Victorian Love (closed)

[Sweetandsexy3]

"You really think I don't care? You think seeing you with them does not bother me? Why do you think I left? I couldn't watch them throw themselves at you. Listening to the way they talk about you was bad enough." Ellie said laying the paper on a table "It would kill me if you chose to be with one of them..."

 

[Hard_Rom]

Henry reaches forward and takes both her hands in his. "I have only eyes for you, Ellie. The whole time I was thinking of you, not them," he exclaims. "But we must be discrete and keep up appearances in public. It will not be easy. I must resist the urge to throw Cedric to the ground every time he touches you and you may have to tolerate women flirting with me. Gossip would ruin us."

He steps forward and lowers his mouth to hers. And kisses her lightly, then again with some passion.

 

[Sweetandsexy3]

Elliecouldnt believe it when his lips touched hers. Wrapping her arms around him she kissed Henry back. "I wish we didn't have to hide. How long are we going to have to do this? What are we even going to do? I'm still expected to marry Cedric and leaving will just delay things... And take me away from you..."

 

[Hard_Rom]

"I wish we didn't have to hide either," he says holding her against him, "But we will not be parted. In fact you will be very close to me. Who do you think teaches some of Miss Nightingale's classes? We shall both be in Chatham together."

He tears himself from her embrace reluctantly. "But now, my love. Write the letter to Miss Nightingale and I will see to arranging you a, goodly chaperoned, apartment to stay. After shooting in the morn, Jimmy will start out with our letters," he implores. "I must go now."

A quick listen at the door and he slips out back to his own room.

 

[Sweetandsexy3]

Ellie takes a sigh of relief knowing she wound have to do this on her own. Sitting down at her desk she writes her letter and seals it before tucking it in a book, until she can hand it over to Jimmy the next day. Feeling at ease for the first time all day she quickly changes and slips into her bed, it doesn't take long before she is fast asleep.

 

[Hard_Rom]

Harry undresses and dons a robe. While Jimmy carefully puts the uniform away and lays out tomorrow's shooting apparel, Henry writes his letter giving it directly into Jimmy's care when done. Jimmy and Henry have a wee dram before Henry turns in. Jimmy occupies a cot in the room.

Before dawn Henry is awakened by a servant knocking on the door. The shooting party is to assemble in the stable yard. Dressing hurriedly, he lingers in the hall outside his door.

 

[Sweetandsexy3]

Ellie wakes and goes through he normal morning routine. Grabbing the letter she leaves her room, smiling when she sees Henry standing in the hall. "Here's my letter. I hope it will do." She said handing it to him "Are you excited to go shooting today?"

 

[Hard_Rom]

Quickly passing the note to Jimmy, Henry tells her he is sure it will. Her smile upon seeing him elicits a big grin from him.

"Yes, I am. I love being outdoors. Even during the winter. It's so clean and fresh," he says, "I missed the opportunity to do some shooting back home this fall. I do hope I am not too out of practice."

He wants to badly kiss her good morning but noises about indicate the entire household seems to be up and moving at the same time. So he settles on gazing into her eyes for a second.

"After you Miss Darlington," stepping aside for her to lead. "If we linger, we may get a reputation for tardiness," he laughs.

 

[Sweetandsexy3]

"I think I've already developed a reputation for being late. I haven't been on time once... It does not bother me though, especially if you are the reason why." She said as they walked "I'm sure you will do fine."

 

[Hard_Rom]

The stable yard is bustling with horses and two carriages. In the carriages are maids, footmen and half a dozen spaniels. Jimmy deposits Henry's guns in one of them. Lord Darlington, Richard and Cedric are already mounted. Their respective gun bearers too. Lady Addling and Ellie's horses are just being led out.

"Come, come ladies. The day is wasting," Darlington says impatiently.

His sister just waves him off. Jimmy steps forward to assist the older lady to gain her saddle. He gives her foot a boost and places his hand on her calf to guide it to the stirrup. She thanks him and favours him with a smile. Henry offers Ellie his hands, although a young lady of her position is well able to gain her own saddle and ride well.

"May I be of assistance, Miss Darlington?" he asks with a smile.

 

[Sweetandsexy3]

"Yes, of course. Thank you." She said as she climbed onto her horse. "I really appreciate the help." She spoke a bit loud hoping that Cedric would hear. If she was stuck being around him then she might as well make him jealous, even just a little.

 

[Hard_Rom]

The horse blocks the view of the others as Henry's hand lingers... nay fondles Ellie's calf.

"Ever your servant," Henry replies with a smile and squeeze before climbing on his horse.

With the four gentlemen and their gun bearers astride horses, Ellie and her aunt sitting side saddle, two two horse carriages, full of dogs and servants and half a dozen men in various roles it is a bit of a convoy that leaves the yard.

"We will be shooting the north bounds, Major. Tomorrow's hunt will be from the Wilkins' estate, south of me. He has been out of the country all year and his estates have not been much hunted. We should do well, I think," Darlington tells Henry. "Now where is my tea!"

Two riders come from the back and relay hot flasks of tea and still warm buns to the ladies, Lord Darlington and the other gentlemen in the party. The bearers are fed after their betters are served. The eastern sky is definitely brightening as a quick breakfast is eaten in the saddle.

 

[Sweetandsexy3]

Ellie eats along with the rest of the group. When everyone has finished she follows them off staying close to her aunt as the men lead the way "Did I miss anything exciting last night? Or was it just more of the same old thing?" She asked.

