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Old Fashioned Love Story Ch. 01

By: paper_miracle



Note: This chapter has no sexual content.

She was a familiar and well-loved figure around town. Word was she'd been quite the cold-hearted belle down back where she came from, often stealing another girl's beau just for the fun of it. Here, walking down the street, neighbors would interrupt their daily toil to chat with her, exchange friendly comments, gossip. Women were charmed by her warm character, and men drawn in by the wicked, sparkling green eyes which masked the sorrow that the older, more sagacious widows recognized. She had come at a time when people were just rebuilding their lives and had become a backbone in society; everyone took strength from her unwavering courage and vivacity, her love of life no matter the twists and turns it threw her. 

The old matrons who recognized the sad note in her unlined face respected her too much to distress her with their curiosity. They figured it would come out when she was ready, and they would wait. 

Elizabeth Hampton. Her once great family reduced to poverty, herself ostracized in her hometown because of her selfish and cunning behaviour. She was broken by one man: Jack Dreale. He had loved her fiercely with all he possessed, but it had ended with both heartbroken. 

*Years before*

Jack had been on his way home in the rain when he was hailed by a woman laden with packages on the street. He hesitated before stopping but his courtesy took over and he helped the woman into the buggy and out of the rain. Jeanne Wills was not a nice person. 

"Evenin' Miss Wills, I say, this isn't the best of weather to be out in"

Jeanne replied in her rather whiny voice "I'm much obliged Mr. Dreale...indeed it was not raining earlier when I started out, and it started after I had left the store and it was too late to turn back."

"Not meaning any disrespect ma'am, but there were plenty of other buggies...after all, let's be frank; neither of us likes the other" Jack remarked with a twinkle in his eyes.

Jeanne was unperturbed "You are quite observant Mr. Dreale. Yes, I do have a specific reason to talk to you. You mentioned that we don't like each other, but nevertheless I feel obligated to...notify you of something."

Jack nodded for her continue,

"I know you are an indulgent husband, but you give Elizabeth too much credit, and you turn a blind eye to the obvious..."

Jack stiffened and the twinkle left his eyes, replaced by a proud and stoic look. Jeanne continued,

"...I will put it bluntly Mr. Dreale: Elizabeth has been entertaining a man at your house for the past few weeks or so. He does not go every day, but at least once a week. I am certain she is having an affair because when I did see her, she avoided my questions, and in her confusion said more than she should have."

Jeanne was interested to note that Jack's face had gone a pale white under his tan, and his eyes had gone cold, empty of any compassion. His expression frightened her enough that she stopped and did not say a word more.

The rest of the ride was passed in complete silence. Jack dropped Jeanne off at her house, but did not give the polite goodnight that was expected, driving off as soon as Jeanne had opened her gate.

When Jack entered his house, he did not expect to find a beaming Elizabeth awaiting his arrival.

"Darling, you're back! I've missed you so... Everyone is acting perfectly hateful, as if I've committed some sort of crime, but nevermind, I have something to tell you." Elizabeth was bubbling with happiness, but when Jack did not reply, she frowned at him and finally noticed his white face and the anger in his eyes.

"Is everything alright? Do you want a brandy? You look rather sick..." Elizabeth trailed off.

"How can you look so innocent and untouched when you've committed the worst possible crime you could have!" 

Elizabeth looked at him with disbelieving eyes, "So you've been listening to what everyone else has been saying. Are you going to listen to my side of the story? Or are you going to take the word of people who hardly know me, people who have not even noticed the change in me...oh Jack, don't look at me like that, as if I've deceived you so badly. I swear, I've done nothing wrong..."

Jack interrupted his tone making Elizabeth pause, "Elizabeth, I loved you. Do you realize this? I loved you so much that I married you even though I knew that you agreed only because I treated you like a person despite your unwomanly behaviour. We have been married five years, and my love--love that should never die--was burned up; I loved you with all I had, and it was not enough and I still loved you. Do you understand what I'm saying?"

He continued, not giving her a chance to respond, "And now, I learn that you allow a man into the house, with you alone at night. No, Elizabeth, we were at least friends before, but not after something like this. Do you really hate me so much that you could humiliate me like this? I cannot believe you were so cowardly as to not tell me outright. It's not like you Elizabeth. But I suppose I don't really know you. You're not the woman I fell in love with. The woman I loved was courageous, daring, smart. She was cunning, ruthless sometimes, but always direct. Not a lying, cheating whore who wants money."

