CHAPTER SONG: "Running Up That Hill" by Placebo
April 25th, 1917
William Schofield awoke in the living room of his sister Molly, the purple morning sky light streaming through the windows, the twittering of birds in flight gracing his ears. As he dressed for the morning, he exhaled a sigh of relief that he hadn't forced himself awake to free himself from another nightmare of losing those he cared for the most.
Instead he had dreamt of the beautiful woman sleeping upstairs in the spare room... beloved Emmanuelle... alive and warm in his arms as they had waltzed in the parlor.
And yet he could never shake that image of her from his demonic dream whilst he had slept on the train. Cradling her lifeless, cold body as he tearfully begged her not to leave him after he had pulled her from the hourglass...and still he had been too late...
But, that had only been a dream, not reality.
He tried to keep his shaking fingers steady had he laced up his boots and finished gathering up everything he needed for the day ahead. As much as Will didn't want to leave his family so soon after their reunion, duty still called at home and he was loath to disobey.
Will walked outside and took a deep breath of the outside air, looking out at the brilliant sunrise, the golden rays shining through the clouds as magenta and blue mixed into a lavender combination of God's watercolors painting His canvas of the atmosphere.
He strode to the small section of Molly's garden from the side of the house, where he knew Cici and Elle would pick flowers to decorate their dinner table and selected a few freesias to leave as a token for his sweet Emmy...
As much as Will appreciated the gorgeous dawning of the morn, the only beauty he sought to view before his departure was the face of his love. The sunrise borne in the horizon just didn't compare to her natural splendor...
Carefully holding the flowers in his hands, he walked back inside and quietly closed the door behind him. He looked around the parlor, looking for a pen and paper to write a note for her explaining his absence, hoping she would understand... just thinking of her inspired him to write entire manuscripts and poems in ways he had never felt before...
He found the set of stationary in the drawer of the mahogany table in the center of the living room and set the ink pen to paper, each word written with careful strokes so as not to splotch on the parchment, each letter dripping with adoration for the intended recipient.
His shattered watch was placed in the drawer of the parlor table, stuck at the same time of 5:00 in the morning...
Will made his way up the stairs, the weight of the steps causing the wood to creak beneath his boots as he winced, hoping he wouldn't awaken the girls too early. The love letter folded in half with the flowers secured in the crease.
He made his way to the top of the stairs and his vigilant gaze focused on Molly's bedroom door. He had recalled Emmy's words from last night and he knew he had to bridge the gap between his most loved sister and his paramour.
How Will hoped to convince Molly to give his beloved a chance to get to know her and he aimed to choose his words with care as he raised his hand and knocked on her bedroom door with his knuckles, knowing his sister would be awake by now.
"Molly, 'tis Will. I need to speak with you before I leave." He spoke just loud enough for her to hear, and he listened for the rustling of her dressing gown skirt as she walked to greet him.
The door creaked open slightly to reveal Molly, her sharp blue eyes much resembling his own meeting his in a tired yet alert gaze, her dark brown hair coiled in a single braid around her shoulder. "What is it, Will? What's wrong?"
Her tone of voice was one of concern; almost that she could sense that whatever he wanted to talk about couldn't wait. And something told her that it was about their American guest asleep in the adjacent room. She looked down at the flowers and note in her brother's hands.
"I'll be leaving in a moment for London to tend to some matters whilst on leave. And while I'm gone...all I ask is that you please give Miss Hunterson... Emmanuelle... a chance for you to know her. She's endured so much and I wouldn't have brought her here if I thought she wouldn't treat you and the girls well. I can't speak for what she's been through, but please believe me when I say that I've not felt this way for any woman until her." Will gently placed his free hand on her shoulder, anticipating Molly's response to his plea.
"I saw the two of you in the parlor last night." Molly looked down at the floor as though she were ashamed at having spied on their intimate moment of romance. "I saw how you were smiling and laughing when you were holding her..." She felt hot tears come to her eyes as she met Will's stare again. "I don't think I'd ever seen you so happy, William."
