Old times with old love

It is? And there was me under the impression that it was your turn...

Julian

I sat beside Abigail, my hand resting at my side, my shoulder almost against her own, my whole body so close but her mind so far away. Her eyes were two pools of melted chocolate as she gazed mournfully into the distance, those tight little smiles merely creasing her pretty features.

"You can have the North Wing," I told her soothingly and she nodded and then turned her head slightly towards Elizabeth who was offering more consolation -

"We'll all come see you every day and there's no need for you to go back to the house. One of the men can transfer your things." Abigail began to nod again.

"Yes of course, Julian will travel there by carriage immediately and why don't you and Tomas come stay a few days, Elizabeth? If you visited every day, you'd soon be bed ridden from exhaustion." It was, of course, not my sister's place to invite people to my house but the twinge of annoyance faded quickly and I nodded my agreement.

"Yes, that would appear to be the sensible action. Gregory and Catherine live just an hour's walk away but it would take you thrice that to reach the house."

Elizabeth

I felt relief wash directly over me, eventually Thomas would just give up on what had happened the night before. "That would be nice," I said, "I most certiantly will come, but Thomas has buisness in town so he may not be able to. I cannot say."

Part of me hoped Thomas would come, he was everything I dispised, but I loved him still, and I hoped that someday he would realize what he was doing to me and stop.

Gregory

"What was that, my dear?" Tomas asked scornfully.

"I was just saying how you have business in time so I'm sure you couldn't possibly sta-" Tomas leaned down and rested a hand upon her shoulder.

"Thank you for your kind offer, we graciously accept," Tomas said, looking directly at Julian who inclined his head in acknowledgement.

"Well I shall depart and go collect your possessions, miss Abigail. Farewell my friends," Julian stood and exited the room.

Elizabeth shuddered as Thomas's hand came onto her shoulder, he leaned his head down adn whispered into her ear, "might I talk to you a moment my love?" His words should've struck fear into her skull, but there was nothing about those words or his tone caused her to be afraid. That's what scared her.

She stood up and he took her by the arm and led her into the kitchen, he sat her down in a chair and collapsed onto his knees in front of her. "I am sorry," he barely whispered.

"What?"

"I am sorry for everything these last few months, I know I could never expect you to forgive me, but could I have another chance? I once looked up to Abigails husband, thought he was a fine man. But when I saw the relief in Abigals eyes when she realized she'd never be troubled by him again I hated him. I don't want to become him anymore. I don't want to do that to you."

Elizabeth smiled, this was her Thomas, this was the man she fell in love with. She was glad to have him back. "Of course," she whispered. "As long as you will be the man I fell in love with again."

She heard a cough come from the doorway and looked up to see Gregory, her heart skipped a beat. How did he do that to her?

Gregory

"Is everything okay?" Gregory asked politely, both saddened and pleased by what he had heard. Pleased that Tomas no longer wished Elizabeth harm but saddened to find that she actually loved him? Was that possible?

"Perfectly alright," Tomas responded.

"Yes, everything is fine," Elizabeth agreed, taking the arm of her husband and allowing him to escort her past Gregory and back into the other room. He watched them go and then followed slowly.

"We will depart now," Gregory announced, drawing Catherine to his side. "It was time I was at the factory but we will visit this eve when you are all moved to Julian's house. Good day."

Elizabeth smiled and bid him farewell before returning to the parlor and bidding Cathrine farewell. Her heart clenched as the bitter memories of the night before came back into her mind.

She looked over at Thomas, he has every right to wish me ill will now, I do not deserve his kindness. I betrayed him last night. Why should I recieve kindness now? She pushed the thoughts from her mind, determined to forget all about her affection for Gregory, and just remember her love for Thomas.

Two hours later they were riding in the carriage to Julian's home, her head pillowed on Thomas's shoulder.

Gregory

"You will be alright alone this afternoon?" Gregory asked as the carriage pulled up outside the house.

"I won't be alone, dear. The maid and butler will be with me, Greg."

"I meant..." he hesitated, recalling his wife's disapproval of any derogative references made towards the servents.

