So he was finally going to be able to see this little piece of woman.
It had already been many weeks since they had been separated.
But even though Eames had sent him letters...
It wasn't the same.
It wasn't like she was there...
Close to him.
Goren needed that presence.
And without it...
He had felt very lonely.
He had missed her so much.
And spending all his time giving orders to his men had annoyed him.
He had never been a captain.
And commanding men was definitely not for him.
He preferred to follow orders than to give them.
In addition...
He was very worried about Eames.
What could she be doing...
Wasn't she bored?
Didn't she have problems to integrate in this time...
As he had.
Even if in her letters she wrote him that everything was fine.
But that at times she had more than enough of his rituals.
Stupid rituals as she said so well.
What was the point of changing dresses four times a day?
That had made Goren smile.
He recognized his little Eames.
And then one evening, a letter had reached him.
He thought it was a letter from Eames.
But it was not.
It was a letter from the Duke and General Eames, who invited him to attend the reception of a ball that he gave.
And that at the same time they could talk strategy.
Goren did not hesitate for a second to accept.
Not only would he be able to escape from the camp...
But he would finally see Eames again.
And that was the main thing that made him decide.
Had he missed her as much as she had missed him...
He was finally going to find out.
And above all...
See her again.
Good God...
But where could Eames be.
He had come just for her.
He who hated receptions.
To be with so many people.
He had come just for her.
Knowing him...
He had thought that she would have come to see him when he arrived.
But nothing at all.
His presence and Olson's had been announced.
But Eames had not appeared.
What was she doing...
Where was she...
And with whom.
- Look who has just entered, on the arm of her father.
Olson pointed to two people who had just entered.
And at the sight of the woman standing on the arms of an older man, Goren's heart leapt in his chest.
Eames was there.
He who had been so afraid not to see her.
So much it was getting late, and that she had still not appeared.
And that she appeared.
Eames was to cut the souffla, in its yellow dress canary, which reveal the perfect curves of its body.
Her golden hair was held in a bun from which a few strands escaped, and framed a face with delicate features.
My God...
He had never seen anything so pretty in his life.
He opened his mouth to close it again, still dazzled by so much grace and beauty.
- Close your mouth, will you. Oslon elbowed him in the ribs, bringing him out of his thoughts. And stop looking at her like that.
Looking at her like that...
What was Olson implying.
Eames was very pretty.
It was normal for him to look at her.
People always looked at pretty things.
In additon...
What was the harm.
The Duke and General Eames accompanied Eames to a sofa, where he made her sit down, and looked up, searching with his eyes the person he wished to see, who was standing in a small corner of the alcove next to another man.
- I'll leave you to it. I have to go talk to one of my men.
One of his men...
Could it be that the Duke is going to talk to Goren.
Crazy with hope, Eames watched her father walk away, heading for two men.
And one of the men was Goren.
At the sight of Goren, her heart beat violently in her chest.
So he had come.
He who hated big receptions.
He was there.
My God...
How happy she was to see him again.
When the general arrived at his side, Goren turned to greet him.
But strangely...
He felt he was being watched.
So he turned his face away, and met two big hazel eyes that did not leave him.
Alex...
Yes...
The color of his eyes...
He recognized it between thousand.
A big smile appeared on the lips of Eames.
A smile that pierced Goren's heart.
My God...
What was wrong with him, reacting like that.
He had missed Eames.
But to react like that...
- If I bore you, Captain...
At the general's reproachful voice, Goren snapped out of his thoughts to meet a suspicious face.
- May I ask what you are looking at with such interest.
What he was looking at with such interest.
Name of God...
He couldn't tell it was his daughter in question he was looking at.
He had to find a way out...
And fast.
- I was just thinking that I had never witnessed anything so big. Hence my curiosity to look at every bit of it.
At his words the general nodded, and gave a pleasant smile.
- We need to talk... Goren nodded. If I have brought you here…
Alexandra was tired of so many men insisting on asking her to dance.
While she had only one desire...
For Goren to get away from the general...
And to come and talk to him.
But instead of him...
It was young Olson who moved away from the general and Goren, and went towards her.
When he reached her, he held out his hand.
- Will you do me the honor.
Do him the honor.
But she did not want to dance.
She hated that.
Especially with this dress also invading.
She did not want to break the face.
And those in front of all this world.
And above all...
Eames wanted Goren to pay attention to her.
And to forget about that damn general.
Even if it had to be said.
The man had been sweet to her.
Treating her like a daughter.
Eames felt someone watching her, which brought her out of her thoughts, to meet two big brown eyes that were looking at her with some interest.
At least that's what she thought, when she saw the gaze turn to Olson, and shine with a dangerous glow.
Oh... Oh...
Could it be that Goren didn't appreciate Olson asking her to dance?
But that's not the point.
If that was the only way to get him to react.
And make him care about her.
Then she would accept Olson's invitation.
Eames got up and put her hand in Olson's, who gently guided her to the dance floor, where several couples were dancing.
- Robert doesn't seem to like me dancing with you Lady Eames.
