Chapter 33

Patric Beauchamp leant back into his comfortable chair as Yi, his manservant, served coffee and an assortment of chocolates to the guests. There were giggles all round when Katie spied the delicious selection, though Brian, always a sweet tooth, wasn't far behind her when making his choice. The elderly man leant forward to pick up an ornate, carved wooden box from the table top. He flipped it open to reveal fine cigars which he offered to Sully who immediately refused. Acknowledging the refusal with a nod, he then took one, rolled it between his fingers, and inhaled its pungent aroma before placing it between his teeth, unlit.

As Yi left the room, Mr Beauchamp edged forward in his chair a little and continued his previous topic of conversation. "Perhaps proposition is not the most appropriate word," he said, glancing around at the family whose eyes were again all fixed on him with curiosity. "Perhaps request would be a better description ...," he continued. "You will recall that my fortune was to be put in trust for my grandchildren ... unfortunately that is no longer a possibility. Lillian was my only child ... and her mother passed away when she was barely two. I've often lamented the fact that I have few family ... There is a nephew back east for whom I have little time ... and a cousin who is even older than I ... Hence my dilemma regarding what is to become of my considerable assets. Of course this city, that I'm proud to call home, will benefit greatly from my eventual passing ... and you'll be happy to know Michaela that St Luke's Hospital and San Francisco General Hospital will be bequeathed significant sums ... And while I feel some pride in being able to make such bequeaths, I regret the fact that I leave no legacy ... no children to contribute to the future of this land ..." He paused and took a deep breath, but when Michaela looked about to interject, he held up his hand to silence her and continued, "And so I want to ask you ... Michaela and Sully .... If you will allow me in some small way to contribute to *your* children's futures ..."

"But Mr Beauchamp!" exclaimed Michaela immediately.

He again held up his hand. "No ... please ... hear me out," he requested. "Meeting you and your children ... yesterday and this evening ... has made me realise that in my decisions regarding the distribution of my fortune I have neglected one important area ... the education of our young people ... To learn that Ethan's children all hope to continue their education beyond their basic schooling and become professional contributors to our society is both pleasing and enlightening .... Surely this is where this country's future lies ..." His eyes were alight and he sat even further forward in his chair. "I have already contacted my attorneys so that my will can be altered to allow for generous bequests to several educational institutions, including the Evening School and the new University of California. My friend Dr Hugh Toland has been instrumental in the merger of his school, Toland Medical College, with the university Dr Quinn, and I believe Dr Richard Cole, a well-known and outspoken San Francisco resident, has now agreed to take on an administrative position in the new institution." He abruptly sat back in his chair and mused, "Why I hadn't considered Hugh and his endeavours before is a mystery to me ... Hearing that Colleen was going to be attending medical college made me realise ..." He glanced across to Michaela. "So what so you think of my plans hmm?"

She smiled. "I think they're wonderful sir ... To give more students the opportunity to further their ambitions is a passion of mine ... When I realise how close I came to being unable to attend medical college because the few which existed would not accept female students ..." She shook her head ruefully.

Mr Beauchamp nodded his head in satisfaction. "Good ... I'm glad you are pleased ... and now I want to talk about your children specifically ..." Michaela's brow creased in puzzlement and he smiled. "I'm hoping that you will allow me to assist your children in their studies ... in a financial sense that is ..."

This time Sully was the one to interject. "We can look after our children just fine Mr Beauchamp," he said, his tone brooking no argument.

The elderly man held up his hand, conceding, "I don't doubt that Sully ... I am in no way suggesting that is anything but the case ... I have only to look at these three to know that they are in the very best of hands ... just as Lillian related to me ..." He took a deep breath. "However, I'm sure you cannot deny that providing your children with the very best of educational opportunities will be difficult ...and expensive ... given your remote location in Colorado Springs ..."

Sully's eyes narrowed as he wondered what exactly this seemingly open and friendly man was getting at. "We managed with Colleen ... when she was studyin' in Denver ...," he said warily.

Mr Beauchamp nodded. "Yes ... you did ... and I daresay you'll manage when Colleen goes on to school in Pennsylvania ... though it must help now that she's married ... But please be honest ... it will be difficult ... will it not? Especially with Brian at college age now also ..."

"Yeah ... it won't be easy ... but we'll manage ... like we did before," reiterated Sully.