He lifted up his hand and softly wiped away a tear from her cheek. "Mol, don't cry. I love her more than I can comprehend. And she loves me. I know it will take time to adjust to her being here. This is definitely a change for her, as well. But, her compassion and kindness... her strength... just a few of the things I love about her."
"I understand, Will. I spoke with her last night and she's definitely spirited." A small smile came to her lips. "I don't want tension between us while you're home. I'll look after her and get to know your Emmy. The girls seem to be warming to her too."
Molly reached up and straightened the collar of his uniform as he smiled in relief at her. Will leaned down and kissed her forehead. "Thank you, Molly. God could not have given me a better sister."
She chuckled to herself as he turned away from her and focused on the door near her own room. The Englishwoman silently watched her brother slowly open the door to Emmanuelle's room, the hinges creaking. Molly stepped out into the hallway and surveyed Will approach the bed of the pretty American brunette who held his heart.
He placed the note and flowers on the bedside table with attentive care where she could see them. Molly quietly went to the threshold of the spare room and continued watching her brother, warmth spreading through her chest at what she was witnessing.
Will looked down at the woman peacefully slumbering on the bed as she slightly stirred onto her side, ever angelic in her ivory cotton nightgown, her luscious chocolate tresses pooling around her head on the pillow, his hand reaching down to her face. His fingers tenderly removed some stray curls of hair resting on her blossom pink cheek, exposing her fair skin as her eyes remained closed. A blissful sigh emanated from her chapped rosebud lips as though she felt his touch...
The image of such a display of love reminded Molly of a noble prince kneeling before the sleeping princess, waiting to be awoken from a sinister spell, like the fairy tales she would read to the girls. More tears spilled down Molly's face as she watched Will lean further down and place a delicate kiss upon Emmy's cheek.
By all the saints, William truly treasured this woman, and that was clearer more than ever to Molly as she wiped away more tears from her cheeks, forcing herself to watch as her brother stood up from Emmanuelle's bedside and reached over to the tossed wrinkled linen sheets twisted around her legs and covered her up to the shoulders so she wouldn't be chilled.
Will wanted more than anything to stay at her side for a moment longer, but he settled for one more gentle caress to her petal thin cheek, his fingertips brushing away some more brown hair from her forehead before he turned away and quietly exited the room, closing the door behind him.
"There's no doubt in my mind that you really love her, William." Molly pushed her braid back behind her shoulder, pulling her dressing gown tightly around herself.
"More than anything." Those three words he held with all the conviction in his heart as he spoke them to his sister. He took her hands within his own, his thumbs stroking her knuckles. "If it's alright for this morning, it'd be best to allow her rest as long as she needs. We had a long few days of traveling."
"I'll watch out for her. She'll be in good hands while you're gone, Corporal." A sly smile graced Molly's lips, her well concealed sense of humor burgeoning within her as Will squeezed her hands in silent thanks.
He smiled himself as he kissed Molly's hands with gratitude. "Bless you, Molly. Sister mine, I love you so. I'll return with some gifts for the girls as well while I'm out in London. It's not often I get the chance to dote on my nieces these days."
.
.
Will sat on the chaise in the parlor the following morning after the storm, staring at the glass surface of his broken watch from that sniper incident in Ecoust. He hadn't received a wink of sleep the night before, worrying about the welfare of Emmanuelle.
The presents he had bought for all the women in his life lay strewn around the parlor table, including new dresses for Cici and Elle along with some new shawls and scarves for Molly after she had expressed worry about the ones she owned being too tattered for the winter.
He stood up and stretched, preparing to head outside and make the trek out to the village and make the journey to the Blakes' residence since that had been the last place he knew Emmy had gone yesterday.
He hated himself for being so paranoid, but after everything he and Emmy had been through together and what she had told him about her past, all the worst possible scenarios had piled in his head throughout the hours of the night and the ominous thunder and lightning hadn't helped matters with his imagination.