Robert...
How strange it was.
No one ever used that name.
Goren hated it.
Robert doesn't like it when I dance with...
But it was his words that struck Eames the most.
Could it really be that Goren doesn't appreciate this closeness between Olson and Elle.
But after all...
He was the one who had it coming.
Oh instead of worrying about her father.
He would have done better to come and talk with her.
And not leave her with all these people who had not stopped annoying her.
Eames looked at Goren, and gave him a well done look.
At this look, Goren's eyes darkened, and his face became serious.
Eames shivered all over.
- Careful Lady Eames... You are read in like an open book.
Reading her like an open book...
And what could Olson have discovered.
Eames let out a small laugh.
At this little laugh, Goren felt a violent anger rise in him.
How could she openly laugh in Olson's arms.
He didn't appreciate it at all.
And what could this young pipsqueak have been saying to make Eames laugh?
Goren couldn't stand this closeness between Olson and Eames.
And he had to intervene before she fell into his arms.
- I'll be right back, General.
And without further ado, he rushed towards the dancing couple.
Eames listened attentively to what Oslon was telling him about the Goren of that time, while at the same time twirling her around.
Strangely enough...
The Goren of that time was totally different from the Goren of his time.
But there were still some similarities between the two.
Oslon had a real admiration for Goren, and for his courage.
As he told him...
Goren always put his men before himself.
And that didn't surprise Eames.
The Goren she knew had always put others before himself.
- There's someone coming to join us.
At Olson's words, and the expression on his face that changed, a small smile on his lips, Eames wondered who might be coming to join them.
Surely not Goren.
He was in a big discussion with his father.
She was taking a back seat.
And who was this someone...
Who was he talking about.
And why was he smiling.
What did that mean?
Long, slender fingers landed on Eames' arm, stopping her with Oslon.
She turned to face the person who had dared to put his fingers on her, ready to rebel.
But when she pulled the person's fingers up to her face and discovered who that person was, all rebelliousness disappeared.
It was Goren.
- Alex... Come with me.
Come with him...
In such a cavalier way.
While he had not cared about her all evening.
In adition...
What was this way of doing.
Couldn't he ask her instead of forcing her.
Good God...
She didn't like that.
And he knew that very well.
So why was he doing this.
- Please.
At her words, Eames nodded, giving in.
Goren gently pulled her by the arm, forcing her to follow him, leaving Olson alone, who watched them walk away.
Olson shrugged his shoulders, and headed for the buffet.
- Where are you taking me... And why do you want me to follow you.
Goren didn't answer him, continuing his way towards the big French window.
When he reached the large French window, he walked out onto the stoop, with Eames at his heels, and walked towards a pillar, where he stopped, and let go of Eames' arm.
Why had Goren taken him outside.
Did he want to tell him something.
And if so...
Why not do it inside.
It didn't make sense.
And why was he turning his back on her.
Eames had lost his mind.
- Alex...
Goren turned to Eames, his face serious, and took his hand to his half-ebony, half-ash curls, and ruffled them.
Good God...
How could he tell her what he had to tell her.
It was so embarrassing.
But he had to tell her.
- You've got me... She gave him a small nod, a small smile on her lips, encouraging him to say what he wanted to say. Missed.
At her words, Eames' heart began to beat violently in his chest, ready to break.
He had missed her.
His few words...
Strangely...
Shocked her all over.
But she had to admit that she had missed him too.
Here...
In this universe...
Eames felt so alone.
She had no one she knew.
No one she could relate to.
Goren was the only one.
And now, in a cruel irony...
They were separated.
And all because of a so-called social class.
And because in those days a man could not be alone with a woman.
Even a widow.
It's really nonsense.
Fortunately, in their real time, these customs had changed.
Otherwise she could never have been a detective.
- Alex...
At the slight hesitation in Goren's voice, Eames snapped out of his thoughts, and gave him a big smile.
At that smile, Goren blushed violently.
Good God...
What was wrong with him that he felt so embarrassed in front of Eames.
This had never happened before.
And today...
He felt like a little boy.
Moreover...
He had just admitted to her that he had missed her.
And Eames hadn't told him.
Not even that she had missed him.
So maybe he was wrong in imagining that she had missed him a little.
And that on the contrary...
She hadn't missed him.
- I didn't…
By the look on Goren's face, and the fact that he couldn't finish his sentence, Eames knew that he was waiting for an answer, and that the answer she would give him would worry him.
- Of course I missed you.
Was it true.
She had missed him.
After all...
They were used to being apart.
But not for this long.
And for him...
His long weeks without her had been hard.
Gently, Eames placed her little fingers on his arm.
- I still miss the know-it-all.
The know-it-all...
At her words, Goren bit his lip, pouting.
So that was how she saw him.
Only a know-it-all.
And nothing more.
He who thought he was more important to her.
At Goren's pout, Eames burst out laughing.
My God...
She had forgotten that he could be so touchy.
But it was true that he was a know-it-all.
Which sometimes annoyed her to no end.
