Elizabeth was having the most wonderful dream, she was floating and… no that's not right. She felt like she was floating but she was resting against someone. She could feel strong arms around her. As Lucas carefully lowered himself onto the settee, he settled Elizabeth on his lap, not wanting to release her yet. Safely cradled in his arms, she began to stir but he pulled her closer to his chest. He felt this overwhelming need to protect her right now and give her all of his strength and love.
Something cold pressed against her forehead. Lucas pressed his lips to her temple and breathed her in. He gently wiped her face and neck with the cool cloth. "Elizabeth, sweetheart, please open your eyes."
Elizabeth slowly blinked a few times, her eyes beginning to focus on Lucas's face, feeling slightly confused. But quickly reality came crashing back in and he could see the shift in her eyes that she remembered. She closed her eyes again and sank closer into his warmth hoping to blot out her terrible memories. Feeling her trembling, Lucas wrapped her firmly in his arms swaying slightly to comfort her.
"Sweetheart, please talk to me. What is scaring you?" Lucas asked.
In a quiet voice, she replied, "You said Spurlock's name. How did he get out of prison?"
Lucas's head swiftly turned to look at Bill and Nathan. All three looked very puzzled.
Bill asked, "Why do you think he's been in prison, Elizabeth?"
Confused, Elizabeth stared at him, "Bill, don't you remember?"
In a calming voice, Bill said, "Elizabeth, I don't know whatever it is that you know. Take a few deep breaths and tell us when you are ready."
She looked into Lucas's eyes and he knew what she needed. He started breathing slow deep breaths like he taught Jack to do when he gets scared. Elizabeth placed her hand on Lucas's chest and matched his slow breaths, never breaking eye contact. She needed his quiet strength right now. After a minute she felt calmer to talk.
"Spurlock was a Pinkerton. When I first came to Coal Valley the church had already burned down. He tried to frame Kat Montgomery for arson."
"Ok, but that still doesn't explain why you think he was in prison."
"Bill, I know he was in prison. Jack arrested him. He stopped him before he…"
Lucas inhaled sharply sensing Elizabeth was reliving a painful memory. My God, he thought, what did Spurlock do to her? His concerned eyes looked at Nathan.
"Before he what?" Nathan asked gently.
Elizabeth shook her head, denying talking about it. Lucas whispered, "Breathe, you've got this." She grabbed Lucas's hand in both of hers and held on for dear life.
"Jack stopped him before he tried to kill me," she said in a rush.
Lucas's heart skipped a few beats and then raced like a train in his chest. "What?... Why?" he whispered hoarsely.
"That is a long story. But the short version is I discovered he framed Kat because she spurned his advances. He pulled his gun on me because he didn't want it to get out that he framed her for arson. Jack arrested him and he promised me Charles Spurlock would be in prison for a long time."
"Charles?" both Bill and Nathan asked, their voices reflecting their confusion.
"Yes, Charles Spurlock. Bill…"
"Are you sure, Elizabeth?" asked Lucas.
"Sure about what? Why are you questioning me about his name?"
Bill interrupted, "Elizabeth, the Pinkerton here in Hope Valley today is a Julius Spurlock. His name isn't Charles. I'm sure you've seen him, he's the big muscular bald man who is always with Walden."
"He's definitely not Charles Spurlock."
"I wonder if they are related," Nathan said. "It's not like Spurlock is a common surname like Smith. And for them both to be Pinkertons, there probably is some family connection. I'll reach out to my contacts and see what I can find out about these two."
"And I'll look into where Charles is now to give you some peace of mind, Elizabeth," Bill said.
"I know Jack sent him to Granville," she replied.
"Ok I'll start there and see what I can find out."
"Elizabeth, I would have noticed if Julius was paying particular attention to you. Have you had any awareness that he might have been following you, keeping a closer eye on you more than anyone else in town?" Lucas asked.
"No, none. He's a hard guy to miss in the crowd."
"Elizabeth, I don't want you to worry about Julius. I don't think you are in any more danger with him than anyone else. We will keep you safe," promised Lucas, pulling Elizabeth closer against him and placing a kiss on her forehead. Hiding her face in Lucas's neck she breathed deeply, smelling his scent to help calm herself.
Sensing their need to settle their heightened emotions, Bill stood up, motioning to Nathan to do the same. "We will leave you two for now. Lucas, let's talk first thing in the morning about Walden and Janette. Hopefully by then we might have some answers about both Spurlocks to settle that situation once and for all. I'll feel better about all this once I know exactly where Charles is."
As Elizabeth started to shift so she could stand, Nathan said, "No please, don't get up. We can see ourselves out."
Lucas refused to let Elizabeth move away from him. With one arm wrapped around her waist and the other combing through her hair he rested his forehead against hers. Elizabeth placed her hand on his cheek. Lucas leaned into the warmth of her hand and his eyes were glassy. Elizabeth was equally as emotional.
