Young Writers Society

Elizabeth

I walked in and saw Gregory pacing up and down the floor, "what is the matter?" I inquired.

"Cathrine is with the doctor."

Alarm flashed through me, "is she alright?"

"Just a routine check up."

"So they say!" Gregory said annoyed, "but they won't let me in!"

I took a seat on the couch next to Isabelle, Thomas instantly by my side making sure I was comfortable. I could tell that this would only get worse as time went by. Oh well, I'd get used to it I supposed.

"Gregory, you'd scare the poor doctor," I said, "sit down or you'll wear a hole in the carpet."

"I heard you went to see the doctor yourself today," Isabelle said when Gregory sat down.

"I did, I am not ill, I am withchild."

Abigail

I walked. I walked until I could no longer see the house, until my shoes and the end of my skirt were covered in mud, and I was soaked to the skin. My hair was sodden and dripping. And still I kept walking. By the time I was worn out, freezing and drenched, I had come to a decision. I was going to go home.

It wasn't until I was pushing open the front door that I noted the impracticalities of my decision-the house would most likely have been passed down to- who? My late husband's brother? I wasn't sure, but I did know that I'd never be allowed to keep it myself. And I couldn't continue to be a guest. Whatever my guilt, however bad I felt, time was passing. I couldn't impose forever.

I returned to the house, and, upon entering the house, met Julian in the hall.
"I think I'd rather like to go to the dance tonight", I told him, before he could say anything about my walking in the rain. It was the first time I had ever suggested such a thing. "Do you think that it would please your sister to come along?"


*Better late than never, right?

Julian

"It would please my sister very much. Currently she has been called away to her cousin's place but come, we will take the carriage unless you'd rather walk?" Julian grinned mischeviously and Abigail blushed a little and hesitated as he held his arm out to her before taking it.

The carriage journey was passed in a pleasant silence but when they arrived at Gregory and Catherine's house, it was full of commotion.

"Whatever is going on?" Julian wondered as he entered.

"It's the babe, master Julian," a maid answered.

"Are they okay? Catherine and ehr child?" Abigail asked worriedly.

"Routine check-up," the maid replied, "but you know how the master can be."

(I don't know what to do, I was hoping for Gregory's response)

Gregory

"Oh congratulations!" Isabelle exclaimed.

"Why are they not done?" Gregory demanded, leaping to his feet again and resuming his pacing.

"Elizabeth's with child, Greg. Isn't that wonderful?" Isabelle prompted nervously, also standing and stepping towards him hesitantly. "Gregory?" Suddenly the man burst into sobs, throwing himself against the wall.

"Something's gone wrong, I know something's gone wrong," he mumbled over and over again, the words growing more distant to be swallowed by his sobs.

"He's very stressed," Isabelle told the others apologetically. "Come on Gregory, let's take you upstairs, okay? I can let you know when the doctor leaves. I'm sure Catherine is just fine, okay?"

"And the baby, the baby, the baby. I want to see them! Why can't I see them?"

____________________

(Now it's certainly not my turn.)

Elizabeth

My heart shattered into a thousand tiny peices, he really did love her didn't he? As much as I wanted to bring up my 21st century person in me and give him a black eye I knew I shouldn't, and couldn't.

I walked over to him and placed a hand on his shoulder, "nothing is wrong Gregory," I barely whispered, "they'll both be fine."

I couldn't place the emotion that was behind his eyes.

"They will be, this is your first child, she's got questions. That's just what's taking so long...I promise they will come out soon and tell you it's alright."

Gregory

The voices started to get through and Gregory looked at the inhabitants of the room one at a time.

"Can I get you some... water?" Gregory asked. He moved towards the kitchen but found Elizabeth in the way.

"I'll get it!" Isabelle decided. "You go sit yourself down." Gregory nodded numbly and walked towards the sofa, allowing his legs to buckle as he reached it. Just then, the door opened to allow a tall, lanky woman to exit, her dark curls brushed casually over one shoulder and her pose exerting patience and a rather distant, not altogether present air.

"Drizelle... can I go in?" Gregory asked meekly. The woman turned to him with a half shrug.

"The doctor didn't specify, oh don't you look glum. Deary me, don't know what Catherine sees in you, dear."

Elizabeth

She cast the midwife a half glare, and placed my hand on Gregory's arm. "Just wait until the doctor is done, I'm sure he'd be scared stiff if you were in there."

Gregory nodded and laid his head back closing his eyes.

"Eliza love," Thomas said, she turned her head to look at him. "The time has come to go home, you need to rest, all this excitement cannot be good for you." He took her hand and gently pulled her to her feet.

