Lexy saw Sean come in. She was so glad he came to the party. She ran over and met him in the foyer.

"Sean" she said happily as she hugged him.

"Hi, Peanut" Sean smiled as he returned the hug and place a kiss on her forehead.
"Or should I say 'Little Bo Peep'?"

"You like my costume?" Lexy asked.

"You're the cutest Bo Peep I've ever seen" he smiled down at her.

Lexy smiled as she motioned for Sean to bend down. She cupped her hand over his ear and whispered "Marita is 'Cleopatra'."

Sean smiled as he stood back up. "She is, is she?"

Lexy nodded.

"How are you doing keeping our little secret? You haven't let it slip, have you?" Sean inquired.

"Sean!" Lexy looked up at him with a frown. "I know how to keep a secret".

"Alright, then" he said as he grinned down at her. "I'm going to look for my 'Cleopatra'"

"OK. See ya later" Lexy said as she walked back into the dancing room.

Sean set his sights on finding the beautiful 'Cleopatra'. He raised his mask to his face and peeked inside the dancing room. His eyes roamed over the room. Sean took note of all the beautiful ladies in their costumes, but he still hadn't found the most beautiful one of all. He scanned the room again.

"There she is" SM
"My baby looks good" SH

His feet began to walk toward his prized possession. He moved slowly toward her, hoping to surprise her.

Marita felt eyes on her. She knew they were Sean's eyes. She looked around for him.

"There is he" MM
"I'm glad he came" MH

Marita moved closer to him as he moved closer to her.

"I'm happy to see you made it" she smiled at him.

Sean looked at her through his mask. He dropped his hand and gave her the goofiest look. "How'd you know it was me!" he grinned.

Marita's laughter spilled forth when she saw his goofy expression. "I know my man when I see him" she smiled.

"You'd better!" Sean smiled. That made his night. He loved when Marita spoke possessively about him. "You look good woman" he said as his eyes roamed up and down her body, then stopped to linger at the low 'V' of her dress.

"Why, thank you sir" Marita said. "And STOP looking at me like that!" she whispered when she saw where his eyes had stayed.

"Stop looking SO good" he said in a low, sexy voice. "Let's get out of here. I want my surprise" Sean said as he turned to watch the guests dance.

"Sean, you just got here" Marita said.

"The only reason I came was to get you and get my surprise. I have you, now I want my surprise. Or" he said as he turned to look at her, "are you my surprise? If you are, I'm ready to open you up" he leered at her. It had been over three weeks, this time, since they had last made love.

Marita's blush spread over her entire body. She couldn't believe Sean was looking at her with such desire in this eyes and speaking to her as he had, in the mist of all these people. She knew now that he really didn't care who saw them together. She also knew he hoped people would notice them and then he'd have the perfect excuse to tell whoever asked, that they were married. She was always touched when she realized he was willing to give up 'society' and its rules just for her. She fell in love with him all over again.

Sean saw her eyes tear up and knew what she was thinking. His smile said 'I would give up the world for you'.

Marita was now ready to go. She gave him a bright smile and whispered "I'm ready when you are."

When they got outside, Sean asked "Where too, my queen?"

"To your horse" his queen said.

They went to the stables, got Ahab and mounted him.

Marita turned to face Sean. She pulled his hat down over his eyes. "You can't see where we're going until we get there".

Sean held on to Marita as she guided Ahab to their destination. When the horse stopped, Marita dismounted. "OK, hop down and keep that hat over your eyes". Sean dismounted. "Wait right here" she instructed Sean.

When Marita came back, she took him by the hand. "No peeking, now" she said as she pulled him along.

When they stood still, Marita pulled the hat off of Sean's face. "SURPRISE!" Marita said as they stood in the doorway.

Sean looked around at the clean cabin and smiled. "When did you do this?!"

"When ever I had spare time and on Saturdays. Lexy helped me" Marita was glad she had surprised him.

Marita had lit all the lanterns and started a fire. The huge fireplace was to the left. The large front window had clean drapes handing over it. A very nice, large rug that Marita found in the bedroom lay on the plank floor.

The table they had made love on was now covered with a white tablecloth and had a bouquet of fresh flowers sitting in the center of it. The kitchen area had a medium sized window with curtains that hung over the sink area. There was a wood stove next to the sink area. Two cupboards lined two walls and stood catty corner to each other. They stood 6' tall.

