Catching Mr Ripper

Part Eight

Elizabeth awoke early the next morning, much to Mary's surprise. She was dressed quickly and she ate her breakfast even faster. The carriage waited for her outside and took her to London medical college. She gathered her books and skirts as the footman helped her down from the carriage, she looked up at the dark building and the men that rushed in and out of it. She took a deep breath before she headed inside. She found her classroom and went inside, all eyes fell on her. All male eyes, except for two. She slipped into a seat at the front beside a blonde man and the only other woman.
"Hello, I'm William Seaton" he smiled holding his hand out for her to shake, which she did with a kind smile.
"Elizabeth Vance"
"I look forward to working with you"
"As do I" the classroom door opened again and another student entered with a smile targeted at William.
"Good to see you again William" he smiled before his eyes moved to Elizabeth "Michael Landry" he held his hand out for her to shake, which she did.
"Elizabeth Vance"
"Well, I look forward to forming a friendship with you Miss Vance" he smiled before he left to take his seat, the classroom fell silent once again as the door opened and their professor entered. He places his things down on his desk before his eyes scanned the classroom halting on the presence of the two women amongst the classroom full of men.
"Let us begin"

Just like he promised, Edmund called on her the next day with a wide smile on his face and a bouquet of flowers. The pair, accompanied by Madeline, strolled around the park arm in arm.
"How was your first day in medical school?"
"It was alright I suppose" she shrugged.
"Why? What happened?"
"A few of the students were nice. William and Michael were kind enough, oh and Thomas. The other girl too, Annabel but the professors ignored us and the other men made fun of us" he smiled down at her "What?"
"You just have to show them how strong you really are"
"You're right, I need to prove to them just how strong and resilient I am" she stood up straighter making him smile wider.
"Our house tonight?" he whispered to ensure that Madeline wouldn't hear him.
"I thought you said that we couldn't until we're married"
"I know but there is a very beautiful young woman who I just can't seem to stay away from" he smiled down at her as she smiled up at him.
"She must be a very lucky woman"
"Oh trust me I'm the lucky one"

Mary left Elizabeth in her out clothes that night so when the house finally fell silent Elizabeth snuck out through the corridors and long the garden before she started walking through the woods. She moved through the house searching for Edmund, she stood in the doorway of the bedroom as she watched him make the bed.
"This room is starting to look pretty good" she smiled.
"It needs some paint and new windows but it's starting to come together, the dining room too" he finished what she was doing and turned to look at her, leaning against the end of the bed that he made, his arms folding over his chest.
"You're amazing, you know that right?"
"Trust me Elizabeth" he heard the sharp intake of breath at the sound of her full name and not her nickname "You're the amazing one" he closed the space between them, his arms wrapping around her waist.
"How much longer do we have to wait Eddie?" their breaths mingled as he rested his forehead against hers.
"Too long my darling" his hands fisted in the sides of her dress as he tried to hold himself back.
"You asked me to come here. What do you want Eddie?"
"You. Only ever you" his breaths got harsher against her face as his fisted grip pulled her dress up ever so slightly.
"Take me Eddie. I'm only yours to take" he shook his head against hers "Kiss me" he shook his head again "I'm yours. Your Elizabeth Reid" he snapped, slamming their lips together, the force pushed her back but he turned them so that her back hit the wall instead. Then he was turning her again, pushing her front against the doorframe so that he could unbutton the back of her dress.
"I've just thought of a house rule" he spoke against her neck as he undid the buttons.
"And what's that?" she managed to keep her train of thought long enough to respond.
"You must be naked at all times" she laughed.
"And why is that?"
"These damn buttons is why. I want to feel you without this damn dress in the way" he grunted in frustration as he finally managed to snake an arm into the back of the dress and around her waist pulling her back flush against his front.
"Next time I'll ask Mary to change me for bed and I'll sneak out here in my night clothes"
"I prefer you to be naked" he moved his lips against the shell of her ear "And the next time we do this, you'll be my wife" she couldn't bit back the gasp as he pushed the dress from her shoulders, letting it pool at her feet. He turned her again before he scooped her up into his arms and carried her to their bed. He lay her down gently, careful not to crush her as he lay on top of her, completly covering her body with his.
"You're so beautiful" she looked up at him, her hands running along the side of his face.
"So are you my darling"
"This is beautiful. Our love is beautiful" he smiled down at her, stroking his thumb over her cheekbone before he leant down and connected their lips.

Edmund moved along the hospital hallway seeing William, Thomas and Warren and no sight of Zebulon.
"Edmund"
"Mr Vance?"
"He's not here" William confirmed.
"How is she? Please tell me she's still alive" he practically begged.
"She's alive" William assured him.
"But barely. She's hanging on" Warren added with a sad look.
"Good" Edmund let out a deep sigh before he fell into a chair, burying his face in his hands "William, what did you mean the other day when you said that she's tougher than she looks, that she's stronger than we know?" William met his sad eyes.
"That's for her to say, not me"
"I could lose her and you'll holding something back?"
"You're a policeman. This would only hurt you and her, I have always protected her, let me keep doing that" His eyes fell to the ground and before he could move or take a breath Edmund was up on his feet grabbing his jacket lapels and pinning him to the wall.
"If you were really trying to protect her then you would've stopped her from going out!" His voice echoed throughout the hallway.
"We all know that she wouldn't have stayed no matter what I said or did" he bit back.
"What do you know!?" Edmund yelled slamming his fist into the wall beside William's head.
"She was raped in medical school by Michael. She didn't know if the child was yours or his so I helped her take care of it" Edmund dropped his jacket from his hands as his eyes filled with tears "She was so broken Edmund. Michael was supposed to be a friend, a source of comfort but he betrayed her. I kept her secret and she kept mine" his eyes moved to Warren's "I'll except the consequences of my actions as long as Beth is kept out of this"
"Will, no" Thomas argued.
"I'm not going to arrest you. Elizabeth deserves better than that" Warren admitted with a deep frown.
"I should've married her after her father said no the first time. This time, I'm not going anywhere until I know that she's alright" Edmund sat down defiantly "He'll have to drag me away and even then I'll find my way back to her"