The Lady in White - Open to 1 Male

[ChaseMePleez]

Place: The Covington Estate, Boston, Mass.
Time: Midnight
Year: 1844

If someone were to look out from a passing carriage they would see a feminine form dressing all in white walking to the door of the Covington home. The lady in white placed a single letter on the door addressed to man of the house, Damon Covington. Four weeks earlier he had been jilted by his fiance, who had been having an affair with his best friend for nearly a year. It was society's most notorious scandal and the poor man was sullen at the betrayal. There was someone who felt compassion for him and worried over his welfare. She left this note for him:

Dear Mr. Covington,

I do not think it would be wise for my name to be linked to this letter. You and I have met only in passing. I was never one to stand out in a man's mind but you have in mine. You used to be so full of life and happiness. Your eyes are so sad now and it breaks my heart when you are such a kind man. Do not define yourself by someone else's weaknesses. I hate seeing what she's done to you. Anyone with eyes could see you have lost faith in love but it is real. I know it because I have been in love with you for a long time now. I did not know a man could show kindness until the day we met. It gave me hope...you gave me hope. That is why that look in your eyes kills me everytime I see it.Do not let her be the reason you let your heart go cold. Not when you have so much to give of yourself. You're a good man. Don't let this change that.

Your Sincere Friend, The Lady in White



The paper held the faint scent of lilies to it that was her perfume but Amelia never thought that it might get his attention. She only wished to do something to help him. The youngest child of seven girls, she was used to being overlooked by everyone. She had met Damon when they were just teenagers and a bully had torn her dress. He had run the boy off and escorted home so no one else would bother her. He had actually spoken to her like a person and made her smile. He had earned a place in her heart that day and now she wished to heal his if she could.

"Amelia Louise Winchester! What were you doing out this time of night? Your parents would have kittens if they knew." The older maid had been Amelia's nurse maid when she was a baby and had stayed on all these years. She stood there with a shawl around her shoulders, obviously worried. "I'm sorry Bessie but I had to try. I left the letter at his door and made sure no one saw me." Bessie shrugged. "Couldn't do any harm, little miss. Even his servants worry about him."

Amelia ran up the stairs and dressed for bed before her parents could see that she was up and up to something. She brushed her long brown hair as she sat on her bed, her mind daydreaming about the man that had filled her dreams since she was thirteen years old. She never expected happily ever after for herself but she knew she wanted it for him.

 

[BRIGHTWELL]

Damon Covington

The board meeting of the Boston & Lowell rail road ran late. Damon Covington and his personal assistant Jerald Whitewurst, sat in the carriage as it rattled though the gas lite streets of Boston.

"I tell you Jer, Carter's idea of granite ties were stupid. The B&M are using wood ties and they don't get half of the complaint we do." states plainly.
"Mr. C, maybe we can get Mr. Carter to change his mind, sir!" Jerald relies.
"That hard headed yankee cut throat has money in a granite mine in New Hampshire. It will be tough to get him to budge. He can't see that wooden ties would be better.

Soon the carriage is at the gates of the Covington Estate in western edge of Boston. The gates are opened by a servant.
"Morning Mr. Covington." The voicer calls out.
Damon Covington looks out of the carriage. "Evening Henry, any thing going on?"
"Yes sir, A lady just left. She look right pretty, Mr. Covington. She left a note for you in the door."
"Thank you Henry, I will check it out"
Damon turned to Jerald. "I think that will be all for tonight Jerald. Carl will take you home. Besides I have a missive to read."
Damon climbs out of the carriage and waves good bye as it goes out the gate.
As he reaches his front door he sees the envelope stuck in the jam. THe faint scent of lilies intrigue him. He opens the letter and reads it.