"Will, are you going to the Blakes'? The girls are getting ready for school, so I'll need to leave soon to take them. Are you gonna be alright?" Molly, ever regal and dignified with her mahogany hair pinned flawlessly and nary a wrinkle in her blouse, but the gleam in her eye still showing the loving sibling expressing anxiety for her younger brother, strode with gliding effort to him and soothingly placed her hands on his broad shoulders.
"Yes, I'll be fine. Don't fuss over me so, Mol. You're just as stubborn as Dad was, rest his soul." Will refrained from rolling his eyes, a grateful smile forming on his lips as he gently removed her hands from his shoulders.
"It's only because I've worried over you that you've lived to the age you are now." Molly raised her eyebrows, daring him to argue with her.
Will chuckled, bending down to press his forehead to hers, not needing words to communicate his affection for his cherished sister, in a gentle head-butt of love. Leaning back, he gave a quick kiss on her forehead. "I'll be back later with Emmy. Don't let the girls open their gifts until we've come home."
A sudden knock at the door interrupted them before Molly could respond. Glancing back curiously at her, Will stepped up and went to open it. When he did so, who he saw threw him for a loop and a sense of dread swelled through Will's veins.
Lt. Joseph Blake stood on the front porch of the Schofields', looking just as exhausted as Will. The older man wore wrinkled civilian attire, his raven dark hair smoothed back from his forehead, his pale skin shining with perspiration and the younger Corporal could tell he had made quite the journey to his residence. The image of Joe brought back to Will that fateful moment they had first met at the Second Devons' camp when he had informed him about Thomas...and when they had shook hands in mutual gratitude as gentlemen.
Both men at first stayed silent as they absorbed the sight of one another for the first time since that morning only a few weeks ago.
So much had happened since then... a brother and a friend had been lost...and a love had been found... a love for the same woman.
As if both of them could read each other's minds, Lieutenant Joseph Blake and Lance Corporal William Schofield were determined not to allow such a dilemma to dissolve their respect for one another as army acquaintances and comrades...and how they desired to be friends whilst on the home-front...so long as an understanding could be formed between them, not only for their own respective sanities, but mainly for the beautiful object of their romantic affections.
Will opened his mouth to speak first, but the voice of Molly captured both men's attention and the younger man found himself relieved at not having to first start the conversation.
"Joseph Blake! I'll be damned... looks like you'll be able to meet my brother earlier than expected." Molly's pitch of voice held a faux haughty tone, as though she were pleased with herself at outwitting Will, but there was no malice to the way in which she spoke. "Please come in. Tell us, have you seen our dear guest Emmanuelle Hunterson, William's sweetheart? She never came home last night after the storm arrived and we were up sick with worry."
Will turned to look at his sister, listening to how she had acknowledged his relationship with Emmy as his girl with not a hint of sarcasm or mockery. Her eyes met his own with a knowing smile.
"Yes, Mrs. Sattherthwaite... excuse me, Ms. Schofield." Joseph stuttered over which appropriate last name to refer to the lady of the house by as he stepped through the doorway and Will allowed him inside. "Please pardon my intrusion. Miss Hunterson...Emmanuelle... is completely safe. But...the reason she wasn't able to return home last night was...before the storm arrived, she had a nasty fall and sprained her ankle."
"What?" Will asked in alarm. "Is she alright? Did you take her to the surgery?"
Joseph turned to meet the younger man, knowing that the military formalities between them as members of the British Army didn't apply while they were at home, and Joe knew that Will was especially worried for Emmanuelle's safety and he would admit to acting in the same manner if he were in the same position.
"No, Will. My mother and I were able to tend to her before her ankle could swell up enough to require a doctor. I looked in on her this morning before I left and she seems to have improved. She wasn't able to be on her feet last night but by now she oughta be able to at least limp around. My reason for coming here unannounced is to take you to my mother's home where she's waiting for you." Joseph explained to the concerned corporal.
"May I ask the reason why she went to your house? It's not that I don't trust your family... I just..." Will worked to find words without offending the lieutenant.
