Comin' Thro' the Rye
- On Blackberry Night, Briony is finally free of her cast and well enough to run about in the swamp.
- Briony has come alone and is avoiding Cecil and Eldric, though she mentions (a little bitterly we might add) that Eldric really wants to be with Leanne.
- Cecil finds her though, and grabs her, demanding to know if she has kissed Eldric. He tries to force a kiss out of her and grips her so tightly he hurts her.
- Looking at his huge pupils and listening to his words run together Briony becomes terrified—she bites him and tries to tear her way from his grip.
- She punches him but he grabs her other wrist and continues to try to force her to kiss him.
- True to his promise of always being able to find her, Eldric again comes to Briony's rescue and beats Cecil.
- When he returns to Briony, he comforts her by holding her and kissing her wrists and they share a kiss.
- He lies down on top of her before looking at her and saying, "'We can't do this'" (21.52).
- Upset and embarrassed, Briony runs from him, thinking that he didn't want her, but Leanne. Eldric calls after her but doesn't chase her.