A/N: Wow! I didn't expect my rather tame T-rated first chapter to have caused such a stir. It's interesting how so many have already pre-judged what they expect might happen. I thank those who expressed excitement about this story and have returned to give me a chance to fully tell my tale. Thanks to all who reviewed. Now, let's see what's on Lucas's mind…

Chapter 2: Lucas

Lucas made his way back to the Queen of Hearts after a productive hour in the barber's chair. His dark hair was neatly trimmed, his beard soft and expertly shaped—just like he liked it. More importantly, just as he knew Elizabeth liked it, if the way she caressed it as they kissed was any indication. And Lucas was all for anything that earned him more caresses and kisses from her.

He grinned to himself, remembering how the day before she had finally agreed to go away with him to Union City for the weekend. He'd felt like he'd been walking on air ever since, his pulse gently pounding almost constantly in his ears. Only this morning, when he'd been going over the day's menu with the chef, his mind had strayed to Elizabeth, and he'd paid no attention to Gustave's droning on until he was snapped out of his daze by a few choice French imprecations and an annoyed clattering of pans in the kitchen.

"Sorry!" he'd called, "Everything sounds great!" Lucas beat a hasty retreat amid renewed curses and threats to resign.

It was Friday now, and as soon as school was dismissed, he'd walk Elizabeth home, give her time to finish packing and say goodbye to little Jack, then he'd pick her up in his car and they'd be on their way. He'd called the hotel yesterday and made their reservations, then the theater box office, where two tickets for the Puccini opera, Madame Butterfly, would be waiting for them for Saturday night's performance. He didn't want to think about how much he'd had to promise to pay to guarantee those choice tickets, but it would be worth it, for he knew Elizabeth loved the opera and played the recording of it often.

As he'd told her a few days ago when he'd suggested this trip, he longed to be alone with her, to be able to kiss her and hold her hand whenever he wanted to, without worrying about prying eyes, whispers behind hands, or judgmental stares. He knew Elizabeth was feeling the weight of those judgments, especially since many in the town had hoped she might choose Nathan Grant, perhaps because most still remembered her first husband, Constable Jack Thornton, a paragon any man would have trouble living up to (the school was named after him, for heaven's sake!). Another man in red serge would be preferable to some over a saloon owner for their beloved Elizabeth. He supposed he didn't blame them; he didn't feel completely worthy of her either. He knew how lucky—how blessed he was to have won her heart. And now she'd agreed to go away with him. His heart squeezed in his chest at the thought of it.

Despite Elizabeth's initial apprehension, Lucas expected nothing from her other than a romantic weekend alone, without any of the town's distractions or the demands on her time. He selfishly wanted her all to himself, to explore their newfound love and to talk—really talk—about their future together. Not that he didn't want to be with her in every way a man wanted a woman. He hadn't been lying to her about thoughts of an intimate nature keeping him awake at night, but Elizabeth was the kind of woman you married, not the kind with whom you had a brief dalliance with no further expectations.

Lucas had had his fair share of those types of relationships—if you could even call them that. Since he'd first discovered he had a certain way with the ladies, he'd sown plenty of wild oats—acres of them if he were honest. He wasn't all that proud of his past behavior, though he'd never taken advantage of an innocent or unwilling partner, and most of his conquests had been young widows or women with experience in that department, who were happy to take pleasure with him and leave his bed with a smile and no talk of a wedding ring.

But the moment he'd met Elizabeth Thornton, he'd given all that up. He was in a new town and had a real chance to start over, to improve himself as a man and perhaps find a woman to settle down with, raise a family with. Elizabeth Thornton was the entire package, and he didn't want to cheapen what he had with her by a tawdry night or two in an impersonal hotel room. Though he had yet to say it, he was in love with her, deeply so, and the entire purpose of this trip was to say those three little words in a special, romantic setting. If she reciprocated, well, then they could make real plans.

