(Fair Warning...As our beloved couple's wedding approaches, the romance and discussions will become a bit more intimate. It will not be inappropriate, but I appreciate the fact that some readers may not care for it. Feel free to review and/or private message me. Thank you for your support, I appreciate it very much.)

Chapter 49

"What do you mean not at home and at my wedding?" Elizabeth stared at Julie.

"Oh, well they are bringing so many things with them and you know how father likes to check and recheck every single thing to his specifications. If one thing is wrong, he will make them pack it all over again. They could miss the entire wedding!" Julie exaggerated.

Elizabeth rolled her eyes, "Oh really Julie, you make it sound like they are bringing a dozen trunks with them."

"More like crates sister! Trunks would never hold all the things they are bringing!" Julie smiled at Abigail, "and they are bringing things that Jack ordered too."

Elizabeth looked at her, "Things that Jack ordered? Like what?"

"I'm sworn to secrecy," Julie grinned, enjoying having a secret from Elizabeth. "We should go upstairs and I can show you some of things I've brought."

Abigail stood, "You too go on, I have lots to do down here."

The sisters went upstairs where Julie began displaying a dizzying array of items to Elizabeth, including sparkling hairclips, jewelry and lingerie.

Elizabeth was overwhelmed, "Where did you find all these?" She picked up a white silk nightgown, "Oh my, these straps are so delicate. How will this ever stay on?"

Julie giggled, "It isn't supposed to silly," she pulled another from the tissue paper wrapping, it was pale blue, "this one is just lovely, mostly lace."

Elizabeth's eyes were wide with wonder and concern, "Very pretty, but…"

Julie laid the garment on the tissue paper, "Sister, we'll have to have a talk." She looked at Elizabeth, "Now tell me how you destroyed the hotel room at the Mountie Ball."

Elizabeth's mouth opened, "What? Destroyed the hotel room? Who said that?"

"I asked Abigail, when you were saying good bye to Jack just now, she said the Ball was wonderful, even though you destroyed the hotel room," Julie raised her shoulders in delight, "tell me how that happened!"

"Oh…well," Elizabeth was embarrassed, "One glass of champagne made me feel a little silly I guess," she smiled remembering, "and the buckle of my shoe got caught in the bedspread and I dragged it off the bed…accidently of course!"

"Well that's hardly destruction," Julie commented.

"Well, then I tore the draperies from the window," Elizabeth mumbled.

"You what?" Julie laughed, "Why? Was Jack attacking you?" Her eyes were wide with excitement.

"No, of course he wasn't attacking me!" Elizabeth sighed deeply, "The curtain rod happened to be faulty and when I barely touched the drapery, the whole thing fell on us and crashed to the floor." Elisabeth said like it was a common occurrence.

Julie looked away for a moment, then laughed, "Oh sister, I bet that room looked like you and Mr. Mountie had an awfully good time in there!"

Elizabeth frowned, "Now Julie, don't let that overactive imagination of yours make up stories. Overall we had a wonderful time."

"Well, I'm glad to hear the Ball wasn't deflated for Jack and his first Super Ball, the first of many I hope and I'm sure he loved you in your red dress!"

Elizabeth raised an eyebrow, "Yes, he certainly did. Thank you for selecting such a fetching dress sister."

"Fetching! I'm sure there were things he wanted to fetch!"

"Julie!" Elizabeth looked at the items Julie brought, "What's in the box?"

"Oh nothing…just your wedding gown!" Julie was flippant.

"Oh, why didn't you tell me! Let me see it! Did they do a nice job?" Elizabeth began shaking her hands in anticipation, "Let me see it!"

"It's just beautiful, exactly what you wanted. Lets unpack it, we should hang it up," Julie lifted the box to the bed.

"Hang it up? I want to try it on!" Elizabeth helped her sister open the box.

Julie watched her sister's face as she lifted the cover from the box and watched her move the tissue paper to reveal the white satin and lace gown. Elizabeth delicately lifted the gown by the shoulders, "Oh how beautiful…" The white gown had a scooped neckline decorated with pearls and the long sleeves were lace. The bodice was fitted by stitched seams cinching into the waist. The back had at least 20 little satin covered buttons that began below the waist and continued up to just below the shoulders. The bottom of the gown was beautiful satin and embroidered organza trimmed in lace.

"Why don't you try it on later, before we go to bed," Julie said.

