Garden of Bliss

"He loves me, he loves me not..." Independent highly selective Newsies RP blog

[theformermissbliss]

Rose shivered and wrapped herself in her shawl as she tried to get ready for the Thanksgiving feast. Rose was ill, but Charles did not want to cancel the dinner. The most influential families would be dining at their table and Rose had to ensure that everything was perfect.

“Mrs. Lambeth, please go lie down. We promise that everything will be completed above your standards.” The cook said, shooing the woman out of the kitchen. In most households, chasing the woman of the household away from the kitchen and demanding they go to bed was grounds for dismissal, but Rose was more content with the help she was receiving.

Whisper took Rose’s elbow and led her to her bedroom. She pulled down her sheets and tucked her mistress into bed, making sure to tuck a hot water bottle under the covers to keep her warm.

“You shouldn’t spend nights speaking to Mr. Evans through the open window.” Whisper said quietly as she was about to close the curtains.

“No! Keep the curtain towards Sticks’ open.” Rose said before coughing. “If the curtains are closed, he may think something is wrong.” Rose closed her eyes, her pale face nearly camouflaged with her white pillows.

“You are sick, Mrs. Lambeth. Something is wrong.” Whisper replied as she closed all the curtains. “If he sees that the curtains is closed…”

But Rose didn’t answer. She had already fallen asleep.

[theformermissbliss]

Rose wearily rocked a crying Poppy back and forth. She was exhausted from the events last night, and she was looking forward to Sticks’ housekeeper to take care of Poppy while she took a long hot bath. Normally, Whisper would be taking care of Poppy, but she was indisposed with a hurt man that she vowed to take care of. The poor man did not want to let go of her hand and Whisper tried her best to comfort him. Rose went home, covered in blood, dirt, and ash from assisting those who were injured or those who would not make it through the night.

“You can’t shut that child up?” Charles said gruffly as he stumbled into the nursery. “That…girl. Where is she?”

“I’m trying to calm her.” Rose replied as she rocked in her chair. “She has the day off.” Rose was going to give her the next day off to rest, but she wasn’t going to tell Charles.

“I pay her, she works. Why the hell do you look like that?”

“If you weren’t drunk, you would have known that there was an explosion. I was over there helping those poor” Her head turned sharply as Charles slapped her across the cheek, his ring cutting her face.

“No woman should EVER speak to their husband that way! Back talk is for whores, and you aren’t a whore, aren’t you?” Charles asked as he glared down at Rose. Rose was holding her cheek as Poppy cried louder. She was speechless. Her husband had never raised a hand to her. She stared up at him with tears in her eyes.

“Shut that baby up and then come down for breakfast.”

[theformermissbliss]

“Please Sticks!” Rose pleaded as she followed him to the explosion. It had taken Whisper all of her willpower to hurry over to Sticks’ house to explain what had happened. It was hard to miss as the smoke billowed from the building and the fire alarm was sounded. It was a relief that Mr. Lambeth was passed out drunk. The consequence they would have would endure in the morning as Mr. Lambeth complained about his head and how Whisper was polishing the silver too loudly.

“Mrs. Lambeth. Oh, it’s dreadful! You and Mr. Evans need to…” But she stumbled on her words. Rose looked flushed. Not from the cold, but flustered. She seemed embarrassed. “It’s…” Whisper pointed to the smoke. “Mr. Lambeth is…”

Rose took a step outside, the cold chill went up her spine. “Sticks.” She said as Whisper continued to speak.

“There was a loud boom and the house shook and the crystal almost broke and Poppy started to cry but Mr. Lambeth didn’t wake up. Oh, Mrs. Lambeth! What do we do?”

[blueknivesandyounglives]

theformermissbliss​:

Rose grasped her hands tightly under mink muff. She was on a mission to be of some aid and some use. Her determined gait stopped as she looked up to Sticks. “I can’t. Not without knowing you will be okay.” She kept her feet firm on the ground, facing towards the smoke without bothering looking back at her own residence. “Whisper knows how to tend to wounds. God willing, we will not be needed but to speculate.” She removed one hand from her mink muff and held his hand. “I will not lose you again, Harold Evans.” She repeated once more.

Whisper chewed on her lower lip, wanting to go back to the house where it was warm and safe. “Mrs. Lambeth…”

He wanted to reassure her that there was no danger ahead; the explosions were simply a dog having more bark than bite and noisier than that. He couldn’t bring himself to lie. Not when she looked at him that way. He couldn’t lie to Rose. She knew him down to his bones.

