Elizabeth's cheeks, which were pink before, were scarlet now.
And what's this? Mrs Dumfries asked, looking accusingly, as her nephew followed behind Elizabeth.
Nicholas, I see you're entertaining Abigail's house guest,? she asked, her sharp, old blue eyes were stern, yet amused at the same time.
It's not what you think Aunt Eleanor. Elizabeth and I were just…..
Nicholas' aunt pursed her lips. Doing something upstairs that required fixing the young lady's clothing afterwards. I know what young people get up to these days.
We didn't… I…. mean we weren't…., Elizabeth said looking mortified. Nicholas was just giving me a tour of the house, she said weakly.
Eleanor nodded slowly. Oh? Of the bedroom I presume? I see. My eyes are old. But I see very well.
If there was ever a time that Elizabeth prayed that a huge sinkhole would open up underneath and swallow her, it was right at that moment. No, not the bedroom, I mean, yes, we were in the bedroom but…..she started.
Nicholas put his hand over his mouth, trying not to laugh.
Eleanor held up a bony hand to both of them. My nephew is a healthy young man, and you, Elizabeth are a lovely young thing, she said knowingly. I would prefer it if unmarried boys and girls were always chaperoned, but I realize we can't always have that in modern times.
She glanced at Nicholas. Have you had dinner? I suppose the two of you were otherwise engaged, and were too busy sating your other appetites to think about eating. Mrs Elison brought leftovers from her anniversary party and you might as well eat it. It's a day old, but I'm sure it's still good. There's lobster bisque, which I know you love Nicholas, and some fine stuffed salmon. And mango mousse for dessert. I'll have Monica warm it up properly so you don't get sick.
Don't you want any? Will you join us Aunty? Nicholas asked.
No, my boy. When you're eighty five, you sometimes have no desire to eat this late. I'm going upstairs to lie down and watch my stories that I taped during the week. Do you watch the stories Elizabeth?
Stories? You mean soap operas? Elizabeth almost burst out laughing, relieved that the subject had changed. I don't have time to watch them. But, she grinned. My sister and I had a guest spot on the Young and the Beautiful once.
Really? Eleanor said. I knew it! Everyone I've met from California is an actress or wants to be one.
We weren't on the show for very long, Elizabeth explained. It was when I was still in high school. Over six years ago. Acting is more of my sister's interest, not mine.
She eyed Elizabeth up and down. Well, you certainly are young, and beautiful. I watch the ones on another channel, but I'll have to start watching it then. She shifted her weight from one foot to the other.
Monica,! she called out to her maid. Draw me a bath, she requested as Monica came into the foyer. And make sure it's not too cold. My old bones can't stand it. And when you're done, you can lay out the food for my nephew and his lady friend.
Oh, no, don't bother her Aunt Eleanor, we can do it ourselves, Nicholas insisted.
Alright, she agreed, dismissing the maid. She turned to Elizabeth. I assume you'll be going back to Abigail's tonight? Should I call her and tell her not to expect you? That you'll be spending the night here?
Oh no… we're actually leaving later, on the train, Elizabeth blushed again.
We'll take the train back into the city tonight, Nicholas explained.
I see. Well, I suppose spending time with your pretty friend is more exciting than your poor old aunt, she sniffed exaggeratedly.
Good night then, she said, making her way to the stairs.
It was nice meeting you again Elizabeth…..Monica,! she yelled, before Elizabeth could answer her.
Elizabeth covered her eyes in humiliation as the elderly woman disappeared into the hallway upstairs. How embarrassing! She probably thinks I'm….Oh god, what if she tells Mrs Wexford?
Nicholas chuckled.
And you, how can you laugh? And I didn't know she wanted you to stay here tonight!
Look Liz, Nicholas said, as he grabbed her hand. Whatever she tells Abigail won't be anything worse than what everyone says about Lance.
They'll think I'm….. Ohhhh. She probably thinks I'm here just to seduce you.
I actually like the sound of that, Nicholas said, the dimple in his chin appearing as he laughed.
Elizabeth shook her head. Nicholas, be serious! I like Mrs Wexford, and I don't want her to think I'm like that! She's been nothing but kind to me, I don't want her to think I'm an opportunist!
Relax Liz, he said, pulling her close and running his hands up and down her arms. Whatever they think you did, well, they'll think I was right there doing it with you. So you're not the only guilty party, he grinned wickedly.
Yes, but women are always held to a higher standard. It's not fair, but that's how things work.
If it wasn't for Abigail , you wouldn't be here right? I mean, she's the one that brought you here, Nicholas reassured her. It's not like you planned it, to come here and find me.
Elizabeth looked up into his eyes, her nerves calmed by his contemplation.
You know you're right, she giggled, if anything, it's all because of her little dog. No one can say I tricked her into running down into the subway tracks. If it wasn't for that, Mrs Wexford would never have befriended me like she did.
But….
But what?
Well, were you supposed to stay here tonight? I don't want you to change your plans just for me.
My aunt doesn't care. She's in her room watching her soaps, like she does every other Sunday night. She won't miss me. And, I don't want you to travel back to the city alone. I'm not letting you out of my sight.
A wave of deja vu entered Elizabeth's mind, as he said those words. It brought her back to that night, the night when they first met, when he was so determined to be in her presence. Elizabeth smiled as she recollected.
Now let's go eat, Nicholas said,breaking her thoughts as he lead her into the kitchen. You said you were starving right?
Elizabeth nodded. Yes, I'm pretty hungry. You know, she said thoughtfully, our paths might have crossed eventually, seeing that we live so close to each other. Do you ever go to the park?
You mean Mc Carren Park? Sometimes. I go jogging. It's nice to unwind, after a day in the office. I don't live in a nice new building with it's own gym, so the park is my treadmill.
