"Simon! I hadn't expected you to come. It's very gracious of you to wish Lisa and Henry well." I managed to hide my grimace behind a thin smile and bowed to the old man. As much as I respected him, he was sorely misled to think that I would ever wish Henry good tidings - especially when it came to Lisa.

She was seventeen when I first saw her. I still remember the cornflower blue of her dress, the exact shade of her eyes, and the way the light shone on the soft curls of her reddish blonde hair drawn up into a high chignon. A few loose coils always tended to frame the sides of her face no matter how many times she tried to press them back behind her ears. For some reason, she always felt a need to bury her nose in a book. It surprised me that a woman would be so interested in science. She caught my interest immediately; her intelligence, her beauty. Even then I believed she would make a wonderful wife. However, while I had my eye on her, she had her eye on a man a little over her age who was aspiring to become a doctor.

Yes, Henry.

I suppose it is my fault that I introduced him to her, though it would have been rude of me if I had not. We were at one of her father's spring gatherings, celebrating the new patronage of Saint Jude's hospital. Her father had been chairman of the board for many years before I met her, and strangely enough he had never sought a higher position. He was always a modest man, one that never jumped at an advantage, or took grasp of a great opportunity. It was there when I found that my best friend at the time and the woman I had fallen for were having outings together. A few years had passed since their first meeting, and I had believed that Henry's interests were going to wane, or I was going to be able to sway Lisa's attention in my direction. I was sorely mistaken. She shunned me and what I could have offered her. Almost ten years later she and Henry were still together, their care for each other blossomed into love, and they became inseparable.

It was sickening.

"My dear Sir Danvers, as much as I would like to say that is true, I cannot." I shrugged, offering my best smile and Danvers gave me a quizzical look. One that turned to an expression of understanding; he knew my feelings for Lisa. He cleared his throat lightly and nodded. Upon hearing her I glanced over my shoulder and smiled. Blue always did bring out her beautiful eyes. "I would offer Lisa anything, I have offered her everything. I'll wish her the best of luck within her future endeavors. But as for Henry..." Turning back to the older man my lips thinned within a bordering sneer. I managed to keep it to a razor-edged smile. "He could go to hell for all I care." I had no qualms with speaking my true feelings to Danvers. He knew my opinion of Henry ever since he had snatched the woman of my dreams from beneath my nose. He said nothing to my claims, for the comments of Lady Beaconsfield had drawn his attention. It was his duty to 'protect' his future son-in-law's reputation. I took this opportunity to approach Lisa who was taking her leave from Mister Utterson.

"Mister Stride," she stated coolly, raising her chin in both greeting as well as to meet my eyes. I could almost hear the disdain within those two simple words. She was still sore at me for my approach of her over a year ago; it was the last time we had spoken.

I had known that the two have been one since we were young adults, and while I had kept my silence it was the revealing of their engagement that had struck me deeply. I spoke to Lisa, attempting to talk some sense into her. She was surely making a big mistake, marrying Henry. How would he support her once his funds had run dry? His father had been his biggest draw of income, and since the old cuss took sick, the 'Good Doctor' had been spending all of his funds in finding some type of cure for the man's illness. A task that was impossible. No one can turn back what God has already set in motion. Since his research has taken a drastic turn, Henry hadn't been taking any patients, thus further limiting his funds.

I had thought to speak to her again before she ruined her life.

"Miss Carew. It has been a while." Resting a hand to my mid-drift I bowed gently to her, tipping my head to the side before I straightened again. She looked amused; a smile danced at the corners of her lips. Turning from me with a rustle of taffeta and satin I could almost hear her unspoken 'not long enough.' I followed her gaze up toward Henry who was speaking with Mister Michaels and Mister Winston.

"Yes, it has been. I trust you've been well, Simon?" She glanced over her shoulder to me then turned as if she had just remembered her manners. I tried not to let my irritation show and smiled broadly to her.

"Yes, well enough." When had she grown so? Last I remember of her she was a shy young woman, barely meeting my eyes. There she stood, her gaze resting expectantly upon my own and I found my protests caught within my throat. Could she not see that I still adored her, even if I believed that she could be choosing a better path in life?

"You had something to speak of, Mister Stride?" One thin, coppery brow rose and she folded her hands before her, the very model of propriety. Henry was drawing near, and I stepped closer to her, taking a hold of a gloved hand to urge her to walk with me. The others around us were loud, and so they were a perfect excuse. We hadn't gone far and we weren't followed; her dear fiancé had paused to speak with a few others. I smiled grimly and looked down to her again.

"Lisa. What kind of man would leave his wife-to-be alone in his own engagement party? He has drowned himself within his work, barely allowing himself to gain a breath of fresh air. All was bliss before but ... Can you not see that this isn't a dream anymore?" I was never too keen on tact. All those around me knew that I said what I wished to say and with little thought of repercussions. Though a tired sigh passed her lips, I continued. "This isn't the life for you, Lisa. You deserve better than this. You deserve a husband who will be by your side and never neglect you for his work, of all things."

"I can accept this from my father, Simon. He wants nothing but the best for me, and wanted to see me grow up like my mother. But when it comes from people who are supposed to be friends ... it grows tiring." She slipped her hand from my own, bringing it down for her fingers to loosely twine before her once again. "I'm not who I used to be. Not who you wish me to be. Simon, I'm far too independent for a man of your stature. God knows I have a mouth on me, and I wouldn't wish to bring shame to your great title." I regarded her, unsure if she was being sarcastic or speaking the truth. Her words seemed honest enough, and before I had gotten a chance to speak, she went on. "Henry asks nothing of me beyond understanding and patience." Her tone turned wistful, and as she looked back toward Henry again my fingers clenched into white knuckled fists.

"Lisa. This is all folly! Listen to reason."

"Simon, please! Enough!" She turned around to me, her eyes sharply lifting to my own. Anger had thinned her lips and folded her hands tighter together. I scowled sharply as she proceeded to berate me. "I've made my decision. Neither you nor those pompous fools over there will change my mind at all. Ever. You had your chance a long time ago, Simon. Instead you chose to attempt to woo me with money and position instead of with who you are. My father is a wealthy man, who is well known within this city, leaving your efforts useless and redundant. Stop being so tiresome and understand that this is what I want. This is what makes me happy. And to be truthful ... I do not care if it makes you miserable. This is my life I am leading, and if I'm taking the wrong path, then I will find out on my own."

The silence between us was palatable, as was the tension. I stared hard at her and she stood, perfectly unshaken, beneath the look. We had attracted the attention of a few around us, and I lowered my voice, controlling the irritation that was undoubtedly settled within. "You're going to regret those words one day, Lisa. You're going to see that everything that I've ever told you is true, and that you would've been better off with me."

She only smiled. "We'll see, Sir. Good day, Mister Stride." With a curtsey I couldn't help but feel was condescending, she turned and approached her dear fiancé, leaving me behind staring at the trail of her light blue gown.

I watched the two of them as they embraced, then kissed each other fondly. Watched them until they disappeared into the crowd of their admirers. My dislike of the Doctor had only been mild up until then; now it was a full blown hatred. He had taken the woman that was supposed to be my wife, the only one to catch my attention as securely as she had.

He would pay dearly for that. I would make sure of it.