People who hate Happiness for Jeremy

[Elizabeth Davenport]

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Tag: Jeremy Colborne

[Jeremy Colborne]

---It was not unnatural for Jeremy's eyes to seek out Elizabeth in a crowded room. The two had of course attended many events together but ever since they had met in the woods that day, it was not just about being in the same room together. They were no longer strangers. In fact, Jeremy found great comfort in her company. She understood him in a way that perhaps no one else did. When they danced, she allowed them to just . . . dance. There was no expectation, no pressure, and he found himself feeling rather safe in her company. Damned etiquette for not allowing him more than a couple of dances with a woman. If it were up to him and he was forced in such environments, he would gladly dance the entire night with her.

---But now, they were on opposite sides of the room from one another, mingling within their own group though he was hardly paying attention to what was being said. Far too many people between them in this grand hall. Never the less, his eyes still managed to find her, trying not to be too obvious and yet he was fixated. Taking a sip of his drink, she did not seem to notice him watching her. Her every movement so elegant and graceful. Whether it was a smile, feigned laughter, soft steps . . . speaking of which, she began to move towards the backyard. Perhaps for fresh air, as some tended to seek out in such crowed areas. He was no exception to this need. It was not her leaving that caused him pause, but rather, the fact that one of the gentlemen in attendance also started to move towards the same direction.

---Now, it could be nothing . . . but there was always the risk, that it could be something. Was she leaving the room to get away from him? Were the two of them . . . oh that thought cause an unsettling feeling within Jeremy. Though, he knew he had no right to feel uncomfortable in the thought of Elizabeth with another man, he could not help it. Curiosity got the better of him. No. Perhaps it was not curiosity. It was this strange feeling in the pit of his stomach. Elizabeth was a lady, and in all he knew about her -- and he liked to think he knew her quite well from their conversations -- surely she would not compromise herself with a gentleman, late at night, in the gardens.

---If Jeremy was wrong and he walked in on . . . something desired by both parties . . . then it would only lead to embarrassment. But if he was right, then it could be a way to help her from a distressing situation. He hoped he was wrong, to spare Elizabeth any discomfort of unwanted attention. Setting his glass down on the table, he began to make his way through the crowd. If anyone stopped to greet him, he did not pay attention. His mind fixated on discovering the goings on outside between two people. And after all . . . Jeremy was never quite good at multitasking.

---He did not see them immediately upon exiting. Were they further in the garden? That was . . . concerning indeed. He went in a bit further, hearing distant voices that did not sound too good. Hastening his steps he finally set eyes upon the scene and it was much to his horror. The man had Elizabeth pressed against a tree and . . . Jeremy did not even wish to set eyes upon this for a second longer. The vivid image scarring to his brain, and boiling his blood. It was clear to anyone that the man's attentions were unwanted, one hand covering her mouth, and that was all the reason Jeremy needed. He did not think of anything else, nor had time to analyze the situation of what was most appropriate in this moment. He rushed towards them, pulling the man off of Elizabeth and aggressively pushing him to the side.

---The shock of the moment briefly froze the other male and when Jeremy was about to turn to Elizabeth to see if she was ok, the man lunged at them. Now this was not exactly Jeremy's strong suit. His family would never deem him a protector of any sort. But then . . . perhaps he had never been in a situation where such an instinct was so intensely required. Jeremy instinctively shoved the man back as he angrily came towards him,  the force in which he did so causing the man to stumble and fall, a cracking noise filling the air that would perhaps haunt Jeremy for some time to come.

---And then, everything went still. Eerily so. Jeremy looked at the fallen attacker. The other man's body still. Motionless. Lifeless. Jeremy felt numb. And it seemed as if an eternity passed as he slowly began to step towards him, looking down at the man and the sight was perhaps as traumatic as the sound. His head against a rock, blood spilling and staining it. Jeremy did not want to believe it. He should check the man's breathing, call for help. But yet, he knew. He did not wish to accept it nor come to terms with it . . . but he knew. The man was dead.

