Elsie

Chapter 6: Only You

A/N: Clement and Eileen pictured above.

Elsie stood in the library feeling a bit dumbstruck. Mr. Jones wanted her to read to him. She glanced down to the book in her hands, turning it over and over again as if it would somehow help her make sense of the encounter. She had done so well at avoiding Mr. Jones, and now somehow she would be required to meet with him once a week. Her fingers trembled as she cracked open the book and skimmed its contents. It did look interesting, if a bit childish. It was just the sort of book she would love to read on her own.

Gingerly, she took a seat next to the grandfather clock and turned to the first chapter of the book. If she was going to read aloud to her boss, she wanted to familiarize herself with the chapter beforehand.

She thought about his facial expression when she had agreed to read to him. He had smiled as if her acceptance had meant a great deal to him. Her temple tingled with the memory of the light brush of his fingers as he had plucked the leaf from her hair. Carefully, she lifted her hand, touching the spot herself. The gesture had just seemed so... familiar, and yet she did not know this man at all. Her thoughts began to wander to his wavy brown hair and his piercing hazel eyes. It seemed as if nothing could ever escape his notice.

She shook her head, tucked the book under her arm, and raced to her bedroom. There, she stashed the book away, intending to read the first chapter later. Dinner would be ready soon, and she wanted to help Lois and Verda.

After dinner, Clement walked out to the carriage. Mr. Lane was accustomed to the schedule and had everything waiting. Clement boarded without a word, and Mr. Lane urged the horses on, driving to the same street that he did every Thursday evening. There he stopped, and both men disembarked. Mr. Lane made his way into a nearby tavern to pass the time, and Clement crossed the street.

For the next several blocks, Clement went on foot. No one knew where he went on Thursday evenings. Although Mr. Lane had every opportunity to follow him, Clement trusted his driver not to do so. Mr. Lane, Mrs. Jacobs, and everyone else on his staff knew not to ask him about his whereabouts... everyone, that was, except Elsie. However, Elsie did such a great job avoiding Clement at all costs that he presumed that she would not miss his presence anyway.

Turning onto the infamous street, Clement headed straight for the brothel.

"Good evening, Mr. Smith," the madam greeted him coyly at the entrance. Clement had not told anyone of his true identity at the brothel, but he was aware that the madam knew more than she let on. The night that Ray Sullivan had confronted him, she had heard his real surname, and Clement knew she might very well have caught on to who he really was. Still, Clement was a regular customer, and he was certain that she wouldn't dare to expose his secret. He paid his fee as he did each week and took the stairs to the second floor. By this time, he could walk the halls to Eileen's room blindfolded.

He found Eileen just outside her room, giggling with two other girls. Her golden hair shone in the dim light, and her twinkling eyes met his with glee.

"Clem, darling!" she held out her arms to receive him, kissing him on each cheek as he leaned into her embrace. "Girls, you know Clem," she gestured to the two brunettes standing at her door.

"Ah, Jewel... how do you always get the pretty ones?" the taller girl complained, eyeing Clement up and down.

"Yeah, you know it's only fair you share him. Isn't that right, handsome?" said the shorter girl, putting her arm around Clement's neck and attempting to plant a kiss on his cheek. Clement dodged her assault quickly and took a step back.

"Ah, girls, you know Clem only comes for me," Eileen cooed, patting his cheek with her hand.

The taller woman, however, wasn't deterred. She pressed herself close to Clement as he backed against the wall. "Jewel may be good," she purred near his ear, "but you wouldn't want to get bored now, would you? I can show you a fun time." She traced her finger from his chin, down his throat, and to his collarbone as she spoke.

"Oh, Siren, stop it before you scare my best customer away!" Eileen pushed the other woman playfully, but Clement noticed just a bit of possessiveness radiating off of her as she grabbed his hand and pulled him into her room.

"You know where to find me, love," Siren called after him as Eileen slammed the door shut.

Before he knew it, Eileen was pulling his overcoat off of him.

"You wouldn't ever touch those women, would you, Clem?" Eileen whined. Her tone was flirtatious and playful, but Clement could hear the slight worry beneath her words. Her concern for him gave him just a bit of hope. That was the problem. Eileen was always giving him a tiny bit of hope; she dangled it in front of him and then dashed it to pieces along with his heart.

"You know I only come here for you," he assured her, wrapping her in a hug once she tossed his coat to the side.

No matter how badly Eileen hurt him, he knew and she knew that he would always come for her.