As they arrived at Vincent's chamber, Mack came running up, and said, "Vincent! I have another letter. I sure love when someone writes to ya, cuz that gorgeous Oriental girl, sure knows how to deliver the mail!"
It was then, when Mack turned to Catherine, and with a trademark tweedle of his brows, and flirtatious smile, he said, "Well Hello again Pretty Lady!"
To which Vincent irritatingly reprimanded Mack, by saying, "I introduced you to Catherine before. Please have the courtesy to address her by name."
Upon hearing the tone in Vincent's voice, Mack meekly apologized and said, "Sorry man...err I mean Vincent...err..."
And so in an attempt to be more proper to please Vincent, Mack bowed at the waist, and then said, "Hello again Pretty Catherine!"
In reply, Catherine looked downward, and because she didn't like Mack any more than Vincent did, she tried to sound polite, as she said, "Hello Mack."
Vincent then thanked Mack for the delivery, and firmly said, "That will be all MACK!"
And because Mack picked up on Vincent's angst, he nervously backed away, and adding a little pep to his step, he trailed back through the tunnels!
As Vincent and Catherine watched him disappear, the pall of the correspondence hung over them, as they shared an uncomfortable humorous comment or two, about the personality of this unsavory character.
Meantime, Vincent had discreetly looked down at the postmark, and by the familiar handwriting, he knew it was from Brigit.
And because Catherine happened to notice Vincent checking out the letter, she waited for him to tell her who the letter was from.
And so finally, Vincent hesitantly said, "It is another letter from Brigit."
Upon receiving confirmation, of what she figured was so, Catherine sadly, but amusedly noted, "I shouldn't be surprised she has written you again so soon, writing is her profession after all..."
To which Vincent expelled a humored sigh, indicating he thought Catherine's comment, in spite of the situation, was quite witty. He then politely motioned to the threshold of his chamber, and asked, "Shall we?"
In reply, Catherine answered with a nod, as she tried to hide her disappointment that Brigit's looming ominous sway, had invaded their precious time alone AGAIN!
And as Vincent followed, he could feel her petulance, as they entered his chamber.
And so Vincent held out a chair for her, and said, "Catherine..."
To which although Catherine kept her eyes lowered, she accepted, saying, "Thank you."
Vincent then lit the candle on his writing table, and sat down, still nervously handling the letter.
And it was then, when she was sure Vincent was not looking at her, that Catherine raised her eyes, and witnessed him, as he wondered what to do!
Meanwhile, Vincent privately contemplated, "Should I read Brigit's letter in Catherine's presence, or wait till later?"
So to relieve Vincent from his battle of what is appropriate according to etiquette, Catherine offered, "It's all right if you want to read Brigit's letter Vincent..."
And so with a nod, Vincent removed the enfolded correspondence from its envelope.
Silently he read the letter and shifted nervously as he cleared his throat to say, "Brigit wanted to tell me she had received the hair ornament...Hmmm, I hadn't realized it had been part of a set in which her late husband, Ian had given to her. So Brigit writes it was very special to her, and she wishes to thank you for finding it Catherine."
Both Catherine and Vincent could not help but think back to the moment, when Catherine had accidentally discovered that hairpin at the Falls, and the awful moment when Vincent had to confirm the hairpin...was Brigit's!
Well the discovery of the hairpin, had certainly dampened the spirit of the day, not to mention when Vincent ultimately admitted Brigit had tried to share a kiss there as well.
And so Catherine downheartedly said, "It seems to me, if the hairpin was a gift from her late husband, she should have taken better care of it, and besides, we both know I found it accidentally....I don't want any credit from her for that."
Upon realizing Brigit had not made any points expressing her gratitude to Catherine, Vincent stood, feeling rather helpless, and unsure of where to take the discussion now!
And so to fill a bit of time, as he tried to find a way to ask Catherine if she minded if Brigit came to Winterfest! And so he lit a few other candles to help brighten the dim ambiance within his chamber, which was caused more by their dispositions, than lack of lighting.
And so Vincent gingerly replied, relaying, "Brigit is...is returning to New York for some personal matters, and as it so happened, because Pascal who had grown fond of Brigit, he had invited her to Winterfest, and in her letter...she has expressed a desire to come..."
