I do not own Miss Scarlet & The Duke.
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Chapter 17
"Suspended? That is outrageous! Who do those people in New York think they are? You are one of the most respected officers of the law!" Eliza storms through the drawing room, pacing in front of Duke.
He sighs, "Unfortunately, New York does not agree."
"But, Scotland Yard! How could they? How could they turn their back on you?" She rants.
"Eliza, you know as well as me, they have been trying to get rid of me for years now." He runs his hand over his weary face.
"But the men, your men, they need you." She says.
"I do not have a choice, Eliza. These are orders, effective immediately."
"Your future has always been at Scotland Yard." She says solemnly.
He takes a deep breath, taking a minute to exhale.
"I am so sorry, William. This is all my fault." She covers her face with her hands.
"Do not think for one minute that I regret your choice to come to New York," Duke approaches Eliza. He slips his hand around her cheek, gently pulling her closer to him to place a kiss against her temple.
She breathes him in, a fire ablaze in her heart. She is so angry at Scotland Yard for putting him on a leave of absence, in the name of suspension from New York. How dare they?
"But, William, how could they? How could they betray your loyalty? All of these years. You are an Inspector!" She whines and stamps her foot.
"Eliza, please enough." He says to her, he is tired of talking about it.
"But William, we must fight this." She presses on.
He lets go of her and walks to the window.
She attempts to speak again and he turns around to her, "Enough. " His voice warns.
It's Eliza then to take a deep breath, she startles on the exhale as Ivy walks into the room, "Oh! What an excellent surprise! We were just talking about you!" Ivy beams and William looks at Eliza, winking, "Oh were you now?"
That warrants him a smile.
"It wasn't like that. I was simply wondering if you would be back in time for Ivy and Mr. Potts' wedding." She shrugs, looking equally mischievous and frustrated.
Duke clicks his tongue, "I believe my response is yes, though, am I allowed to bring a date? How will I ever find someone on such short notice." He teases looking over at Ivy.
Eliza pops her hip to one side, crossing her arms over her chest, she glares at William. She mimics him silently.
He peeks back at her and laughs, "You wouldn't be interested? Would you Miss Scarlet?"
"I do not know William, I will have to check my date book," She teases.
"Well, seeing as you will be there, and I will be there, we ought to go together." Duke grabs ahold of her hand, brushing the top with his thumb, he smiles.
"Very well." She smiles back at him. He whispers something in her ear only Eliza can hear, "Will you wear the dress as blue as the ocean?" His beard tickles her cheek and she grins, blushes, and nods.
"Good, good." He confirms.
"Well you two, I am going to start on dinner, the rain has cleared, it may be a nice time for a stroll through the park." Ivy winks and then heads to the kitchen.
Eliza shakes her head at Ivy's suggestion. She knows exactly what Ivy wishes. She wishes that the floral arrangement from her would not be the nicest gift Eliza received today.
"What do you say, would you like to take a stroll over to the cherry blossoms? That way I can see for myself if they are blooming?" He asks Eliza.
She side-eyes him, "Very well."
They open the door and suddenly Eliza is very aware that this is their first public outing, together, as a pair, a courting couple, in London. They will pass people they know, and the town is known for gossip. Her heart begins drumming against her chest.
"First, um, ahem, I need to stop by my office. Would you come with me?" Her voice shakes a little, nervous about this next step they are about to take.
"Of course, but what do you need there?" He says, helping her into a carriage.
"Um, just a few things." She says, moving her hand from his and fidgeting with her dress.
As the covered carriage begins, Duke leans over to her just a tad, whispering in her ear, "Are you alright?" She swallows a lump in her throat and does not answer him, she just keeps her eyes fixed on her dress.
xxxx
As they arrive at Eliza's office, Duke stands out front admiring her name above the door. While Eliza rushes right inside, closing the door behind her.
"Hey! Eliza, wait up!" Duke frowns, opens the door, and follows after her.
"I know from that expression of yours, that something is wrong. Now why don't you tell me what it is I have done to upset you?" Duke asks, glancing at the picture frames on the wall and then back to her.
She bends, placing her hands on her knees. Her nerves course through her, giving her a momentary shortness of breath.
"Are you ill?" He moves to her, as she glances at him approaching.
"Are you ready for this?" She asks him.
"What? What are you talking about?" He asks her right back.
"Us, on the streets, together? People will gossip." Concern is written across her face.
"Were you not the one last time who said, let them? So what has changed?" He ponders.
For once, Eliza cannot establish her words.
"Have your feelings changed?" She hears him hesitate.
"What! No!" His words shock her back to the present, she stands up straight.
"Then what is this?" He asks her.
"I just… what is next now? If people gossip, will that get into our heads? Will their expectations ring in our ears when we are only trying to figure out everything ourselves? I am not making any sense," She sighs and sits on the top of her desk.
"You are making sense, Eliza. I understand it is…different. But I know how I feel about you. I love you and nothing nobody says is going to change that." He encourages her.
"I love you too." She shyly smiles.
"I know. So, what you are saying is, that you are unsure about being together in public quite yet? You want to give us a little more time to figure it out in private first?"
"Yes, I believe that is what I am saying. Is that absolutely horrible of me?" She cringes.
"No. I think you have made a great point. Besides, sneaking around with you," his eyebrow raises, "well it sounds a bit thrilling, does it not?" He licks his lips and moves closer to kiss her.
"William," She says, stopping him before he kisses her, "we cannot possibly kiss in my office. What if a client walks in?"
Duke steps back, blowing out air, "Eliza, you drive me mad."
"If we cannot kiss in your office, and we cannot kiss in your bedroom," He begins.
"Or yours… " She adds playfully.
He smirks at her, "Then where, pray tell me, where am I allowed to kiss you?" His eyes dance across her face, waiting impatiently for her answer.
She points to her lips, smirking back at him, "Just this once, since it is my birthday, after all." She giggles, and he tilts his head watching her intently.
He shakes his head briefly, smiles and crosses the room to her.
