Due to the explicit/adult nature of content in this chapter, this is an abridged version of the full content, which will only be available on AO3/Archive of Our Own.

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Evie spread out her fan across her face as she stifled a yawn. Ellie smiled fondly as she gave her friend's hand a squeeze.

"Are you ready to retire, darling?"

Evie remained hidden behind the fan as she rubbed her eyes and nodded. "I think so, but I don't want to spoil your evening," she murmured in response.

Ellie giggled as she rose to her feet, helping Evie up around the cumbersome gown. "Not to worry, Evie. You couldn't spoil my evening if you tried."

Evie's cheeks flushed and she stood more upright. "Well… as long as you're certain."

Ellie nodded, hooking her arm with Evie's. "Come on. The hour's late anyway, and some of the guests have already left. Let's get to bed."

Connie appeared from seemingly nowhere. "Right this way, Miss Frye. We've prepared a room for you in the guest wing."

Evie and Ellie both looked perplexed as they glanced between one another. "Whose decision was that, Connie?" Ellie asked.

Connie's smile was tight. "Mister Frye requested that Master Frye and Miss Frye be given their own accommodations, Miss Blair."

Ellie's eyes narrowed, and she glanced towards Ethan, who was still in a lively conversation with her parents and some other guests. She sniffed, then turned back to Evie. "Which would you prefer, darling? I understand if you'd rather have your own space."

Evie frowned, as if it should have been obvious. "We've always shared a bed, Ellie," she replied. "I see no reason we should need to stop now."

Ellie nodded, then turned to Connie. "Leave it at that, then. If Mister Frye causes a ruckus, tell him he may feel free to take the issue up with me tomorrow morning. If he so much as raises his voice at you, come to me straight away. Do you understand?"

Connie smiled gratefully as she nodded, taking Ellie's hand and squeezing it gently. "Of course, Miss Blair. Shall I bring Miss Frye's trunk back to your chambers?"

The younger women both nodded, and curtsied briefly before departing arm in arm.

Arriving in the antechamber of Ellie's bedroom, they were laughing and giggling about the way Nathaniel had stumbled over himself to ask Evie to dance that evening—it was painfully obvious that the lad was hopelessly smitten with her. Even as Ellie teased, Evie shot back about the newcomer from America—a blonde named Charles, who styled himself an adventurer—and had seemed head over heels for Ellie. They gently mocked the lads and their prostrations as they helped each other undress, delighted to be rid of the heavy skirts and restricting bodices.

A gentle knock at the door made Ellie quickly throw on her dressing gown, letting Connie into the room. She set Evie's trunk near the folding screen, and asked if they needed anything else.

"More wine!" Evie called.

Ellie giggled, waving her off. "If your duties permit, Connie, a decanter of wine, and some glasses for Miss Frye and myself, please."

Connie nodded. "Of course, Miss Blair. I'll have it up straight away."

"After that, you should retire," Ellie put in. "If mother asks, tell her I said you were relieved of your duties. You've had a long day, dear."

Connie smiled briefly, then excused herself. Ellie turned back to Evie. "It'll be up soon," she added.

Evie laughed as she propped her foot up on the stool. "They watered down the punch, didn't they."

Ellie chuckled as she worked Evie's stocking down the graceful line of her calf. "They always do. Spirits are expensive," she insisted, though there was a playful edge to her voice. Evie held her breath under Ellie's touch, heat flooding her cheeks and elsewhere as they locked gazes for the briefest of moments.

"I can do that," she insisted, though there was no force to her voice. Ellie smiled as she stroked her leg gently.

"I don't mind, darling," she replied. "I like doing it."

Evie would swear it was the wine talking, but something about the way Ellie looked at her then made her cheeks flush with heat. She swapped legs, swallowing thickly. Ellie eased the other stocking down her leg, stroking her calf while she nuzzled her knee briefly. Evie's breath hitched, but she covered the sound with a soft cough.

Ellie leaned back with a warm smile, and Evie felt her heart stutter in her chest. "Did you enjoy the party?"

Evie swallowed, glad for the deflection as she found an easy smile for her. "I did," she murmured, pulling Ellie to her feet. Catching her about the waist, she tugged her into a lively waltz. "A pity there were so many gentlemen at the party," she mused. "You and I never really had a chance to dance like we used to."

Ellie giggled as she flustered. "There's much to be done in order to fit in, it seems," she sighed, her eyes briefly drawn to the full curve of Evie's lips. "But I agree, it was a pity we couldn't. I did so want to dance with you, darling."