Carefully, he brought her hand to his lips, lingering at the knuckles. 

“Fine.” He finally replied, and released her hand. “Alright, fine, but you will stay close to me, you hear me?” He glanced between the women. “Keep close where I can see you and keep you safe. We won’t be needed...I’m certain of it. But I’ll not have either of you in harm’s way.”

“Come along, then, if you must.”

[theformermissbliss]

Though her mink muff was much warmer than Sticks’ hand, but Sticks’ hand offered her much needed comfort. She took his hand once more, aware of Whisper’s eyes going wide due to her holding a man’s hand that wasn’t her husband, and the prospect of going to an explosion.

Rose squeezed his hand reassuringly and walked by his side towards the explosion and firefighters. There was too much anxiety to be able to speak, until she saw men and women, holding bloody rags to their wounds. Some laid on the cobblestones, unconscious or dead. “Oh, Jesus…” Rose gasped as she viewed the chaos around them.

Whisper was too shock to moved, but jumped as someone tugged at her skirt. “Help…miss…” Whisper stared at the man who seemed desperate for medical attention. Her heart broke for him as no one was giving him any attention. He was covered in blood and burns and was pleading for help. “Mr. Evans, Mrs. Lambeth…he needs some water.” She knelt down and started to look over his wounds, the man taking her hand in his and thanking her.

Rose put her hand on Sticks’ arm. “Sticks. We need to help them.”

[theformermissbliss]

“Please Sticks!” Rose pleaded as she followed him to the explosion. It had taken Whisper all of her willpower to hurry over to Sticks’ house to explain what had happened. It was hard to miss as the smoke billowed from the building and the fire alarm was sounded. It was a relief that Mr. Lambeth was passed out drunk. The consequence they would have would endure in the morning as Mr. Lambeth complained about his head and how Whisper was polishing the silver too loudly.

“Mrs. Lambeth. Oh, it’s dreadful! You and Mr. Evans need to…” But she stumbled on her words. Rose looked flushed. Not from the cold, but flustered. She seemed embarrassed. “It’s…” Whisper pointed to the smoke. “Mr. Lambeth is…”

Rose took a step outside, the cold chill went up her spine. “Sticks.” She said as Whisper continued to speak.

“There was a loud boom and the house shook and the crystal almost broke and Poppy started to cry but Mr. Lambeth didn’t wake up. Oh, Mrs. Lambeth! What do we do?”

[blueknivesandyounglives]

theformermissbliss​:

“And if you get hurt?” Rose said as she pulled the coat that Sticks lent to her closer. “I cannot lose you again, Sticks.” Rose was not about to obey orders from another man. “We will accompany you and will assess the situation once we arrive. If we find that the scenario may be dangerous for all parties involved, then we will go home.” She pulled the collar up on the coat and lifted her chin.

Whisper looked frightened as she quietly tried to reason with Rose, but Rose couldn’t hear her. She was already walking down the front steps impudently.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Evans.” Whisper said as she hurried after her mistress.

“Rose--” Sticks looked to Whisper as she skittered after her, and for a moment, considered just going and scooping them both in either arm like a neanderthal. Anything to keep them home and safe. Yet, off they went, marching toward whatever lay ahead. 

He met with them in a handful of strides, his gait far longer than theirs. 

“Rose, I’m begging you both to return home. Please.” His hand moved to her elbow offering an imploring look .”Please, go back.”

[theformermissbliss]

Rose grasped her hands tightly under mink muff. She was on a mission to be of some aid and some use. Her determined gait stopped as she looked up to Sticks. “I can’t. Not without knowing you will be okay.” She kept her feet firm on the ground, facing towards the smoke without bothering looking back at her own residence. “Whisper knows how to tend to wounds. God willing, we will not be needed but to speculate.” She removed one hand from her mink muff and held his hand. “I will not lose you again, Harold Evans.” She repeated once more.

Whisper chewed on her lower lip, wanting to go back to the house where it was warm and safe. “Mrs. Lambeth…”

[theformermissbliss]

“Please Sticks!” Rose pleaded as she followed him to the explosion. It had taken Whisper all of her willpower to hurry over to Sticks’ house to explain what had happened. It was hard to miss as the smoke billowed from the building and the fire alarm was sounded. It was a relief that Mr. Lambeth was passed out drunk. The consequence they would have would endure in the morning as Mr. Lambeth complained about his head and how Whisper was polishing the silver too loudly.

