Behind the Glamour
Author: Nicola Clarke
Disclaimer: The author of this fan fiction does not own any aspect of Roswell. Those rights belong to Melinda Metz, Jason Katims, WB, UPN, 20th Century Fox, etc. Disclaimer added by moderator.
Précis: When Elizabeth and Maxwell meet they have an instantaneous pull towards one another. Though Elizabeth is ‘happily’ married they can not help but let their passion overtake them and leisurely begin pursuing one another when backs are turned. In a scandalous fight to unleash desires neither have experienced before they may obliterate their homes, reputations and nuptials. When what was a search for unleashing sexual frustration turns into much more will they have to make the choice to linger together or return to their ordinary lives?
Notes: Set in the 19th century, all place names are bogus, made up in my imagination as are all characters apart from Maxwell, Elizabeth, Isabel, Michael, Alexander, Kyle and Maria.
~*~
Mrs. Elizabeth Parker-Samson glanced around the room with a tinge of languor setting over her heart. The tedious brown lounge room could not have been more monstrously decorated in her opinion. Quite recurrently when the tête-à-tête was of no significance to her, she would amuse herself with her surroundings. Although at the present moment this task was proving to be easier said than done.
“Elizabeth?”
“Yes Margaret?” She tried to make-believe she had been listening.
Margaret’s aggravation was blatant. “Elizabeth, have you not been listening at all?”
“Of course dear, no one is more fascinated with what you’re saying then I am,” Elizabeth replied smiling harmoniously. “Although I must confess I am not feeling one-hundred percent this morning and may appear distant, I am of full concentration I assure you.”
“Oh my,” Jane hissed. “If you are poorly we must call the doctor.”
Elizabeth swallowed. “No, that is unnecessary but nevertheless very kind of you Jane. I shall be fine in time.”
Aretha who had been quietly sipping her bitter tea studied Elizabeth’s face. “Eliza, forgive me for asking, but my curiosity has gotten the better of me. Your cause of bad-health is not for the reason that you are with child is it?”
Elizabeth squeaked in surprise. “No!” She exclaimed. “I mean, of course not Aretha, what ever made you think that?”
On the numerous attempts Elizabeth and her husband, Nathaniel, had tried, they had never been able to conceive a child. This vexed Nathaniel greatly for he was convinced it was a problem on his part and not on hers. Elizabeth who was the model spouse reassured him that children were not a high precedence for her, although deep down the prospect of having a child thrilled her.
“I do apologize,” Aretha spoke. “I do not mean to irk you.”
Elizabeth smiled. “Do not apologize, but if you must, ask for forgiveness for your mistrust of my character. Do you not believe I would inform you of my condition if it were so?”
Upon noticing the banter was heading in the unfounded direction, Cynthia changed the area of discussion.
“You will not believe what I was informed yesterday!” She cried.
“Ohhh,” Margaret cooed. “Please tell me this is attention-grabbing hearsay.”
Elizabeth’s ears perked up. “Yes, all right, let us have it,” she urged.
Cynthia put her tea cup down and leaned forward. “This must stay amid us ladies, or my head will be lost!” She giggled immaturely. “The attorney Senior Dawson educated me on the history of a Mr. Evans yesterday evening.”
“Mr. Evans?” Elizabeth asked. “I have never heard of this gentleman before?”
“Oh I know!” Cynthia hollered. “No one has. He is to arrive in the neighborhood within the week.”
“How inconspicuous of him to arrive so hastily!” Jane offered. “Where will he be staying? Does he have a large fortune?”
“Oh my! Oh my! Give me a chance for heaven’s peace!” Cynthia puffed. “He will be staying at Austen Park—“
“AUSTEN PARK!” Elizabeth cried. “Why that’s the most exalted abode in the region, he must be prosperous.”
“Next to your, Birkbeck Park, Eliza, don’t forget your residence is distinguished also,” Aretha harked back.
Elizabeth sighed. “Yes, I could barely overlook that but I find it hard to believe that after such a long period of time the old manor is to be occupied once more. How could I not be informed of its sale? Surely the neighbor has some right in knowing!”
Cynthia huffed impatiently. “Shall I finish or am I no longer needed?”
“Oh dear,” Elizabeth said. “Forgive and forget our foul manors honey, you must continue. Tell us about this Monsieur Evans.”