Evie laughed as she slowed their dance and took Ellie's hands in her own. "Perhaps at the next party. If I'm to be forced into a gown again, I'd like to at least be able to dance with my best friend." She brushed a stray strand of hair behind Ellie's ear, thumbing a delicate path along her cheek.

Ellie bit her lip as the distance between them seemed to begin closing, but a quick knock at her door called her attention away. She hurried to answer it, letting Connie shuffle the tray with the decanter and glasses inside.

"Mrs. Blair insisted no more than two ounces each," Connie whispered, her tone apologetic. "I'm sorry, Miss, she caught me while I was preparing the tray for you."

Ellie looked sympathetic. "I'm sorry, Connie. Did she give you any trouble?"

"No. Mister Frye was nearby, listening in when she spoke to me, so I think she insisted for his benefit. I'm sorry."

Ellie shook her head. "There's no need for apologies. We probably won't have much more to drink this evening, anyway, so a couple of ounces is probably just enough. Thank you. Please go get some rest, now."

Connie nodded gratefully, then hurried to excuse herself. Ellie turned back to the other woman, who watched her with a sort of curious interest while she poured them both a drink.

"To your health?" Ellie offered, raising her glass. Evie watched her with a strangely longing expression, then licked her lips.

"To us," she said, then clinked her glass and tossed the wine back in a single shot.

Ellie laughed as she followed suit, and Evie hummed as she took her hand. "Shall we retire?"

"I don't mind if you go lay down, darling, but I want to freshen up a little before I go to bed," she replied.

Evie nodded. "Of course. I shall join you."

"Oh," Ellie smiled. "I'll just go behind the privacy screen, then."

Evie laughed. "Whatever for? What secrets are you trying to keep from me, Miss Blair?" She teased.

Ellie's posture relaxed, and she giggled. "But modesty, Evie! What would Madame Cloutier have to say about that?"

Both women broke into peals of laughter, discarding the rest of their trappings as they gathered their toilettes. They quickly washed and brushed their teeth before hurriedly dawning fresh chemises, pulled from Ellie's wardrobe.

They giggled and poked and teased at one another as they scurried into the waiting warmth of Ellie's bed chamber, the hearth roaring.

"You always look so lovely," Evie sighed as they settled into the bedcovers.

Ellie giggled as she tapped the end of her friend's nose. "As do you, Miss Frye."

Evie smiled as she left a quick kiss on Ellie's fingertip, who flustered but smiled sweetly as she tucked a lock of hair behind Evie's ear.

"Is there something in particular that you find lovely about me, darling?" Ellie asked, her smile growing cheeky.

Evie hummed in thought, her thumb delicately brushing over the shape of Ellie's cheekbone. "A great many things, Miss Blair."

Ellie scooted a little closer, her nose almost pressed up against Evie's. "Humour me, then," she insisted, her voice gentle. Ellie could see the colour creeping into her friend's cheeks, and smiled a little impishly.

"If it would make you feel better, I shall start," she began. "You have the most lovely eyes. The colour of them is so rich and gorgeous, and I could get lost in them. The way they light up when you're excited about something is delightful."

Evie flustered a darker shade as she squirmed, looking away and biting her lip. "Thank you, Ellie," she mumbled. "I'm very fond of you—your face. Your cheekbones are so full and round, and you get the sweetest dimples when you smile…" She sounded almost wistful, and Ellie giggled.

"That's very sweet of you to say, Evie. Let it be said that I love the shape of your nose—" She boldly leaned in to put a soft peck on the end of it. "It's delicate, and matches the rest of your features very neatly. I love the little crinkle you get right here—" she tapped on the bridge of Evie's nose. "when you laugh. It's terribly darling. I also am very fond of your freckles, though perhaps that's because I'm fond of my own, too."

Evie could feel the heat in her cheeks, and knew she must be as red as a beet, but she swallowed thickly. "Your eyes are like the sea after a great storm, and you are twice as fierce. I love that about you, too. And your lips—" Evie's breath hitched as she stopped herself, cheeks turning another shade.

Ellie smiled brightly. "And what about my lips, Miss Frye?"

They look so very kissable, Miss Blair… Evie swallowed as she brushed her fingers over the slope of Ellie's cheek, her thumb drifting down over the corner of her mouth, and finally the plump curve of her lips. Ellie nipped gently at the digit, her eyes never leaving Evie's.