“Mrs. Lambeth. Oh, it’s dreadful! You and Mr. Evans need to…” But she stumbled on her words. Rose looked flushed. Not from the cold, but flustered. She seemed embarrassed. “It’s…” Whisper pointed to the smoke. “Mr. Lambeth is…”

Rose took a step outside, the cold chill went up her spine. “Sticks.” She said as Whisper continued to speak.

“There was a loud boom and the house shook and the crystal almost broke and Poppy started to cry but Mr. Lambeth didn’t wake up. Oh, Mrs. Lambeth! What do we do?”

[blueknivesandyounglives]

“I can tell you both exactly what you will do--return home. Return home, and lock up the house.” Sticks began to usher them both toward the gate, shrugging into his winter coat. Regardless of what had happened, and what Whisper may or may not have walked in on, that explosion was all that had his attention for the moment. If that was as bad as it had sounded, it wasn’t going to mean good news, and Sticks had never been the Wait-And-See type.

He gave them both a meaningful look. “Go. Go home, get inside and don’t let anyone inside until I give you the all clear.”

[theformermissbliss]

“And if you get hurt?” Rose said as she pulled the coat that Sticks lent to her closer. “I cannot lose you again, Sticks.” Rose was not about to obey orders from another man. “We will accompany you and will assess the situation once we arrive. If we find that the scenario may be dangerous for all parties involved, then we will go home.” She pulled the collar up on the coat and lifted her chin.

Whisper looked frightened as she quietly tried to reason with Rose, but Rose couldn’t hear her. She was already walking down the front steps impudently.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Evans.” Whisper said as she hurried after her mistress.

[theformermissbliss]

“Please Sticks!” Rose pleaded as she followed him to the explosion. It had taken Whisper all of her willpower to hurry over to Sticks’ house to explain what had happened. It was hard to miss as the smoke billowed from the building and the fire alarm was sounded. It was a relief that Mr. Lambeth was passed out drunk. The consequence they would have would endure in the morning as Mr. Lambeth complained about his head and how Whisper was polishing the silver too loudly.

“Mrs. Lambeth. Oh, it’s dreadful! You and Mr. Evans need to…” But she stumbled on her words. Rose looked flushed. Not from the cold, but flustered. She seemed embarrassed. “It’s…” Whisper pointed to the smoke. “Mr. Lambeth is…”

Rose took a step outside, the cold chill went up her spine. “Sticks.” She said as Whisper continued to speak.

“There was a loud boom and the house shook and the crystal almost broke and Poppy started to cry but Mr. Lambeth didn’t wake up. Oh, Mrs. Lambeth! What do we do?”

[blueknivesandyounglives]

theformermissbliss​:

Rose gave a light sigh. She knew she should’ve fought her family about marriage. The way her mother discussed being an unmarried old maid and ostracized from society was terrifying, but now, instead of living contently, she was stuck in a loveless hateful marriage. It was more appealing to be an old maid with freedom; with Sticks, she could’ve had that freedom if she waited.

Rose looked up at him slowly, her honey brown eyes looking into his. “I couldn’t never ask you to leave. I don’t want you to leave.”

It was those eyes that had drawn him in in the first place, all those years ago, and it was those eyes that drew him in further now. He was weak for Rose, proven by his hands moving to gently cup her chilled cheeks. It would have been appropriate, perhaps, to ask for permission before he leaned down–but Sticks was already pressing his lips carefully to hers before he really understood what he’d done.

“Oh, Rose…” He sighed softly against her lips, “What are we going to do?”

[theformermissbliss]

Rose closed her eyes as she felt the warmth of his hands against her cold cheeks. She thought she was imagining him kissing her and felt herself leaning more towards him until she opened her eyes. It wasn’t just a daydream. She put her arms around him and rest her head against him, unsure as to the answer to his question. Divorce was off the table, not unless she could prove that Charles was committing adultery. It was her words against his and he was a influential man. A very influential man.

“I don’t know, Sticks. All I know is that I’m happier with you near.”

[blueknivesandyounglives]

theformermissbliss​:

“I would have rather you told me as soon s it happened than for me to hear it from that awful Doris.” She moved away from him, pulling his coat over her shoulders tightly to keep warm. She couldn’t look at him. Not when she was trying to compose herself. 

