Disclaimer: I do not own the characters from Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman. The rights to those characters and to the show belong to the creators of the show, to CBS, The Sullivan Company and to A&E.
Chapter Thirty-seven
Cambridge, Maryland – July 12, 1847
"She's going to want to go," Michaela said as she helped Sully load Josef's luggage onto the boat. "You know that don't you?"
"Hey, look, I'm just tellin' ya what your father said."
"You know she's going to say I can spend time with Anna. I wonder if Father will let her go if she throws a big enough fit."
"Nah. Now if it was you," Sully said smiling over at Michaela.
"If it was me what?"
"You'd get your way."
"Are you saying my father favors me?" Michaela asked incredulously.
"Are ya sayin' he doesn't?"
"Give me an example."
"Okay. How 'bout when we first found out Anna was sick- he was dead set on comin' down here by himself but you kept on him until he relented."
"Just because I'm good at persuasive rhetoric, doesn't mean he favors me," Michaela defended.
Sully laughed out loud at this remark. "You're right – he doesn't favor ya. He's just tryin' to get ya to stop yappin'," Sully teased.
"That was mean- plain mean. I'm not talking to you for the rest of the day," Michaela exclaimed as she pretended to be angry.
"If that's what it takes to get ya to be quiet," Sully returned.
"That's it. You're going overboard," Michaela said as she began to push Sully to the edge of the boat.
"Ya can't – we're gettin' ready to leave."
Michaela stopped pushing for a second as she weighed her options. A deliciously mischievous idea hit her. "Fine, there are other ways to get back at you," she declared.
"I'm scared," Sully declared.
Michaela was just about to reply as Marjorie's whines pierced the air. "But why do we both have to stay here?"
"Marjorie I am not going to go over this again. I see no reason for all of us to traipse to Baltimore and leave Ida to do all the work. The whole point of us being here is to be helpful.
"But Michaela can stay and help Ida. She doesn't need both of us," Marjorie protested.
"Marjorie! You are not going and that is final!" Josef's voice was stern and his tone warned Marjorie to let the subject drop but she just couldn't.
"If Michaela wanted to go, you'd let her," Marjorie charged. Michaela shot a dirty look at Marjorie resenting the second insinuation that Josef favored her. She opened her mouth to speak but Josef's voice stopped her dead.
"Marjorie- I said no more!" This time Josef's voice seemed to resound all around. Marjorie clamped her mouth firmly shut and balled her hands into fists. She turned to head back up to the house, her feet coming down loudly on the boards of the pier as she stomped off in a huff. It was hard at moments like this to remember that she was seventeen years old and not a little girl of three throwing a fit because she didn't get her own way. Josef shook his head as he watched her go, wondering how it was possible that she never changed. Slowly he turned to Michaela and Sully who were also watching Marjorie's retreat. "Do either of you know why Marjorie wants to go to Baltimore?"
Sully shrugged his shoulders then quickly looked down at the deck of the boat suddenly finding it more interesting than Marjorie's retreat. Michaela shook her head while suppressing a laugh that was trying to break loose. Part of her was dying to tell her father that Marjorie fancied Paul but she restrained herself knowing that Marjorie would seek her revenge by sharing Sully and Michaela's secret.
"Utter nonsense," Josef sighed as he boarded the boat.
John's footsteps on the pier caused them all to look up. "What's wrong with Miss Marjorie?" he asked while boarding the boat.
"Nothing that a solid spanking wouldn't cure but since she's too old to turn over my knee," Josef replied as he smiled over at John.
"Those girls of yours are a handful," John said as he winked at Michaela.
"I'm not sure whether I should take offense to that or not," Michaela returned as she stepped off the boat and onto the pier. John and Josef both laughed at her comment. Sully looked at her and laughed as well but Michaela knew his laughter had more to do with Marjorie than what she had just said. She smiled at him with her slightly crooked grin. "Have a safe trip," she called to the three of them as she watched John hoist the main sail. Silently she stood on the pier watching as they readied themselves to depart. Finally the boat began to pull away from the dock.
"Michaela," Josef called over to her, "you're supposed to be helping Ida."
"I'm going," she replied. Slowly she turned and headed back up to the house, dreading having to spend any amount of time with Marjorie.
