Chapter 31 Montreal: The Reception
The house was bustling with activity the next day as the resident and temporary catering staff prepared the house for the reception in honor of Lucas and Elizabeth's marriage. At breakfast, Helen announced "Lucas, I think you should take Elizabeth and Jack on a tour of our fair city. This is a party for you and there should be some element of surprise so until it is time to dress for the event, I would love for you to be elsewhere."
"Yes, mother. Father, may I borrow one of the cars?"
"Certainly. If you tell me where you will be at lunchtime, I could join you. James can drive me wherever you are," said Martin.
"How about we meet at the café near the railroad bridge on the Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue canal at half past noon?"
"Perfect, I will meet you there."
They were gathering in the entryway to await Lucas and the car when Martin approached Laura. "When you return back to the house come find me and we will have one more practice."
"Thank you both so much," she said to Elizabeth and Martin. Elizabeth had been teaching Laura some dance steps in private before they left HV; she was now ready for a true partner used to leading. Elizabeth had asked Martin if he would give her a few lessons as he had been much too shy to ask herself. Elizabeth had been surprised at what a quick study Laura had been. The young woman was certainly coming into her own as her confidence grew and she left her old wallflower self behind. Tonight, would be her first test in preparation for the shipboard dancing and family events in France.
They spent the morning seeing the sights in the city. Montreal was founded in 1642 as a catholic French colony and is renowned for its churches. They were able to visit the impressive Notre Dame Basilica which was dedicated in 1849 and drive by a few others. They toured one of the oldest colonial buildings Saint-Sulpice Seminary built around 1687 and its lovely gardens that remain from the time of the old walled colonial town. Jack loved running through the grounds and Lucas and Laura did their very best to keep up with him.
Soon, it was time to meet Martin for lunch, so they headed out of the city to Saint-Anne canal where they found him seated in the café they had selected reading the newspaper.
"So how was your morning? Martin inquired to which Jack answered with his signature "sooo good".
They ordered their lunch and chatted about the morning tour until it was time for Martin to head to an appointment before he returned home.
"I will see you all at home for tea later in the afternoon. You have strict instructions to stick to the upstairs salon or your rooms until it is time for the reception. No peaking per my dear wife." He said something quietly to Laura before leaving.
"What is that all about?" asked Lucas.
"It is a surprise" replied Elizabeth as she gave Laura a smile and turned her attention to her husband.
"Does Jack know the surprise? Am I the only one who is kept out of everything? He complained but without much vigor.
They spent the next few hours touring the city until it was time to return home for tea.
Elizabeth was both nervous and excited about the upcoming reception. She wouldn't know anyone attending. As she tried to soothe Laura's nerves, she found that she was soothing her own. "What do I have to be nervous about? These are the Bouchard's acquaintances and Lucas's friends; they are sure to all be kind." She thought to herself.
Matilde had come to help them with their hair. Laura's had been curled and left long but swept off her brow to be held in clips of ruby-colored stones. She looked very nice in her new frock made from peach satin and a filmy fabric with some beading on the bodice. Elizabeth had helped her apply a light touch of makeup to complete her look.
Elizabeth's dress was a rich shade of turquoise colored satin with a lace overlay. It was meant for a grand event and featured a mid-length train. Her hair was swept into an updo with tendrils falling around the sides. She looked stunningly beautiful and very regal. Lucas would be enchanted, and she was happy that she looked her very best when meeting his friends. She so loved being his wife and wanted him to be proud to have her on his arm.
He had chosen to dress in one of the guest rooms so as to give her and Laura some privacy. He was left in charge of Jack, so he had dressed him first and he was now playing with some cars on the bed while he dressed. It was now time to escort the ladies to the reception, so he made his way to their bedroom. Just as they were arriving Laura stepped out and headed toward her room.
"Laura looks pretty Papa," said Jack.
"Yes, indeed she does," he said and gave her a bow.
Laura promptly blushed to the roots of her hair but smiled with delight.
"Thank you," she said. "Elizabeth is ready, and I will be out in a moment; I will take Jack with me."
Lucas entered their room. He was prepared for her to look beautiful, but it still stunned him anyway. "How does this gorgeous creation belong with me?" he asked himself. "You look very beautiful Elizabeth. I know I tell you that often and it is always true, but tonight you have an extra sparkle to you." He crossed to her and stroked her cheek while she looked at him with so much love, he thought he felt his heart swell.
"Lucas, have I told you lately how happy I am to have you for my husband? I am truly blessed. I must confess to being a bit nervous about tonight."
