Lessons in virtue

[Lovely]

June 24, Year 1


She'd decided what she needed to do and there was only one man to do it with.. one man she trusted and cared for enough to even think of.. The proper school marm walked into the store, spying him near the counter and just about tackled her guy."How would you like to give me lessons?" She asked him, her arms sliding around his waist.

"what... who... where.. huh?"

"sorry.. but please.. take my virtue, now.."

raises a brow.... looks around the crowded mercantile. ".. here?" He shrugs.... leaps over the counter with her behind the cash box, pocketing some coin on the way down.

"thank god you're not a proper gentleman... and witnesses are fine.. better actually.."

"more stories for daddy dear?"

slaps his hand as she sees him pocket the money. "Yes.. please, and thank you... the worse the better at this point."

"how the scoundrels out west deflowered his poor.. *kiss*... defenseless...*kiss*.... beautiful... *kiss kiss*... soft ...*kiss kiss kiss*.... mmmmm....." His arms tightening around her and hands griping into her soft flesh.

She giggled softly nervously, feeling the heat rise in her cheeks.

"this is the part where you scream, darlin'." He whispered kissing her neck.

She arched her neck, her eyes closing at the sensation. "no... believe me.. better you than the ancient... prehistoric man my father is sending to marry me and drag me back east.."

stands up in his skivvies, hands on his hips. "... he's doing WHAT?!?!?"

"You heard me... now get over here and finish. Or... " She looked down. "I'll have to find someone who will." Her voice was soft.

He looks around at the patrons in the shop who are staring dumbfounded and starting to whisper. "What? Never seen a shop model their longjohns before? Buy something and go home... the theater's down the road if you want a show... go on... git! " looks back at her..."now where was I?"

"you.. you mean.. you will?" She was taken aback, but pleased that he would do this for her.

"Seems to me I been tellin' you all along miss Liza... but you wasn't listenin'..... my girl, you know... MY Liza... think it's startin' to... sink in... you know? "

She nodded, eyes wide as she looked up at him. "In that case.. since you're willing and all... can we go someplace... more comfortable?... less hard floor."

"I do declare, Miss Elizabeth Rose... are you propositioning me? My... but won't the neighbors talk?" He winked and shrugged at a man who stood nearby patiently waiting to buy some gunpowder. "Women these days....talking to a man like that in public... next thing you know, they'll be wantin' to vote. Is that all for you today?" The man nodded and glanced down at Everitt and over the counter at the redhead at his feet, never saying a word. "Eighty three cents, please... thank you and have yourself a good day." Everitt sent the man on his way with the purchase and pocketed the coins before turning to help her from the floor, offering her both hands.

[Lovely]

She glared up at him. "oo I am going to.." Huffing she hooked the back of his knees and toppled him to the floor, then used him to push herself up. Straightening her dress and hair, she narrowed her eyes on him. "You're enjoying my predicament, arent you?"

He nodded with a bright smile, "That I am, miss Liza.. ain't had this much fun since my sister... well...she's a sad girl, so I can't say as I poke fun like I used to, but... I am enjoyin what you'll allow me to... hopefully a li'l more if you're not just pulling my leg... but you did that already... so where's that leave me?" He looked up at her from where she'd bowled him down, wrapping his arms around his knees.

She reached soft fingers to stroke his cheek, a sad though pretty smile touching her lips. "I'm not pulling your leg... I'm asking you... to take something.. I'm only allowed to give once, and only supposed to give to one man..." She looked away a moment and then back to Everitt. "Please... I'd rather it be you... If I have to.. and I do." She spoke quietly, even though the store had cleared out. Other wise in a week I'll be married to a man old as my father and more stern than my grandfather... I'll be packed up and shipped back east... never to return... I don't want that.. not any of it."

He watched the concern wander over her face and dull the glow in her cheeks. He motioned her to sit beside him as he knealt up to redo his trousers and belt. "Miss Liza... I'd be honored, but I... don't know that I can... for the right reasons and the wrong reasons."

She was about to sit, when he last words hit her ears. She closed her eyes and nodded slowly. "I'm sorry, then.. I shouldn't have asked." She leaned down and placed a sweet kiss to his lips. "You know.. other than a relative... you're the only man I've ever kissed." She whispered, brushing his cheek with those soft fingers. "I'll not forget you, Everitt.." She stepped around him and walked out the doors of the shop, heading down the main street to her little wagon, so she could make for home.. or the place she'd come to call home. Soon it would all just be a memory.

Befuddled, he watched her go, wondering why his feet weren't moving faster. "Galdurnit," he muttered. "Hell with niceties.. she's mine, she's gonna stay mine." He hoofed it out the door and down the street behind her, running quickly to catch up to her and step into her path. "Miss Liza," he started, out of breath. "I think you and me are misunderstandin' one another here, at least one of us is."

"It's alright Everitt... It was wrong of me to ask that.. I am just a woman. It's not my place and I should know.." She looked down and off to the side, avoiding his face and eyes. "I apologize for being so forward and bold.. and for putting you into an uncomfortable position." She swallowed the lump in her throat and blinked at the tears that burned her eyes. "He'll be arriving soon, by way of rail and stage, so I best be making preperations."

"I didn't say I woulnd't, Miss Liza.. I just said I didn't think I could...not for the wrong reasons... but for all the right reasons, I think I can and I think there's a way without you demeanin' your honor... but you'll have to trust me an' play along... all the way along if you want it t'work."

She looked to him, her eyes full of questions. "You'll... help me?" She asked softly. "And I think I'll need a bit of detail, about what it is you're talking about... play along with what?"

He looked around the street. "Not here... let me escort you back and we'll talk... if that's alright... my invitin' myself in like that. Just talk....," he said, his grin warming as his cool eyes lifted to watch hers carefully. "For now, that is."

She chewed her lip, her eyes closing briefly as she fought to push the tears away. For the moment it worked and she nodded to him, accepting his offer. She knew... that it was not at all proper and if her soon to be husband found out... No, she would not dwell on that, for now she could hope that she'd not have to marry that man. "Alright, then... shall we?" She motioned to the small wagon, and then beyond towards her little house.