"I don't think I've ever been as scared as when I saw you start to fall. Then struggling to talk about Spurlock. Elizabeth, I've never felt so helpless in my life. I hate seeing you sad or suffering. I didn't know how to help you except to keep holding onto you right now."
"I'm glad that you did. I needed your strength. This isn't a memory I ever wanted to relive. I'm still frightened he will get out of prison one day and come back for me. I know I can't live in fear like that. I have to be strong for my son."
"Except you are not alone anymore. You can always share your sorrows and burdens with me. I'll always be here for you and for Jack. I will do all that is in my power to protect my family."
Elizabeth's eyes lit up when Lucas said, "my family."
"Never forget the words I said to you in the library the morning of Jack's christening, Elizabeth."
Elizabeth smiled for the first time since Lucas walked in the door earlier. "How could I ever forget, Mr. Bouchard? You told me, 'Without fear and without hesitation you would do whatever you had to to keep me safe'."
"Always, Elizabeth. Always."
They settled into a companionable quiet enjoying the simplicity of being emotionally and as physically connected as they could be during their courtship.
"You know, we are going to eventually have to stand up," Elizabeth chuckled.
"Yes, I know, but I'm not ready yet."
Giggling now, Elizabeth teased him, "Now you sound like your buddy!"
"Well after all he is a very bright little man."
"Don't let him hear you call him little," Elizabeth chided.
Lucas chuckled. "Oh yes, how could I forget, he is four years old now. Jack is very grown up." His smile reflected his absolute love for his hopefully future son.
Elizabeth's fingers smoothed out the creases between his beautiful eyes. Taping him on the nose she said, "I can see your mind is still preoccupied, Lucas."
Sighing, Lucas said, "Before Bill and Nathan arrived I was about to tell you more about Janette. I'd really like to circle back to that conversation if you feel up to it."
Sliding over to sit next to Lucas, but never too far away, Elizabeth reached for his hands. "Please tell me more about her. From what you've shared before I know you are good friends and very protective of her."
"As you know Janette is a widow. Her husband's name was Maurice. He was my best friend."
"Oh Lucas, I can see why you are so protective."
"They were my extended family after I moved away from home. I was staying with my maternal grandparents in New York. That's where I met Maurice after I had been there a few months. I was soaking in all that the city had to offer and was taking my time trying my hand at different jobs. He took me under his wing at a factory job I took and we became friends immediately. He told me all about Janette and their love story. They actually had an arranged marriage but it was love at first sight when they met each other. Other than my parents I had never seen two people so in love and connected to each other.
Maurice's family is from Grande Isle, Louisiana. He was 15 years my senior. Maurice was like an older brother to me. I spent my first Louisiana summer at his family's home, enjoying parties, socializing and just being treated like one of the family. He asked me if I'd consider moving down there. I didn't have to think about it. I said yes. One summer weekend Maurice and I took a trip to see New Orleans, he couldn't wait to show me his city."
Elizabeth was caressing the tops of his hands with her thumbs. She felt he really needed the extra support right now, knowing some moments can be both happy and sad to share.
"I fell in love with New Orleans the moment I stepped onto their streets. It's a lively city but in a completely different way than New York. I felt alive and energized there. Maurice couldn't be happier that I took so well to his city. The food is incredible and the music, let's just say Rosemary would greatly approve! We always found time to hit the gambling halls. Maurice loved poker and we'd play cards any chance we could, just for fun or a little friendly money on the table. We made a game of it giving our impressions of the other players. But I started to notice at some of the casinos Maurice was playing with another agenda.
Before we left New Orleans that weekend Maurice took me on a tour, showing me his family history in this town he loved. It wasn't all happy though. He was disheartened so many areas were now run down due to neglect, organized crime, crooked politicians and corrupt law enforcement. Laws were there to protect the people only the leaders constantly overlooked the laws for financial or political gain. Much of these dirty dealings took place in the back rooms of the gambling halls. Maurice wanted to know what I observed, compare and contrast the differences between the casinos and tables. Where did I see opportunities or escalated risk? Now knowing more about his city he was asking for my read on what we saw… where would I consider looking more closely to find shady dealings and more."
Not realizing she was doing so, Elizabeth was now holding Lucas's hands in a death grip, no longer caressing them.
"Elizabeth, I'd hoped to never worry you with what I'm about to tell you. Only Maurice and Janette knew the truth. My parents don't even know. I've suspected Gustave may have an idea."
"Lucas, you're starting to worry me. Please just tell me now."
"Maurice wasn't just my best friend, Elizabeth." Lucas took a deep breath, looking down at the floor before raising his eyes to look at her. He had a longing in his eyes, begging her to accept what he was about to reveal. "He was also my partner."
"Your partner? Why do I get the impression Maurice wasn't a business partner?"
"You're right." It was now or never, Lucas thought. "Maurice recruited me. He was my trainer, and we were partners." Lucas saw Elizabeth's eyes grow wide as she took in what he was telling her. Lucas quickly finished, "I was an undercover agent within the illegal gambling rings with the FBI before I came to Hope Valley."
