This is quite a short chapter, however, just wanted to keep the momentum of the story going before heading into the wedding and such. Also, I wanted to say thank-you to all that have read my story and a special thank-you to all who have provided such kind and considerate feedback in their reviews.
Chapter Five
Contrary to what Elizabeth expected, she found herself enjoying the Duke's company immensely. Not in a romantic sense, of course, but more so in the sense she had met a long-lost friend, someone who shared the same ideals and dreams for the world as a whole. He spoke earnestly about his philanthropic efforts abroad, from the schools for the lower-caste systems he was building in India, to the foundation he formed back home in England to help the young victims of indentured labour, Elizabeth found herself mesmerized and caught up in his passion for life. "Sure beats sitting around with just Viola and Sir Lionel as entertainment." Elizabeth thought to herself smugly.
After dinner they headed to the drawing room to enjoy a coffee, the men lighting fat cigars, while the Thatchers continued their obvious infatuation with the Duke. As Henry was standing at the double french doors, admiring the expanse of the estate from within, William approached him, holding out his lighter for the Duke's use. "I suggest you let Elizabeth show you the grounds...the view from the east garden is simply stunning. Especially in the moonlight." He indicated subtly to the gleaming crispness of the earth's closest satellite.
Elizabeth inwardly cringed as her father's end-game entered desperate territory, knowing he would never let her walk off with Jack into the darkness of the grounds alone. Her aversion quickly turned to relief as it offered her an opportunity to escape the smoke-filled room and the non-stop tedious talk about the wedding.
The butler arrived with the pair's overcoats as Elizabeth and Henry made their way out to the stone fountain directly behind the parlour's doors. Henry was the first to break the comfortable silence. "Does your fellow have a name?"
Caught off guard, Elizabeth's eyes widened in shock at the Duke's seemingly psychic abilities. "How did you know?" She shook her head slowly, confusion playing on her face.
"Besides the outline of a ring on your left hand through your glove...I am an expert at knowing when a woman is in love. You just have that look to you. That, and the fact you haven't flirted with me once all night...something I am very accustomed to when graced with the presence of available women" He laughed good-naturedly, hoping his comment hadn't offended his new friend.
"Jack. Jack Thornton." Elizabeth replied to his initial question.
"And what is it about Jack Thornton that your parent's don't approve of?" Henry's propensity for directness further aided to Elizabeth's fondness for him.
Again, Elizabeth was struck by Henry's uncanny insight into her personal life and sidestepped the answer momentarily. "How do you know that?"
"It's not difficult to see the way your parents are intensely analyzing everything you say and do towards me. As I said before, I am quite used to the reactions I evoke in women looking for a suitor, and I am exceptionally used to way their parent's behave when I am in their daughter's presence." He laughed quietly this time and looked off into the blackness of the sky.
"Well. I'm sure being the Duke of Kent has nothing to do with that. At all." Elizabeth tried to hold on to her seriousness, but fell into laughter when Henry looked at her and reacted the same way. They continued to chuckle at their situation as Henry offered Elizabeth his arm for their midnight stroll.
"He's a Mountie." Elizabeth said suddenly, breaking the silence as they slowly walked on the tufted grass.
"Who's a Mountie?" The Duke asked, clearly sidetracked from Elizabeth's sarcastic comment.
"Jack. My fiance. He's a Mountie. Meaning...he's not good enough for me. Or so my parents think He's definitely not a Duke." Elizabeth looked down as she said this, battling the strong emotions that this conflict between her two worlds was creating.
"A Mountie? Really? I've yet to actually meet a Mountie...but I've read a great deal of stories about them. Especially in my youth...And your parents don't approve? Incredible!" Henry stopped in his tracks and looked at Elizabeth in disbelief.
Henry was stuck by the pain etched into Elizabeth's face and completely understood her frustration at not wanting to conform to their society's marital expectations. Unfortunately for Henry, however, was his obligations for a suitable marriage ran deeper than hers. The Duke placed both hands on each of Elizabeth's shoulders and looked directly into her conflicted eyes.
"When you first met this Mountie, Jack, did you know he was the one?" Henry again resorted to his flare for direct approaches.
Elizabeth was still, her mind travelling back to their first encounter in the Saloon when she had cheated him out of her chalk dust. Her eyes glazed over in response to her memory and she breathed her response. "Yes. I think I did."
"Then how can anyone stand in your way of such a great love? A love divined by the heavens above?" Henry's arm flew up above his head, emphasizing his talent for drama while exposing his extremely romantic nature.
Elizabeth smiled at the Duke's antics and the way he was trying to encourage her relationship with Jack, beyond what her parent's thoughts were on the matter. "And what about you, Henry. Have you found your love at first sight yet? You can't say you haven't had a lot of opportunity to as you must have crowds of women throwing themselves at your feet…"
"No. I haven't." The Duke replied seriously, sobered by Elizabeth's question. "But I hope that, someday, I can meet someone as special to me as Jack is to you." He smiled warmly at Elizabeth as he offered her his arm again and walked slowly back to the parlour where William Thatcher, privy to the pair's physical interaction, beamed proudly at their return. His hope for his daughter's return into his world renewed by the evening's pleasant outcome. After all, Henry was a Duke! And he made Elizabeth laugh like he hadn't seen her laugh in quite some time. Even when Jack had been here.
Unfortunately for William, however, he only saw what he wanted to see. What he couldn't see was that Elizabeth's heart beat only for one man. And her connection to this man transcended anything William could conceivably wedge between them.