---Jeremy slowly looked at Elizabeth, unsure what expression he held or what his eyes conveyed. He himself did not know what he was currently experiencing and the words that came out were ones of instinct and genuine concern despite all that he was trying to process. "A-Are you . . . " Okay? Yet they remained unfinished. Part of him hoped she knew what he was trying to say and the other part of him supposed it was a foolish question. He had just killed a man. If what had just previously occurred had not traumatized the poor woman, Jeremy was fairly certain this would aid in it. For he himself knew, that this was not a memory that would ever fade from his mind.

45. My muse commits murder to save yours.

TAG:
Elizabeth Davenport

NOTES: Blame the random number generator for this  one!

[Elizabeth Davenport]

Elizabeth found herself at yet another ball. At this point, they all seemed to blur together. It was all the same people and the same formalities. The only thing that ever differed was the setting but even the houses all looked the same in one way or another. The music was the same and the dances were the same. The same men would try to gain favor with her and Elizabeth would always be polite, but not friendly enough to give them the wrong impression. She knew it was time to find a husband and stop making excuses, but she couldn't help it that none of these men were ones she wanted to create a life with. Truth be told, there had been one man she had been unable to erase from her thoughts since meeting him but she was certain he did not view her in the same light.

Jeremy Colborne had been an interesting fellow, but certainly one that Elizabeth had enjoyed getting to know. They were able to converse about everything and anything. The best part was that Elizabeth felt she could always speak freely in front of him and he would never judge her. She liked to think he could do the same, as evident by the many improper things he'd said time and time again. Elizabeth was unsure if he simply didn't realize what he was saying was not necessarily the best thing to say, or if he felt comfortable enough around her to not care. 

Elizabeth had been unable to speak with Jeremy yet tonight, but she knew she would likely dance with him twice this evening. Two times was always the allowed amount before people would start to gossip and assume an engagement had happened. Saving him a spot on her dance card was always assumed and even though her stepmother tried to get her to dance with out people, Elizabeth never listened to her. 

There was one gentleman this evening that would not leave Elizabeth alone. Her eyes had searched for one of the Bridgerton brothers to help scare him away in absence of her own, but had been able to spot either Benedict or Anthony. Martin Wellington seemed insistent to spend the entire evening with Elizabeth, whether or not she was keen to spend it with him. He'd forced his way into nearly every conversation she had and after excusing herself to get some air, she feared he would follow her. Elizabeth tried to quicken her pace to get lost in the garden but was not quick enough.

Shoving her against a tree, Elizabeth yelped out and tried to scream for help but he was quick to cover her mouth with his hand. His other hand began to do ungentlmenly things, even tearing one of the sleeves of her dress. Elizabeth tried her best to push against him, but it was no use. She feared the worst and tried to squeeze her eyes shut in an attempt to make it all go away.

Then she felt him ripped from her and her eyes snapped open. Martin was on the ground and Jeremy stood in front of her. Her eyes connected with Jeremy's for a moment, relief washing over her for the first time that evening. Then she saw movement from the side and saw Martin lunge at Jeremy. Elizabeth went to yell, to warn Jeremy, but no sound left her lips. Instead, she watched as Jeremy pushed the man once more, this time, making him fall to the ground with a horrifying sound. Blood seeped from his wound and Elizabeth quickly moved her eyes away from the sight. They found Jeremy once more as her mind fought to catch up with what had just transpired.

Words came out of his mouth but not necessarily all of the right ones. Was she okay? She closed her eyes and shook her head. She couldn't get the images out of her head and without thinking, she took a step forward and wrapped her arms around Jeremy in an embrace. "Thank you," she sobbed. After a moment, she pulled back slightly, looking up at him. "Are you okay?" She asked. The realization that Jeremy had killed someone only just now beginning to occur to her. Not only had he killed someone, but he'd done it for her. 

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Tag: Jeremy Colborne

credit to Laura of Adox