Dear Mr. Covington,

I do not think it would be wise for my name to be linked to this letter. You and I have met only in passing. I was never one to stand out in a man's mind but you have in mine. You used to be so full of life and happiness. Your eyes are so sad now and it breaks my heart when you are such a kind man. Do not define yourself by someone else's weaknesses. I hate seeing what she's done to you. Anyone with eyes could see you have lost faith in love but it is real. I know it because I have been in love with you for a long time now. I did not know a man could show kindness until the day we met. It gave me hope...you gave me hope. That is why that look in your eyes kills me everytime I see it.Do not let her be the reason you let your heart go cold. Not when you have so much to give of yourself. You're a good man. Don't let this change that.

Your Sincere Friend, The Lady in White

Damon holds the letter and carries it inside. " I did not know a man could show kindness until the day we met." he repeats to himself. "Until the day WE met." he repeats. He caries the letter to his study and sits down in his favorate chair. He opens the letter again and looks at the bottom of the letter.
The Lady in White

Damon looks at the fire in the fire place. This has so many connotations, white is the color of a bride. A white knight is a friendly take over and a lady is the female knight. What does this woman want, what exactlly does she want? Me? She says she loves me. Then she knows about Lucy. Hell, every one knows about Lucy. Damon thinks.

Damon slowly falls asleep in his chair.

 

[ChaseMePleez]

Samual Winchester, Amelia's father, had arranged an early lunch meeting with some of his colleagues at the Union Oyster House that day. For some reason he decided that he wanted her to accompany him for this. Ever the obedient child, Amelia dressed in a cream colored dress that complimented her skin tone and made herself presentable. Her father looked pleased with how she looked when she came down the stairs. The wrinkles around his eyes crinkled as he smiled. "My baby girl has grown up while I wasn't looking." A small shade of red bloomed on her cheeks and she grabbed her coat. The carriage was waiting for the two of them right outside. Her mother waved them off as her father helped her into the carriage.

The events of two nights ago were heavy in her mind. Amelia couldn't get him out of her mind lately, the way his eyes had just died since that woman bad betrayed his trust. It killed her to think anyone could hurt such a good man. If he had ever graced her with the kind of attention he gave Lucy, she would move heaven and Earth for him. "Deep in thought, honey bear?" Amelia smiled at her father, just realizing how deep in thought she had been. "Nothing to worry about, Daddy."

Samual Winchester was no fool, far from it. He had seen a change in his youngest daughter that made him painfully aware of how much he had neglected her. He had spent so much time focusing on keeping her sisters out of trouble and handling business while she stood back in silence, not letting on if she needed him at all. The concern in her eyes for young Covington spoke volumes. She was a child anymore and her heart had settled on someone. He did like Damon. The younger man was intelligent, very perceptive for someone his age and not afraid to stand up for his decisions.

Amelia looked outside as the carriage rode along the city streets. There was a people out for a stroll on the sidewalks with their children. It was typical for a midday in Boston. Other than the occasional pure snatcher, nothing really happened here anymore. The carriage stopped in front of the old restaurant and her father exited first so he could help her out. The restaurant had been around since the Boston Tea Party and had a good reputation. It was a more casual meeting place, more fitted for business luncheons than formal dinners.

They walked through the doors and a man took their coats as an employee led them to their table. Some of her father's colleagues were already at the table chatting on some subject that must have been amusing. Amelia smiled as her father pulled out a chair for her and noticed his eyes were elsewhere. "Daddy?" She turned to see what had captured his attention and her heart did a familiar flip flop inside her ribs.

Samual recognized that look of longing as it was how he looked at his wife to this day. As much as he hated the idea of letting go of one of his babies, he wanted to see her happy. This would take some clever machinations to get them to spend time with one another. He pushed in Amelia's chair and looked up at Marcus, one of his good friends and colleagues. "Marcus, it's so good to see you away from henpecking wife. Let's talk." Sam sat himself next to Marcus instead of his daughter which left only one chair left for the newcomer to take next to Amelia.

