A/N This chapter was a lot of fun and in fact Cinda Justice helped come up with the line Henry tells Lucas. Hope you enjoy! But it also took on some poignant moments I didn't plan on but I'm glad they came through. I hope you see them too.!
The following day everyone went about their day like usual but there was subtle excitement that was increasing among the Hope Valley residents as the evening grew closer. The closer it got to the time the less people could focus on their jobs. It had been so long since they had the opportunity to dress up and have a night of fun. Well except for the one individual who was surprised his potential date hadn't shown up to ask him. Though in his mind it was simply a formality, ad done deal if you will, but he still wanted to be asked by her. But two hours before the dance she still hadn't showed nor sent a note.
Lucas Bouchard refused to be worried though since he knew that he had a lot to offer and when faced with the current picking of partners around he was the cream. It never even dawned on him that no other ladies had approached him either so focused was he on Elizabeth's invitation. It wasn't because of his pride he told himself but simply that he was always a hit with the ladies and knew how to and his own assurance that he would not be the lone man standing.
Lucas wondered why Elizabeth hadn't shown up and he was beginning to get worried when an hour before the dance she still hadn't stopped by. It simply would not do for him to be dateless when the dance was held in his establishment. Lucas knew that Nathan was going with Faith. Which didn't surprise him he because he just couldn't see Elizabeth preferring him over Lucas. But he didn't take any chances when he saw the Mountie had looking for ways to cross her path and give her an opportunity to ask. When he saw Nathan return, he had ensured the Mountie would hear about her asking Lucas to the dance. Lucas happened to be nearby when Faith asked, and Nathan said yes thinking Elizabeth was already spoken for. So far as Lucas knew though, she hadn't asked anyone yet.
'Maybe I should stop by and inquire as to her health or of her son?' thought Lucas. 'That has to be why she hasn't stopped by yet.'
But ultimately, he decided not to do anything thinking that she would probably come, and they could dance. 'Maybe she was just shy especially after being turned down by Nathan. Yes, that had to be it' he thought smiling.
Soon enough everyone began arriving sometime in pair or a few larger groups. Lee and Rosemary were already there so she could make sure everything was good to go before people arrived. Bill arrived with Clara, Abigail and Hickam walked in and she just couldn't stop smiling at his sweet exuberance to actually have a woman on his arm for the evening. He reminded her a lot of her sweet Peter who she missed so much. Next came Ned with Florence and Carson with Molly. Almost everyone was gathered before the widows realized they hadn't planned as carefully as they should have. Because when Fiona and Kevin came through the door so did Nathan escorting Faith. What was worrisome is that he appeared happy to be with her. But Bill knew different because he could see the bit of sadness in the young man's eyes that were actively scanning the room.
Back at her rowhouse Elizabeth had just put the finishing touches on her makeup and hair when she heard the soft knock at the door. She quickly glanced once more in the mirror at her appearance glad that her sister had sent her a beautiful dress that shimmered in different shades of blue with accent beading through the bodice. It was in a bolder color than she normally wore but she wanted to shine especially tonight. Tonight, was a special night because she had decided it was time to step back into life and embrace new possibilities. Tt was to be a night of celebration for her and the gentleman she was attending with. They both had been in the shadows for far too long.
Hurrying downstairs she quickly answered the door to find Henry looking very handsome in a dark blue suit. "He stood there holding the most beautiful bouquet of Roses she had seen in a long time.
"Oh Henry, you look so very handsome tonight." She said with a smile. "I may have to beat the ladies off with a stick when they see my date."
He smiled at her and said, "Thank you, Elizabeth," blushing just a bit at her words. "I brought these for you."
"They are so beautiful, and the smell is so lovely. Please come in while I put them in a vase."
"I have to say Elizabeth you are the one who is beautiful tonight. You are positively glowing, and that dress looks so lovely."
"Well Henry tonight is a special night and a celebration. I'm stepping out of the shadows of grief and working to move on, and I hope you're doing the same with me tonight?" she said arching a brow as if in a dare.
