Chapter 32 Montreal: Lucas Explains

They had both slept fitfully and it seemed that Jack had made his appearance even earlier than normal. Lucas played with the little boy as Elizabeth got up to bathe and dress for the day. He was hoping that they would be able to get past their current predicament and still be able to go out tonight. He had looked forward to their date since arranging it well over a month ago. He was glad to see Elizabeth a bit refreshed when she returned. It was obvious when she woke that she had been crying last night. She put on a smile so that Jack would not be affected by her mood, but he could see through it.

"Elizabeth, I will see you at breakfast. I hope that we can find a quiet place afterward to talk."

She was silent but nodded her agreement.

Breakfast was a bit of a quiet affair. Helen tried to fill in the silence, but it was obvious to all that Elizabeth and Lucas had an issue to resolve. Laura took Jack to the backyard to play ball and Martin headed for the library with Helen, leaving the couple in the dining room. "Let's go to the upstairs salon to talk," said Lucas as he reached out for her hand.

Elizabeth hesitated but placed her hand in his and solemnly followed him upstairs. They sat quietly on the couch for a while until Lucas started the conversation. "I am sorry that you are upset, and I won't tell you that you shouldn't be. They are your feelings. But Elizabeth you are my one and only and I will never love another. I know that you heard me last night and weren't ready to listen, but it is the truth and I hope you will listen now."
"What is she to you and why was she so familiar in her behavior?"

"I practically grew up with Celeste and her brother. The first time I saw her she was probably three months old. I was with my mother at the Marchand's house for a garden party and Celeste's brother Simon and I were put in charge of promenading Celeste's baby carriage around the patio. She was chubby with blond curls and those vibrant green eyes and even then, she was a flirt. And I have loved her since then, just as if I were her older brother. The Marchand's have been my parents' best friends since before I was born. I must admit that our parents may have fancied that we would marry someday, but I only ever thought of her as my sister. There was a time when I think she would have been amenable to trying out a relationship with me, but I just wasn't interested."

"I brought two of my university friends home with me one Spring break… you met Marcus the other is Jonathan. Jon fell immediately in love with Celeste and she, with him, but circumstances that I won't go into now, kept them apart. They were reunited more recently, and they are actually engaged, but they have had a row and she has decided to play a game that I am not in agreement with. She is trying to make him jealous and decided that I am the perfect candidate for her plan. I think that she feels safe with me, and you became the victim of her twisted plan."

Elizabeth sat quietly trying to absorb what he was saying. "But Jonathan wasn't there last night. How was she going to make him jealous? And whatever did she say that had you blushing like that?"
"Montreal may be a city, but our circle is quite tight. He will have heard by now from a number of sources. I am so sorry Elizabeth. I quickly extricated myself from her when she was getting too cozy on the dance floor; I was very confused by her behavior as we have never been in any way flirtatious. When she later saw Marcus leave the balcony where we were chatting, she seized the opportunity to try to convince me to go along with her ploy. I was doing my best to talk sense into her when you arrived. I told her that she needs to go to clear the air with Jon directly, and to drop this childish plan of hers. He does love her so completely, but she can be quite difficult to deal with at times."

"Lucas, I do believe you, but you must understand how it looked. And while I couldn't believe what she was trying to insinuate, the clutches of jealousy took hold. When I saw you blush, I turned green."

"You of all people know that I do understand what that feels like. I once traveled to Louisiana as you may recall after seeing you hug Nathan when you thought he had been killed. I know better now and if I had just talked to you then I might have saved myself some deep hurt. And that wasn't to be the last time I felt the stab of jealousy over Nathan. Now, I understand that love takes all forms, and that you love Nathan as a friend or sibling. Of course, you were in distress when you thought he had died, plus mixed in where the memories of your Mounty husband as well."

"She is so beautiful, and I suddenly felt so inadequate in comparison."

"Yes, she is very pretty but you are beautiful. She couldn't hold a candle to you last evening. I was congratulated on my good fortune on many occasions. And they have little to judge by except your outward beauty. To me, you are so much more. I was struck from our first meeting with your beauty but also your spunk and obvious intelligence. You are and have always been IT for me. I find you beautiful inside and out and you are the only woman I will ever want. You are my soulmate and there is no replacing that."

"I am sorry that I even gave into these feelings for a minute. I do know you better than that, but she was very believable, and I succumbed."

"I don't fault you; her behavior was inexcusable, and I am sure that she has thought better of it today and is very remorseful of her treatment of you. And she also knows that she may have damaged her friendship with me in the process."

Lucas scooped her up and placed her on his lap. "You are my perfect partner in every way," he said as he looked deeply into her eyes. He kissed her forehead and whispered "je t'aime".

"Lucas Bouchard, you have not answered my question."

"I was hoping to distract you my love."

