Disclaimer: Highlander and its characters do not belong to me and I'm not making any money off of this, yadda, yadda, yadda.
The next few weeks went by quickly as Eleonore settled in to the day to day routines of the household. Her health returned fully within a few days at William's estate and she was soon doing all the things she used to do at her own home. William sent word to her home that she would be staying with him for the foreseeable future so most of her essential belongings had been delivered. He had assured her that, along with the money her father had left, he would ensure that her house would remain in running order and her staff would be paid. He promised her that they would visit as soon as she wished.
For now, all she wanted was to remain with William and continue her life with him. She never expected her life to take such a turn as this, but she was prepared for whatever might happen…as long as she was here with William. As she moved about the room, gathering her canvas and paints, she tried to subdue the feeling of anxiety fluttering in her chest.
She shook her head. "Stop it, Eleonore. You're acting like a silly little child."
Eleonore tied her hair back with a bow and with her canvas and paints, set off for the pond just outside the house. She loved to paint nature, particularly flowers, and the landscape around the estate had proven to be a never-ending source of inspiration. William often joined her to sit and read as she painted. His presence brought her so much peace. She laughed softly to herself when she realized that she probably would have had every flower on the property committed to canvas if she and William didn't find themselves so distracted with each other.
As she walked through the kitchen, she spotted the small picnic basket Ann had prepared for her. Each day the house cook took great care to provide Eleonore with a small but wonderful feast of food that she took with her for the afternoon. Of course, she always provided Eleonore with enough food for two, but Ann never mentioned that she knew William joined her on her outings.
Before she began her painting, Eleonore sat and did just what Madeline said she did on her outings here. She watched the family of ducks as they gracefully navigated the still waters of the pond. It was quiet save for the occasional chirping of a bird or rustling of the leaves above her head. She closed her eyes and allowed herself to bask in the crisp air. She hoped William would join her soon.
The surroundings calmed the lingering heaviness in her body. She couldn't quite understand why she felt such a strong sense of foreboding but it had been there for a few days now. She felt herself relax in this place, feeling at home and secure. But there was a persistent sense of dread that wouldn't leave no matter how much she tried to rid herself of the feeling. It was as if she knew that something frightful was going to happen and she was powerless to stop it.
Methos finished up his inspection of the new foals in the stables and made his way to find Eleonore. His stomach tightened as he thought about sitting next to her. He'd been in love with many women during his lifetime and he supposed he'd felt this way before. It had been a long time, though, and it was easy to forget the sensation of having someone in his life that felt so fulfilling and right. He wondered to himself why he thought that sequestering himself in this place was the answer to his problems. There would always be problems, but it was so much better to have someone to share them with than suffer alone.
As he walked over the small hill towards the pond, he saw Eleonore sitting alone. It would make a perfect portrait. The sun reflecting off the water gave an ethereal glow to her solitary form.
He approached quietly and as he came to a stop next to the bench, he noticed her eyes were closed. He smiled at how peaceful she looked.
"Did your mother raise you to be rude and stare?"
"Yes. She often told me that I should stare, chew with my mouth open and pull the hair of girls I thought were pretty."
Eleonore opened her eyes and smiled. "I'm not sure if I should be offended or grateful that you haven't yet pulled my hair."
Methos moved to sit next to Eleonore. "Oh, you needn't worry, I'll get around to that soon enough."
Her hearty laugh echoed through the trees and it made his chest feel heavy with love for her. So spirited and full of life. She was the one he'd been waiting for. Only Eleonore could pull him out of his solitude and back to the world.
"William, I should slap you across the face for such a comment!" She turned to him and put her hand on his cheek. "But I'd much rather do this with your face instead."
Her lips found his and softly but firmly she caressed Methos' mouth with her own. Eleonore didn't know how long they stayed this way, but the moment they parted, she felt it was over too soon.
Methos stared into her eyes and smiled tenderly. His hands cupped the sides of her face and he felt the warmth and softness of her skin beneath his touch. "You're my match, Eleonore. I hope you understand what that means to me."
"I've never felt I'd found my place until I met you. It's as if I've waited my whole life just to be here right now." She lowered her head to his chest and let herself relax, feeling safe in his arms. The nagging sense of trepidation began to melt as she listened to the beating of his heart.
