Old times with old love

Gregory

The butler entered with the second letter as I was helping Catherine into her dress, ready to attend the latest ball. I heard the knock upon the door and knew already that there would be a letter from Elizabeth. Had I been too harsh? Not harsh enough?

"What could the Butler want at this time?" Catherine wondered as I finished fastening her dress.

"Enter," I called. He did and passed the letter to me.

"A letter? Who from?" Asked Catherine excitedly. I opened it and read the brief correspondence.

"Elizabeth and Thomas are getting married," I informed her.

"They are? Then we will return the favour and attend her wedding. Write to her at once!" Catherine left the room in search of a certain pair of shoes and the Butler fetched me ink and parchment. With a sigh, I sat and wrote another letter -

Elizabeth,

Catherine wishes to attend the wedding and I will accompany her,

Gregory.

Elizabeth

I felt sorry for Gregory's poor butler, running back and forth like he was. When he handed me the letter I made sure to thank him and give him a few extra coins for his trouble, he assured me that it was no problem, but I wouldn't be refused.

I read the letter and once again felt as though the weight were pressing apon my heart again. But I shoved the feeling away, determined not to let it bore a hole into my soul anymore.

Dear Gregory

I am thrilled to hear this, Cathrine is such a fine woman and I do adore her, and you were always such a dear friend, I do wish to share the day with you. And I know Thomas will be glad to have you there.

Best wishes,
Elizabeth.

I signed the envelope and gave it to the butler, and explained to him that he needn't return with the reply until tomorrow unless Gregory was insistant, I was certian that he would catch him without chance to reply.

I grabbed my wrap and scurried down the stairs to join Thomas and everyone in the carriage.

Gregory

I had just followed Catherine into the carriage when the Butler rapped his knuckles against the door. Impatiently, I opened it and took the letter he offered.

"A reply, sir?" He asked.

"No, take the rest of the night off," I said before telling the driver to 'drive on.'

"What does it say?" Catherine gushed. I gave her the basics of the letter and she smiled amiably, her eyes twinkling prettily.

"Oh, isn't she lovely? I think it will be very pleasant to meet with her again."

"I expect she will be at the ball tonight."

Elizabeth

I entered the ballroom with my arm intwined with Thomas's. Oh the room was so beautiful, as usual it left me breathless. Isabella was such a skilled designer. I scanned the room for her, eager to be the one to tell her about the engagement. I found her talking with Gregory and Cathrine.

"Ah Thomas!" I said, "there is Isabelle! Lets us tell her first," I pleaded, "oh please."

He smiled at me and led me across the floor to her.

"ISabelle!" I exclaimed and hugged her breifly.

Isabelle

"Elizabeth dear, how delightful to see you! And Thomas. You remember Catherine and Gregory of course," I greeted the two.

"Of course," Thomas said stiffly.

"We have news," Elizabeth interrupted excitedly.

"Oh? Do tell," I urged though I already had my suspicions as to the nature of her news.

"Thomas and I are engaged!"

"How splendid! Congratulations!" I rushed forward and kissed each of her cheeks as I embraced her tightly and then warmly shook Thomas by the hand before noticing that Gregory had not even flinched. "Are you not pleased, cousin? Is it not wonderful news?"

"It is a good match," I replied softly. "But I had already heard such and have conveyed my feeling through letter."

"Isn't he official? I'll make a gentleman out of him yet," Catherine smiled gently and placed her hand upon his arm. While I had held hopes that Gregory would marry Elizabeth, it was delightful to see how happy the two were together and now she too had found someone. A wonderful evening indeed.

Elizabeth

The five of us talked for a while before the dancing began, Thomas and I danced quite a bit along with Gregory and Cathrine, I confess that I spent more time watching them dance than I paid attention to the danced and thanked God that I didn't step on Thomas's feet and give myself away.

We returned to Isabelle a song before Gregory and Cathrine did.

"Oh you all dance so well!" Isabelle cried, "I have an experiment, Cathrine you dance with Thomas and Gregory you dance with Elizabeth, let us see if it is simply the perfection of your matches."

I had to check myself to make sure my jaw didn't drop.

Gregory

"I have a better idea, fair cousin. Why don't we involve Julian, miss Abigail, Sir Dewar and yourself in the game?" I suggested.

"Oh what a splendid idea!" she replied and beckoned them to join us. "There, now I will dance with Julian and miss Abigail, would you mind dancing with my husband."

"That's not quite..." I began to protest but I could refuse my cousin nothing so I bowed my head in acceptance and took Elizabeth's hand gently in mine. As we moved towards the dance floor, I watched Thomas lead Catherine out beside us. He turned his head in our direction and nodded, a smirk across his features.