But today...
This know-it-all...
She had missed him enormously.
My God...
But it was that she was openly mocking him.
But instead of offending him...
Strangely enough...
A small smile appeared on his lips.
Her laughter made him feel good.
Gently, he brought his hand to Eames' cheek, which made her stop laughing and blush violently.
- Alex... Thank you.
Thank you for what.
And what was with the way he stroked her cheek.
He had never taken such an initiative.
And his heart was all shook up.
It wasn't right.
Why was she reacting like that to a simple caress on the cheek.
She definitely had a problem.
And she had to stop it right away.
- Bobby... Stop, will you.
Stop.
And why.
He wasn't doing anything wrong.
And he loved the feel of her skin under his fingers.
- I don't want to... You have really soft skin.
At his words, Eames turns totally scarlet.
I don't want to...
Very soft skin...
She had heard Goren's words.
He couldn't have told her that.
It was because she was all confused by this gesture, that she was imagining things.
But then why...
Yes, why.
He continued to caress her cheek.
And that look he was giving her.
His big brown eyes shone with a strange glow.
A glow that inflamed her.
But strangely...
Eames didn't remember seeing that glow in his eyes before.
Or at least...
That she didn't remember seeing.
But maybe it was just a feeling.
Goren raised his other hand to Eames' face, and placed it on her other cheek, taking her face in his hand.
He slowly moved closer to her, so that she was only a few millimeters away from him.
- Alex... I...
He lowered his face to hers.
Eames felt her heart stop, her breathing stop.
Was she dreaming...
Or was Goren about to kiss her.
But no, that was simply impossible.
He would never dare to do such a thing.
But her lips coming dangerously close to his, her warm breath brushing against them, told him that it was true.
But instead of pushing him away...
To tell him to stop this right now.
She was there...
Waiting with all her heart for that kiss.
But what was wrong with her.
She had never been like this.
She had missed Goren.
But to want a kiss.
It didn't make sense.
Goren knew he should have stopped everything.
But Eames was so cute...
So desirable.
And her lips so bewitching.
How could he resist the urge to taste them.
And strangely...
Eames didn't push him away.
Could it be that she was waiting for that kiss.
With her heart pounding in her chest, her lips moved closer to his.
Just one kiss.
Just once.
And then he wouldn't ask her for anything.
- Robert.
At Olson's cry for him, Goren felt his heart stop, and a dull anger wash over him.
He pushed his hands away from Eames' face, his face flushed.
- I...
At Olson's footsteps coming towards them, Goren grabbed Eames by the arm, and pulled her behind him, hiding her.
My God...
If she hadn't heard Olson's voice and his footsteps.
Eames was sure that she and Goren would have kissed.
At the thought, she blushed violently, and took her face in her hands, all flustered.
Olson appeared before them, his face furious.
At last he had found that idiot Goren.
And of course...
He was not alone.
And he knew very well who he was with.
Especially since the fabric of the canary yellow dress could be seen sticking out from behind Goren.
Name of God…
Goren had dared to see Lady Eames...
And at her father's house.
And what were those slightly red cheeks he had.
Could it be...
No.
He wouldn't have dared.
Not here.
And yet...
Olson was sure that he had arrived at a very bad time.
And very intimate.
Interrupting them.
But in a way he had done the right thing.
Even if he had to face the wrath of his friend.
Olson took a firm step and walked straight towards Goren.
- You're a fool. Olson yelled, pointing an accusing finger at Goren's chest and pressing down with all his might. You're really looking for a rope to hang yourself from.
Pardon.
A fool...
And hanging from a rope.
And what was that tone Olson used with him.
Wasn't he abusing the situation too much.
A violent anger rose in Goren.
He pushed Olson's finger away violently, and brought his face dangerously close to his own.
- You'd better shut up. Mad with anger, Goren took Eames by the arm, pulled her, forced her to follow him. And your lessons you can put them or I think. He passed Olson without a glance for him, who remained speechless, walking Eames inside, but stopped on the stoop, and turned to him. I'll have a little talk with you later.
A little talk...
It didn't bode well when Goren said that.
Eames knew that very well.
She turned to Andy, looking at him, who stood there without moving.
Eames didn't understand why Olson kept coming down on them, when they weren't doing anything wrong.
In addition...
He had intervened at the wrong time.
Because Eames was sure that Goren was going to kiss her.
At least that's what she thought.
But seeing Olson like that, standing there without moving, made her feel bad.
And instead of being mad at him for ruining this moment with Goren, she felt sorry for him.
She was really pathetic when she acted like that.
That skin-deep sensitivity she had.
- Alex...
At Goren's firm, deep voice, Eames looked up at him, and his blood ran cold.
His face was drawn, and he looked like a madman.
This did not bode well for Olson.
Because sooner or later...
Goren was going to lose it, and watch out for the fallout.
Because she knew exactly how Goren was.
He kept everything to himself.
And the day he got too much in his head...
He would explode.
And Eames hoped she wouldn't be around the day Goren's hurricane woke up.