A/N: So sorry this chapter is later than usual. Between the Thanksgiving holiday and a bit of writer's block, I thought it best that I took off a week. To compensate, this chapter is a bit longer than usual. Thanks for reading!

Chapter 6

The next day was very strange for Elizabeth. Her wedding pictures arrived, and she was overjoyed when Ned Yost gave them to her personally when she walked into the store. She saw that, of course, the photographer had addressed the envelope with her new married name, and she gave a startled look to Ned when he placed it, along with her other mail in her hands. He gave her a bland smile and went to wait on another customer. She wondered whether he'd noticed, or whether she should explain, as her heart pounded anxiously.

She glanced guiltily over at Florence, who was busy at the phone switchboard, before taking her basket of grocery purchases and making her escape without mentioning how her secret might have been discovered. Oddly, she couldn't shake the feeling that of Florence's eyes on her as she put her mail in her basket and continued on with her morning errands.

Her next stop was the dress shop, and she smiled, feeling her cheeks grow warm as she remembered her conversation with Lucas just before sunrise.

"How long has it been since you bought yourself something just for you," he'd asked, nuzzling into her neck. She shivered as the softness of his beard tickled the sensitive skin there, felt his answering smile against her shoulder at her reaction.

"I-I don't recall," she replied distractedly. "A teacher's salary doesn't allow much room for more than…uh…necessities."

"Isn't it fortunate then, that you're married to a successful businessman," came his whisper near her ear.

She chuckled breathlessly. "Why, yes. Because I married you merely for your money."

"I knew it." His kisses found her lips, and he'd distracted her for a few minutes more.

"You should go." She glanced regretfully at the morning light seeping beneath her bedroom curtains.

He ignored her for a few more moments, as the passion began to build between them once more. Finally, with a low moan of frustration, he got out of her bed.

She saw him to the back door, this time, fully dressed. In the midst of a goodbye kiss, she felt him press several bills into her hand.

"Go buy yourself something new and pretty, and have dinner with me tonight."

She'd looked down at the folded money, her eyes widening at the amount. "Lucas—"

"I'm your husband, and I can afford to treat my wife now and again." He'd closed her palm over his gift, and she'd met his eyes.

"I don't know if I'm quite used to the idea of being so cavalier with money." She shook her head. "It's been a long while since I didn't have to watch every penny."

"I'm not cavalier either, Elizabeth; I make wise investments, which is why I don't have to worry about money—and now, neither should you." He dropped another kiss on her warm lips.

She stood on tiptoe, draping her arms around his neck. "Well, thank you. But I do have to wonder about the timing of your gift."

He raised an inquiring eyebrow.

"I mean, I don't know whether to be insulted or complimented, after waking up in your arms and having money placed in my hand."

He grinned wickedly. "Perhaps you're right…after last night, maybe you should be paying me."

"Lucas!" she gasped, then playfully punched his shoulder. He was just kissing her smiling lips when a little voice from above interrupted them. They looked up to see Jack coming down the stairs in his pajamas.

"Mama? Oh, hi Buddy!"

Elizabeth blushed and stepped out of Lucas's arms.

"Good morning, sweetheart. Look who uh, came over for breakfast."

"Really? Oh goody! Can we have pancakes?"
"May we," she corrected automatically. Then, as Jack ran to Lucas, she gave her husband a sheepish shrug.

"May we have bacon too?" Lucas asked, his eyes sparkling.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"You're all smiles this morning," said Faith now in the dress shop.

"I have a date with Lucas tonight, and I'm looking for a new dress."

"Oh, how exciting! Well, I'd heard they got some new ones in—that's why I'm here."

"Hmmm. I'm not sure how much I like this drop waist style," Elizabeth commented idly, while browsing through the rack of ready-made dresses. "I guess I'm doomed to be old-fashioned."

"Nothing wrong with that. I mean, I would consider your beau a classic gentleman. He even still sports a beard—not that it doesn't suit him, and quite attractively."

Elizabeth smiled, remembering how that very beard had felt when he'd laid his cheek against her heart that morning.

"You're blushing," Faith gently pointed out.

"You're right; it does suit him," she replied mysteriously.

"I never got the chance to ask you about your Union City trip," Faith said casually—almost too casually. Elizabeth looked over at the next rack where her friend was sliding dresses over one by one.