"But it would be so much easier with some help," the older man suggested persuasively. "I don't want to intrude in your family's life Sully ... just make a contribution ... to know that I have helped in my own small way to improve some young people's futures."

"You'll be doin' that with your money goin' to those colleges an' universities .."

Mr Beauchamp chuckled derisively. "After I'm dead and buried," he muttered wryly. "It would please me to know that I was helping your children ... in my lifetime ..."

"So you'd want 'em to study here ... in San Francisco," stated Sully warily.

The old man's eyes widened. "No!" he exclaimed at once. "This assistance would come with no strings attached, except perhaps the occasional letter to tell me how they are doing ... From what Brian says, Colleen has her heart set on Philadelphia and the same institution Michaela attended ... and so that is where she should go ... I in no way want to curtail any of the children's ambitions ..." He leant back into his chair again. "What I'm suggesting is that before you leave, I organise a bank draft on one of the banks in Denver, from which you can draw upon funds for each child's education ... an equal amount for all five children ..."

"Five!" exclaimed Michaela.

"Of course," the elderly man returned. He nodded towards three year old Katie, who was nestled drowsily back in her father's arms. "My conscience would not allow me to provide for the three older children, without making the same bequest to the two youngest ..."

"But they aint nothin' ta do with you!" protested Sully.

"Mr Sully," explained Mr Beauchamp patiently. "This huge house was supposed to be filled with the laughter of children ... my own and then my grandchildren ... instead I had just Lillian for such a very short time ... Having your darling little girl here ... and your two sons ... has made me all too aware of that ... not that I regret you being here ... not at all ... When you are gone ... and Ethan returns ... I can take consolation in the fact that there are children out there to whom I have a tenuous link ... children whose futures are secure ... Can you begrudge me that?"

Sully took a deep breath and the tension suddenly went out of his body. "I still say there aint no reason for ya ta do such a thing," he muttered. "There are other things ya could spend ya money on ..."

Mr Beauchamp smiled. "You probably have little or no idea of my wealth Sully ... Aside from owning one of the largest shipping companies in San Francisco ... I have extensive land holdings throughout the Oregon territory ... My proposal for your children's education will make barely a dint in the profits from those ... but to me it assumes a much greater importance ..." He sat back and there was a long silence as his eyes swept from Sully to Michaela to Brian, all lost in thought.

At last, much to Michaela's surprise, Sully turned to Brian. "What do you think about it son?" he asked quietly.

Brian swallowed and then turned to Mr Beauchamp. "Sir ... I ... I ... don' want ya ta feel like ya have ta do this cos o' pa," he said quietly. "Ya don' owe us anythin'.... It sounds like pa aint exactly done the right thing by you ..."

"I'm not doing this for Ethan Brian," replied Mr Beauchamp calmly. "I'm doing it for me ... and especially for Lillian ... She was fond of you ... and regretted your father's attitude ... She would have liked to have you here ...."

"But pa weren't interested ..." finished Brian resignedly.

The elderly man nodded. "I'm sorry ... I know its disappointing to you to hear that ..."

The boy shrugged his shoulders. "I oughta be used to it by now," he muttered. He raised his eyes to meet Mr Beauchamp's steady gaze. He rejoined honestly, "I know ma an' pa probably don' wanna accept your offer ... its hard sometimes takin' from someone else ... acceptin' someone's help ... I know Matthew found it hard when we first went ta live with ma ... but ...." He turned to look at his parents who were watching him carefully. "But I don' want ya havin' to scrimp an' save ta git me an' Colleen through school ... an' I know Matthew's havin' a hard time payin' for his law books an' such ..." He suddenly appealed to his parents, "Its alright ta say yes this time aint it? Mr Beauchamp wants ta do this ... an' it'd help you a lot ..."

Michaela, her eyes suspiciously bright, turned to and deferred to Sully who was obviously finding the situation difficult. "Its up to you ... but its alright with me ...," she said quietly.

Sully gave a wry smile and turned back to the elderly man. "You're right sir ... I am a proud man ... Michaela'll tell ya that sometimes my pride gits in the way ... I aint sure I like the idea o' someone else providin' for my kids like this ...but on the other hand ... knowin' the kids'll have the chance ta do whatever they want ... that means a lot ..." He ran his hands through his hair agitatedly.