Evie swallowed. "Ellie, I—" Her breath hitched, and her throat closed up. She was suddenly too hot, and felt dizzy, pressure building up in her chest.

Ellie brushed a soothing hand along Evie's arm, her smile warm and gentle. "What is it, Evie?"

Silence settled between the two women as they stared at each other, Evie's delicate fingers tracing the contours of Ellie's face. Ellie's heart throbbed in her chest as the words she longed to say rose up in her throat, but she swallowed them down, forcing the warm smile to stay on her lips.

After some seconds passed, Evie closed a little of the distance between them, touching their foreheads together. Ellie's mind raced—it's just the wine talking. She's not the same as you—

"Ellie…" Evie's voice broke through her reverie, breath warm against Ellie's lips, who nodded for her to go on. "I'm sorry, Ellie… I haven't been completely honest with you, tonight…"

There was a pause, and Ellie touched Evie's face in a gesture of comfort. "Go on, darling…"

Evie watched her, face hot with shame as she grabbed Ellie's hands, twining their fingers up together. "I lied to you, about Nathaniel and Charles, and Robert and Jonathan, and all the other boys I danced with tonight…"

Ellie looked perplexed, squeezing at Evie's hands. "What do you mean?" She recalled how Evie had gone on and on at length to her, and the other young ladies at the party, about how handsome this boy was, or how graceful that one was. Of course, her prostrations had made a tickle of jealousy bubble up in Ellie's chest—I wish she would look at me that way—but she would never breathe a word of that.

"I didn't enjoy dancing with them. Any of them…"

Ellie's breath caught in her throat. "Oh." A beat. "Why?"

Another silence settled between them, and Evie squirmed. "I'm sorry…" she mumbled. "I only said I enjoyed it because…"

Ellie's heart was in her throat, and some eager part of her was desperate to hear the reason. The way Evie sounded so defeated and contrite made her anxious and hopeful all at once.

"I wanted to make you jealous… I only wanted to dance with you, but I couldn't—not without causing a stir. There were enough eligibles for every lady to always have a partner—and I saw how happy you looked when you danced with Jacob, and with Charles… I just wanted you to feel at least a little bit as jealous as I did…"

Ellie's heart lodged in her throat, and even as she tried to dispute the implications, the optimist in her clung to hope. She laughed, but it was strained, and almost hysterical. "Why would you want to make me jealous, Evie? I—"

"Because, I want you." Her words punched the air out of Ellie's chest, who stared in disbelief. "I want you for myself, and I don't want to share you. That's why…"

Ellie swallowed. "Evie…"

Evie's expression crumbled, and her eyes began to water. "I'm sorry, Ellie. I'm sorry. I should go—"

Ellie grabbed her arm to stop her from pulling away, gently drawing her back. "No, Evie—stay. Please stay." She took a slow, measured breath. "I suppose I have a confession to make, as well, then…" A pause, and another measured breath. "It worked."

"Ellie…?"

"Seeing you dance with all of the gentlemen at the party didn't stoke my jealousy at first—it was business, simply put. But then, you went on and on about how Nathaniel was so delightful, and how handsome Robert was, and… how could I not feel a little jealous?"

Evie looked at once delighted and bewildered, her fingers squeezing nervously at Ellie's. "I'm sorry. It was a silly thing, and I shouldn't have—"

Ellie hushed her, pressing a gentle thumb against her lips. "It's alright, Evie. I'm not upset that you did. I wish you could have told me, though I understand why you didn't."

Evie's expression shifted to one of apprehension and worry—like she wasn't quite sure Ellie could understand why she didn't. Ellie sighed as she touched their foreheads together, hands cradling Evie's face.

"I want you, too, Evie."

Evie's breath hitched, and she was certain her heart stopped beating. Thick silence hung between them as shock settled into her. "You…"

"For a long time, Evie… I only thought…" Ellie paused as she bit her lip, looking embarrassed. "I thought it was impossible that you could feel the same as me. I was happy to stand at your side as your best friend, so long as you and I could share our lives in some way. I wanted more, of course—I just never thought I could hope for it…"

Evie laughed, the sound almost hysterical. She hiccuped, and a sob tore out of her as she wiped feebly at her eyes. "Oh, Ellie…"

They each reached for one another, wrapping up in a snug embrace. Anxiety, fear, relief, and joy all mixed together in an uncomfortable knot in Ellie's chest, and even as she struggled to breathe, she refused to let go.

