Nanny and the Professor & Ghost and Mrs Muir Cross

by RevSue

Nanny and the Everetts come to Schooner Bay for part of a year, meeting the Muirs and Captain Gregg.

2. The second half

February 1973

It was Groundhog Day, and as Candy, Jonathan, Hal, Butch and Prudence walked home from school, talking eagerly about the weekend just ahead of them, their shadows stretched out along the cliffs ahead of them and towards the ocean. Prudence, shivering with a sudden blast of cold wind in her face, turned to walk backwards.

"Hey, look! Rainbows beside the sun!" she cried out. The others turned to see as well.

"Those aren't rainbows, Prudence." Hal said.

"They CAN'T be." Butch added. "It's not raining! There's not a cloud in the sky!"

"That doesn't ever stop the rain at Gull Cottage," Candy commented in an undertone.

"Well, what ARE they?" Prudence asked.

"Pretty neat sun dogs." Jonathan said, squinting up at them.

"Sun dogs?" Prudence burst into laughter. "You're kidding, right?"

"No." Candy said.

"Sun dogs." Hal's eyes glazed over for a minute, then he expounded, "Also known as mock suns. They're technically called solar parhelia which means with the sun. They're formed when sunlight passes through ice crystals at the proper angle. Right now, the sun is starting to go down, about 40 degrees above the horizon, so the sun dogs are fainter and farther away from the sun. When the sun gets lower, the sun dogs get brighter. If the sun is higher than 61 degrees, they vanish totally. Sometimes it's cirrus clouds in front of the sun which make sun dogs, but probably because it has been so cold this week, these ones are caused by ice fog or the ice crystals in the air "

"I never knew all that," Candy looked at Hal admiringly.

"Yeah," Jonathan agreed. "I've seen them before, of course, and I know it means rain or more cold is coming, but I didn't know all that scientific stuff."

"If you notice, there's sometimes a faint halo all the way around the sun, too. These ones will get stronger if we wait a few minutes, I bet." Hal said, hunching into his winter coat, his eyes on the lights in the sky.

Butch walked away in disgust, feeling stupid when hearing about all Hal knew and cared about so passionately. He told himself that if he cared about dumb facts and figures like that, HE would be smart like Hal, too, but the truth was, he didn't really like to learn that kind of stuff. Hal just rolled his eyes when Butch protested it didn't matter, and Butch ended up feeling like a moron, so he would strike back instantly. At least, that used to be the way it happened. Nanny had been helping him a bit to let Hal be, and helping Butch find out what HE was good at and enjoyed doing, but it sure wasn't easy when Hal kept spouting off all that information. Butch looked back once to see the others still gathered around Hal, listening intently.

Turning forward again and scowling fiercely, Butch stopped abruptly. Right in front of him was the motionless figure of a tall man. Looking up slowly, Butch recognized the ghost. His eyes went wide.

The Captain hunkered down in front of him, a faint smile on his face. "Yes, you have it, lad. I am Captain Daniel Gregg. Jonathan and Candy did not make me up. You have a believing heart, thus you are able to see me. Do not continue to act this way with your brother. Hal is a thinker, a scientist to the core. Like your father, he will believe only that which he can prove, which is why it is probable that he would not be able to see me even should I appear before him. Your father learned to look deeper when he met your mother, but he forgot again when she was no longer there, and once again believed he could control life the way he controls his mathematical equations, fitting everything into a neat little slot. Nanny is bringing him back to the deeper way of living and learning. Facts and figures make both your father and your brother happy when they can understand them and help others to understand and expand their own knowledge. You, Butch Everett, also have a gift. A gift for believing, for loving, for interacting with people and for helping them in their quests. I see a great future ahead of you, if you will but believe in yourself. Do you understand?"

Terrified, yet intrigued, Butch nodded dumbly, his eyes never leaving the piercing blue ones of the Captain. He wasn't positive he understood everything, but he would remember every word and would mull it over until he DID understand!

The Captain continued, "Nanny is very special to me. I wish her all happiness with your father, and am sure that together they will find their way. But I confess to being somewhat apprehensive when it comes to the three of you youngsters. Do you all truly wish Nanny to become your mother? Are you happy about it?"

Again Butch nodded, unable to say a word. The Captain KNEW Nanny? She had never said anything! And of course they were happy that Nanny was going to be their mother! Prudence was thrilled, but then, she was just a little girl. Hal seemed satisfied, too. Butch himself ... well, he had had some qualms, but just at the beginning. He really did love Nanny, and was glad she was going to be living with them forever. He just didn't really like the thought of having a stepmother. What if she changed into something horrible once the wedding was over? According to all the fairy tales, stepmothers were wicked!

"Truly?" the Captain questioned yet again, fixing a stern eye on the boy.

Butch moistened his lips and croaked, "Yes, sir." Fairy tales were for kids anyway. This was NANNY! She could never be wicked. He just KNEW it! Wow, he was really talking to a GHOST! But he was so scarey! How could Jonathan think he was so great? And were Mrs. Muir and this ghost really in love? His attention snapped back to the Captain when the ghost stood up.

"Ah, good." the Captain looked satisfied. Then he eyed Butch again. "You have a question for me before I leave you?"

Nodding, Butch gulped, wondering how the ghost had heard him thinking, but he really wanted to know, so he managed to say, "Are you really in love with Mrs. Muir?"

Now it was the Captain's turn to look astonished.

"Jonathan said you were." Butch's words tumbled over one another as he spilled them out. "He said he heard you two talking. I was hoping it was true, because I like her, and I don't want her hurt. People in Schooner Bay thought that she and Dad were in love because they like each other, and I didn't want her to love Dad when he loved Nanny instead. We REALLY want Nanny for a mother. I like Mrs. Muir, but ... well, I just hoped you loved her best."

The Captain's sharp glance softened and he smiled. "Aye, lad, I love her. You do not have to worry any longer. The adults will find their own way." He glanced up, then stood up. "The others are coming soon. Remember, lad, believe in yourself, and allow Hal to be himself. He takes nothing away from you." Then he was gone.

Butch looked around, but there was no trace of the Captain anywhere. Had he dreamt him? No. Jonathan talked about him all the time, so the ghost really HAD been there, talking to him. He straightened up proudly. HE had been the one the Captain had talked with, not Hal! He wasn't inferior or stupid. Just different. The Captain had said so.

Just as the others met up again with Butch, a shiny new car flashed past them on the way up the hill.

"Who was THAT?" Hal asked, staring after it.

"Mrs. Post and Mrs. Hassenhammer." Candy grimaced. "Wonder who they're going to see? Mom or your Dad? Oh, oh. I hope we didn't do anything wrong!"

"Mrs. Muir?" Martha poked her head around the door of Carolyn's room. Carolyn looked up from her typewriter. "Sorry to bother you, but Mrs. Post and Mrs. Hassenhammer are downstairs and VERY insistent about speaking with you."

"Oh, dear. All right, I'll be right down." Carolyn scrambled for her shoes, then ran the brush over her hair before smoothing her dress and heading downstairs.

As she put her hand on the door of the living room, the Captain appeared beside her, his hand up to prevent her from entering. "Listen, Madam. They are discussing me!"

Carolyn rolled her eyes. What an ego! When she opened the door a crack and peeked in, she found the two women standing in front of the fireplace, staring up at the portrait.

Mrs. Hassenhammer was saying, "My, he WAS handsome, wasn't he? No wonder Mrs. Muir kept this picture hanging here. I do believe I could sit and look at him all day and never do a lick of work! Maybe that's why she keeps Martha on."

"Well, she obviously gets SOME work done. WHAT an imagination! You DID read her story, Maiden Voyage, that came out a couple of years ago in that rather tawdry magazine, didn't you? The men in Schooner Bay were VERY intrigued with it, so I read my husband's copy. He wouldn't let me burn it afterwards." Mrs. Post sounded faintly aggrieved. "I wonder if she used Captain Gregg as a role model?"

"Well, she couldn't POSSIBLY have used Claymore as a role model. I know he owns Gull Cottage and believes he has the power of the Gregg name behind him, but he is nowhere NEAR the man the Captain was, from all the stories I've heard!" Mrs. Hassenhammer sniffed.

"I'm sure I don't know where all those stories came from about this house being haunted by the Captain! Why, we were here for a PTA meeting, and everything was perfectly fine. Mrs. Muir was understandably nervous, so there were a few glitches, but really, I've no idea why she hasn't offered to host another meeting! Mrs. Jenkins was terrified at the thought of coming here, and having our meeting interrupted by a mythical ghost. The very idea!"

"He could interrupt my meetings ANYTIME!" Mrs. Hassenhammer sighed.

"Mrs. Hassenhammer!" exclaimed Mrs. Post, a little shocked at such blatant admiration.

Carolyn opened the door at this point, having heard more than enough. The Captain smirked at her as she stepped into the room and smiled tightly at the two women who swung around at her entrance.

"Ah, Mrs. Muir!" Mrs. Post greeted her. "How are you today?"

"Just fine, thank you." Carolyn answered.

"For all it's so cold, it's a lovely day, isn't it?" Mrs. Hassenhammer said.

"Yes, it is." again Carolyn answered politely.

"It's nice the weather was so co-operative for the Ice Festival, don't you think? We needed the cold then, didn't we? It's just such a shame that it kept getting colder and colder." Mrs. Post continued doggedly.

"Well, it IS winter," Mrs. Hassenhammer pointed out.

Carolyn merely nodded, wondering why the two women were here. Mrs. Post was the head of the PTA, and Mrs. Hassenhammer was the wife of the President of the college where Professor Everett was teaching. Could this possibly have something to do with the Professor? Why would they come here? Then Carolyn noticed Mrs. Hassenhammer looking around the living room of Gull Cottage almost assessingly, glancing surreptitiously at Mrs. Post and nodding her head, almost as if to say 'this will be all right ...'

Speaking firmly but nicely, Carolyn said, "I'm sorry, but I'm VERY busy. Was there something in particular I can help you with?"

"Well, now that you mention it ... We have decided that we will have a surprise engagement party for Nanny and the Professor, and combine it with a Valentine's party, so that the entire community can celebrate with them. Valentine's Day is on a Wednesday this year, of course, so we planned to have the party on the Friday following. We were wondering if you would be willing to assist in this endeavour, since you are so close to them both physically and emotionally."

A surprise engagement party? Carolyn wondered how Nanny and the Professor would react to that. She hesitated a moment too long.

"Unless, of course," Mrs. Hassenhammer murmured, with a questioning look at Carolyn, "the rumours are TRUE ... that you were hoping to marry the Professor yourself?"

"No, indeed!" Carolyn shook her head, smiling tightly, "I'm VERY happy for them both!" Inwardly she began to boil. Now Carolyn remembered that it was the Hassenhammer's daughter who had created problems for Candy over a year ago, in that business with young Mark Helmore.

"Tell the old biddies to mind their own business and leave us to our well-deserved privacy!" the Captain's sudden bark of command made Carolyn jump slightly.

"What exactly were you asking me to do?" she spoke to Mrs. Post. As Martha had said, the woman was rather stuffy, but she seemed a little more genuine than Mrs. Hassenhammer.

"Well, we WOULD have had this party at the hall, and indeed, that had been the plan when first devised, but the long-lasting cold weather which was so beneficial for the Ice Festival meant disaster for the hall in Schooner Bay. This morning, when we arrived to assess the place, we found that the pipes had frozen and burst and the mess cannot possibly be cleaned up in time for the party on the sixteenth!" Mrs. Post shook her head in despair.

"Naturally we have everything all arranged. The decorations are bought, the refreshments are all organized. All we ask of you is to provide the space. Because of your deep friendship with the guests of honour, we feel CONVINCED that you will agree to hold the party here in Gull Cottage ...." Mrs. Hassenhammer smiled broadly now that the bombshell had been dropped.

"For the entire community?" Carolyn was in shock. She hesitated momentarily, thinking of the Captain and knowing she really didn't have to wonder about his reaction as the thunder crashed, rain poured down, windows banged open and closed, and the curtains flew in the cold wind sweeping through the living room.

"I THINK NOT!" roared the Captain.

Mrs. Post shuddered and clutched her coat more tightly around her. "Where did this sudden terrible storm come from? It was such a lovely afternoon as we drove up here."

Carolyn cringed and offered her usual flimsy excuse. "The, umm, the weather here is rather unpredictable. Quite often it seems to rain at Gull Cottage while the sun is shining in Schooner Bay!"

"Even in the dead of winter? A thunderstorm? Remarkable!" Mrs. Hassenhammer was amazed.

"Well, thank you for agreeing, Mrs. Muir! We'll just run along now!" and Mrs. Post tugged Mrs. Hassenhammer out the door before Carolyn could say a word.

"You certainly did not handle THAT well, did you?" the Captain roared. "Now we have to host a party for the ENTIRE COMMUNITY?"

"I didn't scare them off, Captain, that was YOU." Carolyn frowned at him. "Just think of it this way. It's a party for Phoebe and Hal."

"I hardly think they will thank you either." he grumbled, his anger subsiding.

"True," Carolyn sighed, "but I think it's settled now. I'm not about to tackle Mrs. Post again!"

"Here's your tea, Professor!" Nanny said cheerily, putting a cup down on the table as he walked into the kitchen.

"How did you know I wanted tea?" he challenged her with a smile, sitting down beside Prudence who was busy colouring.