Amelia was a bundle of nerves as she tried to smile politely up at the man that had haunted her dreams since she could remember. She could smell the intoxicating cologne of his skin and it almost made her dizzy. Rumors of the 'lady in white' had spread along their small corner of Boston. Some people said she was a lover that Damon had left for Lucy that was trying to win his love back. Other says its the ghost of some forlorned bride that died before she could be married. It was utter trash. She put on her best calm but polite demeanor as she addressed him. "Nice to see you again, Mr. Covington. It has been a long time."

 

[BRIGHTWELL]

Damon Covington

Damon sat behind his desk at the Boston & Lowell headquarters. The reports that were coming in are disurbing. Ridership was down. Passengers were finding other ways to get to there destinations. Carriage traffic in the Boston & Lowell service area was reported to be up 15%. While his rail lines were down 20%. Something is wrong and Damon knows what it is. It the granite ties. They give the passengers a very rough ride. Julius Carter refuse to budge on the use of granite ties. He had convinced several other board members to see thing his way. But the numbers didn't lie. Ridership is down and markedly so.

Jerald Whitewurst knocked and then entered the Damon's office. He did not have to be allowed in, though he knocked any way. "Mr. C. you have a lunch meeting at the Union Oyster House in a half hour, sir." he states flatly.
Damon looks up. "In ahalf hour you say?" Damon askes looking up from his report.

"Yes Sir, Mr. Winchester sent the invitation and you excepted, sir?" Jerald looks at his boss. "Don't you remember?" he askes starting to get concerned.
Then Damon brightens and smiles. "Jer, some times you worry me, you never know when I'm playing you." Damon pushes back his chair and stand. "I've been looking forward to this meeting. Winchester has some great ideas about running a rail road. And if I'm lucky there just might be a lead on this mystery "woman in white". Several of my domestic staff have been all a buzz about it. They cluck like hens. The woman in white, the woman in white. Maybe if I find out who she is I can get my bed made befor noon."

Jerald smiles. "Yes sir, oh I'm having lunch with Mr. Carter's man, Clifford today. I will see if I might get some sort of back channel open on the granite tile issue."

Damon nods and walks toward the door. " See what you can find out Jer. This company might just be riding on those talks. Meanwhile I'll try and keep the sharks from gobbling up our beloved B&L." Damon walks to the stairway and to the front door. The late morning sun bathes him in light. He sees a cab and waves it down.

Soon he is in front of Union Oyster House. He stand in front of the old building and smiles. Strong yankee traditions, that is what makes Boston great.
He walks in and is greeted by the owner. "Mr. Winchester is waiting in the main dining room for you Mr. Covington.." Damon looks at the owner. "The main dining room not the bar?"

"Yes sir, he has several guest with him and I might add one of his daughters."
Damon look back at the owner. " His daughter? he brought his daughter to a businees meeting?"

"Yes sir, she is quite stunning too, I might add!" the owner relies. Domon spots Samual Winchester and recognizes several other rail road players from the Boston and North Eastern area. And a woman in cream colored dress. I wonder.

Damon walks over to the table. Several of the gentleman nod to him. The only on to speak to him was the woman in cream colored dress."Nice to see you again, Mr. Covington. It has been a long time." She looks up at him with a smile.

Damon is not sure what say. "Yes it has been a while, has it not." He adds with a smile. He takes his seat next to her. Then it hit him,until the day we met.from the note. "The lady in white was, Amelia Winchester."

Damon leans in toward her and says softly to her"You have the whole town abuzz, Miss Winchester. Who is looking for a merger here. You or your father?"

 

[ChaseMePleez]

Amelia felt slightly confused at his words and just looked at him for a moment until the meaning finally hit her. He knew! Her soft eyes were wide with shock but she did her best to cover the rush of emotion. Having him so close didn't do much to calm her nerves. There was undeniable attraction that made her own betray itself when he was around. Her frazzled nerves cause her to tip over a water glass near her hand and she spend the next few moments helping the waiter mop up the mess.

