Catching Mr Ripper

Part Nine

Edmund called on Elizabeth the next day too and once again her face lit up when she saw him and the bouquet of flowers that he had brought for her. He was taking her to a restaurant for lunch and for the entire carriage ride over he didn't take his eyes off her even though Madeline was with them, he didn't take his eyes off her for a moment.
When they got inside he pulled her chair out for her and tucked it in when she sat down before he took a seat next to her. Madeline took a seat at a table behind them, close enough to watch but not hear.
"Today is the day" he smiled at her.
"You're going to ask him?" Her face lit up as a smile took over her lips.
"I am. You can wait by our tree and I'll come for you when he has given me his answer"
"Our tree? But when he says yes I don't think I'll be able to contain myself" she whispered.
"You'll have to my darling. Soon enough you'll be all mine" he smiled, sliding his hand over hers under the table cloth so that no one saw.
"Tell me something good"
"Our house. Us. Husband and wife. Our children filling our home with laughter"
"That's perfect" she smiled across the table at him, squeezing his hand as the waiter placed their plates of food in front of them they quickly dropped the others hand. The waiter left before Edmund's smile returned to hers.
"Just a few more months my love, then you're all mine"
"All yours"

Edmund knocked on the door to Elizabeth's family home, after showing the butler his card he was led into the study where Zebulon Vance was sat, a cigar in his hand.
"Mr Vance, sir" Edmund smiled as he shook the man's hand firmly.
"Mr Reid, will you join me in partaking in a glass of scotch?"
"I would rather not sir"
"You do not drink?" he laughed, pouring too glasses anyway.
"I do drink, I just prefer not to" he admitted, taking the glass anyway.
"Please take a seat" he gestured to a chair facing his desk as he took the one behind it. Edmund took his seat as Zebulon took his and lay down his cigar "Now, what is it that you've come to see me about?"
"I've been courting your daughter for a few days now as you are aware sir" he nodded.
"It is my understanding that you've known my daughter since you were children"
"That is correct sir. We used to share books, our first meeting was when she kicked a muddy football at a book that was reading" Zebulon laughed lightly "I've come to know your daughter very well and I would like to ask you for her hand sir"
"You've come to ask me for my daughters hand in marriage?"
"Yes sir" he nodded.
"Edmund, what does your father do for a living?"
"He is a trader, sir. He's expanded into France, America and England of course"
"And your mother?"
"She teaches piano to young ladies, work that she enjoys thoroughly" he smiled.
"My wife doesn't have to work. My sons provide a grand home for their wives and children and I do the same for mine. That is the privilege of having money, do you understand?"
"I do sir" he nodded.
"That is why I cannot allow you to marry my daughter" he picked up his cigar again and filled his lungs with the smoke before he released it again.
"Excuse me?"
"We have security, something of which you cannot guarantee my daughter. When you have children, you cannot guarantee them the best education or the best matches. Tell me, what is it that you intend to do for money?"
"I want to be a police commissioner" Zebulon laughed loudly.
"That will not give my daughter security" he shook his head as he continued smoking "You are not a good match for my daughter. I understand that the two of you enjoy each other's company but that is not enough" Edmund frowned deeply, his eyes going to the ground.
"Please, let me prove you wrong" he begged, holding back his tears.
"No Edmund. The answer to your question is no" Edmund nodded then left the study, collecting his hat and jacket before he continued on to the park. His mind raced the entire way trying to think of how he could break the news to her, and finally, when the hill came into view he knew that there was no easy way to break her heart.

Elizabeth moved through the hallways like a ghost. The loss of Edmund created a hole in her heart that only grew the more that she was away from him. Her wandering mind made her crash into Michael, sending both of their books to the ground.
"Oh dear, what a mess we have here" Michael gave her a kind smile as they each collected their things.
"I'm so sorry, I was thinking" she muttered.
"What about? You look sad" his hand went to her chin bringing her eyes up to his.
"Its nothing" she pulled her face from his hands and stood.
"You can tell me Elizabeth. I'll listen" he assured her.
"You rooms, at the end of the day" he nodded.
"I'll be waiting"
When their classes ended Elizabeth snuck up to his rooms, it was a rule that no unmarried women were to be in a room with a gentleman alone. She knocked on the door and a moment later he answered, making room so that she could enter.
"Please, sit" he motioned towards his bed and she took a seat before he sat beside her "Tell me what ails you"
"I fell in love, as a child and it only grew over time. He was everything that I wanted and more. I loved him" her voice broke and her tears began to fall.
"Your father said no, didn't he?" she nodded, her tears taking over her body. He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close to his chest as his hand moved over hers.
"I love him, I want him" she cried harder, sobbing onto his shoulder.
"I can help you to forget" he assured her before she felt his hand move to grip her breast.
"What are you doing?" she bit trying to push him away when he grabbed her more forcefully.
"You'll forget him after this" he assured her, pushing her back on the bed as he climbed on top of her.
"No please. Please stop" she begged.
But he didn't stop. He didn't stop until he was finished with her.