"I can see that, now out with it and then I will let you distract me all you like"

"Well, I am likely to blush just telling you about it. It was wildly inappropriate and all I can think is she might have gotten a little tipsy to get her gall up enough to deliver her little performance. She told me that huh….. that she had heard about the size of a man's hands and feet being correlated to another shall we say …. body part. And that she was eager to know if rumors were true." And with that, he did indeed blush.

"Oh, my goodness," Elizabeth looked at him and blushed a little before she began giggling and then laughing out loud.

He joined in and then said, "a man could be insulted by all this laughter."

"I am not laughing at you my love….. I was planning my revenge for the next time I have the privilege of her presence. I thought perhaps I would saunter past her and whisper to her…. Rumors are very true… and give her a wink."

"You would not dare! Would you?"

"Oh, your sweet school teacher wife wouldn't, but your jealous one might", with that she giggled and he knew that she was just kidding him. "Come now, give me that kiss and I might forgive all." With that she threw her arms around his neck and drew him in and pressed her mouth to his. "I love you Lucas Bouchard" after thoroughly kissing him. "I hope you are still planning to take me out on our date tonight as I have been looking forward to showing off my new dress."

"Well, I have been looking forward to this date for far longer than you. And yes, I have every intention of taking my wife out on the town tonight."

They walked back downstairs hand in hand where they found the others in the salon. Helen looked up and smiled when she saw that they had resolved whatever the issue was. She suspected that it had something to do with Celeste. As much as she loved her, she knew that she could cause her share of trouble. She had seen the stiff way Lucas had said goodbye to her.

"There you are," said Helen. "Lunch is about ready to be served. Laura and Jack have picked some lovely flowers for the table."

"See Mama we picked these" he pointed to the lovely bouquet on the table. There were quite a few blue irises in the bouquet, and she was sure those were his selection because it was his favorite color.

"They are very pretty, you two did a good job." She smiled at the little boy who was beaming proudly. He came over and gave both of them a hug. Lucas picked him up so he could kiss his mother's cheek.

Helen soon returned and announced that lunch was ready, so they all headed into the dining room. Both Elizabeth and Lucas were famished as neither could do much more than sip tea at breakfast.

Elizabeth and Lucas said their goodbyes to everyone as the carriage arrived to take them to dinner. Elizabeth was stunning in a low-cut black dress of silk and lace. It had short off-the-shoulder sleeves that emphasized her beautiful neck and shoulders. Helen had loaned her an exquisite diamond necklace that Martin had given her for their 25th anniversary and she wore the earrings Lucas had given her as a wedding present. She swept her hair up with a comb that had been a wedding shower gift from Helen. Lucas was so happy they had settled things in the morning because Elizabeth had relaxed in the afternoon and even napped with Jack. She looked rested and radiant, and he was under her spell.

They dined at one of Montreal's finest French restaurants and then attended a performance of Carmen by Bizet. The opera was spectacular, and the couple held hands throughout the performance except when it was time to clap between acts. They took an extra-long carriage ride home enjoying the starring night and each other's company. Lucas held her close and periodically he would initiate another kiss. They became longer and more passionate as they reached the final few blocks of their journey.

Lucas used his key to enter the house and they hurried up the stairs being careful to be as quiet as possible. They entered their room making haste with all their fancy attire. Elizabeth got a case of the giggles as they hopped into bed. It delighted him to hear her so merry after her dejected feelings of the night before. He sensed she wanted the lead, and she was indeed beautiful, as she took charge. He could see her eyes looking down into his and the diamond necklace reflecting moonlight around her neck; she was breathtaking. She leaned in to kiss him as he let her decide where their love would take them tonight.

They were still asleep when Jack decided to make his appearance.
"Mama Papa, wake up!" The little boy exclaimed as he made is way onto the bed and started nudging them. Both moaned and snuggled in tighter.

"We can't miss the train!" he interjected.

"Come here buddy," Lucas whispered. "Let your Mama sleep a little more."

"Why are you whispering? He just yelled loud enough to wake even the bats in the attic," groaned Elizabeth.

"Well, I was hoping you thought it was a dream," Lucas laughed." There is no reason to get up so early, my love. Tonight, we will be back on the train so take advantage of this warm comfortable bed while you can. I will take my buddy and find some entertainment until it is time for breakfast. I will be back up later… I will even deliver your breakfast here to our room. So, sleep….", he insisted as he kissed her on the cheek. "I love you Elizabeth," he added tenderly. He could tell she was slipping back into dreams as they left her.

He had put on his robe but grabbed a pair of pajamas as they left and held Jack's hand as he headed to the bathroom to freshen and change. They would all have their baths later before heading out on their journey. They were leaving a day earlier than planned as he had been invited to dinner tomorrow night by a business acquaintance of his father. A Mr. Helmsman who owned an international shipping business. His father had thought that perhaps Lucas might be interested in speaking with him for future reference as he looked forward to his new venture. The man also had a grandson Jack's age and had invited Jack and Elizabeth to their home so the two could meet.

"Jack, what would you like to do? Papa isn't dressed for outdoors so you will have to pick something we can do inside."

