Thank you for the reviews. There will be at least a couple more chapters of this, but I'm away from home with no internet next week, so there'll be a delay before I can post any more. Hope you enjoy this chapter in the meantime.
He waited for her on a seat just outside the hotel, eyes closed, legs thrust out in front of him, making the most of the late afternoon sunshine.
He'd shopped for a few essentials that morning, but hadn't been to see any of the sights of Adelaide, despite what he had said to Jean. Instead, he had turned over in his mind what he should do.
His instinct was to rush ahead but he knew Jean would be more cautious than that. She was the one who would be taking the risks - to her job, and to her reputation. And she was more reserved than him; he resolved not to overwhelm her with his enthusiasm.
She approached quietly, watching him dozing or thinking, hat tipped forward on his head. Her stomach clenched at the sight of him and she pushed aside the doubts that had been rising in her mind since yesterday.
Once she had left Lucien at the bus station it hadn't taken long for her to start to explain it all away to herself. Maybe he was more concerned about the disruption to his life from losing his housekeeper. Maybe he was just looking for a bit of affection with his hot dinners. Maybe he'd come to see her off to remind her that her job was open for her to return to, rather than to confess any great love for her.
Love. He hadn't mentioned love. He'd talked about 'more than a friend', and he'd kissed her cheek, but it wasn't enough to lure her back home, not yet anyway. She knew she loved him, she was sure, but that was the problem - she couldn't go on living with him unless he felt the same way.
As she sat down on the bench beside him he stirred, and she slid her hand into his, setting aside her worries for now. He smiled slowly at her.
"You're looking very lovely, Jean," he said as he sat up and put his hat straight. "How are the family?"
Jean sighed. "The baby is beautiful, but the house is in chaos. I'd forgotten how much work a baby makes. Still, I'm sure we'll get it straight in a few days." She was still taking in his compliment.
"Can you stay for dinner this evening? We could go out somewhere, or eat in the hotel." He tried not to sound over eager, but this was against his nature.
"Not this evening, Lucien, I'm sorry. I promised to get back and cook dinner. And I'm not dressed for going out to eat." She glanced down at her ordinary day dress. It was clean, but really not suitable.
"Looks fine to me, but maybe tomorrow then, if you prefer."
He knew he would have to start he conversation if they were ever to get beyond merely being polite.
"Shall we go inside? We could have some tea in my room." He hoped she would see that he wanted to talk privately.
"In your room? Is that a good idea?" There was almost a flirtatious edge to the way she said it.
"We drank tea together in your hotel room only two days ago, so I think it's only fair," he responded, and pulled her gently to her feet by the hand she had put in his.
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He made the tea, unusually for them, and handed her the cup before sitting down next to her on the bed.
"Jean, I'm sure you know that I'd like us to be closer. I missed you so much when you left, even though it was only for a couple of days." He looked at her, appealing to her to tell him how she felt.
Jean took a deep breath. Now or never.
"I'd like that too," she replied, looking away awkwardly, "but I'm your housekeeper, Lucien, and doctors don't usually get involved with their housekeepers."
"Actually, you're not my housekeeper any more, Mrs Toohey is," he attempted to joke with her, but then turned more serious. "It doesn't matter to me, Jean, and I hope it doesn't to you. You're Jean to me; the best and loveliest woman I've ever known." He put his arm round her shoulders and hugged her to his side. She finished her tea and set the cup down on the table, but returned to sit right next to him.
"I'm hoping you'll let me court you, Jean. Would that be alright?" he continued.
"Yes, I think it would," she agreed after a pause, and took his free hand in hers. "I think we should try it, so long as we don't make a scandal in Ballarat."
He ran his fingers down one cheek gently and kissed her other one. His beard tickled against her skin and she shivered a little in anticipation. He grinned at her reaction but moved away. Best perhaps to leave her wanting more, he thought.
She touched his beard with her fingers, ruffling it slightly, and then she leaned against his shoulder as she had on the bus. She found she was becoming fond of this; he felt warm and sturdy against her side and she felt happiness bubbling up inside her at the thought of more to come.
Soon afterwards Lucien walked her back to Christopher's house and they hurriedly arranged to meet again the next day, as Ruby opened the door to Jean. Ruby stared frankly at Lucien and Jean hurried inside to close the door. He then turned back towards the hotel and found himself smiling ridiculously at nothing in particular; she'd agreed to have dinner with him, and that was a start.