Vincent then looked at Catherine as he added, "...and well, she wondered if she is still welcome."
As Catherine contemplated seeing Brigit again, she answered truthfully as she replied, "I feel as if you are asking for my approval."
To which Vincent admitted, "I suppose I am. I'm unsure what to tell her."
In response to Vincent's ponderance, Catherine borderline scoffed, as she curtly said, "Well if you still consider her a friend, and if you and Pascal want her to come, then she is welcome to come. It is not my decision to make, I mean after all, it's not MY Winterfest!"
To which Vincent worriedly, assessed, "I don't want her presence to upset you, it is clear the mere subject of Brigit, seems to disrupt your composure."
Feeling a little irritated, that Vincent didn't seem to be bothered by Brigit's past deceitful conduct, Catherine took a deep breath, and tried to reel in her emotions, before she explained, "I am still hurt she would have kept my letter from you. For her to deliberately hide a personal correspondence, seems so devious to me, and in my world, it would be criminal."
Upon hearing Catherine's opinion, Vincent kind of sarcastically asked, "Are you suggesting Brigit be prosecuted?"
To which Catherine, with a look, quickly responded, "No Vincent! You know I didn't mean any thing like that...but when I think of all the hurt her actions caused..."
But so, in an effort to be fair, Catherine then added, "...I know she apologized, and I suppose, I should be able to put the incident in the past, and just forget it...and maybe one day I will..."
Catherine then finished up, by saying, "...so, what I am saying, though I don't feel ready to see her myself, I will accept what ever you decide..if you and Pascal want her at Winterfest, then you should tell her she is still welcome."
Unsure really what Catherine could accept, Vincent stood commandingly before her, and reached for her hands, and pensively stood, as he thought of what to say.
As he then looked into her eyes, he said, "I will tell Brigit, it would be best to visit us...another time."
Maybe it was because Vincent was willing to refuse Brigit, or maybe it was because Pascal had feelings to consider too, that Catherine rethought her stance, and unselfishly said, "No Vincent...that wouldn't be fair to Pascal, it sounds like he really likes her...and I don't want to stand in his way. I can accept her being there."
Knowing how much Pascal did want Brigit to come, he was relieved that Catherine gave her approval, and said, "If you are sure Catherine...I know it will mean so much to Pascal that you are willing to look past her transgressions for him..."
And then Vincent passionately said, "...as for myself, I am so looking forward to presenting your Winterfest Candle to you...and I want your first Winterfest to be a memorable one...so no matter who else is there...I want to share it with you, so very much."
Catherine's heart broke as Vincent spoke these reassuring words...and the way he tipped his head always touched her. Such a subtle humble act, yet it held such power, that it swept her away every time.
Catherine looked down at their intertwined hands, and as she tipped her head forward to lean against his, she felt all was right again.
And as Vincent reached through their bond, he knew Catherine's heart, and sensed how much she needed him. And so in a soft intimate tone, he said, "I have a place Catherine, a place I would like to take you."
To which Catherine softly replied, "All right Vincent."
And so Vincent sent word via the pipes, that he was taking Catherine on an extensive tour of the tunnels, but would be available if anyone needed anything.
As they walked in silence, Vincent led them down a tunnel in the opposite way of the inner maze. When they reached their destination, Vincent lit a torch that was accessible on the outside tunnel wall, and he then turned to Catherine and protectively took her hand, and led her inside this far off lone chamber.
Vincent's Private Chamber
In wonder, Catherine watched as Vincent lit the many candles that illuminated the small cozy chamber, and as the flickering flames populated, Catherine was spell bound by this place as its contents came into view.
And so breathlessly, Catherine asked, "Vincent...where are we?"
Vincent looked downward, and said, "This is my private chamber...a place Catherine, where no one else comes."
Catherine smiled, feeling the enchantment of his home away from home, and she said, "I love it here Vincent."
To which Vincent amorously said, "I hoped you would feel as comfortable here as I do."
As Catherine turned, she passionately said, "I do..."
Vincent's Private Chamber to the right
Catherine looked around, and found this little chamber to be so captivating. It had a quilt on the bed sewn from varying hues of browns, and a stained glass window that was by his bed, just as he has in his home chamber. The stain glass window here though, was set into a pattern of a mountain and stream.
