Chapter Twenty-eight
Day of the Picnic (Part Two)
Trinity enlisted the help of the other women. They had all come down long before the men would rise. The staff were grateful for the extra hours sleep. Murielle joined the other three women in the kitchen. Meg was like an eager puppy. She danced around the kitchen from work space to work space. She accomplished little but made the task much more entertaining. She did have a light hand with bread. Trinity had been somewhat skeptical when she had volunteered to make the bread. Trinity had shot Antoinette a quizzical look, Trinity only got a shrug from Antoinette's shoulders in response.
Christine filled a basket with fruits and different cheeses. Raoul had brought wine from his cellar. Christine added that to the basket. Since she had never had an occasion to cook she had no idea how to prepare anything. She helped Meg make rolls from the dough Meg had made. She sat back feeling a little useless with so much activity around her.
Once the women had finished all the cooking they called the men in to help carry it to the wagon. By the time things were all loaded on the wagon Erik and Nadir had arrived. Trinity opted to ride on the wagon. Everyone but Antoinette looked at her with a question clearly written in their eyes. Trinity loved to ride. She ignored their gazes.
Erik and Nadir arriving drew their gazes from her, for which she was immensely grateful. The driver for the wagon came. Once in his seat Trinity called Raoul over to her to ask, "Raoul why not let one of the men drive the wagon and let Andy have the day free to visit with his parents."
Raoul sat forward with his wrists resting on the pommel of his saddle. He had a huge grin on his face." And who would you want to drive the wagon Miss Trinity? I do not suppose it crossed your mind for perhaps a certain masked man to drive the wagon?" Raoul caught the hopeful look on Andy's face. With a nod of his head he consented. Andy was down on the ground and already running down the road to his parent's house, located about five miles down the public lane, before another word was spoken. He did not want to take the chance anyone would change their minds.
"Well Erik is qualified. I am so glad you suggested it. Thank you so much. Shall I ask or shall you?" Trinity knew before he spoke what preference Raoul would have. He was not quite as understanding of Erik as Trinity was. It was understandable of course. Raoul was not privy to all of Erik's past or of his more gentle, loving side. That side of him, one had to pry loose with a crowbar as he kept a tight rein on his more tender feelings. Especially since Christine had thrown his love for her back in his face.
"Oh, be my guest Trinity. I would not dream of doing anything that would please that man so much. I have not found it in my heart quite yet to forgive him. Christine a little bit, but Erik has done so much I will need more time. So, you do the honors."
"Erik, would you mind terrible driving the wagon? It would seem Andy had an urgent matter to take care of at home." The look in her eyes said much more than her lips. Her eyes made promises beyond sitting sedately beside him on the seat of the wagon.
"It would be my pleasure Trinity to sit beside you for a nice leisurely ride." He did not even wait until he had finished speaking before he was climbing from his horse then tying him to the back of the wagon. Having done that, he climbed aboard with fluid grace. It seemed to take little effort for him to climb into the seat beside her.
Once he was seated they began the journey to the designated picnic area. Trinity scooted along the bench seat until her thigh was aligned with Erik's. She rested her hand on the top of his thigh. She had glanced all around to be sure no one could observe them. Everyone seemed to be involved in conversation around them, so Trinity felt free to touch Erik as she wished. Erik's hand came down of top of hers once the had cleared the drive and were plodding along at a leisurely pace down the lane. Trinity leaned her head on his shoulder. She felt contentment wash over her.
"I love you. Erik spoke with his eyes turned straight ahead. It still felt odd to openly say such a thing. He had never thought to experience this with anyone but Christine. Comparing what he had with Trinity, everything before paled in light of what he shared with Trinity. To have ones love returned by the object of your ardor was the most amazing feeling.
"And I love you Erik Merlot. We really must think of another name you know. One that suits you better."
"Would you love me less if I kept the name?" Erik could care less what his last name was. He had gone this long without the benefit of a last name. He would still be Erik no matter what he added to the end of his name.
"I would love you if you were called Monsieur Potato. Thank heavens we were not having potatoes at the time you chose your name. I would rather be Mrs. Merlot than Mrs. Potato."
"So you are to a Mrs. In France you would be Madame. Does this mean we will not be residing in France?"
"I will be returning to my home, yes. I cannot say where you will be going. There has been no discussion concerning such things. Would you ever consider leaving France?" Trinity closed her eyes in silent prayer. Why had she asked such a question at this particular time? How could he answer honestly without ruining the whole day? She should not have painted him into a corner.
The hopeful note in her voice did not miss Erik's ears. Now was not the time for him to declare his intentions and ask her to marry him. He thought it best to face her family first. As for leaving France, at one time he thought he could never leave as long as Christine was still here and still alive. Only death might have released him from her. Even then he doubted he would have felt inclined to leave her resting place. Now he had his only wish was to be wherever Trinity called home. She was his compass now. She would lead him home, for that was what she represented. She was home to him, his final destination on this side of the afterlife.
When Erik did not answer right away Trinity said hurriedly, "Don't answer that. I am sorry. I should not have even asked such a thing. I...I didn't...I didn't mean to imply..." Erik pulled back on the reins slowing, then stopped the wagon. Making sure the others were far enough ahead he turned toward Trinity pulling her into a searing kiss that they both felt from the top of their heads to the tips of their toes.
