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“Patience, you do not understand,” she pressed. “I’ve finally gotten a clue as to his whereabouts. I cannot very well sit back and hope that things will work themselves out like I have been doing all this time. I have to go out there.”
“What if something terrible happens to you, Elizabeth?” Patience’s worry stood stark on her face now, her voice stern. She crossed her arms, as she waited for an answer.
Elizabeth could only think of one thing. Slowly, she raised her wrist, revealing the puckered scar. Gently, she ran a finger along the raised skin, each touch bringing back the terrible memories of that fateful day. She knew it should deter her, that it should make her want to stay here where she was safe. But, for the first time ever, the scar felt like a reminder of her resolve, that her search for William all this time would not be in vain.
“I finally have a chance,” she murmured. “I’ve finally found something that might help me find him. I cannot, will not, lose this opportunity.” Elizabeth lifted her gaze to Patience, who was staring at her in slight disbelief. “Do you understand that, Patience? I can’t. I have to do whatever I can. And if I do not find him, then I shall return home and resign myself to marrying the Earl.”
Patience stared at her for a few moments longer, as if gauging just how serious she was. After a moment, she released a heavy sigh, conceding.
“So, what do you plan to do?” Patience asked. “Will you travel around the entirety of London on your own? You can do that while remaining here!”
“And be subject to a marriage I do not want? What will happen when I do find him then? I do not want to be shackled to a man I do not love while the man I do love is well within reach.”
Patience sighed and Elizabeth faced the mirror again. After a moment, she felt Patience’s fingers in her hair once more, twisting it into a low chignon. “I still believe you are being far too rash,” Patience said.
“Yes, perhaps,” Elizabeth agreed and giggled when Patience groaned behind her. “Should I not have woken you? I had thought about simply running away on my own, but it did not feel right leaving without at least saying goodbye to you first.”
“Well, at least you are considering me.”
Her hair finished, Elizabeth rose and faced her. She tried to give Patience an encouraging smile. “I will be fine, I promise. If I take enough money with me, I will be able to stay at an inn for a while until I find him.”
“And when you do? Will the two of you return singing your love for each other?”
“It sounds like a lovely idea now, doesn’t it?” Elizabeth grinned enthusiastically.
Patience sighed again, shaking her head. She walked away to fetch the cloak she’d brought out for Elizabeth. It was very much like her to protest Elizabeth’s actions while supporting her without hesitation. “Have you thought about the fact that perhaps he does not want to be found by you?”
The words cut straight through her growing excitement. Elizabeth clutched her wrist tightly, nodding. “I have. But until I hear those words straight from his mouth, I cannot let that hinder me.”
Another sigh from Patience. It was clear Elizabeth was wearing her down. “And what of Lord Gillet?” she asked. “He will surely be distraught to learn that you have run away.”
“I know.” That was yet another aspect of this plan that bothered her. “But I have to do what I must. I am afraid he will stop me if I say anything to him and if I dare to leave a note, he will find me before I have the chance to get too far.”
Patience blinked at her. “Goodness, you have really given a lot of thought into this, haven’t you?”
“Yes, well the ball has only ended a short while ago.” Elizabeth responded, a smile playing around her lips. “It has not been that long.”
Once again, her lady’s maid sighed, this one filled with resignation. “I cannot hope to convince you to do otherwise so I have no choice but to support you and pray for your safe return.” Without warning, Patience took Elizabeth’s hand. “I know you will find him. If there is one thing you are good at, Elizabeth, it is never giving up. Now, it will all pay off.”
Tears gathered in Elizabeth’s eyes as she threw her arms around her friend. “I will miss you. I’ll try to return as soon as I can.”
Patience chuckled as she held her back. “Please, do not cry this easily when you are on your own. You may be seen as someone people can easily pick on.”
Elizabeth pulled away nodding, wiping her tears. She held hands with Patience for a while longer, with the girl who had been a place of comfort for so long. Parting ways with her only brought more tears to Elizabeth’s eyes but she dragged herself away nonetheless, reaching for the reticule she’d prepared that had been sitting on her bed. Over the years, her father would give her pocket money and she would not spend a dime of it, not caring to. Now, it should come in handy. She put it in the carpet bag of plain grey gowns she’d borrowed from Patience, similar to the one she currently wore, alongside a few undergarments.
