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Post by Catherine Woodruff on Mar 22, 2009 15:20:53 GMT -5
Catherine leaned on the table dreamily. "If for just one day I could go somewhere without an escort, why, I'd cherish it forever."
She stood hurriedly, forgetting herself. It was all she knew. She couldn't really hate it. Though he was very busy, her father always made time for her and her brothers, and her mother was Catherine's angel. The sweetest voice and touch came from her mother. Henry told her she was too young to appreciate her lot in life at the moment, but once she became older she would want nothing else.
"Your sister, is she your only relation?"
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Post by reeves on Mar 22, 2009 15:27:33 GMT -5
"If for just one day I could go somewhere without an escort, why, I'd cherish it forever."
He listened to her say this, saw the look in her eyes. He took her hand in his, his heart compelling him.
"Catherine, I'd take you anywhere you wanted in a heartbeat if I could," He replied, before realizing what he just did and dropping her hand, hoping eyes weren't on them, and fiddling with that button on his now buttoned up vest, it looked more proper that way.
"Your sister, is she your only relation?"
"Yeah, basically I guess. My Mam left five years ago, my old man not soon after to find work, baby Joshua died a long time ago from fever, and once Pa left it was just me and Alice. We planned to just stay on in the cottage but then we were evicted. They wanted to make our property into a Jersey links golf course. We couldn't stop him. We watched our cottage torn down to the ground. Then we figured we had to go someplace new, and once Alice got her scholarship, she dragged me long' with her to Merica'."
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Post by Catherine Woodruff on Mar 22, 2009 15:41:41 GMT -5
Catherine gazed into his eyes, her own green ones sparkling. When he let go of her hand, it stood in place for a few seconds before she held both of them neatly behind her back and glanced around. Henry seemed to be keeping a close eye on her after the gentleman he was talking to whispered to him and pointed in her direction. She looked back at Reeves and listened, her mind still on his offer. Biting her lip she looked around once more, noticing Henry paying close attention.
"I would love to go with you, Seth. Anywhere, just away from here."
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Post by reeves on Mar 22, 2009 15:49:39 GMT -5
"I would love to go with you, Seth. Anywhere, just away from here."
He grinned, nodding. He didn't think he could just sneak her out now though, not with Henry watching them with a suspicious eye.
"Alright, when can we go?" He whispered. "I could come get you sometime, you could sneak out? or I could meet you somewhere?"
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Post by Catherine Woodruff on Mar 22, 2009 18:32:51 GMT -5
She couldn't leave now. There were too many eyes witnessing who she was with; and she couldn't sneak out of her window at any time. Her room was very high above ground and she wasn't a very good climber. The house was guarded day and night so she couldn't leave through the front door without being followed by someone who insisted going out with her, especially at night.
Then suddenly, Catherine grinned. Her father. He was never able to say no to her before. All she had to do was convince him to let her go outside by herself. She frowned at the thought of lying to her father, but it wasn't like she was making a habit of it.
Looking up at Reeves she answered, "Come back here tomorrow afternoon or early evening and wait outside the gate. I'll meet you then."
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Post by reeves on Mar 22, 2009 19:21:37 GMT -5
"Come back here tomorrow afternoon or early evening and wait outside the gate. I'll meet you then."
That wide grin spread across Reeves' face when she said this and he nodded, his blue eyes twinkling adventurously with excitement.
"I'll be there." He promised. "Well, I guess its time for me to make my exit then, Miss Catherine." He winked and bowed to her, before nodding to the gentlemen and heading towards the door.
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Post by Catherine Woodruff on Mar 22, 2009 19:39:05 GMT -5
Catherine smiled, curtsying in response to his bow. She watched Reeves as he nodded to the others and walk out the door. Tomorrow was sure to be a great, fun day. She could hardly wait.
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Post by reeves on Mar 22, 2009 19:55:24 GMT -5
*New Day*
Reeves stood at the gate of the Woodruff's, where Catherine had promised to meet him. He danced from foot to foot, a little impatient, excited for the day he would get to spend with her. He would show her every knook and cranny if time allowed of the city. He had finished his route extra fast so he could get here in time.
He adjusted his cap and tugged on his gray vest he was wearing for that day, and grimaced as he stuck his finger through a newly found hole in it.
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Post by Catherine Woodruff on Mar 22, 2009 20:42:42 GMT -5
Catherine was having a harder time than she had anticipated. Not because of her father, but because Henry was trying to convince him it wasn't a good idea for Catherine to go out alone.
