Steam

Chapter 14

She picked up her skirts as she scurried up the stairs; tears streaming down her face. Her vision was blurred by them and she kept wiping her eyes with the top of her hand. Her feet stumbled as she stormed blindly towards her room.

She flung herself in to her room and slammed the door furiously, as hard as she could. It crashed with an almighty 'bang' as she kicked off her shoes in to the corner. Not stopping there, she flew out on to the balcony, throwing open the doors that led to it carelessly. They smacked open with the harsh winds; the curtains billowed ferociously and relentlessly, a stormy sea of red velvet.

Barefoot, she started to the edge of the balcony and continued to wail. Her emotions were all over as she howled painfully in to the bitter storm. Her knuckles were white as she gripped the edge tightly. The rain beat down on her and her hair was plastered to her face; she was totally soaked. The wind slapped the drenched tendrils of hair across her face and neck and it roared in the height of the fierce downpour. Her toes were like ice on the concrete beneath her yet the pain in her heart overpowered that in her feet by tremendous amounts.

Pip had heard everything. He had been listening in! She had always known about Pip, and his secret love for her. She thought it was sweet as she knew he was a kind and honest boy; nevertheless she knew also that nothing could ever come from it. It was sad in a way, because had he been a little older, and of better status, then perhaps. And of course had she not known Thomas. She had grown fond of him in the year that he had been here and she thought it was so lovely that his eyes lit up every time she paid the slightest bit of attention to him. And how he'd offer to do little jobs for her, or take her out walking in the gardens when Thomas had disappointed her. She cried for Pip.

Oh but Thomas. How she loved him so. He was the best thing that ever happened to her. She loved him to the point where she'd cry when she knew he was sad too. She knew he was a busy man yet her heart yearned for him.

At these thoughts she began to sob again. She was now on her knees at the concrete rails, with plenty of room to see over. They were, luckily, rather low. Her lower dress was sodden as she knelt on it and the rain continued to lash down. Thunder boomed up ahead; as if it also felt how she did. Her make-up was smudged all down her cheeks. Something down below caught her eye. Ceasing the agonising cries for a second, she realised it was Pip.

She stood suddenly, not knowing quite why. Mustering all she had left, she yelled his name at the top of her voice. However, her voice was cracked and her throat was sore from the crying and she only managed a feeble, scratchy yell.

He didn't look up. She tried again, to no avail. She sank to her knees once more still sobbing. He was crying too, she could see and she felt an awful guilty twinge. She recalled what must've been the exceedingly malicious glare she had given him when she discovered him behind the door. How his eyes had had widened in pure dread and he had cowered as far back in to the corner as he could go. She clamped her hand over her mouth to stifle another cry as she realised that she was the reason for his distress. Sadness filled her eyes as she watched him march angrily yet determinedly towards the rose garden. She followed him with her eyes until she lost sight of him entirely among the roses.

A gentle tap at her door forced her to drag her eyes away. She all of a sudden realised how wet and cold she was; she could no longer feel her toes or fingers. Quickly, she stepped back inside, taken aback by the warmth of the room. Then she gently shut the balcony doors once more, as quietly as possible. She shivered, stood and waited in front of the door.

The saddened face of Thomas peering timidly around the door made her tense up. Realisation hit her that he too had been crying, and she struggled to hold back more tears. Seeing she was in, he entered and shut the door softly behind him, the flick of the latch echoed throughout the now almost silent room. The hurt behind his eyes got to her and she rubbed her goose-bumped arms and looked away, unable to meet his gaze.

"Victoria, I-"

"Please don't. I'm sorry..." She interrupted still looking away. Her interjection surprised him and he became confused.

"What are you talking about? My love, it is me who has done wrong and I must make amends" he almost whispered as he took a careful step forward.

Silently, in her head she couldn't help but think, "If only he knew..."

There was then an awkward silence. Tension in the air ascended until Thomas plucked up the courage to speak once more.

"Victoria, I love you..."

She turned to look at him, brushing the damp hair from her face. She couldn't answer before he continued.

"I love you more than words can express. That day I met you four years ago was the one that turned my world upside down. Upon meeting you I knew that I wanted to be with you always. Never before had I encountered a woman as beautiful, nor intelligent, nor as talented as yourself. Every time I look in to those eyes I fall head over heels in love all over again. I cannot bear the thought of losing you. You are my entire world and I don't know quite what I'd do without you my darling..."

Victoria listened in awe, completely astounded at this side of him that he had never fully revealed before. The words gushed from his heart so easily, she wondered how he had not displayed such affection before. Not averting her eyes from his, she walked slowly towards him as he spoke.

Without a word, she placed her hands on him, rested her head upon his chest and closed her eyes. Thomas was taken aback by her sudden embrace; he slowly placed his hands on her lower back and cradled her damp yet warm frame in his arms. Her head rested just over his heart and she listened to the soft thuds deep within him. They soothed her as she nestled further in to his arms, calmed by his masculine warmth.

She lifted her head slowly, her hands still gripping his chest. She looked at him with her huge, round, glassy eyes. Thomas was suddenly blown away by how the candlelight made her stunning russet eyes sparkle and shine. She was staring right at him; subconsciously he started to inch forward. His hands suddenly tightened around her, pulling her towards him slightly.

In her head, her conscience twittered away at her.

"Stay calm, stay controlled. Do not reveal all just yet..."

There was now only centimetres between them.

She shut her eyes as their lips brushed. Her grip tightened on him as the kiss deepened and she was pleasantly surprised as his tongue began to explore the depths of her mouth, not leaving an inch untouched.

A soft moan escaped her lips as he lifted his hand to the back of her neck and pulled her in even further. She melted into his arms and felt her knees weaken beneath her, but he was quick to support her and he clutched her tightly to himself.

Behind them, the rain was trickling down the window pane; the intense heat of the moment sheltered from the violent storm outside.

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Thank you all so much for your patience! I've been insanely busy lately and I've only had time to make notes on future chapters. However, that just means you won't have to wait as long for those chapters (hopefully!!!)

Please let me know what you think of the story so far! Like I said, thank you all so much!! I really do appreciate it! If all is well, the next couple of chapters shouldn't be too far away! ;D