A/N 1: Thanks again to skyross19 for this story idea. It's been a work in progress. Thanks to all of you that have reviewed and favorited/followed this fic. You guys are awesome!

Chapter 4: Young Love

Author: zeusfluff.

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Blue Blood's characters. They belong to CBS. I do own all originals. Date Started: 8/28/24. Date Finished: 8/30/24. Enjoy!

Upper East Side, New York City

April 21st, 1908

Jack Readling climbed the steps to Ethel Janca's family estate. Taking a breath in, he raised his hand and made a fist, knocking on the front door. He steeled himself for whomever was going to open up the door. Inside he was trembling. He heard the door lock click and then the door opened revealing a woman.

"Hello sir? Who may I say is calling for Mr. Janca?"

Jack opened his mouth to speak but then a man in his early sixties came up behind the maid and excused her.

"You are excused Jessa. That'll be all. Can you set up some tea?"

Jessa nodded and scurried out of sight. Jack remained polite and spoke.

"I'm Jack Readling sir."

Jack knew this must be Ethel's father. The man in the doorway nodded but kept an expressionless look on his face.

"So you must be the boy my Ethel has been speaking to Jessa about. Argus Janca. Please come inside. We'll talk in the study."

Mr. Janca opened up the front door a little wider so that Jack could enter their spacious estate. He followed Argus Janca through the foyer and into his study. Closing the door behind him, he looked Jack in the eye.

"Have a seat just there Mr. Readling."

Jack felt his stomach begin to tie in knots but did his best to stay calm. Sitting down in a large varnished oak chair, he blinked and waited for Mr. Janca to be seated. Watching as Argus poured himself a drink from a carafe on his desk, Jack cleared his throat and tried not to fidget in his seat. He continued his conversation after he took a drink if his whiskey.

"So, what brings you to the Janca estate son?"

Jack looked into Mr. Janca's eyes with confidence.

"Sir, I'd like your permission to start courting your daughter."

Argus Janca gave Jack a hard look and took another pull from his whiskey, then placing it back on the desk.

"What is your occupation Mr. Readling?"

Jack sat up a bit straighter and nodded.

"I'm an architect."

A light bulb seemed to go off in Mr. Janca's head and he nodded.

"Is your father Francis Readling?"

Jack nodded his head.

"Yes."

Argus Janca eyed Jack and held up a newspaper, adorning the front page was his father's photo.

"Railroad baron to more than half the railroads in our great country."

Jack nodded one more time.

"Yes sir."

Mr. Janca gave a genuine smile, extending his hand across his desk to shake Jack's hand.

"Ok. You have my permission son. But under some conditions: No public displays of affection in this house. That means no kissing. No sleeping together until you're married. If I find out she is carrying your child before the two of you are married, you and I are going to have a serious talk, and then you will marry her. Understood?"

Jack nodded seriously and tried to reason with Argus Janca.

"I understand sir. I have no such intentions of that nature. I am only asking for your permission to court her. I would like with your permission to take her to Central Park for a stroll."

Argus Janca changed his tone and gave him a full-fledged smile.

"You have my permission Mr. Readling. Have my dear Ethel home by 4 pm."

With that, Argus Janca stood and gestured towards the door and Jack stood turning. Argus Janca made his way to the study door and opened it. Walking out, he held the door open for Jack, then called up the staircase for Ethel once he was out in the hall.

"Ethel dear! You have a visitor."

Jack felt his heard quicken as he saw Ethel at the top of the staircase and the begin to descend them.

"Jack? What are you doing here?"

Argus Janca frowned at his daughter and gave her a look.

"Ethel dear, now is that any way to speak to your beau?"

Jack saw Ethel's face become a shade pink.

"No father. I apologize. May I inquire as to the nature of your visit?"

Jack nodded his head towards Ethel and smiled.

"I've come to ask your father for permission to court you."

Ethel looked nervous.

"Have you father?"

Argus Janca stood mere feet from Ethel.

"Have I given this young man permission to court you? Yes, I have."

Ethel restrained herself from giving her father a hug, but instead leaned in and kissed his cheek.

"Thank you, father."

Mr. Janca gave Ethel a bright smile and kissed her forehead.

"Remember dear, if you feel a case of the vapors coming on, find a place to sit. I do not want you to end up laid up in the hospital again."

Ethel only smiled at her father Argus.

"Father. I assure you; I will be fine. Jack will make sure of that."

Mr. Janca nodded and gave Jack a look.

"Alright. Jack, make sure my Ethel is well taken care of."

Jack nodded and shook hands with Argus one last time.

"You have my word Mr. Janca."

Mr. Janca nodded and added his own thought.

"Well, I must be going. Business meeting to attend to. Ethel dear be back by 4 pm. I will not be home until quite late."

Ethel nodded and watched as her father pulled on his overcoat and went out the front door, closing it behind him. Eyeing Jack, she raised her eyebrows at him.

"I know of a place we can talk Jack. Come with me."

Grabbing for Jack's hand, Ethel lead him up the stairs. They seemed to be going down a long hallway. Once at the end, Ethel opened up a door and pulled him inside, closing it behind her. She found herself in a heated kiss with Jack. Jack moaned and pulled away.

"Eth, we should not be doing this…"

Ethel frowned and tried to pull Jack in for another kiss. She began to pout.

"Why not? Jess and the other maids never come to this wing of the house and neither do my mother and father, it is practically abandoned."

Ethel had a look in her eyes as she played with Jack's vest of his three-piece suit. She was fumbling with the buttons.

"Your father disapproves of this."

She kept fumbling with the buttons on his vest and got two of them open.

"He will never know."

Jack took both of Ethel's hands and shook his head.

"Your father would have my head if he knew we slept together, and it resulted a child between the two of us. Before we are even married."

Seeing the pout on Ethel's face, he gave a gentle kiss to her lips.

"It will be worth the wait my love. Trust me."

Ethel sighed and sat down up against the wall, Jack sliding down next to her. He threaded his hand through hers and squeezed it. She took a moment to step in.

"I hope so."

To Be Continued…

A/N: So, what do you guys think?