Elizabeth was mad, but she tried to stay calm for her piece, "Jack, why do you believe them? Will you listen to my side of the story? What makes you suddenly lose faith in me so easily? You say you love me, but this is not the way lovers treat each other."

"We are not lovers. We never were. I loved you. No more, you've passed the limits Elizabeth and there's no going back. And lovers love each other. You never loved me."

Elizabeth was fed up, with sparks of anger in her narrowed green eyes. "I loved you. I still do. Oh it took a while, but you've been gone, and....and things have happened and I realized how much. Don't you dare claim that I never loved you. You're right, you don't know anything about me. You won't even listen to me." 

She paused taking deep calming breaths, a panicked look crossing over her face, and then it was gone. Jack noticed but continued with his tirade without thinking about it.

"You heartless bitch, what happened is that you slept with another man. You're not worth listening to."

Elizabeth now had a desperate note in her voice, although her face was white with anger, "at least listen to me for the sake of our child."

There, she had dropped the bomb. She hadn't wanted him to find out this way, but it was her last card and she had nothing to lose if what he said was true. 

Jack stopped, and opened his mouth, looking startled for a moment. Elizabeth, watching for any signs of forgiveness, saw the love surge back to his eyes, and then almost as quickly all light was gone and his mouth tightened into a thin line, and an emotion she couldn't explain.

"Oh really? Not you and your midnight visitor's offspring?"

Elizabeth was horrified. And then she realized. The emotion she saw in Jack's eyes was hate. Cold, hard hatred.

Old Fashioned Love Story Ch. 02



That night Elizabeth had not slept. She knew that Jack would not believe her if she told him that her late night visitor had been the doctor...she hadn't wanted the whole town to know before her husband did. However, after Jack's insinuation she had turned her back on him, and tightly grabbing the banister, climbed the stairs and locked herself in their bedroom. 

After hearing the front door slam and waiting to make sure that Jack had left, Elizabeth decided to act. The only man she had ever really loved had deserted her, and she was devastated. But she knew what she had to do. There was no place for her in her town any more. Her husband hated her, the townspeople hated her; she had no one, no comfort. Her face pale, her eyes feverishly bright but ringed with dark bags, and her mind set, Elizabeth packed everything she would need and left the house for the first train she could catch. 

She left town, leaving no notes and all her memories and hurt behind her. When the train arrived, she had no idea where she was or what she was doing. She only knew that she had to run from her past. Outside it was pouring, so that she felt numb both inside and outside. She struggled in the rain with her bags until she came upon a church. She banged on the gates, but no one came and finally she sank down to the ground, shivering miserably but exhausted enough that she fell asleep.

Later Elizabeth would only remember snatches of what happened. 

-She was comforted, dry, with a hot water bottle in her feet, someone clucking over her "poor darling, just a little rest and some nourishment...found her at the gates, half dead..."-

-She was hot, so hot, feverish and restlessly moving under the covers. she called for the only person she knew would come "Jack..." only to be answered by a matronly, "There, there child, everything will be all right, you're in safe hands" and a cool hand soothed her fevered brow, and then she remembered, she would never see Jack again, she had ruined everything and all trying to surprise him-

-White, hot, searing pain cut through her like a knife, making Elizabeth cry out, and she knew her baby, her last link to Jack was gone, but the blackness claimed her before she could think anymore-

************

*Back in the present*

Elizabeth awoke to bright sunlight streaming into her window and the smell of hot breakfast wafting up to her room. She dressed and washed quickly before going down to the dining room to eat some food; she had a busy day in front of her.

Indeed, all of Elizabeth's days were busy. After recovering from her miscarriage, her zest for life and stubborn manner had not allowed her to quit, and so she had forged on, creating a new life for herself. She had started out helping the nuns, raising money for the church, although she was not really religious. Her perseverance had earned her the respect of the townsfolk and they had welcomed her into their fold. One of her new friends, Louisa Alder, was in need of someone to watch her daughter. Elizabeth took up the task and was given room and board in return. 

Today was the day of the masked ball that marked the middle of the Season--when those ladies of age were presented to society. Elizabeth had been involved in everything, from the invitations to the music, and was in her element. There were a few errands she needed to run, call on her friends, and pick up her dress.

Her now good friend, Louisa, accompanied her. The last stop before the seamstress's shop was at Lauren Goodall's house. There they encountered a problem:

"Oh dear, Lizzy, it's so good you're here, we don't know what to do; Ms. Dreyfuss has just called to say her cousin is visiting her for the first time since their childhood and could we accommodate him at the ball. Of course I couldn't say no, seeing as she's such a dear herself, but what will we do with the dance cards."

