Hamilton vs. Hope Valley

Chapter 2:

Hamilton Hopes

Author's Note: Work was good, just long. Now onto more pleasurable things like writing for your entertainment! #FutureAuthor #Write2Work A big shout out to my readers and reviewers! I am overjoyed at your enthusiasm for this story. Mary Jo Vincent! I have a few words on the subject: WOW! Literally made my year! I had a grand day thinking about your review often throughout the day today. Thank you!

Elizabeth settled in against Jack as the stage left Hope Valley. Jack had shared the reasons he was being summoned along with her to Hamilton. He wasn't ready to face her father, but he hoped that the three-day journey would be enough time for him to come up with valid reasons why he was a better choice for Elizabeth and any other potential suitors, especially in regards to Charles Kensington, III. He was most concerned regarding this man's intentions. This man who had tried to steal her away even thought he knew that they were courting. Charles had some nerve and Jack wouldn't have any of it.

"Elizabeth, I know that you are concerned with why I wrote to your father, but it just seemed like the gentlemanly thing to do. He must know my intentions whether he accepts me or not." Jack implored.

"I agree, but Jack, why didn't you tell me? I need to know that we are on the same page. I have been worried that you changed your mind. I didn't want to push you, but I thought you were distancing yourself from me." Elizabeth confessed as she thought back to the few brief moments they had in the past few weeks.

"Elizabeth!" Jack sighed. "I'd hardly say that I was distancing myself from you. I love you. I do have a duty to serve the whole town, I can't just serve you!" Jack smiled.

"Why not?" Elizabeth protested.

Jack was about to argue until he saw the smile creep across her face and that familiar teasing glint in her eye.

"Very funny, Miss Thatcher!" Jack winked.

Jack pulled her closer, looking into her eyes, pensively.

"Ja…" Elizabeth began, but was interrupted by Jack's tender kiss. Jack moved his lips with hers. They were separated briefly only by the rut in the road.

After several moments, Elizabeth brought up the one concern that plagued them the most…Charles. She looked over at Jack who had been silent for the past hour. He had her hand wrapped tightly in his as he absentmindedly ran his thumb up and down the back of it. Elizabeth waited for him to acknowledge her. He seemed to have a lot on his mind. Elizabeth took a deep breath and plunged ahead.

"Jack? We need to talk." Elizabeth began.

Jack didn't respond. Elizabeth called him several times and he still didn't answer. Elizabeth had an idea to jolt him back to reality. It might be cruel, but he had ignored her for several minutes. It was time for drastic measures. She breathed in sharply before she blurted out what she did not want to say.

"Charles asked to meet me at the Hamilton Regency Club when we get into the city." Elizabeth waited.

Jack still seemed to be in his own world. She huffed, but tried again.

"Charles has something very important to tell me." Elizabeth ventured.

She was still met with silence. Elizabeth leaned in to whisper in Jack's ear. She kissed his cheek and then spoke ever so softly.

"Charles renewed his proposal." Elizabeth breathed. "I think I'll say, 'yes', but I'm not sure yet." Elizabeth bit her bottom lip as she watched realization hit Jack like a lightning bolt.

"Charles, did what? You, said what?" Jack looked into her eyes. Several emotions swept across Jack's face: Shock. Hurt. Anger. Betrayal.

Elizabeth immediately regretted pulling him back to reality by such harsh methods. Jack's face turned to stone. She knew she had gone too far. Jack looked out the window, releasing her hand. Elizabeth sat back and closed her eyes. She couldn't believe that she had gone so far as to tease him that she was entertaining the idea of accepting Charles. She wanted to take the words back, but they were out there and Jack had heard them and was now processing them.

They arrived at the train station. Jack gave the tickets to the attendant, which Elizabeth's father had wired to Jack for their trip to Hamilton. Elizabeth followed Jack to their compartment. Mr. Thatcher had insisted that Jack stay with Elizabeth to keep her safe. Jack had no objection, however, after what she had said, even in jest, on the stage, he didn't want to be here. He loved her. He wanted to spend the rest of his life with her. He couldn't fathom her saying something so hurtful, however, and that bothered him. He had to remain quiet until he could calm down. He feared he would say something that he would regret. He looked around the spacious compartment.

Elizabeth quickly disappeared into the restroom. Jack was thankful for the distance between them. He placed the bags under the seats and hung Elizabeth's garment bag in the closet to left of the restroom. Jack sat back on the seat. He looked passed the bathroom to the door that most likely led to the bedroom. Jack was surprised at the separate quarters. The compartment was spacious enough that he could sleep comfortably out on the seat and Elizabeth could have the bed. Jack tried not to think about what happened earlier. He closed his eyes and after a few moments, he heard the restroom door open, but he pretended to be asleep so Elizabeth wouldn't talk to him.

Elizabeth watched Jack shift slightly in his sleep. She had a feeling that he was feigning sleep so they couldn't talk, so she respected his wishes. She sat beside him, hoping for a chance to explain and apologize for what she had said. She didn't mean it. She just wanted to get his attention, but he refused to talk to her. She pulled out her journal and wrote down her thoughts.