Marjorie proceeded to sulk for the rest of the day drawing out every task that Ida assigned. When Ida sent her up to air out the beds for Paul and his little girl, she spent the first ten minutes complaining to herself about her father. Finally she managed to open all the windows and started to strip down the beds when her mind wandered to Paul again and she felt the same anger from earlier building. Each task was the same so that in the amount of time it had taken for Michaela to complete everything Ida had asked of her, Marjorie was only half way through her own chores. Michaela spent the rest of the afternoon sitting with Anna on the porch. She read to her for awhile and then they talked about Paul. Michaela shared everything she knew which was actually very little. Marjorie eventually joined them but offered nothing to the conversation as she was too busy muttering under her breath.
Anna was the first one to spot the white sails approaching and she lifted her hand to point at the horizon. "I believe they have returned," she said. Michaela let out a little squeal of glee and rose to run down to the pier. She stopped herself on the steps and turned back towards Anna. "Go on, child," Anna encouraged her not wanting Michaela to feel as if she had to stay with her. Marjorie on the other hand did not run down the lawn but slipped quietly inside to tidy up before greeting their guests. She was a little angry at herself for not having taking care of this earlier but there was no way she was going to greet Paul looking like the hired help.
Michaela stood on the end of the pier shielding her eyes against the bright afternoon sun as the boat drew closer. Though she couldn't yet make out any of the figures, she waved in the general direction of the boat. As it came closer, the first thing that caught her attention was the little girl standing on the bow in her own spot. Her hair was redder than Marjorie's – almost the color of the sunset out across the river. It framed her face in beautiful ringlets. When she had spotted Michaela, she danced excitedly from one foot to the other and waved wildly. Michaela smiled and waved again as she made out Paul standing beside his daughter. Slowly the boat made its way up to the dock and Sully jumped out first to secure the spring line.
"How was your day with Marjorie?" he asked as a smile played across his face.
"Great," Michaela answered sarcastically while she watched Sully tie the line and then move quickly to finish securing the boat.
Paul and his daughter had now moved over toward the edge of the boat ready to disembark. The young girl was enthusiastically folding and unfolding her hands as she tried to contain her excitement. Paul shook his head as his eyes caught Michaela's.
"Can you tell she's excited?" he called out to her making Michaela laugh. Finally the boat was docked and John helped the little girl and Paul off the boat while Sully hopped back on to help John unload their luggage.
"Are you Mike?" the little girl asked as soon as her feet touched the dock.
"I am," Michaela replied smiling at the little girl's eagerness. "How did you know?"
"Father told me Sully had two sisters. He said Mike had long dark hair and that Marjorie had red hair just like mine." Michaela winced at the word sisters but didn't correct the young girl.
"Claudia," Paul warned her. "Do try to contain your excitement."
"Claudia," Michaela repeated the girl's name. She extended her hand towards her. "It is very nice to meet you."
Claudia did not take her hand but made a big display of spreading her dress out with her hands and curtsied. "It is my pleasure to make your acquaintance," she said in her most grown up voice.
"We do have a flair for the dramatic," Paul whispered to Michaela as he watched his daughter's display.
"Then Marjorie and her will get along nicely," Michaela replied as she giggled at Paul's statement.
"Father," Claudia said giving her father a look as if he had behaved improperly.
"Ah, yes," Paul said. He turned towards Michaela and took her hand in his as he made a small bow to her. "Good afternoon Mike. It is very nice to see you again." He turned back to Claudia. "Better?" he asked. She nodded looking very pleased with herself for reminding her father. Sully began to hand the bags off the boat and Paul took them from him and set them on the dock.
"Do you need any help?" Michaela asked.
"Don't you have servants?" Claudia said turning towards Michaela.
Michaela chuckled. "Come on Claudia. Why don't we go up to the house and meet Marjorie. I have a feeling the two of you will get along splendidly." Sully, John and Paul all laughed as Claudia squealed with glee. Momentarily forgetting that she was trying to act grown up, she took off across the lawn towards the house her ringlets bobbing up and down as she ran. Michaela shook her head and took off after her, overtaking her half way up the lawn.
Meanwhile, Paul, John and Sully started up the lawn at a slower pace with luggage in hand. "This place is wonderful," Paul remarked. "I kept thinking that you had embellished this place in your pictures but seeing it for myself," he hesitated here stopping and looking around once again. "I am in awe."
"I know," Sully said smiling. "That's why it's so easy to paint."
