many emotions all at once. The man whom she truly loved with her whole heart and soul was not dead but alive! The shock needed to evaporate a bit. It paralysed her for some moments. She felt as if she were frozen. Then, after a silent attack of panic and shock, silent determination began to build within her being. She looked at Francis with a glance of apology and then rose abruptly scurrying fast towards the doorway.
"Elizabeth? Elizabeth! What do you think you are doing? You foolish, foolish girl! Come back here!" Mrs. Chenoweth cackled.
Elizabeth ran onto the outdoor ground past the grand door to Trenwith, and shouted,
"Ross!... Ross!" Her voice varying in pitch each time she said his name.
But, Ross's horse galloped away with great speed and force.
Elizabeth's thoughts at first seeing him alternated between pure jubilation and heartbreak at the circumstances before them. Inevitably, one man would be left heartbroken. She took action turning towards the stable to find a stablehand to ready her own horse. She must find him. She must go to him. She must speak to him. She would not lose him again.
Francis was utterly defeated. He knew not what he could say or do to stop Elizabeth from running to Ross. Shame, embarrassment, cowardice, and lack of confidence overcame him. She had clearly made her choice. He was in horrific awe that Elizabeth seemed to be unafraid of scandal! The Poldark and Chenoweth family names and reputations would be forever tarnished.
...
Elizabeth's beautiful white horse galloped gracefully along the Cornish cliffside.
She found Ross sat at the edge near where they ran along together years before.
He heard her horse's hooves stop behind and near him. He turned. Elizabeth dismounted and stayed back from him-tears filling her eyes as she stood staring in silence.
Ross stood and stared back.
After moments of silence and looks of pure longing, Elizabeth suddenly ran to him and threw her arms around him-dropping her ladylike facade.
"Ross," Elizabeth spoke gently in a conciliatory, sweet tone and began to gently weep.
Ross felt betrayed, but he could not find the strength to refrain from holding her. He needed her. He wanted her.
"I thought you were dead. Everyone believed you dead. How can this be? You are here." Elizabeth spoke between tears. "I need to feel that you're not a ghost."
"Elizabeth," Ross shut his eyes as he held her but after a long embrace, drew back when he spoke again...
"You are betrothed to Francis."
"I must...Please, let me find words. There is much to say... I must... confess to you that I do not love him. I could love no one as I love you, Ross. I love you-you and no other. I thought you were dead. Francis and I-we were to be a marriage of convenience. My mother and your uncle thought it a smart match...You know my mother's desire for me to be a great lady...Francis proposed and I agreed only in believing that I would never have the chance to be with you-that you were gone forever from this world. Francis is a good man, from a good family. Though I do not truly love him as I have always loved you, I followed our families' wishes. The tears continued to flow and stream down her face.
"Francis has everything; whereas, I have nothing."
"No," Elizabeth brushed her face close to his. Ross dropped his defenses.
"We belong to each other." Elizabeth answered.
She raised her face to draw her lips closer to his very slowly, hesitant of his feelings in these moments. They both experienced a whirlwind of emotions. All she could conclude was that she truly needed Ross. She loved him-him and no other. She was determined. She would kiss him. She lovingly opened her mouth to encourage their lips to meet. Ross responded with sudden and powerful passion.