Elizabeth nodded, "That makes sense, it is pretty isn't it?"

"Yes and mother is bringing you the lace veil that was her mothers and the diamond and pearl tiara, and we can add flowers to it, it will be beautiful."

"Don't you think the tiara will be too much?" Elizabeth never wanted to display the Thatcher wealth in a way that appeared as if she were bragging.

"Well, you don't have to wear it, we'll see how it looks," Julie said as she pulled the specially made padded hanger from the box, "let's hang this gorgeous gown up."

"Julie, I was wondering…can you help me?" Elizabeth asked as Julie walked back from the closet, "I need some advise on…you know…on romance."

Julie felt her heart drop at her beloved older sister asking her for help in the area of romance, "Oh, of course, I was hoping you would ask," she rushed across the room and pulled a book from her bag, "I brought you this book!"

"Marco's Midnight Passion" Elizabeth held the book, "Oh my, Marco has caused me a lot of problems!"

"Not this Marco, it's all good, believe me!" Julie laughed.

Elizabeth sat on the bed and began to read, "Oh my, where did you get this book?" She flipped through the pages.

Julie sighed, "Oh Elizabeth, what do you want to know? I can tell you all sorts of good things because did you know that Miss Priscilla Jenkins recently became Mrs. Lawrence Brady and she told us all kinds of things at tea one day."

Elizabeth was intrigued, "Really? Like what?"

"She loves being married, although at first she wasn't so sure, but I think she was afraid, so don't be afraid. I don't think a man likes a woman who is afraid of him," she leaned forward as she sat on the bed next to Elizabeth, "You aren't afraid of Jack are you?"

"No, or course not," Elizabeth licked her lips, "I'm not afraid of Jack, it's…"

"What? Kissing? Touching?" Julie stared at her waiting for an answer.

Elizabeth sighed, "Does Marco have a manual for beginners?"

Julie laughed and put her hands on her cheeks, "Oh my, don't worry, Jack will teach you, he must know everything."

Elizabeth looked down.

"What? Jack has never been with a woman?" Julie was shocked.

"Shhh, keep your voice down. I don't believe he has, he…he implied that he has not," Elizabeth glanced at her sister, "and he's never been married."

"It's different for men, usually," Julie said, "but if he hasn't, that makes it better for you."

"Better? How is that?"

"You'll both just be natural, it will be sweet," Julie touched her hand, "read the book."

Julie reached for another item wrapped in tissue paper, "This will help you both," she pulled out a white silk negligee, cut low with thin straps. "See these two little ties, I think you have to let him untie these, then…it will just slide right off!" Julie was all giggles as she tied the thin ribbons that held the front of the negligee in place.

Elizabeth hesitantly touched it, "If you untie those, the top, well, its open! That can't be right!"

"Oh, it's so right," Julie put it down, "I bought a week's worth of romantic negligees!"

"A week's worth? Romantic? They look sinful to me!" Elizabeth tried not to grin.

"No, Jack will love them!"

The two sisters giggled.

Abigail knocked, "What are you two giggling about?"

Julie reached in the bag again and produced another copy of the book she gave Elizabeth, "Here you go, some night time reading," she handed it to Abigail.

Abigail looked at it, "Oh, Marco…I've heard of him, he's quite the character, the prince of romance!"

"Well, we can read and help Elizabeth understand," Julie tilted her head toward Elizabeth.

Abigail caught her meaning, "Oh, I'm happy to help…I think." She looked at Elizabeth, who cast her gaze down, feeling embarrassed.

Up at the house, Jack met Vernon and Adam and began opening the few crates that had been delivered. "This furniture is outstanding, what craftsmanship," Adam stated as he looked closely at the different pieces.

"We already know Jack here has excellent taste," Vernon smiled.

"Thank you," Jack said, "let's figure out where to put everything. I appreciate your help very much gentleman and I know Elizabeth does as well."

"She's going to love this," Vernon tossed a crate cover aside and began removing the protective straw from around the piece of furniture.

"Ah, that's a surprise, so please don't tell her," Jack came over and inspected the piece. "It is nice isn't it? I think she'll love it."

"I'm sure she will," Adam said. "We'll keep it crated for now and put it in the back so she won't see it."

Vernon lifted a chair from a crate, "Adam, why don't you go inside and Jack and I can bring things in and you can take them from there, might be faster than the three of us scrambling out here."