Paul stood still for a few more seconds before shaking his head as if pulling his self out of some daydream. "Guess we should continue up to the house before the girls wonder where we are." They walked the rest of the distance in silence as Paul continued to take in the sites. Every once in a while he would turn and look back at the river as if to make sure it hadn't disappeared.
Claudia waited impatiently on the porch already having been introduced to Anna and wanting desperately to meet Marjorie and see her room. "Father, come on," she cried.
Paul laughed. "To have that kind of excitement," he said shaking his head. This caused all the adults to smile. The screen porch opened and Marjorie stepped out. Michaela glanced over at her noticing that she had put on one of her Boston dresses. She snickered as her eyes met Sully's and he raised his eyebrows at her. "Marjorie," Paul said extending his hand to her. "How is the great defender of neo-classical painting?"
Marjorie blushed as he said this but she took his hand and curtsied deeply. "You aren't going to hold that against me now are you?" she said playfully.
"Never," Paul returned as he let go of her hand and turned towards Anna. "You must be Anna," Paul said as he moved closer to her. "I can't thank you enough for letting my daughter and I spend the rest of the summer here. I can assure you it is a most welcome respite from Boston."
"It's my pleasure," Anna replied. "I certainly know how tiring Boston can be. And I'm sure your presence here has put my daughter-in-law at ease." Paul nodded and smiled as he noticed that Anna was teasing him. He had been surprised when Elizabeth had breezed into his office the week before. Of course, he knew Elizabeth but somehow seeing her face to face in his own office was slightly alarming. When she had launched into a long diatribe about Sully and Michaela, Paul had been fascinated by her story. Unlike Josef, he readily accepted the reality of a relationship between Michaela and Sully. Now so much made sense to Paul that he marveled at the fact that he hadn't seen it before.
"Yes, I am sure Elizabeth can rest easy at night now," he returned for even though he believed Elizabeth's tale, he still hadn't fully embraced his chaperone duties as Elizabeth had laid them out for him. It was hard for him to imagine the quiet Sully as a sexual predator that Michaela had to be protected from. A few hasty words from Josef this morning let Paul know that he did not agree with Elizabeth. This allowed Paul to relax his own mind about what was expected of him. Seeing Anna's reaction only solidified this feeling.
"Father," Claudia called tapping her foot impatiently.
"Don't be rude," Paul scolded as he gave her a warning look.
Claudia's face dropped and she bowed her head in repentance. "I'm sorry," she whispered to the group at large.
"I would be happy to show you both to your rooms," Marjorie said trying partially to ease the young girl's discomfort but also hoping to attract Paul's attention once again.
Claudia raised her head with a huge grin on her face but she looked over at her Father for permission before speaking. "I think that is an excellent idea, Marjorie," Paul replied.
Quickly Claudia grabbed Marjorie's hand pulling her into the house while the rest of the group excluding Michaela and Anna trailed along.
Cambridge, Maryland – July 22, 1847
Paul's presence there was a welcome change from the daily routine. He liked to get up early in the morning and would often spend time with Anna on the porch before breakfast. After breakfast, he would spend time with Claudia specifically. Everyone was always invited to join them but it was the time of day he especially put aside for her. They might go down by the river and pretend to be pirates looking for buried treasure or if it was raining they would turn the morning room into a dragon's lair and they would pretend to be explorers looking for stolen jewels. Whatever they did, Paul made their playtime come alive and though the others were much too old for such play by their own standards they often joined in with the games.
One morning Claudia decided that she and Marjorie had been kidnapped by wild Indians who were being played by Sully and Michaela. Paul was to rescue them. Sully had been quite resourceful that morning and had made a structure resembling a teepee out of an old blanket and some large limbs John had pruned from the oak. Michaela was playing a brave though Claudia kept insisting she should be a squaw and it was only when Michaela threatened to gag her for real that she stopped talking about it. Sully and Michaela had each climbed a tree to watch for Paul as he stole into the woods to rescue the girls. Marjorie and Claudia were loosely tied to a tree. As Paul moved through the woods, Sully spotted him and signaled to Michaela. When he came into the clearing, he saw the girls but there was no trace of Sully or Michaela. He looked around noticing the makeshift teepee and wondered if they were inside. He made his way over to the structure as Sully jumped from the tree surprising him. They pretended to scuffle with Claudia shouting out directions on how they should play their roles. Eventually Paul gained the upper hand and tied Sully's hands behind his back before starting over to free the girls. It was then that Michaela made her move and jumped down as well. Again, Paul quickly gained control over her.
