When they arrived at the ball Jenna stuck close to Bernard as he introduced her to some of the other people of note. She smiled sweetly and shook hands but remained silent for the most part. She grabbed a glass of champagne and took a gulp after one more she felt slightly more relaxed. She grabbed another flute and sipped this one slower. She looked around and watched as people meandered out onto the dance floor, or mingled in their own cliques.
She felt a hand on her shoulder, she turned around surprised. A young man with dusty blonde hair and jade green eyes smiled at her "Forgive me mademoiselle, I didn't mean to startle you. I am Anthony Laurent," he said bowing and kissing her hand.
"Oh, Monsieur Laurent…I'm sorry…I…Jenna Marcus" she said finally introducing herself though she didn't need to. He was one of their best clients.
"Yes I had gathered." He said smiling.
She blushed, feeling embarrassed and the wine. She knew she should have had something to eat before she left the house.
"I was wondering why a young lady as beautiful as yourself was not dancing?"
She tried to think of a good reason but came up with nothing, so she just shrugged and smiled. Anthony laughed and offered her his arm. Jenna put her champagne on a nearby table and followed him to the dance floor. She felt very self-conscious as he put and arm around her waist and took her hand and began dancing. She had to admit he was very nice, charming and handsome. But he wasn't Erik. After two dances they stopped the music, a couple people went up to the podium and talked for what seemed like ages.
Jenna became bored very quickly, Anthony laughed at her and ushered her outside to get some air. "Not one for speeches?"
"No, not really" she answered with a smile.
She sat down on a bench out on the balcony and looked up at the sky. She missed Erik, she wanted to just say to hell with the ball and run home. But she knew she had to play nice and be social. She sighed, a bit louder than she had meant to. Anthony studied her for a moment.
"Not really your scene?"
She shook her head "Not as a rule" she said smiling.
"Perhaps we could go elsewhere? Get some coffee, tea and talk?" he asked as he sat next to her, a bit too close.
She smiled "Thank you, I would love to but…" she faltered unsure how to continue.
"Ah, you are involved non?"
She nodded "I am…I'm sorry. I'd love to but…"
He smiled and put up a hand "Don't worry about it. It's no surprise, someone as beautiful as you."
She blushed at his compliment and stood up "I should be getting back"
He nodded "Allow me to escort you back inside…and perhaps you'll allow me one more dance?"
She smiled "I would love to" she replied taking his arm and walking back into the room. They walked to the dance floor and began to dance. As the dance ended and another song began she felt a tap on the shoulder, she turned and looked into the face of Michel Loren. She groaned inwardly "May I have this dance?"
He didn't give her much of a chance to argue as he took her hand and began to dance with her, holding her a bit too close. She tried to subtly to push away from him, but she could smell the alcohol on his breath and knew it wasn't going to be that easy. "Where is your deformed boss? Or shall I call him your lover?" he spat.
She looked up at him outraged "I don't think I know whom you are talking about, because you surely couldn't be talking about Erik Deveraux. Because I believe I've told you not to insult him in my presence" she said as she glared at him.
"That's exactly who I was talking about. Why don't you let a real man take you out…treat you like a princess" he breathed.
She slammed her heel down onto his foot causing him to yelp out in pain, but instead of releasing her he held her tighter. "Oh no my dear, I don't believe I'm finished."
"Get off me you pig" she yelled trying to pull out of his grasp.
It was then he was yanked back by some unseen person, Jenna looked around in surprise as people started to stop dancing and look at the commotion. "The lady told you to let go of her…I suggest you leave" a familiar voice growled.
Jenna wanted to cry when she saw Erik standing between her and Michel, looking furious. Michel stumbled off, limping as he went. Jenna threw herself into Erik's arms, happier to see him then she had ever been. He kissed her head "Forgive me my dear, did he hurt you?"
She shook her head "No I'm fine…but..What are you doing here?"
"I couldn't stand not being here with you. I knew how much it meant to you…"
She hugged him "Thank you Erik, this means more to me than you'll ever know"
He kissed her lips tenderly "May I have this dance?"
She grinned up at him "Of course" She felt so right being in his arms as they danced. She didn't even feel them moving around the floor.
"You look breathtaking my darling…" he murmured into her ear as they danced.
"And you look very dashing in your tux" she said resting her head on his chest.
They spent the rest of the night together, not leaving the other's side for anything. They mingled and chatted with people and left about an hour before the ball was to end. They returned home, exhausted but happy. Erik had survived and found it wasn't as bad as he thought it would be. Having Jenna with him gave him a strength he didn't know he had. She was an amazing young woman; he was so lucky to have her.
