"Mr. Evans? May I speak with you for a moment?"
"Yes, of course, Liz. What is it?" Max asked, putting his pen down and getting up to talk to her.
"I must ask you for a leave."
"A leave? But why? Especially now, when I need you more than ever," Max objected.
"My parents have died," Liz said bluntly.
Max was taken aback. "Oh, Liz, I am sorry. Yes, of course, take as much time off as you wish. You are going back home, I suppose?"
"Yes, Mr. Whitman will escort me."
"And who the deuces is Mr. Whitman?" Max asked, his voice rising considerably.
"He's an old friend. He can be trusted," Liz said, a little touched that he would care. 'Or maybe he is just being a gentleman, Liz. Stop raising your hopes only so they can be dashed.'
"Very well," Max began. Then, he asked as if the idea was just occurring to him, "You will be coming back, won't you, Liz?"
Liz was surprised by the question. It had not even entered in her mind that she wouldn't be coming back. "Yes, of course, sir."
"Very well then. How much money do you have with you?"
Liz silently calculated the amount. "A few pounds, sir."
"I haven't paid you yet, have I?" Max chuckled.
Liz shook her head and answered, "No, sir. But it is not necessary."
"Not necessary? You're going over a hundred miles with hardly any money at all. I would say it is necessary!"
"No, sir, it really isn't."
"Ah, the heiress is returning back home and will not need the money that she has earned from me, is that it, Liz?" Max asked. "But it is well that you will not take it now, it means you must come back for it."
"Money was never the only reason why I took this job, sir. But I must go now," Liz shot back, trying to end the conversation so she could pack and leave right away.
"Yes, I suppose you must. Tell me, Liz, for I am unsure of what to say in these kinds of situations. How do we part?"
'With me nursing a wounded heart' Liz silently said. But aloud she quietly said, "They say 'Good-bye until we meet again.' "
"Well then Liz, good-bye until we meet again."
"Good-bye, Mr. Evans."
After an awkward second, Max then asked, "Is that it, Liz?"
"It's enough for now."
"Perhaps for you, but for me, I find it very cool and heartless."
'Yes, maybe it is better if I were heartless right now,' Liz thought. 'But I can't be, so I must make the best of my situation, as I always have.' Trying to hide the tears in her eyes, "It is enough for now, sir. I must leave you now." With that, Liz started walking to the door.
"Leave then. But remember, you have promised to return to m…Thornfield."
Liz's heart had jumped when she heard him start the second sentence, but had settled when he finished. She stood at the doorway and turned back, "I always keep my word," before leaving the room.
Once in her room, Liz took out her a small valise and packed a few clothes in. She was about to walk out when she saw her unfinished drawing of Max and her portfolio on her table. She contemplated taking it with her but decided against it because it would be too much of a hassle to carry it with her. Besides, she reasoned it would be more than safe in her because she didn't think anyone would come in while she was gone. Taking one last look around her room, she closed the door.
She and Alex left the manor and as she was riding away in the carriage, she turned and looked back at the shrinking estate. She couldn't help but contemplate about Max's 'relationship' with that Tess Harding. She knew he didn't love her. He often spoke to her sarcastically and showed no real affection for her. Yet, she was the one that he often preferred to talk to at the evening parties and they often went riding together. Liz knew that it was possible that he would marry Tess, not for love, but because they would make a good match in society's eye.
Frustrated at herself for dwelling over Max, Liz thought about her parents. She knew that she had not shown any emotions whatsoever over their deaths and that she should. She did love them, she knew that. Not because they deserved it, but simply because they gave birth to her. However, that basic love only filled her so much. After that, Liz had no other emotions toward them.
As she sat contemplating this fact, she began to feel remorse for not having the chance to make up with them, a slim a chance as that may have been. She knew they probably would not have forgiven her for the social embarrassment, but the 'what ifs' seized her. Tears clouded her eyes as she thought of this. In her heart right then and there, she forgave them. She knew that she could not hold the hate in her heart forever and she released it into the air. A wave of peace swept over her.
Alex watched Liz in the corner of his eye and inwardly felt relieved. He had known Liz to be true to her emotions and when she showed no emotions at all, he had been worried. As he watched over her now, he knew that she had grown into a truly well rounded woman. He was going to talk to her about her parents' estate and her inheritance but she looked tired and so he let rest.
They stopped over at an inn for the night and began traveling again. Alex took this opportunity to speak to Liz. "Liz, do you want to tell me what you've been doing while you were away?"
"I've been working."
"Working? As the housekeeper?"
"Yes."
In a confused tone, "But why did you run away? Without even telling me. I cannot express to you how distressed I was when your parents called me. I looked everywhere for you and I had just located you at Thornfield when the unfortunate accident with your parents happened."
Realization dawned on Liz. "So it was really you who was looking for me."
"Your parents cared for you, Liz, they did. They were extremely worried about you."
"I know they must have been. But they never told you why I left?"
"I don't know if they knew why themselves. They mentioned that they were planning perhaps an engagement for you and a Mr. Kyle Valenti and that you were very unhappy about it."
"They were going to force me to marry him! Surely you understand why I had to, Mr. Whitman!"
"Please calm down, Elizabeth. I do understand, I do. But we have other things to talk about – such as your inheritance."
I wanted to thank everyone who has left me feedback. I cannot possibly express the gratitude and happiness I feel when I read the kind words you have to say about this fic. Thank you so much! Happiness should be coming up in the next part! We'll see how it goes, shall we? :-)