"It's that time of day." Nanny replied. Then she looked up, her brow furrowed. "Oh, dear!"

"What's the matter?" the Professor asked, also looking up at the ceiling and seeing nothing out of the ordinary.

"Oh, my! What are they asking?" Nanny murmured. Then she looked at the Professor and tried to smile. "Tell me, Professor, how are you at acting surprised? As if you weren't really sure what was going on?"

"That won't be a problem at all, Nanny," he smiled wryly with a hint of exasperation. "I NEVER know what's going on, it seems!"

Just then, the Professor happened to glance out the kitchen window. "You know, Nanny, it's funny how thunder, lightning and rain seemed to hang over Gull Cottage EVEN IN THE WINTER! More than any other place I've ever seen! I'm not surprised you haven't mentioned the tree frogs lately before the rain, since they'd have frozen long ago, but even in the winter, there can be a thunderstorm at Gull Cottage, and be clear in Schooner Bay. Why, the sun is even out at OUR house today, and we're only a stone's throw away! Poor Carolyn is getting waterlogged again! It's a wonder that house doesn't float away!"

Nanny refilled the teapot with boiling water and commented lightly, "It's Captain Gregg. He must be annoyed about something."

The Prof rolled his eyes. "Are you still believing that rubbish? Talk like that is what perpetuates the myth of the ghost of Gull Cottage. Science has proven time and again ..."

Prudence looked up from her colouring book. "Jonathan says the Captain doesn't like to be called a ghost. He'd rather be called a spirit. Says it's got a better repupation or something."

The Professor stared at his daughter. "Even YOU believe in that nonsense?"

"Jonathan says ..." she began.

The Professor sighed noisily and shook his head. "You're only seven, Prudence. Puppy love isn't supposed to hit for a few more years yet."

"Now, Professor, you of all people should know that puppy love can hit anyone at any time. I believe you carried home Angelica's books for an entire week when you were six?" Nanny chided him.

He stared at her. "Angelica?"

"Angelica Brown. She lived up the street in the house with the Monkey-Puzzle tree in the yard." Nanny prompted him.

"Wow! You knew someone with a Monkey-Puzzle tree like the Captain's?" Prudence's eyes were wide. "And she had a puppy?"

Her father ignored her, staring instead at Nanny. "You're right! I'd forgotten all about Angelica! Wait a minute. Just how did you know about her, Nanny?" his eyes narrowed. "And I don't want to hear anything about a tree frog or a monkey's uncle passing along that tidbit!"

Nanny smiled mysteriously.

"A monkey's uncle? Daddy, you're funny!" Prudence giggled.

"You DO have two brothers, Professor, both of whom have been known to tell tales on you." Nanny pointed out softly.

"Eh? Oh. You DO have a point."

"I'll get it." Nanny said quickly, and was gone from the room. A moment later, the Professor heard the phone, and he shook his head. He wondered if he would EVER get used to living with her! She was certainly keeping him on his toes, being one step ahead of him all the way! He sincerely hoped his brother Ben came through and had sent by special courier the engagement ring the Professor had designed after talking with Carolyn a few days ago! Knowing Nanny and how hard it was to surprise her, he had been trying very hard not to even THINK about it in case he gave it away!

On Valentine's Day, the Professor barely had time to sip his coffee before rushing out the door heading for the college. Nanny called after him, "Don't worry, Professor, I'll have the beds ready!"

Puzzled, he stood with his hand on the car door for only a minute, then waved and got in the vehicle. He didn't have time to sort out her meaning today! The ring HAD to be coming to the college today, or he'd phone that Bentley Everett and know the reason why!!

As she watched the car wind down the road towards Schooner Bay, Nanny looked after him and shook her head affectionately. He was so busy, and so lovable! He really DID need someone to look after him and the children. And yet, when he looked at her with desire in his eyes, she never thought of herself as motherly with reference to him. Lately, she had seen that look more often, and something deep inside her would twist just a little tighter. Was it fear ... or longing? Nonsense! Dismissing her misgivings, Nanny busied herself getting the children ready for school, making sure they had their Valentines for their classmates. She exclaimed over the ones they had made for her, and hugged them tightly as she thanked them then sent them off. She had slipped little notes into each of their lunch boxes as well as a couple of heart-shaped cookies.

Upon his arrival at the college, the Professor noticed a taxi pulling away from the front door. Carrying his briefcase, he walked through the doors and up the stairs to his office.

"They're in your office, Professor Everett," smiled one of the secretaries.

"They?"

"Um-hmm." she turned away as the phone rang, and waved him on.

"Has the courier been yet?" he asked in a louder voice, but she ignored him. Sighing, he opened the door and stepped inside his office.

"At LAST!" Two men turned from their perusal of the ocean out the window and pounced on him. "Hey, little brother, how's it going?" The eldest Everett brother, Ben, pumped his hand.

"Ben told me your news!" Bob, the second brother, grinned as he slapped the Professor's back, nearly knocking the flabbergasted Professor flat. "Things are pretty busy, of course, but I managed to tear myself away for a day. We just couldn't let an opportunity like this pass!"

"Opportunity?"

"You betcha! It's not every day our baby brother gets engaged! So we brought the ring with us, and demand you arrange a meeting with your lovely fiancee. I'm assuming she IS lovely?" Ben raised his eyebrows in question.

"Of course she is ... Look, I don't understand ..." the Professor tried to fathom why his brothers would have flown across the country just to bring the engagement ring he had ordered ... they already KNEW Nanny!

"Tell us, Hal, it's the very talented Carolyn Muir who is the lucky lady, isn't it? You said she was acting as your liaison here, and you've spent a lot of time with her!" Bob pulled out a worn copy of a magazine and waved it in the Professor's face, never letting his brother speak. "I mentioned your engagement to a friend, and he had just read one of her stories, so he gave it to me, with the strictest instructions to return it in pristine condition, preferably autographed! WHAT a story! You've read it, I'm sure, even though it's a couple of years old? Has she written any sequels?"

"Bob let me read it on the plane -- I'm telling you, Hal, Carolyn Muir sounds like a WILD woman!" Ben added his excited voice to his brother's.

"Let me see this story!" the Professor forgot to deny his engagement to Carolyn, very curious to see what she had written that had so stirred his brothers.

With a flourish, Bob handed him the magazine, opened to the right page. The Professor began to skim it, then his mouth opened and he began again at the beginning, going more slowly so as to savour it.

"Who's the Captain, Hal? Anyone you know?" Ben dug him in the ribs and winked.

Finishing the article, the Professor handed the magazine back to Bob and cleared his throat. "What a story! Well ... let's see, you had some questions. First of all ... no, I am NOT marrying Carolyn. She IS a very good friend. In fact, we're supposed to be having supper with her and her family tonight. MY family is invited, that is ... not you two."

"We're family!" protested Bob.

"I keep hoping I'm adopted." the Professor said dryly. "Secondly, I have never seen this story before, I do not know who Captain Joshua Webster is, and I have no idea if there is a sequel or not, but you may be sure I will ask!" He grinned, then added, "And I'm sure she will be more than happy to autograph this one for you."

"Wonderful! Thanks! You'll ask her tonight? When we go for supper?" Bob begged.

The Professor ignored him. "And finally, you both already know my lovely fiancee. Nanny has agreed to marry me."

There was a long pause as his brothers stared at him. Finally Ben said, "Nanny? YOUR nanny?"

"That's right. She's MY Nanny now." the Professor said, proudly.

Bob sat down. "You're marrying her just to look after your kids, aren't you?"

"Don't be ridiculous!" the Professor growled. "Why would I do anything so crazy as that? She was looking after them before. I didn't need to MARRY her for that! No, I'm marrying her for all the usual reasons."

"Oh?" Ben quizzed him. "I thought the usual reasons were to cook, clean, look after the kids ..."

"And warm your bed ..." Bob added. "And HAVE the kids ..."

A loud clap of thunder made all three men instinctively duck.

"What on earth? This is FEBRUARY! There's SNOW on the ground!" Ben peered out the window. "What's with the thunder?"

"And it's not even Gull Cottage." muttered the Professor. "Hmmm. Nanny strikes again?"

"Huh? What's that about a cottage?" Bob turned to him.

"Nothing. Never mind. Look, I love Phoebe, all right?"

"Phoebe?" his brothers looked blank. The Professor looked impatient.

"NANNY! Ben, where's the blasted ring?"

"Right here." Ben fished a small jeweller's box out of his pocket and lightly tossed it to his brother. "You must be fitting right in here. I've never heard you BLAST anything before!" The Professor paid no attention to him, caught the box with a muttered "thanks" and opened it to view the ring.

A pleased smile spread over his face as he saw the gold Claddagh ring nestled in the blue velvet lining of the box. The heart was a ruby, on the crown was a small sapphire in the centre supported by three small diamonds and an eternity love knot band joined the wrists of the two slightly upturned hands holding the heart. "Yes, this is EXACTLY how I pictured it!"

"She Irish?" Bob said, peering at the ring. "That's an Irish ring."

"Phoebe's English. But she's a little ... well, I'm sure she's connected to the Celts, and this is a traditional Celtic wedding or betrothal band. I hope she likes it."

"She won't be able to resist it." Ben said, smugly. "Every woman likes jewellery; the more expensive, the better, I've found."

"Phoebe's different." the Professor touched the ring lightly, supremely satisfied with his choice.

"Different how?" Bob questioned.

"Just ..." Suddenly he remembered what Nanny had called out to him just before he left home. She'd have the BEDS ready? For THESE two? How had she known? "So," he tried to ask casually, "when did you phone to say you were coming?"

Ben shook his head. "We didn't. We didn't tell ANYONE, because we wanted to surprise you. After deciding on the spur of the moment last night, we took a chance on going standby, caught the red-eye flight to Boston, then came the rest of the way by taxi."

"ALL THE WAY FROM BOSTON?" the Professor stared.

Shrugging, Ben nodded. "I hate buses. When you've got the money, may as well use it!" he said.

"So we did. HIS money, I might add," grinned Bob. "The taxi's to come back and pick us up here tomorrow morning to take us back to Boston, and we'll fly home tomorrow afternoon. But don't worry, we brought lots of presents for the children."

"I'd never worry about that. I'm think I'm getting used to you both spoiling them!" the Professor rolled his eyes. Just then the phone rang.

"It's Nanny," the secretary informed him.

"Hello?" the Professor said, rather cautiously.

"Isn't it lovely that your brothers came to visit you, Professor?" Nanny said, cheerfully.

"Nanny, how did you know ...?" he stopped. Hadn't he learned by now not to bother asking questions she wouldn't answer? "So, you have their beds made up? Which boy did you displace?"

"Why, Professor, I couldn't ask that of either Hal OR Butch. Not on a school night! No, I've managed to fit a couple of cots in your room. Carolyn lent me one. She just dropped it off now, and when I mentioned that your brothers had arrived for an unexpected visit, she very generously invited them to Gull Cottage tonight as well."

"Thank you, Nanny," the Professor said, slumping a little. Sharing a room with his brothers? BOTH of them? Admittedly, it was just for one night, but even so!

"It will all work out in the end, Professor, you'll see. Oh, although I understand Carolyn's embarrassed by that story in Feminine View, since she claims the Captain changed a lot of it without her knowledge even though he DID assist her originally, I'm sure she'll be glad to autograph it for your brother's friend, Professor. We'll see you all about four? Good bye, Professor. And don't be late for your next class!"

"Bye," he mumbled, no longer surprised by anything she said. The GHOST had written a lot of the incredible story he had just read? He looked at his brothers after he put the phone down. "You're invited for supper at Carolyn's and the night at our place." Then Nanny's last sentence sunk in, and he looked at his watch. "Gotta go!"

Dropping the ring box on his desk, he tore out of his office. Ben and Bob looked at each other for a moment, then Ben took up the ring, threw it up in the air, caught it and neatly pocketed it. They each picked a comfortable chair and sat down to await their brother's return.

Ben spoke first. "Nanny."

Nodding, Bob said, "She IS lovely."

"Very."

Again they sat in silence.

"I'm almost glad it WASN'T Carolyn Muir," Bob finally said. "The way she wrote about that Captain. If the story was autobiographical, she'd never love anyone else the way she obviously loves him! What a man, that Captain. I'd feel sorry for the poor guy she marries, having to live up to that paragon!"

Ben nodded agreement. Then he grinned, "Let me read that again. If it IS autobiographical, I can't WAIT to meet her!"

The two hunched over the magazine, reading avidly. Suddenly, halfway down the last page, Ben looked at Bob. "Nanny!"

Bob nodded again, understanding his brother completely. "Maybe when we see them together ..." he offered.

"Maybe."

They found it a long day at the college.

"I'm home, Martha!" Carolyn called as she stepped in the door. "You have two cards."

"Two?" Martha came out of the kitchen, wiping her hands.

Carolyn handed her the envelopes. "And I just got bills!" she complained lightly.

Ripping open the first one, Martha read it over and a bit of red crept over her cheeks. "Oh, my! First Valentine I've received from a male since I was in grade school!"

"How nice!" Carolyn paused for a second, debating the privacy issue, then cast caution to the wind. "Who's it from?"

"Ed." was the thoughtful answer.

"That's nice." Carolyn nodded. Then she encouraged Martha again, seeing the other woman staring pensively at the card. "Who's the other one from?"

