As I lost my footing and stumbled upon impact with the other person, the first thing that went through my mind was panic at them seeing that Robert's hand was still on me, gripping the bare skin of my arm just below my sleeve as he kept me from falling.
The second thought was that the blue eyes gazing at us were very familiar.
For several moments, I stood there, staring at the face beneath the cloth wrap. Then I surged forward, tearing out of Robert's hold so abruptly that it hurt a bit, and launching myself at my sister.
"Elizabeth!" I cried, grasping at her and trying to pull her closer, even once she was firmly in my embrace. She clung to me, as well, gripping my shoulders tightly. Robert stood there for a few seconds, just as surprised as me, and then I saw him glance around.
"Elizabeth, are you in hiding?" Robert asked, cutting through the emotional reunion. Elizabeth sniffled- I had not yet realized that she was crying- and nodded.
Robert nodded too, pulling us apart and herding us towards the deeper part of the garden. "Then let us move to a more discreet place."
As we walked, I realized Eli was there, as well, his own face covered with a hooded cloak. I reached for him next, but even as I embraced him, Robert was still there, guiding me further from the school.
Though I wanted to ask my sister and Eli a million questions- and perhaps strike them for all they grief they had caused me- it was Elizabeth who spoke first, frowning between Robert and I.
"Amelia," She asked quietly, leaning close so only I could hear. "I only came here because Charlotte told me that you had come here with Father after church when I went to sneak into the garden and throw rocks at the window to catch your attention- I am glad she is such a dear friend to you, and will say nothing of seeing me to even her sisters. But she said nothing of Robert being here, as well. What are you two doing together?"
I sighed, not quite sure how to explain how things had developed between us. Elizabeth had never held feelings for the Earl, so surely she would not be angry by the fact that we had mingled even while the two of them were meant to be courting, but I had to admit that our situation was odd and prohibited- though certainly not quite the forbidden romance that Eli and Elizabeth were.
"We were on our way to cause a scandal," I whispered back cheekily, watching as my sister's eyes widened in understanding. Her gaze flew back to the Earl, but she looked away again when she saw him eyeing our whispered conversation. "Surely you didn't think that you got to have all the fun?"
My sister slapped my arm, somehow still appalled by such talk after the impropriety of her own love affair. Curiously, I eyed her left hand. "Have you a ring?"
Though Elizabeth blushed slightly, she held up her hand, showing me a piece of yarn that was tied in a bow around her ring finger. While it was not fancy or made of gold and jewels, it sent a clear message across- she was taken.
"We left in rather a rush," Elizabeth admitted sheepishly. We came to the center of the garden, which was completely concealed by trees and hedges and rows of flowers, and I took a seat beside her on the bench as the boys loomed over us. "We did not have time to grab much- I took a few candleholders and pocketed a handful of my jewelry, but that was all. We were moving fast, you see, because we did not know how long it would take for others to notice we were not at the Festival and come looking for us. Are you very angry?"
I sighed. Now that my sister was here, safe and in one piece and in my arms- all of my anger and fear and hurt had melted away into relief. "I am not angry."
As Elizabeth pulled me into yet another embrace, Robert spoke, looking to Eli. "Do you have enough funds?"
Elizabeth glanced up. "Oh, My Lord, we will make do. We can-"
"I did not ask if you can make do," Robert interrupted, glancing about. He was nervous, and trying to rush through the essentials. "Do you have enough funds? Can you guarantee yourselves food, travel fare, and shelter for the next several weeks? Months, even?"
Eli looked a bit embarrassed. "We are already running low on money. Elizabeth insisted we come back immediately after being wed to assure Amelia that we were alright, but once we make our way out of London once more, I plan to find work. And if it comes to desperate measure, I know how to get by."
My eyes moved to Elizabeth, wondering if she knew what her husband's words meant. I had grown up stealing and picking pockets and hustling right alongside Eli- I knew exactly how good he was at it, despite having moved into a more honest way of life.
Robert reached for the moneybag dangling from his waist, untying it and handing it to Eli. "It will not come to desperate measures. You take that, and it shall get you by for a couple of months if you are smart with it. Send any letters you intend for Amelia to my estate so they are not intercepted by her family, and I shall deliver them to her. Send me word if you need more money."
Eli was already shaking his head, trying to hand the bag back. "Count Robert, we couldn't- we cannot accept-"
Robert folded his hands behind his back, making it clear he would not be accepting the money back. "Felix, you must take it. Do not let your pride be the reason your bride goes hungry."
Though Eli looked guilty, and perhaps ashamed about requiring such assistance, he began to tie the moneybag to his own trousers. Robert leaned towards him, his voice quiet as he added on another reassurance. "I intend to wed Amelia- that makes Elizabeth, as well as you, my own family. You shall always be supplied with any form of support you need- be that money, a warm meal, or a place to stay- you are always welcome. You may come back to my Manor with me tonight if you have no other plans for shelter."