Mr Beauchamp smiled. "Look Mr Sully ... you don't have to make any decision now ... you still have a week in San Francisco ... there's no hurry ..."

Sully suddenly looked a little sheepish. "Truth is Mr Beauchamp," he said quietly. "We were kinda thinkin' o' headin' home a little early ..."

The old man's eyes widened in surprise. "You were? Why? I thought you were enjoying your stay here ... I'd hoped you'd grace me with your company again before you left...," he said, obviously disappointed.

Sully was torn. He could think of no viable excuse for their early departure, other than the truth, and he wasn't sure Michaela would want to talk about it. He turned and appealed to his wife with his eyes.

Michaela swallowed and said softly. "Actually ... we discovered today that someone we'd rather avoid has arrived in San Francisco ..."

Mr Beauchamp's eyes narrowed. "Oh?" he rejoined expectantly.

She took a deep breath. "He ... this man ... has an uncanny knack for finding out where we are ...," she said softly.

"And?"

"And we know he'll turn up where we're stayin'," Sully explained. "Don' worry ... he aint the law or anythin'," he added with a wry grin. "We aint in any kinda trouble ... This fella annoys Michaela is all ..."

Mr Beauchamp frowned. "Not for a moment did I think you would be in trouble with the law Michaela, Sully ... 'Annoys' you say?"

"Uh huh ... she knew him from when she was studyin' years ago ... He turned up in Colorado Springs outta the blue a few months back ... an' now he's followed us out here ...," Sully elucidated.

"I see ... and you don't like this man Michaela?" asked Mr Beauchamp. She shook her head and her jaw clenched involuntarily. Observing her obvious discomfiture he frowned. "Then there is only one thing for it ... you will all complete your stay in San Francisco as my guests ... here in my home," he announced, his tone adamant.

********************
Adrian stood on the sidewalk in the lamplight and pulled his jacket more securely about himself. It was supposed to be summer and yet an eerie, cloying fog had settled on the city, bringing with it an uncharacteristic coolness to the night air. He squinted through the wispy cloud to the front door of the small hotel on the opposite side of the street. It hadn't taken him long to work the conversation over dinner around to the location of Michaela and her family. He'd been confused at first when Robert had mentioned the hotel downtown. He'd have sworn Michaela had said something about staying uptown, but Robert had been adamant. And so, shortly after supper, he'd excused himself and come down here ... to wait. As time wore on, the numbers of passers-by dwindled and now only occasionally a buggy would rattle past on the rough stone street, or a man or two would stumble by effected adversely by the drink consumed in one of the bars down near the docks.

He sighed in exasperation. He knew he'd gone too far this afternoon, pressed too hard. He'd seen it in her face. She wasn't ready yet. He also knew that if she and her family had indeed gone out for supper this evening there would little or no chance to speak with her upon her return. But he just *had* to be here, close by her. He reached into the inner pocket of his jacket and withdrew his pocket-watch. Holding it up to the dim light of the lamp high above him, he saw that it was a little after ten. Surely it was time for them to return, especially with small children. Of course, the thought had crossed his mind that they may not have gone out at all. In fact they could be peacefully sleeping, while he stood out here in the cool, summer breeze. He glanced up at the windows above the entrance to the hotel. Three storeys, six windows across, and they could be behind any one of them. He moved to the other side of the lamp-post so he could rest his weight on his other foot. He thought momentarily of Miriam who was probably wondering where he was. He snorted quietly to himself. She'd hardly given him a genial greeting when she arrived home this evening. He'd thought after all these years she'd have been pleased to see him, but her welcome, if anything, had been a touch cool. He shrugged his shoulders. He and Miriam had never been terribly close and she'd moved away from Philadelphia and her family when she married Robert without, it seemed, even a backward glance.

Again he peered across the street. If anything the fog was getting thicker. It wouldn't be long and he'd be unable to see her even if she did arrive home. The sound of another buggy heading down the street could be heard in the still night and it seemed to be slowing. At last it appeared out of the gloom and drew to a halt in front of the hotel. His heart pounded when he realised it was indeed her, and the carriage in which she sat was a revelation. The luxury of it, complete with its perfectly matched chestnut horses, its figured leather harnesses and gleaming brass fittings and lamps, disconcerted him. How would Michaela, or any member of her family for that matter, know someone of such wealth? He watched as her son jumped down and took the little girl from his father's arms, then Sully stepped down and Michaela handed the baby to him before stepping down herself. How he wanted to run across the street and take her into his arms! She always had this effect on him, always had. Tonight she reminded him of Cinderella of the fairy tale in her dark red gown and fancy carriage, and he so desperately wanted to be her Prince Charming, to sweep her off her feet and take her away from the squalor of her existence in the rustic and puerile Colorado Springs.

