In her sleep, Natalie duPres moaned, responding to the dream she was experiencing. Her body was reacting to the dream actions of Joshua Collins as he touched and caressed her, as he caused her to experience sensations long forgotten or never before attained. In her dream, Natalie felt herself react to Joshua's ministrations, and she called out her extreme pleasure in her sleep. The sudden noise in her still room woke her and Natalie sat up in bed, her heart racing, her womanhood yearning, and her breath coming in short gasps. Taking a deep breath to calm herself, Natalie shook her head as she recalled the subject of her dream and who her dream partner had been.

"... Joshua? No."

Natalie climbed from her bed and crossed to the window. She welcomed the brisk sea air as it blew over her face and neck, cooling her thoughts and her body. How could she have dreamt such things - and with Joshua Collins? She was sure their simple, frank talk of an arranged marriage for mutual business concerns could not have triggered such somnambulistic thoughts. Collins was not a man with whom she wanted to share her life, and most certainly not her bed. Perhaps she had simply been thinking of him overly much, trying to decide what to do and that had caused her mind and body to wander from her purpose.

Breathing deeply of the cool night air, Natalie felt herself calm. She closed her eyes, cleared her head and returned to her bed. She straightened the tangled bed covers, then settled down to try and sleep again.

After some minutes, Natalie drifted off, unaware that several rooms away, on the opposite end of the hallway, Joshua Collins was experiencing a similar dream, the response of his body far more obvious and noticeable. He cried out in his sleep, Natalie's name on his lips, but he did not awaken. When morning arrived, Joshua did not recall that his dream of the night before had involved Natalie duPres in a very intimate way, but found he was easily distracted by thoughts of her during the day. Joshua was puzzled and annoyed with himself, for he most certainly did not think of the Countess duPres in such terms, yet he could not get his mind away from thoughts of her.

Wishing she had someone with whom to discuss her predicament - aside from her brother, who had a decided interest in the situation and its outcome - Natalie found herself taking a long walk through the garden and along the paths that cris-crossed the great estate. For a brief moment Natalie considered visiting Widow's Hill, wondering if the memories evoked by that place could distract her from her own thoughts for a time, but she could not bring herself to set foot on the path. Mourning Josette and lamenting the tragic events of her last days would do nothing to help Natalie make her decision.

Turning back toward the gardens, Natalie made her way to the gazebo. It too held memories of Josette, for it was there she had seen her niece tryst with Jeremiah, but it was also a peaceful place; a place one could truly listen to one's own thoughts and understand what they were saying. Natalie climbed the two steps leading up and into the stone and brick enclosure, then took a deep breath. She slowly looked around, startled when she found Joshua Collins watching her from the path. He stepped forward to join her in the gazebo.

"...Joshua."

"Natalie."

His tone was deep and velvety, quite unlike any tone she'd heard from him before, and inexplicably, Natalie found herself responding to his nearness. She took a deep breath and pushed all such feelings and thoughts away. They were absurd, remnants of her dream the night before and had no bearing on reality. She no more wanted Joshua Collins to touch her than she wished to be caressed by a snake. But the look in his eyes, the expression on his face, weakened her resolve. It had been ages - decades - since any man looked at her with such intensity, such desire, and Natalie knew full well those men had been seeing her inheritance, not her; it was her fortune those men had coveted, not her. While Joshua's gaze was one of concealed lust, it was Natalie, not her fortune, that held his interest. She shivered with a mixture of excitement and fear.

The two moved imperceptibly closer to one another. Joshua reached out toward Natalie, almost but not quite touching her. He shook his head, then blinked and stepped back quickly. He could not believe he had just imagined taking Natalie in his arms and carrying her to a secluded spot where they could enjoy each other in complete privacy. None of this was making sense.

"Forgive me, Madame. I... do not seem to be myself today. I did not sleep

well."

"Nor did I. My dreams were most... unsettling."

"Indeed... May I ask if you have given any further thought to our

discussion of yesterday?"

"It is all I have been able to think about, Joshua. There is no other solution?"

"Apparently not. I spoke with the lawyers again this morning, and they are immoveable on the subject. They are wise and knowledgeable men, I have always trusted their judgement and opinions, but they are being most unreasonable and stubborn in regards to this matter as far as I can see."

"I pray you do not find me equally unreasonable?"

Collins frowned deeply as he harumphed, but shook his head.

"Of course I do not. Even though we would not expect to live together as man and wife, it is still a very difficult decision to make."

"I am pleased you understand, Joshua."

"Good madame, I may not be much of a sentimental idealist, but I do understand the intricacies of a well thought out and executed business agreement. That is exactly what we are discussing - a business agreement - nothing more. Now, if you will excuse me..."

Joshua bowed to Natalie, then turned and left the gazebo. Natalie watched him leave, amused by his gruffness and bombasity. Her decision would not be quite so hard were Andre a younger man, able to start over, but he was not. He was older than she, and had been looking forward to passing the business along to those younger than himself. She doubted he had the motivation and stamina to begin again should she decide against marrying Collins. She also doubted she had the inner strength to do what she knew she should rather than what she wanted. It was so much easier to ignore everyone else's needs and be selfish. Natalie wondered if she had the strength of character to help her brother and not be selfish. She doubted it.

(next chapter)