Could it be Love?, Elizabeth C. and Edward S.

[Elizabeth Cromwell]

I did not know how much Edward's help meant to me. We had always been friends but lately now everything was becoming to seem more likeable to me. I think I am beginning to like her. My cousin Henry had agreed for me to stay at court just to be a lady there not anything.

Walking through the halls I knew I had to talk to him. I had feelings for him of course but did he? Reaching his chambers I knock. One of his servants let me in and went off to ask Edward to see me. I shake my head at the boy and then run out. But then I hear footsteps and turn back around to face him.

[Edward Stafford]

When he had heard that an 'Elizabeth Cromwell' was coming to see him and had seen the disgusted look on the servants face who had come to tell him, he knew he had to see her. When he had last seen her, he had left her in her rooms with an injured foot after falling into a pond, he hoped that she was much better now though. Pulling on a dark green doublet over his linen shirt he made his way out into the open area of his rooms, only to find no one there. However, he quickly caught sight of the edge of a dark green gown turning a corner and raced out of his rooms to stop her leaving.

Elizabeth, wait... I'm not that scary am I?

[Elizabeth Cromwell]

I did not make it out fast enough in time for him not to see me. Of course he came running out and I stopped in my tracks to turn around to face him. We were both wearing green. I did not do it intentionally.

"Eward, no I was just thinking about....No you are only scary when you chase little girl were dolls' hair ripped out." I say to him. I did not believe what had just come out of my mouth.

"Edward I just wanted to thank you for what you did for me when I fell into the pond. I think I am in lov..." I said stopping and looking at him.

[Edward Stafford]

He hadn't really thought about it before, but now that she was facing him, he noticed that she happened to be wearing Green too. Shrugging the fact off, he instead looked into her eyes and listened to her nervous answers. A quick look of shock passed over her lovely features as she realised what she had said about his turbulent and frankly horrible childhood. A smirk appeared on his face before he chuckled under his breath.

Fair enough. Though if I remember correctly, you were the one who made me chase you and pull your dolls hair out...

The smirk stayed planted on his face as he listened to her speak again, she really did have the most soothing of voices, something he hadn't really paid mind to before.
He raised an eyebrow when she stopped mid - sentence, if he were honest with himself he hadn't particularly been paying attention to her words...

...In my debt? In awe of my bravery? In loving admiration of my strength? Take your pick, though I prefer the one about debt...

[Elizabeth Cromwell]

I stare at him as he says the first thing. "I would do know such thing. The only thing I ever made you do was to go riding with me." I said looking at him.

"Maybe in your debt but I should not say what I was going to say. Oh if I do not it will always be on my shoulders. I love you Edward. I I always have." I say as I look at him.

"Say something please?"

[Edward Stafford]

(OOC - Going to be creative here... xD)

Raising his eyebrow yet again, he wondered at how she could forget such a small but significant detail, as her relentless teasing of him whenever his mother had tried to make him do something girly, like wear clean clothes or braid his hair. Poor old mother, she had been particularly taken with braids....he could still remember having to explain why they were completely unsuitable for a boy of his age. Shaking his head slightly he simply stared back at Beth, waiting for her to speak this time.

Just what had she been going to say, he wondered, as she spoke in a strange way, had her words been earth shatteringly important or just deadly? Then before he had time to cut in with a question she had already said it. His raised eyebrows were no longer so, and his expression was unreadable. Love just didn't come into his vocabulary yet, for christs sake he was only 21! And besides even if he was ready to start thinking about marriage, love just never came into it.....ok, ok, so his parents were a prime example of love in a marriage but it was no good if it didn't help matters in some way....money, property, titles....all things that would be useful in their current circumstances!

Taking a deep breath to calm himself a little and stop his frantic thoughts for a minute or two, he wrung his hands together and decided to answer poor, dear Beth.

And...and have you taken anything for it yet?

Probably the strangest thing any man could say to a woman in the circumstances, but he had to make some sort of a joke, it would help him deal with it better he guessed.

[Elizabeth Cromwell]

As soon as Edward comes back with a joking remark I stare at him. I could not believe what he had just said. I want to punch him but of course not because if I did that I would never be able to forgive myself.

"Is this a joke Edward? Because if it is, its not very amusing. In fact I was being serious saying I love you. I guess not anymore if you are just going to throw it into my face." I said soon finding myself inches away from him. I stop and stare at him.

[Edward Stafford]

Gulping back his sudden nervousness, he wished he had simply stayed silent as Beth began to show her anger, he had never been any good with feelings or serious matters such as love or marriage or money....he pretended otherwise but that was only really some sort of show, to show that he could take care of his life and his little sisters. As she finished her angry remarks, he noticed that she had stepped closer towards him in her anger. Ignoring the observation as quickly as he had noticed it, he turned instead to finding something to say in reply.

Um....Beth.... this isn't a joke to me at all. Infact it's completely serious, and couldn't be less amusing if it tried. Besides, you can't simply turn your feelings off, or on for that matter, whenever you wish, it either fades or simply stays.....off.

