Disclaimer: Don’t own Legacy or the characters, never will. Yes, I admit I stole the plot from the movie “While You Were Sleeping”. Please don’t sue. Oh, and this takes place somewhere around the first couple episodes.
 

Scene: The parlor, after supper

Ned Logan looked up from the letter he was reading. “Your cousin David is getting married.”

“Really!” Alice cried, delighted. “After all these years.”

“What do you mean, ‘after all these years’?” Sean asked. “David is only two years older than me.”

“Yes…but David was always popular with the ladies.”

Sean rolled his eyes. “That’s one way of putting it.” He turned to Clay.  “Remember the time we visited him in New York…”

“Yeah, he must have had a party every night we were there,” Clay
continued. “There was plenty of food, wine, and wo-”

“That’s enough.” Ned looked pointedly at Clay, then at Alice and Lexy.

“Who’s cousin David?” Jeremy asked.

“He’s a banker in New York,” Lexy told him. “He makes five thousand dollars a year. He used to visit us every summer until a few years ago.”

“He’s coming to visit in two weeks,” Ned said. “And he might even be able to convince his fiancée to come out with him.”

    * * *

Madeline Locke closed her eyes, feigning sleep. She was trying to avoid further conversation with her fellow traveler, David Anderson. The man had spent the past hours bragging about his job, lifestyle, family, friends and fiancée while flirting with her. She pitied the poor girl that was going to marry him.

Suddenly, the stagecoach pulled over to a ditch on the side of the road.  David slammed against her. “What the hell?” he muttered.

The door jerked open. A man leapt into the coach saying; “Not one move, or I’ll blow your brains out!” He slammed the door. “Now hand over your valuables.”

David stood up. “Not on your life.” Quick as a flash, the robber hit him over the head with the butt of his pistol. David fell out of the stage, on to the ground.

The robber directed the pistol at Madeline. “Check his pockets.”
Trembling, she climbed out of the stage and felt inside of David’s vest.  She pulled out a wallet and a pocket watch, and handed them over. “Now his boots.” She pulled them off and gave them to him. He tossed them to his partner.

“Now you,” the robber said.

“I don’t have anything,” she answered.

He checked her over carefully with his eyes. She didn’t look
particularly wealthy like the man, so he decided she must have been telling the truth. ‘Ride away,” he told his partner. They left Madeline and David on the road.

Madeline touched David on the shoulder. “David, get up.” He didn’t stir.  She shook him harder. No response. “That must’ve been one nasty fall,” she mumbled. She saw a house in the distance. She decided to take him there. But how?

Twenty minutes later, David’s coat was wrapped around his chest.
Madeline tied the arms together, and tugged. He slid a foot. She pulled him another ten feet, and rested. She continued this process for anothe mile, before giving up, and falling down, crying in frustration.

“The house is only a quarter of a mile away,” she told herself. “You can do it.” She saw a rider approaching. She jumped up, screaming, “Help, help!”

Sean was riding back to the house when he saw a woman at the side of the road flagging him over. He stopped. “Is there anything wrong, miss?”

She managed to say, “This man is badly hurt. I need your help.” Sean got off of his horse and took a closer look.

“What’s the matter with him?”

“We were traveling together, we were robbed, David was pushed out…”

“Wait, you said his name was David?” Sean interrupted. He took a better look at this dirty, disheveled woman.

“Yes,” she struggled to remember. “David Anderson. They left us, and I dragged him to here. But I can’t carry him anymore, I’m too tired and upset…” Madeline took a deep breath, trying not to get hysterical.  Suddenly the man enveloped her in a huge hug.

She pushed him away. “What was that for?”

“Oh, I’m sorry,” he apologized. “You don’t know who I am. I’m Sean
Logan, David’s cousin.”

“Oh.”

Sean picked up David’s limp body, and slung it over the horse. “We’ll have to go slow, but this will do for now.”

    * * *

The doctor finished looking over at David. “He’s in a coma,” he told
Ned.

“What does that mean?”

“He’s sleeping. But don’t worry, I think he’ll be out of it in less than a week.”

“What makes you think that?”

“Watch this.” The doctor squeezed his patient’s hand, and David’s eyes flickered. “He’s responsive to touch and sound. I would suggest everyone in the family spending time with him.”

“Thank you, doctor.” Ned walked him out.