The men worked until all the items were unpacked and safely in the house. Jack was tired, but wanted to get to the café to see Elizabeth. "Thanks for all your help, I've got a date with a beautiful woman, so I have to go."

At the café, Julie and Elizabeth were helping Abigail in the kitchen when Jack walked in. "What are you lovely ladies making?"

Julie looked at Jack, "We're not making anything, we're observing Abigail. Looks quite complicated to me."

"Oh, that's right the Thatcher sisters don't do any cooking," Jack teased as he touched Elizabeth's arm.

Elizabeth looked at him, "For your information Mr. Thornton, this Thatcher sister is learning to cook, just so you can eat!"

Jack laughed, "Fine, but I'm not marrying you for your cooking skills," he kissed her cheek.

"What are you marrying her for?" Julie provoked.

Jack turned to Julie, "I'm marrying her because she is the most wonderful, beautiful woman I've ever met. She's smart and clever and…" he slipped his hand around Elizabeth's waist, "she loves me."

Julie smiled, "And she'll learn to love you even more."

"Julie!" Elizabeth scolded her younger sister.

Jack wasn't sure what that comment meant, but he decided to ignore it, "Can you take a quick walk with me?" he whispered in Elizabeth's ear.

She nodded, "Julie, can you help Abigail prepare the meal? I'll be back," Elizabeth took Jack's arm and hurried them out the door.

Jack hurried to keep up with her, "Hold on, I said walk, not run!"

"I know, but I just want to be with you," she pulled him along, "lets go to our grove of trees."

"Okay," Jack was agreeable, as long as they were together.

Once there, they sat on their usual log bench, "Things going okay with Julie?"

"Yes fine," Elizabeth looked down.

"What is it? Are you afraid to tell me about the pretty things she brought you?" Jack whispered.

Elizabeth looked up into his eyes, "No, I'm not afraid," she said, surprised that he chose that word.

Jack jerked back, surprised at her tone, "Sorry, I didn't mean to imply you were afraid." He brushed a curl from her face, "I know you aren't afraid of anything," he leaned close to her face, "except a spider or a slimy bug." He smiled.

She couldn't resist his smile, she touched his face and kissed his lips. "Jack, do you remember our first kiss?"

Jack smiled and suppressed a laugh, "Of course I do."

"What do you remember about it?" She asked.

He looked at her, not sure why she was asking the question, "Well, I remember I was glad you were accepting of my kiss and that I was very glad I kissed you," he leaned close to her, "and it was wonderful."

"I was glad too and not nervous at all," she smiled. "I was ready to kiss you."

"I could tell…I was ready too. We'd had such a tumultuous time prior to that, and I didn't want anything to spoil that moment, that's why I wanted to take a walk and get away from everyone."

The corner of Elizabeth's mouth turned up, knowing what he meant. "I could have kissed you even more."

Jack put his arm around her, "Why are we talking about this? Is everything okay?"

"Jack, do you think I'm a prude?"

Again he jerked his head back and looked at her, "A prude? I'm not sure I know what a prude is."

"It's someone who is a …honorable…and doesn't talk openly about relations between men and women…or act on them."

"So a prude is...I guess I'm a prude too," Jack rubbed her shoulder and leaned to kiss her, surprised when she turned away, "What else did Julie say?" Jack sighed.

Elizabeth stood, "Nothing…"

Jack stood and took Elizabeth by the shoulders, "Listen to me, don't let whatever title Julie wants to put on you upset you. You're an honorable woman Elizabeth," he grinned, "hardly a prude. I mean, I'm the man you kiss and I'm proof that you know what you're doing!"

She looked up at him, seeing the twinkle in his eyes, "Jack…I love you." She slid her arms around him and kissed his lips.

"Hmmm, oh yes, you know what you're doing," he said confidently, "so do it again," he lowered his voice and touched her face.

Secure in Jack's arms, she touched his chin, "Julie brought my wedding gown and some other things."

"Okay, don't tell me about the wedding gown, although I'm sure it's beautiful," he gently rubbed her back, "tell me about those 'other things'."

"She brought me negligees, they're so pretty," she glanced up at him, "they have straps and lace and …they're just so pretty, I hope you like them."

Jack cleared his throat, "I'm sure I will, because I love the woman who will be wearing them." He kissed her forehead, closing his eyes for a moment trying to push the thought of her in a negligee out of his mind.