"Oh, it was a lovely get-away," she said, pausing to note how Faith wasn't meeting her eyes.

"Did you stay in a fancy hotel? I know how Lucas likes to go all out."

Elizabeth watched her a few moments, sensing something was awkward or almost secretive about the tone of the conversation, though not, on the surface, the questions themselves. Instinct made her change the subject.

"Yes, it was very nice. How about you? How are things going at the clinic? Any summer colds I should be aware of?"

"Well, actually…"

Twenty minutes later, Elizabeth left the shop with a new blue dress (which fit at her natural waist). On impulse, she decided to stop at the barber shop. She hadn't had her hair curled since she'd grown it out, and she was hopeful that Mei might have the time to style it for her, and maybe even give her a facial. She certainly had plenty of money leftover even after the rather expensive dress, and perhaps looking her best would be her way of rewarding Lucas for his treating her. Well, among other rewards she could think of.

As luck would have it, the only other customer in the store was Molly, who was lying back in the barber's chair, letting one of Mei's masks do its magic.

"Well, good morning Elizabeth! In for a day of beauty?"

Elizabeth smiled. "Well, maybe not the full day, but I would like a proper style for my date with Lucas tonight, if you have time."

Molly opened her eyes, gave a quick glance at Mei, and abruptly sat up in her chair.

"Of course. Would you like to try this new rosehip mask I developed?"

"It smells heavenly," added Molly.

"That sounds lovely."

Elizabeth set down her purchases and sat in the chair Mei indicated, before tying a protective cape over her shoulders. While Mei pulled back her hair and prepared Elizabeth's facial, Molly took a moment to say: "I hadn't asked you about your Union City trip, Elizabeth. Did you and Lucas have fun?"

Elizabeth looked over at Molly, who had just asked the very same question Faith had, and coincidentally, in the very same tone.

"It was lovely," she answered slowly. She happened to glance in the mirror, and saw that Mei had met Molly's eyes and shook her head once—in warning?

"Rosemary mentioned you saw a play," said Mei. "I love plays."

"Yes, me too."

Conversation turned toward plays in general, as well as discussion of the new dresses in the dress shop, with a sprinkling of town gossip. Nothing really new or different about the conversation. Still, Elizabeth had a sense of misgiving that never quite went away. At any rate, an hour and a half later, she left the shop, her hair beautifully curled around her face and turned under in the back with Mei's curling tongs, but feeling somehow disconcerted by the experience.

She was meeting Rosemary for lunch, then would pick Jack up from daycare. Allie had agreed to watch him for the evening after the drug store closed. She met her best friend, who seemed somewhat withdrawn, though she raved over her hairstyle. She'd made a valiant effort to be her usual ebullient self, but Elizabeth knew better. Something was definitely off.

They ordered chicken salad sandwiches and iced tea and made small talk. Halfway through the meal, Rosemary lowered her voice.

"So I take it you haven't told Allie yet about your engagement, given you still aren't wearing that beautiful ring of yours."

Elizabeth was startled by the sudden turn of topic. "No," she said. "I'm not sure she's ready to hear it yet, although I'm going to try to talk with her again in a few days."

"Oh. Well, I hope that goes smoothly."

"Me too."

"Have you and Lucas set a date?"

"Yes," she replied, but didn't elaborate. The date had already been two weeks ago.

Rosemary went unusually quiet for a moment, then she said brightly: "I can't wait to see your wedding, and I hope we get to meet all of your parents. There is nothing better than being with your friends and family on such a happy occasion."

"Yes," agreed Elizabeth, wondering how long she could keep answering her best friend in monosyllables. For a moment, she felt guilty and almost confessed all. It was sad to think that she didn't trust Rosemary, but ever since Elizabeth had felt her push her toward a relationship with Nathan and away from Lucas, she'd lost some of her faith in her friend's judgment, and she wondered if she'd ever get it back. It made Elizabeth wonder if she'd ever fully forgiven her.

Their conversation moved to talk of the theatre, of the plans for opening night in a few weeks, but despite the lifting of Rosemary's spirits, Elizabeth couldn't help the feeling that something wasn't quite right, that perhaps Rosemary was angry with her. But something kept Elizabeth from coming right out and asking her.