But instead, he remained rooted to the spot, watching, as she and her family hurried in through the hotel entrance and disappeared. He sighed. He'd wait to see if a lamp was lit in one of the rooms overlooking the street and then he'd probably head back to his sister's, perhaps via one of those bars by the docks.

*********************
"Don' worry 'bout lightin' the lamp," whispered Sully, as Brian lay Katie down on her bed. "There's enough light from the hall ta git her undressed. Why don' you wash up an' me an' ya ma'll git her inta bed." A tired Brian nodded and, grabbing a towel, headed down the hall to the bathroom.

A few minutes later, as Sully tucked his tiny, sleepy daughter into her bed and kissed her goodnight, he realised, with misgiving, that he was alone. Michaela had taken William into their room. He hurriedly stood, wished his son goodnight and strode up the hall to the room next door.

As he entered, Michaela straightened from where she'd been placing William in his cot. "Sound asleep," she whispered. "Will you draw the curtains please?"

He nodded, quickly did as she asked, and then crossed the darkened room to peer down into the cot, relying on sound rather than sight to verify her comment. When all that could be heard was the baby's deep, even breathing, he too straightened and immediately drew Michaela into his arms. She willingly sank into the protection of his loving embrace, her head against his chest. He caressed her back and said softly, "Bin quite a day aint it?"

She nodded. "Mmm ... in many ways .."

"Couldn' believe Mr Beauchamp's offer ...," he whispered.

"The money or the accommodation?"

He chuckled. "Both I guess," he replied quietly.

"We have some decisions to make ..."

"Yeah .. I s'pose we do ..."

She peered up into his eyes. "How would you feel about staying out there ... at his home ... for a few days? He was so persuasive ..."

He smiled. "You know me ... fancy houses aint my style ... but he makes ya feel so at home an' welcome ... an' when he spoke about the house bein' on the shore ... an' Katie an' Brian bein' able ta swim in the ocean ..."

"Sounded good didn't it?" she agreed.

He nodded. "The kid's'd love it ..."

She smiled. "I think their father might too ... not to mention their mother ..."

"Sounds like that decision's made huh?"

She nodded and then said softly, "It might deter Adrian too ..."

"Even if it don', Mr Beauchamp said Tilson'd never git in ..."

There was a long silence then, "I saw him Sully," she whispered unexpectedly.

He drew back to look into her eyes and instantly knew what she meant. He nodded towards the window. "Out there? By the lamp-post?" he said softly. "Me too ... I didn' realise you'd noticed ..."

She swallowed deeply. "I didn't know you had either ... until you told Brian not to bother with the lamps ... I don't understand why he was there ... just watching again ..."

Sully growled derisively. "Me neither ... never tried ta say anythin' ... it was like he was just waitin' ta see ya ..."

She shivered. "I knew it wouldn't take him long to find out where we were staying ..."

"Mr Beauchamp said we could move in tomorra ..."

"I can't stand the feeling that Adrian is watching everything I do," she murmured plaintively.

"Then I'll check us out o' here in the mornin' ... an' we'll git a cab ta take us out to the house ...," rejoined Sully instantly. "This time Tilson aint gonna have his way ..."

Chapter 34

Michaela leant lazily back against a huge rock on the San Francisco Bay shore and turned her face up to the warmth of the early summer sun. As if on cue, the three days since they'd been staying at Mr Beauchamp's house had gradually become warmer and warmer, so alternately sitting on the sand and swimming in the sea was the ideal occupation. She took a deep breath of the fresh sea air. She hadn't felt as relaxed as this since ... well she couldn't remember when she'd *ever* felt this relaxed. It was as if they'd entered another world when they stepped over the threshold of the house as Mr Beauchamp's guests. Despite their protestations that they could and would look after themselves, their elderly friend and his staff had, in so many subtle ways, set out to make their stay enjoyable. She smiled when she thought of the delicious picnic lunch neatly packed in the basket beside her.

