Then one morning, about a week after their first coupling, a letter arrived as they sat to a particularly late breakfast. All of the color drained from Trent’s face. Putting on a forced smiled, he finally managed to say “your brother is coming tomorrow.” Eliza’s first reaction was excitement, she did love her brother dearly, but then the reality of what that meant came crashing down on her. He would take her away, he would make her marry, what was his name again? She couldn’t leave Trent, but how could she stay? Her father would never allow it.

Trent was explaining “I wrote to your brother when we first arrived, so he would know you were safe and away from the city. I told him in that letter he was welcome to join us here. He says that there are fewer cases of small pox and the city should be safe to return to soon. He’ll come stay here for a few days, a week at most, and then take you back to the city to meet John.”

Eliza wasn’t sure Trent would come to her room that night, now that they could no longer ignore the reality of her leaving, but as she lay in bed the knock sound at her door. They just laid together in silence for long time, Trent gently caressing Eliza’s arm taking in the smell of her hair. Her head on his chest listening to his heart beat. Eventually his hand moved up to her chin and he lifted it, his lips meeting hers softly. There was no rush , no urgency, just a need to savor each moment remember each touch. Her hands framed his face and his ran softly through her hair. Still laying on their sides facing one another, their bodies pressed close to one another. Trent ran his hand down her back, over the soft curve of her butt, lifting her leg over his he slid into her. Her hands moving slowly over the muscles of his back, they held each other close as the moved in unison together. Trent couldn’t take his eyes off of her. As Eliza’s pleasure mounted, she closed her eyes and tilted her head back letting out gasps and moans as the sensations rolled over her body. Trent kept his eyes on her face, he wanted to take in every moment, see every look of joy, know the pleasure he had given her.

Later they lay drowsy with the fulfillment only lovemaking can bring,

Eliza was curled her back pressed against Trent’s chest, Trent whispered in Eliza’s ear “marry me”. She had heard him, while she had been on the edge of sleep it hadn’t yet over taken her, but she lay silent and still, not wanting to say no, but not feeling as if she could say yes, she hoped he would believe she was already sleeping.