He didn't have a clue what he was talking about anymore and it was showing, this was all too complicated for him to even begin to comprehend it was as if it was all some awful divine test to prove to God that his life was worth living or something. His mind completely puzzled and not coming up with speech quickly enough, he acted on his impulses and grabbed Beth's shoulders with both hands, drawing her lips to his in a desperate and risky kiss.

[Elizabeth Cromwell]

"I agree with you". I say to Edward as I watch him. He looks as he is about to say something. Suddenly I feel his hands on my shoulders. As I am about to ask him he is doing. He then pulls us closer together. My lips were soon against his. He kissed me. I have a surprise look in my eyes but it is wonderful.

The kiss is just rough at first and then it became more soft. I move closer to him and rest my hands around his neck. I pull away for a moment only to breathe and then our lips are one. "Edward? You sure you want to do this?"

[Edward Stafford]

Was he sure he wanted to do this? No, of course not. He'd never been more unsure in his entire life so far! But of course he couldn't say that, no, not after what he'd just done....he'd raised her hopes, fooled her for awhile, screwed up again. Perhaps this wouldn't have happened so soon if he hadn't tried to play hero (he had to face it, he hadn't exactly been modest) or been such a flirt, a fake womanizer, a charmer. Ok, so he'd never actually slept with many women (one or two at most) and it wasn't as if he tried to seduce them and 'fall into bed with them', it had just happened. It was all a confident little mask, something comfortable and easy to work with, within the court. Now, however he had a problem on his hands....his stupid little facade had caught someone in a trap, a deadly one at that....

Finding himself tongue-tied again for a short while, he debated over what to say or do next. Although before he knew it, he had leaned in to kiss her lips again (silencing any further questions), as his body ruled his mind... Placing his hand at the back of her neck, he supported her head as his other arm found it's way around her curved buttocks and drew her closer towards his body. The fact that they were still standing in a corridor didn't cross his mind as he paused for breath before immersing himself within her sweet lips again.

[Elizabeth Cromwell]

Soon he had both of us closer and closer together. Our mouths are together in a passionate kiss. We are still standing in the corridor but it is empty.

We split for a moment to take a breath before locking our lips. My hands are now on the back of his head and my body is drawing closer to his.

"I love you Edward." I whisper into his ear before kissing him on the lips once more.

[Edward Stafford]

Before he leant in yet again to kiss her he heard three words he really didn't want to hear, 'I love you', the three words that he was in such a state over, the three words that had (subconsciously of course) fueled his actions thus far. Suddenly, his mind returned to him and he realised that he couldn't do this to her, that they shouldn't be doing anything like this at all. Removing his hands from her completely and his lips too (albeit a little reluctantly) he stepped backwards, away from her. Closing his eyes momentarily and taking in a deep breath he tried to find the words to explain to her their situation.

Look...Beth. Elizabeth....we can't do this...I, we can't be together. We're both still so young and I'm not ready for marriage, and I'm sure that if your mind wasn't clouded by lust, Elizabeth, you would see this too. For surely, all this 'I love you' business is really fueled by one thing and one thing only.

He cleared his throat quickly afterwards, trying (and most likely failing) to get past their awkward situation a little. He only hoped that she wouldn't react wildly after hearing his small speech.

[Elizabeth Cromwell]

I stare at him as those words come out of his mouth. He was the one who kissed her first. It was not fair.

"How could you say that Edward? My mind is not crowded by lust or love. Not anymore since the words you have just spoken no injure me forever. I guess at this rate you Edward will never be ready to marry." I say to him biting my tongue on the last bit to keep from yelling at him; if it came to that.

I turn around to face a window so that I would not have to look at his glance.

[Edward Stafford]

He sighed inwardly as he realised that she was right, he was basically being a big fat coward and she knew it and he knew it. The lust thing was most likely him too, after all he had kissed her first and flirted with her in the first place, which was more than likely the cause of all this.
Rolling his eyes momentarily as she turned away from him and took to staring out of a rather boring window instead, he wondered what to say or do now. After all, all he'd suceeded in doing so far was screw the situation up more than it already was! Blinking heavily, he decided to speak.

Alright, I'll admit that I'm not one for marriage. But can't you see that that's more reason not to fall in love with me?

He took a deep breath before slumping his shoulders.

For one thing, our families won't work together, they won't agree to a marriage between us. Your cousin only wanted me to act as a guardian to you, remember?

[Elizabeth Cromwell]

"All I see is that you are running away from something that could be great. Of course, that is totally up to you since you... you are a coward. You have changed." I spat at him controlling the tears that just want to flow down my cheeks at this time.

"How do you know what my cousin thinks? Of course I remember what he said but he also said to take care of me. Or are you just going to ignore that too now?" I ask yelling at him a bit too fiercely feeling the wind in my lungs starting to become hotter.