Hote: Bold text indicates the words were spoken in French but are translated for the reader.

Chapter 41 Bouchard Estate - Arrival

They passed through the quaint town of Poligny and headed up a winding road to where they would find the Bouchard Estate and Chateaux Bouchard Winery about 20 kilometers from the town square.

Antoine began, "the family tree of the House of Poligny dates back to 1100 A.D. It saw a golden age in the 15th century with its strategic place between Switzerland and the Kingdom of France. The plague, thirty years war, and the revolution took their toll, but the house survived, and we still have a Count of Poligny today. We will have plenty of time to show you the sights in town and the surrounding area. But first, we will want to show you around the estate and get caught up to date with the family. The activities will become more hectic soon as the wedding preparations are intensified. I am sure that Maman, Annette and Yvonne would be happy to have your help if it pleases you to do so."

"Laura and I both will be delighted to help in any way we can," Elizabeth assured him.

He continued, "there is much to do. We do have a housekeeper, Marie, who will help prepare the rooms for guests; her daughter will come help as well. Her brother Marc is known for his fine cuisine and will be heading the food preparation for the wedding. Other staff will be brought in to act as sous chefs and servers. We are expecting several hundred to attend the reception."

"Oh my," exclaimed Elizabeth.

"We also have a family reunion dinner planned for the week before., when most of the family will be arriving. It will be held in honor of your wedding. It is strictly a family affair, and we will all pitch in to prepare the dinner for that day. There will be folk dancing; we all have traditional dress, and we will teach you so you can join us. Lucas knows how to do the dances as he learned during his summer visits so he can help you too. Maman has placed an order for outfits for all of you. One of your first tasks will be to get fitted so that they can be completed in time."

"Sounds like lots of work and fun," replied Elizabeth.

"Look Jack, you see ahead the gate to the estate?" said Antoine.

"Estate? Jack was puzzled.

"Our homes and the farm and Chateaux Bouchard winery together are called the estate…. property."

"Mama, is our new house an estate?"

"Yes, Jack, we have the house and the orchards with the fruit trees and the grapes for our winery. Perhaps we will add some chickens and other animals someday too," replied Elizabeth.

"And dogs with puppies!" exclaimed Jack.

"We shall see once we return to Hope Valley," Elizabeth told him.

"All of the grapes on these hills belong to the Bouchards," Antoine swept his arm wide, indicating the extent of the property. Now we are approaching the gate, which is just for show now, but it is preserved from a time when the original house was gated and guarded." They passed through the gate and soon arrived at a beautiful old stone farmhouse fronted by a fragrant garden of old-world roses.

Antoine opened the passenger side door and held his hand out for Elizabeth's, to help her out of the car. He squeezed her hand and kissed her on both cheeks. "Thank you," he said.

"De rien," she countered. "You are welcome, and I am here whenever you want to talk." He nodded at her as Lucas approached.

Lucas had observed the scene and knew instinctively that Antoine had shared his story with Elizabeth. He was glad, as he knew his cousin was struggling to come to terms with moving on; Elizabeth had both the experience and the heart to help him. He hoped she would understand that it had not been his story to tell.

He hugged her and whispered, "thank you, we can discuss it later in private. I hope you will understand why I never mentioned this."

"It wasn't your story to tell," she replied. He tightened his hug and then released her and guided her toward the front door where a parcel of eager family and staff were waiting to greet them. Marcel and Lucas had arrived ahead of them, and Marcel had gone in to alert them to their arrival.

"Ma cherie, voulez vous presente ma Tante Anne. Tante, ma femme, Elizabeth," Lucas made the introduction.

Elizabeth held out her hand, "I am so happy to meet you", she told her but instead of taking her hand Lucas's aunt scooped her into a hearty hug and kissed her on both cheeks repeatedly.

"You are here at last!" Lucas's aunt began to cry. She held Elizabeth's face in her hands, "you are even more beautiful than Lucas told us." She turned to look at him holding out her arms for a hug, "Lucas". He leaned down and took her in his arms as they embraced for a few moments and then Lucas kissed her cheek.

"I missed you, Tante", he said, hugging her again. "You look as beautiful as always." Anne was barely five feet tall and on the plump side with rosy cheeks, bright green eyes and dark auburn hair that showed some touches of gray. Her giggle was infectious as she poked Lucas with her elbow, but he was only telling the truth.

