Chapter 36-1

With an annoyed turn of her head Nan rolled her eyes and let out a deeply aggravated sigh. After what William had done to Eli the last time he’d laid eyes on the man Nan found herself absurdly debating the merit of saving Eli, yet again. Or allowing William to pummel the man into bloody unmoving heap, again. Sadly, her voice of reason remained true to a logical and far less violent course of action. Though the thought of protecting the man who had murdered her first love left a foul taste in her mouth, especially when she knew how easily and discreetly her second love could rid her of the man. “As I was saying now would be a very good time to leave.” Nan announced with a short curtsy before quickly grabbing Eli’s elbow, spinning him about and pushing him away from the house, and most importantly William and his ready fists. “But shouldn’t I—“ Eli began as he looked back at the stomping-ly furious William making his way towards them. The movement turning his body, causing him to stumble over his own feet as Nan continued to push him rapidly to the edge of grounds. “No, you shouldn’t.” Nan cut him off instantly, yanking him forward as she continued her exasperated march. Intent to be rid of the man before William could do any more harm to him than he already had. “You should leave Mr. Waters. Leave and do not come back. You’ve said your apology. It’s been forgiven. Now Go.” She ordered pushing him away from her as they finally reached the edge grounds. “But I—“ “I thank you for your visit and apology Sir. Now good day.” Nan interrupted him yet again, giving yet another small curtsy, keeping her eyes firmly on the ground. Not once since she had pulled him away from the house and its impending danger did she raise her eyes to look at him. She did not trust herself to remain as logical as she was now miraculously being if she looked at him. If she saw his face and mistook it for James only to recall in the next second that it was not, that the face before her was that of a murdering traitor whom she had once loved as dearly as a brother. If she had to remember that, she would surely go mad and throttle the man for all the pain he brought down on her. “Nan!” William snapped, the nearness and volume of his voice causing her jump as she looked back to him with wide eyes and a hand placed over her heart to settle its sudden rapid thumping within her chest.“Will you not introduce me to your friend?” William asked, his tone grating with the anger he strove to contain as he glared daggers at the lithe man standing before him. “Eli Waters.” Eli spoke, his tone even and clam, his expression unreadable as he studied William. His eyes scarcely moving though Nan knew him well enough to know when he was sizing another up. And it was plain as day to Nan that Eli was doing just so to William. A fact that made her stomach turn with unease and fear. “I came to offer my apologies to Miss Harris for my behavior towards her when last we met, though it would seem my timing is rather ill as I have been asked to leave rather abruptly.” He added with a slight tilt of his head, a small smirk tugging the corner of his mouth. The sight of which sent a cold tremor down her spine as she recalled the last time she had seen such a look on Eli. “Indeed Mr. Waters.” William replied, his tone conveying all the warmth and comfort of an English winter as he continued to regard the man standing so easily before him. "I take it you’ve said your piece to Miss Harris?” William queried, jerking his head towards Nan as he spoke. “Yes, Sir.” Eli nodded. “Then go.” William growled, taking a step forward placing himself between Nan and Eli as until then, he had remained firmly at her side with his eyes never wavering from Eli’s smirking face. “Of course,” Eli replied with yet another small nod. “Good day to you both.” He added, his eyes moving to Nan only moment before a smile, that would have seemed pleasant to any who did not know it, brushed his lips. Unfortunately, Nan did know it, and she knew today would not be the last time she saw Eli Waters. It wasn’t until he turned and started down the road with a cheerful whistle on his lips that Nan turned her back to the two men and brought a hand up to cover her brow; the beginnings of a tiresome headache building just beneath her temple. “Please tell me I can at least kill him?” William asked, the harshness of his tone, letting her know he was still watching Eli’s retreat. “Or I could put Hoss to the task if you don't want my hands bloodied.” William offered, the hard crunch of the earth beneath his boots informing her of his turn towards her. “Don’t tempt William. It’s not funny.” Nan replied, her voice strained with a mixture of exhaustion, fear, and dread. “I wasn’t being funny, my Love.” William replied, wrapping his arms about her waist as he rested his chin on her shoulder a moment before kissing her neck. “I am being quite serious, though.” He stated, his words pulling Nan’s hand from her head as she turned it to look at him. “You may not approve of my wanting Sophia dead by my hand or any other under me. But I'd have no such qualms seeing that one walk off a cliff. Willing or otherwise.” he stated, and while his tone was serious there was still touch of wicked humor laced with his words that brought a small pleasant smile to Nan's lips as she looked to him.  "Or perhaps a small tumble down a very tall staircase?" he added making her smile wider. "I told you not to tempt." Nan replied, her statement a sham of disapproval as she halfheartedly glared at him the man who was so easily reminding her of why she loved him, despite only recently discovering such. "Mm, you did." he nodded thoughtfully as he pulled away from her turning her to face him full on, once more wrapping his arms about her waist, letting his hand sit clasped together at the small of her back as her own limbs floated above his, her hands sitting lightly on his forearms. "I didn't care to listen." He shook his head. "Obviously." she nodded, smiling up at him. "Obviously." he nodded in turn mimicking her expression exactly. It was in that moment that something washed over her, or William, she wasn't quite sure which. All she knew was that in that moment, smiling at him, being held by him, jesting with him. The world seemed to glow brighter, the day… seem to stop, and there was nothing that could have ruined that moment. Nan felt she was free to do anything. Like a door had been opened or a chain unlocked within her… she felt light and happy and free. Smiling wider, Nan took one of William's hands from and behind her and began to pull him back to the house at a run. Stopping only a moment upon entering as she looked wildly about for a location hat was would suit her needs, and finding it as she spotted the door to the small library and once more took to dragging William behind her. Or would have had William not pulled her to a stop and spun her about to face him, his features quizzical as he gazed down at her. "Hold steady my Love. What's your rush?" he asked breathily, as his quirked brow and smile regarded her in mild bafflement. Smiling like a complete and utter fool Nan cupped William’s face in her hands and kissed him. Letting her lips linger against his as she far longer than she ever had before. And when she finally pulled away she was still smiling though now she looked more like the cat that had swallowed the canary, than the beguiling minx that had ran him inside with nothing more than smile. "You tell me." she grinned, taking several slow steps back before turning and running up the stairs with a high happy laugh.