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18
Dinner at the pub was loud and lively, and was just what they all needed. Will witnessed the way the short visit with her parents had sucked the life out of Elizabeth, and Jane too. But instead of discussing it and beating it to death, the sisters chose to forget about it, and by the time everyone was served their meals, Elizabeth was back to her bright, cheery self.
Will watched Georgiana too. She’d definitely come out of her shell a bit more, and didn’t appear anxious or uncomfortable. He noticed a couple of young men glancing her way, and it temporarily soured his mood. He knew he was being overbearing, but he couldn't help it. He turned his glare on one particularly attentive bar patron who couldn't stop staring at her, and the young man eventually looked away.
He felt a hand squeeze his leg under the table and turned to see Elizabeth staring at him.
“Are you going to do that to every man who looks at your sister?”
“Yes.”
“But have you noticed that she isn't paying attention to any of them?”
He looked at Georgie again as she chatted animatedly with Charles and Jane, and then he shrugged. “So?”
Elizabeth squeezed his leg again, bringing his attention back to her. “She's just happy to be out with us, having a glass of wine and chatting, feeling brave and enjoying the moment. She's not interested in anything else.”
He sighed. “Okay, I know. I’ll ease up.”
After dinner they said goodbye to Charles and Jane, who were traveling back to Boston. Once back at Will’s house, Elizabeth excused herself to go to the bathroom, and Will took advantage of her absence to quickly talk to his sister.
“I need some help on Elizabeth’s birthday. I have to get into her house for an hour or so in the afternoon, just so I can set some things up. Can you take her out for a little while? Maybe around four?”
“Sure, I’ll take her for a birthday drink or something. Will that work?”
“That’s perfect, thanks.”
“What do you have planned?”
He was saved from answering when Elizabeth walked back into the living room. Georgiana told them she owed Julie a phone call and said good night, so Will took Elizabeth's hand and led her out to the deck. He sat in one of the large lounge chairs and pulled her down into his lap, and grinned when he saw her attempt to stifle a yawn.
“Tired?”
“Mm, a little.”
“Um, do you want me to drop you off at home? I mean, you could stay here, but I know you have to work.”
“Would you stay with me again?” she asked quietly. “I'm not ready to let you go yet.”
“I would love to, I just…didn't want to assume.” He smiled. “I might go to Boston tomorrow morning, and stay through Wednesday afternoon.”
She pouted. “Okay.”
“Only because I want to be back Thursday. I want to spend your birthday with you.”
“Good idea.” She batted her eyelashes. “Got anything special planned?”
He laughed. “If I did, I certainly wouldn't tell you.”
* * *
It wasdark by the time they arrived at Elizabeth’s house, and they decided to watch a little television. But it didn’t take long before their attention drifted away from the screen and toward each other.
Everything was slow and unhurried, just the two of them tangled on the couch, kissing and caressing, whispering to each other, sometimes serious, sometimes silly and laughing. Neither minded the fact that there was barely enough room on the couch, and neither was in a hurry to move.
This was what Will loved, and had no idea he’d been missing: this closeness, the feeling of belonging to someone. She snuggled against his chest, his shirt having been unbuttoned long ago, and placed a kiss over his heart.
“Today was kind of a blur, wasn’t it?” she asked, then sighed. “Well, not all of it. It just feels like a lot happened.”