She looked at Gregory, "and it cannot be good for Cathrine either, keep yourself calm."

She curtsied and left the room.

(Can you post Kitty? I'm rather bored)

Gregory

Completely exhausted, Gregory stared at the far wall, his eyes brushing across an expensive painting but taking in no detail. At last, a young, dark haired man with a long nose and a chiseled jaw strode through the door, a presense of power clinging to his rather grubby uniform.

"Mr Benette?" The Doctor scrutinised the room and tutted when he saw Gregory slouched on the sofa. "Mr Benette." Gregory raised his head and then he was on his feet and crossing the room towards the doctor, eyes alight with nervous anticipation and hands falling into loose fists.

"Is she..."

"You may go in and see your wife now. The baby is perfectly healthy and will be born before this month has reached its end. Goodbye Mr Benette." Isabelle followed the Doctor out of the room to deal with the bill as Gregory slowly, warily entered his wife's chamber.

Abigail

I helped to make the tea. It was nice to be somewhat useful. Once the spoons were clinking in the cups, once food was being eaten and polite conversation was being made, I had a purpose. I could slip into every little nuance of normality as if it were my own. I was almost comfortable.

Time was, as ever, evasive, but I do know that I saw Catherine that day, that I waited upon her in her chamber somewhere between tea and the brittle space which preceeds goodbyes. She was glowing, if uncomfortable. Though she shone, her eyes could not quite conceal her tiredness. I talked with her almost happily, until I began to feel uneasy about occupying her time when it was so obviously in demand and made my goodbyes, retreating to the kitchen once again.

I sat by the window, nursing another cup of tea. I wondered how much tea I could drink before it became all that I was. I imagined that the next time I bled, tea would spurt out of me. I would have to be careful never to get so much as a scratch.

Around me, the evening was stagnating.Within weeks, there would be a new life present, and that reminded me how transgressionary, how fleeting, life was. To be vulnerable was excruciating, no doubt. To be valueless was a curse.

I particiapted in conversation, and feigned regret when it was time to leave, but, in reality, I had to go, had to move.

Earlier that day, I had received a letter. I could not bring myself to reply, and, by not replying, I had won myself a place in stagnant limbo.

Elizabeth

I wanted to kill myself, I deserved to die. I could feel it, this wasn't Thomas's child.

"Are you alright love?" Thomas asked, noting how pale I probably was.

I smiled faintly "I'm just a little tired."

He grinned, "we shall be taking extra good care of you from now on. You won't be tired anymore."

I faked a smile. I had to tell Gregory, but I knew I shouldn't. I shouldn't risk it being found by Cathrine or Thomas.

Julian

"Allow me to escort you home," Julian offered, standing despite the protests that he expected and then pausing with surprise, hovering beside his chair when he realised that she had indeed not protested at all and was standing by the door, waiting for him. He smiled and followed her there, accepting both their coats from the maid who then proceeded to open the door for them.

They made their farewells brief and then exited into the mild, peaceful evening.

"I'm sorry that we didn't get a chance to invite my sister to this evening's dance but we could still go if you wish? We would be a mere half an hour late," Julian offered, examining her face. She looked startled, as if she had forgotten all about the dance.

"Oh yes... I mean no, it is too late now I fear but there will be other dances." Julian was disappointed but did well to hide it as he held the carriage door open for Abigail and then waited as their driver finished preparing the horses and climbed up onto the driver's seat.

Abigail

It was kind of Julian to offer to go to the dance. I was sure that I was not the best of company. Still, I was in no humour for it now. Besides, if I was to have any sort of sense about me I needed to mentally prepare myself.

I had received a letter about a week before (my sense of time had become distorted). It had been dated from some months before, but apparently it had been difficult to locate me. Though not difficult enough. That in itself was my curse.


I had agonised and deliberated, and finally responded. I could not continue imposing, could not continue sitting in a state of inaction.

I intended to be well-rested for the morning, and so I turned in early, after laying out my clothes for the morning. My eyes fell on the stolen necklace on the dresser and I shuddered before casting it away into a drawer, being careful not to touch it any more than was absolutely neccessary.

I washed, dressed for bed, and took down my hair, then climbed into bed, extinguished the candles, and shut my eyes. Sleep, I hoped, would come.

Elizabeth

She went to her desk and pulled out a peice of paper and began writing a letter.

Gregory,

I hope you can feel it as well as I do.

I am bearing your child.

Elizabeth.


I refrained from writing what else was on my mind. I was going to hell. I was! I was going to hell, and if Thomas ever found out, no matter how much he had changed, I knew that if he found out. He would kill me.