"Ah, the Bouchard charm at work as always." She grinned at Elizabeth who began to giggle with her.

Lucas grinned and said, "I thought it had failed me. It took me three years to get a kiss from this one." He winked at Elizabeth and she giggled some more. She did not mind at all that he teased her in front of his family. She was aware that they actually knew the truth of the matter. Lucas had asked her permission to tell them her story before they were married.

"Well, I have let you catch up with all the kisses that you missed before that," she teased back.

He laughed and then he felt a hug around his legs. He reached down and took Jack's hand and introduced him to his aunt. "Tante, this is our son Jack."

Jack held out his hand and repeated the greeting that his Papa had taught him, "I am pleased to make your acquaintance," he told her.

She shook his hand and then leaned down and kissed him on the cheek, "and I am pleased as well young man. Your Papa has a special place in my heart, and you can have the spot right next to his."

Jack looked up to Lucas as he didn't understand most of what she had said to him. He told the little boy, his voice breaking mid-way.

Jack nodded at his Papa and turned to her, "Merci, Tante,"he said to her much to Anne's delight.

"You can call me Grandmere, that is what all the children call me. And I will be happy to have you call me this too." She smiled at him and stroked his cheek with her old weathered hands.

Jack hadn't understood the words exactly, but he got the gist of it, "Grandmere" he said as he hugged her to her delight.

Lucas invited Laura to join them and the four circulated through the group; he introduced them to each of the family members. Everyone was there except Uncle Marcel who was tending to one of the horses that was in labor. He would join them when he was able. They were swept into the house and shown to their rooms. Elizabeth and Lucas would have one of the large guest rooms on the front side of the house facing the rose garden. Laura had a smaller room across from them facing the valley. Jack's things were placed in her room which contained a second smaller bed. A spare bed had also been prepared in Marcel's room at the other house should they decide to have a sleepover once they got to know each other better. Laura was sure that it would not be long before she lost her roommate.

The house had been updated and one of the bedrooms on their wing had been converted into a bathroom. There was only cold running water, but Lucas and the other men helped carry hot water that had been boiled on the stove in the kitchen, so that they could bath and change before dinner. Elizabeth was unanimously voted in for the first bath. Afterwards, she changed and then relaxed on the bed in their room while Lucas helped Laura get Jack bathed and changed. Jack then joined Elizabeth while Lucas and Laura had their turns.

Elizabeth cuddled Jack who promptly fell asleep as the excitement of the day finally caught up to him. She would wake him a bit later but for now she held him close, feeling his breath against her cheek as he slept. Lucas entered the room after his bath and Elizabeth motioned to him to let him know that Jack was asleep. He circled the bed and kissed her on the top of her head so as not to disturb their son's sleep. He then changed into a dry robe and lay down next to them as they all cuddled until it was time to go down for dinner.

It was perhaps an hour later when Lucas woke to a knock on the door. He slipped on a pair of slacks and went to see who was there. It was Laura. "Tante sent a message up that they are ready for us downstairs in the parlor for an apéritif before dinner."

"Okay, would you let her know that we will be down in about thirty minutes? We still need to finish dressing, and Jack is asleep," asked Lucas.

"I already told the maid that we would need a half hour to make it downstairs. I will go alone if you need more time than that," Laura responded.

"I see Elizabeth is awake and just needs a little time to comb out her hair. I will get ready now and then see about waking my little buddy," Lucas told her.

Elizabeth walked next to him and laid her head against his shoulder. She smiled at Laura, "you must be tired after that car ride. Those children were quite rambunctious."

Laura smiled back, "they were but I loved it. I napped for about an hour and I will be fine. I think Annette has planned a light meal and an early evening for us. I will have no problem falling asleep tonight. I will meet you back here soon." With that she turned back to her room.

Lucas wrapped his arms around his wife and kissed the top of her head. "I was thinking that I am lucky you are tall enough to do that. It is such a sweet gesture," she said.

"I was thinking that I was lucky that you are so short," Lucas replied earning a jab in his ribs.

"I am not short Lucas Bouchard; take it back!"

"Or?"

"Or there may not be any kisses from me. We wouldn't want to strain your back leaning down for my lips."

"You are perfect ma cherie, the perfect height and my perfect woman," Lucas told her.

