Chapter 18
"I shouldn't be long, just to get the groceries and to send that wire. Do you need anything from the town?", asked Grace as she buttoned her coat. The winter was slowly starting to show its face so she decided to put on her dark coat this morning.
"No, I'm fine…oh, actually, you could go to the seamstress shop to pick up that material we purchased", Lillian replied as she finished with sweeping the broom "I will start classes while you're away. Lucas said that he and Gustave will come after they had breakfast".
Grace nodded.
"Alright then. I'm gone. Bye", she pulled the doors open and stepped into a brisky December morning.
She placed a basket on her forearm and put on the gloves.
Man, it was freezing this morning!
She inhaled deeply, a small smile gracing her features. Grace loved morning walks, loved breathing in the fresh air and feel morning sun on her face.
She rounded the corner and reached the market. Smiling warmly, Grace greeted several people she knew as she walked between stands filled with vegetables and fruit.
She was just finishing paying for some carrots and parsley when she heard a male's voice:
"Hello, Grace."
Grace felt blood freeze in her veins.
She swallowed hard and tried to look unfazed as she slowly turned around.
"Hello, Patrick", she silently replied, trying to keep her voice emotionless.
Patrick grinned, reaching for her.
"I've missed you", as he tried to take her forearms Grace quickly stepped two steps back.
"Just stay there", she mumbled, feeling her composure shaking.
"Come on, Grace. I really missed you. I just got back in town and thought how good would it be to see you", his grin widened "Looks like destiny brought us to the same place this morning."
"I got nothing to say to you, Patrick", Grace said sharply and turned around to get her things and leave.
She quickened her step, hoping against hope that he will leave her alone.
No such luck. He fell into step with her.
"You look even prettier than you were last time I saw you", he said, causing Grace to flinch.
"Leave me alone, Patrick. You are married", she said, hurrying to get away from the market and to get home before she breaks down.
"But, I still think of you", he didn't give up, enjoying her discomfort. She stopped frozen in her step and glared at him. Patrick misunderstood her actions and continued "Perhaps we could meet later today so I can show you just how much I missed you", he whispered, leaning towards her.
And that was when Grace lost it and slapped him.
"Stay away from me!", she hissed, terrified to feel tears in her eyes.
Don't break down, Grace. Don't break down. Don't let him see you cry.
She quickly turned around and started to run away back toward home.
Just a little bit more. Hold it together, Grace. Hold it together.
–—--
Bill took his coat and put it on with a grin.
"So, Marcus thinks he can beat me in a poker game now?", he chuckled "That man always had unrealistic dreams. Well, I'd be more than happy to prove him wrong."
Lucas chuckled.
"You sure you don't need me to take you? It's not that far", he asked as he and Gustave put on their costs as well.
"Nah, a walk will do me good. That train ride was way too long for me. If I don't see anything with the wheels for the next few days, it will be too soon", smiled Bill.
Lucas nodded as they left the mansion.
"Alright. Well, if you finish before us, you can come home. Staff will let you in", he said, putting his gloves on.
"Don't worry about me", Bill said, smiling "You have a good day".
"Thanks, you too", Lucas replied as he and Gustave went to his car and Bill crossed the street.
They sat in the car and Lucas started the engine. Gustave was silent, watching the surroundings and people as they drove down the streets of the Capitol City.
"It is definitely bigger then Hope Valley", commented Gustave.
Lucas nodded.
"That it is. I will show you around whenever you wish to", he glanced at his cousin "Are you sure you want to do this today? You haven't even got a proper rest from your trip."
Gustave glanced back at Lucas.
"Oui, I am sure. You know I can't stay down for long. Besides, I want to meet mademoiselle who saved my cousin's life and thank her", he added seriously, still reeling from the shock from everything Lucas told him last night about attempt of assasination on him "Still no words about Balfour?"
Lucas shook his head as he turned left.
"No. But, I am sure that Bill and Marcus will have something soon. If anyone can make it, my bet is on them", he replied gravely.
"Judge Avery is a good man. One of few decent in Hope Valley", grumbled Gustave.
Lucas swallowed hard.
"Sometimes people we know are not the people we thought we knew", he said silently.
"What was that?", Gustave asked.
Lucas didn't even realize that he was whispering and he glanced at his cousin. Swallowing hard, he replied:
"It's just something Grace told me", at Gustave's curious glance, Lucas repeated her words "Sometimes people we know are not the people we thought we knew."
Gustave nodded in appreciation.
"She sounds like quite a lady. Not only brave, but smart as well", he commented.
Lucas nodded.
"She certainly is", he stopped the car and said "We're here."
—--
A knock at the door caused Lillian to look up from the book she was reading. With a smile, she got up and walked to the doors, already knowing who was there.
She wasn't wrong.
"Hello, Lucas", she smiled at the man who very quickly became one of her best friends "Please, come in".
"Hello, Lillian", Lucas greeted her with a smile.
Lillian closed the doors and turning around, she looked at Gustave.
"You must be Lucas' cousin, Mr. Pepin", she said with a smile "I am Lillian".
Gustave took off his hat and gave her a warm smile.
"Oui, but no Mr. Pepin. Just Gustave", he accepted her hand and shook it "Pleasure to meet you, Mademoiselle Lillian".
Lillian smiled warmly.
"Pleasure is all mine. Come in, gentlemen", she led them inside the living room.
A table was already prepared with tea service along with freshly baked blueberry biscuits and chocolate muffins. Grace was adamant to welcome their new cook with some treats so she got up quite early this morning to make them.
Lillian poured tea in cups and offered it to both gentlemen. They accepted it with thanks.
"Please, help yourself with cakes", Lillian said with a smile "Grace made them this morning. A special treat for our new cook. I cannot tell you how grateful we are, Gustave, that you agreed to help us".
"No need to thank me. In fact, I should thank you", at Lillian's curious glance, Gustave quipped "That way I won't have to watch Lucas' face all day long. You saved my mental health. Merci, mademoiselle".
Lillian was confused for a moment before she caught a twitch in Gustave's face and noticed Lucas putting his face in a palm, his shoulders shaking with silent, suppressed laughter.
As if on cue, all three of them burst to laugh.
Glad that he broke the ice, Gustave helped himself to one blueberry cookie and widened his eyes in surprise.
"Oh, mon dieu! These are magnifique!", he glanced from Lillian to Lucas before turning back to their host "Your sister is a woman of many talents. Brave, smart and apparently a true masterchef. I cannot wait to meet that remarkable lady".
As Lillian smiled warmly at Gustave's words, Lucas looked around.
"Where is Grace?", he asked.
"She went to pick up some groceries at the market and do some rounds. I expect her to be home any…", but before Lillian could finish her sentence they all heard doors opening and slamming loudly in the next moment.
Lillian sprung from her chair, concern obvious on her face, and rushed toward the hallway.
Lucas and Gustave glanced at each other in confusion.
"Oh, my God! Grace! What happened?!"
At hearing Lillian exclaiming those words Lucas jumped up from his chair and ran toward the hallway.
His heart stopped at the scene in the hallway.
Lillian was kneeling beside her sister who sat on the floor, leaning her back on the doors…and crying her heart out as Lillian pulled her in a hug.
"Grace?", whispered Lillian, rocking her sister gently in her embrace "What's the matter, honey? What happened?"
Grace fought to stop the sobs, but wasn't able to. She squeezed her eyes shut, crying bitter tears in her sister's chest.
"Patrick…he is…he is back. And he won't leave me alone", she bursted to tears once again and Lillian tightened her hug, her face changing from worried to furious.