"I know. I'll invite Drizelle around if that would make you feel better."

"A little," Gregory conceded. "Have a good day, dear." He exited the carriage, walked around to the other side, opened the door and lifted Catherine down. As he twirled her to the ground, he kissed her gently on the lips and then they parted - Catherine to the house and Gregory back into the carriage.

Later, at the factory, Gregory found that he could not concentrate. As he supervised his workers and checked the paper-work, he found himself thinking of one woman or another; Catherine, how beautiful, how sweet; Elizabeth, how inteligent, how daring, how bold; Abigail, poor thing; Isabelle; what would she think? Dear, sweet, innocent Isabelle.

He dreaded seeing them all that night.

If anybody has an opposition to the time lapse here...I'll do something else, I'm just stuck for something to do to move the plot along...(sides this'll help everyone practically with the plot~Cathrine getting nearer and nearer to the 9 months~Abiagial being able to calm down a tad from her husbands death so maybe her and Julian are now courting...but that's up to you guys, just my suggestion~and Elizabeth you can see from this post.

Elizabeth and Thomas left Julian's home three weeks later after Elizabeth had been feeling slightly ill. Cathrine suggested~in private~that she might be withchild. Elizabeth went to see the doctor as soon as they returned home.

"Congratulations Mrs. Moore, you are withchild."

Elizabeth forced a smile. But really, she was paniking. She tried to tell herself that it was Thomas's child, but in her heart of hearts she knew that it was Gregory's. She had hoped to forget that night, to push it from her mind now that Thomas was Thomas again. But now God had cursed her with a reminder of that night forever.

She would keep it a secret, she wouldn't tell Thomas or Gregory that she was sure of the truth. That she was sure the child was Gregory's. She wouldn't tell them if they didn't ask. After all everyone would instantly assume it was her husband's child. Even Gregory.

But did Gregory deserve that? To not know who his own child was? Did Thomas deserve to be fooled like this? She had already fooled him once, did she dare do that to him a second time? And what about her child? Didn't the living beeing growing inside of her deserve to know who their real parent was?

She needed a drink, but didn't dare take one.

Don't know where my focus is gone, I apologise...Kit, any opinions/thoughts on Julian and Abigail? I'd say she'd want to wait another three months at least before doing anything open, but she might just get sucked in...

I think Julian will be trying to court her but she's probably still mourning or at least feeling guilty enough to be trying to mourn?

Ya, that sounds about right.

(So when are we going to do this? I miss this storybook)

Sorry Alice...My focus isn't very good at the moment. I'll try to make a post before the end of next week, if my concentration comes back.

Jas

Abigail

I was beginning to go crazy. Nothing made sense anymore. Now that I was a constant guest, I had little to keep me occupied, and, when I was unoccupied, I'd travel down paths of thought which I much rather would have avoided. It was a relief, yes, to be free of him, but it seemed that now, I had no choice but to be a burden on one or other of my dear friends. Sometimes, in company, I smiled, but always felt guilty afterwards. What business had I to smile now?

I was, indisputably, in a rut. I couldn't be happy, but I equally couldn't sit around moping and doing nothing for the rest of my life. I wondered when it would be ok to smile, to live, again.

Unable to stay inside any longer, I decided to go for a walk. It was hardly the weather for it, as it ahd just begun to rain, and it was bitterly cold outside, but that couldn't be helped. I needed to shake off the claustrophobia.

Gregory

"Some water... can I get you... water?" Gregory asked absently, his feet tracing a path across the carpet, wearing down the threads over and over again. His brow was furrowed in a deep frown and each time he passed a piece of furniture, he'd pause to drum his fingers along it and check the time on the old, grandfather clock in the corner.

"Oh Gregory, do stop your worrying!" Isabelle scolded. "It's just a routine check. Catherine is fine."

"It's been ages. And why can't I be with her..."

"Drizelle is..."

"An idiot. She's my wife not Drizelle's. I should be in there. It's my child." Gregory turned around, his face going red and his eyes burning with desire, need and anger. Isabelle stood and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Dear cousin, do listen to yourself. How unruly you sound. Sit down and wait."