It was this feeling that had Elizabeth making one last stop before completing her afternoon errands and picking up Jack. She walked into the Queen of Hearts, nodded and smiled at Bill, Henry, and Constable McDaniel, who were gathered around the bar, Mike pouring their drinks behind it. The door to Lucas's office was open, and she knocked politely on the door frame. He looked up from his accounting book and his surprised and pleased smile lit up his face. He rose immediately and walked around to her as she shut the door for added privacy.

"My, is this all for me?" he asked, his eyes touching on her shiny curls and glowing complexion.

"Oh!" she said, her hand going to her hair. "I forgot this was meant to be a surprise for our date. I—I just had to talk to you about something."

He bent and kissed her soft cheek, lingering there as he closed his eyes and inhaled the scent of roses.

"Well, you look and smell lovely. Please, sit," he said, leaning against the front of his desk while she set down her basket and sat on the settee before him. She was clearly out of sorts, and his brow knit in concern.

"What is it?"

"I think our secret is out," she said.

"What?"

"I've had several very strange conversations today, and it all started with these." From her basket she fished out the envelope containing their pictures and handed it to him. He smiled softly, his eyes misty as he pulled out the photographs and saw the tangible images of the best day of his life.

"Oh, Elizabeth…these are so wonderful. It still doesn't capture how incandescently beautiful you looked."

She allowed herself a moment with him to remember their wedding, the joy both of them had felt in those happy moments.

"It was incredible," she said, meeting his eyes with tears in her own. "Now, look on the outside of the envelope."

He turned it over and saw the name Mrs. Elizabeth Bouchard, and his heart skipped a beat seeing the reality of what had happened manifested in writing. But then he looked at her anxious expression and recalled her words about having been discovered. It suddenly dawned what must have happened.

"Someone at Yost's saw this, didn't they?"

"Well, I know Ned must have for sure, but he didn't mention it, acting like he hadn't even seen it at all. But I fear it was no coincidence that Florence, Faith, Molly, Mei and Rosemary all treated me strangely today, as if they were awkwardly holding something back around me, not to mention all of them inquiring about our recent trip to Union City."

"Hmm. That might explain why Bill seemed stilted, and Constable McDaniel bringing up the fact that the library seemed to be keeping later hours lately."

Elizabeth's face turned pink, remembering their recent tryst in the library. "You don't think he—Oh my goodness."

"And then of course there was Lee the other morning. It might be safe to say they're all onto us now."

Nothing could detract from how happy he had been to finally be with his wife in every way, and he actually felt a wave of masculine pride that people knew this amazing woman was his alone. But he knew Elizabeth felt more embarrassed than proud, so he held back his grin.

"I just hope Allie doesn't hear it from someone else."

"Hey," he said, squeezing in beside her on the narrow settee. "Come here."

He pulled her close and kissed her cheek again. "I'm sorry, but we knew the risk of trying to keep a secret in this town. I suppose it's up to you whether you just want to officially announce it or continue the ruse."

"Well," she pondered, resting her head against his shoulder. "They don't know that we know."

He gave a surprised laugh. "What?"
"They don't know that we know, so that means we can keep trying to hide this from Allie until I can talk to her and help her see our side of things, that we weren't trying to hurt her."

"I'll try to find out tonight if she knows too when she comes over to watch Jack."

"You asked Allie?"

"Yes. I thought it might be a step toward rebuilding trust with her."

Lucas nodded his approval. "Good idea. You know, you could always come and work for me. You're wonderful at diplomacy and negotiations."

"I might have made quite the successful businesswoman," she teased, "given you a run for your money."

He couldn't resist indulging himself with her self-satisfied lips, but pulled away slightly before he stopped resisting the impulse to clear off his desk.

"Speaking of business," he said throatily, "I should, uh, get some work done before our date. I'll pick you up at seven."

"Where are we going?" she asked, before stealing another quick kiss.

"Nowhere, if you keep doing that." His laugh was low and raspy with desire. He stood then and pulled her to her feet, then walked with her the few short steps to the door, picking up her basket and draping it over her arm.

"Until later, my love."

He watched her walk down the short hall and disappear back into the saloon. With a heavy sigh, his eyes rested longingly on the large, heavy desk. He didn't foresee that recent sensual image leaving his mind anytime soon.