Throughout the rest of the day, he found himself whistling the famous aria from Madame Butterfly, a secretive smile lighting his eyes and dimpling his cheeks.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxx

The two-hour drive to Union City was spent in easy banter and talk of Elizabeth's work at the school, little Jack, the latest pleasant gossip of the town, and Lucas's businesses. Beneath the surface of their conversation was a heightened awareness between them, which further fueled his excitement for the weekend, but at the same time, made him wonder at the change in her. He frequently felt her eyes on him when he was watching the road, and she seemed much more comfortable reaching out to touch his arm, the warmth of her hand heating his blood. When he caught her staring, she didn't look shyly away, but held his gaze in the darkening shadows of the car. She certainly wasn't helping his resolution to maintain a respectable distance.

"What are we going to do this weekend?" she asked for the fifth time. Was it his imagination, or was there a suggestive note in her voice? He shook his head to himself. He must be hearing things.

"I'm sure you've told your students that nagging won't get them what they want," he teased. "I told you, it's a surprise."

"I'm not sure I like surprises."

He smirked at her uncharacteristic impatience. "So I've noticed. I think you'll enjoy this one though. It's something I bet you've been wanting for a long time."

He could feel her sudden tension fill the cab of the car. What did I say?

"Don't worry. You can trust me. You're not having second thoughts about this trip, are you?"

"No. Of course not. I've—I've been looking forward to it."

"Good. Well, just sit back and enjoy the ride," he said. "We'll arrive just in time to make our dinner reservation at the hotel restaurant."

Xxxxxxxxxxxx

In a moment fraught with déjà vu, he and Elizabeth stood at the desk of the hotel as Lucas gave his name for their reservation.

"Two separate rooms?" clarified the clerk.

"Yes," he said. "The suite should be in the name of Elizabeth Thornton."

"Yes, sir," the man replied, scanning the guest log. As Lucas signed the registry, he caught a glimpse of Elizabeth's wide eyes. He read surprise there, and…disappointment? He wondered what that was about. Was she displeased with his choice of hotel? She'd seemed to love it before.

They had little time to talk however, as the bell hop escorted them to the elevator and rode up with them to their rooms on the third floor. They stopped at Elizabeth's suite first, and Lucas took her hand and smiled. "See you in the restaurant in thirty minutes?" He figured she might want some time to freshen up after the long drive.

"Uh, yes," she said uncertainly. His eyes narrowed, but after he stuffed a few bills into the bell hop's hand and watched as the man brought in her luggage, they left her to her privacy, Lucas taking his key and bag to find his own way to his room down the hall. She still seemed somehow…off.

They both dressed for dinner, Elizabeth wearing the same red dress she had the last time they were there, bringing a lovely nostalgia to the evening. How far they had come from his white lies about Virginia Woolf to this night, where they were officially a courting couple. He rose when she arrived at the table, as the maitre d' pulled out her chair. He was struck as he always was by her beauty, thrilled to feel the racing of his pulse. He'd never been so attracted to a woman before.

The waiter came and took his wine order and left them with leather bound menus.

"How's your room?" Lucas asked conversationally when they were alone, not forgetting her earlier downcast expression.

"Oh, it's lovely, just as before. Thank you for making the reservations here."

"You're welcome." Her reply had seemed somewhat cool, however, and his eyes narrowed in concern. "Is everything all right, Elizabeth?"

"Yes, of course." She indicated their surroundings with a smile. "What's not to like?" She picked up her menu and began to peruse it in earnest.

"Ok. Well, please. Get whatever you like. This is a special night." Her eyes flew up to his and he put all the love and happiness in his expression that he could manage. She smiled unsteadily back and forced her attention back to her food options.

They both dined on oyster stew, trout amandine, potatoes au gratin and roasted carrots. Everything was delicious, and Lucas wished he'd had a camera to take a picture of her face when she saw the large slice of chocolate cake the waiter brought her at the end of the meal. She insisted he share with her, and they fought playfully with dueling forks over each delectable bite. She seemed a bit more relaxed and certainly more herself by then, and he chalked it up to her nervousness about leaving Jack and the appearances of going away with an unmarried man.

