"Allie, why don't you give Oliver a tour while he is waiting for his room," Eliza suggested. Allie looked at Eliza and nodded. Once past the dining room door, Allie turned to face Oliver, "I am so sorry if you feel like you were obligated to take them up on their offer. I don't want you to feel uncomfortable. If you would rather.." Allie was interrupted mid sentence by Oliver's face lowering to hers and his good hand reaching up to her chin and tilting her head up so she was looking into his eyes. Oliver smiled and kissed her softly. "Stop apologizing, I wouldn't want to be anywhere else," Oliver whispered. Allie smiled and grabbed his good hand to lead him. Unbeknownst to them Ivy was just leaving Henry's room and witnessed their interaction.
"Lizzie, you will never guess what I saw. Detective Fitzroy kissed Allie," Ivy said with a smile. Eliza lit up, "I had a feeling they were becoming close, he seems very smitten with her, and she with him. Something must have happened when Phelps and I left them after the raid." Ivy had a brief look of concern, "I hope inviting him to stay won't endanger her reputation." Eliza shook her head, "Detective Fitzroy is a gentleman, and Allie told me she has never liked anyone enough to court them. Maybe Detective Fitzroy is the exception." Ivy washed dishes while Eliza put them away. Ivy waited long enough she had to ask, "Lizzie, are you going to tell me what Inspector Wellington wrote back to you?" Eliza blushed, "I wish we weren't so hardheaded and stubborn, we have lost so much time, and caused each other so much heartbreak. We both love and care for each other so deeply." Ivy grabbed Eliza's hands in hers, "Oh my girl, I have watched you both over the years struggle, but you two will eventually figured it out." Ivy pulled Eliza into a hug, "I will make some tea and bring it up to the drawing room for you three and I will let you know when I am done with your father's room for Detective Fitzroy." Eliza thanked Ivy and went to find Oliver and Allie.
Eliza stopped just outside the drawing room, Allie and Fitzroy could be heard laughing and enjoying each other's company. Eliza entered and let them know Ivy was bringing tea, then will get the room prepared. Fitzroy thanked Eliza for her hospitality. Shortly after Ivy delivered the tea she poked her head in and stated she was finished making up Fitzroy's room and was going to go to bed herself and wished everyone a good night. Fitzroy also said his goodnights and went to his room. Allie and Eliza were left in the drawing room. Eliza moved over and sat beside Allie. Allie started to ask about the letter from William, but Eliza countered by putting Allie on the spot and asked about her and Fitzroy. "Ivy saw the kiss during the tour," Eliza disclosed. Allie laughed and blushed, "We were bantering back and forth at the farm yard after you and Phelps left, he asked if he could take me to dinner, of course I said yes, then he said he hoped it is the first of many. I looked up at him to thank him for everything he has done, and I kissed his cheek. I feel like I just jumped in, and he ended up jumping in with me. I didn't think about it Lizzie, I am so glad I did. I am pretty sure neither of us know what we are doing, but I feel so drawn to him." Eliza smiled, "I have seen the way you two look at each other and secretly hoped you would grow closer."
A knock was heard on the door frame of the drawing room. Eliza and Allie looked up to see Fitzroy standing there appearing defeated and asked "I am sorry to interrupt Miss Scarlets, I was wondering if I might borrow you Allie to help me get this sling off?" Allie nodded and stood, Eliza bid the two good night and returned to her room. Allie followed Fitzroy into her late uncle's room, Fitzroy sat on the edge of the bed so she could easily access the straps to the sling. Allie stepped closer to Fitzroy, she stood between his open legs and started to remove the sling. Allie laid the sling over the chair. She turned back towards him, he was now standing and trying to undo the buttons on his vest while trying to keep his injured arm from moving. While making eye contact with him Allie said softly, "Oliver, may I help?" His eyes locked on hers while he nodded yes. Her hands had undone buttons and she moved behind him to slide the vest down his arms. She placed the vest beside the sling. He still stood with his back towards her, he was busy single handedly untucking his shirtsleeves from his pants. She saw the red on the sleeve from being shot and thought about how none of this would be happening between them had he been a few steps over, she tried to keep herself together but felt a tear sneak down her cheek. She wrapped her arms around him from behind, hugging his back. She felt him take a deep breath while his good hand covered one of hers. He turned to face her. She looked up at him, tears welled up in her eyes. His hand placed her hand over his heart and then used his now free hand to cradle her face wiping away an escaped tear with his thumb. He closed the distance between them and kissed her gently, Allie kissed him in return her hand found its way to his neck and pulled him closer. The kiss ended and their foreheads remained together, they stayed this way for a moment finding comfort in the closeness. He brushed away another tear, Allie whispered "You could have been killed." He kissed her forehead, looked in her eyes, and said with a smile, "Leave this earth without knowing this feeling? Never. I know this is fast but I have never been so sure about anything except the way I feel about you." He kissed her again, this time with a hunger he didn't know he'd had and she shared. He felt Allie's arms snake themselves around his waist, her hands found their way under his untucked shirt. Her fingers lightly traced their way up his stomach, she felt his hardened length press against her and heard him groan deeply. He ended the kiss that ignited a fire deep with in her, she had only read about these sensations in books, which were proving to be very useful. His mouth kissed her temple, her fingers now had made their way to his chest and he whispered against her, "We have to stop before we can't control ourselves," he felt Allie nod in agreement. She let out a sigh as she looked up at him with a mischievous look, "I was just trying to help you take off your shirt." He laughed, I am going to allot of help with that from now on. Her hands were still under his shirt as she finished sliding it up over his head and good arm and then gently down his injured arm. He was now shirtless, he took her hand and lifted it kissing her inner wrist, "Thank you." Allie walked out the door, just before closing it she looked back and said, "Sleep well Oliver." He knew for a fact that wasn't going to happen.