Samual was very much aware of the situation and did nothing to aid his daughter. "It has been quite a while since the two of you have interacted. Amelia, sweetheart, isn't Damon the one who saved you from that boy when you were 13 years old?" The incident was the sole reason Amelia had fallen in love with him as a young man. "Yes, Papa. It was him." Her flush face caused a few chuckles and she could barely glance back at Damon. When she did he looked to be contemplating something.

She had managed to avoid the subject that Damon had brought up but it wouldn't last for long. One thing she knew about him was that he was persistent when he wanted to know something. Her father began to speak on suitable materials fopr expansion across certain territories. There had been a problem with robberies and other attacks on some of their workers. One of the locals had sought out the help of a few mercenaries.

Amelia pretended to drop her fork and bent down to pick it up. "I do not know why you referred to me in such a manner but I do believe you are mistaken, Mr. Covington." He looked as convinced as if she had told him that she was two-headed hydra. She couldn't take those eyes on her right now. "Father, please excuse me while I go to powder my nose." The excuse was a bad one and even her father could tell when she was lying about something so simple.

"Of course,dear." Samual looked a little worried but he knew his daughter would isolate herself and never come out of the self-imposed cage. Amelia exited the ladies room and took a left instead of a right, taking the outer exit to the gardens in the back. There was a stone bench near a fountain that dripped water quietly. Her mask had finally been stripped off and Damon knew she had sent the letter. Never in her wildest dreams had she contemplated that he would figure her out or that he would ever find out how she felt about him.

Her other sisters had all found their place in the world but in a way, Amelia had drifted from one point to the next, never really settling anywhere. The common point for her were her family and Damon. Amelia lifted her head when she thought she heard the back exit door being closed. Someone was in the garden with her. Silently she prayed it wasn't the cook, Trevor. The man was at least 15 years her senior and had tried sweet talking her many times into letting him court her.

The footsteps were heavy and definitely male, making her swallow down some of the nervousness. The companion was not entirely unexpected but she still had no idea how to deal with his presence. There was really no protocol for this situation for her to refer to.

 

[BRIGHTWELL]

Damon Covington

Damon pauses and lets his words sink in. Her reaction is as Damon has expected. Her nervous smile. And her momentary looking away. Caught her fathers attention.

"It has been quite a while since the two of you have interacted. Amelia, sweetheart, isn't Damon the one who saved you from that boy when you were 13 years old?" Samual Winchester stated with knowing smile.

"Yes, Papa. It was him." Amelia replies to her father. Damon looks at Samual. "That was some time ago, Mr. Wnchester. We were both much younger and I'm sure could handle those bully toughs quite well, now."

Amelia chuckles and glances back at Damon. "In fact I have it on good authority that Miss Amelia is a crack shot with a hand pistol." Damon implies. This seemed to put some of the other gentlemen at the table uneasy. They did not appove of women carrying firearms and knowing how to use them . Samual changed the subject and forced the discussion back to railroading.
While another brought up the Election between Polk and Clay. The idea of Manifest Destiny appealed to some of these Yenkee business men. Though others were more focused on business and the appeal of the Whigs party.

All this table conflict must of unsettled Amelia. Because she drops her fork. And makes an excuse to leave the table. It is clear to Damon that political bickering is not welcomed in her presence. Samual looks around the table and glares at several men at the table. It was clear that he wanted to talk business and not presidental politics.

Damon looks at Samual Winchester. "Mr. Winchester, if you don't mind I'll check on Miss Amelia, just to make sure she is all right."

Samual Winchester nods and looks in the direction of his retreating daughter. "Please do, Damon. I think your presence will calm her, at least to some degree. She has been on edge, for a while now."

Damon stood and glances at the other older business men at the table. "If you gentlemen will excuse me I will be back shortly" He turns and follows route toward the garden in the rear of the establishment. He found her sitting on a stone bench near a fountain that dripped water.

"Miss Amelia, we need to talk." Damon stood over her. The morning sun beating down on his back. Casting a shadow over Amelia. She looks up at him. A small hopefull smile brightens her face.

