so... yeah... this is basically avengers in the 1800's... I was watching ripper street on BBC and then I jsut thought "hey, why not put the avengers in the 1800's..." (there is something deeply wrong with me). I have no idea where I'm going with this... or if I'm even going to continue uploading.
I swiftly stepped into the Olde Sweete Shoppe at the end of the lane. It was a small, dark, lifeless little shop and rarely saw any customers.
"Ms. Hill. Is Mr. Fury in?" I asked the young, dark haired woman behind the counter. She had her hair pinned up and was wearing a dark navy dress that accentuated her slender frame.
"Indeed he is. Right this way, Ms. Romanoff."
She cast a piercing glare through the grimy windows and pulled the thick curtains shut. She locked the door and walked through the curtain leading to behind the Olde Sweete Shoppe.
I followed her to a brightly lit room where Nicholas Fury sat in a crumpled suit with Philip Coulson.
"Natasha. Come, look at this." Fury said, staring intensely at what appeared to be a newspaper.
"Disposing so quickly with the formalities Mr. Fury? And in front of two young, pure, unwed ladies? It is no wonder you have such a small social circle." I said, but walked towards the two men.
"I don't pay you to stand around and pass comments on my manners."
"Why I think this is better than work on my back is a mystery to me. What is this?" I looked down at the newspaper.
"The Captain. The American soldier, he is coming here."
I removed my silk gloves and picked up the article.
"He is attending a dance tonight. Allow me to guess, you want me to persuade him to join us?"
"Yes." I turned and walked to the door. "But be warned; there are widespread rumors of his purity, even here."
I froze and turned back to face Fury. "You mean to say he has never lain with someone? Not even a whore?"
"He claims to be saving himself, for his future wife. Oh, and be warned, I believe Barton was planning on dropping in on you later this day."
I nodded and swept out of the room.
"It is a nice day, is it not?" Hill said with a smile as I put my gloves back on and pulled out a parasol.
"I suppose, for some." I replied, leaving the small store.
The sun shone down on me as I walked back home.
"And where have you been?" Eliza said the minute she saw me.
"Out, running errands."
"Get upstairs quickly, you have a queue forming."
I nodded and glided up the strong oak staircase and into my room. Clint was already waiting.
"Eliza is getting suspicious as to why you never seem to pay."
"The whore can go suck a cock. If she hasn't already." He growled.
I carefully removed each item of my clothing and tossed them aside. "You do this far too much."
"Do not act as though you don't enjoy it." He replied, pushing me against the bed.
Once Clint, and a few others, were done, I called one of the younger girls to me.
"Vicky? Would you mind helping me get ready tonight?"
The small blond girl smiled slightly, but it soon turned to a frown. "But Miss. Eliza... She already says I do not earn enough to pay my keep."
"Do not worry, I will speak to her. You are only fifteen, after all."
Vicky smiled. "What gown are you wearing? And where are you going?"
"I think the emerald silk. And I plan on going to a formal dance. Did you hear that the American Captain is coming here, to London? Supposedly he will be at this dance."
"Really Miss? Oh how exciting! I heard he saved hundreds of women and children!"
I smiled silently and slipped on a pair of silk drawers. I put on my best corset, lined with black silk and edged with white lace. Vicky laced it up, tying all the silk ribbons in neat bows. I put on my own silk petticoats and then pulled out the dress.
"It is beautiful miss." Vicky said, a little in awe. "And very stylish. I heard all the young women in Boston and Paris are wearing such a dress."
I stepped into the dress, letting Vicky fasten it up and arrange the skirts. I sat down in front of my dressing table and pulled out a small bag of face paints.
"Just the lips, Vicky. In red. And maybe a small amount of black around the eyes."
She nodded and carefully applied it. I pulled out a heavy box of jewels and put on a velvet ribbon, fixing a simple diamond brooch at the front of my neck. I put on a pair of heavy diamond drop earrings.
Vicky pulled my hair into a bun, leaving two scarlet locks to frame my face.
"Thank you Vicky. That will be all."
"Miss, may I ask you something?"
"Perhaps. Tell me what it is, and I will decide if I want to tell you."
"Where do you come from? You have no accent, and seem to know far more than is normal for any slums."
"I am from Russia."
"Russia?"
"Yes. You can go now, Vicky."
She nodded and walked out. I picked up a small bag and put in some spare change, and then squirted some perfume on my neck.
I swept out of the room and down the stairs.
"Out again Natasha?" Eliza said, glaring at me.
"Just tonight Eliza. And let Vicky have the night off."
I didn't let her reply before I walked out of the building. I flagged down a cab and got in.
I gave him the address and sat back.
Twenty minutes later I handed the driver some money and stepped out.
"Your invitation miss?" A servant asked me at the door.
"Why not keep this between just us?" I whispered, handing him a few coins.
He nodded and stood aside. I swept in and grabbed a glass of champagne off one of the waiters.
I noticed Anthony Stark, sitting with two girls and a glass of whiskey.
I made my way across the room to him.
"Katy, Daisy. I would like a word with Mr. Stark." I said firmly.
"It's Deliah." One of the girls mumbled, but both still stood and walked away.
"One must wonder where you find the stamina for such activities, Mr. Stark." I said, scanning the room.