Lauren was referring to the cards each person received, informing the reader of his or her partner for the remainder of the evening. The committee spent a great deal of time pairing sweethearts and making sure everyone was happy, and even one more person often cost a great deal of aggravation.

Nevertheless, Elizabeth smiled gently at her friend, saying "Well I declare, Ren, you're all flustered. There, there, I have the perfect solution: let him be my partner. I'm sure we can have someone watch the children in shifts, or, if he's a gentleman, we can watch them together. 

Her eyes twinkling mischievously, she added "Lord knows I haven't had a real dance partner since your husband broke my foot."

Lauren laughed and answered "That's what you get for being such a big flirt and trying to steal our husbands." She didn't notice the sad and guilty look that flitted across Elizabeth's face, but Louisa did.

"Lizzy darling, are you all right?"

"Oh, I'm fine, just recovering from the fit of blushing from Ren's compliments."

Louisa looked at Elizabeth shrewdly; she knew Elizabeth had something of a past, but she allowed the comment to pass and instead said,

"But on the subject of cards, I thought the remainder was ruined in the rain?"

"Oh that's all right, I'll have Ms. Dreyfuss introduce me...after all, we all know what her costume is, so there shouldn't be much confusion."

After some tea and gossip, Elizabeth and Louisa departed, and after picking up their dresses, retired to their rooms to prepare for the ball.

Elizabeth decided to indulge, and bathed with smelling salts and afterwards liberally applied lotion to soften her skin. 

She had chosen a deep forest green dress that tapered at the waist but flowed out and down. The green brought out her eyes, and contrasted admirably with her skin without being over the top. Her hair was piled upon her head in beautiful silky ringlets, revealing her elegant neck surrounded by a thin silver chain with a small emerald dangling down. The final touch was the white mask that covered the upper part of her face. 

It had been decided at the last minute that the children should remain in the house under the care of Cook, so Elizabeth accompanied Louisa and her husband, George to the ball. They arrived at the ball, and after George whisked his wife away to dance, Elizabeth spotted Ms. Dreyfuss in her telltale bright red dress, with a tall stranger standing next to her, his back to Elizabeth. 

Ms. Dreyfuss saw Elizabeth, and greeted her warmly, tapping her cousin on his shoulder to introduce her. He turned around, and Elizabeth faltered, looking up into warm brown eyes that widened in surprise, and a tan face that paled slightly.

She recovered quickly, and lifting her chin as if in challenge, she said in a calm but impassive voice, "Hello, Jack."



Old Fashioned Love Story Ch. 03



Jack was at a loss for words, but somehow he regained his composure.

"Elizabeth." He nodded at her, but there was a question in his eyes, and an emotion Elizabeth couldn't identify. 

Ms. Dreyfuss looked at them in confusion.

"You two know each other?"

"We were married." Jack said softly.

Ms. Dreyfuss was startled, but good manners prevented her from prying. Elizabeth would tell when she was ready. But my, what a story it was likely to be. 

"Cousin, would you excuse us? I do believe Liza owes me a dance."

"Certainly," Ms. Dreyfuss assented, and Jack led Elizabeth onto the floor.

They were silent for a while, until Jack said something that made Elizabeth look at him, her expression unreadable,

"I thought you were dead." He elaborated after seeing that Elizabeth was listening to him, "I came home, and you weren't there, so I thought you'd gone to check on your business or the like. The doctor came that night...the night after our fight, and I almost killed him in my rage. I thought he was your nightly visitor. I was right in a sense. He told me why you had told him to come late, and I almost didn't believe him because he said that you loved me and then I realized that it was something you would do. But you never came back. I searched, I used all my influence, but there was no word of you past the train station at home. No one knew which train, and then you must have transferred a few times. I thought you were dead. There was no trace of you." He stopped abruptly. 

Again there was silence broken by a strange laugh from Elizabeth, "After all of that, we're still married." The irony did not escape her.

The dance ended, and the orchestra started a slower song, intended for lovers. Elizabeth looked at Jack mockingly, "Shall we?"

He bowed in return, and took up her hands again, but this time in a closer position. Elizabeth allowed herself to relax a little and closed her eyes, enjoying the music. Jack's breath was warm on her neck, and she was soothed into a trance of sorts. When the song ended, Jack bent his head to her ear and whispered, "Shall we take a turn about the gardens?" and Elizabeth nodded distractedly.

He offered Elizabeth his arm and together they strolled about the gardens in silence. They came across a small fountain, and Elizabeth left Jack to stand by the edge of the pool.