 

[ChaseMePleez]

Amelia looked into those beautiful eyes that had been in her dreams for so long. There was a small smile on her lips. It was great to see that he had finally come out of the depression that fiancee had caused when she betrayed him. Some part of her wished that he would see her as a woman he could be with. Denying this anymore just seemed pointless. Her father had always told her that she would never be able to have exactly what she want if she didn't learn to ask for it. "You're right. We do need to talk." She gestured for him to sit next to her.

The smell of his cologne tempted her to cuddle her face into his neck. Amelia had no idea where to start. "When I wrote that letter, I didn't know that it would result in such outrageous rumors flowing rampantly around Boston." She looked up at him, those innocent eyes showing her for what she was. "When Lucy did what she did, I saw what it did to you." The tone in her voice was a little sad. "You were so kind to me when we first met. I couldn't sit back and watch you let her effect your life the she was."

Amelia took a chance and touched his hand with her own. When his fingers grasped it, her pulse jumped. Her attraction to him had always been so potent but being so naive when it comes to men, Amelia was unsure on how to relate that to him. "I don't know what to say about the other issue. I think I explained that in the letter. The feelings I have are very real but I never expected anything from you in return. I just wanted to see you happy again, Damon."

Samuel peaked out at the two young ones while his colleagues discussed business plans. He was worried about his baby girl and the young man he had come to respect after all this time. It didn't take a genius to figure out what they were discussing. That look in Amy's eyes was the same in her mother's whenever they had first met. It was the look a woman has when she's in love. It hurt to think he was losing his last child to a possible husband but it was worth it to see her have what she needed. If Damon hurt her, he would just have to break his legs.

The steady silence she got from Damon was just another form of rejection. Amelia tried to not let it hurt that he couldn't at least say something to her. "I'm glad you're yourself again." She stood up and felt the onslaught of tears threatening to spill down her cheeks. She faced away from him and tried to get control of her breathing. "I'm sure my father is worried about what I am doing. It would be best if we oth just went inside."

Amelia got maybe a full two feet when she felt him grasp her hand suddenly.Her heart stopped in its chest and she looked back at him. "Please let me go, Damon." She pulled but refused to let her go. He looked as confused as she felt at the moment. What did he want from her?

 

[BRIGHTWELL]

Do I come or do go, do I stay or do I flee now.

"Please let me go, Damon." Amelia says looking at him. Damon is confused. "You can't release the genie from the bottle and walk away." He continues to hold her, only loosely. He looks at her in wonder and yes mystified. "You wanted to free me from my bonds, you say you love me. Then you want to walk away. Do you not see. In setting me free from Lucy you bind yourself to me!"

Damon stands and walks over to Samual. "Mr. Wichester I think our meeting is concluded. That is the business portion of it, I mean. You see sir, I think there are things that Amelia and I need to discuss that should be done in private. And this is not the right setting. And with all respect sir, you have other guests that need your attention. And to be quite frank, we are a distraction. "

Damon turns and returns to Amelia's side. He takes her hand and looks back at Samual. "I will see to it sir that no harm comes to her. I saved her once before, I will do so again!" Leading Amelia out of the garden out to the street. The noon time streets are packed with people. Damon sees a cab and hails a cab. It makes its way over to him. Damon opens the door and looks at Amelia.

"Do you come or do you go? Do you come with me or do you flee? Are you the woman in white? or the scarlet fever that will leave me ill....once again?"

 

[ChaseMePleez]

Amelia looked at him, not sure if she heard him correctly. Damon had always been a passionate man that made no qualms about going after something he wanted. It had always gave her a thrill to listen him talk about something that mattered to him. His eyes would glow voraciously with energy as he would go on. Her hand cupped his cheek, he thumb caressing his cheek. Her heart was beating so hard that she found it a wonder that it didn't burst free from her chest and fly away.