"Now that's better, give me a kiss." She tilted her head back to receive his lips and leaned into the kiss, grabbing the lapels of his robe and pulling him to her. He moaned and started walking her backwards to the bed but then remembered... Jack.

He groaned and released her, "remember where we were."

"Believe me, I won't forget," she replied with a grin and saucy flounce as she walked toward the dressing table to work on her hair which was in disarray after napping on it still wet from her bath.

Lucas walked over to the washstand and poured some water into the bowl and doused his face as he tried to shake off the feelings that had grabbed hold of him during their brief but sumptuous kiss. He was always aware of her presence, so it took little for her to dazzle him. Now he would be thinking about "later" the rest of the evening. He silently groaned and then headed to the bed to wake Jack.

He rubbed the boy's back and gently called to him, "Jack... Jack... it is time to wake up..."

But the boy was not having it. He groaned, 'no Papa" and cuddled in closer. Lucas felt for the boy, he was exhausted. He gave him a kiss on the cheek and then walked over to where Elizabeth was tending to her hair.

"I think we should let him sleep if he wants, I think he might sleep straight through to morning," Lucas told her.

"Well I don't want to leave him alone in unfamiliar surroundings. I will stay with him."
"No, it is our first evening here. I would ask Laura, but I do not want her to miss out either. I can carry him down to the little sitting room next to where we will be dining and we will be right there if he wakes."

Lucas carried Jack down the stairs and into the sitting room where Yvonne had prepared the couch with a pillow and blanket. He gently cupped his head and lay him down, kissed his cheek and covered him. He looked up to see Yvonne watching him.

"You love that little boy so much, it warms a mama's heart," she said.

"I would love him no matter what, as he is a part of Elizabeth, but he is a special little one," Lucas told her.

"Well, I can see you have a close bond," Yvonne told him.

Lucas nodded and offered his arm and escorted her back to the dining room. They had decided to have their aperitif there instead of the parlor so that they could hear Jack call if he woke.

Antoine took the tray of drinks from the housekeeper and passed them around. "I would like to propose a toast he said. To our cousin Lucas and our new cousin, the most beautiful Elizabeth, and their delightful son….. To family." They all raised their glasses and tapped them, "to family!"

Lucas chimed in, "I would like to thank you all for hosting us these next few weeks. I know it is a busy time for everyone with George's wedding coming up."

Antoine countered, "cousin this is precisely the best time to host you with all the family coming into town. There are many that you won't have seen since you were a child and some of the children you will not have met at all."

His aunt added, "we will put you to work just like all the others, so you won't feel like company. You are part of our family, and we will treat you no differently. Come, sit next to me Lucas, and Elizabeth across from us. Marcel should be here any minute. I heard him in the back stomping his boots and singing. "Just as she finished a man appeared; he was nearly as tall as Lucas but broader. His face was beautiful albeit weathered from his life outdoors. He was undeniably a Bouchard as his dimples deepened as his smile widened upon seeing Lucas. The men embraced and greeted one another with the required kisses and the elder Marcel patted Lucas on the back."

"It is so good to see you and you must introduce me to this blue eyed beauty, she must be your Elizabeth," he exclaimed.

Lucas took Elizabeth's hand a pulled her forward. "Uncle, I would like to present my wife, Elizabeth."

Pierre enfolded Elizabeth in a big bearhug. "At last we meet, and I will say that Lucas was not exaggerating about your beauty," he told her.

Elizabeth blushed just a little, "Thank you. It is so nice to meet you at last. Lucas has told me so much about all of you. It is wonderful to be here in your home."

"Sit, sit," he said as he helped her with her chair and then took his place at the head of the table.

Antoine passed him his drink and then raised his glass again, "we have already toasted but let us do so again…. To family," he announced. They all toasted and then he turned to his father. "So how is Beatriz?" he asked.

"She has delivered her colt, we are blessed with a new stallion." This caused another reason for a toast. "To family."

Their dinner was soon served…. luscious potato soup and warm crusty bread, followed by a green salad. Dessert was a bowl of fruit and a platter of fine local cheeses.

"Mama…. Papa," Jack called for them. Elizabeth began to rise but Lucas reached across and placed his hand on hers to let her know that he would go.

"He doesn't sound distressed, just wondering where we are. I will go and get him, but will let you know if he needs you," Lucas told her. She nodded sure that he was right.