Cynthia smiled triumphantly. “He is very prosperous, as you guessed by his new abode and I am eager to announce he does not have a wife.”
“Oh,” Jane said cheerfully. “You have all my interest now.”
“Such a wealthy spinster will do great things for this district, no doubt,” Elizabeth alleged. “I shall like to make some new friends, precede Cynthia.”
“Yes do tell us why the Evans’s arrival is so hush-hushed,” Aretha said.
Cynthia was flushed with fervor to be the centre of attention. “Apparently, Mr. Evans was not always a bachelor but was forced to leave his consort and his home for he was put to shame by his brother, Damien’s, actions. His mistress…”
“This is no shock, I’m sure every male in the nation has a mistress…”
“Oh but they are very skilled at not getting caught,” Elizabeth whispered.
Cynthia continued, “Well Mr. Damien Evans is not very skilled, he got his heavy with child.”
“Oh.”
“It gets worse!” Cynthia cried. “His mistress was his brothers, Mr. Maxwell Evans, wife!”
The four women clucked together.
“Alas the pregnancy was proclaimed and the family kinship shattered only for the woman to afterward announce that it wasn’t Mr. Damien’s infant at all, it was someone else’s! But by then it was too late, Maxwell Evans was informed of Mr. Damien Evans excursions with his other half and he left the neighborhood!” Cynthia took in several deep breaths to calm her beating heart.
“How very disgraceful,” Aretha commented.
Elizabeth smiled. “I shall very much like to meet this man.”
All the women turned to her with astonishment.
“Do you think he is mourning over his wife?” Jane asked with a glint in her eyes.
Cynthia smiled. “He is not coming alone.”
“Two bachelors?” Margaret asked.
Cynthia nodded. “His comrade, Mr. Guerin will be joining him.”
“Well they would be quite the twosome,” Elizabeth believed. “Would none of you like to accompany me to their home?”
“Oh I will,” Cynthia said. “I should take much pleasure in seeing Austen Park.”
Elizabeth departed Yorkshire square within the hour and sat unaccompanied in her carriage for the expedition home. Her morning stopover had proven to be more useful then she had earlier estimated. With this new information she felt she had something to look forward to in the forthcoming week. For some peculiar reason she was ignorant of, she felt an eccentric drawing to meet this Evans and Guerin duo, particularly Mr. Evans.
Possibly it was the tedium of her routine existence that caused her intrigue or perhaps it was something else. Whichever, nothing would impede her from going to Austen Park when the new landlord arrived.
~*~
“Please prepare the carriage Abigail; I shall want to leave for Austen Park in a short time.”
Abigail nodded appreciatively. “Yes Miss, would you like some more tea before you leave?”
Elizabeth glanced out the window at the grey sky. “No thank you, I have had more then enough this morning.”
Abigail curtsied before departing the room.
Inside a deep storm of zeal was swelling in Elizabeth’s chest. She was unsure as to what caused her jitters but feared the worst; perhaps flu was coming on?
“Excuse me Miss,” Abigail returned to the room once again. “Ms Deluca is here for you.”
Elizabeth’s face lit up. “Oh wonderful! Please send her in,” she said.
A few moments prior a boisterous friendly voice echoed down the hall. “Oh my! Don’t fuss, don’t fuss!”
Elizabeth smiled to herself. “Maria, will you never allow anyone to look after you?” she asked before even seeing her.
Maria appeared in the doorway. “Never, never,” she cooed. “My dear, dear Lizzie I am so happy to see you. I meant to call before arriving but I just could not hold off my visit, I just simply had to see you. It has been far too long.”
“Yes, yes it has,” Elizabeth said standing up from her chair. The two old cousins hugged fondly. No one in Elizabeth’s life was as significant to her as her dear cousin Maria, not even her husband. “Oh you must accompany me!” She suddenly remembered.
“Where?” Maria asked.
“I am to travel to Austen Park to meet the new owner, Mr. Evans. I was to go with Cynthia but she has fallen ill.” Elizabeth took her seat but her hands remained clasped in Maria’s. “You will gladly come, no? An unmarried dame as yourself must be excited at the prospect of two male spinsters.”
