The Frozen Rose

CHAPTER TEN: Inside

Just the walk to the carriage made both William and Elizabeth dripping wet. The rain had not slowed down more. In fact, it had started to rain harder again. Elizabeth hoped the driver would not get them in an accident, but he told her it would not happen, for there are not many people on the road now. That did not comfort her, for they did not need a second carriage to cause an accident...

She had accepted William's offer to drive her home, for what other option did she have? Walking home? Sleeping at the theatre? She knew her family might be worried about her as well. They knew where she was, but that did not mean they would not worry. Many things could go wrong in a storm.

Twas cold in the carriage. Probably because she was very wet and there was no sun to heat her up, but also because she had gotten used to the fire place at the theatre. She was wearing a coat, but it did not help much, for it was drenched.

The carriage suddenly stopped and the driver got off to open the door. William motioned for her to step out, but she crossed her arm over her chest and looked at him.

"This is not my house."

"No, tis mine," he said with a smile.

"I will not get out of the carriage until it stops in front of my house," she told him severely.

"That is a pity," he said while keeping the smile on his face. "It shall get cold in the carriage. Try to keep warm." He stood up and walked out of the carriage. With his hand on the door to shut it, he said: "you can always enter until the rain has stopped and you can call for your own carriage."

She looked at him, not wanting to give in, but also not wanting to stay in the carriage. He ought to drive her home, like he promised. But she knew he meant what he said, and if she did not want to stay in the carriage, she would have to follow him inside.

With a sigh and an angry look, she took his hand and stepped out of the carriage. Together they ran to the house and the butler opened the door. "I have started the fire place in the study, my lord."

"Then that is where we shall be," William told him. "Also bring us some dry blankets."

"Yes, my lord," the butler said with a bow before walking away to do as he was told. William guided Elizabeth up the stairs and through a door into the study. The room had light coloured wooden furniture and many big windows. Elizabeth assumed it let in a lot of light, but because of the hard rain and the night that had fallen, it was quite dark. The only light came from the big fire place on the other side of the room.

William walked toward it and Elizabeth followed. She had been inside this house before, for he had bought it more than seven years ago. But she had never been inside his study. She must admit she had always liked the house, but the knowledge of this amazing study made her love it even more. It was full of cupboards filled with books, many paintings and two red coaches.

They stood in front of the fireplace, watching the flames eat the wood while feeling the heath it radiated. They stayed quiet, even when the butler returned with a pile of dry blankets. William took one and laid it over Elizabeth's shoulders before he took one for himself.

It was only now, when all was quiet and calm, that Elizabeth realized she was quite tired. Not wanting to move, she lowered herself on the floor and made certain she was comfortable before she looked up at William. He was smiling down on her, then lowered himself on the floor as well.

After a short silence in which they both watched the flames dance in the fireplace, William asked: "So what has changed while I was gone?"

Elizabeth swallowed. "I was happy. And the Jones House as a new owner."