Each morning, before he went to his office downtown, Mr Beauchamp would check on what they intended doing during the day, ensuring that a buggy and driver were available to them. So they had visited the Gardens and the Presidio, and ventured down to the docks again to observe the activity, and absorb the exciting combination of sights and smells. Yesterday evening she and Sully had attended a play at the San Francisco Playhouse as Mr Beauchamp's guests. The play, a comedy, had been very good, and Sully in particular had enjoyed it. Unfortunately, she'd been too worried about William back at the house and whether he might wake to nurse to really focus on and enjoy the play. She smiled to herself. She'd forgotten how nice it was to be pampered a little. Even Sully seemed to be enjoying this new, relaxed lifestyle, and the children were revelling in it.

She glanced up the sandy beach to where Brian and Katie were picking their way over the coarse rocks on the shore. She'd lost count of the number of times Katie had come running back to her to show her a colourful shell, or tiny sea creature she'd discovered. Brian too, encountering an entirely different world to the woods of Colorado, often sought information about something to do with the sea. She smiled indulgently. In so many ways he was growing up to be a fine young man, but the endearing little boy remained too, his excitement in exploring something new often bubbling through.

Her eyes turned to her husband sitting in the shallows only a few feet away. He was barefoot and bare-chested, their tiny, naked son on his knee. Occasionally, as a wave washed in and tumbled around him he would dip his son's feet into the cold water and laugh when William squealed with delight, kicking his legs and flailing his arms at the strange sensation. Sully too seemed more relaxed than she'd ever seen him, except perhaps for on their honeymoon. Underneath though, she knew he never forgot that Adrian was in town.

She took a deep breath. She'd been making a concerted effort to put that horrid man to the back of her mind, but every now and then he would intrude, making her angry, as much at herself as at him. They hadn't seen him at all since that night they'd returned to their hotel and he'd been standing under the lamp across the street. It was ridiculous to assume that he'd given up. She'd fallen into that trap before. It was also ridiculous to hope that he was unaware where they were. Miriam knew, and she had no reason to keep it a secret. So, even though they were all enjoying their time in this very private retreat, there was always, insidiously in the background, the thought that Adrian could make his presence known at some stage. She mentally shook herself. She'd made a promise to herself to forget Adrian for now, and to enjoy this very precious time with her family.

Again Sully dipped the baby's feet and then bare bottom in the salt water and he squealed. She chuckled and then called, "Don't let him get sunburnt Sully ... it seems much hotter today ..."

Sully turned and grinned at her, before hoisting William into his arms, then standing and striding up the beach towards her. When he was next to her, he playfully held a dripping William out so that drops of seawater fell onto her sea-green skirt and spread in a spotted pattern through the fabric. "Sully!" she exclaimed, laughing and reaching for their tiny son. Once in her arms, she wrapped the baby in a clean towel and hugged him to her. He gurgled happily and then kicked at the towel which restricted his movement. She smiled and then turned to lay him naked on the blanket beside her in the shade of the rock-face. He lay on his back looking up at her and she couldn't resist sliding down so that she was laying alongside him, their faces only inches apart. On the baby's other side, Sully did the same, so the little one's eyes roamed alternately from his mother to his father.

Sully reached out and lay his hand protectively on William's stomach. "He's growin' aint he," he said softly. "An' ya can tell he's more interested in what's goin' on round him ..."

"Every day," she sighed. "It doesn't seem all that long ago Katie was this size ... and look at her now ..."

He nodded. "An' he's stayin' awake more," he added, tickling the baby's stomach. "He seemed ta like the water ..."

"Mmm," she returned. "And he likes not being restricted by clothes ... reminds me of someone else I know ..." She smiled alluringly at her husband.

He chuckled. "Now who would that be?" he asked, rolling his eyes.

She reached out to lay her hand over his, her thumb stroking the strong fingers. "Not that I mind," she murmured, lowering her eyes, in so doing involuntarily running them over her husband's tanned, muscular physique.

He raised her hand to his lips. "Long as I please you," he murmured, very low and seductively.

"All the time," she rejoined in a whisper. "In so many ways ..." Her eyes once again met his and held.

They were both startled when William suddenly rolled over onto his side to face Sully, who then laughed out loud at the look of surprise on the baby's face. "Seems he didn' know that was gonna happen," he chuckled, tickling his son's stomach again.

