I have been trying to piece my thoughts together into something coherent for the last little while, and I'm not sure how well I've succeeded! But ahhhhh. God, your writing is as beautiful and layered as ever; it's like digging into a delicious lasagna.
Anyway, first let me say how much I've been enjoying these Eliza chapters, and how this one in particular really highlights how the spectre of Higgins is haunting Eliza's life, in everything from the book she can't seem to be rid of, to her suspiciously-timed desire to visit the continent, and of course, the comparisons she makes between him and Alexander.
On that note, the following snippet was a particular delight:
His was a quiet, thoughtful nature, which she found rather to her liking: a man who did not go about loudly announcing all his opinions the moment they flitted through his mind, who simply had to command all attention or else perish from a lack of it.
I agree with Eliza, such a man does sound particularly insufferable 😉
Throughout it all, I love how understated her feelings are. One really gets the sense that she's reluctant to face them head-on, leading to the frankly hilarious (sorry, Eliza) of her wanting to watch him but also not be noticed until she is and ahh, the emotions!
Also, speaking of emotions, I must really commend you for having the emotional fortitude of writing 180k of slowburn where the pairing has just looked at each other. (But what a sweet pay off it was!)
Anyway, I look forward to seeing where you take us next (extremely curious as to what was written on that letter Eliza found in Lord Sudcliffe's desk 👀). Thank you for all your brilliant work!! 💖
Comment on To my bitter fate, and my secret thoughts
ziskandra on Chapter 26 Sun 21 Feb 2021 05:41AM UTC
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