"Hmmm? Oh!" Carefully putting Ed's Valentine on the hall table, Martha eagerly tore open the other one. Her face grew even redder. "Cleveland Hampton."

"My, my, my!" Carolyn teased her gently. "Two on the string."

"Imagine! At my age, to have TWO beaux!" Martha shook her head self-deprecatingly, but she carefully placed both cards in the pocket of her apron and patted it. Without another word to Carolyn, she went back into the kitchen, humming, "What the world needs now, is love, sweet love ..."

"Martha is only slightly less irritating when she's in love." the Captain materialized beside Carolyn.

"But which one is she in love with?" Carolyn asked, looking up at him.

He tugged on his right ear as he thought it over. "Well, Madam, I guess we will just have to wait and see. I refuse to be put in the situation I found myself enduring the last time the love bug hit Martha!"

Carolyn chuckled. "But you did your research well, and exposed the Mama's boy for what he really was!"

At that moment, a knock came at the door. Carolyn opened it, and there stood Cleveland Hampton.

"Mrs. Muir," he smiled broadly, and stepped in as she held the door open. "Is Miss Grant here? I'd like a word with her, if I may?"

"Martha?" Carolyn went to the kitchen door. "You have a guest."

Running a hand over her hair to smooth it, Martha came out of the kitchen again. "Why, Mr. Hampton!"

"Cleveland, please." he smiled rather nervously.

"Won't you come in?" Martha asked. "Oh, and I just received your Valentine. Thank you ever so much!"

He cleared this throat, and smiled awkwardly. "I'm glad."

"Come into the living room. Would you like some coffee?" Martha gestured to the living room even as Carolyn murmured an excuse and tried to effect an escape upstairs.

"No, no, I'm afraid I can't stay. I just wondered if you would do me the honour of coming out to dine with me tonight."

Carolyn's foot froze on the first step and her stricken eyes met Martha's. She hated to see Martha miss out on a date, but they were having company for supper, and CAROLYN certainly couldn't cook it!

"I'm terribly sorry, Mr ... Cleveland." Martha was very regretful, "but we've already invited some guests for tonight."

Crestfallen, Mr. Hampton didn't know what to say. Carolyn spoke up, avoiding Martha's eyes. "Please, Mr. Hampton, you're more than welcome to join us! We've invited the Everetts up. The Professor's brothers are here unexpectedly, so we already added two more this morning. We'd be happy to have you come as well."

"Well, that's mighty nice of you, Mrs. Muir! Thank you. I'll do that." he beamed at her, then at Martha. "I'm sorry I can't stay right now, but I'll see you tonight, Martha. If ... if I may call you that?"

"Certainly," Martha said, graciously, but as Carolyn was again attempting to sneak off up the stairs, Martha's hand reached behind her, out of Mr. Hampton's sight, and fastened on Carolyn's skirt, making it impossible for the younger woman to move without being obvious.

"That's wonderful! Thank you so much again, Martha. Oh, and Mrs. Muir." Waving jauntily, Mr. Hampton went out the door.

Releasing her grip on Carolyn's skirt, Martha turned to her. "WHAT are you doing, inviting him here, tonight, for supper?"

"I'm sorry, Martha. I didn't know you didn't want him to come. I just ..."

"Oh, it's all right if he comes as far as I'M concerned! I just have the feeling you were trying to pull something over on me." Martha's eyes narrowed as she studied Carolyn.

"No, really, I ..." Carolyn stopped when the phone started ringing.

"I'll get it. You stay right here." Martha ordered her. "Hello? Oh, hello, Ed. What? WHAT? Oh, Ed, I'd love to, but, well, it's just not possible tonight ..."

Again Carolyn made a move to go upstairs, but a glance from Martha's narrowed eyes made her hesitate yet again. "Yes, Ed, I know that ... well, yes, actually, we ARE having cherry pie ..." Now Martha's eyebrows went up in a query as she looked at Carolyn, then shrugged and mouthed, 'in for a penny, in for a pound!' before saying to Ed, "Listen, why don't you come for supper too? You know the Everetts and Nanny and Mr. Hampton ... yes. Yes, I said, Mr. Hampton. Well ... he works with the Professor some, you know. Yes, I'm sure you're welcome too ..." Martha glanced at Carolyn who grinned and nodded vigorously. "Yes, Mrs. Muir says that of course you are welcome to come. What's that? Oh, I see. Well, yes, come about 7:30 then, and have some dessert with us, anyway. Good-bye, Ed." She hung up, and stared at Carolyn.

"You're very popular, all of a sudden, Martha!" Carolyn teased her again.

"Yes, it appears that way, doesn't it?" Martha said, distractedly. She patted the apron pocket again to be sure the Valentines were in there, then said, "Well, Ed sounded a little put-out that we had invited Mr. Hampton. I think that's why he refused to come for supper. They wouldn't get into a FIGHT tonight, would they?"

"Surely not!" Carolyn scoffed. "They're grown men."

"Ah, but they are MEN!" Martha sniffed.

"I resent that aspersion on my sex, Martha!" the Captain growled. "And had your Mr. Peevey decided to join you for dinner, I am afraid I should have felt compelled to join you also. You realize that you would have had thirteen at your dinner table? That is bad luck."

"I don't believe in stuff and nonsense like THAT, Captain Gregg, but it IS a good thing, because we don't have room for thirteen, let alone fourteen! As it is, we have to use the table all down the middle of the kitchen, with as many leaves as we have for it, AND add the island to it for extra space!"

"How were you thinking you could POSSIBLY join us, Captain?" Carolyn asked.

"I managed quite well at the Snow Ball, I thought," the Captain said, looking at her meaningfully.

Martha cleared her throat at the sight of them gazing into each other's eyes. They paid no attention to her. Sighing, she patted her Valentines again, then disappeared into the kitchen, unnoticed by the pair on the stairs.

Upon their arrival at the Professor's house, he parked his car in the garage beside Nanny's 1930 Model A, patting Arabella on the bonnet as he went past her. Inside, Ben and Bob were greeted by three ecstatic children and a smiling Nanny. Her smile slipped only a little when they both kissed her on both cheeks, welcoming her to the Everett family. Turning to the Professor, keeping his arm loosely around Nanny's shoulders, Ben nodded his head.

"You did all right, baby brother. Your nanny is something else! Maybe a little DIM, settling for you over anyone else ..." he laughed and ducked as the Professor playfully lashed out at him.

Then the Professor looked meaningfully at his brothers, then the children. For a moment both Ben and Bob looked blank, then they grinned. "Come on, kids ... we've got some things to show you, if you show us where we're bunking down!"

"Nanny put you in Dad's room." Butch said.

"This way, Uncle Bob." Prudence said, holding out her hand.

When they had left the room, the Professor turned to Nanny and caught her hand as she started to follow. "Wait a minute. I have something for you." He fumbled in his pocket, then withdrew the ring box and placed it in her hand. Nanny stilled, staring at the box, then up at the Professor. "It doesn't bite," he teased gently. "Go on. Open it."

"But I ... oh, Harold ..." When she opened the box, the beauty of the dainty ring took her breath away. "It's lovely ..."

"Not nearly as lovely as you. It's a..."

"Claddagh ring," she finished his sentence softly, never taking her eyes off it. Her voice faltered a bit as she murmured,

"The hands are there for friendship,

The heart is there for love.

For loyalty throughout the year,

The crown is raised above."

"Right." the Professor gave her an odd look, but she paid no attention. "Does it fit?" Taking it out of the box, he reached for her left hand, but Nanny resisted. "What?" he asked. "It's an engagement ring!"

"A Claddagh engagement ring." She held out her right hand. "It is worn on the right hand with the heart turned inwards to denote that the wearer is 'spoken for'. On the wedding day ..." her voice faltered for a moment, then she continued, "on the wedding day, it is switched over to the left hand, with the heart turned in, indicating that the wearer is happily married and the love and friendship will last forever, the two loves have joined for eternity, never to be separated."

"REALLY?" the Professor looked at the ring again, then turned it and carefully slid it onto the correct finger on her right hand. "I'll take your word for that. Carolyn just said it represented love, loyalty and friendship or plighted troth. See, the hands are more upturned than usual on such rings? The jeweller said that is to symbolize the offering of my heart. The ruby is the stone of love, MY love for you, and symbolizes wisdom, health, happiness, and good luck. In an engagement ring, it expresses passion and the promise of my heart. There are 3 diamonds in the crown. It's your birthstone and according to the jeweller, diamonds enhance the love of a husband and wife, and endow one with strength, courage, and fortitude as well as standing for purity, power, wealth, and love. There are three of them, one for each of the children. The sapphire is the exact colour of your eyes, Phoebe, and in an engagement ring it supposedly expresses the commitment and loyalty of my heart. Sapphires represent truth, sincerity and consistency and are often called stones of holy blessings because they draw protection and prophetic wisdom to the wearer. The latter being something YOU certainly don't need!" he chuckled.

"Oh, Hal ..." she whispered again, her face shining with love as she lifted it to his. "Oh, thank you ... THANK YOU! It's so beautiful." Her arms went around his neck and her lips met his. Then, rather self-consciously, she drew back again, and examined the ring with delight. Her eyes sparkled as she looked up at him and teased, "And you sounded so romantic when you were explaining it to me! Not at all like a stuffy mathematics professor!"

"Romantic? STUFFY professor?" he pretended outrage. "I'll have you know ..."

"Coming!" she called, turning away even as he reached for her.

A second later, he heard Prudence calling for them to come up and see what their uncles had brought. Shaking his head, he followed her out of the room.

"Come in! Happy Valentine's Day!" Carolyn welcomed the Everett crew as they arrived. The children immediately disappeared upstairs to find Candy and Jonathan, and Carolyn and Martha were introduced to the Professor's brothers. Mr. Hampton arrived shortly afterwards and was also introduced to Ben and Bob, then he excused himself and went in to the kitchen with Martha to see if he could make himself useful. The others went into the living room.

"Mrs. Muir," Bob began, bringing out his copy of Feminine View, "would it be possible for you to autograph your story in this magazine for me?"

"Call me Carolyn, please," she said, graciously, and extended her hand for the magazine. "I'd be glad to autograph ..." her voice broke off when she looked at which magazine he was handing her, and her face began to flush. "Oh, it's ... Maiden Voyage ..."

Fascinated by the colour mounting in her face, Ben asked, "What's the matter, Carolyn? I realize it's not one of your more recent stories ..."

"But it's a humdinger!" Bob grinned.

"Well, I had a lot of help with that," Carolyn murmured, shooting a narrowed glance at the Captain's portrait. Would this story EVER stop coming back to haunt her? "A ... ghost writer."

Nanny smothered a sudden laugh with a cough, and Carolyn's own eyes began to dance as she looked at her friend who understood completely.

"I admit to being fascinated by the story," the Professor said. "You wouldn't have any extra copies around, would you?"

"To be honest, gentlemen," Carolyn said, "I burned all the copies I had. That story turned out to be quite different from the one I thought I was sending in. I really can't call it mine at all."

Both Bob and Ben looked disappointed. Then Bob thrust the magazine back at her. "Well, could you maybe just sign it anyway? It's a friend's ... I won't tell him you didn't really write it. It'll gain me some points, though, to say I MET you!"

Chuckling, Carolyn took the pen Ben handed her and scrawled her name across the page, deliberately running through the word 'ravish' which had caused her so much grief the time the publisher had come to visit. Bob, looking uncomfortable now, thanked her and put away the magazine.

"Perhaps if you left the magazine with her for a bit, Carolyn could get the REAL author to sign it, too!" the Professor suggested.

Startled, Carolyn shook her head in instant denial. "Oh, no. No, I'm afraid that's not possible. You see, he ... well, he died."

Bob let out a sudden bark of laughter. "THAT'S a good one! A ghost writer who died! Now that REALLY makes him a ghost, I guess."

"Yes, it does, doesn't it?" Nanny's smile was inscrutable. The Professor looked at her in some surprise. She sounded as though she might know who had written this with Carolyn! Well, why not? The two were friends, and what man ever knew what two women would talk about?

"Don't be crass, Robert Everett!" Ben nudged Bob. "Forgive him, Carolyn, he hasn't had enough sleep. I am sorry your friend passed away. Was it sudden?"

"I ..."

The Professor interrupted, "Do tell me it wasn't your late husband, Carolyn!"

"No." Carolyn said quickly. "It wasn't." Then, wanting to change the subject, she asked the Professor's brothers, "So what do you think of the news of the engagement?"

"Nanny's a lovely woman, and I'm proud to be her brother-in-law!" Bob grinned.

"Hal, here, is finally showing some sense for a youngster!" Ben agreed, clapping the Professor on the shoulder and again almost knocking him over. "Our baby brother's finally growing up!"

"So, when are you going to grow up and show some sense and make ME a brother-in-law?" the Professor asked sourly, rubbing his shoulder aggrievedly.

Ben held up his hands in surrender. "You know me, Hal! Love 'em and leave 'em is my motto!" He eyed the portrait over the fireplace and whistled. "That's some sailor there!"

'SEAMAN' came the Captain's hiss in Carolyn's ear.

She jumped, then said, "Yes, that's Captain Daniel Gregg. He built Gull Cottage over a hundred years ago."

"It was his wheel we saw on the deck upstairs?" Ben asked.

"That's right. The wheel of his first ship."

"You'll have to buy Carolyn's book," the Professor said. "The Memoirs of Captain Gregg. Fascinating reading about the old salt."