It shouldn’t have upset her so much. “Love was not a priority. Marriage was a necessity.” She answered quietly. 

“You’ll have to excuse me if I am struggling to understand how your situation and mine are so glaringly similar, and yet mine bears a greater offense.” Sticks was having equal difficulty trying to keep his own emotions in check.

“I intended to tell you. I also do not intend to marry the woman, as I was not the one who proposed marriage in the first place. Our parents did.” He shoved his hands into his trouser pockets. 

[theformermissbliss]

Rose kept quiet as she looked everywhere but him. “If I knew where you were, I would’ve have written you about my engagement, though if you stayed, I would not be married to that wretched, foul, infidel.” It was a sadness that filled her. “If I was able to write to you, I wouldn’t have married him. I would have waited.” 

She let it out. She was still in love with him. Still deeply in love with him, and it was the thought of him marrying another, of him being taken away from her once more by Beatrice. “How do you propose you will avoid the marriage? Leaving again?”

[blueknivesandyounglives]

Sticks’ jaw clenched and unclenched as he listened, once again buried beneath the guilt he’d been fighting since he’d left in the first place, those years ago. He’d fought tooth and nail to make amends with his friends, with Rose, and even if some things had gone too far to fix…at least he would have tried.

This was a slap in his face. A slap he deserved, but one nonetheless.

“It appears my responsibilities have damned us both.” He replied lowly. Responsible as he was to take over his father’s business…to keep his family’s name afloat and in the right circles. He felt more a stud horse than a man, but that didn’t excuse how he’d done it. How he’d hurt Rose and lost their future together before it had even begun.

“I have written to break the engagement.” He replied after a moment. “The letter should be arriving any day, now. I have no intentions on leaving, unless you ask it of me.” Sticks stepped toward her, staring down. “Will you ask me to leave, Rose?”

[theformermissbliss]

Rose gave a light sigh. She knew she should’ve fought her family about marriage. The way her mother discussed being an unmarried old maid and ostracized from society was terrifying, but now, instead of living contently, she was stuck in a loveless hateful marriage. It was more appealing to be an old maid with freedom; with Sticks, she could’ve had that freedom if she waited.

Rose looked up at him slowly, her honey brown eyes looking into his. “I couldn’t never ask you to leave. I don’t want you to leave.”

[blueknivesandyounglives]

theformermissbliss​:

“I would have rather you told me as soon s it happened than for me to hear it from that awful Doris.” She moved away from him, pulling his coat over her shoulders tightly to keep warm. She couldn’t look at him. Not when she was trying to compose herself. 

It shouldn’t have upset her so much. “Love was not a priority. Marriage was a necessity.” She answered quietly. 

“You’ll have to excuse me if I am struggling to understand how your situation and mine are so glaringly similar, and yet mine bears a greater offense.” Sticks was having equal difficulty trying to keep his own emotions in check.

“I intended to tell you. I also do not intend to marry the woman, as I was not the one who proposed marriage in the first place. Our parents did.” He shoved his hands into his trouser pockets. 

[theformermissbliss]

Rose kept quiet as she looked everywhere but him. “If I knew where you were, I would’ve have written you about my engagement, though if you stayed, I would not be married to that wretched, foul, infidel.” It was a sadness that filled her. “If I was able to write to you, I wouldn’t have married him. I would have waited.” 

She let it out. She was still in love with him. Still deeply in love with him, and it was the thought of him marrying another, of him being taken away from her once more by Beatrice. “How do you propose you will avoid the marriage? Leaving again?”

[blueknivesandyounglives]

theformermissbliss​:

“It does matter though. I would have rather heard it from you than from insufferable women who have nothing to do than to pry and gossip!” Rose looked down at her feet below, feeling more hurt than anything.

“Why be engaged if you don’t plan on marrying her? You proposed to her for reason, Sticks.” Rose looked up at him slowly, tears threatening to spill from her eyes. “You do love her, don’t you?”

“You don’t believe that I was going to tell you?” Sticks asked, seeming to be genuinely surprised. “You think I was attempting to hide this from you.” That alone was enough to anger him–worse than that, it hurt. They’d been rebuilding as much as they could since he returned, and it felt as though they were back to the beginning again.

He wanted to soothe her tears, but did she deserve the comfort from him when she was equally guilty? Sticks shook his head. “Do you love Charles?” He asked, perhaps a tad too sharply. “You said yes for a reason, did you not?”