"Don't be nervous, there is no reason whatsoever as these are all people that care about our family, and they are sure to love you too."
She gave him a smile, trying to bolster her confidence as he held out his arm for her. "Shall we?" he asked, and they left the room to find Laura and Jack waiting for them.
Helen had outdone herself with the decorations for the reception. There were large vases of beautiful flowers and garlands of fresh greens in the dining room and ballroom. The dinner would be served buffet style and seating was available both in the dining room and at one end of the ballroom as the group was rather large. Helen, Martin, Lucas, and Elizabeth greeted guests as they entered so that they could introduce Elizabeth. She relaxed after a little while as Lucas took the lead and ensured that she was comfortable. Laura was keeping Jack entertained in the front salon until it was time for the two to join them for dinner. Lucas and Elizabeth would be introducing the duo during the course of the evening.
It was just about time for the dinner announcement when a very impressive man arrived with his wife and daughter. He seemed to be a good friend of Martin's and Helen greeted the wife with affection. The daughter was a beauty to be sure. She had blond hair and green eyes and appeared to be in her late twenties. She greeted Lucas with both hands and a kiss on the cheek. "It is so divine seeing you again Lucas. What has it been now… four years?"
"Yes, perhaps closer to five actually" he responded as he pulled his hands back from hers. "May I introduce you to my wife Elizabeth" he said as he placed his hand on his wife's back… "this is Celeste Marchand the daughter of my father's best friend and business partner."
"It is a pleasure to meet you" Elizabeth heard herself say as she reached out to shake the other woman's hand. Somehow, she didn't quite feel the sentiment she was trying to convey.
"Ah, so you are the woman that has captured our Lucas' heart." She said sweetly … maybe too sweetly. She turned to Lucas "she is quite lovely." Elizabeth felt like she was on display for auction but smiled shyly.
"The loveliest" Lucas interjected. "I think it is time we moved on to the dining room, Mother is motioning us in that direction."
The dinner was wonderful. They were seated with Helen and Martin and Laura and Jack. Matilde would be taking Jack up to bed soon and staying with him so that Laura could stay for the evening. Jack loved Matilde who doted on the little boy and was known to sneak him a sweet now and again.
When dinner was over, Lucas took Elizabeth to chat with some of his friends but soon the dancing was announced. In the tradition of a wedding reception, Elizabeth and Lucas took to the dance floor in a sweeping waltz that all but mesmerized the crowd. The love and emotion between the two were evident as Lucas waltzed her around the dance floor with ease. As the dance ended Lucas took Helen in his arms for a mother-son dance and Elizabeth danced with Martin. She found him smooth as his son on the floor and was always intrigued by how alike they were. She looked at him and could see how Lucas might look in thirty years. Soon others were invited to the floor. Lucas and Elizabeth went to say good night to their son who was with Matilde and on his way upstairs.
Martin invited Laura for the next dance. Because they knew her, Lucas and Elizabeth could see she was nervous but all that the others would just see is a pretty young woman dancing with her host. She held up nicely through the first part of the dance and then Lucas cut in for the latter part. "Thank you for the dance, Laura" said Lucas. "You have learned very well. I suppose this is the secret that my father and wife were keeping?"
"Yes. Elizabeth began teaching me some steps before we left HV and then your father helped practice with me as Elizabeth wasn't used to leading."
"Well, you progressed very nicely. I hope that you enjoy your evening and perhaps we can try a different dance later?"
"That would be very nice. Thank you".
They found their group again and Lucas brought some refreshments to their table that was just on the edge of the dance floor. Helen was now dancing with George Marchand and Martin went to escort his wife to the floor. "Laura... you did very well," said Elizabeth as she squeezed her hand. "Did you have fun?"
"Well, as soon as I started breathing again, I did."
"I am sorry that there aren't any eligible bachelors here of your age to dance with, but I am sure that you will be asked onto the floor again as many of our acquaintances are quite keen on dancing," Lucas assured Laura.
Elizabeth was dancing with one of Martin's close associates when Celeste approached Lucas who boldly asked him to dance. To be polite he led her in the next dance but found himself becoming uncomfortable with her flirty whispers and suggestive touches. He could hardly wait for the dance to end.
Elizabeth noticed the two on the floor and she soon found herself turning jealous by the overly familiar gestures and smiles. "Who is this woman to Lucas" she wondered to herself. As the dance ended Elizabeth noticed that the woman rose on her toes to whisper something in Lucas' ear and that he promptly blushed. He escorted her to her seat at her parents' table and then made his way to the bar. She was now seated next to Helen and some friends across the room, but she could see him searching the room presumably for her.
