"The Engagement Party..."
When Jack and Elizabeth reached the bottom of the staircase, people immediately approached them with congratulations. Jack was introduced and shaking hands with many of the guests.
William watched the crowd for a few moments and then decided a rescue was in order, "Jack come over here, I want you to meet Beth's Aunt and Uncle." Jack excused himself and followed William. "This is my sister Margaret and her husband Robert…" They all spoke for a while, although Jack kept glancing at Elizabeth, enjoying the view of her smiling and laughing, she was such a beauty and everyone knew it. William slapped Jack's back, took a few steps, "Let's get some champagne," he said as he pushed Jack along past admiring guests. He leaned toward Jack, "You must tell me what that aftershave you're wearing is, smells good son." Jack could only smile.
Elizabeth kept catching Jack's glances at her and finally came to his side. "Are you doing okay?" She slid her hand through the bend of his arm.
"I'm great," he touched her hand and put down the glass of champagne, "Dance with me, I think they're waiting for us to start the party."
"Okay," she proudly walked on Jack's arm to the middle of the room. "Are you having a good time?" She asked as she put her hand on his shoulder and followed his lead.
"Yes…I'm with you aren't I?" He smiled. "And it's too bad fifty people are watching us right now, because I would really love to kiss you."
She looked down, "Jack Thornton, don't give me those devilish eyes and that coy smile!"
"You bring that out in me."
She looked to the side, "Jack…you're making me blush."
"You look beautiful when you blush," he replied as he squeezed her hand. "Am I going to meet all these legions of men who are staring at you?"
She looked into his eyes, "What? Legions?" She shook her head and laughed, "They're only watching us dance," her eyes scanned the room, "although I don't know why, we're just dancing."
"Oh I know why... they're looking at the most beautiful woman in the room," his eyebrows shot up, "but let them look, because I'm the lucky one holding her in my arms."
Across the room, Elizabeth's Aunt found Kate Thatcher and tugged her arm, "Why didn't you tell me that Elizabeth's man would give a woman such a bad case of the vapors!"
Kate Thatcher looked at Jack, "Oh Margaret, you should see him chopping wood," she exhaled and walked away.
On the other side of the room, Julie stood watching her sister and Jack dance with several of hers and Elizabeth's friends from school. "So, what do you think of Elizabeth's future husband?" She asked the group of young women.
"He's terribly handsome," Cindie said before sipping champagne.
"He's a Mountie, right Julie? Does he know Edward?" Angel asked.
"I doubt they know each other, why would they?" Julie said.
"I would doubt that Elizabeth talked about Edward, it isn't like they were courting," Lisa responded.
"I hear they did court," Cindie added.
"No they didn't, although Edward wanted to," Julie said.
"And look he dances pretty well too," Cindie said, "she's awfully lucky!"
"I walked by him, he smells heavenly!" Henrietta said, "I wonder what his cologne is…"
"Well he makes her going to the middle of nowhere worth it," Deirdre remarked.
"I wonder if they'll have to go live in the mountains?" Bobbi asked, "I truly can't see Elizabeth doing that!"
"Well Elizabeth certainly did herself well with this Mountie, he's dreamy," Angel said, "just look at those dimples!"
The girls giggled softly and continued watching Jack and Elizabeth as they stopped dancing and began talking to their guests again. Jack noticed all the girls giggling and the men watching.
A tall man with dark curly hair approached Elizabeth, "Hello, welcome home," he said.
"Edward! Nice to see you," She reached for Jack, "Edward, I'd like you to meet my fiancé, Constable Jack Thornton. Jack, this is Constable Edward Montclair, an old family friend."
Jack immediately noticed Edward's response to Elizabeth calling him an old family friend, "Constable, nice to meet you," Jack extended his hand. The two men talked amicably for several minutes about their time at the Academy and their posts, before Jack asked, "So, have you ever been assigned to work for Mr. Thatcher?"
"No, I've only been here to spend time with Elizabeth, she's a wonderful girl," Edward said.
Jack nodded, "Yes, she certainly is and we're really looking forward to getting back to Coal Valley to begin planning our wedding," Jack stated.
"Oh, so you won't be returning here for the wedding?" Edward kept glancing at Elizabeth.
Jack and Elizabeth both started to answer, but Jack deferred to Elizabeth, "I don't think so," she simply stated and turned when someone touched her shoulder and stepped away to talk to someone else.
"Well, I'll let you get back to your guests, nice talking with you Jack, excuse me," Edward walked away. Jack looked at Elizabeth who was speaking with another man, so he walked to her and slipped his hand around her back.
"Jack, meet Richard Brankizano….a friend and owner of the ice company just outside the city," Elizabeth smiled.
"Richard, nice to meet you," Jack shook his hand, "must be a good business in this warm weather."
"Good to meet you, so nice to meet the man that captured Elizabeth Thatcher's heart. She certainly could melt the ice tonight in that beautiful dress!" His eyes scanned Elizabeth, "Just too bad you have to take her so far away. We miss seeing her around here."
"Well Richard," Jack put his arm around Elizabeth's waist a little tighter, "Elizabeth enjoys teaching and her students love her. That's part of what makes Coal Valley such a special place." Jack smiled a crooked smile at the man.
"Maybe I'll come visit someday," Richard said, "must be lots of opportunity for new businesses there."
"Yes, the town has grown so much just since I've been there," Elizabeth said proudly.
"Well, someday I hope you can show me," Richard lifted his glass, "I'd love to see it someday. I'll let you get back to your guests, best wishes to you both. Really lovely to see you again Elizabeth."
Jack raised an eyebrow and looked at Elizabeth after Richard walked away. "Now Jack, don't be jealous," she put a hand on his chest.
"Jealous?" Jack touched the other side of his chest, "Me?"
