Charles Breghert watched as the harsh gray lines of the city disappeared and greener fields appeared outside the coach window. This was the right thing to do. It was time he was home. Past time really. He had stayed away more than he'd been home these past years because it was too difficult. Too difficult to see the sofa that his wife had had recovered with much difficulty. She had debated endlessly with herself and him between baby blue and navy blue. When he had expressed his decided preference for navy blue, she had naturally gone with baby blue. It was too difficult to walk through the familiar rooms that she had decorated and loved without her at his side. Too difficult to see her eyes looking at him from his daughter's smiling face. Too difficult to see the familiar stubborn tightening of lips fixed on his son's face. He sighed. Far too difficult.

It had been so difficult in fact that he had sought solace with another. Not in any base physical way, although he had to admit that he missed that comfort of marriage sorely as well. No, he had wanted a companion as much or more than that. Someone who would share her life and her affections with him to beat away the loneliness that threatened to overwhelm him at times. He hadn't expected love. He had no illusions about his own self. He was not a young, lively man who could excite passion in a young woman. Only one woman could ever have loved him, and he'd put the first handful of soil on her coffin himself just over four years ago. No, he hadn't expected love, but he had expected kindness and had been deeply disappointed when he realized the lack of even that emotion. She had approached the marriage in an even more business-like manner than he had, and so he had backed away from the contract. Business never worked when there were unequal expectations. Best to cut his losses while he could. Best to return home, reconnect with his family, and give up any wishes for other relationships.

He gritted his teeth and growled at the melancholic turn his thoughts were taking. He was in no fit state of mind to greet his children when he'd not seen them for a month or been to his own home for three. A quick rap on the top of the carriage got his driver's attention, and he leaned out the window to give instructions for a detour. He needed to bring his thoughts and emotions under control again, and he knew just the man to do it.

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Joseph Kalisch was enjoying the late summer afternoon in his back garden, alone unfortunately, because his lovely wife was busy. When the curious woman had arrived again this afternoon, just as she had for the past two Tuesdays, he knew to leave his wife to her privacy. The woman was curious in her own nature, but he found that he was curious about her as well. Curious about what had brought her to London and curious about her interest in their religion and customs. Sarah assured him that she was a very polite woman, genuine in her interest and not just nosy. However, he still wondered, and when he next saw his prodigal friend he intended to question him closely. The creak of the side gate drew his attention, and he was pleased to see the very friend he wished to interrogate.

"Charles! This is a welcome surprise," he exclaimed as he moved to greet him, "You've returned."

Charles Breghert gave him a broad smile and clapped him on the shoulder as he took his hand, "Joseph, it is wonderful to see you, and yes I have, but not before time."

Joseph agreed, "Elizabeth and Samuel have missed you."

His friend had the good grace to look abashed, "I know, and I have missed them."

Joseph lifted his eyebrow, "Have you?"

"Of course I have," he answered indignantly, "but I have also been very foolish."

Joseph smiled to ease the tension, "Ahh, so you have come to me as Rabbi Kalisch and not Friend Joseph."

Charles fixed his eyes on the ground and then looked up, "Yes, I suppose I have. I need your counsel, Rabbi."

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Her visitor was ready to leave, but Sarah would have her speak to her husband before she hurried away. Joseph was curious, and she was tired of answering endless questions about the woman who was becoming her regular Tuesday visitor. She would introduce them, and Joseph could see for himself that she was just an ordinary woman. Then perhaps he would leave her alone to enjoy her company. She found that she was coming to enjoy their Tuesday meetings and her new friend. She was practical and her questions were always sensible and insightful. A pleasant way to spend an afternoon indeed.

As they walked into the garden, she saw that her husband had a visitor as well. She turned to leave them to their private discussion, but the visitor spotted her.

"Sarah, don't go. I've looked forward to seeing you as well," Charles called out to her.

Sarah moved into the garden with pleasure and greeted her husband's guest and friend, "Charles, it's so good to see you, and you've been away far too long."

Charles reddened slightly and glanced at her husband.

"Yes, my wife," Joseph said, "That is just what we've been discussing."

Charles smiled at her warmly, and then his attention was drawn to something, someone rather, behind her. She noticed the appreciation in his gaze and then his curiosity when he turned back to her.

"Charles, surely you've met… That is, of course you must know…." Faced with his continued blank expression, she realized that he did not, "May I introduce Mrs. Elsie Hughes, your housekeeper. Mrs. Hughes, may I introduce Mr. Charles Breghert, your employer and our dear friend."

The tips of Charles's ears reddened, and Elsie's eyes widened. Charles spluttered, and Sarah delighted that she'd caught her old friend so off his usual guard.

"We have not met," he said, "That is, we have corresponded, of course, but I have not…" Then he came to himself, and Sarah saw him draw himself back under rigid control. She was almost disappointed to see it. "Mrs. Hughes, I am very glad to meet you, although I had hoped our first meeting to be in my home. All is well, I trust?"

Elsie seemed nearly as flustered as he, "I am glad to meet you as well, Mr. Breghert, and all is indeed well. Today is my half day, but if I'd known… I would never have been away from the house if I'd known you were to return."

He cut her off with a wave of his hand, and to Sarah's eyes seemed to lean imperceptivity closer to Elsie. "I had no plans to return, and I certainly cannot fault you for not reading my mind before I had even made it up. Think nothing of it."

Sarah noted the quick downturn of Elsie's eyes, and the way her cheeks tinted faintly. Charles's eyes were definitely regarding her with warm interest. Sarah was delighted, but when she chanced a glance at her husband, she saw that he wore a worried frown.

Elsie turned back to her, "Mrs. Kalisch, I thank you again for the tea and company. You have as always been most helpful."

Sarah was surprised by Charles cutting in sharply, "You will not leave yet, Mrs. Hughes."

Elsie turned back to him, and now her eyes weren't on the ground but were meeting his steadily, "I will not?"

"Of course not, I will accompany you. It's too far a distance for you to walk alone," he answered firmly, and his jaw was tight.

Elsie took a deep breath and paused for just a moment before speaking in a dangerously calm voice, "It is not so very far. I have walked that distance many times."

The muscle in Charles's jaw twitched, "Nevertheless, you are a member of my household and as such you are under my protection. You will allow me to accompany you."

Sarah nearly rolled her eyes at his stupidity, and apparently even Joseph couldn't bear to see his friend botch things so terribly. "Charles," he warned.

Sarah intervened as well, "Mrs. Hughes, Mr. Breghert has been gone for some time perhaps…."

Charles seemed to at least partially comprehend his mistake, "Mrs. Hughes, I have no right to command you here, but I do wish you'd allow me to accompany you."

She inclined her head gracefully, "But of course, sir."

There was no missing the warm smile that he gave her at the granted favor.