When they finally relinquished their hold on one another, Evie's cheeks were streaked with tears. She laughed through a sob, cupping Ellie's face as as she leaned closer. "Oh, Ellie…" she sighed. "I love you—" Her breath caught, and she looked nervous. "I love you so dearly, and I don't know what any of this means for us—I know it's not proper, and even unseemly, but… I don't want to pretend, anymore."

"Pretend?" Ellie looked perplexed.

"I don't want Nathaniel, or Charles, or Robert, or some man. I only want you. And I can't pretend I want to have a life with someone else as long as you say you still want me…" Evie muttered.

"So don't," Ellie replied. "Don't accept offers to court you, if you don't want them. Don't entertain the fleeting fancies of men, if you don't want to. You owe nothing of yourself to anyone, but what you wish to give. Your life and your future are yours to shape, darling."

Evie seemed confused, watching Ellie as she touched her face. "...Could you imagine a future with me?"

Ellie smiled as she squeezed Evie's hands. "I could. I have. You and I, in a fancy townhouse, and perhaps a quaint little garden; or on the beaches of Portugal, sipping port wine while we enjoy the sun; or at our home in India, watching the sun set over Amritsar… I've imagined a future with you a dozen times, Evie… I just assumed I could never have it."

"I want it, too," Evie whispered, leaning a little closer. "A life with you…"

They both leaned forward at once. The kiss was a little clumsy as they figured each other out, but fumbling kisses slowly gave way to more demanding ones. Both women were breathless and flustered when they finally leaned back, and neither could help her giddy laughter.

"I'm sorry, I'm not very good at this," Evie apologised, and Ellie swallowed.

"It's alright, Evie. Neither am I," she assured her. "Here, shall we try again?"

Evie hovered over her, brushing Ellie's hair back as she left tender kisses on her face. "You're even prettier than I imagined when you're lost in such bliss," she cooed. Then, sheepishly, she nuzzled Ellie's cheek. "How did it feel?"

Ellie laughed breathlessly as she combed her fingers through Evie's sweat-damp hair, squeezing at the nape of her neck. "Indescribable," she murmured, nuzzling Evie's temple. "I love you, Evie. I love you, so much."

Evie's heart stuttered in her chest, and she leaned back to look at her. Nestled into the sheets, her expression was blissful and beatific as she brushed a thumb over Evie's mouth.

Evie pursed her lips, kissing the pad gently before she closed the distance, kissing her lover with ardent passion, cradling her face in her hands. "Oh, Ellie. You make it so easy to love you," she whispered, a pleasant tightness blooming out in her chest. "How could I look at you and ever think anything else?"

Ellie choked on her laugh, wiping feebly at her eyes. "Evie…"

Evie kissed her cheeks, her forehead, her eyelids, thumbs stroking over the full shape of her cheekbones. "I love you, Ellie."

Ellie grasped tightly at Evie's hands, searching her lover's gaze as she flustered. Warmth flooded out from her core, and she leaned their foreheads together. "I want you, Evie. Please be mine."

Evie hushed her gently, delicate touches along her sides and belly soothing the dull ache in her chest. "Will you be mine, too, darling?"

Ellie opened her eyes, damp with emotion, and she nodded vigorously, squeezing Evie's fingers. "Always. As long as you still want me—"

"I do," Evie hushed her with gentle kisses, the two of them lost within the other for some long minutes as lingering touches drifted over pliant skin.

When they finally settled, they lay on their sides facing one another, fondness and affection exchanged in fleeting kisses and gentle caresses. The whispered secrets of I love you passed between them every few breaths, filling them with a kind of tender joy that neither thought she could ever have.

As Ellie's eyes began to droop, she nestled closer to the fair woman, cupping her cheek with a gentle smile. "I want to wake up with you tomorrow, Evie. Tomorrow, and each day afterward…"

"Ellie…"

They both knew it was an impossible request, but Ellie's expression remained unchanged. "Tomorrow, then. At least promise me tomorrow."

Evie smiled gently as she kissed her, soft and slow and sweet. "Tomorrow, then," she said, wrapping Ellie up in her arms. "I can always promise you tomorrow."

Thank you so much for taking the time to read my work! Remember to leave a review if you enjoyed what you read! Reviews let me know what you liked, and also motivate me to continue! ଘ(੭ˊ꒳ˋ)੭❤️

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