"He looks like he'd have some stories to tell, all right." Bob nodded.

"Definitely!" Carolyn said with heartfelt fervour.

"You know, they say in Schooner Bay that the Captain died in this house, and still haunts it." the Professor said.

Nanny glanced at Carolyn, then looked away as Ben and Bob began to laugh.

"You have got to be kidding! A ghost? A real ghost? In this house?" Bob chortled. "Do you think maybe he knows your ghost-writer?"

Again Ben nudged him, then rushed into speech. "Has anyone in Schooner Bay really SEEN him? How about you, Carolyn? If anyone has, it'd be you since you live here. But how utterly ridiculous! Just because he was the subject of a book, the town wants to claim he's still haunting? Probably to get more publicity!" Ben nodded sagely. "And with more publicity, more tourists come in, and we all know that brings more money to the town! Must be all a scam. Probably all perpetuated by this Captain and his descendants!"

"The Captain was a great man in his day, according to both legend and Carolyn's book," the Professor defended the Captain's reputation.

"I will have you know I am STILL a great man, even in your day!" the Captain growled again in Carolyn's ear.

"I do believe dinner is served!" Nanny said brightly.

At that moment, Martha opened the living room door and peered in. "Come and get it!"

"How'd you know ...?" Bob began, turning to Nanny, but the Professor waved him on.

"Don't bother asking! I'll call the children down!" and he hurried out.

As Bob and Ben strode out of the living room, Bob tripped over an unseen foot. Ben, already at the door, turned just as Bob barrelled into him. The door slammed back smartly, catching the back of Ben's head with a dull thud. Both Nanny and Carolyn exclaimed in a horrified voice, "CAPTAIN!", then they looked at each other, laughed, shrugged, and followed the mystified, somewhat befuddled men into the kitchen.

It was a noisy, happy meal. At one point, Carolyn turned to Nanny who was seated at her side. "Do YOU have any brothers or sisters? I'm an only child, and to be honest, I find it hard to concentrate with a noise like this! Even two children can be a handful at times!"

"I, too, am an only child," Nanny said, only half-aware that the Professor had overheard Carolyn's question and was listening, hoping to learn more about her background. She was usually so reticent, he only knew about the relatives he had already met -- rather STRANGE relatives, all of them. "I do have many aunts and uncles, but few cousins. And, of course, I had Cholmondeley who DID rather take the place of a dear older brother, I suppose." She paused for a moment, then said, almost under her breath, "I wonder where he is now?" Smiling cheerily at Carolyn, she confided, "He's a wanderer, you know, moving here and there."

"Mostly there, thank goodness," muttered the Professor.

"I DO hope Cholmondeley is happy, I sincerely LIKE him." Nanny continued as if the Professor hadn't spoken.

"Chumley?" Carolyn queried.

The Professor grimaced slightly. "She was betrothed to him from her birth ... remember I told you about that? He knew what I was thinking even before I did! Had a terrible habit of finishing my sentences!"

"Dear Cholmondeley..." Nanny smiled, her eyes pensive. Then she took a deep breath, shaking off her quiet mood, "Well, everything has worked out for the best, wouldn't you say? One can only hope it is the best for all concerned!" As she reached for her glass, Carolyn saw the ring on her right hand.

"Oh, your RING!" she exclaimed in delight. "It came! May I see it, please?"

As the Professor explained about designing and ordering it, and Ben put in about picking it up and deciding to deliver it in person, Bob muttered, "When we thought it was Carolyn he was marrying!" Carolyn caught her breath, then her lips twitched as thunder rumbled through the kitchen.

"And the best part of all," beamed the Professor, paying no attention to the thunder, "is that Phoebe informs me that it's worn on the right hand as an engagement ring, and then switched over to the left hand on the wedding day! So I don't even need to buy another ring!"

"Get one anyway," advised Ben. "Women go for that sort of thing."

"Not everyone." Carolyn lifted her chin defiantly. "I only wanted one ring as well."

"So you say," shrugged Ben.

"I love my ring, and wouldn't exchange for any other," Nanny said softly, closing her left hand over her right protectively, and smiling lovingly at the Professor.

Carolyn thought about the beautiful Irish Claddagh ring and wondered fleetingly if the Captain had ever had one, and if so, had he ever given it to anyone? Vanessa, perhaps? After all, they had been betrothed ...

Nanny turned to her and said in an undertone, "They generally are passed down from mother to daughter. However, he was an only child as well, so his mother gave it to him. It's simple, but really quite lovely! I should think Vanessa would not have been interested in an old ring, as they became popular beginning in the 17th century. No doubt that is why ..."

"Phoebe!" the Captain interrupted, and Carolyn saw a meaningful look pass between the two before Nanny was again involved in the conversation with the Everett brothers.

Once again, Carolyn was left wondering whether or not Nanny could read minds, pondering how similar the young woman and the Captain were, and what WAS it about the eyes that reminded her of the other? Could it be possible that the two were, well, RELATED? Certainly Nanny seemed more kin to the Captain than Claymore would ever be!

"So when's the big day? Will we have to come back for it?" Ben asked.

Nanny and the Professor looked at each other in some confusion. They hadn't even DISCUSSED dates! "Oh, I'm sure you won't have to come HERE!" the Professor said at last. "I doubt it will be before this summer, when we're back in California. What do you think, Nanny?"

"I've always wanted a July wedding," Nanny smiled, but Carolyn noticed a faint shadow in her eyes suddenly.

"There you go. And Carolyn, you and the children and Martha will just have to come to California for it! Oh, and you too, Mr. Hampton." the Professor added quickly, looking at the man beside Martha.

"Well, thank you for the invitation!" the school principal beamed. "I never really expected to get to know all of you so well. It's rather nice, actually."

Phoebe nodded sagely. "Knowing is growing, as my Grandmother Figalilly used to say!"

"Speaking of which, Nanny, are we going to ...?" Ben turned to her.

"... meet some of my family at the wedding?" Nanny finished. "Not likely. I never know when they'll be around, and it's rather difficult to get in touch with them."

"Too bad. It would be nice to meet some, to find out ..." Ben murmured.

"More about me?" she smiled. "Oh, but one's family is not always the closest, haven't you found that?"

A strange expression crossed the Professor's face, and he sat back, looking over at Ben, the corners of his lips twitching.

Ben tried again. "Nanny, why are you ...?"

"Finishing your sentences? I'm sorry. I'm told it's a rather bad habit of ours when we're nervous." her hands twisted in her lap.

"Nervous? OURS? What do you mean, ours?"

The Professor leaned forward, a big smile on his face. "It appears it's a habit from her home. The boy next door did it, too, and nearly drove me crazy answering questions I hadn't thought yet!"

Now Nanny chuckled, too, her sudden tension dissolving. "Oh, Professor, Cholmondeley was merely trying to fit in."

"He was TRYING, all right," the Professor said wryly. "I can't say I was sorry to see the last of him. Er, it WAS the last of him I saw, wasn't it?"

His only answer was the slow, mysterious smile he had come to love even though it drove him crazy. Then Ed Peevey arrived for dessert, and dug in to the cherry pie, keeping a watchful eye on Mr. Hampton. Carolyn breathed a sigh of relief that neither said anything to create a ruckus, although everyone heaped praises for the superb meal on Martha until she was blushing and beaming like a school girl. It was a long and merry evening, and by the time the meal was finished, Prudence was finding it hard to keep her eyes open, and even Jonathan and Butch were looking a little glassy-eyed.

"I do believe it's time to get the children home, Professor," Nanny said, quietly. "If you and your brothers wish to stay ..."

"No, we'll all come home. I hadn't realized it was 9:30 already!"

The Everetts soon took their leave and walked home quickly through the cold winter evening. Ben and Bob lingered a little behind the others, and Bob whispered to Ben, "What do you think now that we've seen a bit more of her?"

"Carolyn?"

Bob groaned. "No, you moron! NANNY! The one who is going to be our sister-in-law!"

"Oh! Well, she's ... actually, you know, she's rather beguiling, isn't she?" Ben spoke thoughtfully. "I think Hal's a lucky man."

"Sure is. To find such a woman twice in a lifetime! Tell me truthfully, Ben, do you think he loves her?"

"Truthfully?" Ben considered that for a moment, then looked seriously at Bob. "To be honest, I really think he is even more in love with Nanny than he was with his first wife, although I'm not sure how that's possible. I ALSO am not at all sure he fully realizes it himself yet!"

"That's what I thought. He SAYS he loves her, but does he know how much? Maybe the question should be, does Nanny love him?"

"How can she not? Harold Everett, brilliant Mathematics Professor ... father of three brilliant, not to mention adorable, children ... and perhaps best of all, baby brother to US!"

Ben grinned, then pounced on the middle statement, "To get children like that, it's almost worth marrying."

"Almost. Maybe. But we've got the best of it -- as uncles we can spoil them rotten, then leave!" Bob grinned.

"You got that right!" Ben laughed loudly.

Up ahead, the others turned at the sound. "You'll have to hurry if you want to say goodnight to your niece and nephews before they're in bed!" Nanny called back to them. "It's so hard to spoil children while they are sleeping!"

Ben and Bob looked at each other, then at Nanny. At last Bob called back, "We'll be right there!"

Once all the children were in bed, Ben turned to Nanny and the Professor and said, "If you'll excuse us, Bob and I are going to turn in, too. It's been a long day. But we'll be up with you in the morning to get a bit more visiting in before we have to leave."

"Goodnight." Nanny smiled at them. "Sleep well."

After Ben and Bob had gone, Nanny looked at the Professor. "I suppose we should say goodnight, too."

"I'd rather talk a bit."

"Oh?"

"We don't often have a chance like this. Do you know, I STILL feel that I don't know you very well? I don't even know your exact age!" He drew her down on the couch beside him.

She stared at him. "My age? What does that have to do with anything?"

He sighed. "Nothing. It was just an example. You know so much about me, and yet ..."

"Professor, I'm curious." she interrupted him, again twisting her fingers together. "May I ask you a personal question?"

"You mean you don't already know the answer?" he grinned. "Sorry, couldn't resist. Ask away."

"When did you first ... well, first realize ..." she found it hard to get the question out with him staring at her so intently.

"First realize I loved you?" he guessed, and knew he was right by the way she instantly relaxed.

She smiled. "Yes."

"Let's see ..." He thought about it a bit, then realized he may as well reason it out loud -- if for no other reason than to get it straight in his own mind! "I guess that for the most part, I didn't really SEE you until we came to Schooner Bay. I don't mean physically, because of course I could see you, but, well, at home, in familiar surroundings, with colleagues and the children ..."

"And your various girlfriends," she put in guilelessly.

"Well, yes ... Am I telling this or you?" he demanded, a grin on his face.

"Sorry."

"Well, it just seemed as if you had brought the house and our lives back to the way things had been when my wife was alive. It was right again."

"I see." She found herself wondering if he merely saw her as a substitute for his late wife. "She must have been a wonderful person. And it's obvious you were all very happy together, just by looking at the children! It must have been so difficult for you to lose her."

"It was." he sounded grim for a moment, then added, "Until you came. After that, everything was going well, I could concentrate on my job ..."

"And your golf game and girlfriends," she added again.

For a moment he wondered if she really wanted to hear this story, then he caught her chin in his hand and gave her a hard kiss on the lips. She stared at him wide-eyed and silenced. "'Swinging Sam' caused me a few rough moments," he continued, as if nothing had happened. "But it wasn't until I thought I was going to lose you to 'Chumley' that I had my first realization that you were more than a nanny. You had a personal life of your own, of which I was not a part. And I found I didn't like it one bit. However, you sent him on his way after a few days, telling me only that your parents believed that everyone should lead her own life. I'm afraid I then slipped back into my usual rut and put the dear fellow and his relationship with you out of my mind. Then, when we came here, I found the entire town of Schooner Bay conspiring to throw me together with Carolyn Muir. Yet it was Carolyn who made the comment about your appearance that very first time we met, and I looked at you through new eyes and for the first time really SAW your beauty, beauty of face and form and character. It was Carolyn who later made me recognize my unspoken, unresolved jealousy of 'Chumley' and even 'Swinging Sam'!

"Oh, no, not REALLY, Professor!" she had to laugh. "You? Jealous of them?"

"So that's MY story. Tell me, what made you realize you really loved me?" he asked, trying to steer the conversation away from himself.

"I ... well, I suppose it was much the same." her voice sounded faintly surprised.

"It wasn't Venus passing through Mars?"

"No!" she laughed again, then sobered. "No, I think it was being dependent upon you here in Schooner Bay ... having to watch you with Carolyn when I, too, knew the town hoped you two would marry ... then discovering that my heart would crack if not break should what we, I, had thought should happen DID."

"We?" he caught her slip, "You felt the same as the town? Or you and someone else?"

As usual, she refused to satisfy mere curiosity, and continued, "Since Christmas, I must admit to feeling the occasional twinge of ... well, of inadequacy." A smile broke over his face and she frowned slightly. "I'm serious. This kind of relationship was not what I expected when I arrived at your place. It was supposed to be just another job, what I do, or rather DID, with my life. You were married before, happily married. Once the routine was re-established, the routine that had been started long before I came, it was easy enough to fall into my usual pattern. I never stayed anywhere very long, that's part of the nature of a Figalilly! Yet I knew I was content to stay a very long time shortly after arriving at your home. Not only content, I was very happy, I felt at home, and best of all, I KNEW I was needed. After all, the children were growing and you ... you were so very busy at the college and ..."

