Bill's Reaction - Chapter 31
Saturday Morning - Suzanne's of Hamilton
Elizabeth had arranged for Benson to drive both she and Victoria to Suzanne's. It was hard to believe this was her second trip to the upscale boutique. What once felt normal to Elizabeth, now felt foreign and out of place. Then she considered after all this time of self-imposed social isolation, Victoria must find the trip to Suzanne's odd, too.
As the two ladies entered the boutique, Elizabeth was surprised to be greeted by Suzanne, herself. She was not expecting special attention.
"Welcome back, Mrs. Thornton. So lovely to see you again." Suzanne greeted her.
"Thank you so much, Suzanne. It is lovely to see you again, too." Elizabeth turned and gestured to Victoria, "Suzanne, I'm sure you remember my friend, Victoria Lockwood?"
Suzanne gave a welcoming smile and greeted Victoria, "Certainly, Miss Lockwood, it has been a while, but so very nice to see you." Addressing both women, she asked the obvious question, "How may I help you ladies, today?"
Victoria was a little shy to speak up, so Elizabeth took the lead. "Well, Suzanne, we are looking for something special for Victoria."
Suzanne looked at Victoria and inquired, "How nice for you to have a special event coming up. Are you looking for something formal to wear to the Fall Gala coming next month? Or is this another special event?"
Victoria froze. Of course, patrons of Suzanne's plan ahead for special events. She looked at Elizabeth for help.
Elizabeth answered Suzanne, "Actually, Victoria was invited to a simple dinner party for four. We just knew your store would have the perfect outfit for her to wear, tonight."
Suzanne looked momentarily surprised, but wasn't flustered by the timing of the event. She ushered the two ladies over to the "ready-made" section of the store where Elizabeth had shopped when she had come before. After determining Victoria's size, style and colour preferences, Suzanne went to work showing Victoria several different selections.
Meanwhile, Elizabeth had meandered to a display of clothing on the other side of the room in order to allow her friend the pleasure of being pampered, one-on-one. While browsing, Elizabeth spied a lovely floral print skirt in lavender, light and airy. It would be something she would wear on a date. As she fingered the material, her mind wandered back to Hope Valley and going for dinner at the Café. Yes, this was something she would definitely wear. She snapped back to reality – today was not about her – it was about Victoria. She took the skirt back over to where Victoria was trying on different outfits and presented the skirt for consideration.
Victoria was delighted with the lovely skirt, but wanted to be sure there was a top to coordinate with it, before getting her hopes up.
As soon as Suzanne saw the skirt, she snapped her fingers and said I believe I have the perfect blouse to go with that skirt. She went into the back room and quickly came back with a soft purple bateau neckline blouse embellished only with buttons and simple pleats down the front. The fabric and the fine cut of style were designed to enhance the features of the woman who wore it. It was a perfect match. Victoria tried them on and looked delightful. Everything was coming together. It was a lovely late summer outfit.
While she looked around the store for proper hosiery and other sundry items, it was Elizabeth's turn to unexpectedly discover a treasure. She was unsure how she had missed it when she was here with her mother before, but it was beautiful. It was a slate blue, two-piece sleeveless dress with a matching three button blazer jacket. (She had a couple of these style jackets already, but were more for riding and business. This was a more special occasion type outfit but not over-the-top.) The bodice of the dress and the jacket were sequin embellished. The hemline was the new modern look - just at the ankle level. She loved it! Did it come in her size? Was the price within her schoolteacher's budget?
Now that Victoria was taken care of, Suzanne turned her attention to Elizabeth.
"I see you have found something you like." Suzanne eyed the dress Elizabeth was admiring.
Elizabeth, barely taking her eyes off the dress, briefly looked at Suzanne, "I can't believe I missed this ensemble when I was here with my mother!"
Suzanne smiled wryly and replied, "Well, it was the strangest thing. For some reason, this dress was not put out on display when it came in a while back. The error was found a couple of days ago and it was brought out to the showroom. I never remember that ever happening before." Suzanne just shook her head and gestured towards the back of the boutique, "Please, Mrs. Thornton, use one of our fitting rooms to try the garment on."
Elizabeth tried the dress on and to her delight it fit as though it was custom made just for her. Unfortunately, the price did not match her Hope Valley budget. Oh, she knew her parents would pay for this dress in an instant, but she was not that girl anymore. She had allowed her mother the privilege of spoiling her already. No, as much as she loved this dress, it would have to stay. Now that she thought about it, it was too frivolous after all, even for a date at the cafe.
She exited the dressing room and politely, but firmly told Suzanne, "Although I love the dress and jacket, it is just not suitable for Hope Valley."
Suzanne regretfully took the dress back from Elizabeth. There was something in Elizabeth's tone that Suzanne recognized as pride. Despite being a member of the Thatcher Family, Elizabeth had chosen her own life and that included making her own money and living within her means. Suzanne respected that about her.
However, it also presented Suzanne with a dilemma. She was thankful neither woman had asked why Suzanne was working on a weekend – something she didn't usually do. Late Friday afternoon, she received a call from Grace Thatcher, advising Elizabeth would be in the store and should she see anything she liked, it was to be charged to Grace's personal account. How could she tell one of her very best customers that she had opted to respect Elizabeth's wishes? Well, she had best get it over with.
She picked up the phone and called the Thatcher residence number. Once she had identified herself to the household staff, Grace came on the line.
"Good Morning, Suzanne. I do hope you have good news for me?" Grace greeted the boutique owner.