Xxxxxxxxxx

Lucas stopped his car in front of Elizabeth's house just as the sun was beginning to dip below the horizon, turning the world pink and gold—a perfect summer evening. She opened the door to him wearing a lovely peacock blue silk dress that gently but modestly followed her curves. He'd seen her in the new drop-waist style when he'd taken her to a speakeasy, and while she would look beautiful in anything, he liked that he could see the precise place where his hands could rest at her tiny waist. With her hair curling beguilingly around her shoulders, she looked like she'd stepped out of a dream. His dream.

"You look breathtaking," he said, bending to press his lips to her cheek. The faint scent of roses lingered from when he'd seen her that afternoon, bringing to mind his desire to forgo this date and find a private place to claim was his.

He straightened, however, and presented her with the wild pink rose he'd plucked from a fencepost vine. She smiled and brought it to her nose, closing her eyes as she breathed in the sweet fragrance.

"Thank you," she whispered, her blue eyes meeting his.

"Hello, Mr. Bouchard," said Allie behind them beyond the doorway.

"Allie. So nice to see you, and kind of you to keep Jack for us this evening."

The girl nodded in reply, just as Jack bounded down the stairs with his toy airplane in hand. "Buddy!"

Everyone grinned as Jack brushed past the two ladies to run to Lucas's arms.

"Hey, Buddy. Are you going to be good for Allie while we're gone?"

"Yes, and she said she would show me how to bait my hook."

They were going fishing in the pond in the field across the street.

"You don't mind handling those nasty worms?" asked Elizabeth, nose wrinkling.

"I like the way they squirm in my hands," Jack said, eliciting a shudder from his mother.

"Still a city girl at heart, I see," teased Lucas with a grin.

"I don't think I've ever seen you fish," she countered in mock annoyance.

He shrugged. "Some men are born fishermen, some businessmen. Unfortunately, I've never been able to reconcile the two."

"My dad loved to fish," came a suddenly sullen Allie.

Elizabeth turned to her. "Yes he did," she said gently. "And he was very good at it."

"An admirable skill," added Lucas sincerely, eyes meeting Allie's.

Fortunately, Jack's oblivious excitement about his evening plans with Allie dissipated the awkwardness.

"We'll be at the new theatre," said Lucas quietly to Allie, as Elizabeth was discussing fishing safety with her son. He slipped several bills into her hand and gave her a wink, then, amid goodbye hugs and several be carefuls to Jack from his mother, Lucas escorted his date to his waiting car.

She was surprised to see him stop in front of the newly constructed theatre on the edge of town. Nearly complete, it rose two stories, with two faux marble columns on each side of the wavy topped two-sided marquee. Already, the letters on the marquee proclaimed opening night would be August thirtieth, a month and a half away.

Elizabeth hadn't been inside the place in weeks, and the carpenters and hired architects had been working round the clock to finish—except this evening, when Lucas and Lee had given them the night off. Lucas opened one of the double doors with his key, and she entered the lobby with a gasp. Rosemary's vision of a recreation of her favorite theatre in New York City, The Lyceum, (though on a much smaller scale) was taking on an awe-inspiring grandeur. Lucas flipped on the lights, and a crystal chandelier descending from the domed ceiling lit up the marbled floors and arched doorway into the theatre.

"Much to Rosemary's disappointment, real Athenian marble wasn't in the budget, and the walls are painted white instead of tiled, but I think the general atmosphere of the original is here."

"It's amazing," said Elizabeth, truly in awe. Lucas grinned, then took her hand and opened the door to the auditorium. Another switch turned on recessed ceiling lights, revealing red walls and molded suggestions of Grecian flowers, fruit, and urns. Above the stage and movie screen, the proscenium arch was decorated with a gold-painted plaster sculpture of Athena herself (whose face, if one looked more closely, seemed to resemble a certain local lady of the theatre), the muses of tragedy and comedy flanking her on either side, along with gilded plaster swags.

A player piano was stationed at the bottom of stage right, designed for musical accompaniment for the silent films they would show, but also allowing a pianist to manually play along with either a film or future theatrical performances on the stage. There was even room for an orchestra should it someday become feasible.

A contrast to the crimson walls, the curtains and ten rows of removable leather seats were of a rich royal purple. Beneath their feet, low-napped red carpeting led down the single aisle dividing the seats.