"Joseph, please understand, we only want to know if she's safe. If it hadn't been for that storm, Will would've scoured the whole village to search for Emmanuelle when she didn't come home." Molly intervened much to her brother's relief. "This morning, you both should take some time to have it out, make your way back to the Blake residence and go fetch her. No fisticuffs, from either of you. She's not a trophy to fight over."
She gave them both a warning look as Joseph and William made their way toward the front door. Joe politely tipped his cap to Molly in a farewell gesture. "Not to worry, Ms. Schofield. I was raised to use my words rather than my fists."
He gave Molly a sly smirk before turning away and out the door, William following close behind him. The young corporal turned and called out to his sister. "I'll give Mrs. Blake your best, Mol."
A lop-sided grin graced his lips as he heard the front door shut behind them and he followed the raven-haired soldier out across the front yard and off the property of the Schofields.
"Joseph...Joe? I really would like to speak frankly with you; not as lieutenant and corporal, but as two men in love with the same woman." Will was direct at getting straight to the point, no dancing around the issue to spare either of their feelings.
"I agree, Will. That's the only way this can be discussed. And let me begin with a confession I need to make to you..." Joe began to reveal his indiscretion, but he was interrupted.
"Emmy told me that you tried to kiss her back at the hospital, and she rebuffed you." Will's voice unexpectedly became rougher in tone than it usually was, his protective tendencies emerging up to the surface even though he tried to keep it less obvious.
"Yes, I did. And she made it more than clear how she felt about that. I deserved a decent wallop to the face, or at least a black eye for it. I'm surprised she didn't do it herself." Joe chuckled, retrospectively remembering her passionate reaction to such a caddish attempt to make his budding feelings known.
"I'm shocked as well. But I hope you got the message when she turned you down." Will smiled slightly before his lips turned down into a serious frown as he watched Joe pull out a cigarette from his pocket and lit up. "Emmy told me that smoking is terrible for your lungs. With everything she knows, I don't doubt anything she says."
"Mother has told me the same as such. It's mainly a reaction to stress. But if it also concerns Emmanuelle, I have another compelling reason to quit." Joseph took another drag of the cigarette, exhaling out the smoke from his lips before dropping it into the dirt and stomping out the stub with the heel of his boot. "I've not forgiven myself for acting like such a brute. There's no excuse for it and I've done everything I can to try and make it up to her and still be a friend to her."
The two men continued to walk alongside each other, William glancing to the side over to Joseph as he considered a response to the lieutenant's confession. "Your brother Tom was a good man and a good friend to me. And I know you're a good man as well, Joseph. But how am I to trust you around the woman I love when I know you advanced on Emmanuelle without her consent? I ask this not out of jealousy over her, but for her safety. "
"Will, please try to understand me. She made it clear that she's devoted to you, and I would never want to compromise your relationship. Hell, when I volunteered to escort her to the hospital back at the camp, I did so out of impulse. It was a mission to distract myself from my grieving over Tom... and to keep my mind off the stirrings in my heart that began when she embraced me after you informed me about my brother's death." Joe inhaled a deep breath as he blinked back a few tears from his eyes.
"Yes, I saw your face when she had her arms around you. Your expression was like you had been pulled from a precipice before you could fall into the abyss." Will ran a hand through his windblown curls of brown hair, keeping his eyes on the clouds floating in the azure morning sky. "After you've been around nothing but carnage and horror, a man can instantly cling to the next pure thing within his reach. When I first met Emmy... her strength and bravery despite her situation...being thrown out of time amidst bloodshed and death; I looked into her eyes and I was infatuated...and then I saw how she and Tom got on right away and how she held herself when other soldiers tried to underestimate her... and I was enamored from that first day and onward."
Will couldn't prevent a smile of fondness from gracing his lips as he felt his throat also choke up at the memory of Tom's last moments before that damned Bosche airplane obliterated that barn and had almost killed Emmy along with his revered young comrade Corporal Blake.