“Why of course!” Maria exclaimed lively. “I am sparkling with curiosity, but what is your interest in meeting these two sirs?”
Elizabeth had no answers. She paused before replying, “I shall like to welcome them to the neighborhood of course.” A calling inside Elizabeth urged her to go, it was perplexing but thunderous and she would not disregard something so palpable. Could she tell her dearest friend of her misgivings?
No, she decided. She would not converse of her thoughts to anyone until she understood them.
Maria’s eyes twinkled. “Lizzie…” she spoke. “How’s Nathaniel? Is everything…okay?”
It was very kind of her cousin to ask after Elizabeth’s spouse considering she made it very clear that she detested him, every chance she got. When Elizabeth had announced her engagement to Nathaniel three years prior Maria had warned her that it was the wrong choice to marry for fortune.
“I love him,” Elizabeth had claimed.
“You do not know what love is!” Maria had argued. But being the good friend she was, she had given up when she saw there was no swaying Elizabeth’s decision and wished her the best of luck. She herself was yet to get married claiming she was waiting for the man that was her soul mate.
“Nathaniel is fine,” Elizabeth replied. “Working hard, as he always does.”
“Hardly any time for you, you mean? How exciting.”
Elizabeth rolled her eyes. “I am very happy to be autonomous, thank you Maria.”
Maria was silent for a moment. “Let us go now; you have me excited at the prospect of meeting two new bachelors.”
Elizabeth smiled. “If you wish,” she said.
The journey was short and uneventful but the humming in Elizabeth’s body grew louder with the closer they got to the house.
“What does your husband think of your keenness to travel to meet these men?” Maria asked teasingly.
Elizabeth stifled a laugh. “He may be my husband but I will never let him possess me,” she answered. “I shall voyage where I please, when I please.”
“Very strong-spoken for a woman of your importance,” Maria said.
The carriage pulled up outside the manor and when the two women scrambled out they were awed by the loveliness in front of them.
“It would be quite the triumph to be the madam of this residence,” Maria commented. “Don’t you agree?”
Elizabeth looked bothered. “My residence is just as striking,” she alleged.
Maria smiled. “Yes, Lizzie but what of me? I still live with my parents; I must live up to your accomplishments mustn’t I?”
“Yes, I suppose you must,” Elizabeth replied.
“How do I look? What do you think of my gown?” Maria tried to push her breasts up so more skin was exposed. “Your crimson dress is much fancier then mine, perhaps we should switch. After all, I am the one looking for the husband.”
“And where do you suppose we change?” Elizabeth asked greatly amused. “Behind the wagon?”
The two women were escorted through the immense house and then were made to wait while their presence was declared. Elizabeth had called ahead announcing she was coming so they should have been expecting her.
“Bring them in.” Both girls were surprised to hear a female’s voice.
Maria and Elizabeth walked into the large lounge room and were welcomed by a handsome, youthful woman going by the name of Isabel Evans.
“You must be Mrs. Samson,” Isabel said. “It’s wonderful to meet you.”
“Yes, it’s delightful to finally meet my new neighbor,” Elizabeth replied. She was bewildered to discover her sources had been inaccurate; it appeared Mr. Evans’ wife had accompanied him. Realizing she was being discourteous she quickly apologized. “Forgive me, this is my cousin, Maria Deluca.”
“Welcome Mrs. Deluca.”
Maria took a seat. “Oh, no just Miss.”
“I apologize,” Isabel said. “I must also ask for forgiveness for my brother and cousin, they were delayed unexpectedly.”
“Brother?” Elizabeth asked taken aback. “Oh, I had the notion you were married!”
Isabel smiled. “Oh heavens no, I’m just visiting, assisting my brother in getting established. My husband is back in Burlington,” she explained. “Maxwell and Michael will do their absolute best to be—“
“Good Morning,” a masculine voice interrupted her before she could finish.
Elizabeth’s eyes shot in the direction of the voice, as did Maria’s. A tall, dark, elegantly built male strode into the room with poise. His countenance gave the impression he was in charge and he oozed the air of supremacy and strength. His eyes sought out Elizabeth’s and when he caught them he smiled.
“And who do I have the pleasure of accommodating in my home this morning?” He asked. His eyes bore into Elizabeth’s causing her to splutter with nervousness as if she were a mere sixteen once again. Her spirit grew wings and soared out of her chest and towards the man before even allowing her to blink.