 

[Hard_Rom]

"Oh the Major was quite entertaining. I am sure he was quite modest in describing his valour," Lady Addling replies, "A very lucky man to make it out of that horrid war. My beloved husband died there and your brother almost did. Horrid war!" "Daphne and Susie are quite taken with the Major. He and Daphne would make a lovely couple. Miss Susie would be a juicy poke but I think a man like the Major may wish to talk to not just poke his wife. Daphne could certainly fill both his needs. Don't you think?"

 

[Sweetandsexy3]

"I have to disagree with you. I think Daphne would be an awful match. I think all she can see in him is his good looks. He deserves someone who can see past and understands just how wonderful he is. Someone who cares about more than just vanity. Honestly I think she would be a much better suited match for Cedric." She said "They both have money and looks. They would really be quite the pair."

 

[Hard_Rom]

"What would she want Cedric for? She has her own money," exclaims Ellie's aunt Martha, "Daphne needs a real man. She is very well read and has travelled extensively. I think they would do well together. I must arrange for them to see one another before he returns to Chatham. Daphne will do the rest I am sure." "It's been near two years since her husband passed, she must be dying for a poke."

Lord Darlington leaves the road and rides up a wide smooth path to a clearing, dismounting within.

"Richard you shall take the right. Major you the left. Cedric and myself will take the center," he announces. "Martha what are the ladies doing?"

"We will follow the Major, Charles," his sister replies.

"Very well. In two hours we will meet on the far side of the woods. Good luck gentlemen," Darlington says.

The bearers have, in the mean time, brought out and loaded the guns for the four men of the party. Refilled flasks of tea are given to the bearers to carry. Richard and his men take a trail right. Darlington and Cedric venture a trail in the middle and Henry goes right followed by his party. This is a managed estate and so are the hunts. Trails are maintained and birds released several days before the shoot. A huntsman follows each in charge of a pair of spaniels which highly trained beat back and forth in front of each group.

 

[Sweetandsexy3]

"Maybe he does not want her." She said "You don't know much about him, it is possible that he has already found someone." Ellie took a deep breath before going ahead and meeting up with Henry.

"I am very quickly realizing just how jealous I can be. My aunt wishes to set you and Daphne up, I've never been so jealous. Am I being crazy?" She asked staying alongside him. "Thinking of you with her is just awful."

 

[Hard_Rom]

"Now you know how I feel," Henry replies. "I will have to ensure I do not find myself alone with Daphne."

"Eh hem!," Aunt Martha clears her throat. "Ellie, dear! The Major will have a hard time shooting with you standing so close to him. Please come back, dear," she says exerting her chaperone authority.

 

[Sweetandsexy3]

Ellie sighed and headed back to be nextremely to her aunt's side. "I did not do anything wrong. You don't need to watch over me, I'm not a child." She said annoyed "it's bad enough that my father treats me that way."

 

[Hard_Rom]

"You are right. You are not a child. So stop acting as one!" her auntie scolds her, "You are the grown, unmarried daughter of a Peer. There are conventions that you must follow. And one of them is that you do not pay to much attention to unmarried army officers. I understand. The Major is a beautiful man and very accomplished in his own right. But he is not for you." "I'm just trying to help, dear. I don't want you to develop any real feelings for him. I know, dear. I know how these things happen. I was young once too, you know."

"I have written a letter to the Lord Chamberlain about presenting you at court," she says on a slightly different track, "As the daughter of a Peer I am sure you will be accepted and I would think you will be presented in the first period well before Easter." "I would hate to see your exclusion from court because of gossip or innuendo."

"Now be a good girl. Walk beside me and compliment the fine Major on his fine shooting, when he bags one."

At that moment two pheasants rise. One is going left, fast, the other is going right and away. Henry's gun comes up. The near one going left is taken cleanly, followed by a long shot on the second to take it cleanly too.

"Bravo Major!" Lady Addling says gaily clapping, "A fine example of shooting. Don't you think Ellie?"

 

[Sweetandsexy3]

"Yes, he is very skilled. It's impressive." She said staying close to her aunt, trying to avoid being scolded once again. "I wonder how everyone else is doing.. It is quite cold out here." She pulled her jacket tightly around her trying to stay warm.

 

[Hard_Rom]

Ellie's aunt shake her head.

"Don't tell me, he is skilled and impressive. Tell him!" Aunt Martha says with some exasperation, "Men do like that sort of thing. They are very vain creatures." "It is not proper to hang on a man's arm but you can cheer his accomplishments from a distance, dear."

With the retort of the shotgun blasts ringing his ears, Henry gives his gun over to Jimmy for reloading taking the second gun. He sees Ellie pull her coat closer. Immediately he gives his gun to Jimmy and walks towards Ellie and her aunt, removing his long heavy military coat.

"Miss Darlington may I offer you my coat," he asks holding up the coat so Ellie may slip into it.

 

[Sweetandsexy3]

"I can not let you do that. You would freeze and that is not fair. Thank you for the offer." Looking over at her aunt Ellie waited for her to scold her again for not being polite and just taking the coat. If she took it her aunt would probably be upset as well. It was like nothing she did was good enough.

 

[Hard_Rom]

"I shall not freeze! I am dressed quite adequately," Henry insists. "I am a Scotsman, Miss Darlington. This is a beautiful warm winter day for us," he continues with a smile, "Isn't that right, Jimmy?"

"Positively balmy, sir," replies Jimmy.

Lady Addling looks more interested in the familiarity of Henry and his servant, then the interplay over the coat. A lady should refuse at first and be seemingly coaxed into agreeing. Ellie's aunt thinks it was a mistake not to send her to finishing school abroad to learn how to properly act like a lady of breeding.

 

[Sweetandsexy3]

"Well thank you." She said taking the coat "I appreciate all your help Henry." She said wrapping herself tightly in his coat. "You are doing very well. I wouldn't have ever guessed that you are a bit out of practice."