"It will just seat two hundred for now," Lucas was saying, "but there are plans to build a balcony should we become successful enough, and perhaps even box seats on the sides. Rosemary would also like murals on the ceilings, but that would be much further down the line, but the crown molding will be installed soon."

"I can't believe how much you have done, how magnificent everything is, even at this stage of construction. You, Rosemary, Lee, and Henry have certainly put a lot of thought and effort into this place. I'm so proud of you!"

He felt himself blush a little at her praise. "Thank you. There's still plenty more to do, and it's still unfinished, but I wanted you to see it since the curtains were installed. It's really starting to come to life in here." He looked around the auditorium with deserved pride. He turned to his wife with a smile.

"Now, if you'll direct your attention to orchestra stage left, you'll see Gustave has delivered a lovely dinner of game hens, wild rice, and fresh asparagus."

She'd been so overwhelmed by the spectacle around her, she hadn't notice to small table for two set with covered dishes and wine chilling in a silver bucket. A Victrola had been placed on the stage, and before they sat, he put on a record of Chopin's nocturnes to play softly in the background while Elizabeth lit the candles on the table. She'd pinned the rose he'd given to her in hair with her barrette, and as they sat down to eat, he was once again captivated by how beautiful she looked by candlelight. She smiled at his regard, reaching across the table for his hand.

"Promise me you'll never stop doing things like this, even when I tell you that you shouldn't."

He chuckled. "Oh, you can depend on me for that." He bent and kissed her left hand where her ring should be, looking wistfully down at her empty finger.

"Soon," she said softly in understanding, "that's my promise."

He nodded. "Speaking of which…did you get the idea that Allie was in on the worst kept secret in town?"

"No, I don't believe so, although she seems to have warmed up a bit to me. This makes me hate even more that I'm keeping things from her, but I'm seeing more clearly what must be done soon before she finds out from someone other than me. We're going riding tomorrow afternoon, so I'm hoping maybe I can gently begin to broach the subject. I want to live with my husband, out in the open. I beginning to think keeping this from everyone was a really bad idea."

Lucas smartly said nothing, but took a sip of champagne, his heart filling with joy that at last she was coming to the same conclusion he'd had long before they were married. Patience, he knew, had always paid off for him in the past, even through the heartbreak.

"Go ahead, Lucas Bouchard, feel free to say you told me so."

"I wouldn't dream of it. Besides, your heart was in the right place, and I was willing to do anything to get you to the church…and into my bed," he ended suggestively.

"Hmm…and why do you suppose I eloped with you, risked the wrath of Rosemary along with the chance Allie would find out?"

"My charming personality?" he ventured, eyes sparking with mischief.

Her lips quirked, while her heartrate picked up speed. "Something like that."

And this, of course, is what led to them making love on the chaise lounge in the recently finished lady's retiring room.

Xxxxxxxxxxx

The next afternoon, Elizabeth had just put on her riding clothes when the telephone rang. It was the daycare. Apparently, Jack must have caught the summer cold Faith had mentioned was going around, for the little boy was running a fever.

"I'll be right there," she told Molly with a sigh. She glanced at the clock; Allie was expecting her at the stables in fifteen minutes. She picked up the phone and called Lucas.

"And to what do I owe this pleasure, dear wife? I figured you'd be on a horse by now."

Elizabeth sighed. "I should be, but Molly called and Jack is sick. Would you be able to meet Allie at the stables in fifteen minutes? I don't want her to think I stood her up."

Lucas was already rising to his feet. "Of course. Don't worry; I'll drive right over, unless you would like me to get Jack so you could go to Allie."

"Thank you, but he really clings to me when he's sick. Besides, I don't want you to get this cold either."

Lucas was quiet a moment. "You realize, when we are all living together, I'm going to be subject to all kinds of childhood illnesses."

She smiled. "That's my dream. But, in the meantime, I might be able to save you from this one."

"Does it sound strange that I can't wait either? Or maybe it's the thought of you spoon-feeding me chicken soup and putting cool towels on my head…"

"You'll rue the day you made that wish."

He grinned, still imagining it. "I doubt it. Well, let me get going, and give Jack my love, poor little Buddy. I love you both."