"I've no doubt Tom was taken by her immediately too." Joseph couldn't help but chuckle at the thought of his kid brother stuttering and blushing tomato red at the sight of a beautiful girl and trying to make her smile and laugh after she had endured a terrifying ordeal with waking up alone in a different century amongst strangers and being the only woman around for miles.
"Yes, he definitely was. He was smitten with Emmy even before I knew that I loved her..." Will laughed genuinely for the first time in what felt like forever. "You should've seen him around her. He offered to take turns between himself and I carrying Emmy across the countryside since her foot was injured, trying to be the knight in shining armor."
God, he missed Tom so bloody much...
"Did he really? He was always one to play the hero when we were children." Joseph laughed as well, recalling memories of playing Knights of the Round Table as King Arthur and Sir Lancelot. Slaying dragons and rescuing the fair damsel in distress...
But the woman at the center of their discussion was far from that category of female character archetypes.
Emmanuelle Hunterson was not an ingénue fairytale maiden in need of constant male protection and saving.
She was Joan of Arc, defying every convention and risking her own destruction to benefit those she cared about.
"May I ask when you realized that you loved her, Joseph?" William found himself inquiring, the words exiting his mouth before he could stop himself. He wasn't sure if he really wanted to know...
And the Lance Corporal also didn't miss the irony that he was making another trek alongside a Blake brother, talking about various topics but keeping a serious air about their words. Only instead of battle-faire, they were discussing personal matters of romance and familial sentiments.
"Do you truly want to know that, Corporal?" Joseph asked him, referring to the younger man by his rank this time rather than his name. His jaw clenched with repressed emotion, like how he had worked to conceal his reaction to being told about Thomas' demise.
Will stopped in his tracks in silent deliberation, looking up at some flying larks above in the bright blue sky.
T'was the lark, the herald of the morn...
He chose his next words with care when he continued speaking. "Lieutenant Blake...I'm just a man who wants to protect the woman whom I love with all my heart. I trusted you back in France to keep her safe, to keep a code of conduct as a soldier and I'm forever grateful to you for getting her to sanctuary. But I need to ask... if I can trust you as a man around Emmanuelle."
Both men had come within view of the Blake house, the cherry orchard trees peeking out from behind the modest structure. The house that currently sheltered the girl of both gentlemen's affections...
The tension between them could have been cut with a knife... Joseph knowing to phrase his answer carefully if they were to keep their fragile friendship intact.
Neither man looked away from one another, maintaining unbreakable eye contact.
"I've made a vow to myself not to speak aloud of my feelings for her, Will." Joe's voice held no hesitation, speaking each word with all the sincerity in his veins. "I know it's wrong to desire another soldier's girl. And I denied it with everything I could muster... But I could feel it in my marrow and bones, like a paralytic. Her spirit, her goodness... everything about her. I can't pinpoint an exact moment when I realized... It just happened... I fell and I never climbed out. But I would never coerce her into anything. She's not a target for us to aim at... she's rather the arrow and she's already made her mark of the bulls-eye with you. But, should she ever need anything of me...I'll be there. As a friend, confidante or a protector... anything she needs."
William thought over the words of the lieutenant, noting the tone of his voice held no hint of cynicism or humor. Joseph took the matter of Emmy Hunterson seriously. A sense of strong relief flowed throughout the younger man's body, understanding that Joseph meant every word genuinely. He wouldn't act on his own feelings for Emmy...but he needed to make doubly sure before they could put these issues to bed and come to a point as respectable friends.
"Something else you should know, Joseph." Both men made their way to the fence encircling the front yard of the Blake property. The blue-eyed lieutenant met the corporal's eyes in strict attention. "With Emmy's past, she's had to cope with...rather unsavory men in her own era of origin. She's told you about what her father did to her as a child, I assume."
"Yes...if I ever came face to face with that bastard, I'd make him howl for his mother." Joseph growled in a low rumble, anger coursing through his chest as he gripped the wood fencing to keep his emotions from becoming volcanic.