"Well, I could never say no to a beautiful lady, so I guess we are." With that he held his arm out and they headed to the dance.
"You know everyone will already be there, right? I saw Lucas earlier and he was starting to look a bit panicked, but I still think he's believing your dancing with him." Henry said.
"Well, he needs to learn sooner or later that Hope Valley women are independent thinkers and don't like being taken for granted. I think it's time he learns that don't you?"
"Oh, I'm going to enjoy every minute of our evening I assure you. Thank you, Elizabeth, for asking me." Henry said. They spent the rest of the drive planning their entrance to gain the most effect. Normally Elizabeth wouldn't be rude like this, but she really felt Lucas needed to be taken down a peg and Henry needed a boost up. In her case she was simply ready to have fun and begin moving on again.
The dance had already been in swing for twenty minutes when Henry and Elizabeth arrived. As planned, he would go first and then she would enter a few minutes later. People were beginning to think Elizabeth was staying home after all when Henry arrived. Henry walked over towards the drink table and then suddenly Elizabeth walked looking more beautiful than anyone had ever seen her before. As she walked towards Rosemary and Abigail Lucas made a move to intercept her.
"Wow Elizabeth you look lovely tonight. I see that you are also alone tonight but perhaps I can fix that oversight and stand in?" Lucas said. The music had stopped, and the conversation could be heard by all, but Lucas didn't care.
"Well Lucas it is the lady that is supposed to ask and…." She let that sentence drift off just as Henry returned to her side carrying drinks. After handing Elizabeth one he then offered his arm, looked squarely at Lucas and said, "Sorry but the young lady is mine for the evening!"
They looked at him a second before heading over to the others. They hadn't gotten far when she turned back and said "Oh Lucas the place looks really lovely tonight. Thank you for holding the dance here."
No one said anything for a minute and then there was a sudden burst of activity. The town would spend a lot of time tomorrow talking about that delicious moment but for now Henry and Elizabeth danced and enjoyed the rest of the evening. Whether or not Lucas took the hint and realized his gaffe no one knew but all the other men did. As he danced with Elizabeth and spent time with the others around her, Henry really began to think Elizabeth was right and it was time to believe he wasn't that same man. It was time for the new Henry Gowan to begin to live in the town and with the people he loved. It didn't take long for the others to realize that there was a lightness around Henry and the lines previously on his face had grown less apparent as he relaxed. That lightness spread as the final bit of the sadness from Coal Valley faded away.
While Nathan enjoyed his time with Faith, he couldn't help noticing Elizabeth and just watching her. He had never seen a more beautiful woman in his life, and it wasn't just how she looked tonight but the way she always was. The way she took down Lucas and her treatment of Henry and the glow about her tonight sealed his fate. He was absolutely and irrevocably in love with Elizabeth Thornton. Thankfully he knew that Faith didn't have romantic feelings for him she was in love with Carson. In fact, if Nathan really thought about it he would imagine more than one couple wasn't who they really wanted to be with.
Faith had just walked over to Elizabeth and Rosemary when he felt a presence beside him and knew it was Bill.
"Alright how is it you're here with Faith and Elizabeth is with Henry?" asked Bill.
Nathan looked over and said with a grin "Well I imagine it's for the same reason you're here with Clara and Abigail is with Mike."
Nathan felt Henry come up on his other side with Carson and Lee. "Well Henry" said Lee laughing "It looks like you and Elizabeth are the stars of the evening with that takedown of Lucas. Folks will be talking about that for a while."
"Well, I can't take the full credit because Elizabeth is the one who really came up with it and pulled it off. I imagine that boy won't take another woman in town for granted." he said smiling with pride at Elizabeth. She had become like a beloved niece to him. The biggest regrets he had were about her and Abigail although the other widows also were still on his heart.
"I tried warning him about messing with either of them because when those two women combine forces it's a sure-fire win. Lucas already found that out when he tried going up against Abigail about saloon hours."" He told the story of how they thwarted him by working the mines when he was trying to evict the other women. The more he talked about them the more amazed Nathan was at all those incredible women that he hoped his niece would emulate someday.
