****Part Two****
“I see you have taken my advice, good sir,” I boldly noted. He turned to face me, a smile so wide on his face.
“Excuse me, Miss Lamport,” he greeted, his mood suddenly changed. “It’s very nice to see you again so soon.” He took my hand very gently as if made of glass and kissed it, a gesture so old it wasn’t really done during that time.
I couldn’t help the blood that flowed to my cheeks, blushing. “And you,” I said, taking my hand back, afraid someone would see. Jeremiah must have had the same fear for he smoothly beckoned me to follow him down the hall.
My heart ached to follow him, but my head overpowered that, causing me to think. The fluttering in my belly increased at an annoying rate and my fingers tingled. It was a feeling of fear, but a fear of what, was what I wanted to know. “What is down there?” I let my arm rise to point down the hall, and then quickly brought it back to my hip, knowing one must not point.
His smile grew as he leaned closer to me as if to kiss me, with obviously no recollection of personal space. Then he whispered across my lips, “Freedom.” His breath was so warm, and so close.
As improper as I knew it was, I wanted to go with him. He made is sound like joyous fun, but, oh so forbidden.
I turned away from him and the verboten distraction to think about this decision. If I were caught there was no doubt that I would be in grave trouble, and Jeremiah could lose his job. However, if we weren’t caught, well, I had no idea what he had planned for us. I always was a curious creature.
I turned back to him quickly and Jeremiah was holding out his hand for me to take. I didn’t hesitate to grab a hold of his calloused grip. Without missing a beat, we started down the hall with haste.
“Lizzie?” I heard my name being called from behind us. It was distant but I was sure who it was. “Lizzie!” The voice repeated.
I quickly glanced over my shoulder and sure enough, Henry Hopkins was heading in our direction. I gripped Jeremiah’s hand tighter then let it go whispering, “Run!”
With a wicked grin, Jeremiah took off down the corridor; I stayed close on his heels. Our feet pounded against the wooden floor making a nose that was drowned out by my heavy breathing and Jeremiah’s laughter.
When he turned to run down another hall, I would follow him. As my dress was flowing behind me like a veil, I silently thanked Olivia for picking out such a light dress. If my tutors could have seen me then, they would be shocked and disappointed, but at the time, I couldn’t have cared less if I tried.
“Elizabeth!” I continued to hear behind me. Henry must have been following us.
As suddenly as our sprint began, he abruptly stopped in front of a door. I almost ran straight into him, but instead, he opened his arms towards me and embraced me. Such an embrace reminded me of when I was younger and would run to my father’s expecting arms.
His hands touched the small of my back and the back of my neck while he buried his face in the side of my neck. I could have done the right thing and pushed him away, but since I was already on a roll with improper doings, I too buried my face in his chest and wrapped my arms around him. Somehow, it was calming to be in his arms. In his arms was where I fit, it was where I felt I belonged.
(Author's note: There will be more to this part, I have just....misplaced....it....)