Marita lead Sean into the bedroom. There was a small fireplace and the window was on the back wall of the cabin. The bed stood under the window and had clean sheets and a clean quilt on it. The drapes were clean and fresh. The old dresser had flowers sitting on top of it. There was an old mirror hanging above the basin stand.


"I can't believe you and Lexy did all this" he said.

"Well, we did. Now you have a bigger place to live" she smiled.

Sean pulled her close and kissed her. He knew he was a lucky man. As he tasted her lips, he thought about testing out the bed to see how sturdy it was. He moved his lips to kiss her neck as he pulled off her black wig. Then his hands roamed over her body.

Marita sighed as she ran her fingers through his hair. "Sean" she whispered.

"Huh?" he murmured as his lips continued to taste her neck.

"I want to go swimming" she said.

Sean hadn't heard her right. He lifted his head and frowned at her "What!"

"I want to go swimming" she smiled up at him. She put her hands on his shoulders, then ran them down his arms and took hold of his hands. "Come on. Let's go swimming" she laughed as she backed out of the bedroom and pulled him along.

"Swimming?! Marita, that water is probably freezing and the last thing I need right now is a COLD bath!" he gave her a heated look that told her he was hot for her.

"Come on" she said as she continued to back peddle to the front door.

"I've married a CRAZY woman!" SM

"P l e a s e" she said in a sexy voice. "We can warm up later".

Sean saw the sexy gleam in her eyes and knew she had something VERY special for him after the swim. He wasn't about to resist. He let her lead him outside and they walked hand and hand down to the river. When they reached the riverbank, they did as they had done as kids and stripped down to their undergarments.

Marita dove into the water first.

Sean was a little hesitant. "Marita are you sure you want to be out here swimming in this ice cold water?!"

"SEAN" Marita persisted.

"Alright" he said exasperated and dove in. "It's freezing!" he exaggerated. It was cold initially, but once he started moving around, he warmed up.

"Stop complaining" Marita said as she splashed water on him.

The lovebirds started frolicking around as if they were kids again. Laughing, playing, racing, just having fun.

Eventually, they wounded up in each other's arms. Sean's arms wrapped around Marita's waist. Marita's arms wrapped around Sean's neck. They smiled at each other as the water dripped down their faces. Their lips met in a sweet, tender kiss.

When Sean felt Marita hardened nipples pressed against his chest, he pulled his lips away from hers and whispered "It's time to get out of the water" before covering them again. They held their kiss for a few more moments, then got out of the water.

Marita began to shiver when they were completely out of the water.

"Cold?" Sean asked sarcastically and grinned at her as he put his custom cape around her shoulders.

He pick up the rest of their clothes, grabbed her hand and they ran back to the cabin. When they got inside, it was nice and warm. They both walked over to the fireplace to get closer to the heat.

Sean stood behind Marita and wrapped his arms around her, pinning her arms to her side. "I think we had better get out of these wet things" he whispered in her ear.

"Really" Marita smiled.

"Really" he said as he began to kiss her cheek then her neck.

"Let me go and get the quilts out of the bedroom" Marita said.

Sean let her go. He turned down the lanterns while she went to get the quilts. When she returned, the room was semi-dark and the fire provided a warm glow over the room.

They spread one of the quilts out in front of the fireplace and Marita laid the other one to the side. They stripped naked and let the fire warm and dry their bodies. Sean then got down on the quilt and pulled Marita down on top of him. He lifted his head as she lowered hers and their lips met in a passionate kiss. Sean moved his hands up and down her body as Marita ran her fingers through his curls.

As the kiss deepened, Sean moved to roll Marita onto her back. She pushed his shoulder back down and lifted her lips from his. "Not yet" she whispered. She kissed his chin and moved down to rain kisses on his neck. She moved even lower and kissed his chest.

"I've missed you, you know" she said between kisses. Marita ran her tongue over his nipple and Sean shuttered. "I've..... been..... very..... lonely..... these.... last three...... weeks".

"Me too" Sean uttered and grabbed her head and ran his fingers through her hair. He could barely contain himself. Marita words and aggressive love making was making him hot.

Marita continued to caress his nipples with her tongue as she moved her hand between their bodies. She ran her fingers down his manhood and began to caress him.

"AAHH!!" Sean moaned as Marita's caresses stimulated him.