"Oh, you know. With practice comes perfection."
"One must also wonder how girls that cheap got in the door."
"Same way you got in, I would imagine. Fury send you for the American Captain?"
"Yes. I am to persuade him to join us."
"Well, we all know what that means."
"Do you have any additional information? Or may I leave your vile presence?"
"Ooh, kitty's got claws. His name is Steven Rogers. He's 23-"
"23? And he has done so much?"
"You don't appear much older to my eyes."
"I have not done as much as he."
"His parents are both dead. Only child. He likes a modest life, and I hear he's still pure."
"Then it will be that much easier bedding him. Have a good night, Mr. Stark."
"Oh, and he is being announced the moment he arrives."
I gave a slight nod and swept away.
I spent the next half hour talking to a few guests, and carefully observing the ballroom until the string quartet stopped playing and people hushed each other to stay silent.
I looked up at the stage and saw a smiling, elderly man standing there.
"Excuse me, but if you all would not mind I would like to announce Captain Steven Rogers!"
A tall, blond man who looked distinctly uncomfortable despite his smile walked onstage. I joined in on the loud applause.
"Thank you, and can I just say how much of an honor it is to be here, and that London is a truly beautiful city." He said, and I couldn't help but notice the faint pinkish tinge to his cheeks.
He walked down and I smoothly walked over, and curtsied in front of him.
"Captain. Would you mind if I gave you this dance?"
"I- Of course not, ma'am. I'd be honoured." He offered me a hand and I took it.
"So do I not get your name?" He asked. His words had a strong American accent.
"Romanoff. Natasha Romanoff."
"Romanoff? Is that not the name of the Russian Tsars?"
"We are not related." I said quickly.
"But you're not British."
"No. I am Russian."
"So you're Russian, and you have the same name as Russian Tsars, but you're not related?"
"Exactly."
"Alright so."
Suddenly a young, dark haired man appeared at the Captain's soldier. "Steve! Why don't you introduce me to your new friend?"
"Bucky, this isn't the time-"
"Sure it is! Miss, the name is James Barnes. But call me Bucky, everyone does."
"Natasha Romanoff. It is nice to meet you."
"You're pretty, and you seem to have him wrapped round your little finger. Why not try make a man outta him?" Bucky said with a smirk.
The Captain's face turned red. "Bucky- she's a lady, not one of your brothel girls. You shouldn't be talking like that in front of her."
I laughed lightly. "And who ever said I wasn't a brothel girl?"
Bucky roared with laughter and the captain turned redder.
"I- I didn't mean to say there was anything wrong with that-"
"Do relax, my dear captain. It was a joke."
"Well, I'll go talk to some of those girls..." Bucky left the two of us.
"So who was he? A friend?"
"Not any more." The captain replied with a laugh. "He's my best friend, we grew up together in Brooklyn and fought together during the war. We've saved each others lives more times than I can count."
"How heroic."
He twirled me and I smiled. "You're a good dancer, Captain Rogers."
"Please, call me Steve."
"Very well Steve. What do you plan on doing now that the war is over?"
"I was hoping to find a wife, have a family, settle down."
"Oh really? And where would you hope to find such a wife?"
"Anywhere she may be."
"And if there were a woman in this very room who would do such a thing?" I subtly moved closer, so our bodies were almost touching.
"Well then I'd want to know about her." He murmured.
I leaned up and laid my soft full lips against his cheek. "This dance is over. Perhaps we may have another, later in the night." I smiled at him and walked away.
Later in the night, as the last dance was called, Steve approached me.
"May I have this dance ma'am?" He asked, taking my hand and kissing it.
I smiled. "Of course."
The music started and he led me to the dance floor.
"If I may enquire, where exactly are you staying?"
"In rooms above here."
"That's convenient." I said softly, looking into his eyes.
"I suppose it is."
He twirled me, and I moved our bodies closer.
"You're a very grateful dancer. The way you move your body... it's intoxicating. Enchanting."
"Thank you." I whispered in his ear.
The dance ended but he didn't let me go.
"Why not go up to your room... for a nightcap?" I suggested, whispering it softly in his ear.
His cheeks turned faintly pink. "I- I'd like that."
He took my hand and led me up the ornate stairs.
"So where is your friend Bucky?"
"He has rooms elsewhere."
I nodded and followed him into the room.
"Would you mind if I go freshen up? Is there a powder room?"
He nodded and gestured down the hall. I walked into it and quickly removed all my clothes, leaving only my corset.
I walked back out and sneaked up behind him, clasping my hands over his eyes.
"Few can sneak up behind me."
I twisted around his body and laid my lips upon his.
Steve's blush deepened but his uncertain hands seemed to move themselves onto my thigh. I pulled at his suit jacket and waistcoat, wrapping my thighs around him. He lifted me into a bedroom as the kiss deepened.
I smiled as he almost ripped off the corset.
"You know you want to." I whispered in his ear.
He grinned and all but threw me onto the bed.
please review... evn if it is just to question my sanity. which fyi I'm already doing. and I have no idea how some character's are gonna be introduced without modern technology. although I have decided Tony will basically just be Sherlock Holmes with a different name, loads of money and American parents. it's pretty much in 1866, a year after the American Civil War because that can kinda work with the war hero aspect of Captain America. I don't know...