Madeline sat in the living room with everyone else. Her presence was forgotten with the arrival of David. She wondered when it would be an appropriate time to leave. The family obviously didn’t need an extra inconvenience.

“David is fine. He is just in a coma,” Ned told his worried family. “He should wake up in less than a week.” His eyes fixed on the stranger, who was trying to leave unobtrusively.

“I’m sorry, we weren’t introduced. Who are you?”

Sean answered for her. “Pa, this is David’s fiancée, Madeline. She saved him.”

“No, I don’t think so,” Madeline tried to say, but her voice was lost in the commotion.

“You’re David’s fiancée!” the girl her age shrieked. She gave hugged her tight. “I’m Alice, and I’m so glad he found a nice girl like you.”

“I’m Lexy,” the ten year old threw her arms around her waist.

“Hello, my dear,” Ned extended his hand. “I’m Ned, David’s uncle. You must be tired.”

“Yes, I am, but I can’t stay here…”

“Sure you can. Alice, will you show our guest to her room?”

“This way.” Alice took her hand. As they walked up the stairs, Madeline over heard Sean saying: “She actually stood up to the robber. He pointed the gun at her, but she refused to leave David’s side.”

She groaned; the story was already getting out of control. How was she going to break the news to this family?

    * * *

Alice opened a door at the end of the hall. “This is your room. It’s
right next to David’s.”

“Thank you, Alice,” Madeline said weakly.

“You don’t have any other clothes, do you?”

“No, they were on the stagecoach,” she realized.

“Don’t worry, you can borrow some of mine.” Alice headed down the hall to her bedroom.

“Really, I don’t want to put you to any trouble,” Madeline called. She didn’t want to feel guiltier by taking more from these good people.

Alice reappeared with an armload of clothing. “Don’t be silly, we’ll be family soon. Besides, we owe you. You probably saved David’s life.”

“Do you mind if I look in on David first?”

She shook her head. “Of course not. I’ll just leave these on your bed.”

    * * *

Madeline closed the door. “Well, David, this is one hell of a mess you got me in. Or I got myself in.” She sat down in the chair by his bed.
“Let me introduce myself. I’m Madeline Locke, your fiancée.”

(Later that night)

“How is David?” Clay asked Alice. “I wasn’t there when he was brought in. and I know Pa said he would be fine, but Lexy was around.”

Alice answered seriously, “He’ll be all right, Clay. Would you like to see him?” He nodded.  They opened the door quietly.

“See, he looks healthy enough. Just a little pale,” she pointed out.

“Is that his fiancée?” Clay pointed to the chair.

“Yes, that’s Madeline. You’ll like her.”

“Really? She doesn’t look like David’s type.”

“His type? And how would you know what his type is, Clay?” Alice teased.

“Well, I spent that week in New York with him,” Clay countered.

“All right, all right. “ She put a finger to her lips. “Let’s go. We
don’t want to wake her.”

As soon they left, Madeline opened her eyes. Prospects were not looking good.

(Early morning)

Madeline woke up, disoriented. Then she remembered where she was. She sighed; she had hoped it was all a dream.

“Good morning, love of my life,” she said sarcastically to the sleeping man. “Or bane of my existence.” She stretched, walked to the other side of the room, and opened the door. “I shouldn’t talk to you like that. It isn’t your fault. Don’t worry, I’ll tell your family I’m not your fiancée. Today, I promise.” She left the room, and bumped immediately into a blond man about her age.

“I’m sorry,” she stuttered. “I didn’t see you there. We haven’t met.
I’m-”

“I know who you are. I’m Jeremy,” Jeremy interrupted. “We need to talk.  Meet me outside in ten minutes.”

    * * *

“Don’t tell them,” Jeremy warned.

“Excuse me?” Madeline asked.

“I accidentally overheard you talking to David. I know you’re not his fiancée.”

“I’m sorry about that. I’m planning to tell them this morning.”

“Didn’t you hear what I said? You can’t tell them. Not yet, anyway.”

“Why not?”

“I may not have lived with the Logans for a long time, but I think I know them pretty well. They all love David very much. Now they’ve lost him. But not with you here. It’s like they have David all over again. If you tell them the truth, they’ll lose him all over again.”

Madeline threw up her hands in frustration. “So when do I tell them? I have to tell them eventually.”

“Wait until David comes out of his coma, at least. Then they’ll be so happy, they won’t care.”

