Chapter 100
At one point during her work day Catherine spotted Joe heading towards her desk with a foot thick stack of files. She got to her feet as he got close and was about to put them down. "Joe, I am getting married tomorrow, I also already have more work on this desk than any two people should have. If you so much as put one of those files on this desk, I will quit!"
Joe looked surprised at her outburst, she usually accepted any work given to her without complaint. Then however, as he took in her threat, he looked scared. Cathy Chandler had done the work of two people since she had been there. Oh sure, she was trying to prove herself, and they had been throwing a lot at her, even taking advantage in a way, but she sounded serious about quitting and there was no way he could let that happen! "You don't really mean that do you Radcliff?"
"Put those files down and find out!" she challenged him.
"These files?" he questioned, shifting the stack. "These files weren't for you!" he lied. "I was going to give them to Anderson! I was just stopping by your desk to see if you were doing okay."
"Oh, I see," she grinned, easily seeing through his lie. She felt a tiny bit sorry that Anderson was going to get the files dumped on him, but not sorry enough to relent in the least. She really did have the work of two people on her desk and she was not about to let Joe make it three or four!
Below, the work crew had finished the two new chambers by lunch time. In the dining hall Vincent had told Mary it was now okay for the ladies to come in and clean and then decorate the rooms. He was told the he was now banned from the rooms until after the wedding so what the ladies were doing would be a surprise. Vincent promised faithfully that he would not peek.
Vincent did however notice one thing odd on Friday. Father and Mary were hardly speaking and seemed to be avoiding eye contact with each other as well. On any other day Vincent might have taken the time to address this, but it was the day before his wedding and he did have other things on his mind.
As soon as his classes were done for the day Vincent hurried off to one of the bathing chambers. He wanted to look his best for Catherine that evening. He put on the best clothes he had other than the new attire he would wear for the wedding. William had provided him a very special dinner for two and Vincent had even managed to save one of the bottles of wine that Devin had brought Below for the bachelor party.
Of Devin, little had been seen on Friday, it was reported that he was nursing a hangover.
The romantic dinner was just that. They shared the delicious food as well as many lingering glances. Of the wine, they were careful in their consumption, not wanting to be drunk the night before the wedding, nor have a hangover in the morning.
Jenny had a date with Joe that evening, but ended it on the early side because she wanted to get Below. There was so much to be done for the wedding that she wanted to be on hand to be of whatever help that she could be. She was very surprised when she went looking for Cathy and couldn't find her. Mary explained that she and Vincent were Above, but would be back first thing in the morning. Jenny huffed a bit about that but then went looking for Devin.
Sunlight once again tickled Vincent awake and after enjoying it for a few moments, he nuzzled Catherine awake also. They took their time dressing since it was still very early, but finally Vincent kissed her good bye for a short time so they could make their separate ways Below.
They didn't have long together though. As soon as they entered Father's study he informed them that Mary wanted to see Catherine in her chamber as soon as possible. Before she could leave the room, a young man raced into the room. He glanced shyly at Catherine, giving her a timid smile before latching onto Vincent's arm and telling him he must go with him…NOW!
To be continued….