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"Really?" Alicia seemed to need a deeper explanation.
"He understands me," Leah said simply. "We are united in our pain, in our need to sort out our past, because until we do that, we know that we cannot exist in the present, and we also cannot have a future."
"A future together?" Alicia wondered.
"Any sort of future," Leah clarified. "But... I would like it to be together."
Alicia smiled. "That is what I was hoping to hear. I could tell that there were sparks flying between you."
"Those were sparks of clashing," Leah chuckled. "But lately, I feel like we've shared intimate things with each other."
"Intimate?" Alicia leaned closer, sounding more intrigued now.
"Not like that, you silly thing!" Leah pretended to be offended, but it was all in good fun. "We still haven't... you know–"
"If he is spending the whole night holding your hand, I imagine it is only a matter of time before he is holding you in his arms and–" Alicia wasn't allowed to finish, because at that moment, there was a knock on the door.
Leah pressed her index finger to her lips, signaling to her friend that such topics were now to cease. They had to behave. She cleared her throat a little, then called for that someone to come in. As soon as she did so, Edward peered through the door. "I just wished to greet you, Lady Alicia," he smiled. "Unless I am interrupting some very important girl talk, and if that is the case, I can return a bit later."
"Oh, nonsense!" Leah chuckled, a little nervously. A part of her wondered if he could have heard what either she or Alicia were saying. That would have been possible only if he was listening by the door. He would never do that, would he? She tried not to think about it and continued, "Do join us."
He smiled, walking inside and approaching Alicia. "It is a pleasure to see you, as always," he greeted her with a respectful kiss on the hand. "I hope your family are all well."
"They are, thank you for inquiring about them," Alicia smiled. Then, she seemed to remember something important. "In fact, they are partly the reason why I have come to see you today."
"They are?" Leah wondered, glancing at Edward, then back at the Alicia.
"My parents are organizing a ball which is to take place in a fortnight," Alicia announced importantly, with a huge smile on her face. "At first, I was considering sending you an invitation, but then I decided against it. I wanted to invite you both personally."
Leah smiled. "That is most kind of you, I'm just not certain if we shall be able to attend."
"Why not?" Alicia was surprised. "Everyone is going to be there!"
"That is exactly why," Leah pointed out. "I can just imagine all the prying eyes and the whispers behind our backs."
"Do you care?" Alicia made her think. "In my opinion, you shouldn't, but the last thing I would want is to put either of you in an uncomfortable position." She got up, as she had already spent two hours in Leah's company, prior to Edward joining them. She approached Leah and took her hand in her own. "Please, think about it. Without you, it won't be the same."
Leah's heart warmed at her cousin's words. "You are so sweet to say that. But... are you certain that we won't... well, ruin the party?"
"Absolutely not!" Alicia chuckled. "Why, I would make you the guests of honor if I could!" All three of them chuckled, imagining how awkward it would be for the entiretonif that were to happen. Leah actually considered the possibility and loved it.
"Thank you for coming and for the invitation," Edward joined in, sounding as courteous as always with his wife's cousin and best friend. "We shall consider coming."
"Very well," Alicia nodded, realizing that it was time for the two of them to have a private conversation.
After cordial goodbyes were exchanged, Leah and Edward found themselves in the parlor, both standing up, unable to sit down. This upcoming ball was making them both slightly nervous.
"We don't have to go," she immediately assured him. "Just because Alicia invited us personally, it doesn't change anything."
He didn't say anything to that at first. She assumed he agreed with her, and that he was silent for that very reason.
"I could come up with an excuse," she continued. "But, after all, this is Alicia. I don't need to come up with excuses when talking to her. She knows me, and I'm certain that she will understand when I tell her that–"
"No." Edward's no was so resounding and stern that at first, she thought she misheard him or that it was someone else talking. But the moment their eyes met, she realized the sound did indeed come from him.
"I know you don't want to go," she assured him, hoping that she didn't somehow and without meaning to, put pressure on him. "That is why I immediately told Alicia not to expect us."
"No," he repeated. "I want to go."