[theformermissbliss]

“I would have rather you told me as soon s it happened than for me to hear it from that awful Doris.” She moved away from him, pulling his coat over her shoulders tightly to keep warm. She couldn’t look at him. Not when she was trying to compose herself. 

It shouldn’t have upset her so much. “Love was not a priority. Marriage was a necessity.” She answered quietly. 

[blueknivesandyounglives]

theformermissbliss​:

Rose lifted her chin impudently at the insult that she was a door-to-door saleswoman. “I reside nextdoor and I have a rendezvous with Mr. Evans promptly after my dinner party has ended. Since my guests have retired to their homes…” She didn’t need to explain herself. “I wish to speak to Mr. Evans, please.” She replied, shivering. She had forgotten her hand muff and her hat and her warm coat and was still in her dinner attire. It was poor planning on her part.

The older woman had opened her mouth to reply–after all, Rose had spoken too fast for the senile old thing to keep up–before Sticks’ voice piped up behind her. 

“I’m expecting her, thank you.” He replied, and gently urged the old woman from the door. “You can retire now yourself, Mrs. McArthur.” He watched as the housekeeper mumbled and puttered about to herself, heading back up the stairs. Youth, these days.

Sticks, shaking his head, moved to usher Rose inside. “I apologize–she means well, of course, but she’s a few straws short of a haybale at times.” Then, he frowned. “Is there any particular reason you were eager to catch cold? No coat, no shawl–you might have turned blue before Mrs. McArthur understood who you were.”

Rather than wait for a reply, he fetched the jacket nearest to them and settled it over her shoulders. 

[theformermissbliss]

“I–” But she couldn’t find the right words, even with a thoughtful pause. She must’ve looked like a lunatic in her evening gown while it’s snowing. With her flushed cheeks and shaky words, his housekeeper must’ve thought she needed to be committed.

Rose took the jacket and held it close around her in attempt to regain warmth. She couldn’t bare to look at him. She had no right to be upset or hurt. She was married, had a beautiful daughter and she was secure in life and in society. It was all a woman needed to live a wonderful life. Yet her life wasn’t wonderful. She was trapped in a loveless marriage in a house that was too big with very few friends.

“Why didn’t you tell me about your engagement?”

[blueknivesandyounglives]

Sticks had busied himself with rubbing her arms through the jacket, focused on getting the woman warm before he focused on anything else. The dinner party had been bearable only because he’d been talking to her–or talking to her through the other guests. There was much to discuss, but…well. Whatever he’d planned to say, it was gone the moment she brought up his engagement. 

His eyes immediately moved back to hers, and his hands paused on her arms. It was difficult to tell how many breaths had passed between them before he finally stepped back.

“Because it doesn’t matter.” He finally replied, and put his hands into his pockets instead. Of course she would have found out eventually. It was only a matter of time–there was very little to do in society but gossip. “I won’t be marrying her.”

“Is this what you wanted to speak with me about?”

[theformermissbliss]

“It does matter though. I would have rather heard it from you than from insufferable women who have nothing to do than to pry and gossip!” Rose looked down at her feet below, feeling more hurt than anything.

“Why be engaged if you don’t plan on marrying her? You proposed to her for reason, Sticks.” Rose looked up at him slowly, tears threatening to spill from her eyes. “You do love her, don’t you?”

[blueknivesandyounglives]

theformermissbliss​:

Rose lifted her chin impudently at the insult that she was a door-to-door saleswoman. “I reside nextdoor and I have a rendezvous with Mr. Evans promptly after my dinner party has ended. Since my guests have retired to their homes…” She didn’t need to explain herself. “I wish to speak to Mr. Evans, please.” She replied, shivering. She had forgotten her hand muff and her hat and her warm coat and was still in her dinner attire. It was poor planning on her part.

The older woman had opened her mouth to reply–after all, Rose had spoken too fast for the senile old thing to keep up–before Sticks’ voice piped up behind her. 

“I’m expecting her, thank you.” He replied, and gently urged the old woman from the door. “You can retire now yourself, Mrs. McArthur.” He watched as the housekeeper mumbled and puttered about to herself, heading back up the stairs. Youth, these days.

Sticks, shaking his head, moved to usher Rose inside. “I apologize–she means well, of course, but she’s a few straws short of a haybale at times.” Then, he frowned. “Is there any particular reason you were eager to catch cold? No coat, no shawl–you might have turned blue before Mrs. McArthur understood who you were.”