"I never would have imagined that a Hamilton princess would have the grit and backbone she does, but she has an independent streak a mile long. It's one of the things we all love about her."
"Remember how she stood up to Ray Wyatt when he tried taking over the town. Even Abigail was a bit reluctant until she saw how he arranged to get her fired as a teacher?" Lee said.
"Well, she gave Jack a run for his money too when he tried calling her a spoiled rich man's daughter who wouldn't make it a week in Coal Valley." Ned said coming up to join them.
The men told story after story about her, and he just couldn't believe it. But then looking at her again he could absolutely see it.
So as the evening was getting later the ladies had one way to ensure Nathan and Elizabeth could dance together at least once. They couldn't take a chance of a gentleman's choice without a safety net because of Lucas. So, they took slips of paper, and each man wrote his name on it before putting it back in the bowl.
"Now as we draw the names out the name on the paper gets to ask a lady to dance but it cannot be the same one you came with. This will be the final dance of the evening." Rosemary said.
"The first name is.. Bill Avery." He walked over and claimed Abigail which was of no surprise to anyone. The next name was Carson Shephard. He went and asked Faith again it wasn't a surprise. Everyone was waiting in anticipation for Nathan's to be called because they knew he would undoubtedly choose Elizabeth and it would be the culmination of the evening.
"The next name is... Nathan Grant." Everyone watched as Elizabeth and Nathan locked eyes across the room, slowly beginning to walk across the room towards each other.
"May I have this dance Mrs. Thornton?" he said softly.
"What if I said no." she said with a twinkle in her eye.
He leaned close to her ear and whispered, "Well then, I think a lot of people would be disappointed and you would risk being very unpopular tomorrow?" he said with a grin pulling back to look at her.
"HMM that is true Constable Grant, and I wouldn't want that." She smiled and gave a slight nod. As he took her in his arms neither was aware that the music hadn't even started but they were swaying just slightly as if hearing their own music.
The rest of the couples were quickly paired off after with Lucas dancing finally with Clara. The final song began to play and the sound of Let me call you sweetheart could be heard. After the final dance the pair knew that things had changed somewhat but to what degree and what it meant was still unknown. But the rest of the town knew their objective though seemingly appearing to have gone wrong actually went right.
After the dance Nathan and Elizabeth suddenly found themselves without the person they came with and ended up walking home together in silence just enjoying being together. There were no words needed and everyone just watched the awakening of two hearts that had been waiting for its match.
As they approached her house Nathan turned towards her and took her hand and said "Lizbeth may I just say how lovely you looked tonight and how much I enjoyed our dance.?"
"Of course, you may and can I just say how handsome you look. I have always loved you in blue. It's actually my favorite color." She replied.
"Really? Mine too."
"I had a really nice time Nathan and I'm so glad we got to share a dance. Have a good night." She replied before turning.
"Sweet dreams Lizbeth, I know mine will be. "He whispered before turning around heading towards his rowhouse. She stood on her porch until she couldn't see him anymore before giving a sigh and going into her own. She knew that she loved him, but she still wouldn't take down that barrier she had erected. It was too soon to be in love, wasn't it? She thought. Unfortunately, she knew this was something she would have to pray about and think on for herself because it was something only, she knew the answer to. She just hoped she had the courage to find out.
As Nathan got to his rowhouse he looked back aware that she had not yet gone inside. But when he turned, he caught just a glimpse of her before she closed the door. As he pondered the evening, he knew that he had found the woman he had been waiting his whole life for that he thought didn't exist. But he knew he had a secret that he needed to tell her before he could even begin to think of moving forward. Did he have the courage to do it? He wasn't sure he did. Unfortunately for the three people who carried the burden of Fort Clay the choice of revealing it or not was taken out of their hands. There were only a few short hours left of that sweet peace that had fallen on Hope Valley.