As they lay together later that night, sated and relaxed. Jenna was almost asleep when she heard him mumble something. "What Erik?"
In his fatigue he didn't think before he spoke "I do love you so" he mumbled sleepily. Jenna smiled and kissed his shoulder "I Love you too Erik" she replied before drifting off to sleep.
The next morning Jenna woke up, feeling like a lead weight. She rolled over and looked at the clock 8:34am. 'Bloody Hell' she thought to herself as she rolled back over and tried to fall back asleep. She reached out for Erik, he wasn't in bed. She opened her eyes and looked around. Erik was standing in front of the window; his hands behind his back his posture stiff. She propped herself up on one elbow "Erik? What's wrong?" she asked, stifling a yawn.
Erik looked over his shoulder at her, she looked ravishing. Her hair falling over her shoulders, with a few curls draped in her eyes, her skin a glorious peach color against the deep blue silk sheets. He wanted to run to her and bury himself in her, but he dared not.
"Erik? Please what's wrong?" she asked, sitting up clutching the sheet around her.
He picked up a newspaper from the table next to him, and dropped it in front of her. The page was covered with pictures from the ball the previous night. Jenna smiled when she saw one of Erik and herself. Then she saw the source of his anger. A picture of her and Anthony, dancing. She was laughing at something he had said and he was gazing at her longingly almost. She didn't remember the circumstances behind that photo but she did enjoy herself with Anthony. She looked up and saw Erik watching her, anger on his every feature.
She stood up, pulling her robe on and approached Erik. "Erik, I…"
"Don't…don't speak to me" he snapped, turning his back on her.
"Erik, listen to me!" she pleaded.
"I will hear none of your lies! How disappointing it must have been to return him with me, lie with me after such a handsome young man snatched your attentions!" he yelled.
"Erik! You don't honestly believe that do you! I hope you know me better than that by now!" she yelled.
"I don't know what to think anymore!" he shouted.
Jenna crossed her arms, determined not to back down. "Erik, we danced and talked! Yes, he did ask me to join him for coffee but I told him I was involved! It was nothing! It was just a few dances!" she protested angrily.
Erik stood by the window, leaning against the sill. She could see in every movement he made how angry he was. She didn't know how to diffuse the situation; she understood why he was so possessively jealous. But that didn't make this any easier, she felt terrible for doing this to him. She took a few steps towards him, stopping a few steps away from him.
"Erik, I would never, ever betray you like that. You are the best thing that has ever happened to me! I have never been so happy as I have been with you. I care for you too much to hurt you like that. I would never cheat on you" she ended softly.
She watched him intently; his fists seemed to unclench slightly his frame loosening ever so slightly. She stepped over to him and put a hand on his shoulder. She felt him flinch away from her, tear forming in her eyes.
"Erik, please trust me. I…I love you. I don't want to lose you," she whispered.
Erik whirled around when he heard her confess her love. "What?" he rasped.
"I love you," she repeated, not breaking eye contact.
This seemed to break through the walls he had erected around himself. His shoulders slumped in a defeated way, he hesitantly reached out for her hand. "I love you too" he choked out.
Jenna threw her arms around him, kissing his neck. His arms came around her tightly, as though he were afraid she would disappear. He pulled back and kissed her slowly, tenderly silently asking for forgiveness for his outburst. Jenna placed a kiss on his forehead, smiling at him. "We seriously have to work on our communication," she said lightly.
Erik couldn't help but smirk "Indeed"
Jenna laughed, resting against him. "Well since I'm up I suppose I should get showered and dressed and get to work"
"Take the day off…you've earned it."
She thought about it for a minute. "I think I will…I've been dying to go for a ride…if you wouldn't mind"
"My dear, this is as much your home as mine. You need not ask permission to use anything here."
She grinned giving him a quick kiss "Alright, I'm going to go dress and go for a ride"
She dashed off and hurried through the shower, dressing in old jeans, a wool turtleneck and riding boots. She pulled on a jacket and hurried downstairs and out the kitchen door. She hurried to the stables and chose a chocolate brown mare, she had the stable hands tack her up, before she mounted and rode off. It was a chilly, brisk October morning. The trees were beginning to change, the landscape was breathtaking. Jenna stayed out until she was almost numb; when she walked into the house she received a scolding from Henri about her being out with only a jacket on.
"Monsieur Erik will not be pleased if you fall ill"
She shrugged "But it was worth it" she declared with a smile. Henri shooed her upstairs to soak in a bath, sending up tea, which was waiting for her when she emerged.
She dressed in fleece pants and an old oversized hooded sweatshirt, she was comfortable and warm. She curled up in front of the fire and sipped her tea, just staring into the golden flames.