Releasing Trinity, Erik was breathing heavily as he said, "You have every right to have expectations toward me. Just as I have expectations toward you. There is a conversation I will have with your father before I will proceed any further. That is all I will say on this subject, except know that I love you more with every breath I take than the one before."
He picked up the reins setting the horses in motion again. Trinity leaned back against his shoulder. If the others were not around Erik would have wrapped his arm around Trinity so he could pull her flush against his side. He wanted to feel every inch of her pressed against him. He could be conent to sit beside her for the half hour or so it took to arrive where they had picnicked before. He had to be contented holding her hand the rest of the way.
Erik was so distracted by Trinity he did not notice her family members had turned at one point to shoot deadly daggers in his direction. Andrew's were perhaps only a little stern, but Lucas and Matthew clenched their jaws and tightened their hands on the reins causing their mounts to prance nervously.
Erik and Trinity were not aware of three pair of watchful eyes scrutinizing each and every move they made on the last leg of the journey. An exchange of glances among those three watchful men promised a discussion would be taking place in the near future.
Lucas and Matthew rode up alongside Andrew. Matthew and Lucas exchanged glances. With an almost indiscernible nod of his head Matthew indicated that Lucas should say what was on both their minds.
"Papa?" Lucas who was usually carefree and tension free sounded as if he was just a little on this side of disgruntled.
"Yes Lucas? What's on your mind son?" He thought he knew what both his boys were pondering. It was the same thing his own mind had been thinking on the last few days.
"Well, Papa, it's Trinity and that Erik fellow. Matthew and I well, we sort of like the fellow but we can't have him sniffing around Trinity. We know well and good that she is a grown woman. We still feel it is our duty to protect her from unscrupulous men. Men who want one thing then move on. Not that Erik seems that type at all. Confound it Papa. We know one of us will be needing to show him what's what but we won't take any pleasure in it."
"Well now, I kind of had my own thoughts on that very subject boys. I think our Trinity has gone and fallen in love. I also believe that young rascal has been a might friendlier than I would have liked. I am not saying that it was all his doing. After all Trinity could have and should have told him to take a long leap from a short pier. Since that is not the case we are duty bound to uphold her honor. Can't say as I look forward to this any more than you two do. It might be as well to hold back a might on the soft Frenchman."
"Don't suppose it would do at all to kill Trinity's one and only. Matt and I have decided to draw straws to see who the lucky fellow is. Frenchman or not, I think it will be one beaut of a fight. I have a hunch Erik is a lot tougher than the average Frenchman. That Raoul is not a soft Susan either. Christine has been telling us he has been in the French Navy. That should have toughened him up a tad. Wonder what Erik has been doing to stay fit?"
"I reckon he spends a lot of his time outdoors with his horses. We all know how hard that is. Papa, Lucas thinks Erik has something he's hiding. You know what he's like when he gets a burr under his saddle. Tell him after the fight he has to let it go. It wouldn't be honorable to sneak around in his private life after we settle things fair and square. Trinity wouldn't go for someone who had bad blood. We all done things we ain't exactly proud of. Sometimes a fellow just needs a second chance is all."
"You talk as if you know something Matthew. If there is something we should know I would like to hear it now if it is something that may come back to bite us in the butt later."
Matthew had been spending time walking around listening to all the servants and men in the stables talking and gossiping. He had heard plenty. Some things he'd rather have not heard at all. He wouldn't break his trust with Trinity as much as he would like to tell his brother and father all he knew. It was hard for him to reconcile what he had heard to what he knew personally about Erik.
He hated to lie to his brother and father but he had promised Trinity he'd be in her corner. Besides the things he had heard happened a while back. Trinity must know about it all and forgiven him for what she knew.
Matthew was certain Trinity knew about Erik and Christine. That would explain why Trinity looked as if she had just fallen into a cow pie when she had to be in close proximity to Christine.
"Papa I don't know any more than the rest of you. Matthew for the first time lied to his father. He would speak to Trinity after he or Lucas had dealt with the issue of her honor. She needed to come clean about Erik. Sooner or later Papa would hear about it or Lucas. He hadn't even been trying to find out information. He had only idly listened to those around him.
"Well if you are sure son we best mosey on up to the rest of this here wagon train. Can't have the women folk arriving without us strong men to help unload and set up."
Lucas teased his father, "The only woman you are worried about is that little filly Antoinette Giry. I do think you have gone and gotten sweet on her." Lucas slapped his father heartily on his back.
"You are a fine one to talk. I bet Meg ain't moved two feet that your boots weren't one step behind." Matthew grinned broadly at his brother's discomfort. Matthew was doubly glad no one knew he was sweet on Riana.
Andrew and Matthew laughed when Lucas spluttered trying to deny the accusation. He could form not one honest denial. His face looked as if he had eaten one of those hot Mexican chilies from down south of the border.
They ribbed each other good naturedly for the rest of the ride. They managed to put aside any hard feelings they may harbor toward Erik. Besides they did not feel all that badly toward him.
They had each of them been guilty of what they suspected had occurred between Erik and Trinity. In their eyes that was different. That was someone else's daughter or sister. Yep, a reckoning was on the horizon but not for today.
A/N: Review! Review! Review! Please?
