E M T

Hope Valley

February 3, 1919

My Sweet Lucas,

I am so excited for our day which is now less than two weeks away. I will be the happiest woman in the world when we are presented as Mr. and Mrs. Lucas Bouchard. And as we have discussed with Jack, he will be Jack Thornton Bouchard. Our family at last.

I was a little surprised at your recent letter, but I am glad that you felt comfortable enough to share this with me. It really never has been something I thought about. I suppose I always just assumed otherwise, but now that you tell me that you have waited it is in perfect harmony with the person you are. And it makes me love you all the more, which I wouldn't have thought possible. I know that you told me that you just wanted me to know, and I accept that because of your honesty. But, just in case there is any doubt in the back of your mind that our union will be less than perfect because of your inexperience then please let me assure you that this could never be the case. Lucas, what I feel for you is unlike anything I have ever felt before. I both shiver and flush at your touch and it is all that I can bear to keep from asking you to make me yours now.

This is truly a delicate situation to discuss, but you have always known that I am a widow, so, however, you have come to terms with what that means, I accept. But just as you want me to know everything there is to know about you then the same is true for me. My time with my former husband was very short before he was reassigned, and both my experience and knowledge in these matters are quite limited. I am guessing your knowledge based on reading alone exceeds what I know by virtue of my short-lived marriage.

Lucas, I have no doubt that we will be soulmates in the physical sense as well. You have always made me feel the fluttering butterflies even when we were just friends. I have recently told you some of my feelings in our early relationship and even when we were officially dating last summer, both in person and through our letters. On more than one occasion I had wanted so badly to have you kiss me; I craved you but I just didn't know if I was ready to accept it, after the fact. The day we sat on the office settee, when you told me I should go, I wanted you to kiss me so badly, but listened and walked to the door. At the last moment I turned, and I saw the look on your face. I knew that if I came to you then there was no stopping at a kiss. I wanted you so desperately. I left and resorted to fanning myself with one of the restaurant menus in order to lessen the heat. Then, I went home and knit for hours to distract myself. To tell you a little secret, that's how you now have a blue cable knit sweater. It was handmade with love and with a burning desire that needed quenching on that and other occasions.

And now, since the day of the bridge when we finally came together with all the passion that had been building, there is no turning back, nor would I wish to. That was my last first kiss and it was so passionate it took my breath away.

I burn for you as well. I know that you sense this, and you have been sending me further and further to the edge with your kisses and gentle touch which has me less patient by the hour. To be truthful, that knowledge of yours has been put to good use. You know me so well already; just the right spot on my neck to kiss that has me flush, and that gorgeous voice that whispers the sweetest endearments in my ear and sends shivers down my spine. And the way that you caress my back when you hold me close and kiss me has my heart racing and has me weak in the knees. I should be embarrassed to say that last night when you were a bit bolder than before and ran your thumbs down my sides with your magical hands, I wanted to beg you to take more. And in that most intimate of moments, as you looked into my eyes, I felt that you were staring deep inside me and connecting with my soul. I was in your thrall and one word from you, and I would be yours.
But you make me feel safe, I know that you are the consummate gentleman and would not take advantage of my weakness in those moments. But what you have shared with me in your letter makes me understand more completely why you resist. This is a gift you have saved for your true love and I cannot tell you how touched I am to be the one to receive it. But, as anxious as I might be, I know in my heart that we will be happy that we wait to consummate our love until we are husband and wife.

I am so grateful to have such a wonderful man who lives according to his principles and who loves me for everything that I am. I look forward to our marriage and all that means, both as your lifetime companion and soulmate. Together we will form the core of our new family… the Bouchard's.

I am yours evermore,

Elizabeth