"Don't say it if you don't want another kiss!" he warned her lightly.

"and with your girlfriends!" she almost squealed, laughing as she escaped from his reach and stood by the window, looking out over the ocean. "Oh, Professor," she said earnestly, turning back to look at him. "I know my family was often afraid I was stuck in a rut, but it wasn't just a habit. I was happy, and I didn't feel the need to, well, break free. Then I discovered that my contentment was a mere shell which was broken at Christmas time, when you kissed me ..."

"Don't tell me it was your first kiss?" he exclaimed.

"Oh my, no, Professor, it was not my first kiss!" she chuckled. "But, well, I was betrothed to Cholmondeley all my life, as you know. Our parents had signed the marriage contract. Knowing I would marry him someday, I was never exposed or susceptible to loving someone else." Suddenly she paused. "No, Professor, not at ALL like Sleeping Beauty! Aurora was ..." she broke off.

"I wasn't even going to bother saying anything," the Professor sighed. "You're all mind-readers."

Her smile was gentle and loving. "Oh, Professor, we're not really. When you love someone ..."

"You just know." he finished.

"Exactly, Professor! Ultimately, magic will find you. Provided you let it, of course."

"And which Great-great Figalilly said that?" he teased. She merely smiled. Then he rose from the couch and came to stand beside her. "Nanny, you say you are nervous. About what? Marrying me? Making a commitment? And if your contentment was broken at Christmas, are you now unhappy? Have you ... have you changed your mind about marrying me?" He realized what he would be losing if she left, and knew he would not be able to bear it.

"No!" she cried out softly in protest. "No, I haven't changed my mind! I just ... oh, I'm all at sixes and sevens again!"

"The wind changed?" he arched an eyebrow.

"No. I have. Permanently, I dare say, although one can always hope not." her eyes shadowed again, and she turned back to look out over the ocean. "It's rather late, Professor ... and you wouldn't want to wake your brothers when you go to bed."

"You're right. We'll continue this discussion another time. I'll just lock up. Good night, Nanny."

"Good night, Professor."

After the Everetts had gone home, Carolyn put Candy and Jonathan to bed, then discreetly waved to Martha who was entertaining in the living room. They had already arranged to clean up in the morning, so Carolyn felt no qualms about heading up to her room.

When she stepped inside the room, she was greeted by the Captain who was standing by the fireplace. "I've been waiting for you, my dear. I have a Valentine surprise for you."

"Oh?"

He carefully placed a ring on her palm. Carolyn gaped at it, speechless for a moment.

"It was my mother's betrothal and wedding ring. I would be honoured if you would wear it. Phoebe was right. Vanessa wanted diamonds, not a simple gold band like this. I am afraid it is not as elaborate as the one the Professor commissioned for Phoebe, but ..."

"Captain," Carolyn interrupted him, "it's lovely. I ... I am honoured to be given the chance to even see it, let alone given it to wear." She examined the engraved gold band with delight. Three Claddagh symbols were joined around the band, entwined with a continuous rope chain of Celtic love knots. Then the Captain began to speak and she looked up at him.

"The symbolism is that the ring has no beginning and no end, like an Irish love. There is also an inscription on the inside. Gra go deo, which is Gaelic for 'love forever'." His voice grew husky and Carolyn began to tremble slightly at the intensity of his gaze.

"Oh, Captain," she breathed, finally tearing her eyes from his, and turning the ring carefully in her fingers. "It will give me the greatest of pleasures to wear it ... for you as well as for myself." Then she slid it onto the ring finger of her right hand, facing the heart in as Nanny had said meant a betrothal.

The Captain's voice deepened as he said, "You do remember that by wearing it that way, my dear, you are announcing that you share a special commitment with someone?"

"Yes, I do remember ... Daniel." She looked up at him again and her smile blossomed, the lovelight shining in her eyes.

"If I could, Carolyn, if it was possible, know that I would marry you in an instant, and love you forever." he almost groaned. "With this ring, I thee wed ..."

"I know, Daniel. I know. And it doesn't matter. We are together now, here in Gull Cottage. That is enough until forever is here."

On the afternoon of the party, Carolyn looked around the changed living room of Gull Cottage. Most of the furniture had been moved out so that people could stand around and talk, or even dance. Decorations had been hung by some of the Schooner Bay ladies that morning while the men had assisted in moving the furniture. The priceless Persian rugs had been rolled back and put away safely, as per Claymore's strict instructions, and Martha had polished the hardwood floors to a brilliant sheen, wonderful for dancing, she had said with a grin. The fireplace was ready to light, as were the wall sconces and some candles, to create the romantic atmosphere Mrs. Hassenhammer had insisted upon.

"Do you think Nanny and the Professor suspect anything?" Martha asked, looking around herself and nodding approvingly. "I mean, you asking them out for dinner tonight to celebrate their official engagement, and all."

"I don't know. I doubt he does, but ..."

"Yes, it doesn't seem easy to surprise Nanny, does it? I wonder if the Captain tells her things?" mused Martha.

A rumble of thunder seemed to be her answer. She shrugged. "Well, I hope the three of you enjoy your meal at Norrie's. Everyone is set to carpool it to Cleveland's and he'll leave the lights on so it looks like he's having a party. Then Norrie will give you a few minutes, and he'll be up too. Nice that the whole town is in on this."

"I wish you could have come with us for supper." Carolyn said.

"Nonsense. You REALLY wish the Captain could come with you! You really think I haven't noticed your new ring? Who else would give you that if not him? That's a nicer Valentine than a card, or even TWO cards, in my humble opinion!" Martha chuckled as she walked away. Carolyn stared after her, open-mouthed.

The plan to have Nanny and the Professor in Schooner Bay with Carolyn while people gathered at Gull Cottage worked perfectly, although the Professor was a little surprised that Norrie's was quite empty. "Usually on a Friday night, this place is bursting at the seams! Wonder if they know something we don't about this lobster?"

Carolyn smiled, "I doubt it."

"Obviously something is on, Professor, and everyone has gone there." Nanny said. "I daresay we will find out soon enough."

As they ate, Carolyn surreptitiously studied the two. Outwardly they looked happy, but there was something not quite right. Not bad, but ... she tried to put her finger on the problem, but could only surmise that an engagement in such a small town where everyone knew everyone's business was taking a toll on them. She sincerely hoped that was all. She truly hadn't met any two more suited than Nanny and the Professor! Maybe it was just frustrated desire? She buried her amusement at that thought in her coffee cup, hiding her face from Nanny's suddenly sharp glance, and made a great effort to think of something else. When they were finished, which was sooner than it would have been had Norrie not been hovering over them, obviously anxious to shoo them out, Carolyn drove them back to Gull Cottage. "We can maybe have some of Martha's cake and coffee," she said, "since I'm sure the children won't be ready to go home quite this early!"

"Mr. Hampton has quite a few guests tonight," the Professor commented as they passed the house next to Gull Cottage.

"Looks like Gull Cottage is deserted downstairs," Nanny said softly, "and the children are in the bedroom."

"Must be playing monopoly on the table there." Carolyn suggested. "Our television isn't working again, so they can't be watching anything."

When they walked into the house and turned on the light, the Professor was overwhelmed by the crowds yelling "Surprise!" Mrs. Post and Mrs. Hassenhammer very officiously guided both him and Nanny into the living room where they made a short speech about how the community wanted to celebrate their love with them in this way. Mrs. Hassenhammer said that there would be dancing if people wished, and food and drink was in the kitchen available at all times, and everyone was to make sure to speak to the honoured couple at some point in the evening, and to view the exquisite engagement ring which the Professor had specially commissioned and his brothers had brought all the way from California. Mrs. Post concluded by saying that everyone was to enjoy themselves as much as they could because, after all, "we are celebrating Valentine's Day and the engagement of two people in love!"

The five children were huddled near the fireplace, not far from the spotlight. They rolled their eyes at the last comment. Then, when everyone began talking again, Hal leaned forward conspiratorially and said, "You know, Nanny must be a lot like Mom was. Dad told me once when I was mad because things weren't working out the way I thought they should that he used to be just like me. But then Mom came along and she knew things she couldn't know, just like Nanny, and did things she couldn't do. And Dad realized that there was an approach to life other than the scientific one. He probably forgot that for a while after Mom died but now, with Nanny, he's learning again! I think he's so much nicer this way. I'm glad Nanny came and I'm glad they fell in love so that she'll stay!"

Looking thoughtful, the others nodded. "I can see that." Candy said.

Then Jonathan and Candy saw Martha next to Mr. Hampton, and they both groaned. "He's with her AGAIN!" Jonathan muttered. "I'd hate it if Martha married HIM."

"Well, from what you've said, you're lucky it's Martha he likes. It COULD have been your mother he wanted to marry!" Hal comforted them.

"That's true enough!" Candy agreed. "He was always asking how our "lovely mother" was. He hasn't done it so much lately."

"I don't think he'd ever have been with Mom," Jonathan disagreed, "because Mom and the Captain love each other. She doesn't need anyone else."

"Are you going on about that crazy story again? That ghost of yours is too old to be in love, if it really IS Captain Gregg! He's got to be over a hundred years old! That's way too old to be in love! Even Dad is almost past the age. Your Mom will be there soon, too, then you won't have to worry about her anymore. I dunno, Jonathan, I think you'd better grow up and forget about some old make-believe ghost and your mother being in love!" Hal teased him.

Butch was strangely quiet on the subject of the ghost of Captain Gregg, and he normally would have been teasing both Candy and Jonathan as well. Prudence looked up at Butch, then over at Hal and Candy, then finally to Jonathan. "Jonathan can believe in a ghost if he WANTS to, Hal Everett!" she piped up.

The Professor and Nanny overheard her comment. He looked at Nanny and raised an eyebrow, then whispered to her, "They're talking about the existence of that ghost AGAIN?"

"Oh, Professor, don't you think it was nice of Carolyn to hold this party here when the hall was found to have been flooded?" Nanny changed the subject.

Carolyn had hung back by the door, acutely conscious of the Captain's presence by her side. She looked up at him when Mrs. Post had announced that they could all mingle, or dance if they wished. "Was Nanny surprised?" she whispered to him when no one was looking.

"Of course not." Then his gaze left the couple by the fireplace and he looked down at Carolyn, and smiled. "And no, I did NOT give away the secret."

Carolyn smiled back. "I really wasn't accusing you of that, you know."

"Ah, but you WERE wondering!"

"I suppose I was. I often wonder about the two of you,"she said, then was vexed with herself for revealing that much to him.

"Even now, my dear? Since placing my ring on your finger? Have you so little faith in me? Or in Phoebe, for that matter?" his voice was gentle.

"I think it's more a lack of faith in myself," she admitted. "How could I doubt you?" her smile was so full of love that he had to look away, tugging on his ear as he did so often when confounded or uncomfortable.

The Professor looked over to see Carolyn by the door, smiling and seemingly talking softly to herself. "Nanny!" he nudged her. "Who is Carolyn talking with?"

"Professor!" she scolded him lightly, "in a room full of people, you have to wonder who she is speaking with?"

Then the Professor looked up at the portrait of Captain Gregg hanging over the fireplace, and a very strange expression crossed his face. He looked at Carolyn, then the portrait again, then at last said to Nanny, "Nanny, do you remember that man Carolyn was dancing with at the Snow Ball? The one I said looked familiar? Well, I've just now figured out why. It's the man in that portrait! He looked an awful lot like Captain Daniel Gregg! If I didn't know better," he glanced a quick look at the date on the painting, "I'd say it WAS him!"

"Really, Professor?" Nanny smiled brightly, "Now, are you going to ask me to dance?"

He knew she knew more about the mysterious man than she was saying, but when had Nanny EVER volunteered more information than the bare minimum, even when asked point blank? The Professor shook his head, and gave up the vain speculation. What did it matter anyway? He was here, at his own engagement party, with a chance to dance with his lovely Phoebe who was finally wearing his ring ... and if he had any say at all in the matter, he was going to make this a very short engagement! Taking her in his arms, they began to dance.

Martha came up to the children, trailed by Mr. Hampton and Ed Peevey. She handed each of them some cookies, to their delight. Prudence looked up at her. "Martha, how come you don't have any little girls of your own?"

"Oh, I have lots of little girls, just LIKE my own, but they're all grown up now except Candy. I never married, you know. I worked as a housekeeper or a nanny all my life, and had no time to marry!"

"Well, why couldn't you just marry someone the way Nanny is going to marry my Dad?"

Chuckling, Martha replied, "Well, having only to choose among the throngs of the available men, I guess I'd have to say I never married because no one asked me!"

Mr. Hampton overheard, and in a surprising move, swept a flustered Martha away, saying, "I can remedy that situation in a hurry!"

Ed Peevey stared after them with a woebegone look, then wandered off again. The children decided it was too boring downstairs, and went back upstairs to finish their monopoly game. Carolyn stood by the wall, occasionally speaking with the Captain beside her, but mostly watching the dancers. She caught Ed's arm as he meandered past, and spoke with him briefly, resisting the urge to tell him to DO something about it if he truly loved Martha.