Rather than wait for a reply, he fetched the jacket nearest to them and settled it over her shoulders. 

[theformermissbliss]

“I--” But she couldn’t find the right words, even with a thoughtful pause. She must’ve looked like a lunatic in her evening gown while it’s snowing. With her flushed cheeks and shaky words, his housekeeper must’ve thought she needed to be committed.

Rose took the jacket and held it close around her in attempt to regain warmth. She couldn’t bare to look at him. She had no right to be upset or hurt. She was married, had a beautiful daughter and she was secure in life and in society. It was all a woman needed to live a wonderful life. Yet her life wasn’t wonderful. She was trapped in a loveless marriage in a house that was too big with very few friends.

“Why didn’t you tell me about your engagement?”

[blueknivesandyounglives]

theformermissbliss​:

Rose sat with the ladies, bored with their idly chatter and wild gossip. Most were about the wives and mistresses who were not extended an invitation but soon the chatter went to speculation about Sticks. Most were about how comely until Doris smirked from behind her glass of wine. “He’s terribly wealthy too. Him and his fiancée will be one of the wealthiest couples in all of New York, especially after Miss Butler’s grandfather passes. She has an awfully large inheritance.”

Rose shook her head. “Mr. Evans isn’t engaged.” She gave a small laugh, but the rest of the ladies seemed to think that her ignorance was, quite frankly, precious.

“Oh Rose, darling. We were surprised that Miss Butler wasn’t invited.” Rose remained quiet for the rest of the night and only spoke to bid farewell to her guests. Charles retired drunkenly to the bedroom and Rose was free to put on her shawl and hurry to Sticks’ house. She knocked on the front door, rocking on her feet to keep warm. She was pale from the news and nauseous. He wasn’t married. It was just gossip. He couldn’t be.

It took a moment or two later (or maybe a second knock later) for the door to open, and an elderly woman blinked owlishly at Rose from behind glasses far too large for her face. For a moment, the women merely stared at one another–Rose hoping to be let inside, and Sticks’ housekeeper trying to remember if she was expecting guests…and what year it was.

“Who’re you?” Finally asked the old woman, and then looked behind Rose, as though expecting another man to pop up behind her somewhere. Or…you know, anything that would explain the situation. “We don’t buy at the door.”

[theformermissbliss]

Rose lifted her chin impudently at the insult that she was a door-to-door saleswoman. “I reside nextdoor and I have a rendezvous with Mr. Evans promptly after my dinner party has ended. Since my guests have retired to their homes...” She didn’t need to explain herself. “I wish to speak to Mr. Evans, please.” She replied, shivering. She had forgotten her hand muff and her hat and her warm coat and was still in her dinner attire. It was poor planning on her part.

[blueknivesandyounglives]

theformermissbliss​:

Charles had a smug smile on his face. “Dinner at your house? Maybe cigars and brandy? I’d be interested to hear more about your lucrative career.” He shook his hand a bit hard to assert his male dominance. “Take care, Mr. Evans.”

Rose was speaking with Doris, who seemed to enjoy criticizing the vast dinner. If it were her house, she would’ve gone with a different soup and appetizer. The other women, however, had the opposite view of the feast. They highly enjoyed it and asked about the chef. It was divine, and Doris seemed to think that her palate was much more delicate than the rest of them.

“Mr. Evans, thank you for accepting our invitation.” She smiled at him, her cheeks turning red as Whisper held open the door for him. 

“I’ll come by and let you know when Rose will be over.” She said quietly, giving him a slight courtesy.

Shrugging into his coat, Sticks smiled at Whisper. She was a sweet girl–deserved to be here with Rose, but nowhere near Charles. Perhaps one day…

Well, he was smart enough not to entertain that particular line of thought. It would do him no good and likely only cause trouble for the lot of them. He bowed his head toward her. “Miss Whisper.” He replied. “Merry Christmas.”

Then, with a small glance over his shoulder at the partygoers, he eased down the steps and toward his own home. 

[theformermissbliss]

Rose sat with the ladies, bored with their idly chatter and wild gossip. Most were about the wives and mistresses who were not extended an invitation but soon the chatter went to speculation about Sticks. Most were about how comely until Doris smirked from behind her glass of wine. “He’s terribly wealthy too. Him and his fiancée will be one of the wealthiest couples in all of New York, especially after Miss Butler’s grandfather passes. She has an awfully large inheritance.”