He smiled as soon as he saw her and began traversing the room. They were soon back on the dance floor and encountered Laura who was dancing with one of Martin's business associates. She seemed to be having a nice conversation with the older man who apparently had a granddaughter that Laura reminded him of.
"You seem to have gotten rather quiet" Lucas observed.
"Just getting a little tired but I am fine," she said. "Should she ask him about Celeste?" she thought. Deciding that it wasn't the proper time, she kept quiet. She smiled up at him reassuring him that she was okay.
The party began to wind down and Elizabeth, Martin and Lucas were out chatting on the balcony. "It is getting a little chilly so I will head in and find Helen," said Elizabeth leaving the men to their discussion. After a while, Martin joined them, but Lucas wasn't with him. "Where is Lucas?" Elizabeth found herself asking.
"I left him chatting with one of his friends from university; they are probably still out there. Lucas mentioned that he would like you to get to know him. I think he will be going to Seattle in the Fall and will try to stop by Hope Valley.
"Well, I have my wrap now so perhaps I will go and join them." Elizabeth then headed out to the balcony.
She was just opening the door when she spotted Celeste with Lucas. They seemed to be having a serious discussion, but Elizabeth couldn't hear them very clearly. She caught a word here and there….. "jealous" "love me"… "not the time" ….. Celeste grabbed Lucas' lapel and Elizabeth felt faint… she stumbled into the door and then rushed back inside. She could hear Lucas calling for her, but she kept going until she found herself slipping into the library to hide.
"Mother have you seen Elizabeth?" asked Lucas.
"No darling not since went out with you and Martin."
"If you see her tell her I am looking for her. I will be in the entryway saying farewell to our guests as they leave. Have her join me if you see her."
Elizabeth felt like a coward hiding here. She soon realized she wasn't alone as she saw Martin sitting in an armchair with a drink. "Elizabeth is something wrong? What are you doing in here?".
"I could ask you the same."
"Just finding a few moments of peace but it is time for me to be out saying farewell to our guests. And you should accompany me."
Elizabeth put a brave smile on her face and took Martin's arm. They joined Lucas in the entryway and joined in the farewells. Soon all but the Marchand had left, and Martin was chatting with his friend as Helen spoke with his wife. Celeste was saying goodbye to Helen and then turned to her and Lucas. "It was nice meeting you Elizabeth and so good seeing you again Lucas."
"It was nice meeting you too." Elizabeth said a bit stiffly and Lucas chimed in "Good night, Celeste."
Elizabeth said a quick farewell to Mr. and Mrs. Marchand and excused herself to head upstairs. Lucas wanted to follow her, but courtesy dictated that he stay until their guests departed. Finally, they were gone.
"Lucas…..?" Helen questioned.
"I can't take time to explain right now. I have to go and speak with Elizabeth."
He made his way to their room and found that she was already in bed. Matilde had probably helped her out of her gown once Laura had arrived.
"Elizabeth…?" Lucas did not get a response, so he undressed and put on his pajamas. He slipped into bed next to her and whispered again with his hand gently placed on her shoulder. She was curled on her side and gave him no indication as to whether she was awake or asleep. He wanted to hold her, but he sensed it would not be welcome at the moment. So, he lay next to her on his side and whispered "I love you Elizabeth you are my one and only and there will never be another. You must believe me," but he was met by silence.
Elizabeth lay there as the tears rolled down her face. She heard his words and she wanted so badly to believe them and turn into his warmth, but the cruel tentacles of jealousy had grabbed onto her too tightly. She hoped that tomorrow she was ready to listen to Lucas' story but tonight she just needed space. She thought about the woman and how different she was from herself. She was blond and delicate in features with sensuous movements and a flirtatious and seductive persona. Elizabeth compared herself to her and wondered if she fell short in Lucas' eyes. She had dark hair and was more stately and while warm, she was not inclined to put on airs in public. She knew her best feature was her beautiful blue eyes but surely Celeste's' green eyes were beautiful too. She finally wore herself out with her thoughts and fell asleep.
Lucas could feel the change in her breathing now and knew she had been awake. They had had little squabbles before but mostly they ended in a playful way. This could be the first real test of their marriage. He could only surmise what she could have imagined from what she had seen. Jealousy was no stranger to him. He had experienced the monster in the past when it came to his feelings about her relationship with Nathan. It was not always easy to think clearly when you loved someone so deeply. He finally fell into a troubled sleep.