As the evening progressed, Carolyn busied herself in the kitchen, since Martha was otherwise occupied on the dance floor. When the Captain demanded to know why she was hiding herself, she admitted that she had a hard time watching others dance, or dancing with another man herself, when she wanted to be in HIS arms. That silenced the Captain briefly, and by the thoughtful look in his eyes, she began to wonder if he could possibly materialize completely again. That thought was crushed when she realized it was too risky for him, here in Gull Cottage where people could see the portrait and compare the two! Again she drooped over the punch bowl, listlessly adding another bottle of soda water. At last the Captain growled that if she didn't go back to the living room and try to enjoy herself, it would look very much as though she was sulking because the Professor had chosen Phoebe over her.

"What?" Carolyn gasped, horrified.

"Just repeating a bit of malicious gossip, my dear."

Fire flashed in her eyes, and she straightened up, then marched out to the other room, a smile fixed on her face. For the next half hour, she mingled, smiled, laughed and danced ... yet the entire time she was conscious of his gaze on her, and she knew that it was as hard for him to watch her like this as it was for her to act it.

At last she had a turn dancing with the Professor. Smiling up at him, she said, "I do hope I'm forgiven for my part in this surprise."

"Nanny assured me you were not the driving force behind it." he grinned back. Then he sobered. "Carolyn, I, well, I've heard some whispers ..."

Her hand tightened on his. "I am delighted for you both, Hal. Don't believe all you hear."

"I'm glad." he said sincerely. "I would have hated to hurt you. Carolyn, I know it's none of my business, but, well, I can't help but notice your new ring."

Carolyn almost stumbled, but caught herself and carried on smoothly, although her cheeks flushed slightly. She said nothing.

The Professor continued as if he hadn't noticed a thing. "I paid heed in particular because it's a Claddagh, too, and you're wearing it as Nanny is wearing her engagement ring. Is it too personal to ask if someone special has given it to you? It would make me feel so much better about this whole thing with the town wanting you and I to get together, then Nanny and I get engaged, and the rumours being spread around that you've been wronged and are devastated by the news ... well, if you ARE committed to someone else, I'd be much happier." He sounded earnest, and danced her over to the side so they could stand out of the way of the other dancers while they talked.

Raising her eyes to his, Carolyn smiled -- a genuine smile which lit her green eyes until they glowed softly. "Actually, Hal, yes. It was given to me Valentine's Day. And yes, we ARE committed. But it's ... a secret. No one else must know."

"Nanny?" he asked, as he lifted her hand to examine her ring more closely.

"She knows." Carolyn's smile deepened as he shook his head in mild exasperation.

"Doesn't she always?" his comment was wry but loving.

"Please, just don't mention it to anyone else. I, well, it's a rather touchy, impossible situation and ..." she couldn't think of how else to explain it.

Just then, Claymore came by, tugging a resigned and long-suffering Nanny around in a travesty of a dance. He stopped abruptly when he saw Carolyn and the Professor standing so close together. "Oh! Oh, my! We'll just, uhh ..."

"Hello, Claymore." Carolyn said dryly. Then she smiled at Nanny. "I do hope you've been enjoying yourself -- until now, that is."

Before Nanny could answer, Claymore broke in, speaking in an overloud voice which betrayed his nervousness at being in Gull Cottage. "I was just saying to Nanny that, lovely as that ring is, it couldn't possibly be her engagement ring because she's wearing it on her RIGHT hand! Everyone knows that engagement and wedding rings go on the LEFT hand!"

"It's a custom with these rings ..." the Professor began.

"To wear it on the right hand instead of the left? Maybe that was the custom in the middle ages, but not now! If you ask me, you're trying to hide something about your so-called engagement. That custom ... that's simply too out-of-date to believe!" Claymore sputtered.

"Not where I come from." Nanny said, quietly.

"And just where IS that, may I ask?" demanded Claymore.

The Professor's sense of humour took over as he prepared to rescue Nanny. "From what I've been told, it's a kingdom by the sea ... although if you DO ask, the whole lot of them live 'here or there ... mostly there'!"

Nanny broke into a smile. "Oh, Professor, now you're quoting Chomondeley!"

"Chumley? Never mind. Well, I still say it's not REALLY an engagement ring, but it IS lovely. Let me see it again?" Claymore took her hand and peered at the ring. "Nice ruby. Too bad the diamonds aren't bigger. What's with the crown and hands, though?"

"It's a traditional Irish Claddagh ring," Nanny explained. "When worn with the heart pointing in, it signifies that the gentleman has offered his heart to the woman and declare that she is also queen of his heart."

"Wait a minute ... where have I seen that design before? Mrs. Muir! It's on YOUR new ring!" Claymore grabbed for Carolyn's hand and looked at her ring, then at Nanny's. "They ARE similar. And you're wearing yours the same way. Oh ho! If it's an engagement ring, just who are YOU engaged to, Mrs. Muir, or is that not something I should ask?"

By now a large crowd had gathered around them, and as Carolyn felt a blush creeping over her cheeks, she heard the whispers, "Mrs. Muir is engaged? Isn't that convenient, now that the Professor is taken! Why haven't we met this mythical fiance? Could it be the mysterious man she was dancing with at the Snow Ball? Had you seen him before? He looked familiar, but I can't think why ..."

Carolyn rather angrily pulled her hand out of Claymore's, tilting her chin up defiantly and clenching her hands at her side.

"Bravo, dear heart. Do not feel the need to answer such scurrilous talk. All will be well," came the faint whisper of the Captain's voice.

The Professor looked at Carolyn, then Nanny. He should do something to steer this conversation away from the rings and the stranger! Even though he didn't believe Carolyn's dancing partner at the Snow Ball WAS a ghost, it wouldn't do to have everyone else wondering!

"Yes, Professor, we need a diversion NOW!" Nanny nodded firmly even as the Professor was racking his brain.

But before he could do anything, a loud crack of thunder rent the air, and the power went off. Lightning flashed, brightening the room one instant, then leaving it with only the firelight flickering. The living room and alcove windows swung open and closed repeatedly and a powerful wind swept through, bringing in a cold rain. Ladies screamed and men shouted as they scrambled to close the windows. The pandemonium was almost drowned out by the deafening crashes, and it didn't appear as if it was going to let up any time soon. The Professor watched with an open mouth as Claymore seemed to be struggling with something at or in his throat. Arms and legs flailing, Claymore was propelled out of the door and into the rain where he fell flat into a mud puddle. When he tried to get up, the wind blew him forward again so that he landed face first in a dirty snowbank by the fence. Carolyn and Nanny, who had nimbly avoided the milling crowd, followed the Professor over to the window to watch the final vanquishing of the man. The two women smiled and nodded to each other.

"I think the party is over, Professor!" Nanny spoke loudly over the noise as the partyers hastened to get their coats and head for safety back in town.

"I think you're right." he yelled back. "I DO wish I had brought an umbrella!"

"They're upstairs, Professor. I sent them over with the children before supper." Nanny said.

"I should have known."

The Posts and the Hassenhammers were among the last to leave, promising to come back the next day, provided the weather had cleared, to clean up and help put Gull Cottage to rights.

When they were ready to leave, the Professor took Carolyn's hand. "Thank you ... for everything."

"I'm sorry about this, Hal ... Nanny ..." she tried to sound sorrowful, but her eyes were still dancing.

"So I see." The Professor then put his arm around Nanny and guided her to the door where they were met by the children, each holding an umbrella. Hal handed the big black one to his father, and said, "You and Nanny can share, Dad."

"Good-night!" came the calls from the door of Gull Cottage to the road.

Carolyn shut the door behind the Everetts and looked at Martha who was standing in the kitchen doorway, a bewildered look on her face. "Are you all right, Martha?" The Captain appeared in the hallway, staring at them inquiringly, as though to ask what all the fuss had been about.

"I will be," Martha said slowly. "Once I find out what the tantrum was about THIS time. Let me say, though, Captain Gregg, I am for once thankful for your temper. Do you know, Ed and Cleveland were just about to FIGHT! I am still in shock! When the storm let loose, they both disappeared -- shortly after you disposed of Claymore! Did you do something to them?"

"Don't be ridiculous!" the Captain scoffed. "Me? Interfere with two gentlemen disagreeing over a woman? You must know my views on marriage, Martha."

"I do. That's why I'm wondering if you scared them both off just to keep me here!"

"They will be back, Martha, mark my words." his voice was resigned.

"We're glad if he DID scare them off, Martha!" Candy piped up. "We want you to stay here!"

"Yeah, and we ESPECIALLY don't want you to marry Mr. Hampton!" Jonathan made a face. "Mr. Peevey is all right, I guess, but ..."

"We won't interfere with any of your personal decisions, of course, Martha," Carolyn put in quickly, frowning at the children, "but we all wish we could keep you here with us forever!"

"Too bad you're not a man," Candy sighed, "then you could marry Mom like Nanny is marrying the Professor, and we'd be a family."

"We're a family NOW." Jonathan over Carolyn's and Martha's suppressed giggles. The Captain had scowled darkly at the thought of Carolyn marrying ANYONE.

"Yeah ... until Martha marries and goes away."

"Let's not count our chickens before they're hatched," Martha grinned.

"I think it's bedtime," Carolyn added. "Upstairs! To bed! To sleep ...!" Then she smiled again at the Captain's whisper in her ear, "perchance to dream ..."

If Carolyn had wondered about the relationship she had seen develop between Nanny and the Professor before the engagement party, it was nothing to the speculation throughout town AFTER the party. Schooner Bay residents had swung completely away from thinking of Carolyn and the Professor as a couple and had now taken Nanny and the Professor and the three motherless children into their hearts.

The morning after the party, when Nanny finally found herself alone for a few moments, she sat down at the kitchen table with a cup of tea, and stared unseeingly into its depths. What was going on with her? When the Professor had looked at her that morning, a wave of heat had washed over her and she had trembled so hard that the egg she had been breaking into the pan to fry had broken and she had had to scramble it. It simply was not like a Figalilly, to be so uncertain! Perhaps Mars was passing through her Aquarius again? Or did Venus have something to do with it? Her horoscope had revealed nothing, not that she trusted the ones in the paper! She almost wished her Aunt Henrietta could come to visit and perhaps explain some things to her. Never having truly been in love before, Nanny found she had lots of emotions she did not understand. She suddenly remembered the letter from her parents which had been tucked inside her great-great-grandmother's wedding dress which Cholmondeley had brought for her. Dear Cholmondeley. Nanny's lips curved up in a reminiscent smile. How naive she had been to assume that what she had felt for him had anything to do with true, romantic love! What she felt for the Professor was not at all similar to the liking she had for the boy she had grown up with or the man he had become. When Cholmondeley had appeared suddenly in California, she had seen what he called his "impetuous" side. He had overwhelmed her for the moment, spoken for her to the Professor about having her employer "give her away" in a manner calculated to make the Professor feel so very old, then when the Professor had said he would be honoured and he hoped she would be truly happy, again Cholmondeley had answered for her. Of course, she could not have said anything at the time anyway, having suddenly realized by the look in the Professor's eyes that he was hurt and confused.

Had he started caring for her then? Had that been when HER thoughts had begun to swing away from Cholmondeley, and turn instead to the man with whom she was sharing a house? Was it merely proximity that had her feeling that she loved the Professor? No. She was certain on that point if no other.

"Phoebe?"

Starting, Nanny looked up to see the Captain at her side.

"Forgive me, my dear. I was called ... perhaps by your troubled thoughts?"

"I'm sorry, Captain. Had I been myself, I would have been expecting you." she smiled back warmly.

"Ah. Then it follows you are NOT yourself. The party was onerous?"

"It's not that." She twisted her cup for a moment, then looked up again. "Actually, I'm pondering the whole complicated matter of ... love."

"I see. Perhaps I may be of some assistance?"

Nanny leaned forward eagerly, then froze. Was she actually turning to a ghost for advice about love? Moreover, a ghost who had decried love in his lifetime, claiming with a wicked twinkle in his eyes that he 'loved' women only because it was impossible to LIKE them. Yet marriage had not been an option, especially after Vanessa. The Captain had not found true love until long after his death, when Carolyn and her family had come to Schooner Bay. "Advice about love, Captain Gregg? Do you have some for me?"

"Indeed. Follow your heart, Phoebe."

Nanny stared at him for a moment, then she smiled wryly. "Forgive me, Captain, but I have to say it. You sound like my mother."

"By the powers, Phoebe!" he almost exploded. "You KNOW. Deep down inside, you already have the answers to all your questions. Perhaps you need to re-read your mother's letter?" With that advice, he disappeared.

Of course! Why had she not thought of that? Naturally it was with her, in the trunk in her room. Nanny hurried to her bedroom, rummaged through the trunk and sat on her bed to re-read the letter.

'Dearest daughter, a wise parent can only hope to guide a beloved child. When the time comes for you to wear this gown, understand that the choice is yours, for you alone will know what is truly in your heart. Follow it with our love.'

It had changed. She knew the letter was slightly different than when she had read it first! Somehow that added to the poignancy of the message from her beloved parents. It was as though she had received their blessing from afar. Closing her eyes, Phoebe sent a heart-felt thank you to her parents for loving her enough to allow her to live her own life, far from her kindred.

Carolyn was overjoyed to find in the following days that the faint shadow had gone from Nanny's blue eyes, the Professor was obviously devoted to her, both were radiantly happy and the children delighted. Together Nanny and the Professor had even come to Gull Cottage to discuss with Carolyn and Martha the feasibility of holding their wedding in Schooner Bay, instead of waiting until July when they had returned to California.