“I don’t know. What about my life? I can’t put it on hold indefinitely.”

“I’m just asking for one week.”

“Fine. I’ll keep my mouth shut for one week. But you’ll have to help me break the news to them.”

“Deal.” They shook on it.

    * * *

Madeline arrived at breakfast a little late as a result of her “walk”
with Jeremy.

“Sorry I’m late,” she apologized. She slid into the empty seat by Sean.

Ned shook off her apology. “Would you like some grits?” he asked,
passing them to her.

“You clean up nicely,” Sean observed. Without all the dirt and grime from traveling, Madeline was quite striking with a full head of curly brown- gold hair, petite features, and warm green eyes.

“Thank you,” she murmured. She caught the man sitting across from her staring at her. “Hello_Clay.”

He looked startled. “How did you know my name?”

“You’re the only member of the family I didn’t meet,” she tried to
smile.

“Yeah,” he looked over at her with thinly veiled suspicion. She quickly turned back to her grits.

    * * *

Later on, when Lexy was showing her the Andalusian, she complained to Jeremy. “This will never work.”

“You’re doing fine,” he reassured her.

“I think Clay knows. The way he was looking at me, he definitely knows.”

“Clay is always suspicious about strangers, especially with his family.”  He looked over her shoulder. “Speak of the devil…”

Clay smirked at them. “Your time’s up, Bradford. It’s my turn to charm our guest.”

“But I don’t want to leave Lexy and Jeremy,” Madeline protested.

“Lexy!” Clay called. She came running. “Do you mind if I take Madeline for a ride?”

“No.” Lexy noticed the sick look on Madeline’s face. “Unless of course, she can’t ride.”

She answered their unspoken question. “I can ride.”

“Fine. The stable is that way.” He started off in that direction.

“He certainly is a charmer,” she said dryly.

“Be brave,” Jeremy said mock-seriously.

    * * *
 

Clay slowed their horses to a canter. “So, how long have you known David?”

“Oh, it doesn’t seem that long,” Madeline laughed nervously. ‘Only about twenty four hours,’ she thought.

“Oh,” He shook his head, thinking, ‘What a little idiot.’

“So are you close with him?”

“Yes…I am his fiancée.”

“I know that. I just asked if you two were close.”

“What are you implying?” He didn’t answer, so she immediately thought the worst. “How dare you ask me a question like that, you arrogant clod.  That’s none of your business.” She spurred her horse into a full gallop.

“Damn, I didn’t mean it like that,” he called after her.

When he reached the stable, Madeline was already currying her horse.

“I didn’t mean it like that,” he told her.

“Sure sounded like it.”

“I meant, do you know him well?”

“What kind of question is that?” she evaded.

“Why are you answering every question with a question?”

“Why are you asking me all these questions?” She hung up the comb, and ran back to the house. He followed her.

“What was David’s favorite Shakespeare play?” he asked.

“Romeo and Juliet.” It was the only one she could think of at the spur of the moment.

Everyone looked at Clay. “David never read much Shakespeare,” he admitted.

She relaxed. Then another question: “David’s favorite horse?”

Madeline tried to remember what David had said. “Well, he bought an Arabian recently.”

“You didn’t answer my question.”

“I don’t know.”

“Aha!”

Ned looked over at Clay. “David was never much of a horseman. What’s with all these questions?”

“I don’t think she’s who she says she is.”

“Then who is she then?” Jeremy asked impatiently. He saw his plans going to hell.

Clay glared at him. “I don’t think she’s the woman engaged to David.”

“Are you accusing her of lying?” Alice asked, outraged. “Why would she do that?”

“I don’t know. Ask her.”

“Oh no,” Lexy cried. “Oh no.”

“See, you upset Lexy,” Sean accused. “What’s the matter, Lex?”

“I was thinking, if she wants to prove it, she will.”

All eyes on Madeline.

“Well,” she started, trying desperately not to look at Jeremy,
“David…David has this extra toe.”

“A toe?” Clay asked.

“Yes, on his right foot.”

“But who’s going to check?” Sean wanted to know.

 “Clay, you should. And Sean you go with him,” Ned instructed.

“Why me? Clay started with all the questions,” Sean protested.

“Do it.”

“Come on, Sean. We might as well get it over with.” Clay wearily climbed
the stairs.

