**Nominated for Favorite Alternate Universe fic - 2008
Safe Place Awards
A Victorian Era Fan Fic
Soon-to-be Earl Ric Lansing has been betrothed to the lovely and demure Elizabeth Webber since they were both children. The problem is, he doesn't love her. Instead, he has his eye on the unimaginably wealthy Alexis Davis, sole heir of the Cassadine fortune. A fortune which is much more appealing to him than the modest dowry Elizabeth would bring to their marriage.
However, for him to break his marriage contract without just cause would create a scandal and sully his reputation, which would seriously damage his chances of winning Ms Davis' heart. So his only hope of getting out of his betrothal unscathed is for Elizabeth to give him just cause to break it.
Yet, much to his chagrin, Elizabeth is a genteel lady and would never of her own volition do anything improper, much less something disgraceful enough to cause him to annul their marriage contract.
So with the time to his wedding day ticking away, Ric decides to take matters into his own hands.
Hiring a known rake and all around scoundrel to seduce his betrothed seemed the easiest way to handle the situation. Elizabeth would be discovered in his bed, thus leaving Ric in a position to break his engagement while being held above reproach for doing so. Then he would be free to pursue the wealthy Ms Davis without hindrance.
The plan seemed foolproof.
Unfortunately for Ric Lansing, dealing a Wild Card like the scoundrel Jason Morgan into the game could make even the best laid plans go awry.
Rated: Mostly PG-13 with a bit of R