They talked softly about music and literature, about her approaching book publication, drinking an entire bottle of wine and part of another. Her cheeks were flushed becomingly with warmth and alcohol, and he couldn't wait to kiss her outside her door later. When they finally rose from their table (after Lucas noticed her stifled yawn), he found himself itching with anticipation in the elevator, heart gently pounding at her nearness, while the elevator operator made small talk he couldn't remember replying to. He could smell Elizabeth's lilac perfume, making him dizzier than the wine.

Heedless of any audience, the moment the elevator slipped out of sight, he took her in his arms right there in the third floor lobby. Once more, he was nearly undone by the passion of her kisses, by the arousing taste of her lips, made even sweeter by the chocolate and the wine. Her hands found his hair, and he reveled in the feel of her nails gently raking his scalp, felt a shiver of desire pass through his body.

He was the one to draw away, suddenly remembering where they were. He rested his forehead on hers, breathing heavily. "Let me escort you to your room. It's been a long day."

Reluctantly, they both moved down the hall together, holding hands until they stopped again at her suite. She took her key from her reticule and handed it to him with a shaking hand, her eyes tempting him with a slumberous heat. He fumbled with the key in the lock, mainly because she was still standing so close to him, her scent and her soft, quick breaths making him wish he hadn't resolved to be such a gentleman.

"Are—are you coming in?" she asked hopefully. He looked into the room, past the small sitting area to the lavish four-post bed.

His smile was filled with regret; he knew his limits. "I'd better not. Besides, we'll both need our sleep for tomorrow. I have lots of fun planned for you, Mrs. Thornton."

She actually seemed taken aback by what he thought was a courteous reply. Had his kisses by the elevator embarrassed her? He kissed her again, with much less ardor this time, though he still felt the touch of her lips all the way to his toes.

"Good night, Elizabeth," he said softly. "I'll see you at breakfast?"

"Yes," she managed, and again he was struck by her strange expression of both relief and disappointment. "Good night."

He waited until she closed the door and locked it, before he walked, bemused, down the hall to his room.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Elizabeth seemed much more herself the next morning, though there was a hum of excitement that seemed to gently bubble beneath the surface. After their eggs benedict and fresh fruit, Lucas revealed their day's itinerary.

"The art museum first, then luncheon at a little Italian bistro I know, followed by a walk through the botanical gardens."

"That sounds lovely," she said, sipping her hot tea.

"For dinner, we have reservations at La Français Poule. And then…" His eyes sparkled as he anticipated her reaction. "Madame Butterfly at The Yorkton."

Lucas was not disappointed. Her hand went to her heart, and she stared at him a moment, speechless. Then: "Oh my goodness, Lucas! That's incredible!" He knew that if they weren't in public, she would have jumped up and into his arms. He supposed it had been a little shortsighted of him, missing out on the physical gratitude she might have shown him. He settled for her warm hand reaching across the table to grasp his, as she looked upon him with joy.

"I can't believe you planned all of this on such short notice."

He shrugged humbly. "To see you look at me that way, I would move mountains for you, Elizabeth. I hope you know that."

She blushed, and he was touched to see a glimmer of tears in her pretty blue eyes.

"I'm beginning to," she whispered, squeezing his hand.

And so the morning and afternoon proceeded as planned, as they delighted in viewing the art of the masters, on loan from museums in Chicago, New York, and the Louvre. They enjoyed a light lunch with rich Italian coffee. As they moved closer to the tour of the botanical gardens, Lucas felt his heart begin to race. He had decided to tell her his true feelings there, for he knew he wouldn't be able to wait until later. He felt like a boy on Christmas Eve.

It had been a perfect day. The fall foliage was ablaze with reds, oranges and yellows, set against a clear blue sky, so beautiful it almost hurt the eyes to look upon it. The wind was calm, and the bright sun made it feel almost warm outside. He felt so proud to have Elizabeth on his arm, looking particularly fetching in a walking dress of cornflower blue, her overcoat perfectly matched with white piping and silk covered buttons. She wore a stylish, wide-brimmed had adorned with feathers and ribbons, her delicate hands encased in white kid gloves.