(Five minutes later)

“Well?” Ned asked when the boys came down. Sean nodded slightly. He deftly changed the subject. “We should show you around more, Madeline.  Is there anything you would like to do?” She shrugged.

“We should all go on a picnic this afternoon,” Clay suggested.

“Good idea.”

    * * *

Madeline finished changing her dress to the one Alice lent her. Someone knocked. “Come in,” she called.

Jeremy entered. “You are amazing.”

“What do you mean?”

“How you managed to stay calm while Clay was interrogating you.”

“Yeah, thanks for your help.”

“I wanted to protect you, but that would have caused a greater scene.  Besides, you did fine. How did you know about the extra toe?”

She shook her head. “You don’t want to know.”

Someone else knocked. “Come in.”

It was Clay. His eyes widened in surprise when he saw Jeremy there. It looked like he was about to question them, but he thought better of it.  “Can I talk to you alone?” he asked Madeline.

She looked at Jeremy. “I’ll leave. See you at the picnic.”

Madeline closed the door after him. “Do you want to continue your
inquisition? Or are you planning to subject me to torture next to find the answers you want?”

He laughed. “I wasn’t that bad…was I?” She raised her eyebrows
skeptically. “Maybe I was. Anyway, I wanted to call a truce.”

“You know by calling a truce, you’re implying some of the blame is
actually on me. I think an apology is more appropriate.”

“I apologize for reprehensible behavior. I was a complete brute,
completely callous to your feelings, and I deserve to be whipped,
stoned.”

She frowned. “It’s acceptable to be sincere once in awhile. Personally, I find it a mark of maturity if you can fully admit your wrongs.”

“Madeline, are you implying I’m immature and childish?” He put his hand over his heart dramatically, as if she had wounded him.

“No, just pigheaded and stubborn. Just another typical boy.”

“Just a typical boy, huh?” He offered her his arm. “Then you shouldn’t condemn me for faults I have no control over.”

She took his arm. “I didn’t say that,” she tried to explain.

He guided her downstairs. “Yes, you did. But you made one mistake.”

“What was that?”

“I’m a man, not a boy.”

“Oh,” she smirked. “From where I’m standing, I don’t see any
difference.” She released his arm, and ran down the rest of the way, laughing.

    * * *

“Come on, Madeline, keep your eye on the ball,” Alice coached. “Jeremy, pitch it a little slower this time.”

“Alice,” Madeline cried despairingly. She swung wildly and missed. She tried to ignore the uproarious laughter from the picnic blanket.

“Clay.” Sean hit him on the shoulder.

“What?”

“Stop it. You’re making her play worse.”

“Is that possible?”

“Clay,” Ned remonstrated. “She’s our guest. Treat her with respect.”

“Oh, she knows I’m teasing, Pa. We have an understanding.”

Ned raised an eyebrow. “An understanding? Why don’t I like the sound of that?”

Clay turned back to the game. Madeline missed the ball. “Good job. Keep swinging like that and maybe you can give Jeremy a cold!”

She turned to Lexy. “How can someone be as sweet as you and be related to him?”

“Just pretend the ball has his face on it.”

Jeremy called, “I’ll pitch this one just the way you like it.”

Sean asked, “What do you have against her anyway?”

Clay was startled. “Nothing, really. She just has a way of getting under your skin.”

“I didn’t think she was here long enough to get under your skin,” Ned observed. He heard cheering, and turned back to the game. “Clay, watch out!” A ball hit Clay square in the chest.

“Who hit that?” Clay demanded.

“Look who’s running the bases,” Sean said, trying not to laugh. “She can hit, after all.” He and Ned stood up and started cheering her on.

“I’m the one who gets hit, and you’re congratulating her,” Clay said in disbelief.

“It was a magnificent hit,” Ned pointed out. Madeline finished running the bases, and hugged all her teammates.

“Behave yourself, Clay,” he warned when the team walked over.

“Wasn’t that a good hit, Clay?” Alice asked, laughing silently at him.

“Yes, it was.”

“I’m sorry the ball hit you,” Madeline apologized.

“Sure you are.”

She gave up her air of contriteness. “You deserved it, you kept on
heckling me.”

“You think that’s an excuse for bodily harm?”

“What’s with the chip on your shoulder? Why do you think everyone is out to get you?”

“You’re saying, you didn’t even try to aim the ball in my direction?”

