The Lady and the Earl
Ciel on the other hand had purposes for most of those books, whether it be for his work with Funtom, the Queen, his studies, or his own personal enjoyment. Having pictures normally detracted away from the text inside, unless the pictures were supplementary somehow, and the brighter they were the less of a purpose they would often serve. Ciel had been in his study the entire time that Elizabeth had been there, completely unaware of her presence until Sebastian got away from the other servants to tell him as much. By that point Ciel made a bit of haste for the room she was in, hoping the miscommunication wouldn’t be relayed back to his future mother in law; Frances didn’t need reason more to nag Ciel about his behavior or appearance or the like.
Knowing how Elizabeth operated, Ciel had a couple odd moments to brace himself for the normally overbearing hug and the momentum behind it. Once it came, both his arms wound gently around her waist for a moment before lightly but firmly pushing her away.
No, I don’t believe I’ve grown taller than you yet, it’s not been years since I last saw you, simply a few weeks. Did your mother send you over or did you come over on your own accord?
Their embrace— though brief— was very sweet in Elizabeth’s eyes and she found herself having to force away the small pout beginning to form. Ciel was always so reluctant to show affection, something that neither she nor anyone else in the world could ever cure, and this was a fact she would have to learn to live with. There was nothing to it and a small sigh was caught behind the girl’s lips, which she suppressed. Offering a warm, hopeful smile towards her fiancé, the Lady took his hand and led him towards the couch.
“Oh yes I know that, but it could be any day now that you’ll finally shoot straight up into the sky and pass me! Ha, wouldn’t that be something? A boy Earl as tall as a tree? I’d pay to see something like that!” Lizzie rambled on, hands making great flourishes in the air as she spoke, hoping Ciel wouldn’t bring the topic of her mother up again. Sure, she hadn’t really gotten the proper permission, but what was there to do? Frances would most surely say no and Lizzie had been wanting for so very long to see darling Ciel! It wasn’t fair the way she treated her, really, it wasn’t! At least, that’s how Lizzie perceived things. Besides, she’d (most likely) be back home before tomorrow and the Marchioness of Midford would never take note of her daughter’s absence. It was a perfect plan, surely!
“Anyway, I was hoping we could chat more over tea! It seems as though we never get the chance to be alone and I’ve been craving to talk with you. I think it’ll make for a pleasant day!”
In one respects he was always surprised that Elizabeth was so disappointed when the affection he gave her was short as well as minimal. It’d been that way for years now, and yet she still acted as if it was the first time he was behaving as such. Naturally he accepted her taking his hand quietly and held it firmly enough as they made their way to the sofa, sitting down beside her and crossing his legs once he was settled.
It was amusing, to see Elizabeth become so animated about a topic as unbelieveable as Ciel legitimately becoming as tall as a tree, at this point he would settle for simply being taller than her. Ciel pretended to not hear the titters of amusement at parties where his shoes had higher heels than hers and yet she was still a hair taller than him. Though amusing to the other London socialites, the Earl himself failed to think it was anything but hindering. But in any case, it was best to play along simply to appease her, it was the easiest way to keep his fiancee happy.
Yes, I suppose the sight would be a bit amusing to witness. But in any case we can talk while you’re here and I have some time to spare. I take it Edward is doing well at Weston? I don’t recall your mother mentioning him the last time all of us had gotten together.