Then in the far corner, Vincent had a writing table, with a select few books stacked on it, along with a beautiful provocative piece of artwork called "Cupid and Psyche".
As Catherine admired it, she felt a blush rise in her cheeks as she enviously looked at the sensuous couple. She then too, wondered if Vincent was looking at her right now and could see, and sense her reaction to the mythical lovers.
As she regained her composure, she then walked over to the wall, and as she looked at the tapestry that was hanging there, she softly said, "Oh Vincent, this is stunning."
It was of Michelangelo's 'Creation' God creates Adam, the famous painting from the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. Catherine's initial reaction was of wonderment, that he loved one of her most favorite masterpieces too.
As she continued to admire the tapestry, Vincent thoughtfully said, "That painting had always intrigued me Catherine."
Catherine smiled as she agreed, saying, "Me too Vincent! The way Michelangelo painted God, and man, with so much thought to the details, the hidden and the obvious."
Vincent nodded in agreement, but then he said, "I suppose that is so Catherine, but that is not why it intrigued me as a young boy. Rather it was the thought behind this particular painting. That we are all created in God's image..."
As Vincent's voice trailed off, Catherine with concern looked at him, realizing because of his differences, this would have initialized questions for him as a child.
And so, as she noticed the pall which fell upon him, and in understanding why, she said, "Vincent, you know there are no two people who look alike, yet we are all his children. You mustn't look too deeply into the images projected here, I always thought Michelangelo was trying to depict the giving side of God's nature...and man's lack of effort to accept his love. Look how meekly the man is reaching back."
See Painting to the right
Vincent shook his head in wonder, as he looked to the tapestry with a new viewpoint, and it amazed him he had not seen that before!
And so, as he continued to analyze the possibility of Catherine's theory, he said in wonder, "I believe I was so caught up in Michelangelo's interpretation of God and man verses my own image, I did not look for something more."
To which Catherine lovingly replied, "I am always looking for something more."
She then took a deep breath, as they stood gazing at each other, unable to move as she saw the admiration in his eyes, yet too modest to assume this was indeed so.
Catherine then cleared her voice, and as she looked around, she noticed the chamber wall, opposite the threshold, where there was a small gallery of romantic paintings. Artwork which literally took Catherine's breath away.
Vincent's Small Gallery to the right
As she stepped up to the paintings, Vincent came up to view them along with her, and Catherine loved the sound of his voice, as he passionately spoke about each one, informing her of the name of the portrait and the artist who had painted it.
Vincent could not help but notice Catherine had raised her brow, as she looked at the Romeo and Juliet painting.
And so, Vincent asked, "Are you surprised by the art I have here?"
To which Catherine replied, "No, not surprised...these paintings are lovely Vincent, and it is a nice thought knowing you personally chose all these for a reason..."
Hesitantly, Catherine then added, "I suppose I am surprised though, by the existence of this chamber, and why you want it so far from everyone."
In reply, Vincent explained, "This is where I go when I want to be alone. Here, is where I allow myself to become lost in my thoughts, and in my dreams...without any distracting reminders of who I am."
Upon hearing Vincent's explanation, Catherine didn't move, as she lovingly said, "Who you are Vincent...is nothing to runaway, or hide from."
To which Vincent shamefully, said, "That was not always true Catherine...I have told you about the personal battle I waged, against a looming darkness, which had once tried to inhabit my heart...and consume my soul..."
As Catherine stepped up to Vincent, she asked, "And now Vincent? Is there any sense of this ominous darkness now?"
In reply, Vincent raised his eyes to meet Catherine's, and said, "You tell me Catherine."
Catherine never looked away, and without hesitation she said, "There is nothing in your heart that you cannot share with me."
Catherine then stepped closer still, as she tenderly said, "You give everyone so much, but to be complete, you must be willing to accept gifts too."
It was then, as Vincent listened to Catherine's tender words, that he actually felt the loving power of her heart, healing and convincing his.
Yes...Vincent knew Catherine had no fear of him, and he could now accept the darkness that once tried to devour his goodness, was truly nonexistent, and had left him free to love, and be loved by Catherine.
To be continued
Chapter Eleven
| Protector of my Heart! By Sharon Holtz Chapter Ten _________________________________ |