"There's something else she may not have told you yet, she only just told me about on our train ride to London." Will also leaned against the fence as he stared straight ahead at the house. "I can't speak for the details...but there's a man she knows from her place of work in America, named Erik.... You'll need to talk to her about the story with him. She's woken up from nightmares because of him. There are no words to describe what he did to her...just what a man is capable of when he craves power and dominance. And the worst part is... we can't protect her from him."
Joseph felt a nauseating dread seep into his heart like a liquid poison, rage boiling within him and his soldier's instinct to kill his enemies and defend those he loved causing stinging tears to impair his vision. Before he could think of a valid response, Will continued speaking.
"I know that you're nothing like him and that you truly regret what happened at the hospital. And I know that Emmy is under no obligation to make any cemented commitment, should she ever change her mind about being with me or anyone. Should anything happen and she makes her position clear in deciding to choose you...then I'll hold no resentment toward you, Joseph." The lance corporal kept his eyes on the lieutenant, clutching his hands around each other as the scar on his palm tickled with an itch. "As long as we understand each other on that front, we can be friends. Not only for Emmy...but for Tom as well."
Joseph's Adam's apple bobbed up and down in his throat as he heard his brother's name again, his eyelids blinking away his tears. He saw William hold out his hand in a gesture of a handshake, a mirror image to how Joe had done the same with him back at the 2nd Devons' camp. The ebony haired man held out his own hand, his palm brushing against the corporal's scarred wound.
"With everything I am, I understand and most ardently agree. For most cherished Emmy and dear Tom, my word is my bond." Joseph gripped William's hand in a firmly strong grasp, knowing this truce between them would be permanent and indestructible for both their own sakes and those of their loved ones. "Thank you, Will."
He echoed the same words from his encampment to the corporal, as they locked eyes with one another and a gratified smile came to William's lips as they shook hands. "You're welcome, Joe." But, he had to add one more thing to know this wasn't a jest or a game. "However... if you ever hurt her...or touch her against her permission... I can't promise I'll be so forgiving next time."
Will kept his voice low as he released Joe's hand, knowing it may have been over the line to threaten Joe with possible repercussions, but after everything Emmy had told him about what Erik had done to her, he couldn't bury the hatchet without emphasizing to the lieutenant how important the welfare of Emmanuelle Hunterson was...even if the results were in violence against the brother of his late comrade.
"I would sooner die the most painful of deaths than allow her to be harmed, Will. You can count on that." Joseph spoke with as much assurance as Will had just used in his veiled intimidation towards him.
William only nodded briskly in response, knowing no further words were needed when it came to how Joseph Blake felt about Emmanuelle. Only then did Will truly realize that Joe was genuine in his love for her and was nothing like the vile Erik...
Joe was willing to endure his unreturned affections like a true man and place her happiness above his own desires.
And right on cue, the sound of the front door opening seized both men's attention and there she stood. Beautiful Emmy limped down the porch stairs, her borrowed white nightgown clinging to her curves, her feet bare as she made careful steps towards both men approaching her. Her brunette hair floating wild in the wind like an untamable filly's mane...
"Will! Joseph!" She called out to them.
William ran to her and they met in the middle of the yard. His arms clutched around her in a tight embrace as she laughed in pure joy.
Joseph's heart swelled at the sound of her laugh, melodic as bell chimes...
Will whispered words of relief and love in her ear, peppering kisses on her lips, cheeks and forehead... "Emmy...thank God you're alright. I was so worried last night when you didn't come home. If not for the storm, I would've come for you sooner."
The corporal noticed how she was keeping most of her weight on her other foot and he looked down to the bandages wrapped around it courtesy of Joseph's tending to the injury.
"Oh, my love!" Will bent down to take a closer inspection of her dainty foot. "You should not be on your feet like this. Joe told me you took a nasty fall yesterday."
"It'll be okay, Will. I've had worse back at home." Emmy placed her hand on his shoulder to balance herself as Will gingerly stroked her toes with his fingertips. "Joseph carefully wrapped it and I soaked it in water. Most of the pain is gone already from last night and it's really just a big bruise on my foot."