“No. Well, maybe.”

“That’s all I wanted to hear.” He turned back to eating. She sat back on her heels, frustrated.

    * * *

“So, David, that’s what happened,” Madeline continued. “I guess you can say Clay and I don’t get along well. Most of the time, anyway. But the rest of the family is wonderful. Lexy is like the little sister I never had. She’s so easy to be with. Alice and I are already friends. Sean reminds me of my brother Robert and Ned…” Tears sprung from her eyes, and she wiped them away. “He reminds me of my father.”

Alice stuck her head in the doorway. “May I come in?”

Madeline composed herself. “Of course.” Alice sat in the chair on the other side of the bed.

“How is he?” she asked, studying David’s face.

“He has a little more color.”

“Yes, I think he does,” Alice agreed. Hesitantly she asked, “Can I ask you a personal question?”

“…Yes…”

“What is it like to be in love?”

Madeline laughed slightly. “Now that’s one question I did not expect.”

Alice looked at her, pleadingly. “I know we just met, but there is
nobody I can talk to. Lexy is too young, and Pa doesn’t like to talk
about Mother too much.”

“Why not?”

“She died when Lexy was born, didn’t you know?”

She shook her head. “What about Sean or Clay?”

“I think Sean is confused about love. He broke off his engagement to Vivian Winters so suddenly. And Clay, he never really had time for girls. He was always too busy with the horses.”

“That’s too bad.”

Alice shrugged. “So what is it like to be in love?” Madeline could
practically see the romanticized fantasies going on in her head.

“I can’t describe it.” She really couldn’t since she never experienced it. “From the look on your face, I don’t think I need to. Why did you ask me that?”

Alice flushed. “No reason.”

“Alice,” Madeline teased in a singsong voice. “Are you in love?”

“No! It’s just that, I am eighteen-”

“Same age as me.”

“Exactly. You are as old as I am, but you’re the one engaged. I haven’t even been asked yet.”

“Alice, there are plenty of girls your age in your situation. Besides,
you could easily be married. But you want a marriage of love, first and foremost.”

“My mother found the love of her life at seventeen,” Alice pointed out.

“And my mother waited until she was twenty to be married. Yet, she still had a loveless marriage.”

“She didn’t marry for love?”

“She thought she did,” Madeline reflected. “My father fascinated her. I think she fascinated him as well. But they were too different.”

“So age doesn’t reflect when you find love at all,” Alice decided.

Madeline smiled. “But you never know, sometimes you can find love right under you nose. Jeremy Bradford, for example-”

“Shh!” Alice looked around. “Someone might be listening.”

“Don’t worry, David will keep the secret.” Her face fell. “Bad joke.”

Clay, who was walking by the room asked, “What was a bad joke?”

Alice wagged her finger at him. “Didn’t anyone ever tell you it’s bad manners to listen in on other people’s conversations?”

“You wouldn’t.” Clay affectionately ruffled her hair. “I don’t know
who’s the bigger gossip, you or Lexy.”

“Excuse me,” Madeline stood up. Clay nodded.

“Where are you going?” Alice demanded. Madeline took a step back, startled.

“To my room, madam.” She left.

“Good job, Clay.” Alice smacked him lightly on the arm.

“What did I do?”

“You scared off our guest. We were in the middle of a very important discussion.”

“But I didn’t do anything.”

“You didn’t need to do anything. Your mere presence scares her off.” She stomped out of the room.

    * * *

“Then Alice had the audacity to suggest that I intimidate Madeline simply by being in the same room with her,” Clay finished. “Why does everybody think I’m the bad guy?”

“No one thinks you’re the ‘bad guy’,” Sean reassured him. “Just ease upon her a bit. She’s going through a rough time, with David’s condition and all.”

“You’re right. I have been a little insensitive.”

“A little?” He raised his right eyebrow skeptically.

“Well, maybe a lot. I don’t know why you are so protective of her. I
think she enjoys sparring with me.”

Sean held up his hands defensively. “Don’t be so defensive.”

“Who’s acting defensive?” His brother didn’t answer, afraid of
antagonizing him further. Sean decided to risk it.

“I think you like Madeline more than you let on, Clay.” Clay laughedderisively, but Sean ignored him. “You just have more ‘creative’ ways of showing it. Instead of pulling her hair or pinching her, you decide to beat her verbally.” Clay looked at him strangely. “What is it?” Sean asked.