I could not concentrate on dancing with Elizabeth though at one point our bodies were so cloth that her breath mingled with mine but still I watched over her shoulder as Thomas wrapped his hands around my wife's slim waist.

Elizabeth

I felt so akward dancing with him now, he was married and I was engaged. He wasn't even paying attention to me, but to Thomas and Cathrine.

"How have you been?" I asked in a desperate attempt to help relieve some of the akwardness.

"I have been quite well, I have adapated to having a wife."

I glanced over at them, their faces were bright and their dancing was cheery.

"She is a fine woman," I complemented, "I am happy for you," But I could taste the lie on my tongue, the hint of tears.

"Elizabeth..." he said and at the soft sound of his voice, the one he used that last night before everything changed, I ran away from him. Out of the ball room out the entire building and to the stables. Tears running down my face even though I could hear Thomas chasing after me.

Gregory

"What did you say to her?" Thomas demanded, frowning at me before hurrying after his fiancé. I stood and watched him catch her arm and turn her around. She pulled back, protesting but then some word or action soothed her and she allowed him to pull her close. How did I upset her so? My contemplation was broken when I felt a gentle hand on my shoulder.

"I'm sorry Gregory," Catherine said gently.

"Why?" I asked, turning to face her. Those blue eyes watched me with such sadness, her dark curls framing such a beautiful face. She let out a soft laugh and though it was melancholic, it rang true with her mirth.

"Our marriage was one of convenience. You think I did not realise that?" She smiled sadly and I enveloped her slim frame within my arms, not caring who was there to see.

"No, I love you," I whispered in her ear.

"I think you almost mean it," she replied.

"I do."

Elizabeth

I let Thomas take me home, I was grateful that he didn't ask me any questions about tonight, and I hoped that he assumed that it was just something small.

I was hoping that he'd leave it all alone but on the ride back he asked me only one question, "do you still wish to marry me?"

My reaction was knee jerk, "more than anything in the world," I assured him and looked down at my hands suddenly aware that he should find someone else, "do you still wish to marry me? A homeless woman without a penny to her name?"

"I do not care about that," he assured me, "such a thought would never cross my mind."

Hmmm...stuck again help?

I'll see what I can do Jas...

Julian

"Should we leave?" Abigail wondered as she, Sir Dewar, Isabelle and I watched after our friends.

"Not at all," Isabelle protested. "Another dance at least and then dinner and cards." She turned towards her husband who held out his hand and together they danced towards the musicians.

"Shall we?" I suggested. Abigail hesitated, her eyes swivelling towards the door as if she expected that brute of a husband to enter any moment. I gently took her hand and led her back to the dance.

"Julian..."

"Don't worry. He doesn't have to know." The music changed and I pulled her closer, my hands moulding to her waist as our feet stepped in time to the rhythm.

Elizabeth fell asleep easily that night, welcoming the oblivion it provided.

When she woke the next morning and went down to breakfast she held herself in the upmost composure and delight, kissing Thomas on the cheek.

"Two more days until the wedding, my dear," he said and Elizabeth couldn't help a huge smile from spreading across her face. He kissed her cheek, "you are excited after all aren't you?"

"Of course I am! Why would I not be!"

"You two will have such lovely children," his mother commented and Elizabeth kindly thanked her for the compliment.

Gregory

The evening grew dark and I sought out my cousin. It did not take long. Only the six or seven guests who lived near by were still inhabiting the parlour and ballroom.

"We must take our leave now, dear Isabelle." She shook her head before I had even finished speaking and smiled warmly.

"Nonsense. Thomas and I would love for you to spend the night, wouldn't we darling?" Again she smiled and I knew as well as anyone in that room that he would not deny her request.

"A room can always be found for friends," Thomas replied courteously with a slight inclination of his head. I bowed and my wife curtseyed, then I thanked him and followed my cousin and her husband upatairs.

"The East suite has just been re-decorated and I think it would be to your liking. You simply must have that one," Isabelle declared to Catherine.

"And what of Gregory's tastes? Surely he'd be more suited to the West suite?" Thomas said.

"That's very kind of you sir but I do not mind where I sleep. My wife on the other hand would sulk if she did not get her way," I responded.

"Dearest Catherine sulk? How you do jest!" Isabelle laughed.

Elizabeth

Two weeks passed and Elizabeth's wedding day arrived. She dressed in her beautiful gown and smiled at her reflection. Grinning like a bloody fool she lightly decended the stairs and was ushered by Thomas's mother into the carriage to take to the grounds.

As she said her vows she forced every thought of Gregory away, she could never have him, he belonged to another woman, a woman who he was in love with more than he would ever be with her.

But she had Thomas, and he was just as good, if not better for her. She wanted him less though, only truly wanting Gregory.