Old times with old love

Gregory

"It was down at the stream," I recalled in a cold, low voice. "We'd decided to go swimming..."

"Who?" Elizabeth prompted.

"The old group," I sneered. "Tomas, Bevenito, Samuel and me. Then the new boy followed us. He wanted to join us. And so Tomas devised a test. We planned to scare him into leaving but the water was deeper than usual and we didn't count on the storm."

"Then it was an accident."

"Oh no. We pushed him in. It might have been Bevenito who physically touched him but it was Thomas' idea and the rest of us did not object. We killed him and then we ran like cowards to our homes."

Elizabeth gripped the edges of the chair, trying to bring the world back into focus before she fled the room, running down the hall and into her room locking the door behind her. Could this have been an attempt to scare her away from Mr. Mooreland? She didn't know.

All she knew was that she did believe Gregory, and she felt horrible for running away like that. But she knew she didn't have the courage to go back tonight. She'd apologize in the morning, at breakfast. She laid down on the bed and tried to sleep, but at the same time she knew she wouldn't sleep a wink the whole night.

Why was it so horrible that Gregory had been there when a young boy was killed? She thought she didn't care for him and he hadn't played any part other than witness to the event. Thats when the truth hit her, she did care for him. But she didn't know how much exactly.

Gregory

I sighed as she left the room. I'd known that she would. Even one as courageous as her could not deal with such treachery. Time to be going. I lit a candle and began to place my belongings back into the bags. It didn't take long. Then I picked up the phone and called my lawyer.

"Accept the deal," I told him.

"What?" he asked sleepily.

"The deal. Accept it."

"Now?" he demanded.

"I wouldn't be calling you otherwise. I'll be there by morning to sign anything that needs my approval. Get to work."

Elizabeth could bare it no longer, she had to speak to him. To beg him to forgive her for running out like that. Slipping out of bed and into her robe and slippers she raced down the stairs as quickly and as lightly as she could.

She saw him exiting the house just out of her reach and her pace increased. He had just shut the door when she reached the bottom of the stairs. Not caring that she was only wearing slippers and that it was raining outside. She had to tell him how she felt.

She slipped and skidded across the mud as she chased after him as he headed towards the stables.

"Gregory!" she shouted.

He didn't turn around, she doubted that he could hear her over the pounding rain. So she continued after him. When she reached the warm safety of the stables he was there, trying to convince the coachman to drive him somewhere at the moment.

"Gregory," Elizabeth breathed and at long last he turned and faced her.

"Miss Elizabeth," he said curtly climbing into the carriage.

"Gregory I think I love you!" she nearly shouted.

Sorry I'm neglecting this so badly...

Abigail

I wasn’t quite sure what sort of madness had seized me, but I was sure that it would be to my detriment. What had I been thinking? When he found me gone…I shuddered. It didn’t bear thinking about. I gave it until the following evening. Once he emerged from his study the following evening and found no supper waiting for him on the table, he’d notice my absence.

It was a strain to bid Julian goodnight. My throat seemed to be constricting, the words were stubbornly refusing to pass my lips. My hands trembled so badly that it took an eternity for me to undo the fastenings on my gown and put on the nightwear which had been left folded upon my pillow.

Once dressed, I sat on the foot of the bed, and pressed my face into my palms. I couldn’t go back, he’d kill me if I did…but I equally couldn’t stay put. But, if I left, what would become of my hosts? My husband was sure to enquire at the house eventually, and reason had never been his strength, especially not where income was concerned. Without me to steal for the sake of our livelihood, without a hope of the son he so desired to inherit his house, to work for our sake’s, there was nothing for him, and he would not take this silently. Surely it was only a matter of time.

I shook my head in self-disgust as the tears began to fall. My powerless state was utterly repulsive. I could leave, I thought. At least then the inevitable repercussions would be directed at me alone…but what sort of repayment was that for Julian? Frustrated, I got to my feet and crossed the room as quietly as I could, in a pitiful attempt to vent my building irritation.

Not at all, Jasmine, your posts are worth waiting for =)

Gregory

I pulled the carriage door towards me and then paused, letting out a sigh.

"You think you love me?" I echoed. "Must you play these games with me?"

"Please don't go," she protested. "Let's talk about this?" she approached the carriage and placed her hand on top of mine where it lay on the door.

"Are we going or what?" the coachman demanded.

"No," I replied.

Gregory stepped out of the carriage and led her by the hand to the far end of the stable.

"I am not playing any sort of games with you," Elizabeth said.

"But you only think you love me?"

"I am not sure I know what love feels like," she looked down hiding the tears welling up in her eyes, "do you have any feelings for me?"

Gregory

"You are an audacious girl," I replied hesitantly as I led her through the rain and back inside.

"What does that even mean?" she demanded.

"It means..." I paused to watch miss Abigail exit her room and descend the stairs towards us. "It means that you are brave."

"Oh. Is that a good thing?"

"I do not know." She frowned.

"Now you're the one playing games," she muttered. I laughed.

"It seems I am," I replied. "Okay then. I think I like you too."

Elizabeth wasn't sure what this meant, she had never felt more confused in her life. She didn't completely believe him. What did this mean? What was going to change?

"I haven't a clue why," she muttered too low for him to hear she hoped.

Gregory

"Come on, you should take a hot bath. The cold will do you no good in your condition," I urged and we had reached the bathroom so I motioned for her to go inside and then we hovered for a moment. Awkwardly. Either side of the door, separated by some unknown barrier.

"You'll wait for me?"

"Yes."

________________________________
Julian

I watched out through the window and smiled to myself as the two went back inside. I was about to turn away when another figure walked into my view, heading for the road. Abigail. Quite startled, I drew away and ran from the room. I did not bother to put my shoes on or grab my coat but rather ran outside bare foot.

"Abigail!" I called. "Miss Abigail, where do you go?"

(I can't think of what to do Save me heather!)

We need more direction for the plot. Any ideas?

(none at all)

ok...let me think. Elizabeth has gone for a bath. Abigail has left the house, Julian has gone after Abigail, and Gregory is in the house somewhere. Elizabeth and Gregory seem to like each other but are being coy. So, in order to draw this out, I'd suggest some obstacle which will stop them from getting together, if only for the time being. If you wanted, you could develop their relationship first before introducing the obstacle.
I'm not sure what Abigail is going to do...think I need to write something. Maybe I'll be clearer after that.

Abigail

I spun around, startled, my heart hammering painfully in my chest. "I..." I faltered, trying not to meet Julian's eye. "Just getting some air." I whispered. My hands were shaking. I wished that I had pockets to hide them in. I was sorry not to have gotten out of the house undetected. It was hardly proper for me to walk unescorted. That could not escape Julian's notice.

"I wasn't planning on going far." I murmered. My down-cast eyes fell upon his feet. He wasn't wearing any shoes. I smiled in spite of myself.

He caught my smile and returned it. Sighing, I brushed a stray strand of red hair away from my face and, without knowing why, I took a step back, then flinched. It couldn't have looked good. What would he think? "I..." I began, feeling the colour spread across my cheeks.

(Nope, I'm not much clearer...)

Time lapse to next morning! Lets just go right to the challenge, i have no idea what it should be but i'm posting so this doesn't die!

Elizabeth woke with a flutter and nearly flew down the stairs to breakfast. Her mind was all in a flutter and she felt like she was going to explode. She hadn't felt like this since she was in high school,, when she was getting ready for the prom.

She haulted when she remembered that night. That was the worst night of her life...But she shoved the memory away and went into the dining room.