"What's wrong, Eleonore?"
She sat back up and shook her head. "It's nothing, William. I'm being a bit skittish and I feel quite foolish."
Methos was worried that Eleonore had begun to remember what had happened to her. He realized that it was a possibility but he hoped that she would be spared the horrific memories.
"You know that you can tell me anything."
Eleonore looked into his eyes and smiled. "I've known that from the first night we met. Don't worry, it's nothing."
She moved away from him and picked up her paintbrush. "Now, are you going to allow me to paint or distract me with your flirtations?"
He smiled that lopsided grin that always brought a hitch in her chest. "Oh don't worry. I'm just going to sit here quietly and think up new ways to distract you, if you don't mind."
"I might think up a few myself."
His smile grew wider. "I think we could have an interesting evening comparing notes, then."
"Quite interesting, William. Quite."
Lord Arthur Huntington sat in the receiving room of his estate and inspected the visitor sitting across from him. The man was tall and had a sturdy build. His face resembled one of the statues he'd seen on his travels in Italy. For all Lord Arthur's power and money, the man who sat across from him now instilled a fear in his chest that he'd only felt when that bastard, Christian, had been standing over him with a sword.
Lord Arthur took a drink from the crystal tumbler in his hand. "You give me your guarantee that you'll take care of Christian and bring her back?"
The man sat forward in his chair and glowered at the fat aristocrat across from him. "I've never failed on a job before and I don't intend on doing so now."
"If she has so much as a scratch on her, I'll hold you personally responsible."
He winced as his guest stood up quickly and crossed over to the chair where he sat.
"Don't presume to try and threaten me, your grace. I don't plan on having any alone time with the little whore, if that's what you're worried about. Just have my money ready when I return so I don't have to take my fee from your home."
He turned and left the room as the echoes of his boots sounded through the hallway.
Lord Arthur poured the alcohol down his throat and wondered if he'd just made the worst mistake of his life.
After they finished dinner and spent some time in the library, reading together and talking about topics that ranged from history to the current political climate, Methos and Eleonore walked together to her room. He often escorted her to the door as if he was a suitor bidding his love goodnight.
As they reached her door, Methos put his arm around her waist as if he was a snake winding its way up a tree. He smiled at her sharp intake of breath.
"Goodnight, Eleonore."
Eleonore turned to face Methos. Her fingers found their way around his neck and into his hair while her mouth found his. Their first kiss was beautiful and electric but their embraces since then had taken on a passion and urgency that neither of them wanted to suppress.
It was all Methos could do to pull away. As much as he wanted Eleonore, he feared what had happened to her. He couldn't be someone to hurt her any more than her uncle had.
"Eleonore, you know I love you."
"Then why do you keep putting me at a distance? Why are you so afraid? You don't have to leave."
He touched his forehead to hers and his hand found her cheek. "Believe me, I want to be with you more than anything but…"
She put his hand over his mouth and shook her head. "No. I know what you're thinking. I'm not a delicate flower, you know." She held his hands and looked into his eyes. "I need you, William. Whether you're worried about marrying me or how I'll feel, please don't. I want you with me tonight. Please."
He stepped back from her and ran his hands through his hair. His head bowed, he leaned against the wall and sighed. "Eleonore, you don't know how much I want to walk into your room and make love to you. But I told you before that there are things in my past that I needed to tell you. You need to know about me before anything else. The last thing I want to do is hurt you. I couldn't bear that."
She moved to him and her arms found their way around his chest. She wrapped them around his body as if to protect him from his pain. "I will hear all about your past. In time. Nothing you could tell me would change the way I feel." Her head turned into his neck and she caressed his skin with her lips. "Please, William. I need you with me tonight."
It was useless. As much as his mind told him to walk away, his body protested. He gave in to her request and, as if in a dance, turned her to her door, opened it and guided them both to her bed.
He chuffed softly in her ear. "How is it that you can make me so completely defenseless?"
As she unbuttoned his shirt, Eleonore said, "I think you already know the answer to that question, love."
"I should put up more of a fight but, right now, I'm a bit distracted."
"William?"
"Yes?"
"Stop talking."
"Oh…right."