Elizabeth's eyes widened as she turned to me, and as the boys discussed strategy going forward, my sister glared at me accusingly.
"He intends to wed you?" She asked, sounding incredulous. "I have hardly been gone a week- what on earth has happened? Has mother moved him on to you so quickly?"
I fought to wipe the foolish grin off of my face- that was the first time Robert had said his intentions to do so aloud. "We...uh... we may have had mutual affections before you left."
Though Elizabeth looked as if she wanted to confront me on such secret affections, she seemed to know that, after running off with Eli, she was in no position to do so. She stared at me for a few moments and then sighed, dropping her face into her hands.
To my surprise, she began to laugh, shaking her head as she turned to glance at me. "Dear God, we're a mess."
I found myself laughing, as well, "Well, at least Mother has Thomas- the eldest golden-child. Him and Susanna just returned from their honeymoon, you know."
Elizabeth sat up, paying close attention. "Have they? How was it? Do they look well? Tell me all that has happened."
As I filled Elizabeth in on the panic of the night she had gone missing, and as to all that had occurred since, Robert and Eli finished up talking. Eli came to sit just beside Elizabeth, squeezing in next to her and wrapping an arm over her shoulder as he listened to the news, as well.
Though I said nothing about it, I found myself upset as I looked at them. The way they leaned their heads near to each other, the way my sister angled her body towards his own, the way he shifted whenever Elizabeth did, as if constantly in sync with where she was at all times.
Had their affections always been so obvious? How had I missed such a thing? Was I truly so foolish?
"I would have helped you," I said quietly to my sister, wishing we were in a place where there were no other ears to overhear. But if Eli and Elizabeth were truly still in hiding, then I had to make do with the time I had. "Had you told me of your feelings for Eli, I would have helped you get away. I would have come to stand as a witness for you at the wedding ceremony to make it legitimate. I would have done anything you asked."
Elizabeth reached for my hand, her other arm sliding over my shoulder as she pulled me against her. "I know, sister. I did not want to pull you into such a scandal, as well, though."
Despite myself, I smiled. "I have pulled you into plenty- it would have only been fair."
My sister laughed, no doubt remembering all of the mischief I had gotten into in childhood, with Elizabeth always trailing after me trying to fix things. Often, it had simply landed the both of us in trouble.
And yet she had continued to stay by my side. Always. And I would stand by hers.
"Elizabeth," I began cautiously, not sure how the suggestion I was about to make would be received. Eli was listening, as well, so that was yet another reaction to fret over. "I think... I think it would be best if you came home."
I felt her pull away from me slightly, her grip on my hand loosening. Rushing to explain, I clamped down, keeping her hand in mine.
"Everyone is worried over you," I told her, recalling Mother's hysterics and Father's anxiety. "Nobody will turn you over to the law, Elizabeth. They will all love to see you, and our parents will be willing to say they witnessed and approved of the marriage if it means you will not be in danger."
Elizabeth frowned, looking back at Eli. After a moment of considering all the possible reactions my family may have to their arrival, I came to think of Michael.
He may not be as keen on seeing Eli so soon after he had run off with our sister.
"Perhaps, Eli, it would be best if you stayed with Robert for the night," I tacked on, wincing as it did not come out as subtly as I had hoped.
Eli looked to Elizabeth, and though I was not certain as to what he saw on her face, he sighed. "No. You are right, Amelia. It will be best for Elizabeth, and for our futures, if we have your parents on our side. Perhaps we could even avoid being on the run."
Elizabeth looked worried- likely over both the reactions our parents would have towards her scandal, as well as whether or not Michael would greet Eli with a fistfight.
I truly hoped that Michael had the good sense to avoid a gunfight.
Still, we stood, preparing to make our way to the carriage. Robert hurried inside to find his sister and returned with her in his arms, herding the lot of us onto his carriage. With only Eli and my sister's eyes on us- little Emily had fallen asleep on her brother's lap- I sat just beside Robert, holding the hand which was not wrapped around Emily to keep her in place. Though it was lovely to not have to hide my affections before this tiny audience, the joy I felt was incomplete. I was not even the one being presented, and I was horribly nervous.
Seeming to sense this, Robert rubbed his thumb over the back of my hand repeatedly.
My sister's nerves were presented far more dramatically. Despite Eli's arm around her, she shifted endlessly in her seat, wringing her hands and playing with locks of her hair.
Elizabeth had never been one to fidget.
I could not blame her for being anxious, though. Not now. And especially not as we made our way through the gate, and up the path which led to the Manor that we had grown up in.