"Good Morning, Mrs. Thatcher. I do have some news to share." Suzanne went on to explain what happened in the store that morning.
Grace smirked, "Not to worry, Suzanne. I am afraid my daughter is more stubborn than I thought. If you would kindly charge the garment to my account as discussed, and have it delivered to my home this afternoon, I would be most appreciative. Don't worry, Suzanne, I will handle this at my end."
Elizabeth was just walking in the door around noontime when the phone in her father's study started to ring. Forgetting for a moment it was Saturday and her father was already home, she made a move to answer the phone. Then she heard her father take the call himself.
"William Thatcher speaking," he said in a businesslike tone.
"Good afternoon, William. This is Nathan Grant. I hope I am not disturbing you."
William's voice softened and he continued with an enthusiastic greeting, "Well, hello! It is very nice to hear from you! I hope you and your daughter are both keeping well?" He paused to give Nathan time to reply that they were well.
William continued to smile to himself and inquired, "How may I help you, Nathan?"
"Well, I know I'm calling earlier than Elizabeth expected, but there's been a change in plans. May I please speak with her?" William's smile grew even bigger. He excused himself from the call, telling Nathan he would have to see if Elizabeth had returned home yet, explaining she had gone shopping with a friend.
Elizabeth, figuring the caller to be one of her father's many friends or business associates, had gone to her room when she heard her father call out to her.
"Elizabeth, please come back downstairs."
She returned to the main floor and with a questioning look at William asked, "Yes, Father?"
William's eyes twinkled at his daughter, "You, my dear, have a gentleman caller."
Elizabeth looked quickly around the main foyer and when she didn't see anyone, she nervously asked, "Where is he?" Through a clenched smile, she continued, "More importantly, who is he?"
With a dramatic gesture, William ushered Elizabeth into his study and said, "If he hasn't hung up by now, there's someone on the phone for you, Dear!" As he was leaving the study, William remarked in a teasing tone, "Don't worry about me, I'll close the door on my way out." William was beaming as he exited his study and drew the door closed.
By her father's demeanor, Elizabeth had figured out it must be Nathan on the line. She smiled at the pleasant thought, then wondered about the early call. She hoped all was well in Hope Valley.
"Hello, this is Elizabeth."
"Hi, it's Nathan. How are you?"
"I'm well, thanks. I hope you are well, too. My goodness, we have a wonderful connection. You sound like you're in the next room!"
Nathan chuckled and replied, "Well, funny you should mention that. I'm not in the next room but, um, I am in the same city!"
"What?! Nathan, how did that happen? Is Allie with you? Where are you staying?" Elizabeth's questions came fast and furious.
Elizabeth felt lightheaded and wondered if she was babbling. Nathan was in Hamilton? She had thought she wouldn't see him for another few weeks! She had never known him anywhere but Hope Valley and was struggling to envision him in the city where she grew up. A flash of uneasiness arose. Would they still feel the same connection with each other outside of Hope Valley? What an absurd thought! Every cell in her body was tingling with excitement that Nathan was here and he took time out of his day to call her. They were both still interested. Elizabeth knew for her, it was so much more than that.
Nathan took a cleansing breath and answered, "Well, I'm here on Mountie business, so I'm staying at the Mountie Barracks. It happened very suddenly and unexpectedly. Unfortunately, Allie had to stay behind with the Coulters." He paused before continuing, "Hey, I was wondering, since I am in town, would you like to get dinner together tomorrow night, instead of our usual Sunday afternoon call?"
Happiness washed over Elizabeth. "Nathan, yes of course. I would love to go to dinner with you. Now that I know you're here in Hamilton, I'm looking forward to seeing you in person! Did you have somewhere in mind you would like to dine?"
Nathan was suddenly caught off guard. He hadn't really thought about where they would go. Hope Valley only had two real choices for a dinner date – the saloon and the cafe. The options were seemingly endless in Hamilton and he had no idea which establishment would be suitable for their first date.
He didn't say anything for a moment, but then decided to be honest. He chuckled and admitted to Elizabeth that he didn't know where to take a lady for dinner in Hamilton. "Do you have any suggestions?"
Elizabeth considered her words carefully before she replied. After all their missteps, she didn't want to sound too privileged, but at the same time she didn't want to insult Nathan, either. He waited patiently while she collected herself and reviewed the possibilities.
"Well, there are a couple of options. I am certain my father would secure his table at the Country Club for us, if you would like to go out. Or, if you would prefer, we could enjoy a quiet dinner for two, here at my parents' home. The weather is beautiful out and dinner on the terrace would be lovely." After a slight pause, she chuckled, "Besides, if you come early enough, I know a little boy who would be delighted to see you, before he goes to bed for the night."
Nathan thoughtfully considered the options presented and made the only clear choice. He would look forward to dinner at her family home. Elizabeth gave him her parents' address, unaware Bill had already provided Nathan with the information. They agreed he would make arrangements to arrive on or before 5 p.m. the following day. Elizabeth offered to have Benson pick Nathan up, but her offer was graciously declined.
"Elizabeth, I am looking forward to seeing you tomorrow night."
Elizabeth replied, "I am as well. Until then, have a wonderful evening, Nathan."
After ending the call, Elizabeth sat for a long time staring into space with a dreamy look on her face and a feeling of hope in her heart. At some point a gentle breeze wafted in the window, causing her to shiver and brought her back to reality.
Reality was looking pretty good – tomorrow, she had a date with Nathan Grant.
As always, thanks to Mamabethany for her assistance with this story. :)