Marita moved her lips back up to his neck, his cheek, his ear. She ran her tongue along his ear before she began to nibble on it. "I've missed you SOOOOO much!" she whispered in his ear. "I lie awake at night dreaming about you. Wishing you were with me, making love to me. Feeling your lips on mine. Feeling your hands all over my body. Feeling you inside of me" she said before she stuck her tongue in his ear.

"AAAAAHHHHHH!!" Sean moaned and tried to flip Marita over again.

Again she pushed him back down. "Not yet" she whispered as she latched onto his earlobe and suckled it. She moved her hand back down over his manhood and resumed her soft caresses.

"STOP playin' around, MARITA!" Sean said through gritted teeth as he closed his eyes and enjoyed what she was doing to him.

Marita let out a sensuous laugh. "I'm not playin' around. I'm making love to my husband" she said just before her lips returned to his neck. Marita continued her caresses until Sean begged for entrance into her body. She was just as ready to have him as he was to have her.

Marita lifted herself slightly off of him and guided his manhood to the door of her womanhood. She slowly lowered herself on him as he went deeper and deeper inside of her.

"AAAAHHHH" they both moaned at their coming together.

Marita began to move in a rocking motion, sliding up and down, back and forth. Sean held onto her hips as he let her lead them up their mountain of pleasure. When they reached the top, they both cried out their release.

Marita collapsed on him and turned her face into his cheek. Sean wrapped his arms around her naked waist and held her tight as they both caught their breath.

"Was that you I heard begging just a few minutes ago?" Marita asked after she recovered. She wanted to get him back for teasing her three weeks ago about 'begging for more'.

Sean could only laugh. He was definitely begging a few minutes ago. "You won that one" he conceded.

Sean rolled them onto their sides and grabbed the folded quilt and spread it over them. They faced each other, with Marita's back to the fire.

"So, you missed me, huh?" Sean asked, smiling. It did something to him to know that she was just as crazy about him as he was about her.

"Yeah" Marita smiled. "Three weeks is just TOO long" she said as she rubbed his jaw.

"Yeah, you're right. Three weeks is TOO long". After thinking about that LONG night of love, Sean's mind drifted to the next morning. "You should have seen the look on your face when Isaac almost caught us. I thought you were going to pass out or something" Sean laughed.

"I almost did!" Marita said as she closed her eyes and saw in her mind's eye that dreadful moment. "I just knew you were going to tell him you stayed the night".

"I thought about it, believe me. But I didn't wanted to have to look down the barrel of a shotgun and try to convince your Pa that we are married" Sean laughed.

"I get the chills just thinking about that day" Marita said.

"We're gonna have to tell him sooner or later" Sean reasoned. "You really think he's going to be against us?"

"I don't know" Marita answered honestly.

"I talked to the sheriff today" Sean said.

"About what?" Marita asked.

"I found some information about miscegenation laws in Kentucky" he said.

Marita's face showed her fear. They both knew the laws existed but they had not discussed them or what effect they would have on their marriage.

"I asked the sheriff about those laws being enforced. He said they hadn't been enforced and he would be the one to enforce them. He also told me that he has a brother who married a colored woman and they live in Ohio and I wouldn't have to worry about the law being enforced as long as he's sheriff. If there is ever a problem, he'll let me know about it" Sean explained.

Marita could hardly believe it. She was so grateful to GOD that the sheriff was a compassionate man.

"What happens if someone else becomes sheriff?" Marita asked. They had to face these questions now that they were discussing to legal ramifications of their being together.

"Marita, I am prepared to move if we have too. Are you?" he asked.

Marita nodded 'yes'.

"I've got some information about California. There are a lot of couples out there like us. If we have to, we'll just move out there" he said. "I'm not giving you up Marita."

For the second time in one night, Marita fell in love with Sean all over again. Her tears started as she moved close to give him a loving kiss.

When the kiss ended, Sean smiled at her. "I don't believe we'll have any major problems. The town already thinks the Logans are crazy" he laughed. "Pa going into business with Isaac, us taking in Jeremy and you know how many countless other non conventional things we've done. The worst thing that will probably happen is I won't get invited to any of the social gatherings. You know how I hate those things, so I won't be too disappointed. Besides, with all the influence Pa has, I don't think too many people will say anything even if they don't like it".

