Will could not believe how things around him were changing all the time. He used to feel so free, so able to do as he pleased. Now, he was subjected to Erin's will, though she did not force him to do anything. He was duty bound to go with her every place she wanted to go. He was almost thankful she didn't know of many places in Chamburg. He was also thankful he liked her so much. Along with Logan, she was one of the best friends he had ever had. She was spunky and interesting. Her sense of humor nearly made him think she had forgotten all her troubles. But then, she could be serious too. There was a part of her that was very solid and thoughtful. He was always impressed by her level headedness and self control. In all truth, for he could not deny it any longer than he already had, he was falling desperately in love with her. His only worry was that she might not love him back.
Even if she didn't love him, she seemed to fit in well with Will and his family, as if she belonged with them. She was a very likeable person, and she proved it with Derek and Odette. She could tell amazing stories about herself and her time in Lincolnshire. Her comedic talent kept them laughing as well as interested in just about everything she said, but her manner was always modest and polite. She never seemed to notice how Will hung on her every word as she spoke… Although they knew she wished to go home more than anything, they were impressed with the strong front she put up.
Her front would not have to last much longer, she was happy to learn, when a messenger brought her a letter from her father. She read over it quickly, glad to have any information on her home and her father. As Will watched her read the note, he could see her lips turn up into a cautious smile as her eyes moved back and forth, tracing over the words written by her dearly missed father. She flipped it over, making sure there was nothing on the back of the paper, and read it again. Her smile turned into a full fledged grin. Will waited patiently for her to tell him what was going on.
His patience was soon rewarded. She looked up at him from the letter, smiling. Her eyes sparkled as they never had before. He was reminded of the North Star in the darkest of nights and how it glowed. For the first time since meeting her, she was smiling. She was happy. He had to admit, he liked it. Her smile was one of the most beautiful things he had seen in his life. He wished she was happy all the time so he could see it more often. He pushed those hopes away for a moment as he listened to the cause of her pleasure.
"My father's coming!" she exclaimed, joy overtaking her voice, sending its pitch up an octave. Will found himself happy for her, but in the back of his mind, in some place he could not find, there was another feeling. Disappointment? Longing? He liked to see her in such a good mood, and he wanted her to be happy and enjoy life. But her father's return meant the end of the war, as he would not risk her life before the end. It also meant she would go home. She would go home to Lincolnshire, and he frankly didn't know if he'd ever see her after that.
He forced a small smile onto his face, trying to let his happiness for her outweigh his fears of never seeing her again. I guess I've got to let her go, even if I love her…
King Corin's return was as noisy and pronounced as his arrival was quiet and secret. In fact, there was even going to be a victory ball, celebrating the end of the war and its positive outcome. Will wasn't sure about how he felt about it all, but Erin's relief was plain as the button nose on her face. She was excited about going home, and he was determined not to ruin it for her. He resolutely decided to simply forget himself and his foolish emotions. In fact, he wouldn't even tell her how he felt. He would create no ties to Chamburg or himself. As far as he was concerned, she would be able to go home and think of him only when he crossed her mind. He couldn't help but hope he would do so often.
Corin arrived without incident. Erin waited at the gate, becoming euphoric as she saw a dot on the horizon that could only be her father. She became even more joyful as the distance gradually closed. The moment he stepped from the carriage, his arms were wide open. In the next, Erin was in his arms, surrounded by her father, who was a much larger being than she was. She fought back tears of joy and relief. Will looked harder. Corin's eyes were closed tight as he embraced his daughter. He was doing the same.
The ball was a rather quiet affair, compared to some Will had been to. He was used to the crowds gossiping women and old men discussing politics, both of which he found unbearably tedious. He was glad Logan had always been around, keeping him company. However, tonight, both friends were busy. Logan would be taking the gardener's daughter, a lovely girl by the name of Natasha, to the ball, and Will would be fulfilling his duty 'protecting Erin.' He smiled. Any excuse to be with her was a good one.
It made him laugh when he learned she had never been to a ball before, despite her upbringing. She simply refused to go. But tonight, she decided she would try. She wanted to please her father, and if his hopes came to fruition, Will. He laughed harder when he learned she was nervous.
"Don't worry about it," he assured her. "No one's judging."
"So why does everyone get dressed up so much?"she asked, not missing a beat.
She had him there. He had no answer to that, so he decided to sidestep the question. "Anyway, they'd all be jealous of you anyway."
She giggled, flattered. "Or maybe they would be jealous of my escort. I've heard you're quite the lady's man."
He rolled his eyes. It wasn't entirely untrue, but that was an understatement. In fact, he admitted to himself, he was quite a heartthrob. The problem was, he could never find the right girl. Funny, the most perfect person he could ever imagine was hiding away in Lincolnshire.
As they walked into the great hall, where the ball was being held, Erin was linked comfortably on Will's arm. He loved having her there more than he would ever say aloud. Keep it under control, he somewhat harshly reminded himself. He refused to give her any reason to stay. If she wanted to go home, he wanted her there. He was determined not to influence her decision.
But whether it was the somewhat romantic air about the celebration or the euphony created by the band, he felt so trapped in her eyes. He felt so, so lost as he fought every impulse to confess his love for her to the world he had. She seemed to be thinking about something as well, so he distracted himself by trying to figure out what it was. She's probably just excited to be going home, he told himself. And then the band slowed down. Couples led each other onto the dance floor, and hands joined together. He looked her in the eyes, silently asking her the question his lips were too afraid to ask.
In answer, she led him out among the other dancers. Their hands joined on one side as he put his left hand on her waist and she put her right on his shoulder. It amazed him how well they seemed to fit each other, regardless of how much smaller she was. They moved slowly, concentrating more on each other rather than the steps of the dance. They shut out the world, thinking only of how beautiful the other was.
And then, too soon, the song ended, and their hands reluctantly dropped. They were still captured by each other's eyes, even when they were not touching. Feeling as if he were about to burst with emotion, Will knew he could not bear holding his feelings in any longer. He took her gently by the hand, leading her out side into the moonlit garden.
"I need to tell you something," they said simultaneously. They chuckled, both embarrassed at their eagerness and the awkward situation that somehow managed to feel right.
"You first," Will said politely, smiling, wondering what was on her mind as much as he was dying to tell her what was on his.
"No, you," Erin replied. "Yours is probably much more important.
Will found his opening there and decided to use it. Without knowing it, she provided the perfect opportunity for him to tell her how he felt. He took a deep breath and gathered his thoughts for a short moment. "I was only going to say I think I messed up," he said, a little proud of his smoothness.
"How so?" she asked, looking suspiciously at him, as if waiting for a joke, not knowing how sobering his words would be.
"I was supposed to protect you, and I'm supposed to be able to let go, now that I'm done. But Erin, I don't know if I can." She was silently stunned, and he knew she was aware of where he was going with the conversation, so he decided to go ahead, his fears now forgotten as he had already dug himself in too deep to get out of telling her.
"Erin, I love you. I have loved you since the very day you came here. I didn't think I would fall so hard for anybody, but with you, I feel more like I've been flung to the ground." She laughed, not unkindly, but merely finding the humor in his analogy. He went on. "I know you're going home tomorrow, so please, don't let me stop you. Just please, promise you'll remember."
Her smooth reply nearly made his heart beat out of his chest. "How could I possibly forget the one I love?"