“I’m checking for a bump. The way you’re talking, it sounds like you hurt your head, not David.”

    * * *

Madeline was in her room, reading Oedipus the King, when someone knocked. She stood up and slipped on a wrapper. “Come in.”

“It’s me,” Clay said, opening the door. He noticed that she was dressed for bed. “Did I come at a bad time?”

She shook her head. “No, not at all. Sit down” He still looked
uncomfortable, and she sighed. “What is it, Clay?”

“I’m here to offer a sincere apology.”

“About time,” she muttered.

Clay pretended not to hear this. “I’m sorry about the way I acted. I
would tell you why I treated you the way I did, but truthfully, I’m not sure myself. I want to make an effort to be your friend.”

“Thank you,” Madeline said, not knowing what else to say. “I’d like it if we could be friends, too.”

“Good.” There was an awkward silence. Clay noticed the book on her chair. “What are you reading?”

“Oedipus the King.”

“Ah, the story of one man’s search for truth at the expense of his life.  One of my favorite Greek tragedies.”

“You’ve read it?”

“Of course. You didn’t think I spent all my time working with the
horses, did you?” She opened her mouth as if to speak, then she shut it.  “You shouldn’t make judgements based on appearances.”

“And neither should you.”

“Hey, I never made any assumptions based on your looks.  I just didn’t like you.”

“Well, as long as you didn’t base it on appearances alone.”  Madeline said with a giggle.

“Anyway, why did you think that I spent all my time with horses?”

“Well, look at you. You are fairly attractive, yet you are twenty-one and not even married.”

“Now wait a darn cotton picking minute, Sean is older than me and he’s not married.”

“At least he was engaged,” she said.

“And what is that supposed to mean?”

“Nothing I can say without offending you.”

“Try me.”

“Well, I haven’t known you for a long time, but I think your whole view on womankind is misconstrued.” She saw him frown, and rushed on, “I watch the way you interact with your sisters and other women. You put women in one of two categories: angels or seductresses.”

Clay had to smile at the seriousness of her tone. “You think this a bad thing?”

“Yes. Not all people are good or bad. Most fall in between.  I know you consider Lexy and Alice angels, but what about the other women you know?  They all can’t be the ‘seductresses’.”

“I don’t think my opinion on women is that harsh. Did you ever think the reason I haven’t married yet is because I haven’t found the right person? Not because my view is off kilter. Besides,” he continued, “If I think all women are angel or seductresses, what category do you fall under?”

“Good question.” Madeline changed the subject. “So have you read anymore of Sophocles’ plays?”

“Only Antigone. How about you?”

“I’m starting to read his work myself. My father used to read the plays to me when I was younger.”

“Heavy concepts for a child.”

“Indeed.” She sat back down on her bed and discreetly yawned, hoping he would get the hint.

“Where was that?” Clay sat down in the chair across from her.

“Huh? Oh, in London and in Manchester.”

“A proper English lady,” Clay commented, his eyes twinkling. He found it somewhat amusing, and this infuriated her.

“Yes, sir, I am,” Madeline adopted the drawling accent of the English upper class. “And because I’m such a proper lady, I must ask you to leave. We must not have the neighbors gossiping.”

“All right, I get the hint. I try to be a proper host and entertain my
guest, but no-”

“Entertain me tomorrow.” She ungraciously shoved him out the door.

    * * *

“What should we give Madeline and David for an engagement present?” Alice asked during breakfast.

Ned shut the paper. “What would you like to give them?”

“I don’t know. David could probably buy anything he wants.”

“Well, you have to make it extra special, then. Oh, by the way, you’ll have to make some courtesy calls to our neighbors.”

Alice groaned. “Can’t I put them off until David gets better? If I wait, then I can introduce the happy couple together and make half as many visits.”

“Fine. But you’ll be the one doing the explaining at the Peterson’s
party tomorrow.” Ned turned back to his paper.

“How about you do something with your art?” Lexy suggested. “Maybe a landscape, or a portrait.”

    * * *

Clay fussed with his tie. “I can’t make this damn thing straight!” He yanked it off and tossed it on the bed.

Sean opened the door. “Are you ready now?” He was impeccably dressed, tie and all.

“No. This won’t go on straight.” Clay picked up the tie, disgusted and handed it to his brother.