"Are you sure?" Marita whispered.

"POSITIVE!" he said.

"I love you" Marita said as she rested her hand on the side of his face.

"I love you too" Sean said as he turned his face and kissed her palm.

"When do you want to tell the family?" Marita asked after a few minutes.

"We need to do it soon. Maybe we could to get Pa and Isaac together and tell them" Sean said. He didn't want to get the 'family' together because, unfortunately, that would include Charlotte.

"OK" Marita said a little nervously.

"Hey, everything is going to work out" he said as he rubbed her cheek.

"I know" Marita smiled. "I guess I'm just anxious to get it over with".

"Your Pa is leaving town Monday for a few days. Maybe we can tell them when he gets back". Marita suggested.

"OK, we will do it next week" Sean agreed.

With that settled, the two talked until Marita fell asleep. Sean laid there for awhile thinking about his future with Marita. He eventually got up and got dressed. He put out the fire, then woke her up.

"Marita" he called softly.

"Huh?" she said in a drowsy voice.

"Wake up so I can take you home" he said.

Marita groaned. She hated when her sleep was disturbed.

"Get up. I need to get you home before Isaac comes looking for you" he said.

Marita moaned as she slowly sat up. Sean helped her to her feet, then helped her get dressed. She had her eyes closed the entire time.

They mounted Ahab and Sean took Marita home. Sean told her that he would sleep in his office tonight and bring his things out to the cabin tomorrow. At the Peter's door, Sean gave Marita a quick kiss and stood there until she was inside. As he rode into town, Sean thought about what his Pa and Isaac's reaction would be when they found out he and Marita were married.

**************************

KNOCK KNOCK

"Come in" Sean yelled.

"Sean" Clay said as he walked onto the office.

"What brings you two here?" Sean asked as he saw Jeremy walk in behind Clay.

"CHARLOTTE" Clay said in disgust, "isn't Charlotte".

"What" Sean was baffled.

"You heard me. Charlotte Bentley of Richmond, Virginia is in a mental institution and she's been there for the last 15 years. And get this. She's been mentally ill since birth! She's never spoken a word! Did you see 'Charlotte's father' at the party?" Clay sneered.

Before Sean could answer Clay continued. "He LIED Sean! I don't know what she has on him, but he came all the way from Richmond and said that woman was Charlotte Bentley, his daughter. He's lying Sean! And he's a priest!!" Clay began pacing. "Lexy told me you were at the party. I looked for you, but couldn't find you. Where were you?" he asked when he had stop pacing.

"I had a previous engagement I couldn't miss" Sean said.

"Well, what are we going to do?" Clay asked as he started pacing back and forth again.

"I think we should go to Richmond and confront Mr. Bentley again" Jeremy interjected.

"Yeah, maybe if all of us confronted him, he'll tell the truth" Clay said.

"Have you told Pa any of this?" Sean asked.

"No" Clay said.

"Did he read the telegram you sent?" Jeremy asked.

"He couldn't have. He hasn't asked me about it. I bet Charlotte, or who ever she is, got her sticky little hands on it" Clay fumed.

"Well, don't mention the telegram to Pa. We need to get some proof first" Sean cautioned.

"Alright" Clay consented. "But I'm going to ask Marita if she received the telegram. If she did......" Clay's temper was rising.

"If she did, we are NOT going to say anything to Pa" Sean reiterated.

KNOCK KNOCK

"Come in" Sean shouted.

The door opened and Marita walked in with a picnic basket on her arm. "OH" she said when she saw Clay and Jeremy.

"Come on in, Marita" Sean said smoothly.

Jeremy grinned when he saw Marita's surprise at being caught bringing Sean lunch. He wondered if they had gone off and gotten married or something.

"Hey, Marita" Clay said.

"Hi Clay, Jeremy" Marita said as she walked over to the table and put the basket down.

"Hey" Jeremy smiled at her with a knowing look.

"I wonder if he knows" MM

"I sent a telegram to Pa when I went to Richmond. Did you get it?" Clay asked Marita.

"No, why" Marita said

"I KNEW IT!! She got it" Clay exclaimed.

"She who?" Marita asked.

Sean explained what Clay and Jeremy had found out about Charlotte, or what ever her name was.

"My goodness!" Marita was shocked. "Who is she?"

"I have no idea" Clay answered.