"Show them no mercy," Claudia shouted out. "They were going to scalp us."
"I will deal with this brave," Paul declared in a heroic voice. "But I will not dishonor myself by killing a woman, especially one as beautiful as she." Paul in no way meant anything by this comment. He was simply playing his role as he believed it should be played. He had not been privy to the earlier conversation about Michaela being a brave. Nor did he know the reaction that his comment would evoke in Marjorie.
Marjorie felt pangs of jealousy flood through her body when Paul declared Michaela beautiful. Quickly she screamed over at Paul. "Michaela is insisting on being a brave so give her the same treatment as Sully."
"Father, you aren't supposed to fall in love with the Indians," Claudia scolded at the same time. This statement did not help to improve Marjorie's state of mind.
"Why not?" Paul asked amused at how the two kidnapped girls were protesting his treatment of Michaela.
"Because she's an Indian," Claudia declared. Furiously, Marjorie began working at the knots that held her to the tree. Since they had only been playing, Sully had tied them loosely and Marjorie was soon free. "Marjorie," Claudia bossed, "Father is supposed to rescue us."
"I don't need rescuing!" she practically screamed at the little girl as she started off through the woods. Paul was confused at her sudden outburst and rapid departure so without giving it a second's thought he took off after her leaving the other three behind in the clearing.
"Wow," Sully remarked. "Marjorie certainly is in a mood."
"Be careful of little ears," Michaela reminded him.
"Do you think I don't know that you are talking about me?" Claudia asked rather put out that Michaela had just referred to her as little ears.
"Undo me," Sully said to Michaela turning so that his tied hands were visible to her.
"Is that anyway to ask?" Michaela said taking a step away from him.
"Come on," Sully coaxed. "We're on the same side- remember?"
"We are?"
"Michaela, come on." Sully moved closer to her again.
"Why should I untie you? I have a brave cowboy who thinks I'm beautiful," Michaela teased.
"You're a brave," Claudia reminded Michaela.
"I can still get that gag out," Michaela threatened turning back towards Claudia.
Marjorie was racing through the woods feeling her stomach clench as she thought about how mad she was at Michaela. Why did everyone always notice her? Rationally she knew they had been playing a game and that it was ridiculous even to think that Paul would be interested in Michaela that way. Still she couldn't control the jealousy that now coursed through her body. "I hate her," she muttered angrily unaware that Paul was following her.
"You hate who?" Paul asked jovially not knowing exactly what he was walking into.
Marjorie jumped at the sound of his voice and quickly turned around to face him. "Sorry," she muttered as her face turned bright red.
"I do hope Claudia hasn't upset you," Paul said fearing that his daughter's personality had worn on Marjorie.
"Oh no," Marjorie reassured him. "I think she's precious."
"I am glad to hear that. She really thinks a lot of you."
"Good," Marjorie replied not thinking clearly.
"So who do you hate?" Paul asked again.
"Nobody," Marjorie muttered and turned away from Paul in the direction of the house.
"Mike?"
Marjorie turned back around and looked at him, her brow knit together in frustration. "You wouldn't understand," she whispered.
"Try me," Paul said moving a step closer to her.
"She's just so…. perfect!" Marjorie's outburst startled them both.
Paul studied her for a moment wondering what had caused such a violent reaction. "Is this about me saying she was beautiful because I was just…"
Marjorie interrupted him. "Don't worry, I'm used to it."
"I was just playing the game," Paul stated again this time finishing his sentence. "You and your sister are both beautiful," he assured her unknowingly leading Marjorie to assume things she shouldn't.
"You really think so?" Marjorie asked. "Even with all this red hair?"
"I do," he replied. "I think your red hair matches your personality. My wife had red hair and I used to tell her it was because she was so fiery. I think Claudia has inherited both from her," he said laughing.
Marjorie smiled widely then quietly whispered, "Thank you."
"You are most welcome. Now I think we better get back because I left one of the Indians loose when I came to track you down and who knows what kind of mischief they are up to." He held out his arm to Marjorie and she threaded her own arm through his and set off with him back to the clearing feeling the jealousy begin to dissipate.
