Romantic Tension For Elizabeth

[Jeremy Colborne]

[ DEFEND ] :
your muse intervenes between my muse and a source of unwanted attention.

Elizabeth Davenport

[Elizabeth Davenport]

The only nice thing about these events was the inclusion of her sister with the new season. Elizabeth had someone she could spend time with if she was unable to find Benedict. Elizabeth had made a promise to herself not to hover around Emily, wanting her sister to become a capable woman. Elizabeth believed in her sister and her choices, at least she hoped she would make good choices. Knowing she could not protect or teach her everything, Elizabeth knew Emily would have to make discoveries on her own. It wasn't like it would be easy, but she would figure it out. 

She knew she needed a distraction from this particular ball, knowing if she didn't distract herself then she'd be constantly looking over to find Emily and see which gentleman was trying to swindle her into thinking they were charismatic and charming. If Benedict wasn't there to save her from her own suitors, she wasn't sure what she would do. Her eyes searched for him as the Davenport family arrived, looking down upon the sea of people before they descended the stairs. Elizabeth was able to spot her best friend but then saw someone else she was rather fond of. It had been weeks since she'd been able to spend time with Jeremy. They had left their home in the country and returned to the city, so she hadn't been able to sneak off to the lake to see him or send letters to him in their secret hiding space. Elizabeth realized that she had deeply missed conversations with him and even spending time with him in silence.

A particularly aggressive mama appeared to have cornered him and Elizabeth could only imagine how uncomfortable he must be feeling. Then another approached him and Elizabeth sighed. Hiding her arm behind her sister, Elizabeth quickly scribbled Jeremy's name on her dance card before walking across the room to hopefully provide a rescue he needed. 

"Excuse me ladies," Elizabeth interrupted. "I'm terribly sorry to interrupt, but Lord Colborne has promised me this next dance." She lifted her arm slightly to indicate his name on her dance card. The mamas narrowed their eyes, knowing Elizabeth had only just arrived and they'd been harassing Jeremy for longer than that. But they were wise to not cause a scene but instead dismissed themselves, which was quite a relief. Turning to look at Jeremy, Elizabeth offered a genuine smile. "It's lovely to see you," she greeted him, dipping into a customary bow. No one else knew about their weeks spent together, reading by the lake and discussing poetry. It was a secret Elizabeth kept near and dear to her heart. 

From what she could hear, the current song was almost over and the next would start momentarily. "I did not mean to rope you into dancing," Elizabeth assured him. "I'm sure you can excuse yourself so they don't see you." Elizabeth did not want to force Jeremy to dance if he was uncomfortable with it. While she would be disappointed in not getting to spend time with him, she would understand his desire to not dance. 

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Tag: Jeremy Colborne

credit to Laura of Adox

[Jeremy Colborne]

These environments were the worst ones for the heir to Earldom. One would think that with frequency, came comfort and ease . . . but instead, it became more challenging. The crowds that consumed the room, and him were aspects of social events -- and the overall social season -- that he doubted he would ever get truly accustomed to. Tonight had served as no exception for once he entered, and the moment he was without company, eager mamas started to make their way towards him. Would that he was only a more eloquently spoken man; one who held the poise to charmingly reject their advances or find a swift exit. But Jeremy already struggled with articulation and these moments only reminded him of what that resulted in. Not only the inability to speak, but the inability to breathe. Parting his lips to attempt to say something, though his throat dry and wordless . . . the heavens seemed to open up and forth came an Angel. A savior. Elizabeth Davenport. 

There was no woman that he would have longed to see more in this moment. Because, of the rapport that they had built. Because of her, natural understanding of him and his ways and the lack of judgement that came with it. She had written his name on her dance card and he was most grateful for it. If he was forced to dance amongst this crowd, he would much rather do so with someone he could be at ease with. Someone who he could breathe around. And ironically at the same time, stole his breath for entirely different reasons. Being with her here was, different. Among so many . . . among too many. With her, everything seemed calm and he was at ease. But here . . . he was, stifled. Trapped. His own worst enemy. And he loathed to think . . . that soon enough, she would see it too. 

He gave a small, rigid nod, waiting for the women to disperse before turning his attention to Miss Davenport. "Thank you," he said, the words coming out in a breath as if he had been holding it for some time. He looked at the crowd upon the dance floor and . . . he wanted to dance with. While at the same time, wondered if she would realize just how, inadept he was at such things. More so, multitasking. "I would um . . . " Looking back at her, he gave a small smile. "Like to dance . . . with you." Not that clarification was needed but his mind was processing his words once they left his lips. "If you would like. It hardly seems like a just reward for the one who did saving," he said with a bit of a tease and yet, he meant every word. 

TAG:
Elizabeth Davenport

NOTES:

[Elizabeth Davenport]

Elizabeth was relieved to hear that he was thankful for her assistance. She had been fearful that he would find she was stepping past some boundaries but it appeared that was not the case. Elizabeth smiled at his thanks and nodded her head. "I could not allow for you to continue to suffer," she said to him. Elizabeth was aware of how gentlemen were bombarded and with this being her second season, she could confidently navigate these waters. But she also found that she was feeling protective over Jeremy. She did not wish for him to feel uncomfortable or for his worries to grow. Elizabeth had been privy to seeing him at peace in the country and wished he could always feel that way.

With all the time they had spent together, Elizabeth was accustomed to the way Jeremy spoke and how there were times when he could not get the words out in one try. She had always been patient with him, just as she was now. To hear him say that he did wish to dance with her made a genuine smile grace Elizabeth's features. "I would love to," she said. Jeremy would, perhaps, be the only gentleman she wanted to dance with the entire evening. She disliked how they would not be able to have more than two dances, as she wished to escape to their own little world for this evening. 

The music began and Elizabeth took Jeremy's arm as the pair walked onto the dance floor. The appropriate stances were taken and Elizabeth began to dance with him. She smiled, eyes on him. "I am very glad to see you again," she said, her voice lower. "How have you been?" Elizabeth hoped he had been fairing well since she had seen him last. She wanted to ask if he had written anything new and she found she so desperately wanted to read it if he had.

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Tag: Jeremy Colborne

credit to Laura of Adox