The Frozen Rose

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE: The secrets of Pondside

"The secrets of Pondside: the workers behind the curtain" was the title William had given his book. Elizabeth must admit she was quite curious for it, which was the reason she decided to go to the bookshop nearby and buy the book.

Did she hope she would see him while she was there? Saying no would be a lie. But did she expect she would actually see him while she was there? Definitely not.

There were so many bookshops in London, and she had expected him to be in one in the centre to promote his book. But no, here he was, in the closest bookshop to her house. Had he hoped he would see her too?

The last few days, she had been thinking of him quite a lot. No, in truth, she had been thinking of him a lot since he had returned. But her thinking had changed the last few days. Every reason she could think of to not be with him, she could refute with a reason of why she could be with him.

She had believed she could not trust him, but since his return, he had done nothing to prove that that was correct. In fact, it seemed he had only been spending more time with her than he ever had done before. Was he truly so untrustworthy then? Would he break her heart again, or had he learned from his mistakes?

She had also thought he was a man with many lovers, yet she did not think that to be correct anymore. She did not assume he had no lovers at all, but he had never spoken of them. She had even seen how he had tried to send Emma away when she found him during the play yesterday. He had not even tried to get her to his bed. Would a man not take any woman that was willing?

Also, she had told herself he was uncontrollable, wanting to kiss her whenever he should not, inviting her to spend the day with him all the time, touching her at bad moments... But did she not feel that same yearning for him? Was she not overly happy every time he did so?

This man had made her happy. Not only seven years ago, but also the last few months. He had stayed and made her smile and laugh. He had shown her he was a good and kind man. Should she not show him forgiveness then? Could she ask him to trust her as well?

"I did not expect to see you here," she said. Startled, he turned around to see who had spoken behind him, and Elizabeth saw William's face transform when he saw her. Her heart skipped a beat, and for the first time in seven years, she let it.

William shrugged. "I am going around a few bookshop in London. What are you doing here?"

"Buying the book, of course."

The smile on his face widened, and there was some pride in it. "You do not have to buy it. I will give you one. And I will sign it for you, if you wish."

"Of course I do," she said. "Then I can make my many friends jealous." It was a jest, for she did not have many friends, and she knew William knew. He laughed at it, but did not comment.

He took one of his books from a shelf, signed his name on it and gave it to her. "Tell your many friends the author said hello."

She laughed at it, then jested: "I am certain I will make them jealous when I tell them I have met him personally."

"You can even tell them he knows your name."

"O my goodness," she exaggerated on purpose, "everyone will so jealous of me!"

He threw his head back and laughed, a nice sound, Elizabeth found.

"So, how is the sale going?" she asked.

"Very well," he answered proudly. "Even better than expected."

"That is great! Congratulations."

"Thank you," he answered with a small bow of his head. "You know, your idea to let the magic work was very much appreciated by lord Byron."

"Truly?"

"Yes, he said he found it the best part of the book."

"He did?" she asked unbelieving.

"Well, no, not really. He said it was the best thing he could have hoped for. But I like to believe it is his favourite part."

Elizabeth nodded in agreement. "Let us both believe that, then."

"So, eum," William said, suddenly less certain of himself, "would it be alright if I call on you this evening to celebrate the good sales?"

She doubted at first, but then thought there was no reason for that. Was she not willing to give him another chance? So she nodded and said: "yes, I would love to."

She saw a smile of relief on his face, and was suddenly even more happy with her decision. She was giving the life she had always dreamed of another chance, and it felt quite good.

"So, what will you be doing now that your work at the theatre is finished?" he asked her.

"It is not yet finished," she said. "After every performance, everything has to be checked for damage and repaired if needed."

"And you offered yourself to do that," he said with a smile.

"Yes, I did. I would not know what else I would have to do with my days. I have become so used to having a purpose every day, to wake up and realize I have something truly amazing ahead of me. I would not know what I will do when the play is finished."

He shook his head as he looked at her. "Do not think of that yet. It is still months away. And besides, I am quite certain you can find yourself a purpose again. Mayhap another theatre play."

"Or a circus performance," she jested. He gave her an all-knowing look and it made her laugh.

"Do not laugh at that idea," he said. "The circus was really fun, and I would not put it past you to help those people too."

She smiled at the idea. "Maybe I just might."

"As long as you do not join."

"Why not?"

"Because you would travel with them and I would not see you anymore. As well as your family, of course," he quickly added.

She smiled, but did not look at him, for she did not want to admit what his words did to her. "Of course."

He suddenly sighed. "Well, I believe it is time for me to go to the next bookshop and make people buy my book."

Elizabeth pressed her signed book to her chest. "Do not give them out for free," she jested.

He shook his head and said: "there is only one person who deserves a free book."

She felt her heart skip a beat and hope come up. Was he laying his full trust in her again? Did he truly mean to make her feel special, or was it a slip of the tongue?

She merely nodded her head. "Off you go, then. And I shall wait for your calling card."

He nodded and smiled, telling her without words that he was happy she would wait. Or did she misinterpret his look?

Without more ado, he turned away from her and left the bookshop.