A/Ns: romancebookworm4ever – I thank you for your devoted following and reviews! I am glad you like it. However I can't keep up with them to reply to reviews from previous chapters, although I would really like to. Again, if you would like to give me your email address, I could respond to each chapter's review. My own address is listed in my profile.
Ch. 23 – Preparations
Once he had informed Helena of his decision, the two of them slipped back into their easy friendship. She accompanied him to oversee the arrival and arrangement of his final pieces of furniture, and the trunks carrying his possessions from his previous residence. As they watched the magnificent chandelier being hoisted to the ballroom ceiling, Helena suddenly tugged on his sleeve, "Erik, darling, now that you have this splendid ball room, we must have a grand and glorious party to celebrate and show off your fine work!" He laughed at the excitement in her eyes, thoroughly enjoying her youthful enthusiasm. "If it pleases you, Helena dear, certainly I will arrange it." She reached up to hug him impulsively.
Erik was still not used to such casual displays of affection, but not wanting to hurt her feelings, gently hugged her back. Looking up at him rather timidly she added, "We could announce our engagement at the party," her voice hesitated, lest he be upset by her prodding. Instead, he smiled down at her affectionately, and said, "I don't see why not." Still standing in the circle of his arms, she broke away reluctantly after a moment, and then smiled up at him, her blue eyes staring at him in unabashed adoration. "Oh, there is so much to do. I must find a gown and there are invitations to be sent out, and a meal to arrange. Oh, oh, Erik darling, I must go and see to the preparations at once!" And with that, she kissed him quickly on the cheek and hastened out the door.
Erik watched her leave with indulgent amusement playing on his lips. His life would certainly never be dull with Helena as his wife.
The days before the party flew by quickly with all the preparations to be made. For once, he actually found himself looking forward to a social gathering. Before, he had always been uncomfortable, feeling that he could never fit in with the elegant throng around him. Now, successful, rich, titled, healed in mind and body, and with a new house and a beautiful fiancé on his arm, he felt no reason to harbor his insecurities any longer. This time he would be attending as the respected host, entirely accepted amongst those in attendance, instead of as the uninvited outcast watching from the shadows.
On the way from his office to his new home on the afternoon of the day before the ball, he decided to stop by his former residence to check that everything was in order for the new owners and to retrieve any post that might have accumulated in his absence. One quick look around told him that the house was indeed ready, and on his way out the door, he realized there were in fact a number of letters waiting for him there. He made a mental note to remind the postman that his address had now changed, as he thumbed quickly through the letters. One in particular drew his attention. It was written in an elegant hand on an envelope made of the finest cream colored paper and smelled faintly of lilac. He did not recognize the return address, or the handwriting, so he tucked it in his jacket pocket to open later once he reached his home.
Little did he know, as he stepped up to enter his carriage, in that moment, the fate of his heart rested in his pocket.