“Stand still,” Sean ordered. Clay was practically hopping around.
“There,” he said, tying it on.

Clay looked at himself in the mirror. “Not bad,” he said, touching it.

“What are you so nervous about, anyway?”

“Nervous? Who says I’m nervous?”

“Then why do you care what you look like?”

“I always care what I look like.” Clay looked in the mirror again. “I
don’t think it’s straight.”

“Not again!” Sean groaned. Jeremy, who was walking by, poked his head in. “Clay, are you ready to go? The girls are waiting for us.”

“What took you so long?” Lexy demanded. “You look the same as you always do?”

“Do you mean I always look this good? I always achieve this type of perfection?”

Lexy made a funny noise, like a groan. “Can we go, Pa?”

He answered, “In a minute, dear. Madeline isn’t ready yet.”

“Yes I am.” Madeline stood in the doorway, watching them.

“Mattie,” Alice said warmly. “You look beautiful.”

“This is your dress, Alice,” she pointed out, embarrassed, touching the skirt of the sky blue dress.

“Very nice,” Sean said approvingly. Jeremy nodded and winked at her. She threw him a black look, and he chuckled.

But Clay’s reaction impressed Jeremy the most. Clay turned red, mumbled something under his breath, and avoided making eye contact with her.

As they walked out of the house, Jeremy murmured to Alice, “I think you look very pretty.”

She flushed with pleasure. “And you look very handsome.”

Madeline, who was walking behind, watched the two with amusement. She hooked her arm with Lexy’s. “Look, Lex,” she said, trying to point to the couple discreetly.

“Look where?” She asked loudly, looking around. Jeremy and Alice broke away, embarrassed.

    * * *

(The Party)

“May I have this dance?” Sean bowed slightly at the waist to Madeline.She nodded, taking his arm as he led her to the dance floor. The dance was the polka, so they did not speak to each other at first, trying to concentrate on the dance.

“Which one is Vivian?” she whispered, breathless.

“How do you know about Vivian?”

“Is she the one staring at us now?” Sean turned Madeline quickly, and looked over her shoulder.
 
“Yes.”

“Well, introduce us!”

“Why don’t you dance, Clay?” Alice asked. She and Jeremy had been keeping him company around the punch bowl.

“What are you talking about? I’ve danced.”

“With Lexy and Alice,” Jeremy pointed out. “Those don’t count.”

“Hey,” Alice grumbled good-naturedly. “What is that supposed to mean?”

He smiled charmingly at her. “No offense.” To Clay, “Ask someone.”

“Is he still not dancing?” Sean asked, walking over to the refreshment table with Madeline in tow.

“What is this, some big conspiracy?” Clay wanted to know. “Then the answer is no.”

“What do you have against dancing?” Madeline questioned. “Or are you hopelessly uncoordinated?”

He bristled. “I can dance perfectly fine.”

“Then show me,” she challenged. “A waltz is starting.”

“All right. Just don’t step on my toes.”

As they walked away, Jeremy said, “Those two would be good together.” Sean and Alice looked at him.

“What are you talking about?” Alice asked. “They always fight.”

“Yeah, and she’s engaged to our cousin.” Sean shook his head.

“How do you think I’m doing?” Clay asked smugly, as led her around the floor in long, looping circles.

“Not bad,” Madeline conceded. “Actually, I think I’m the one out of
tune. It’s been such a long time since I have danced like this.”

“Really? I thought David would have taken you to more dances,” he commented innocently. She shook her head quickly. “Did you finish reading Oedipus?”

“Yes.”

“How did you like reading it this time?”

“It was depressing. He destroyed himself to find the truths he wanted.”

“You don’t think the truth is worth that much? He made the right choice for his people, if not the right choice for himself.”
 
 “The truth is very important to you isn’t it?” She was serious.

“Yes. Isn’t it for you?”

 Someone tapped him on the shoulder, and Clay stopped dancing. It was William Winters.

“May I cut in?”

“Don’t you want to know who you’re going to dance with first?” Clay asked bluntly.

“I am William Winters. And you are?”

“Madeline Locke,” Madeline supplied.

“She’s marrying my cousin,” Clay added.

“Locke,” William muttered. “Now why does that sound familiar?”

“I don’t know why. We’ve never meant before,” Madeline countered.

“It’s an English name…Were you born in England?”

