saileenbigbang:

Legally Wed

Written by @andimeantittosting​
Art by @blusart
Rating: Mature
Word Count: 12,300
Archive Warnings: No Archive Warnings
Major Tags: Historical AU, Regency AU, period-typical ableism, lawyer Sam, marriage of convenience
Summary: Regency AU. When Eileen Leahy discovers that her cousin plans to keep control of her fortune, even after she comes of age, she is incensed. Her plan to retain her independence will force her to betray Sam Winchester’s trust, but though he is hurt, Sam is still determined to do the right thing and help her.
“I could teach you,” Eileen surprised herself by offering. “When I am not occupied by my housekeeping duties that is.” It was a foolish offer. She needed to focus her energies on thwarting Cousin Arthur. If the papers Mr. Davies had brought with him yesterday proved useful, she might be able to slip out in the night with no one the wiser about her brief foray into service.

Posting February 2nd

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Truly, there was no cause to treat this as if it would be a long-term position, and yet, she had been touched by Mr. Winchester’s attempts to sign, especially to someone whom he believed to be a mere servant. It spoke well of him, even if his signs had been – well, a proper lady ought to have been shocked by what he had accidently said, but Eileen had grown up by the side of her Aunt Lillian, a decidedly plain-spoken, occasionally earthy, woman. A little accidental vulgarity would hardly send her into the vapours.

In the study, Mr. Winchester seated himself behind a large oak desk, and gestured for her to take one of the comfortable facing armchairs.

“Will you be wanting a letter of character?” she asked. She had spent the previous evening forging just such a document, and went now to draw it from her reticule, but Mr. Winchester waved her off.

“I believe that coming from Mr. Jarvis’s establishment is recommendation enough.”

She withdrew her hand, unsure if she felt relieved, or disappointed that her hard work would be going to waste. “In that case, perhaps you could tell me about the duties you require?” She would spend the day performing those chores, then slip back into the study in the evening, find the information she needed, and be gone before dawn.