"It probably would be best. If you went back there, you would be compelled to invite many more people, and the cost could be phenomenal," Carolyn pointed out diplomatically. "Here ..."

"Here, if we had your permission to marry in Gull Cottage, it would be small and select." Nanny said.

"Here?" groaned the Captain, who had been lounging by the wall, still invisible to the Professor. His words and tone indicated disgruntled annoyance, but his face revealed his real pleasure in the thought.

"Just the sort of wedding I've always wanted." Nanny added. "And it would be sooner ..." Mischievously, she tilted her head up to the Professor, smiling.

"I'm all for that. How MUCH sooner?" he asked, grinning at his fiancee who flushed.

"If you're having it here, I couldn't possibly be ready until May." Martha said firmly. "Or later. June is nice! A perfect month for a wedding."

"Well, it IS sooner than July," the Professor said. "I suppose it's another option to discuss. I'd want Ben and Bob here, of course, but no one else is that important that they need to fly from California to Maine just for a wedding!"

"Would you really hate being married here, Hal?" Carolyn asked, concerned that he really would prefer to be married back in California with his former friends and associates in attendance.

"To be truthful, Carolyn," he said, picking up Nanny's right hand and kissing her fingers, "I wouldn't mind at all. I also would not mind should you arrange the wedding for tomorrow!" At Martha's horrified exclamation and the chuckles of the other women, he sighed. "Perhaps we'll wait a little longer," he conceded. "Perhaps."

March 1973

"I don't believe it." the Professor stared aghast out his bedroom window. The sun was just beginning to peak over the horizon, and sea smoke was drifting on the bay, creating an eerie effect. Coming at a great speed over the ocean out of the sunrise and directly towards the cliffs was a rather familiar huge red, white and blue striped hot air balloon. Heedless of the chilly morning air and the patches of melting snow on the ground, he grabbed up his housecoat, jammed his feet into his slippers and ran out the door and up the road.

"Look out, Justine!" He heard the shrill cry as he struggled to get his robe on properly and still avoid the puddles on the road as he sprinted.

Dashing over the grass, he hollered, "Go up a bit!" when he realized that the basket was in grave danger of smashing into the cliff's edge. Miraculously the balloon rose ten or fifteen feet, just missing the rock.

"Throw me a rope and I'll pull you in!" he yelled again, and had to grab suddenly as the rope appeared before his eyes almost before he finished speaking. Muttering that he should have known they'd have thrown it before he told them to, since they WERE Nanny's relatives, he dragged on the rope as he fought the strong wind, guiding the balloon basket down to a safe, if rather hard, landing.

"Thank you, Professor Everett!" Nanny's older aunt patted his hand as he leaned on the basket and tried to catch his breath after his unexpected exertion.

"Don't ... don't you ladies believe in ships, cars or trains or ANYTHING not quite so dangerous as a balloon?" he managed to pant.

The younger aunt shook her head severely. "Now, Professor, I've said it before and I suppose I have to say it again. LIFE is dangerous! And we want to LIVE, don't we, Agatha?" She hoisted up their anchor and threw it over the side.

"Nice sentiment, if you can avoid the cliffs. And you still don't like airplanes?" He continued breathing heavily, and moved his foot out of a puddle on the rock.

"Heavens, no! Such noisy things. Really, balloons are QUITE the nicest way to travel, Professor!" Agatha gushed.

"Yes, I remember you saying that last time. Your home away from home, I believe you also said." he sighed, finally beginning to feel that his heart was beating normally.

"That's right. You DO remember us. I'm so glad!." Agatha beamed at him. Justine rolled her eyes, and promptly pulled the red ladder out of the basket and hung it over the side.

"Still, our backyard in California was sheltered. Here you are on a cliff, subject to the fickle winds of the sea!"

"How poetic, Professor." Agatha sighed happily.

Justine nudged her, and said sharply, "Simply an error in degree, Professor."

"Yes, I'm afraid it is my fault," Agatha was downcast momentarily. "Perhaps I AM getting old."

The Professor noticed her sly glance up at him, and gallantly said, "Nonsense! Was it Aunt Phoebe or Grandmother Figalilly who said you're as young as you feel? Whatever. Now, I MUST insist that you both come with me to our house."

"That one there?" Agatha pointed to Gull Cottage. "It DOES look inviting, doesn't it, Justine? It's SAYING something to me!"

"No, I'm afraid that's not our place," the Professor smiled. "Your degrees must have been a little further off than you thought."

"Oh, who lives there? Why, it's a seaman! Look, Justine. He's standing by the ship's wheel, waving to us!" Agatha waved enthusiastically.

"He's not waving, Agatha. He appears to be shaking his FIST at us!" Justine sounded startled.

"Perhaps he wants us to move our balloon." Agatha sighed. "I suppose it IS in the middle of his view, not to mention in the open where it is liable to catch those fickle sea breezes of the Professor's and rise before we are ready!"

The Professor turned to see who could be out at Gull Cottage so early in the morning. The French doors were open, but there was no sign of anyone. Who could Phoebe's aunts have seen? A seaman? Stories of the Gull Cottage ghost drifted through his mind again, and he almost snorted in derision. There was a logical explanation for everything under the sun. That explanation only had to be searched out, reasoned, and explored. A ghost did NOT fall into that category by ANY stretch of logic! Then, hurrying up to them, was the woman who was helping him realize anew that maybe, just maybe, there was something more to life than mere logic.

"Aunt Agatha! Aunt Justine! Whatever are you doing HERE? You never even wrote this time to say you were coming!" Nanny's hair was blowing in the stiff breeze. She had obviously left the house in a hurry, because she had flung her cape inside out over her nighty and robe. "Oh Professor, I simply could NOT think where you were going at such an early hour. Imagine my surprise when I realized my aunties had dropped in for a visit!"

"Almost literally," the Professor said.

"Let me see you two together again!" Agatha ordered suddenly. "I want to look in your eyes. I want to know that what you are planning is indeed the right thing."

For once, Justine seemed to agree. She crossed her arms and waited. Nanny looked over at the Professor and smiled weakly. "I don't suppose we have much choice, Professor."

"Hmmm." Then he said to the women in the balloon basket, "All right, but you can do your examination in the warmth and comfort of our home. Is there anything you need me to carry?"

"I suppose we must. Just this once." Agatha looked rather helplessly at Justine who debated the possibilities, then nodded briskly.

"Very well, but you'll need to bring the car for our things. I'm afraid you can't manage them yourself, Professor."

"How much can that basket hold?" he asked. Then, before either could answer, he held up his hand. "Never mind. Forget I asked that. I will bring the car. Ladies?" He offered his hand to Agatha, who took it, smiled coquettishly and allowed him to assist her in climbing over the edge of the balloon basket and down the ladder. Justine followed, disdaining his assistance.

They both hugged Nanny, who said, "We all need a nice cup of hot tea! The kettle will be boiling by the time we get home. And Professor, your foot is wet."

"I can feel it." he said, grumpily, trudging after the three women.

As they drank their tea, Nanny's two aunts explained that they just HAD to come to visit 'our Phoebe' again when they heard the news.

"And after all, Professor, when we left, it was with the promise that we should meet again, perhaps at a special occasion." Justine said.

Agatha simpered again. "And what could be more special than our dear Phoebe's wedding? To YOU!"

"Agatha!" Justine chided her. "So, Professor, we simply HAD to come."

"We should have known, dear Phoebe, right from the first when you said you felt happy and at home here...er, in California. With the Everetts." Agatha patted Nanny's hand.

"Happy, at home, and needed!" Justine reminded her. "And when you said that soaring is a very personal thing, I must admit I began to wonder. Still, you ARE a Figalilly, you know."

"Indeed," muttered the Professor.

"Dear Aunties," Nanny spoke warmly. "Remember I ALSO said that even a Figalilly has to alight from time to time to collect her thoughts."

"And such a lovely place to alight, with such a handsome, forceful ... and ELIGIBLE man." Agatha smiled at the Professor, then winked. Nanny cleared her throat warningly.

"Agatha!" Justine frowned at the shameless older woman. Then she looked at the younger two before her rather searchingly. The Professor had the strangest feeling that his entire mind was being examined, but he didn't have time to worry before Justine nodded approvingly. "Yes, you two are truly a perfect match. I wasn't sure when I first heard, of course. Now I am. I'm so happy for you, Phoebe dear, and you, too, of course, Professor. Welcome to our family!"

"Uhh, thank you ... I think."

"Now, Phoebe dear, we brought your wedding dress, knowing you would need it. So careless of you not to have brought it yourself!" Justine continued.

"Well, we were actually planning to be married in July back in California." the Professor pointed out. "And how did YOU get the dress?"

"And we have a message from your parents," Agatha spoke to Phoebe, ignoring the Professor. "I believe your mother sent a letter, but the verbal message from them is that they would have come to your wedding, of course, but Maine is so very far away, and they are getting to the age where adventures are not quite as thrilling as they used to be."

"Maine? The wedding was supposed to be in California! We were just THINKING about having it here ..." the Professor protested.

Again he was ignored. Justine continued, "Phoebe dear, they also said to tell you that they know he loves you dearly. Do not be afraid to accept that love, return it tenfold, and together you will make magic happen!"

The Professor pondered that message, realizing how happy it made him to hear it. Nanny's smile wavered slightly, and she put her hand over the Professor's. "Thank you, aunties." Her eyes met the Professor's, and both Justine and Agatha nodded to each other in satisfaction at the love they sensed between the two.

"Now," Justine said briskly, "a July wedding would NEVER do! Nor, for that matter, would June or even May."

"Or April." put in Agatha.

"Yes," Justine agreed. "After all, we are here now, and could not POSSIBLY be back from the Antarctica in time were you to have it later."

"I won't even ASK about the Antarctica! So when exactly were YOU thinking we should be married?" questioned the Professor warily.

"I'm so glad you asked, Professor Everett!" Agatha said. Then she promptly changed the subject, or so it appeared. "Professor, you really DO know our Phoebe so well! Imagine ordering a ring for our Phoebe from her own great-great uncle Dillon!"

"Great-great uncle Dillon?" repeated the Professor numbly. He HAD ordered the ring from Dillon's of Ireland, but ...

"Yes, indeed! Our entire family was thrilled at the news! Did you know that the Claddagh ring was the only ring ever made in Ireland worn by Queen Victoria and later by Queen Alexandra and King Edward VII? Their rings were made by Dillons of Galway, an old family firm established in 1750, to whom the Royal Patent was granted and the tradition of excellence in these special rings has been carried on at Dillons to this day. And to think that you got our Phoebe's betrothal/wedding ring from him! Of course, when we heard this, we ALL knew you would be married on St. Patrick's Day!"

"We would be?" the Professor's thoughts were spinning. "St. Patrick's Day?"

"Aunties ..." Nanny began.

"Besides," Justine looked stern. "There ARE other, shall we say urgent?, matters of which to be wary..."

Agatha nodded knowingly, whispering to the Professor, "Frustration is supposed to be good for the soul, but I've never found that to be true!"

Justine frowned and said severely, "Agatha! That will do!"

The Professor and Nanny exchanged glances. Then Nanny said firmly, "Very well, aunties. We will think about being married March 17th. On one condition. It is OUR wedding, and WE will make all the decisions."

"Of course," Agatha said serenely. "Isn't it a good thing that your mother also sent a copy of our traditional wedding service so that you can be married as befits a Figalilly?"

"She knew?" the Professor asked. Then he started to chuckle. "I may as well give up! Am I at least allowed to see this service before we try to find someone to perform it? Or do you already know who is doing the wedding?"

"Well, actually, Professor ..." Agatha began.

Nanny interrupted her. "We'll look at the service and do what needs to be done from there. If we are to be married in just two weeks, we have a lot of planning to do!" Turning to the Professor, she said rather sorrowfully, "It's such a shame that your brothers aren't going to be able to attend, though."

"Oh? I was just thinking about phoning Ben ..." he stopped. "They won't come?"

"I'm sure that if it were at all possible, they would be here, Hal," Nanny assured him. "You know they wouldn't miss it for the world, but ..."

"Can I at least phone and ask them?" he sounded resigned.

"Of course!"

As the Professor left the kitchen to phone his brothers, Agatha leaned forward again. "Phoebe, dear, we have another message for you. From Cholmondeley."

"Oh?"

"He said to be sure to tell you that yes, he is sincerely happy for you. He knew when he saw you with the Everetts that you would never be completely happy were you to leave them for him. He is glad you followed your heart ... and now he has a chance to follow his own as well."

"You mean ...?" Then Nanny smiled brilliantly. "Oh, I'm so happy for him! I must admit, I was a little concerned ..."

"So he said. You have a soft heart, dear."

Then Prudence came into the kitchen, rubbing her eyes sleepily. She stared at Agatha and Justine for a moment, then whirled and shouted back to Hal and Butch, "Nanny's balloon-flying aunts are here again!" Turning back, she beamed at them. "I'm glad you're back. Did you come in your balloon again?"

"We did, Prudence." the two smiled at her.

"Can I have a ride this time?" the little girl demanded. "And will you take Jonathan too?"

"Jonathan?"

"My friend. Jonathan and Candy live just up the road -- in a house with a ship's wheel on the balcony, and a tower room and a ghost and EVERYTHING!"

Laughing, Nanny's aunts looked at each other and nodded. "We shall see. We promised to take you all last time, and never did. Perhaps this time we will be here longer."