Cambridge, Maryland- August 1, 1847
If the mornings were devoted to Claudia, the afternoons were devoted to Paul's other love – his painting. The landscape inspired him and he spent every hour of sunlight after lunch either instructing Sully or working on his own paintings. The first week the two of them went off alone either down by the river of into the forest to work. Marjorie was left to tend to Claudia and Michaela helped Ida or sat with Anna. At first Michaela had taken slight offense to being brushed off by Sully each afternoon but at the same time she had never seen him quite so animated. In the evenings both Paul and Sully seemed to come alive as they talked of what they had seen that day or shared their latest work with the rest of the group. Michaela was happy that Sully seemed to be so happy and she learned to take joy in watching the progress Anna made each day instead of worrying that Sully was ignoring her.
Marjorie on the other hand was not exactly pleased with the current arrangement. While it was true that she did enjoy spending time with Claudia, she much preferred for that time to be spent in Paul's presence as well. It didn't take her long to convince Claudia that they should be invited along in the afternoons. Claudia who was relentless when it came to getting her own way, quickly set to work on her father until he acquiesced with the stipulation that they would not disturb his painting. Marjorie took this stipulation very seriously and made sure Claudia was kept out of his hair. It was enough for her to simply be allowed along each afternoon. And so from the second week after their arrival on, each afternoon Paul, Sully, Marjorie and Claudia set off to find the perfect angle or the perfect shadow.
Michaela had quietly accepted this development as well and actually enjoyed the fact that Claudia was out from underfoot. Though the little girl could be very sweet when she chose to be, Michaela found her bossiness annoying at best. The only hiccup in the whole arrangement was William. He had been away the week Paul had arrived and it was not until the second week of their stay that he visited Cambridge expecting to spend the afternoon with Marjorie and the little girl he knew she would be watching. Yet when he arrived he had found no one at the house except for Anna, Ida and Michaela. This became a regular trend and he often spent the afternoon on the porch waiting for Marjorie to return. To pass the time, he talked with Anna some but mostly with Michaela who found him almost as tiresome as Claudia.
It was on one of these afternoons that William had been waiting very patiently on the porch for the small group to return from their afternoon outing. Michaela was reading to Anna as she spied out of the corner of her eye the group emerge from the woods. Claudia ran towards the porch her arms full of flowers that she had spent the afternoon picking. Sully came next carrying his art supplies in his arms. Paul and Marjorie brought up the rear, laughing and talking with each other. Sully scowled as he approached the porch noticing that William was once again waiting there. Though he knew his interest was in Marjorie, he still didn't like the amount of time William was hanging around Michaela.
"Hello," Sully called down the porch to where Claudia had joined Anna and Michaela. "William," he said turning to face the young man.
"Hello," William replied. "How was art class today?" he asked with a hint of sarcasm in his voice.
"Good," Sully replied choosing to ignore his tone.
Marjorie and Paul had now reached the porch and William stood. "Marjorie," he said his smile wide.
"Good afternoon William," Marjorie returned.
"Could we go for a walk?" William asked quickly as if he might miss his chance if he hesitated.
"I promised Claudia I would help her arrange the flowers she picked today," Marjorie answered somewhat apologetically.
"I can help her," Anna said.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes," Anna assured her. "You go on and have a nice time."
William smiled gratefully at Anna and held out his arm to Marjorie. She took it and they set off towards the river. Paul watched them go and for the first time he recognized in himself something he hadn't felt for a long time. It wasn't exactly jealousy but he did suddenly wish that he was fourteen years younger and in William's place. Quickly he dismissed those thoughts and went into the house putting distance between himself and the young couple.
Meanwhile, William led Marjorie out onto the pier where they both sat down on the end with their feet dangling over the side. "I've missed you," William spoke softly.
"I've been so busy with Claudia," Marjorie defended.
"I know. It's okay," William assured her. "I like seeing you with her. You are going to be an excellent mother." Marjorie blushed slightly at William's comment but not because she was imagining herself having William's children. Instead she was thinking about actually becoming Claudia's mother.
"Listen, I know you are busy with watching Claudia but soon I have to return to Boston and I'd really like to spend an afternoon with you before I leave. Do you think Michaela could watch Claudia one afternoon?" William asked.
"I can ask her," Marjorie replied noncommittally.