"It's beautiful" Jack's voice was surprisingly close to her ear. Elizabeth whirled around to find Jack's face all of two inches away from hers. 

Jack drew in a breath; she looked beautiful in the moonlight, her eyes sad but calm, tendrils of hair framing her pale face, her lips full and red. Before he could think, he leaned down and brushed his lips against hers. He pulled back to study her face, but her eyes were closed and her head was tilted up, so he bent his head once more and captured her lips, tenderly moving his mouth over hers, not thinking about what he was doing. 

Elizabeth gasped and Jack's tongue entered her mouth, dipping in for a taste of her. She braced her hands against he chest and sighed softly, as his tongue swept through her mouth. Jack put his arms on Elizabeth's hips and pulled her closer. She gasped as she felt him hard against her thigh.

Jack leaned down, bit on her earlobe and pressed himself to her, "See what you do to me, even after four years?" Elizabeth bared her neck to him and he moved his mouth down her ear, leaving a wet trail down her neck and then lifting his head, bore her down to the grass where he settled his body over hers, resting his weight on his forearms and kissed her deeply. He slipped Elizabeth's dress down revealing her uncovered breasts in the moonlight. He chuckled softly "I see you don't like wearing corsets anymore."

Elizabeth said nothing, but gasped when he took one nipple in his mouth, teasing it with his tongue and biting it gently until it was hard. He did the same with the other nipple. Elizabeth couldn't help herself; she moaned and arched up towards his mouth, her hands gripping his hair.

When he pulled away Elizabeth whimpered in disappointment but was surprised again when she felt him pull her dress up and felt his hair on her thighs. She cried out as he used the broad part of his tongue and licked her. His tongue jabbed at her clit and she arched up against his mouth as he suckled it. He alternated between long licks and jabs at her clit and soon Elizabeth grabbed his head and cried out as she came in his mouth. Jack grinned smugly and unbuttoned his pants, allowing his cock to spring free. He slid into her in one smooth stroke and both gasped at the feeling. 

Jack began pumping slowly, but Elizabeth murmured "Harder," her green eyes glazed over with lust, and lifted her hips. She wrapped her legs around him and moaned as he hit a spot deep within her. Jack sped up, his primal instincts taking over and soon he was slamming his cock into her body, hard. He felt Elizabeth's walls contract and let himself go, both crying out. 

A few minutes later, Jack stood up, helping Elizabeth up, but she ignored his hand and stood up. Jack did not like the look in her eyes.

All Elizabeth knew was that Jack had touched her, and kissed her with such tenderness that she had allowed herself to be swept up in his lust. Neither of them had been thinking straight. She understood this. They were both recovering from shock. Jack himself looked a little pale as if he were just realizing what he had done.

"Elizabeth, I...I have to tell you something."

She looked at him. Somehow she knew what he was going to say was not good.

Jack took a deep breath and said it, " Elizabeth, I'm married." 



Old Fashioned Love Story Ch. 04



It was early morning; the dark sky had just broken with the first light of dawn. Elizabeth had not been able to sleep after the chaotic events of the night before, so she'd slipped into her clothes and decided to walk along the beach and sort out her thoughts. 

She didn't allow herself to think until she had reached the beach. She could feel her body relax as the salty air caressed her and tangled her hair. Now she allowed her mind to remember what Jack had said last night.

***********

She had stared in astonishment, her green eyes wide. They flashed angrily at him in the moonlight, filled with accusing and anger and undeniable hurt as if he had betrayed her, left her soul bare and empty. But she had not heard everything, so he grabbed her hand tightly, not realizing he would leave bruises, that she would refuse to show the pain. He grabbed her and talked fast, stumbling over his words in his haste to assure her, revive her faith in him.

He had married exactly twenty months after Elizabeth's disappearance. He had been angry at himself for losing her. He had thought she was dead, and uncaring in his misery, when the fortune hunters came, he allowed a vixen--she reminded him of Elizabeth--to snare him, and they married. 

But she was worse than Elizabeth had ever been. His home now was repulsive to him and he spent as little time as possible in the house he had shared with Elizabeth. Six months later, on the anniversary of his and Elizabeth's parting, he had returned 'home' to seek solace in his wife and found a note instead. 

She had run off. Tired of him, she'd found an English man who took her to his home. He was richer than Jack. Not as handsome, she'd said. The crushing blow came at the end. She had run off with his child in her womb. The blow was softened a little when she added that it may not have been his child anyway. The irony was that legally, he was still married to her.