"Can we go to grand-pere's library to look at some of your books from when you were little like me?"

"That sounds like a great idea." So, they headed to Lucas' very favorite room in the house. It was lined floor to ceiling with books on two sides and had comfortable chairs and a sofa for the avid reader. He had spent many hours in this room while his mother worked. He was ever so quiet so that he could stay with her. He loved his Nanny, but he wanted to be near his mother all he could.

Jack looked at the books while Lucas relaxed in a chair near the window and thought back to the date the evening before. Elizabeth had sparkled; gone was the sad woman from the night before. He was happy that she felt as beautiful that evening as he always saw her. Sitting at dinner across from her in that dress… her shoulders bare, reminded him of their first date when he had been captivated by her beauty on that enchanted evening he would never forget. He had wanted to kiss her shoulders then but had been content with holding her hand as she tenderly rubbed her thumb against his. Last night in the carriage, as they snuggled beneath a blanket, he lived out the daydream he was having during both dinners and kissed her shoulders as he whispered his undying love.

He was suddenly brought back to the present by Jack. "Papa, will you read this one to me?"

"Just hop on up," he said as he patted his lap. "How long will he want to be with me like this?" he thought to himself. He wanted to take advantage of every moment to gift their son with sweet memories of his childhood. There would come a time when he would need to find his independence, but he wanted Jack to know that he would always be there for him, no matter what.

They had been in the library for an hour or so when Laura arrived looking for Jack. "I am sorry Lucas, I wasn't awake when he slipped out and down to your room."

"Don't worry about it. He was worried that we would miss our train. But we don't leave until this afternoon as it is a night train that we are taking down to New York City."

"Well, I am up now so if you want to return to bed until breakfast, I am happy to sit with him."

"As tempting as that offer sounds, I am up now and enjoying some time with my buddy here, so take advantage of the time yourself."

"Thank you, Lucas, I will. I may go back to bed with a good book. There are so many to choose from."

"And you know what I always say… a library can never have too many books. I think my parents believed that as well." He chuckled as he swept his arm towards the bookshelves. His mother had sent him many books for the Hope Valley library but apparently restocked as there wasn't one spot empty on the shelves. "Mama and her books", Lucas thought to himself lovingly.

Martin showed up looking for them when it was time for breakfast. "Jack, are you hungry? I hear from Laura that you have been up since before dawn?"

"Yes!" the little boy's stomach growled loudly as if on cue.
"Did you swallow a lion while I wasn't looking?" queried Lucas.
Jack giggled… "that wasn't a lion, that was my tummy."

"Well, we better get that tummy some food before it gets seriously angry." He lifted the little boy up on his shoulders and the three generations of men headed off to the dining room.

'Matilde, would you ask that the kitchen prepare a tray for Elizabeth? We were out quite late last night, and I am hoping that she fell back to sleep after I came down with Jack."

"Yes, sir. I hope she is resting as you will be leaving this afternoon. I will be coming up to help with the packing later when you are both ready. I will also prepare baths for the ladies. Will you be attending to Jack's bath? If so, I will place towels and soap for both of you."

"Yes, thank you, Matilde, you always think of everything. We appreciate all you have done to make this a wonderful visit. I know it is a lot of work to take on four added people."

"It has been an honor, sir. It has been a true pleasure to have you here. Your mother and father have been so invigorated by your visit to Montreal. I hope you will be returning at the end of the summer when you return from Europe."

"Yes, we will and think of all the adventures that this little one will have to tell by then. Won't you buddy?"

"Soooo many. I am going to visit Papa's family in France. And see a real castle. Papa said there won't be any dragons though…."

"Matilde laughed. I look forward to all your adventures…. And we can imagine the dragon if we want to."

"A big one with shiny scales on him like Papa tells in his stories!"

Matilde turned to Lucas who was smiling with pride, "I will go take care of the tray for Madame." And then she headed off to the kitchen.

"Lucas, I will watch Jack in our room. Just let me know when you are ready to take him for his bath."

Lucas brought the tray to their room. Elizabeth was still in bed, but she had donned her robe and was smiling at him. "I was wondering if I stayed in bed long enough, I would get breakfast delivered," she giggled.

"Well then your wish is my command," answered Lucas. He set the tray on the nightstand and came in for a kiss. "Good morning my love."

"Good morning darling. What have you been up to this morning. The bed felt so empty without you. But I did enjoy the extra sleep. I am guessing you took our son away so I could rest."

"Yes. We had such a lovely date and then a spectacular after-date that I wanted you to have some more time to dream about me," Lucas chuckled.

"You have such a big ego my love. Perhaps I was dreaming about this up and coming film actor that Rosie was telling me about… Valentino…..," Elizabeth fluttered her eyelashes at him. He raised an eyebrow at that. Then she started giggling again. "As if any man could beat mine." She grabbed him and drew his lips down to hers. Breakfast was going to get very cold if she had anything to say about it.