Lucas soon appeared with the little boy in his arms. He had his head nestled against his Papa as he was still trying to wake up. "He is still sleepy, but his tummy is growling for some food, right Jack?" The little boy nodded but still snuggled in. Lucas returned to his seat and whispered to the little boy who then turned around to face the table smiling shyly.

"Ah, this must be your son, the one that you speak of so fondly," announced the senior Marcel.

"Oui, this is Jack. Jack, this is my uncle Marcel. Tante Anne's husband."

"Pleasure to meet you,"the boy said now expertly with all the experience of the afternoon.

"Come, come," said Marcel to Jack, moving his chair out and patting his lap.

Jack looked up at Lucas who nodded, "Uncle Marcel is Yvonne and Marcel's grandpapa, he has a surprise for you. The word for surprise is the same in French… surprise," Lucas pronounced it for him. Jack wiggled off of Lucas's lap and went to the head of the table where Marcel awaited him. He scooped the boy up and placed him on his lap.

"Now," said Marcel, "we must get some food for this growing boy." Marie had just entered the room to retrieve some of the dishes, she nodded and went to the sideboard to prepare a bowl of soup and a piece of the crusty bread. She also brought some cheese and fruit. "There you go young man. Now eat up and then I will tell you my surprise."

Jack was really hungry and quickly ate all of his soup and was munching on a slice of the delicious cheese. "Surprise,please," he looked up at Marcel turning his little body while still holding on to his cheese.

"You may call me Grandpere, young man… all of the children do."

Jack nodded, "Grandpere, please tell me the surprise?

"Well, we have a horse named Beatriz and she had a baby this evening. It is a little boy horse," said Grandpa Marcel.

Jack listened carefully and he knew all of the words he needed to…. a baby horse. "Un bébé cheval, voir sil vous plait?" Jack asked as best he could to see the horse.

"Jack, it is very late, and the baby will need his sleep. In the morning Grandpere will take you and the other children to see him," interjected Elizabeth, repeating it in French for the others.

Jack looked up at Grandpere Marcel. "Certainly! We will all go to visit him right after breakfast. We will think of his name together," the older man told him.

Elizabeth repeated in English. Jack was only a little disappointed, he was tired and would enjoy the experience much more in the morning. "And Yvonne and Marcel promised to show you the puppies," Elizabeth reminded him.

"Les chiotes!" Jack clapped excitedly looking up at Grandpere Marcel who laughed merrily at the little boys glee.

"Oui, we will see the puppies too," he told him.

Conversation resumed among the adults and Jack soon drifted off, snuggled up against the older man's chest. He dreamed of the little horse and the puppies, a smile on his face.

An hour later Lucas and Elizabeth returned to their room. Jack was settled in for the night in the room he shared with Laura. He had barely moved as Lucas carried him upstairs and Elizabeth dressed him for bed. It had been an exceptionally long and exciting day.

Lucas stood behind her while she sat at the dressing table. As she removed her jewelry he removed the combs that held up her hair and began to brush it. This was something he had learned to enjoy on their honeymoon; he never tired of brushing her tresses and gazing at her in the mirror. She watched him for a while and then she whispered, "I think I remember where we left off."

He set the brush down on the table, and swept her up in his arms. His kiss was insistent and she responded to him in kind. She had watched him all evening, soaking in his beauty and the graceful way he moved. She was intoxicated, listening to that velvety voice all evening speaking in French, the language he often spoke to her in the most intimate moments together. She didn't need any romance at the moment, he had been romancing her all evening. She had caught the smoldering looks he had given her, the knowing little smile that promised much more to come.

She wiggled from his embrace enough to free her arms as she tugged at his jacket in an attempt to remove it. He got the message soon enough and began to help her. "I do remember where we were earlier, but I raced way ahead while you made love to me all evening," she told him quite breathlessly.

They had managed to remove his outerwear and he began working on the buttons on her dress. "Now how is that possible when we were at dinner surrounded by family?" He gave her one of his burning looks.

"You knew what you were doing, I am surprised we didn't light up the room, Lucas Bouchard".

"I tried my best to be discreet when I felt my inner Frenchman surfacing."

"Well, it is no time to be discreet right now. Let the inner Frenchman loose," she told him. He laughed at that and grabbed her and swept her up into his arms.

"Your wish is my command Madam," he whispered hoarsely as he took her mouth with his.

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