Darkest of Times [Albert J Moriarty] - Moriarty the Patriot

Act 5, Scene 4 - The Night Before

His warm hand caresses her cold cheek, tracing her jawline carefully as he stands behind her.

Silence fills the room, his delicate touch the same as hers was on the keys of the piano.

"Why did you stop playing?" He asks softly, his lips lowering to her ear.

A shiver runs down her spine, eyelashes fluttering closed. "I didn't mean to."

From whispering in her ear, Albert's lips kiss her neck, her hairline and neck still damp from the shower.

Eleanor's stomach flips and her hands leave the piano keys, reaching her fingertips into his wavy hair.

His hands gently skim her sides and she spins around on the stool. Their faces are inches apart, the flickering fire and candles the only light in the room.

"I've fallen for you, Albert." She breathes, tickling his skin softly with her words.

His eyes flicker to her lips when he slowly reaches a hand to the back of her neck.

"I love you, Eleanor."

Their lips tentatively brush against one another's, the taste of their lips finding each other as they kiss. Her hands travel up his torso, a gentle touch on either side of his neck.

Placing his other arm underneath her, he lifts her from the stool and cradles her in his arms.

Lips suckling on his neck, Eleanor's fingertips stroke his cheek and twist in his hair.

Their journey takes them upstairs and into Albert's bedroom, placing her delicately down on the silk sheets.

Swiftly flickering a lamp on, he studies her as she lays down, a yearning in the pit of his stomach. He makes his way over to her, her eyelashes fluttering closed.

His fingers slide the shoulder of the robe down and he presses his lips to her supple skin. Chest now bare, Albert's eyes roam her body as he hovers above her on the mattress. Her chestnut eyes open.

"I trust you, Albert."

Scattering kisses up her sternum, his lips meet hers, more hungrily than before. Her finger traces his jaw and she tilts her head to the side.

"Do you trust me?" She asks in return as they pull away.

Hands squeezing her bare sides tenderly, he nods. "I trust you, my dear."

Untieing his robe, her eyes study his toned chest and strong body, shuddering beneath him. "You're amazing, Albert."

"My beautiful Eleanor." He admires her breathlessly.

Her fingers rake through his curls and down his back, his shoulder blades tensing from her cool touch.

Stomach fluttering as his hot breath fans her neck, she inhales a sharp breath. Glancing down at her, he places a hand on her tense stomach.

"Are you alright?" He whispers in her ear, nibbling at her earlobe.

Her toes curl at the sensation and she nods. "I've never been better. I want you to feel my heart, to hear my soul speak."

Lowering his head to rest on her bare chest, he breathes in her rose scent, gaze trailing up to meet hers.

"Your heart is calling out for me." He tells her, reaching down for her hand and placing it on his chest. "What does mine feel like?"

She smiles up at him. "It feels warm, like home."

They both feel a fire inside of them, inside their soul, that they desperately want the other to feel.

Skin to skin, warmth radiating between them, they inhale each other like smoke —breathing in deeply, allowing their scents to fill their lungs, before exhaling. Their mark on each other remains, warmth persisting and a feeling of ecstasy-like high that lingers.

The rain hammers down outside, a cold gust of wind blowing through the eerily quiet house.

Head laying on his bare chest, Eleanor hugs into his side. A hand traces her back as Albert stares at the ceiling in deep thought. The sheet is pulled over them, insulating their warmth.

"Do you think William will kill Milverton?"

He raises his eyebrows, tracing circles on her skin. "William? I don't think so. Or rather, I don't know.

"But one of them must do it,"

Readjusting her position, her chin rests on his chest.

"Milverton will ruin all of our lives if he's alive after tonight. Surely tonight is his downfall?"

Albert reaches down to kiss the top of her freckled nose. "It wouldn't surprise me. But speaking of surprises..."

Reaching an arm over to the bedside table, Albert sits up and Eleanor follows his action, tugging the sheet up to cover her bare body.

Rummaging in the drawer, he clears his throat, smiling at her. "Eleanor, you mean so much to me. I've been trying to find the perfect way to phrase this all..."

She cocks an eyebrow suspiciously. "What's this all about?"

From his grasp, he reveals a small velvet box, opening up the lid. To her surprise, a gold banded engagement ring sits neatly atop the cushion.

The oval-shaped green peridot diamond is surrounded by two white diamonds on either side —delicate and classy.

Her eyes widen. "Albert, oh my goodness."

"Eleanor," His other hand cups her soft cheek. "I made a promise to you and I want it to be an official promise. Will you do me the honour of becoming my wife?"

Lips curling into a grin, Eleanor nods her head vigorously, placing her hands on either side of his face. They share a tender kiss, embracing as she smiles from ear to ear.

"I love you, Albert."

They pull apart and Albert removes the ring from the box, slipping it onto her left ring finger.

"And I love you, Eleanor. I want to share my life and the world with you, all the ups and downs. Forever."

Entranced in their world, the pair wish to stay in this moment forever.

She pulls him in for another tight hug, her chest glowing from happiness. Albert's chest would do the same, was he not fearing for the worst. Darkness glosses over his eyes and he squeezes her tighter, wishing to never let her go.

No matter how much the pair wish that they could stay in this moment forever, forever may only be for tonight.

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