Page 22 of Tears of Gold

He snickers and it makes my stomach flicker with inappropriate longing, although I can feel the stirrings of his own desire under my thigh, so I don’t feel too bad. “Gerard, go grab another bottle. It looks like we are all staying here tonight.”

Gerard pushes up out of his chair and heads over to where a selection of decanters line an ancient sideboard. “We should probably see if Elaine can rustle us up some bacon sandwiches, otherwise this is going to get messy.”

I’d say. My stomach is burning and I’m feeling a strong urge to be sick. “Are we staying here tonight?” My eyes ache, heavy and blurred. Curled up in Eli’s arms, I could sleep for an age. The toll of the last couple of weeks presses heavily on my shoulders.

“Just tonight. Tomorrow we will be home.” His lips brush my ear.

“I’ve got to go back to class,” I mumble, but sleep is tugging at me, incessant.

“We’ve got everything to go back to.” His arms tighten around me and I can’t open my eyes any longer. I don’t know if it’s the whisky, or emotional strain, but I am tired like never before.

“Tomorrow,” I say, but it could have just been part of my dream.

* * *

“Ah, there you are.”

Eli sighs a little but manages to hold it in before he turns to face his mother. He has our overnight bags in his hands, but he places them on the floor and straightens up. My head is thudding. I have a bad feeling the whisky was off.

“We are going to head back to town, Mother. Faith needs to get ready for lectures and I’ve got to prepare for court. It’s Melanie's case on Monday.”

Jennifer’s eyes glitter but she lifts her chin. “Oh, I know. Life goes on.”

Eli’s shoulders slump a little. “That’s not what I meant, Mother.”

“Mm, I know, dear. Listen, before you dash off, I wanted to talk through the engagement plans with you.”

I stiffen a little, but my head whirls too much to say anything.

“Not now.” Eli’s voice lowers but he keeps it soft. “Please, let’s just get through the next couple of weeks.”

“Are you cross with me, Elijah, because I didn’t tell you about Jeremy?”

What?

His face hardens, all angles and sharp planes. “I don’t want to talk about it. Your deals are of no interest to me.”

My hand reaches for his and I squeeze it tight.

Jennifer expression freezes. “And you are let down because your father didn’t come.”

I don’t know what conversations these two have been having. I cast a cautious glance at Eli, knowing all too well that Jenifer catches the movement. He doesn’t answer, which says everything.

“Well, anyway. We shall announce the engagement in The Times, and we will need to set a date. What were you thinking, two months? Is that enough time for Faith to complete what she needs before stepping up to family duties and obligations?”

“That’s enough,” Eli snaps.

What is she talking about?

“Darling, it’s going to take a lot to organise. We will need to arrange for coverage. I assume you’ll get married here at Bowsley, as is tradition?”

I’m definitely going to be sick. Right now. Sweat prickles along my skin, and my fingers slip a little in his grasp.

Two months?

Obligations?

“Not now.” Eli almost tucks me into his arms. The smirk on her face makes me want to punch her pretty damn hard. “Faith, let’s get you home. You aren’t well.”