A Hole in the River
Chapter Eight: Amends and Arrivals
Author's Note: I realize this chapter was a long time coming, but real life and lack of motivation struck hard. I hope you enjoy it, and whether you do or not, I would love to hear your thoughts on it! Reviews are always welcome.
Eliza wandered aimlessly, occasionally bringing up a clenched fist to dash at the angry, traitorous tears that burned her eyes. She increased her pace at the sound of footfalls and her name being cried imploringly. It was that handsome, foolish boy that was apparently besotted with her. If Eliza wasn't so mightily put out, she might have laughed at the thought. What toff in his right mind would fancy her?
"Leave me be, you great fool!" Eliza turned angrily on Freddy. She felt a momentary pang of guilt at his hurt expression.
"What would you have me do, my darling? - Shall I fight him?" Eliza noted a slight tremble of hesitation when Freddy brought up the prospect of fighting for her honor. He was not at all like the rough and tumble crowd she had been raised around. The boys she grew up with needed little excuse for a bit of a tussle, and threw themselves into the matter with gusto. Here was a gently bred specimen of manhood, fearfully offering to slay the dragon that was Professor Higgins.
"I won't 'ave your pretty face marred on my account." She narrowed her eyes at him, and added "You ought to call me, Miss Doolittle, you ought. I ain't your darlin'... yet." The 'yet' was stated with a sly smile. Why not flirt a little? The boy flattered her vanity, which felt immensely good considering the blow her ego had taken earlier. Freddy's shy blush pleased Eliza.
"May I escort you back to the main house, Miss Doolittle? I daresay Mrs. Higgins will be requiring our presence for luncheon, and for your next lesson." Freddy offered his arm, which Eliza gladly accepted. "Keep your head up, Miss Doolittle. Let's not give Professor Higgins the satisfaction of seeing you downtrodden."
"Stiff upper," Eliza replied, tilting her chin upwards and affecting a perfect countenance of condescension.
The pair arrived to find Professor Higgins decidedly absent from the table. Mrs. Higgins explained that her son had excused himself on the grounds that his appetite was not very great. Eliza detected something in the old woman's demeanor that betrayed a greater knowledge of the events of the day then what was let on. Colonel Pickering appeared affable as usual, bursting with questions as to Eliza's merits as a horsewoman, Freddy was only too happy to report that she was exceeding all expectations.
"Fantastic!" Pickering exclaimed, while assisting Eliza with a chair.
After a peaceful lunch, Eliza found herself being escorted to the ballroom. Mrs. Higgins explained that Eliza would be learning to dance, and that Freddy would be her partner for the lesson. Colonel Pickering volunteered to provide the music, and situated himself behind a piano.
"A musically inclined military man, how refreshing," Mrs. Higgins remarked kindly.
"I was brought up in a house completely void of sisters, my mother needed to teach the arts to somebody, and my father did not object," The Colonel replied good-naturedly, unashamed of revealing his diverse upbringing. With a flourish, he began to play a lively waltz.
Henry was reading within the comforts of his private study, when the sound of laughter intruded on his solitude. Only one person possessed such a laugh, childish in its jubilance, but with a throaty quality that was most decidedly womanly. Eliza. It pained him to realize that in their many months of acquaintance, he had heard it so infrequently. There had been the trip to Brighton, where all its bright trappings had brought Eliza to such a state of childlike amusement, that Henry himself had not been untouched by it. Before that was the night Eliza had tackled that awful sentence that had plagued her for weeks. The rain in Spain...
Henry found himself following the sound, like a sailor to a siren. Something nagged at him urged him to find out who had Eliza in such a state. He found himself standing at the entrance to the ballroom, staring at the awkward spectacle of that Hill boy and Eliza attempting a waltz. The boy was completely wrong-footed, and at one point Henry found himself wondering if Eliza would start leading him in the dance. Still, the mood was most decidedly light. Henry's mother was admonishing the pair, but completely without force, laughing along with them. Henry felt as though he were glued to the spot, unable to make himself known in the midst of such unabashed merriment.
In a flurry of botched footwork, Freddy fell forward, and Eliza, unable to support his sudden weights, fell back. Henry watched as the pair momentarily held their position on the floor in a tableau that was practically indecent. Henry took the opportunity to cross the room, intent of pulling the young man off of Eliza and quite possibly throttling him for the impertinence. Before he could reach them, however, Freddy stood up, hair askew and cheeks blazing. His color deepened when he came face to face with Henry, and with a quick bow fled the room. Henry offered a hand to Eliza, who studied it for a moment, as though to detect a hidden weapon, before accepting his assistance.
"Are you unhurt, Miss Doolittle?" Pickering inquired, rushing to her side after recovering from the shock of her fall.
"Yes, Cap-... Colonel Pickering, thank you." Eliza's correct reply was spoken softly, barely above a mortified whisper, she refused to make eye contact with any of the room's occupants.
"Back to your post, Pick, the lesson is not yet over." Henry boldly reached out to gently lift Eliza's chin, forcing her to make eye contact. "In lieu of the unfortunate disappearance of Mr. Eynsford-Hill, may I be permitted to act as your partner in his absence?" Eliza felt herself grow warm at the gentle, soothing quality in Henry's request. His voice contained none of the biting wit that had so effectively cut down her self-esteem earlier. It was practically an apology, and under his imploring gaze, Eliza found herself unable to refuse.
The music was queued up, and Eliza was soon gliding effortlessly around the room in Professor Higgins' arms. After several moments, Mrs. Higgins ceased counting out the steps, as she had done before. There was no need, this was familiar territory to Eliza.
"Well done, Eliza, well done," Professor Higgins whispered. Eliza glowed from the praise as they continued, unable to contain her radiant smile.
"Thank you, Professor Higgins," Eliza whispered back, gasping slightly on the 'H' to insure she would get it right.
Before another word could be exchanged, the group was interrupted by Mrs. Higgins butler.
"A Mrs. Eynsford-Hill has come to call."
The music ended with an abrupt chord.