Despite himself, Clay was intrigued. “She was, William. What are you getting at?”

William ignored this. “Any relation to Joseph Locke of Brown and Locke Associates?”

Madeline sighed. “Joseph Locke is my grandfather.”

William smiled condescendingly. “How serendipitous for your family, Logan.”

“I don’t know what you are talking about,” Clay said. Madeline tugged at his sleeve urgently.

“Are you saying it’s a mere coincidence that your cousin is marrying into one of the biggest banking families in Europe? I hear the Lockes are as rich as Croesus. Is it true?”
He asked her.

“Mr. Winters, I’m still a little unfamiliar to this country,” she began.  “But in England, it is in exceedingly bad taste for a gentleman to talk about money in public. Is it the same custom here?”

William’s eyes gleamed. “Point well taken.” He inclined his head
slightly. “Maybe we’ll have the next dance together.”

Madeline said to Clay, “I need some air.” He led her out to the garden.  She sat down on a bench tiredly.

“Why haven’t you talked about your family before?”

“I have.”

“Only once, and only in passing. Why didn’t you tell me you were related to the Lockes?”

“Because it’s not important, that’s why!”

He thought aloud, “But it would explain a lot.”

Madeline exploded. “What is that supposed to mean? You’re saying the only reason David would marry me if I was a wealthy heiress?” The look on his face confirmed her suspicions.

 “I didn’t mean it like that.”

 “Well, it’s the truth, obviously. Why did you deliberately deceive us?”

“I never lied.”

“You intentionally withheld the information. That’s just like lying.”

“Do you want to know the truth?” She didn’t wait for him to answer.  “Fine, here it is. My father, Edmund Locke is the second son of JosephLocke. Then he became the black sheep of the family when he married my mother, Catherine O’Donnell. An Irish woman. He was told by his own father to resign his partnership. My father avenged himself by withdrawing his capital from the bank, which was a far worse crime than marrying my mother, to his family.”

“Why are you talking in past tense?” Clay asked.

“My father is dead. Four years ago, there was a financial crisis. My
father’s cotton factory went bankrupt. He was found in his office, the morning after. He had shot himself right here,” she pointed to her temple.

“I’m sorry…”

She laughed caustically. “So, I’m hardly a wealthy lady. I guess money isn’t the reason David decided to marry me in the first place. So think next time before you make that assumption.”

He sat down next to her. “I’m sorry-”

“Sure you are.”

“I wouldn’t have said anything if I had known-”

“But you didn’t. Oh well.” They sat together in silence.

Madeline gradually became more and more conscious of Clay’s presence. His leg was pressed against hers, his face turned away, shadowed. She studied his profile out of the corner of her eye. Then his wide shoulders, his thighs outlined in his breeches, and she looked away quickly, embarrassed.

Clay turned to her, wanting to say something, but the look on her face stopped him cold. Madeline was staring at the rosebushes, but he knew she wasn’t seeing them. He tried to sort out his conflicted feelings.

He respected Madeline; she stimulated him. Aside from his sisters, Clay never had a relationship with another woman like that. Perhaps she was right; maybe his relationships with women were a little warped. He had to admit she was pleasant to look at. She had this innocent, fresh scrubbed look, but her eyes looked anything but naive. They seemed to look through a person. And she turned her all knowing eyes on him then.

“Penny for your thoughts,” she murmured.

“They’re worth far less than that,” Clay told her hastily. He was right, they were stupid, inane thoughts. She looked at him curiously, questioning. He met her gaze steadily.

It was funny; Clay would think later, how long they stared at each
other. There was no threat or fear in her expression, her eyes clear andguileless. Finally something did come into her eyes; admiration, tenderness, and (he must have imagined it) wistfulness. As if she wanted to change something, but she couldn’t.

“Clay? Madeline?” Sean walked out into the garden. He saw them sitting on the bench, and they broke apart guiltily. His eyes narrowed in suspicion, but he didn’t say anything.

“Yes, Sean?” Clay asked.

Sean looked over at Clay, then Madeline, and then back at Clay again. “I just received word from the house. David is awake. We are leaving right now. Ready to go, Madeline?” he offered his arm.

The hold between Clay and Madeline was broken. She nodded assent, and took Sean’s arm. They walked back into the house.

And for no reason at all, Clay felt dreadfully guilty.
 

To Be Continued...