I do not own Miss Scarlet & The Duke.

I am now beginning to write a more vulnerable Eliza, one we haven't seen yet in the show. So, I hope the story transitions alright! It will be very interesting to watch how Rachael New writes a vulnerable Eliza next season. (Please Rachael, give us a vulnerable Eliza next season!)

*Romance will remain rated T, as I write clean/closed door romance in real life as well.

I hope you enjoy this reunion chapter!

Chapter Nine

"Uh, huh, yes, Sir…no, she has been in here every day. She has not come out, except for dinners. Her room is just right ahead, it is so good that you are back. I am so glad and I know she will be overjoyed to see you." Ella chatters as she leads Duke up the stairs.

Ella knocks on the door, "Miss Scarlet, it's Ella!"

"Go ahead and open the door, I am just finishing setting up tea for us." Eliza raises her voice so Ella can hear her through the door.

The door swings open and Duke steps in, taking in the sight of Eliza. Her back is to him as she fidgets with a few items on the tea cart. Seeing her in person once more, well it takes his breath away.

"Ella, come on in, I am almost ready." He could picture that smile of hers, just by her tone of voice. If only he could will her to turn around so he could see it for himself. He takes off his bowler hat and puts his suitcase on the floor near the entry.

He looks over his shoulder at Miss Prew and then back toward Eliza as he says his next words, "Mrs. Wellington."

Eliza freezes.

"William." She says, not yet turning around. Odd.

"Mrs. Wellington! Oh of course! Silly me, I have been calling her Miss Scarlet!" Ella snorts in the background and Duke looks over his shoulder to her, "Thank you, Miss Prew, we will see you tomorrow."

"Of course." Ella pulls the door shut behind her, leaving Eliza and William alone.

Eliza has yet to face him and he wonders why. But mostly, he yearns to know the answer to the big why. Why is she in New York?

"Eliza," Duke groans, "Look at me." He breathes.

"No, I cannot William." She stays put.

"Tell me, why did you come here? Why for the love..." he bites his tongue and continues, "why are you in New York? I got word you contracted smallpox. I left on the first boat to come see you. I arrived in London, and Ivy said you came here. Why?" He presses, his voice ragged.

"Eliza, please, my love, please grace me with those fiery eyes of yours, your feisty charm that utterly vexes me." He talks sweetly then, smooth and gentle.

"I cannot William," He walks closer to her then, she hears his footsteps approaching her.

"Why?" He stands, just behind her, she can feel the warmth of his body so close to hers. It's setting her body ablaze.

"You will be angry. You are right. I should, I should not have traveled alone." She whispers, bowing her head. His heart drops into his stomach, he can sense that something is indeed wrong, this is so unlike Eliza, he is troubled by her timidity.

"Eliza," He whispers, she can feel his warm breath against the nape of her neck, it sends shivers down her body.

He traces his thumb against her jaw and she flinches at his touch. Heat courses through his veins as he tries to snuff out his suspicions.

"What is it? Eliza, what is wrong?" He moves to stand beside her instead, he puts his hands gently atop her shoulders and she slowly turns to him.

He clenches his jaw, terror displaying across his face. His hands rush to cradle her face, "Bloody hell, Eliza." He examines her injuries. "Who did this to you? Who dared to touch you?"

She looks down, she cannot make eye contact with him.

"William, I…" Emotion lingers in her voice, which he has not heard from her since that day of their first kiss, over that damned dog. Or, the day her father was buried. Bloody hell.

"Shh, shh." He comforts her, pulling her entirety into his arms.

Duke feels her body relax with the embrace, and as her tension releases, so do the tears she's been holding in. She clutches onto William, her head buries into his shirt and tears flow freely.

"Hold me, William. Hold me." She pleads with him through her tears.

"Oh, Eliza. None of this is your fault. You are safe. You are safe." He holds her against his strong chest, stroking her hair, as she unwinds in the safety of his arms.

She pulls back from him then, straightening her dress, and wiping her tears.

"I look simply atrocious." She moves to the mirror on the armoire and tucks her curls back into her updo.

"No, that is impossible. You look beautiful."

"William, I'll be back to myself tomorrow, I promise." She smiles, trying her best to shake it all off. She isn't comfortable like this, feeling sadness that is. She's a regular avoider and she has gotten good at distracting herself from hard things. Of course, he knows this. He knows her best of all.

Duke exhales and follows her to the armoire. He inches close behind her again. She can see him in the reflection of the mirror. He sheds his suit coat, placing it over the chair in her suite. He loosens the tie at his neck, all these small things do not get past her notice. She feels heat in her cheeks.

"Eliza, this is my fault. I should have never left." He says, just behind her now. It's as if her dream is unfolding before her eyes. Well, pieces of it. He leans his arm against the armoire.

"No, I…I should have run after you." She says, willfully turning towards him.

"You wha…" Before he has the chance to question her further, she grabs ahold of his collar and pulls his face down to hers. She urgently presses her lips to his. He instantly brings his other hand to the nape of her neck. He groans, her small body pressed against the armoire. Eliza's hands circle his neck, her fingers reach into his hair and gently tug, pulling him even closer to her.

"William…" Eliza breathlessly pulls back from him for a moment, only to look him in the eyes, "I should have told you, I love you too."

"But my love," he speaks reluctantly between their kisses, "you could have told me that in a letter." He pulls back then, his tender eyes searching hers.

"I.." Her eyes go misty.

"Hey? No, please, no more tears. I do not want to be a man who makes you cry. I love you, Eliza." He kisses her.

"I came here," She begins, still pressed between Duke and the armoire, "I came to New York.." She says looking down for a moment but then lifting her gaze to him, "to tell you..I choose you, William." She smiles.

She moves closer, wrapping her arms around his neck, pressing her lips to his ear, whispering it to him once again, "I choose you."

He pulls on her waist, so she stands in front of him once more. His eyes search hers and then pursue her pink lips, "Oh Eliza," He takes her into his arms and kisses her senselessly, he does not want there to be a doubt in her mind of his feelings for her.

For he is utterly, completely, and totally in love with Eliza Scarlet.