Will slowly stood, placing his large hands on her hips to aid her in staying upright. "Let's get you back to the house and make sure it's not worsened. I told Molly I'd have you back home by dinner tonight."
"He's right, Emmy. It's a long walk back to the Schofields'. I'll need to change out your bandage and look at your foot before you leave." Joe told her, fighting back a smirk at the sight of her frowning in slight annoyance at both men's concern for her wellbeing. "You're not getting out of it either. Your stubbornness will get you a court martial, dear lady."
"Up yours, Lieutenant. I follow orders from no man." Emmy raised her eyebrows in playful defiance at Joseph; both he and Will briefly froze at her use of such verbal crudeness. "Don't be so shocked. I know every curse word in the English language. Give me the chance, you'll definitely view me not as a lady anymore."
"That's impossible, darling." Will lifted up her hand to his lips and kissed her fingers, then gently placed her arm around his shoulders. "Let me carry you inside, Emmy. We'll take a look at your war wound."
She released a chuckle of delight as her soldier swept her up into his arms like she weighed next to nothing, cradling Emmy ever so gently to him as both of her arms enfolded around his neck. The girl placed tender kisses along the side of Will's throat and jaw-line. Her fingers adoringly played with the freshly cut hairs at the back of his head, soft as velvet...
William began to walk to the house whilst carrying her with Joseph following close behind them. Her green eyes locked with the lieutenant's blue gaze and she smiled brightly at him over the corporal's shoulder.
Joe's heart did a somersault in his ribcage at seeing her safe and elated in the arms of the man she loved, her lips mouthing to him the words "thank you", for bringing Will to her.
"You're welcome, dearest one." He responded silently back to her, trying to ignore the melancholy oozing into his veins. But the heartache would be worth enduring for her...for the rest of his days living if he had to be there in any other capacity than that of a lover.
He gave Will his word as a gentleman...
Only should she say the words to Joe, he would kneel at her feet, do anything she asked of him.
Will Schofield was her first love. Joseph dared hope to one day be her last, however long he had to wait...
.
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April 6th, 2020
On a first class flight back to the States from London, Erik Baumer looked lustfully at the picture of Emmanuelle Hunterson...or at least a doppelganger of her down to her facial features of feminine beauty, clad in Edwardian bridal glory... Just by chance he had found it at the Imperial War museum gift shop.
Of all the women in the world he could have with a snap of a finger, she would be the one within his grasp, only to run away at the last second.
He opened up his personal photos on his phone and held up a more recent picture of her as she lay sleeping in her London hotel room from one of his secret nocturnal visits, to watch her sleep, taking pride at having the final upper hand over her that she still was within his vicinity while still giving her the impression that she was truly free from him on her vacation.
He held both the image of her on his phone side by side with the black and white photograph...
It was undoubtedly her...
Erik ran his thumb over her face on the photograph, imagining how soon he would be caressing her flesh and blood cheek, then her rosy lips...
A triumphant smile crept upon his mouth as he exited from his picture files and closed his phone screen into "sleep mode"... His hands held the photo of sweet Emmanuelle, while she was not objectively the most beautiful girl in the world... he had been with more glamorous women one could see on magazine covers... Erik knew he had to have her as his ultimate prize...
And these outdated wedding rags certainly didn't do his simple girl justice... For he had everything she would need waiting for her at his secluded lake house. As soon as she was back in Virginia, he would make his move and capture his prey.
A text alert sounded from his phone and he pulled out the device to look at what it said.
Still keep tabs on her mother, for leverage?
Erik typed in his response, his smile widening, knowing his victory was more or less guaranteed. Emmanuelle was as good as bound to him forever.
No, she's not part of it anymore. I've found something better. My little schatzi will know she can't escape me. She belongs to me, and is mine alone...
As a pampered wife or a chained prisoner, Emmanuelle was his... alive or dead... for eternity.