"Actually, I already have," said William somewhat sheepishly.
"She agreed?" Marjorie asked.
William nodded his head. "I was thinking on the twelfth. I could come around one. We could have a late picnic lunch – maybe go sailing."
"That sounds nice," Marjorie replied but there was no smile to accompany it.
"It you don't want to.." William hesitated.
"No, I want to," Marjorie assured him. "I'm just tired. It's been a long day."
"Right. Well, I have to be going but I'm looking forward to the twelfth."
"Me too," Marjorie said as she stood. William reached over and took her hand in his. He gave it a light squeeze before he raised it to his lips and kissed her knuckles. Marjorie managed a smile finally and a slight blush. William was satisfied for now with both and he made his way over to his boat to head back home.
That evening Sully and Michaela actually found themselves alone for the first timesince Paul's arrival. Paul had retired to bed early and Marjorie was putting Claudia to bed as she had taken to doing every night. Anna was also already in bed while Ida and John had retired to their own little house just a few minutes earlier. Michaela sat on the swing with Sully enjoying the gentle night breeze.
"You and William have fun this afternoon?" Sully asked out of the blue.
"It was loads of fun," Michaela said sarcastically. "First he told me all about what he will be studying this year. And then he talked some more about himself while I nodded my head and pretended to listen." Sully laughed. "Glad to see that my boredom amuses you," Michaela said somewhat snippy.
"Sorry," Sully replied sheepishly. "I am just glad you two aren't gettin' too cozy. I was startin' to think I might have to start stayin' home more in the afternoons."
"Well in that case," Michaela began her eyes twinkling with amusement. "First he told me how beautiful I am and then he said he would gladly wait until I was of age."
"Of age for what?" Sully asked pursing his lips at Michaela.
"Marrying age of course."
"So has he already given you a ring?"
"He offered to purchase one but I told him it would be more proper to wait," Michaela teased.
"Is he coming tomorrow afternoon?"
"That depends."
"On what?" Sully asked
"Are you going to be here?"
"I thought I might hang around the house tomorrow afternoon," Sully replied.
"Guess I better tell him not to come then."
"I think that's a good idea," Sully said moving closer to her and reaching for her hand.
Michaela moved away with a smile on her face. "No-no."
"I can't hold your hand?" Sully asked. Michaela shook her head no. "Why not?"
"Cause I'm still mad at you."
"Mad about what?"
"Remember the day you were going to pick up Paul and you were so mean to me?" Sully nodded his head slightly but confusion still showed on his face. "I told you that I'd find a way to get back at you."
"So hand holding is off limits because I was mean to you?" Sully asked incredulously.
"All you have to do is apologize," Michaela said very matter of fact. Sully studied her for a moment and even though his first instinct was to whisper a hastily apology he resisted. Instead he slid away from her and looked out towards the river. "You aren't going to apologize?"
"I figure two can play this game," Sully replied trying to hide the smile that was playing around his lips.
"Fine," Michaela said sliding to the far end of the swing.
"Fine," Sully returned doing the same.
Cambridge, Maryland – August 12, 1847
Since Marjorie was not going to be around in the afternoon to watch Claudia and Claudia wasn't thrilled with the prospect of an afternoon spent only with Michaela, Paul had decided to switch things around a little. He took Sully right after breakfast and they went out into the woods to paint. Marjorie was to stay with Claudia at the house until William came for her at which point Michaela and Claudia would meet Sully and Paul in the woods with a picnic lunch. Then afterwards they would have their afternoon play time.
Yet rarely do days that change one's whole life go as planned and this day was no exception. Paul and Sully left shortly after breakfast. Claudia barely ate anything at breakfast and spent the next hour lying on the morning room sofa. Marjorie had never seen her so lethargic and it came as no surprise when Claudia suddenly sat up and emptied the contents of her stomach onto the rug. Marjorie quickly went into mother mode and whisked Claudia off to bed, catering to her every whim. The young girl fell asleep shortly before lunch time and Marjorie descended the stairs just in time to see Sully enter the house.
"Where's Paul?" Marjorie asked not noticing the pale color of Sully's face.
"He's still painting. I came back because I don't feel well," Sully explained.
"Your stomach?" Marjorie asked. Sully nodded and then regretted the sudden movement of his head. "Claudia too."
"Sully?" Michaela asked stepping out of the kitchen with the picnic basket in hand.