Xxxxxxxxxxx

Lucas found Allie in the stables, struggling to put Newton's saddle on. He rushed over to her before she dropped it, as the tall horse moved restlessly beneath her.

"Hey, let me help," he said, rescuing the falling saddle. He finished putting it on for her, and she bent to buckle it beneath the animal's belly.

"Thank you, Mr. Bouchard. Are you coming with Mrs. Thornton and me?"

"No, I'm afraid I have to get back to work. She sent me to tell you that she can't go riding today. Jack has a fever and was sent home from daycare."
"Oh, I hope he's okay."

"Me too, and I hope you don't get it too, since you sat with him last night."

"He did seem a little sleepier than usual; I guess he was starting to feel bad."

Lucas watched as she sighed and began petting Nathan's horse, regarding Lucas thoughtfully. "Mrs. Thornton doesn't wear a ring anymore. Are you two still engaged?"

He tried to ignore how hopeful she sounded, and then he realized she was expecting an answer to this tricky question. Keeping a secret like this was much easier than having to answer a direct question, and he hated lying to this young girl, who had been through so much, had experienced so much loss and disappointment already.

"Not exactly," he hedged.

She cocked her head. "What do you mean? Everyone is always tiptoeing around me these days, like I'm not old enough to handle tough things."

He met her gaze with a level stare. "You did run away upset when you saw Elizabeth and I were engaged."

She blushed. "I was just taken by surprise."

"Hmm. So you don't have a problem with us getting married?"

"I, uh, guess it's not really any of my business now," she said, dropping her eyes. "It's not her job to worry about my feelings anymore."

"Whether it's her job or not, she's going to, and it hurts her to hurt you. She's your teacher, but she's also the best friend a person could have. You probably don't want to ruin that friendship, do you?"

He was speaking gently to her, but also trying to get her to see that her actions affected others. It was a hard lesson to learn at seventeen.

She shook her head. "No. But it would be nice to know what to expect, so I can start dealing with it. Mr. Bouchard, you've always been nice to me, and I'll always remember all the great things you've done for me and for the town, even when you didn't have to. I know you and Mrs. Thornton broke up because you became governor, but that gave Dad the chance to—" she stopped, wiping away sudden tears with the back of her hand.

"To be with the woman he loved," Lucas finished for her. He sighed. "Allie, part of being an adult is making choices and dealing with consequences, and the three of us grownups found ourselves in an emotional situation. Now, things are very different, as you can certainly attest to, but also part of being an adult is realizing that you have to move on with your life, in spite of the hard things that happen. That's what Elizabeth and I have tried to do."

"Does that mean you're not getting married now? I'm so confused."

Lucas always prided himself on knowing when the time was right for a deal, and it occurred to him then that Allie was practically begging to know the truth. He felt for her, but he also suddenly felt an overwhelming desire to end this maddening situation. Elizabeth was his wife, for heaven's sake; he had a right to be with her, had made vows to be with her forever. And so, knowing full well there might be consequences, Lucas Bouchard seized the moment.

"The truth is, Elizabeth and I are no longer engaged—we're married. That's why we went to Union City a couple of weeks ago."
"You—you're—what?"

"Married. And we're sorry we've kept it from you and from the whole town, but we didn't want to upset you."

"Well, guess what," she said, tears streaming down her face, "I'm more than upset—I'm mad! You lied to me. Dad always said not saying something important is as bad as a lie, and I hate you—both of you—for lying to me!"

"Allie, I'm—"

But before he could reach out to calm her, she was climbing up on the mounting block. Holding the pommel, she put one foot in the stirrup and awkwardly pulled herself onto Newton, throwing her leg over the saddle.

"Hey, wait! You're not supposed to ride Newton on your own!" He reached for the reins, but she was too fast for him, and he found himself talking to an empty stable. He looked over at his own horse, Ishmael, who was looking up at him with hopeful eyes. "Dammit," he muttered, then, acting quickly, he went to get his saddle.

He had some consequences to deal with.

A/N: Lucas, Lucas. For once, he ran out of patience a bit too soon. I think he's in a bit of a pickle now.

Thanks for waiting for this chapter. I hope you enjoyed it. More soon! Oh, if you'd like updates on this and any of my other stories, please follow me on X (Twitter). I'm Donnamour1969 there too.