“This is Mrs. Elizabeth Samson and her cousin Miss. Maria Deluca, Elizabeth, Maria, may I introduce my brother, Maxwell Evans,” Isabel initiated. “I told you we had guests scheduled, remember?”
“Yes I remember,” he said. He stood in the same spot for a number of seconds with his eyes pasted to a somewhat red-faced Elizabeth. Maria and Isabel looked back and forth amid the two in bewilderment. Finally, Maxwell strode up to Elizabeth and, taking her hand in his, he placed a soft kiss on her wrist. His eyes burnt holes in hers, causing her abdomen to do flip-flops. “It’s wonderful to meet you Elizabeth.”
They ogled each other for a moment too long before he let go of her and stepped back. Elizabeth felt as if she had just seen his core; she gulped and looked away, trying to calm her pulsing body. Why did she all of a sudden feel the urge to recline?
After welcoming Maria, in the same manner but a great deal speeder, Maxwell obtained a seat flanking his sister.
Elizabeth could feel his eyes on her during the discussion but she could not bring herself to turn to him. What was wrong with her, she wondered? She had met fine-looking men before, she met them all the time, and she was married to one! So why should this man be any different? Out of blue, the aspiration to go home and hide snuck up on her.
“Elizabeth, Elizabeth…” Isabel said trying to get her attention. “Elizabeth!”
She crooked her head in Isabel’s direction and stared at her.
“Are you under the weather, my dear? I had to virtually roar to get you to take notice of me,” Isabel asked. “You appear as if you’ve seen a ghost.”
Elizabeth felt her cheeks burn. Her breaths started leaving her body in thunderous pants and the area started to spin. “I—I,” She attempted speaking although couldn’t get the words out. He was watching her; she couldn’t help herself, she gave in and caught his gaze. His brown pools lit up momentarily and a devilish grin trickled over his mouth.
“Is everything satisfactory?” He asked apprehensively.
“Lizzie?” Maria said.
Her eyes remained glued to Maxwell’s. “I’m all right, I just, I thought I—” She stuttered. “Please, don’t be concerned; I imagine I…I may require water.”
“Of course,” Isabel said. “We will obtain you some directly. Ada! Ada!”
A servant entered the room swiftly. “Yes Miss?”
“We will require some water, hurriedly,” Maxwell replied ahead of his sister.
“Yes Sir,” Ada said scurrying off.
Elizabeth put her hand on her chest and took several deep breaths to settle her heart.
“Thank you, you’re very kind,” she uttered. “I apologize for my conduct; I don’t understand what has come over me.”
“Do not apologize,” Maxwell said.
“Of course,” Isabel agreed with her brother. “Please you are no burden.”
Ada returned with the goblet of water and offered it to Elizabeth. “Will you need anything else, mam?” She asked.
“No I’m all right, thank you,” Elizabeth replied. She swallowed a large amount of water and closed her eyes to take pleasure in the sensation of it slithering down her esophagus.
“Maria?” Isabel asked. “Would you like anything?”
“No thank you.”
Maxwell watched Elizabeth. “Do you feel recovered?” He asked.
She nodded hastily. “Yes, yes, thank you.”
Throughout the rest of the morning Elizabeth remained secluded from the conversation. She would catch Maxwell’s eyes occasionally and he would smile secretly at her. When Isabel asked after her husband she noticed his eyes become considerably less light.
“Yes, Nathaniel is an attorney,” she responded to Isabel’s questions.
“Oh, and do you have any children?”
“No, we don’t…we haven’t planned to,” Elizabeth replied.
“Oh that’s a shame.”
Judging by Elizabeth’s current fluster and her assiduous glances in Maxwell Evans direction, Maria concluded that Liz had finally found true love. What Elizabeth had with her husband was not love, according to Maria, maybe Liz had finally found her soul mate?
But oh no, she would not say anything, if her romantic notions were correct, fate would bring them together if it was meant to be. Nevertheless that didn’t mean she couldn’t just help out a little bit.
“Isabel, would you be as kind as to accompany me for a short turn about the gardens?” She asked. “You’re grounds are very impressive, I shall very much like to be introduced to them.”
TBC????? This ones a big maybe people...