Rose shook her head. “Mr. Evans isn’t engaged.” She gave a small laugh, but the rest of the ladies seemed to think that her ignorance was, quite frankly, precious.

“Oh Rose, darling. We were surprised that Miss Butler wasn’t invited.” Rose remained quiet for the rest of the night and only spoke to bid farewell to her guests. Charles retired drunkenly to the bedroom and Rose was free to put on her shawl and hurry to Sticks’ house. She knocked on the front door, rocking on her feet to keep warm. She was pale from the news and nauseous. He wasn’t married. It was just gossip. He couldn’t be.

[blueknivesandyounglives]

theformermissbliss​:

Rose knew about the eclectic group of people, at least, she assumed it was the band he played with. They were, to put it nicely, eclectic, but quite loveable. She found the boys interesting enough (especially Patch), but she fell in love with their partners. Juni was someone you wanted to spoil with cute dolls and dresses. Biddy, well, she never had a long talk with a black girl before, and she didn’t understand why people didn’t like them. She was delightful. If only they could go back to their carefree days.

“I’ll take you up on that, Evans!” Molly replied as she dug into her pâté de foie gras. Molly winked at him and nudged him in the side. Rose, however, looked down at her plate and smiled softly. She would love very much to go to London, but being accompanied by someone who was not her beau was simply unheard of.

Rose stopped chatting and allowed Charles to take control of the conversation with his business partners. The dinner seemed to go on for ages with their small meals and palate cleansers between each serving. Finally, Charles stood up and announced the retirement to the smoking room for some brandy. The women went to the drawing room for coffee and gossip. She hoped that some of the women would retire early, but they all went in. Rose glanced over at Sticks with pleading eyes. All she wanted to do was apologize for her husband and speak to him about his time in London. 

Unheard of or no, Sticks was determined to see that Rose could escape this suffocating life she’d entered into. He couldn’t understand precisely the necessity or what her “role” was as a woman, but he could, at the very least, help her to find some measure of happiness that wasn’t solely centered around her child. 

For the remainder of the evening, Sticks engaged in lighthearted conversation–most notably, with Molly and her husband. They were characters, and he was determined to invite them for dinner at his own home sometime. He was glad to meet people from this lifestyle that were wholesome and seemed to have a great heart.

As the men and women diverted to their designated places, Sticks met Rose’s gaze, and for the moment, seemed torn on what to do. He very much wanted to meld into Charles’ group, and learn more of the man she’d married and the people he considered colleagues–all the better to tear them down later. He had promised Rose, however, that they would meet that evening, and to her he had his allegiance in the first place.

“I’m afraid I must bow out at this point in the evening.” Replied Sticks, offering a sheepish smile. “I’ve a good deal of business to attend to in the morning, and contacts to speak with from London.” He shook Charles’ hand, offering a charming smile. “Thank you for the kind invitation and attention this evening. I hope I can return the favor soon.” 

Then, he turned to Rose, and gently took her hand to kiss the knuckles. “Madam.” His gaze lingered on hers for a moment, before he moved to the door.

[theformermissbliss]

Charles had a smug smile on his face. “Dinner at your house? Maybe cigars and brandy? I’d be interested to hear more about your lucrative career.” He shook his hand a bit hard to assert his male dominance. “Take care, Mr. Evans.”

Rose was speaking with Doris, who seemed to enjoy criticizing the vast dinner. If it were her house, she would’ve gone with a different soup and appetizer. The other women, however, had the opposite view of the feast. They highly enjoyed it and asked about the chef. It was divine, and Doris seemed to think that her palate was much more delicate than the rest of them.

“Mr. Evans, thank you for accepting our invitation.” She smiled at him, her cheeks turning red as Whisper held open the door for him. 

“I’ll come by and let you know when Rose will be over.” She said quietly, giving him a slight courtesy.

[blueknivesandyounglives]

theformermissbliss​:

“Oh, you must tell us about London. I have not been there since I was a little girl.” Rose, during their secret rendezvous never asked him about what he did back in London. It would bring too much pain to know what he did while he was missing. At least with the group, they would respect him a bit more. 

“We all know about London, Rose, dear.” Charles laughed as he drunk more wine. The table chuckled as Rose turned beet red. “I’ll let you in on a secret, dear. London has not changed a bit.” 

Rose gave a sad smile as she lifted her glass before take a small sip. 