Finishing his story, Jack had almost broken down. He saw the compassion in Elizabeth's face, and realizing he was still gripping her wrist, he had let go. Elizabeth looked at him, studying his face. Stepping up to him, she put her hands on his face, brushing his cheeks with her thumbs and chastely kissed him on the forehead before leaving. He had been too dazed to stop her.

He still didn't know how things stood. She was almost a different person. No. He frowned. She was the same, but somehow her better characteristics had come out. She was no longer self-centered, uncaring, biting. But he didn't know if she was still the Elizabeth he had loved. Alive, snappy, intelligent. Unafraid of him and his reputation. 

Ah. His reputation. Jack chuckled. He rather like his reputation. Jack Dreale was known for whoring and gambling. He did enjoy gambling it was true. Whether it was a sin or not. The whoring part was not true, but he encouraged it. In truth, he had befriended the owner of a whorehouse and enjoyed her company. Elizabeth knew her, and the two had gotten along quite well.

Jack's thoughts returned to Elizabeth.  For a moment he thought he was dreaming but knew the truth when the apparition stopped, startled, in front of him. Not an apparition. Elizabeth. Her head held high, her eyes, full of sparks; the zest he so admired, her hair wild and tangled. She was beautiful, like an untamed spirit of the sea.

"A woman out all alone; my dear Miss Elizabeth I fear I must chaperone you to your destination."

The corners of Elizabeth's mouth turned up but she replied solemnly "Why Mr. Dreale, I do believe you doubt my honor. Such ill manners, and in one so old; I suppose you're too old to beat it out of you." She looked up at him with a roguish twinkle in her eyes.

Jack was elated. It was Elizabeth; that sly remark, her quick wit. It was all there. And she was talking to him, so she couldn't be angry. 

"Well, seeing that my bad manners are incorrigible, I'll accompany you anyway."

Elizabeth only nodded her head gravely, the twinkle still in her eyes. They walked on, in silence for a while. The sun was fully up, so they walked towards the pier, stopping under it's shade. Jack flopped down on the sand and Elizabeth followed suit.

"Jack, I do have one question."

"Yes m'dear?" Jack answered distractedly, bewitched by her lips.

She smiled but turned serious. "Why are you here? Did you find me at long last. But you seemed equally surprised last night."

Jack looked up, his eyes warm, "Just business. Seeing you...it's indescribably." He was silent, and then he looked at the woman sitting next to him.

"My turn for a question."

Elizabeth looked at him.

"May I kiss you?" He leaned towards her before she could answer, and captured her lips. Not satisfied, he moved his mouth over hers again. Elizabeth opened her mouth and her tongue darted out, licking his lips, tasting him. Jack opened his mouth and swept her mouth with his tongue. The kiss grew in passion and soon Jack was on Elizabeth, his weight on his arms, his mouth slanting hotly over hers. For a moment he hesitated, pulling back, but Elizabeth pulled him down again, her eyes fiery and full of hunger. Something else flickered in the green depths, but allowed her to draw him down. This time his licked kissed her and then moved his head along her jaw, feathering kisses down her neck. When he reach the top of her dress Elizabeth's arms pulled him back up, her lips on his ear, her tongue slid out and licked his lobe before she whispered. 

Jack smiled and leaning back, pulled off his shirt and covered Elizabeth's body with his again. He kissed her deeply, incensed by the hands trailing down his back. She ran her hands up his sides and then down his chest, this time pushing down his pants. His cock sprang out, erect and ready. Jack reached under the skirt of her dress. He grinned when he encountered no barrier between his fingers and her core. He tapped her clit, increased pressure and speed, but stopped before Elizabeth could find release. 

She was the one who guided him towards her opening, looking trustingly into his eyes as he entered her in one quick stroke. Jack moved in and out of her slowly but smoothly, reveling in the warmth around his hardness. Elizabeth bit her lip to keep from moaning, but lifter her hips so that he could reach deeper inside her. She gasped as he hit a spot that sent pleasure humming through her body. 

Soon Jack's torso was covered in a thin sheen of sweat. He was moving faster, watching Elizabeth. They came at the same time, muffling each other's cries in a kiss. 

Jack rolled off of Elizabeth and pulled her into his arms, content to savor the moment. Elizabeth was content to snuggle as well.

Both were unpleasantly surprised when a cold voice cut through the air and Jack stiffened, obviously recognizing the speaker.

"I see that ruining women is your specialty Mr. Dreale. No longer."

Jack cursed and moved to stand up just as something heavy hit his head and everything went black. His last thought was of Elizabeth. Oh please let her have escaped. But his luck had run out.