Me too, Elizabeth said. I usually go in the early morning though.
No wonder I've never seen you, Nicholas said. I like to go when I get home from work.
And I never use the train from Brooklyn. I usually take the water taxi right to and from the city, Nicholas explained as he got them some plates. The boat is less than twenty minutes away. I just walk to the pier. He placed the lobster bisque in a pan and on to the stove.
Excuse me Mr Nicholas, a voice came through the hallway. I've folded your clothes and packed your bag for later.
Thank you Monica, Nicholas turned, looking at his aunt's maid.
Would you like me to lay out the food sir?
No, Monica, I can do it. But thank you.
Goodnight sir…. Miss, she nodded to Elizabeth and she disappeared down the hallway and out of sight.
Elizabeth watched their interaction, once again reminded of the time she spent working as a servant. Her employers were polite with her, always formal and mostly distant. Except for Max. Max Pennington, the Viscount….
What are you thinking of? Nicholas asked, noticing Elizabeth's far away expression.
About when I was a maid in England.
You mentioned that earlier. How did that happen?
How did I get to England or how I got to be a maid?
Nicholas stared curiously. Both.
Well, Elizabeth began, I went to England because I had gotten a scholarship at the University of London to study creative writing. She continued, omitting the part that Jessica played in her leaving the country.
When I arrived there, she hesitated. You're going to think I'm really dumb, Elizabeth bit her lip.
Now don't laugh, she told Nicholas, who was already amused at her warning.
What? What did you do,? he prompted.
Well, I missed the deadline to accept the scholarship, so I was left in London with nothing. No money, no place to live, I was a complete idiot.
Nicholas chuckled, shaking his head. Elizabeth swatted him with a napkin and then started giggling along with him.
You promised you wouldn't laugh. She folded her arms, attempting to look at him sternly, despite the twinkle in her eyes.
OK, OK, I won't make fun of your silliness, Nicholas promised, as he turned the stove off. Continue.
Well, I needed the money, I was desperate, so I took a job as a scullery maid at a place called Pennington Manor. It was owned by an Earl. I couldn't work legitimately in a foreign country, so I count myself lucky for getting hired.
How was it there, working as a maid,? Nicholas asked, as he placed the salmon in the microwave. He ladled the warmed lobster bisque in a couple of bowls and placed one in front of Elizabeth.
Well, the work was pretty hard. Being a maid in a huge mansion is not exactly glamorous. But, like everything else, I learned from it. I had some pretty interesting experiences.
Including losing my virginity, she added to herself.
I did some pretty foolish things, I was so far from home and my parents weren't too happy with me. But London is beautiful…I'd love to go there again someday.
Nicholas stood and moved to the wine cooler at the end of the counter. He examined the bottles and pulled one out. He then opened a cabinet and took out two glasses.
Elizabeth, it's so strange. For all this time we've spent together, I haven't heard you once mention Jessica.
Except for what you just told my aunt.
How is she anyway? I know the two of you are always in each others thoughts.
Jessica and I are no longer close, Elizabeth said, staring deeply into Nicholas' eyes.
Oh? Perhaps I should not have brought her up then,? he said apologetically.
No, it's alright. You didn't know.
So what happened?
It's a lot of things. I'm better off without her.
But the two of you were so close, Nicholas prodded.
I know, Elizabeth sighed. I do miss the connection we once had, I miss my family. My parents are very disappointed in me, that I moved here.
I know how that is, Nicholas declared. My parents, they cut me off.
Because you moved here?
No, not because of that. I'm divorced Liz. I'm a divorced man, Nicholas confirmed.
Elizabeth looked at him, as he placed his spoon in the bowl.
I would think Lance would have told you. Or Mrs Wexford. It's not a big secret.
She did actually, Elizabeth stated. Last night, after the party. She told me all the details.
So you know then….. They cut me off because they didn't think my ex wife was good for me. Turns out they were right. Her son isn't mine. But I thought he was. My parents were against it from the start. I'm their only child, and they put a lot of pressure on me. I disappointed them when I married Sherry. I don't want to hear I told you so. I don't want to be reminded of the mistakes I made. Our relationship was pretty strained for a while, but since the divorce, they've both come around. Things are tense, but they're better. But I still don't want to go back to California. Not yet anyway.
Didn't you suspect though?
That he wasn't my child? No, I guess I wanted to believe.
Did you love her?
I did. And I thought she loved me. His green eyes were stormy. Until she realized that my parents weren't going to fund our lifestyle. But she betrayed me, lied to me the whole time we were married. She used the oldest trick in the book and I fell for it hook, line and sinker. I guess I'm more embarrassed than anything else. They've been warning me about this for most of my life and I fell right into the trap. He pulled the salmon out of the microwave and laid generous portions on two fine china plates.
Elizabeth put her hand on Nicholas'. Everyone makes mistakes. I know what it is, to trust the wrong person, she said softly.
Nicholas placed his warm hand on her face and smoothed the soft curve of her cheek. I'm happy to have caught up with you again Elizabeth, he said sincerely.
Me too, Elizabeth smiled, her expression turning serene. I feel like I'm starting a whole new adventure with an old friend.
Nicholas filled two glasses with the chilled wine. He picked one up and prompted Elizabeth to do the same. To new adventures then, he said, as he leaned over to kiss her cheek.
And old friends, Elizabeth finished, feeling a thrilling shiver move down her back.
Bon appetit,! Nicholas said, digging into his salmon.
Elizabeth smiled and raised her glass, feeling like her spirits were soaring, as they spent the rest of the evening enjoying each other's company and looking forward to their rekindled friendship...