"They grow so fast," mused Michaela. "I feel like I don't want to miss out on anything ..."

Sully regarded her bemusedly. "You aint just thinkin' 'bout William .. are ya?" he commented sagely.

She shook her head and lowered her eyes.

"You're wonderin' what's happenin' at home aint ya? ... Seems like we're a million miles away here ... don' it?" he mused quietly.

She nodded. "Its only a few weeks to the wedding ... and Andrew's having to cope with both clinics ..."

"Least he aint havin' ta cope with Tilson too ..."

"Perhaps he's gone home ... we haven't seen him at all ..."

"Yeah maybe ... but I'd o' thought he'd try ta see ya agin before headin' back ... He seemed real intent on gittin' through to ya when I interrupted you two at Miriam's ..."

She lowered her eyes again. "You heard some of that ...?" When he nodded, she muttered, "He's deluded Sully ... I've never given him any cause at all to think I have feelings for him ... none at all ... Whenever he's around I'm tense and wondering what he's going to do or say next ... its always been like that ... even back when I was at medical college ..."

"I know it," rejoined Sully. "Truth is ... I'm findin' it hard not ta say somethin' to him ... It aint like you to be worryin' ... even be frightened by someone ... I don' like it one bit ..."

A slow flush crept up her neck to her face. "I know its hard ... but he's the sort of person who won't hear what you say anyway ... he only hears what he wants to hear ..."

"Then maybe its time ta do more 'an talk."

She raised startled eyes to meet his. "What do you mean?"

He shrugged his shoulders. "Don' know exactly," he replied evasively. "'cept if he don' listen ... maybe he'll take heed o' somethin' else ..."

"I don't want you getting into any trouble Sully ... Despite the way he appears, Adrian's a clever man ... you touch him and he'll make sure you pay for it ... And your defence that he 'watches' me will sound paltry to the ears of a court ... or even our friends and the townspeople ..."

"Well somethin's gonna have ta be done... We can't have him watchin' ya ... an' surprisin' ya with his declarations when ya alone for the next we don' how many years ..," affirmed Sully with vehemence.

She squeezed his hand firmly. "To know that you're beside me ... supporting me ... believing me ... will do for now ... Perhaps an idea will occur to us ... or he'll do something that will change his circumstances ... But until then, please promise me you won't touch him ..." She paused and then lowered her eyes, murmuring, "I don't want to lose you again ..."

He swallowed, and tried to stem the anger which had welled up in him as he considered the apparently powerless position he and his family were currently in. "I'll promise for now Michaela," he said quietly. "But I can't promise for always ... if he was ta hurt ya ... touch ya ..." He trailed off and closed his eyes against the image that conjured up.

Again she squeezed his hand. "I love you too," she said softly. "And thank-you ..."

He rolled onto his back and then leaned across to pick up William from the blanket, lifting him high above his head. "I'll take care o' my family til the day I die Michaela ... no matter what threatens it ...," he avowed quietly. "Til the day I die ..."

*******************
Miriam and Michaela strolled arm in arm through the extensive gardens at the rear of the Beauchamp house. Shaded from the strong summer sun by the numerous tall, dense elms and conifers, and cooled by a light sea-breeze, they could be forgiven for thinking they had stepped into a scene from an Austen or Bronte novel.

"Its beautiful here Michaela," Miriam remarked. "Its so quiet .. and yet the constant murmur of the sea is always there ... in the background ...."

"The path down to the water's edge is just through those trees," rejoined Michaela, pointing to a gate only some twenty yards further on. "The children have been enjoying the shore ... and Sully and Brian are teaching Katie to swim ... she loves the water, but won't let them let her go just yet ..."

Miriam chuckled. "Little ones can be dependent and independent all at once can't they Michaela?"

Michaela nodded and then asked, "So Robert Jnr and Rachel are enjoying their summer break from school?"

"Oh yes ... they have school friends they spend time with ..." She paused and then added, "I sometimes wish Robert wouldn't work quite such long hours ... the children see so little of him ..."

Michaela smiled wryly. "You sound just like my mother ... I couldn't tell you how many times I heard her say that when I was a child ... Father was always with patients or at the hospital ... even on holidays ... much to my mother's displeasure ..."