"I believe a wife should look nice for her husband…"

Jack smiled, "You always look nice and I'm sure these…hmm, negligees are very nice."

Elizabeth glanced up at him again, "Yes," she dragged her finger across her chest, "they come across and have these little straps…"

Jack began to feel uncomfortable at the way she was describing the garment using her hands, he looked away.

Elizabeth knew she had said too much, "I'll let them be a surprise."

"Okay, sounds good," Jack said as he turned away. He straightened when she put her hands on his back, "I love you Jack Thornton." He wanted to turn around and take her in his arms, but turned and simply took her hand, "Okay, lets walk back before I behave the total opposite of a prude."

Elizabeth thought for a moment, "Are you a floozy in a secret life Jack?" she smiled playfully at him and tugged his hand.

"Yes, I am a floozy," he kissed her cheek, "lets go," he shook his head laughing.

The next day Julie and Elizabeth went to the house and took a tour. "It's so nice Elizabeth," Julie proclaimed, "I especially like that dressing room. That was so sweet of Jack to build that for you."

Elizabeth smiled, "Yes, it was very thoughtful of him. Jack's closet is over there, why did you want to know anyway?"

"I have this package to leave for him," Julie placed the box on a shelf in Jack's closet.

"Aren't you going to tell me what's in it?" Elizabeth was curious.

"If I wanted you to know, I would have told you sister," Julie gave her sister a smile. "Father is bringing bedroom furniture and carpets and dishes. You'll have everything all set for a beautiful home. It's so exciting!" Julie clapped her hands. "Now can we go back to Abigail's? I'm hungry."

Elizabeth shook her head, "Yes, I'd like to help her too."

"Yes, you should practice cooking," Julie smiled, "you certainly need it."

At the café, after the noon meal, Elizabeth and Julie sat on the settee drinking tea. Julie produced the Marco books, "I think we should read and have a little discussion. Abigail, come sit down and join us."

Abigail looked at Elizabeth and the two women silently resigned to join Julie in reading "Marco's Midnight Passion". They read in silence until Elizabeth lowered the book to her lap.

"Okay, on page 29, why are men so interested…? I don't understand the fascination," Elizabeth sounded annoyed.

Julie laughed, "I don't know, but they certainly are."

"Remember, men are visual," Abigail said.

Elizabeth shrugged.

"Oh Elizabeth, Jack must have looked!" Julie's eyes were wide, "taken a peek!"

"Well," Elizabeth looked from Julie to Abigail, "yes, once…twice…a few times I've noticed him looking."

Abigail tried not to smile, "Perfectly normal."

"I suppose," Elizabeth muttered as Julie giggled.

They continued reading, "Now wait, what about this on page 53, that really happens?"

Both sisters looked at Abigail for an answer. Abigail was flustered, "Well, expressions of love are different for different couples," she was increasingly uncomfortable, "I…I think couples find their own ways of…expressing their feelings."

Julie had the book close to her face, "Touching is normal Elizabeth, don't be afraid of that."

"I'm not afraid, I'm just inexperienced."

"Good grief, why does the man want to marry you? You can't cook, you can't keep house…and you don't even know how to be with a man!"

"Julie! That's so mean! I do know how to keep house and I am learning how to cook! The other things will come naturally," Elizabeth sighed and picked up the book again.

Abigail was uncomfortable and raised the book in front of her face.

Julie flipped through the pages, "Well sister, you'll probably just faint when you get to page 140, so don't even read it!"

Elizabeth flipped through the pages, "I'll read whatever I want to read. Won't shock me in the least and I'm sure I'll understand all of it."

Julie rolled her head, "Okay, so the next time you go to a hotel, you won't be pulling curtains off the wall."

Outside, Jack approached the café, "I think Elizabeth is preparing dinner…"

Elizabeth was getting increasingly angry at Julie, "If I want to pull curtains off the wall, I will…in the heat of passion!" She flipped her hair over her shoulder.

"Passion? Sister, do you know what passion is? Have you ever had a passionate moment in your life?"

Elizabeth stood up and tossed the book on the settee, "For your information, Jack is very passionate….and …and he and I had fun in that hotel. Jack was kissing me passionately in that hotel room and I liked it!"

The door slammed and Jack cleared his throat. Elizabeth spun around, "Mrs. Thornton!"

"Surprise!" Jack said, as he looked from Elizabeth to his mother…