"And you think she got the telegram you sent to your father?" Marita asked Clay.

He nodded.

"Ask Bridgett. She could have gotten it" Marita suggested.

"OK. I'll ask Bridgett as soon as I get home" Clay said. "Sean, when can you go to Richmond?"

Sean paused because he was thinking about him and Marita telling their fathers about their marriage. Ned would be back on Friday, but he couldn't get away before then.

Marita knew what he was thinking. "You probably need to go as soon as possible" she said as she looked at him.

"You're right" Sean said. "I can leave Friday".

They'd have to put off telling their fathers until after they had settled this 'Charlotte' situation.

In Richmond

KNOCK KNOCK

"Mrs. Bentley" Clay said.

"Yes" she said.

"We'd like to speak to your husband. Is he at home?" Clay said.

"Why, yes, he's here this time" she smiled at them. She remembered Clay and Jeremy from their last visit. "Won't you come in". The three of them followed her inside. She led them into the sitting room. "Would you gentleman like some refreshments?"

"No thank you, ma'am. We just need to speak with your husband" Sean said.

"Alright" she nodded. "He'll be with you shortly".

They sat down and waited for Mr. Bentley. When Mr. Bentley came into the room, they stood up and it was obvious that he was not pleased to see Clay.

"What are you doing here!?" he said.

"I want the truth, Mr. Bentley. I KNOW that you lied! How do you sleep at night. You're a priest for GODs sake!!" Clay fumed.

"Clay" Sean said trying to calm him down.

Clay gritted his teeth and allowed Sean to speak.

"Mr. Bentley, we know that the woman who claims to be your daughter is not and frankly, we don't care. What we care about is our father knowing the truth about her and you have that truth" Sean said.

"I told your brother, and I'll tell you. I have no idea what you are talking about" Mr. Bentley insisted.

"YES you do. What does she have on you?! Was she your mistress or something!" Clay yelled.

"CLAY!" Sean said. "Calm down".

"Look, Mr. Bentley. We know that your daughter is in a sanitarium..."

"My daughter is in Lexington and if you try to say anything different, I'll do whatever it takes to protect my good name. Now, get out of my house!" he said as he turned to lead them to the front door.

When he walked out of the sitting room, he walked into Mrs. Bentley.

"What is going on Homer?" Mrs. Bentley asked.

"Mrs. Bentley" Clay jumped in. "I'm sorry to tell you this but there is a woman in Lexington claiming to be your daughter. All we want is the truth. We know that your daughter is in the sanitarium, but your husband came to Lexington claiming that the woman my father married was Charlotte Bentley".

"Dear, he is lying. I have no idea what he is talking about" Homer said. He turned to Clay and said "GET OUT of my house!"

Mrs. Bentley was not as naïve as her husband thought she was. She had heard their raised voices and came to see what the problem was. She heard him lie about their daughter. She also knew of her husband's dalliances with other women. She had accepted it over the years, but now she was tired of pretending that nothing was going on. It was time to correct something she should have corrected years ago.

"Who is this woman, Homer?" she asked.

"Dear,.." he started.

"DON'T! Just answer my question" she interrupted.

Homer couldn't believe the look in her eyes. All of a sudden, he realized she believed what Clay had said.

"Dear.." he tried again.

"ANSWER MY QUESTION!! If you don't go back to Lexington and tell these gentlemen's father the truth, I will!" she yelled.

"Can we discuss this in private?' he pleaded.

"You have not been so considerate of my feelings all these years, there's no need to start now" she said bitterly.

Mr. Bentley looked sheepishly from his wife to the three bystanders, then back to his wife. He knew that this little charade was over and that his affair would be exposed. The four of them stood in the hall, listening to Homer explain how this woman, Antoinette Gilbert, had 'tricked' him and used her charms to lure him into her bed. He cried crocodile tears as he begged Mrs. Bentley for forgiveness. Sean and Jeremy were a little embarrassed at seeing Mr. Bentley grovel, but Clay enjoyed every minute of it. Mr. Bentley consented to return to Lexington and tell Ned the truth.

Mrs. Bentley wanted to be of help to Sean, Clay and Jeremy. "I will go along with you to Lexington to be sure your father is told the truth".

The ride back to Lexington was uneventful. As they got closer to the Logan farm, they got closer to the end of Antoinette Gilbert's masquerade.

To Be Continued.......................