Sometimes in life there comes a person who has so altered your story that you can't help but feel that you wouldn't be who you have become without them. You wouldn't be the person that God has made you to be without their love, encouragement, and support. When that person is in your life, you hold tight, but try not to push or pull in your relationship but give and take equally. As long as you do that, than your love will grow in strength and longevity, making it as a true and everlasting kind of love.

Elizabeth set the pen and journal down, as she lay against the back of the seat, sobbing quietly.

Jack kept his eyes shut as he heard her begin to sob. He was so deep in thought, that he had not realized that she was trying to get his attention. Did she have to include Charles of all people. I was not that distracted, was I? I want to propose. I want to show her father that I am the right man for her. I love her! I just can't believe that she resorted to tease me about going to accept Charles' proposal! Ugh! Charles! Jack continued to be so upset with what Elizabeth had said that he didn't evenrealize how much she wanted to fix things.

Elizabeth glanced at Jack from time to time, he seemed to still be sleeping, but surely he knew that she was there, sitting next to him. She had gone way too far. She leaned against him to try to get him to talk to her. She nestled her head into his shoulder and rested her hand on his. She wondered what he was so deep in thought about.

Jack felt Elizabeth lean against him and tried not to react to the touch of her hand. Who am I kidding? I can't not react to her touch or anything she does to me! You're hopeless, Jack! Face it! No matter what she said to hurt you, it wasn't intentional. You gotta snap out of it and talk to her. Work this out, together. Elizabeth reached up and stroked Jack's face. She needed him to know how sorry she was in hurting him. She wasn't that upset about him ignoring her, she just wanted to be heard.

Jack came back to reality as he clasped her hand on his cheek, holding it against his face and squeezed gently. He heard her sigh in relief as he turned to look into her eyes. Elizabeth. My Own, Precious Elizabeth. I love you! Jack thought to himself, wanting to propose, but this was neither the time nor the place.

"I'm sorry I was so distracted earlier, Elizabeth. I just have a lot on my mind." Jack began. You, your Father, and now thanks to you, Charles. I could have lived the rest of my life without thinking of him again. "I'm sorry, my Elizabeth."

"Oh, Jack. I am the one who went too far with the Charles comment. He did write me and I do want to talk to you about it. I was worried how you would react, but I went about it in the worst way imaginable." Elizabeth looked down at their fingers entwined.

"You did go too far. Having that said, I shouldn't have ignored you. That's why we talk about our concerns." Jack stated. "I forgive you. Do you forgive me?" Jack inquired, stroking her face, lifting her eyes to his.

"There's really nothing to forgive. I will not tease you in that way ever again. I love you, Jack Thornton! I love everything about you and I never want to jeopardize that." She breathed as she pressed into his hand.

Jack glanced from her lips to her eyes. He pulled her lips to his and once connected, neither he nor she wanted to part. Their emotions were high as Jack could feel his body surge with warmth and her body felt hot to the touch, pressing against his as he pulled her closer into his embrace, his hands at the small of her back.

She was the first to break the kiss. She knew that if they had continued, there would be no going back and both of them had their reputations to think of. She smiled shyly at Jack as he looked into her eyes.

"I'm sorry, regardless." Jack apologized. "Now, what did Charles say that you needed to talk to me about?" Jack inquired.

Elizabeth released his hand to get the letter out of her bag. She handed him the letter. He opened it and began to read as she watched his expression change.

Dearest Elizabeth,

I need you to reconsider your refusal of my marriage proposal.

"No one can call you 'dearest' but me and maybe your father and mother." Jack stated matter of factly, looking into her eyes and catching his breath for a moment. He continued to mock the letter. "I need you to reconsider your refusal of my marriage proposal." Jack looked at Elizabeth as he repeated aloud what Charles had written. Jack scoffed and returned his attention to the letter.

What I don't understand is why you can't see that I'm the man that you should be with, Eliza.

"Eliza?" Jack repeated. "He has a pet name for you?" Jack raised his eyebrow. "I'm not going to call you 'Eliza'." Jack caressed her cheek.

"It was his name for me when we were little. He hasn't called me that in ages." Elizabeth acknowledged.

'Why is he calling you that now?' Jack wondered internally. 'I can honestly say that I don't like it.'

The Mountie isn't half the man that I am! Come see me at The Hamilton Regency Club and I'll convince you that I am the man for you, Eliza!

Saturday at one o'clock.

Yours,

Charles

'That's it! Charles has gone too far!' Jack seethed inwardly as he crumpled up the letter, tossing it on the floor.

"I need to have a few words with Charles myself." Jack stated with conviction.

Elizabeth touched his shoulder, trying to calm him down. He relaxed and looked at her.

"Are you alright?" Elizabeth asked. "What are you thinking, Jack?"

"I'm going to talk to Charles. He is clearly not being respectful of our courtship."

Elizabeth agreed and then settled back into his arms. Jack held her closely as the train made it's way to Hamilton.

Author's Note: What did you think? Please let me know! Next is Chapter 3: Confrontation With Charles.