"Robert says people don't ... can't ... choose .. when to be ill," rejoined Miriam. "But sometimes I wonder whether he uses that as much as an excuse as anything ..."

"Oh?"

Miriam looked away momentarily. "Medicine is his life Michaela," she said softly. "A life he prefers not to share ..."

"That must be difficult for you ..."

"Yes ... yes ... it is ..."

"Especially when you have knowledge and some experience on which he could draw ...," Michaela offered.

Miriam sighed. "To Robert ... the medical side of my life is closed ... or more specifically ... never existed ..."

"And to you?"

"I thought I could put it behind me ... until I visited you in Colorado Springs ... I wanted so desperately to be a doctor ... and worked so hard to achieve my degree ... seeing you in your clinic made me realise that I can't leave it behind after all," admitted Miriam, a little shame-faced.

"And so what are you doing about it?" asked Michaela, halting their ramble and turning to face her friend.

Miriam gave her a shy smile. "You know the other afternoon ... when I was later home than expected?"

"Yes."

"I was returning from the free clinic downtown ... I help out down there a couple of times a week ... more as a nurse than a doctor ... Its too many years ... and there have been too many medical advances for me to be left to diagnose and treat patients on my own." She lowered her eyes and added quietly, "Something else I learnt when I observed you in your clinic ..."

Michaela grasped her friend's hand and gave her a broad smile. "I'm so pleased your working in medicine again Miriam ... you were so skilled ... I can't bear thinking that skill might go to waste ..."

Miriam squeezed Michaela's hand gratefully. "I must admit I love it," she rejoined with an excited smile.

"And Robert doesn't know?"

She shook her head. "No ... I feel guilty about that ... but I tell myself I'm doing something worthwhile ... and what he doesn't know won't hurt him ..." She again linked arms with her friend and they began to stroll once more. At last she asked quietly, "That afternoon Michaela ... I believe Adrian had arrived before you left?"

Michaela swallowed and kept her eyes fixed on the path in front of them. "Ah ... yes," she replied softly.

"I thought as much," responded Miriam curiously. "I know that you are not ... er .. 'fond' of my brother ..."

"I don't know him very well," rejoined Michaela evasively.

Miriam reassuringly stroked Michaela's hand where it rested against her arm. "You can't fool me Michaela ... we've known each other for too long ...."

Michaela turned away and said quietly, "You know he's now living in Colorado Springs?"

"Yes ... he wrote to me about the new position ... and of course he's boasted of it frequently over the past few days ...," Miriam rejoined.

"He's still here then? In San Francisco ..."

"Yes," returned Miriam immediately. "Though I'm not sure why ... he does very little ... and has no time or patience at all for the children ... I believe he intends heading back on tomorrow's train ..." Michaela nodded, but remained silent. She was startled when Miriam abruptly asked, "He's not bothering you again ... is he?"

Michaela frowned and faltered in her steps, almost tripping herself and her friend up. "I .. I don't know what you mean," she stammered.

Miriam halted their progress all together and turned to face her friend. "I knew there was something going on all those years ago ... and I felt embarrassed every time father suggested that you and Adrian chaperone Robert and I when we were courting. I always suspected that it was done on Adrian's prompting ... Then you had that accident ... just before graduation ... and seemed almost afraid ... You went back to Boston as soon as the ceremony was over and I never saw you again ... until I visited Colorado Springs ... After you'd gone Adrian used to badger me for any news of you ... Did I know whether you were practicing? Where were you living? Did I know if you were still engaged to David? Had you married? ... The letters .... full of questions about you ... continued even after my marriage, and Robert and I moved out here. In the end I just stopped writing ... except for Christmas or birthday letters ... Then ... when I thought his infatuation with you would have run its course, I mentioned my trip to Colorado Springs .. and the letters and questions began all over again. I was thrilled when you and your family unexpectedly arrived here the other day ... and then as shocked as you must have been when Adrian turned up only two days later ... I wasn't surprised at all to find that you'd left my home rather ... ah ... abruptly ..." She took a deep breath and waited for Michaela to meet her eyes. When she finally did, she continued, "Its not a healthy infatuation Michaela ... that it should last this long ... and despite you being married and living so far from Philadelphia ... He's my brother ... but I worry about what is going on in his mind ... about what he might hope to achieve by moving halfway across the country to be near you ..."