“Well, I’ve never been to London.” Molly said gruffly while her husband chuckled a little bit. “I’d like to learn more about it from this strapping young man’s value in London and New York.”

Charles was very quickly moving up the list of people Sticks wished would, at the very least, stub their toe hard. His expression had hardened, even if he remained amiable. A man who humiliated his wife purposefully had no value.

“I disagree. London retains its old charm, but every day more and more ingenious men and women put the future in our hands. London has some of the world’s greatest thinkers and inventors. But I suppose it depends on what your business has been in London, Mr. Lambeth, for you to see value in it.”

He returned his attention to Rose and Molly, his expression softening. “London and New York are very nearly twins, in many ways. Always busy, always moving, always innovating. My family’s business allowed me to mingle and dine with some of the most eclectic groups of people–I’ve only ever had the similar experience here. If you have the opportunity to visit, Molly, or to return, Mrs. Lambeth, I would be honored to be your guide.”

[theformermissbliss]

Rose knew about the eclectic group of people, at least, she assumed it was the band he played with. They were, to put it nicely, eclectic, but quite loveable. She found the boys interesting enough (especially Patch), but she fell in love with their partners. Juni was someone you wanted to spoil with cute dolls and dresses. Biddy, well, she never had a long talk with a black girl before, and she didn’t understand why people didn’t like them. She was delightful. If only they could go back to their carefree days.

“I’ll take you up on that, Evans!” Molly replied as she dug into her pâté de foie gras. Molly winked at him and nudged him in the side. Rose, however, looked down at her plate and smiled softly. She would love very much to go to London, but being accompanied by someone who was not her beau was simply unheard of.

Rose stopped chatting and allowed Charles to take control of the conversation with his business partners. The dinner seemed to go on for ages with their small meals and palate cleansers between each serving. Finally, Charles stood up and announced the retirement to the smoking room for some brandy. The women went to the drawing room for coffee and gossip. She hoped that some of the women would retire early, but they all went in. Rose glanced over at Sticks with pleading eyes. All she wanted to do was apologize for her husband and speak to him about his time in London. 

[blueknivesandyounglives]

theformermissbliss​:

“I knew I liked you, Evans.” Molly said giving him a hearty nudge. “And please, son, call me Molly or Maggie.” 

Rose had changed her dress, as customary for dinner parties. It took quite a bit of time and she was having a few issues breathing as the bodice was tight, but that was made for her to eat like a bird.

Dinner was ready and placement cards for seating arrangements was set. She wished desperately that she would sit beside or across from Sticks, and Whisper set it up as so until Charles realizing it was not in order of social rank, which was from his choosing. Rose did not know, but Charles’ mistress was seated beside her.

“Mr. Evans,” Rose piped up between the second course. “How has your acclimation to our neighborhood been?” 

Molly glanced between the two from her seat across from Harold. She knew something was going on between them. She noticed Rose glancing up from her soup at Sticks before looking down or addressing Doris, the woman sitting next to Rose.

“Well then, Molly–” Sticks offered her his arm, smiling. “Might I have the honor of escorting you to your seat at the table?” 

Ever the gentleman, he brought the boisterous Molly Brown to her seat, pulling out her chair for her and all. Once he was seated and mingling in the conversation, he took the opportunity to sneak glances to Rose. She looked beautiful, and ever in her element, even if something was missing. Would she be offended to learn that he thought her most in her element seated beside him at a pub, listening to the lads play?

“Well enough, thank you.” He replied. “I admit that it’s been difficult to adjust to the change in the day between here and in London. In the end, both cities are so lively and always so busy. It helps to know that I have good people for neighbors.” At that, he lifted his glass as a toast to his hosts, but of course, his eyes never left Rose.

[theformermissbliss]

“Oh, you must tell us about London. I have not been there since I was a little girl.” Rose, during their secret rendezvous never asked him about what he did back in London. It would bring too much pain to know what he did while he was missing. At least with the group, they would respect him a bit more. 

“We all know about London, Rose, dear.” Charles laughed as he drunk more wine. The table chuckled as Rose turned beet red. “I’ll let you in on a secret, dear. London has not changed a bit.” 

Rose gave a sad smile as she lifted her glass before take a small sip. 

“Well, I’ve never been to London.” Molly said gruffly while her husband chuckled a little bit. “I’d like to learn more about it from this strapping young man’s value in London and New York.”