Even as people stopped to stare at the two of them, Amelia didn't put up a fight as he guided her to the cab. The choice for her was very clear and it was about time that she fight for what she wanted too. "I will come with you, Damon. I will always be your lady in white." She stepped into the cab and waited for Damon to situate himself next to her. She wasn't sure exactly where he was taking her since he kept his voice down as he spoke to the driver.

The Covington estate came into view after about 15 mins. in the cab. Amelia was slightly nervous as to what might happen. In many ways she was still very innocent but she understood the feelings her body had when he was close to her. Once the cab stopped and Damon exited, he helped her out, holding onto her hand. Several onlookers were staring at the two of them as the door to Damon's home opened to them both. He allowed her to pass through the doorway first. A well-dressed servant bowed to her elegantly. "Good day, Miss Winchester." She gave a polite nod and removed her bonnet, handing it to the man. "Thank you."

Damon took her arm and guided her to the family library where they could talk privately. Amelia took a seat on the settee and kept her hands folded in her lap. He walked about the room, which he normally did when he was thinking about something. The man was a born pacer. "Damon? Don't over think this too much. From the looks of it you will give yourself a headache." Her small attempt at humor was reward with a gentle smile from him.

Her stomach fluttered at the sight. "You've always kind of cute when you did that little frown though." To her surprise, his cheeks reddened and she had to hold a hand over mouth to hide the smile. The fact that he could still blush at his age was flattering in Amelia's eyes. Alot of men walked around with their chests puffed up, so full of themselves that it was a wonder they didn't tip over. A man who could blush still had a dash of humility and she always found that very attractive. A man with humility understood that everyone was human and didn't hold them to outrageous expectations.

 

[BRIGHTWELL]

Covington Estate family library

Damon leads Amelia into his inner sanctum, the family library. Here he does his best thinking. And Amelia word on the way over still haunt him. Damon, I will always be your lady in white. She makes small talk, complimenting his smile and his frown. This takes him back abit. He reflects on words Lucy had said about his frown. "that frown of your darling, is so cute" the memory of Lucy at first makes him smile then turns to embarrasment. He turns and looks at Amelia.

"Dearest Amelia, your word touch he so very deeply." He pauses and looks around the room. Then stops and returns to look at her again. "What can a man say to a woman who says she will be his always?" He moves closes to her as she raises her head to return his gaze. "Dearest Amelia, I brought you here so that we can talk. Our relationship is still in development. Your understanding of my heart break over Lucy is precious to me. And my time all alone has only deepened my sadness. And then you arrive like a becon in the night. Throwing off the shroud of dispair that has wrapped so tightly about me. The thing is, my dearest Amelia, to be painfully honest. There are things that you should know. Things that are dark. I have a dark side."

Damon turns and walks over to a a cupboard and finds a bottle of whiskey. He looks at Amelia. He finds two crystal glasses and poura a measure of amber liquid into both. He carries both glasses over to Amelia. He hesitates for just a second then hands her the glass. "This dark side, is in part what lead to Lucy leaving. Or to be quite truthfull, it was the dark side of Lucy that first attracted me to her. For it was she who first baited me. Into her world, and some might say sick world, her very secret world. In the begining all was right, all our needs meshed together. Her perversions became mine. Then she went to far, she took our relationship to a plain I could not tolerate. She said I was weak, weak in mind, weak in my dedication to her as a woman, weak in my dedication to our relationship. She left me because I could not follow her into self debasement."

Damon drinks down his whiskey. He returns his gaze upon Amelia. "So now you know, I'm a shattered man. Hollow, and dark! What I fear dear Amelia is that this darkness will block out all your goodness. My darkness is real, my needs are real, my hunger is real." Damon walks over to her and looks at her face, raises her chin and looks into her eyes. "And this fine lady in white, may be forever tarnished, by the darkness of this man. This man shattered soul, broken hearted, and yet searching. So I have to ask, dearest Amelia, now that I have opened my soul to you. Do you still wish to be my lady in white ...always?"