"Yeah, it's me. I'm sick."
"You better go up to bed," Marjorie said in an authoritative tone.
"Paul doesn't know Claudia's sick," Sully reminded the girls. "He is waiting for Michaela and her."
"I'll go tell him," Marjorie said grabbing the picnic basket from Michaela. "You watch Sully and Claudia," she said turning towards Michaela.
"What about William?" Michaela asked.
"I'll be back before he gets here. You're still painting in the clearing down by the river, right?"
"Yeah," Sully said as he felt his stomach lurch again. Quickly he headed for the kitchen to find a basin. Marjorie set off just as quickly and Michaela shrugged her shoulders before turning to help Sully.
Marjorie easily made her way through the woods and it wasn't long before she came into the clearing. Paul spotted her before she saw him. He smiled to himself forgetting that she wasn't supposed to be there at all that day. It had only been a week ago now that Paul had admitted to himself that he was quite fond of Marjorie. There was something about the way she doted over Claudia that warmed Paul's heart. She was always laughing at Paul's jokes and she seemed so genuinely interested in anything he had to say. It had been a long time since any woman had paid that kind of attention to him and even though he knew it was dangerous he still was enjoying it.
"Marjorie," he called to her as she shielded her eyes against the sun to look for him.
"Oh, there you are," she said making her way over to him.
"Where's Claudia?" Paul asked looking around.
"She's sick just like Sully."
"Oh no," Paul said as his face clouded over.
"Nothing serious I'm sure. Just an upset stomach," Marjorie reassured him. Paul smiled at her. "I brought you some lunch," Marjorie said as she offered him the picnic basket. "And I'm supposed to tell you that Michaela and Claudia obviously won't be coming."
"Right," Paul said. "Thank you." He took the picnic basket and set it on the ground. "For lunch but also for taking such good care of Claudia."
"I love your little girl."
"She loves you too. I'm afraid she is going to be very sad when it's time for her to go back to school."
"Why do you send her away to school?"
"I tried having a nanny for a while but Claudia is very demanding."
Marjorie laughed. "Yes I know."
Paul was very serious though. "But you are very good with her."
Marjorie blushed as an awkward silence settled between them. "Could I see your picture?" she tentatively asked.
"Sure," Paul said stepping back behind the canvas. "It's not finished yet. I can't seem to get the red of the sun quite bright enough." He looked back at Marjorie and raised his hand to her hair. "If only I could put the color of your hair on my canvas."
Marjorie was mesmerized and she started to step forward to get a better look at the canvas but she stumbled over a loose rock on the ground. Paul's arms reached out for her and before either of them realized what was happening, their faces were only inches apart with Paul's arms wrapped securely around Marjorie. Some invisible force drew them together and before common sense took over they found that their lips had met in a soft innocent kiss. Paul pulled back as the reality of what had just happened flooded his mind but Marjorie was hungry for more and she quickly leaned in again.
William smiled to himself as he walked along the beaten path through the woods. Michaela had told him where he could find Marjorie. He expected to meet her any moment as she returned from taking lunch to Paul. William knew he could have waited for her on the porch but the prospect of an afternoon alone with her had excited him so much that he was impatient to get started. He reached the clearing slightly confused as to why Marjorie hadn't started back yet but then it was quite obvious. On the other side of the clearing stood Paul and Marjorie- his arms holding her close to his body and their lips locked in a passionate kiss. Silently he stepped back into the shadow of the trees just watching and when he had seen enough to convince him that he had not misunderstood the situation, he turned and ran as anger and hurt flooded his mind.
Boston– December 1857
"He knows."
"But how?"
"I don't know but he definitely knows."
"Do you think Marjorie told him?"
Michaela shrugged her shoulders still trying to sort everything out for herself. "I think he saw us kissing."
"When?" Sully asked but Michaela just shook her head. "Is he mad?"
"I think so," Michaela said as tears began to form in her eyes.
Sully put his arms around her and pulled her close. "Shhh," he consoled her. "Don't cry. We knew this was gonna be tough."
"I just didn't want him to find out like this," Michaela whispered. "I should have told him."
"Michaela don't blame yourself. We should have told him."
Michaela shook her head but the tears began to fall as she buried her head on Sully's shoulder.
This is my first fan fiction. Please review and let me know what you think. Thanks for reading!