"What if something happens to her," Henry reasoned. "How would we know where to find her?"
"I'm sorry Catherine, but Henry makes a valid point. It is just too dangerous outside of the gate for you to go alone. Even in the age and society we live in there are still those who wish to do harm to innocent children like yourself. What if you were to be kidnapped by someone who wishes to spite me?"
Catherine stared at her father wide eyed. He always came up with the oddest scenarios. Maybe it wasn't so odd, but she couldn't say she wouldn't be alone. He would want to know who she was going with and although Henry had fallen for the grandson of John Reeves bit, her father would not.
"And what about the remainder of your lessons for today," Henry cut in. "You would miss a days work."
Catherine folded her hands out in front of her in a pleading fashion and poked out her lips, something her brother was disgusted with. "Oh please, daddy, it would make me most happy."
Henry scoffed. "For heaven's sake Catherine, do not beg."
But her father's heart melted at the sight of his daughter looking so unhappy. He would never admit it to anyone else, but he liked it when she called him 'daddy'. It suited her age. She was still a child, something he had often forgot. Sighing in submission, her father stood straight. "Very well, Catherine, you may go. However, if you are out even a minute after six, I will put out a search for you."
Catherine's face lit up and her smile widened. "Oh thank you, father." She gave him a kiss on the cheek and did the same with Henry who, against his will, gave her a small smile. He, like his father, adored his youngest sibling and only wanted the best for her.
"Goodbye father dear. I shall miss you." And with that she left the house. She smiled when she saw Reeves standing at the gate like he'd promised the day before. Her brown curls bounced slightly as she walked down the stone steps and along the walkway. She wore a long skirt in place of a dress and a ruffled blouse.
"Good afternoon," she greeted once she'd finally reached him.
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Post by reeves on Mar 22, 2009 20:49:22 GMT -5
Reeves turned at the sound of footsteps and when his blue eyes met Catherine, he near about froze for a second. She was even prettier than she was the other day. He shook himself out of it and grinned.
"Good afternoon,"
"Same t' you, Catherine," He called back, a wide grin on his face. He held out his arm for her.
"Well, I got it all planned out, I'll show you every dang thing in the entire city...if time allows." He smirked, his blue eyes twinkling.
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Post by Catherine Woodruff on Mar 22, 2009 21:04:15 GMT -5
Catherine smiled and took Reeves' arm, excited for the day ahead. "Well then, shall we get started?"
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Post by reeves on Mar 22, 2009 21:06:18 GMT -5
"Well then, shall we get started?"
"No, we're just going to sit on this here piece of sidewalk all day. A' course! C'mon."
He grinned as they walked down the street. "First of all, we're gonna get outta fifth avenue and outta Manhattan. Have you ever been to any other parts of the city?"
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Post by Catherine Woodruff on Mar 22, 2009 21:16:37 GMT -5
Catherine laughed. "Sure, I've been all over. My father has to make appearances. Plus, I was born in Brooklyn." When people thought of Brooklyn, they often thought of the gang-ridden streets and crime and poverty, but not all of it was bad. Brooklyn Heights, where she had grown up, was really nice.
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Post by reeves on Mar 22, 2009 21:20:30 GMT -5
"Sure, I've been all over. My father has to make appearances. Plus, I was born in Brooklyn."
He laughed as well. "Oh alright then, miss Cath-e-rine, you just tell me where you want to go and I'll lead the way. There's a couple nifty places I gotta show ya though."
He grinned and slipped his hand into hers instead of arm, he gave her a smile and they walked down the street together side by side, Seth wore some gray striped trousers, with a light collared shirt, his sleeves rolled up to his elbows. His gray vest hung open. Catherine's skirt brushed back and forth gently as she walked.
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Post by Catherine Woodruff on Mar 22, 2009 21:31:14 GMT -5
They were an interesting sight to see. A few people even looked their way in confusion, some in disgust, but she didn't care. She simply ignored them.
"Well, I've always wanted to go to Coney Island. I haven't been there in ages. My father use to take us all the time before he became Lieutenant Governor. Now he's mostly busy." Catherine sighed, thinking of the good times her family use to have together. They had always been wealthy, but with a job such as her father's one has to be on call twenty-four hours a day. She shook the thought from her head. She couldn't think of bad times now. Their day had just begun and already she was having so much fun.
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