Elizabeth smiled, "Oh right, I forgot, you don't get jealous." She walked away.
Jack followed her and whispered, "I am insanely jealous."
She looked over her shoulder, "Oh I know that."
Jack stopped and watched her, she was beauty in motion, that dress certainly drew attention to her, not that she needed a fancy dress to get attention, she was a striking presence in any room, in any situation. Jack looked around, naturally everyone was watching Elizabeth. Jack knew he didn't have to worry, she loved him, he was confident of that but it did make him uncomfortable that everyone was looking at her, especially in that dress. As much as he liked the dress, he was sure every other man in the room did as well. He watched her moving around the room, talking with people, all kinds of people, she was so gracious, well mannered, such a lady. She really shined in these surroundings, he shook his head, she was made to live in a castle not some cabin in the middle of nowhere. When Elizabeth joined her girlfriends across the room, Jack took another glass of champagne and went out to the patio for air.
Elizabeth was busy talking to everyone, accepting compliments and answering questions about her life in Coal Valley. When she came upon her girlfriends from school, they were full of questions and all started talking at once. Elizabeth laughed, "Yes to your question Angel, he is the only Mountie in town and no to your question Cindie, he does not have a twin brother!" She laughed. Mary Ann asked to see her ring, and Elizabeth held out her hand and they all squealed. Cindie asked where she got the beautiful dress, "Isn't it lovely, I got in the city, Julie insisted," Elizabeth told her.
"Well Julie has always had good taste, it's stunning," Cindie said.
"Shows off that hourglass figure that we're so jealous of," Deirdre said.
"Well, the fact that I can't cook helps me keep the figure, although I will have to learn before I get married," Elizabeth laughed.
"Let your Mountie cook, they know how to do everything," Lisa said in a devilish tone. They all laughed.
Elizabeth looked around for Jack and then excused herself from her friends. She walked around the room and did not see Jack until she turned and saw him out on the patio. She headed out to be with him.
Jack stood at the far end of the patio, staring up at the full moon and the stars when he felt a hand on his back.
"Excuse me, I'm looking for this handsome man in a dark blue suit who I'm going to marry," she got close to him, "have you seen him?"
He turned around to face her, "He's the luckiest man here tonight, did you know that?'
"Oh I know it…I just hope he knows it," she smiled.
"He's just out here thanking his lucky stars that he has the most beautiful woman in the world love him," Jack's voice was husky and low. He wanted privacy and took her hand, "Come with me." He led them down the steps to the lawn and around to the side of the house. Elizabeth stood with her back against the house, Jack put his hands on the bricks on either side of her head, "I've been waiting to kiss you all evening."
"Me too," she said softly, her eyes cast down.
He lifted her chin with his finger and kissed her lightly. Elizabeth ran her fingertips through his hair enjoying his sweet kiss. He pulled back slightly, not wanting to get carried away but when she playfully unbuttoned his jacket and slipped her hands around him, he couldn't help kiss her again. He touched her head gently with one hand, while the other hand slid across her back. When he lifted his lips from hers, her eyes remained closed and she turned her head inviting him to kiss her ear. He moved his hand and pushed a curl over her shoulder and brushed his lips across her ear and down her neck, pulling her closer as he did so. He felt her hands on the back of his white shirt, her fingertips digging into his shoulders. He kissed the soft skin of her neck inhaling the fragrance of her perfume and when he lowered his lips and pressed them into her shoulder, she exhaled and her shoulder dropped causing the sleeve of her dress to slide down her arm. Jack lifted his head and stared at her for a moment, taking in the sight of the woman he loved, her deep breathing causing the beads on her dress to dance in the moonlight, accentuating her curves and glowing skin. Jack kissed her shoulder again, lingering there a moment, running his hands up her sides and feeling his jaw clench. He felt her shiver and heard her soft sounds as he spread kisses across her skin. He lifted his head when she ran her fingers down his back and felt himself shiver when her hand brushed across his belt. He looked at her face, the way she ran her tongue across her bottom lip made him inhale deeply. He looked away for a moment and then hesitantly slid a finger under the little beaded sleeve of her dress and raised it back to her shoulder and then placed a kiss there. Elizabeth opened her eyes. Jack was still staring at her shoulder.
"Jack….have you….have you ever….," she asked breathlessly.
His concentration broken, he looked into her eyes, "No…no," he whispered.
"Oh, well, I thought …maybe since you were….you know," she blinked, her eyes moist.
Jack could only shake his head, "No…never even close…I never felt that…." He put his hands back on the wall and looked down for a moment. He then looked into her eyes and ran his hands down her arms. "Elizabeth, as much as I love you now, right now at this very moment, when you become my wife and I'm your husband, that love will be at a whole other level. It will be a deeper even more meaningful feeling for us both. That's what I think about when I kiss you," he smiled, "and when you look like this, so beautiful and desirous in the moonlight, hmm," he rolled his eyes, "I think of how special and incredible our love will be when you're my wife and I'm your husband," he looked down for a moment before looking into her eyes again. "I hope you feel that way too…"
Elizabeth couldn't speak, she could only cup his face in her hands and kiss him. He pulled her against him and they kissed passionately. Finally Jack released his hold, he put his forehead to hers, "I love you," he said softly.
"I love you," was all she could manage to say. She felt her heart pound from his touch, from his kisses. She didn't want this moment to end, she wanted to stay in Jack's arms, feel his love for her. "Jack…" she looked into his eyes, determined not to be shy, "I can't wait to be your wife."
Jack smiled, "Ahh, well …." He didn't know what to say.
She pressed her lips together and looked at him.
A small laugh escaped his lips as he pulled her into his arms. "I suppose we should go back to the party." He took her hand, kissed it and they walked toward the house together.
They didn't notice the figure come around the corner of the house.