Born to Run

20: The Time Has Come

It was five in the morn when Esme decided what she would play for the ball that evening. It came to her as she was lying awake, thinking about everything that had happened over the past four months. Then it had come to her. She would write her own.

Quickly, she got out of bed, dressed, and tiptoed downstairs to the music room. The light had only begun to peep through the large windows, and servants were already busy with their quiet

hustle and bustle of chores.

She sat down at the pianoforte, and began playing, hardly thinking about what she was trying to accomplish. Somehow, her mind had an exact idea of what she wanted the piece to sound like, an about an hour later, there it was: "Born to Run". Lizzie would love it, Esme was sure. It would make Julian sit back and close his eyes...

Esme shook herself. This was not about Julian. That traitor did not deserve such an honour.

With a nod, Esme softly let down the wooden lid to cover the keys. She jumped when Ted appeared behind her. "Good morning," Ted greeted with a sheepish smile. "I should not have startled you."

Esme rose quickly. "Oh no, it did not startle me," she said, stammering. "I just usually do not expect an audience," she smiled.

Ted chuckled. "I remember when you would give Christmas concerts on the old piano in my father's parlour," he recounted. "You always knew how to entertain."

"Ah," Esme nodded, smiling slightly. "That was a long time ago. Before..."

"Before you left, if I remember correctly," Ted said quietly. "It was before I came to you that evening, and we spoke in the garden."

Instantly pain was brought back into Ted's face. What had she done to the poor soul? "I remember," she said softly, looking up at him. "I ran."

"You did, didn't you?" Ted nodded. "It is what you do best."

Esme's eyebrows furrowed, and she took his hand. "It is," she nodded. "But it is not always the answer. I realise that now."

Ted's other hand covered her own. "I wouldn't love you had you not run, Esme."

The intensity in his eyes shocked her. He really did mean it... all of it. "You love me still? Even if I have been in another man's eye since I arrived?"

"Even still, dearest," Ted said softly.

Esme pulled away. "I cannot return this, Ted. You know it."

"I will wait, Esme; even if it takes a lifetime."

She wanted to run again. Why had not Julian been able to say those words? Fitz had promised it! He had! But what had become of his promise? "You must not..."

Ted straightened and saluted. "You need time to prepare for the fest tonight." He said stiffly, his words were edged like a double-bladed sword. "Good day, Miss Goldworth."

As Esme watched him leave, she had an idea of what was to come. Esme knew how this would end, but did she know how it would become the end?

(#)

"Oh, I am going to burst, Papa!" Lizzie said as she twirled around and around in her new gown, the maids scrambling after her to adjust hairpins and bows. "This is all so exciting, is it not, Papa?"

Morton looked at his daughter, and grunted. "Indeed."

Lizzie rolled her eyes and looked at Julian, who was straightening his jacket. "You look very nice, Julian!" she giggled. "Imagine how all the ladies will look at you with such a handsome appearance! You will be the talk of the party!"