More months passed, and Ross's injuries were healed. He had drifted in and out of consciousness the day of the mine collapse months before and for all the days that followed could not make out whether Elizabeth's presence that day was real or imagined. He had spoken to no one of what his mind kept recollecting-the visions of her face at that scene. If it wasn't imagined, what could she mean by showing up there? Damn her. She was far too late to shower him with love and devotion.
Ross's feelings for Elizabeth finally buried within his darkened soul were now once again excavated. He was of a mind to go to Trenwith to unleash his anger in words at her. "You are too late! How can you expect anything to come of this now?!" Perhaps, it would be necessary for him to further state that his love for Demelza was in fact true and constant. He knew Elizabeth must still believe he married Demelza to escape an emptiness, for distraction, and out of spite; she had to think that his marriage was nothing more even now. But, for what could've been so years before was no longer. Whatever his intentions for marrying Demelza were in the beginning, it was now truly love.
"Ross," Demelza held out an invitation. "Ray Penvenen has invited us to a ball. Shall we send our..."
"We shall go. I welcome the distraction." He interrupted her words whilst swallowing a long swig of Rum.
They readied themselves in their assigned room. Ross and Demelza were to stay the night at the Penvenen house. Many who attended would. Ross left Demelza to finish dressing.
"Are you not going to escort me down the stairs?" She asked.
"I have a powerful thirst and need a drink presently. I'll meet you."
When Ross walked down, some way across the room for dancing, Ross caught sight of Elizabeth. She was standing next to Verity and Captain Blamey. He wanted to say hello to Verity but not whilst Elizabeth was there. He tried to remain unnoticed in the room to wait until she left their side.
But, Elizabeth turned her head and gazed at him in a captured glance as if shocked to see him. Ross bowed his head slightly and then looked up slightly with only his eyes, almost uncharacteristically bashfully as he was now seen. His head remained lowered.
Elizabeth then approached.
"Ross, you are recovered. Oh, I'm so glad." She said phrasing her words almost musically with her gentle tone. Something in his presence captivated her. What had happened to her usual, reserved composure? It seemed to melt away since the day he rescued her.
"So it would seem." He answered uncomfortably.
She paused not knowing what more to say. She tried to collect her manner to display a calmer, quieter disposition.
"I thank God for that. I pray God for your continued good health and fortune." She curtsied very slightly. "If you will excuse me." Elizabeth exited to another room. She found she could scarce breathe whilst she was in Ross's presence. Her heart beat ferociously. Her longing for Ross had not been buried away in her heart after all.
The next she saw of Ross that night, Demelza was on his arm. Demelza never saw that Elizabeth was in attendance. She hid amongst a crowded corner.
Elizabeth declined to dance with anyone.
"You hide yourself away here, where no one may admire your beauty. Are you not sociable tonight? I am perplexed. Such beauty should not be concealed from view." George Warleggan flirted.
George Warleggan asked Elizabeth to dance many times and each time Elizabeth refused him. He looked at Ross with a glare of envy. George secretly knew Elizabeth's passion for Ross Poldark had not died. People still talked of her encounter with an injured Ross at the mine. Ross seemed to be the only one who ironically was not confronted with the gossip himself. Elizabeth was unaware if Ross had heard or had been told but was more nervous for pondering if he had. She felt he was too delirious in the moment to be aware at the time of the incident.
George was persistent. Elizabeth found it quite draining.
"Forgive me, George. I believe I must retire. I'm really quite tired and feeling a little weak."
"You must allow me to escort you to your room, then."
"No. Please, George. That is, you are very kind, but I shall prefer to walk in solitude." Elizabeth replied.
"Are you quite sure?" George nagged.
"Very." Elizabeth was short with him.
"Then I shall respect your wishes."
"Thank you."
...
Ross danced with Demelza but was distracted or dazed. He didn't smile at her as he usually did when they danced or when he looked into her eyes. He drank glass after glass of liquor and soon became unsteady on his feet. Demelza was visibly annoyed.
"Ross, enough now." She took away a glass.
"That is for me to decide." He grabbed it back.
"Don't be foolish!" Demelza chided.
"Sometimes, a man must drown his worries." He answered.
"You're pigheaded!" Demelza snarled.
"So be it." He retorted with a half tilt half nod of his head.
"Well, I'm off to bed. And if you knew what was good for you, you'd follow, but what a reckless husband, have I! You'll be sick in the morning. Don't lie wailing to me!"
...
A few hours later, Ross walked the halls of the Penvenen home disoriented in search of his and Demelza's room. He couldn't quite count the doors correctly nor remember the path.
He stopped in front of the door he guessed was his and Demelza's. He turned the handle and it was locked. She's angry with me, he thought. Drunk and unaware of his own strength, he jiggled the handle until the latch broke and entered.
He stripped off his coat and waistcoat and continued to undress as he approached the bed. It was very dark, and he was clumsy.
He got into the bed beneath the bedclothes.
"My love? My love...I'm sorry. I'm sorry." His last words were spoken in a kind yet childish tone because of his intoxicated state. He tried but slightly failed at sounding genuine in begging for forgiveness, for he was so inebriated. He brought a hand to her shoulder. She did not move or respond to that touch. Then he nuzzled his face lovingly against her back. He wanted to wake her to express his true apology. Her gown had by accident and due to the weight and pull of her sleeping position become untied. Ross kissed the exposed skin of her back. This woke her. Then, there was a highpitched gasp.
"Who...Leave me be! How dare you..." Elizabeth reached for a candle to see who was this intruder. "Ross!?" With her free hand, she held her gown to the front of her body, so it would not slip. She thought it was part of a dream but panicked when waking to realise someone was in the bed with her.
"Elizabeth!" Ross jumped back out of the bed. "What in God's name? Where's Demelza? This is...our bed for the night-mine and Demelza's."
"I fear...you are mistaken. No indeed. I was given this room." Elizabeth argued in a gentler tone though no less shocked.
Ross slapped both hands against his face and buried his face in his palms as he spoke.
"I thought you were my wife. Demelza. I thought you were Demelza. I did not come here for this...I mean...you..."
She could tell he was not of a sober state of being.
"I believe...you must have gotten...lost... on your way. Has...everyone gone to bed? Do you think someone could solve your predicament as to the true location?"
"I don't need help. I shall find it." Ross almost whined but gentlemanly bowed to Elizabeth as he fetched his clothing from the floor-all but the breeches he still wore had been strewn across the floor upon his entry.
"Can I count on your discretion?" Ross pleaded.
"Of course, Ross." Elizabeth blushed.
"I hope you are not vexed. I can only apologise. Please, I beg you forgive me. My stupidity this night has been once more remarkably magnificent! I've been foolish to drink so. I won't blame you if you despise me."
"You ask my forgiveness and you have it, Ross." Elizabeth said resolutely.
"I greatly appreciate that." Ross rushed to exit and shut the door.
"I could never despise you." Elizabeth said quietly when she was once again alone.