They walked closely together, taking their time, enjoying the wonderful weather as they followed the paved sidewalk that led from the hotel to the botanical gardens. There was an orangery made all of glass, and they entered the tropical warmth, the heavy scent of orange blossoms inundated their senses.

"Shall we sit," he asked, nodding to an empty bench amidst a tree laden with orange fruit. Nearby, a fountain gurgled soothingly.

A lady with a tray of orangeade paused before them, and Lucas gave her a few coins before handing Elizabeth a small cup of the sweet citrus drink. Lucas caught the eye of the man at the door, whom he had engaged earlier when Elizabeth was enraptured by the display of hot house orchids. The docent nodded back in return, the bills in his pocket insuring Lucas and Elizabeth would have at least a half-hour of privacy.

Elizabeth took a sip of her drink, marveling at the burst of sweetness on her tongue. She inhaled the magical scent of the greenhouse and turned to Lucas with a smile of pure bliss.

"It's heavenly in here," she commented. "I could remove my coat and be perfectly cozy."

"Do it, if you would be more comfortable. Let's sit here a bit and enjoy the warmth."

"I think I will," she said brightly.

He helped her off with her coat, and then set it beside her on the stone bench. After she'd removed her gloves, he turned his knees toward hers, taking both her hands in his.

"Elizabeth," he began, his throat suddenly tight. He cleared it, feeling his face grow warmer than the tropical air around them. He took a breath. "There's something I've wished to tell you for a long time, but I wanted to be as certain as I could that you might…return my feelings."

He could tell she was holding her breath, her eyes wide as she hung on his every word.

"Yes?" she prompted breathlessly.

"I—I'm in love with you. Deeply, passionately. I've never felt this way about a woman before. Please tell me you feel the same."

"Oh, Lucas, I love you too!" she exclaimed, throwing herself into his arms, heedless of anyone who might witness it. He closed his eyes and embraced her wholeheartedly, her perfume more tantalizing than the heavy scents around them. She moved away after a few moments, and Lucas looked upon her glowing face in reverent awe, reaching up to touch a tendril of curling sable hair that hung artfully from beneath her rakishly angled hat. He dipped his head beneath the wide brim and found her lips.

They were alone, and he found he couldn't hold back the ebullience he felt, couldn't stop himself from kissing her as deeply and as ardently as he wanted to. She didn't seem to mind, and met his tongue with hers, answering his passion with equal fervor. After a few heady moments, he made himself pull away, mindful of her reputation, though he wanted nothing more that to lay down with her upon a nearby patch of soft grass and show her with his hands and his body just how much he adored her. The temptation was so great that he trembled with it.

Elizabeth seemed equally shaken. "This is all like a dream," she whispered, her hand caressing his beard in such a way that he wanted to rub against her like a cat. He actually felt like purring, he thought, and he gave her a dimpled smile at his own foolish fancy.

"A wonderful, beautiful dream," he added, thinking that he would never be able to taste an orange again without thinking of this moment. She leaned in and kissed him again, a mere brush of her sweet lips against his, but it was enough to cause his heart to sing.

"I love you," she proclaimed again, happiness radiating from every part of her. "I never thought it could be this way for me again. You've made all my wishes come true."

"Oh, my love, I've only just begun…"

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Lucas forgot most of the rest of the afternoon, save for the feel of Elizabeth's hand in his, and the kisses he stole behind a tree in the park, or after they'd tossed a few coins into the beautiful fountain depicting two Grecian lovers embracing. He somehow knew what they both had wished for.

He had wanted nothing more than to follow her into her hotel room where he'd left her to rest and change for dinner and the opera. He could tell that she was more than willing, even inviting him in with a charming blush and an arresting promise in her eyes.

"I don't think that would be wise," he'd whispered against her lips. "I'll see you in an hour."

Her expression of longing haunted him all the way back to his room.

A/N: I had planned on this only being two chapters, but I've gotten a little carried away. I hope you don't mind if I add one more. Thank you so much for reading. And please, if you decide to review, I would love for you to sign in so that I might respond and thank you personally, or answer any questions you might have.