"I've wondered that myself," said Michaela in a small voice. "From what he said to me the other day ... before Sully got there ... he ... he ..."

"He?" prompted Miriam.

"He ... thinks we'll one day be together," muttered Michaela, her eyes shimmering.

"But that's ridiculous!" exclaimed Miriam. "One has only to watch you and Sully together to see that no-one will ever come between you."

"I tried to tell him that ... but he won't listen ..."

"Well perhaps he'll listen to me," Miriam stated emphatically.

Michaela grasped her arm. "Please ... I don't want to be the cause of any estrangement between you and your brother ..."

Miriam smiled wryly. "That happened many years ago Michaela ... and while you may have had something to do with it ... you were certainly not the entire cause ... The fact that he has used the pretext of visiting me here as a means by which to be close to you only aggravates the matter ... Its time that Adrian learnt he's not the only person in this world to whom he must answer ..."

Michaela gave her a wan smile. "Thank-you for believing in me," she said sincerely. Then repeating her avowal of the morning, "I've never given him any cause at all to think I have feelings for him ... none at all ..."

Miriam placed her arm around her friend's shoulders. "Please Michaela ... don't let the matter upset you ... I'll try to convince him he has no chance of winning your affection ... and perhaps even warn him of the consequences of pursuing his suit ..." Once more linking her arm with Michaela's, she suggested with a smile, "You mentioned tea earlier ... I do believe I'm thirsty now ... Come ... we'll sit for a while ... and talk of more pleasant things ..."

**********************
Sully turned back after extinguishing the lamp by the door of their bedroom on the second floor of the Beauchamp house, to observe Michaela standing gazing out of the large open window, silhouetted by the light of the moon hanging low in the clear, night sky. He immediately walked across to stand behind her, wrapping his arms lovingly around her waist, her thin cotton nightgown no bar at all to his tender caresses. "What ya lookin' at?" he asked softly against her ear.

She nestled back against his bare chest and replied almost reverently, "See ... through the trees ... the moonlight on the water ... its beautiful ..." He followed her gaze and she added, "And over there ... in the distance ... there's a light ..."

"Uh huh," he replied softly. "It's the lighthouse ... warnin' boats an' ships off the rocks ..."

She sighed. "Its hard to believe there's anything dangerous out there ... it looks and sounds so peaceful ..."

He lovingly kissed her temple, and murmured sagely, "Things aint always the way they seem ... The tide might be in tonight ... an' the moon bright ... but the rocks are still there ... just below the surface ..."

She shuddered and pulled his arms more securely about herself. "You're not just talking about the sea ... are you?" she asked softly.

He shrugged his shoulders and tenderly stroked her arms and hands. "All I'm saying is that ya just never know what might be there .... waitin' ta trip ya up ... Wind could come up ... cloud cover the moon ... an' everythin' changes ..." She turned to peer up into his eyes and he smiled, saying lovingly, "Course ... there's always that lighthouse .. makin' sure ya know there's trouble close by ... if ya keep ya eyes open ..."

Her lip caught between her teeth, she reached up to lovingly cup his face with her hand. "I'll keep my eye on the lighthouse," she whispered. "For as long as its light shines ..."

"The lamp in a lighthouse don' ever go out ... didn' ya know?" he rejoined, his tone seductive. With that, he lowered his head and slowly and completely claimed her lips with his.

Her response was immediate and all consuming. Three wonderful, tranquil days in this house, in the company of her loving husband and children, had made her feel so alive, yet so relaxed, her tiredness after having William entirely dissipated. She wrapped her arms around Sully's neck and snuggled in close against him, deepening their kiss, holding nothing back. She moaned softly as his hands gradually bunched up the thin cotton of her shift so that he could explore her bare skin and when he lifted her into his arms and carried her towards the bed, she sought his lips again with an enthusiasm only matched by his.

Their lovemaking was prolonged and thrilling and exhausting, so that when they were both finally sated the excited moans and cries that had filled the room were replaced by their deep and even breathing as they drifted off into dreamless sleep.

*******************
Around midnight, as the moon continued its leisurely rise into the clear, night sky, the peace and serenity of the Beauchamp house was audaciously disturbed by a sudden, violent splintering of glass and wood. Impish tongues of fire were, without warning, released to lick hungrily at the red velvet drapes in the downstairs parlour.