"And perhaps," Nanny nodded, "your father will agree to it this time. You ARE a little older now."

"Oh, hurray!" Prudence cried.

Then Butch and Hal were tumbling into the kitchen, excitement palpable as they greeted Justine and Agatha.

"I've been reading all about ballooning since you were here," Hal said.

"Me, too!" Butch put in.

"We wanted to build one, but ..."

"Oh, heavens, it's a little early for that!" Justine said. "Your father would not approve, I'm afraid. But we WILL take you up and let you try steering it."

"Not around the cliffs in a strong breeze, please!" the Professor put in, coming back into the room. "And speaking of the balloon, I really think we should go up and unpack it, and move it off the edge of the cliff and to a safer place on the other side of the road, closer to the bush for shelter!"

"We'll help!" the three children vanished to get dressed.

"Well, Professor?" Justine looked at him, expectantly. Nanny took his hand, her eyes expressing her sympathy.

"They can't come." he admitted. "Neither of them."

"Shall we wait and get married in California as first planned?" Nanny asked, knowing he was not ready to talk about his brothers yet.

He pulled her into his arms for a moment, resting his head on hers. Then he kissed her forehead. "Thank you, but no. I think I'm ready for this wedding NOW." His smile was tender.

"How romantic!" sighed Agatha again. Justine sniffed, but her expression was indulgent as she looked at the younger pair.

"I want that balloon removed, Mrs. Muir!"

"Captain, until I find out who BROUGHT it, I can't very well do anything about it, can I?" Carolyn protested, standing at the French doors and looking with wonder at the hot air balloon across the road. Then she noticed a full Arabella being driven up the road and parking near it. "Oh! It must be someone the Professor knows! Here comes the whole family and two others!"

She hurried downstairs and outside.

"Carolyn! Hello!" Nanny waved. "We're just moving it."

"Who ...?"

"My aunts arrived early this morning." Nanny explained, indicating the two women who were busy handing things out of the basket to the Professor and the three children to put in Arabella's trunk.

"In a balloon?"

"It's the only way to travel, if you listen to them." the Professor added, on his way to put another load in the car.

Once it was empty, Nanny introduced her aunts to Carolyn. Agatha held Carolyn's hand and peered into her eyes, "You have the eyes of an old soul; one who sees much, has suffered much frustration, yet in the end you will triumph because you have found your heart's desire here on this rocky coast and in this lovely house here."

Carolyn blushed.

"A very knowledgeable woman she is, to be sure!" the Captain commented to Carolyn, eying Nanny's aunts with interest.

Justine arched her eyebrows. "Agatha, you are sounding very much like Henrietta now!"

"You're right. I AM sorry, my dear."

The Professor, having had Justine weigh anchor, had begun to drag the basket across the road with the children's help. As the Captain watched with a scowl on his face, he assisted in the moving with a pointed finger.

"It's not as hard as I expected it to be!" the Professor exclaimed as the basket suddenly seemed lighter and more manageable.

"No, it isn't!" Butch grunted, pushing with all his might.

"Thank you, Captain Gregg," Justine said politely, nodding at the spirit.

He was momentarily surprised that they were able to see him, then he smiled, "Ah, you are Phoebe's aunts."

"And YOU are the extremely handsome sea captain who waved to us this morning." Agatha batted her eyelashes at him.

"You waved to them?" Carolyn asked, taken aback that Nanny's aunts had seen the Captain at all, let alone appeared to be FLIRTING with him!

"Oh my, yes!" Agatha gushed. "And such a nice welcome! We were coming to see our Phoebe, we couldn't POSSIBLY miss her wedding, now could we? And to be met with such enthusiasm ..."

"I was not waving." the Captain said a trifle grimly, but not very emphatically.

"There, you see, Agatha? I TOLD you he was threatening us with his fist!" Justine nodded smugly.

"Threatening you, dear ladies? Now, why would I do that?" Suddenly the Captain's charm flowed forth.

Carolyn rolled her eyes, then looked at Nanny, "Your wedding?"

Nanny nodded, and said brightly, "My aunts have helped us set a wedding date!"

"Oh really? When?"

"St. Patrick's Day, of course!" Agatha beamed. Then she simpered up at the Captain. "In your honour as well, since I understand the wedding will be held in your house."

"March 17th?" Carolyn was in shock. "In Gull Cottage?"

"Oh, don't worry, Carolyn, Martha will rise to the occasion, I'm sure. And fortunately it falls on a Saturday." Nanny patted her hand. Then she raised her voice and called over to the Everetts, "I expect you can leave the balloon there, Professor! It's out of the way enough now, and shan't cause any trouble there!" Looking back at Carolyn again, she said, "We'll be up to see you about the wedding later, if that is all right? After the children have gone to school?"

"Yes, we'll be back. Oh, Carolyn, happy St. David's Day today!" Agatha added. At Carolyn's surprised look, she elaborated. "Your maiden name is Williams, I assumed your heritage is Welsh. March first is the Welsh National holiday, you know. Isn't it nice that we are all Celtic in origin?" she beamed at both Carolyn and the Captain, then followed the others to Arabella.

"How did they know all of that, Captain?" Carolyn asked, slightly dazed.

"They are related to Phoebe." was his simple answer. "And now, my dear, I do believe we should go tell Martha we have a wedding to plan in the immediate, foreseeable future!"

After the children's school bus had left, Nanny and her two aunts came to Gull Cottage again, saying that the Professor was to follow shortly. Martha was introduced to them, and she rather sarcastically agreed that it was nothing to plan a wedding on such short notice as she poured tea for everyone and set fresh muffins on the table.

Agatha picked up Carolyn's right hand to peer closely at her ring. "Why, Justine, just LOOK at Carolyn's ring! She has an original Claddagh! My dear, he does indeed think very highly of you to have given you such a valuable family heirloom as a betrothal ring!"

Justine examined the ring closely, too, then nodded. "Yes indeed, it's one of Uncle Richard's."

"Uncle Richard?" Carolyn asked faintly. Could this be proof of what she had been wondering? Were Nanny and the Captain related?

"Well, we CALLED him uncle, but he was very distantly related, you understand, not like Uncle Dillon who runs the business now." Justine said. She loved nothing more than to educate others. "Back in about 1680, Richard Joyce sailed from Claddagh, a small fishing village in Ireland where the waters of the River Corrib meet Galway Bay. That week he was to have been married, but alas, his ship was captured by Mediterranean Algerian pirates and the crew were sold as a slaves. Uncle Richard was sold to a Moorish goldsmith who trained him in his craft. He soon became a master in his trade and handcrafted a ring for the woman at home he could not forget. This ring, of course, was the original Claddagh, with the crowned heart held by two hands. In 1689, Uncle Richard was released after William III came to the throne of England and concluded an agreement whereby all his subjects who were held in captivity by the Moors were to be allowed to return to their homes. The Moorish goldsmith offered Uncle Richard his only daughter in marriage and half his wealth if he would remain in Algiers. But Uncle Richard declined and returned to Claddagh to find that the woman of his heart had never married. He gave her the ring and they were married and he set up a goldsmith shop in the town of Claddagh. The symbol quickly became the fashionable exchange of friends or lovers, and in marriage the heart was worn towards the wrist on the left hand. You will, of course, switch this over to your other hand during the ceremony, Carolyn, as our Phoebe will do with her ring. After Uncle Richard ended his manufacturing career in the 1730's, interest in the Claddagh ring faded out until a distant cousin, Robinson, revived it more than a generation later. Then Uncle Dillon took over and the rest, as they say, is history. "

"Imagine, this ring may have been in Captain Gregg's family for a hundred years!" Agatha sighed. "Tell me, Carolyn, where is your dear Captain Gregg?" she asked, after looking in vain for the spirit.

"He's around someplace, no doubt." Carolyn murmured.

"Oh, you've met the Captain, have you?" Martha asked.

"Oh, my, yes." Agatha sighed. "Such a handsome man, with such a strong personality! I was quite drawn to him. I like to think the interest was mutual." She ignored Justine's snort of derision. "And it was obvious he is quite taken with our Phoebe, as well."

"Aunt Agatha ..." Nanny began.

"Oh, but of COURSE I know his main interest is Carolyn here, but really, simply because he has quit this world doesn't mean we can expect him to quit the habits of a lifetime! Captain Gregg was obviously a ..." Agatha cast about for a polite term "well, a LADIES' man in life. He cannot be expected to change that merely because he is dead!"

"Aunt Agatha!" Phoebe gasped and Carolyn choked on her tea.

"Well, he DID say he could have had ten, twenty or even half a hundred women in every port!" Agatha pointed out reasonably.

"COULD have had," Justine reminded her sternly. "Not necessarily HAD."

Carolyn wondered vaguely how they had known he had told her this the first night she had met him. Was it something he spoke of often?

"Apparently the Captain held a spirit for such goings-on, a very strong one, in his prior life. So strong that the desire for the ... occupation ... passed on with him as he crossed to the afterlife!" Agatha nodded her head emphatically.

"Agatha, you are being quite insulting." Justine turned and patted Carolyn's hand. "Pay no attention to her. I'm sure his regard for YOU is deep and sincere."

Martha closed her mouth with a snap, and decided it was time to assist her dazed employer. Turning to Nanny, she said, "Didn't you say you were here to plan a wedding?"

Interest was immediately turned to wedding plans. The two aunts wanted big and wonderful, Nanny was most insistent on small. Justine and Agatha said she was a Figalilly and had to keep up the family tradition of extravagance, Nanny wanted to make her own traditions in agreement with the Professor.

The Professor slipped in in the middle of the discussion, and Agatha and Justine just nodded distractedly as they protested the need for Phoebe to live up to the expectations of her family. The Captain, who had appeared when the Professor arrived, quietly said that Phoebe's parents had already said she could live her own life, and surely that meant even to the extent of planning her own wedding.

"You WILL use the service your parents sent, at least, will you not?" Justine appealed to Nanny.

"Possibly," was Nanny's firm response. "After Harold and I have looked it over, and IF we can find someone to do it."

"Of course you will!" Agatha waved her hand. "Now, how about music?"

The Captain grinned. "I happen to be an excellent pianist, especially when it comes to playing Wagner's Bridal Chorus."

Carolyn made an involuntary face and jerked her head at him, silently telling him to shove off.

He merely smiled wickedly at her.

"I don't think I'd like the Bridal Chorus played." Nanny mused.

. "Perhaps Handel's Hallelujah Chorus?" suggested the Captain.

Again Carolyn made the swift movement with her head.

"My dear Mrs. Muir," the Captain commented. "Remember the tic that the peep diagnosed a few years back? You appear to have developed it again!"

Agatha smothered a laugh. The Professor looked at her inquiringly. Carolyn glared at the Captain, and willed herself not to move.

"A song I love for its words, which seem very appropriate," Nanny said, "is Always. Martha, you could play and sing that, couldn't you? As we come in?"

Looking startled, Martha nevertheless was flattered. "Why, yes, I could do that, Nanny, if that's what you really want."

"There won't be many at the wedding. Just our family and yours. Hal and Butch will stand up with me, and Prudence will be Phoebe's flower girl. Martha and Carolyn, could you be our witnesses?" the Professor asked. "I had hoped my brothers could attend, but ..."

"Oh dear, they can't make it?" Carolyn frowned.

"It was too sudden. Actually, although I'm a little annoyed at the secrecy, I've found that my brother Ben is off on his own honeymoon! I didn't even tell you that, Phoebe." the Professor turned to his fiancee suddenly. "I'm sorry. I was just so upset that neither one could come, and when Bob told me WHY I couldn't get hold of Ben, well ..."

"Oh, Harold, I understand, of course!" Nanny said, her hand covering his. "It was sudden for them, too, you know. That's the only reason he didn't tell you. After seeing us together, he finally had the courage to make his own commitment ..."

"He did? Oh, yes, of course." the Professor took a gulp of tea.

"Either that, or she wore him down in the end," the Captain said cynically. At the narrowed eyes of all the women in the room, he scowled and vanished.

"Bob really works too hard, but perhaps we can help change that when we get back to California," Nanny continued. "It won't be long."

"True. These last three months will fly by." the Professor said.

"Yes," Nanny said vaguely, again smiling her inscrutable smile which made the Professor aware that she knew something, yet wasn't saying anything yet.

"Well, I really must head over to the college. We'll talk when I get home. May I drop you ladies at our place?"

"That would be wonderful, Professor," Justine said, graciously. "And Carolyn, thank you for your hospitality this morning. Agatha and I will find some way to repay you. Martha, your tea was delicious. I'm sure we'll be seeing a lot more of each other in the next couple of weeks!"

On the way back to their place, Agatha suddenly turned to Justine. "Oh dear, Justine, in the absence of her parents, DO you think we should give our Phoebe 'the talk'? It is obvious she is feeling jittery, uncertain, yet determined in a strange sort of way. Even though we know she is sure to understand the reason for her reaction, the knowledge doesn't appear to be helping."

"Very good point, Agatha. I must admit that had slipped my mind."

"Oh, Phoebe, dear ..." Aunt Agatha began.

The Professor looked alarmed. "Here we are, ladies! It's been fascinating, but I DO have to get to work!" He pulled up in front of their home, waiting only until all three were out of the car before roaring off down the road. Nanny tried to suppress her smile at his hasty retreat, even in the midst of her own trepidation about the coming interview..

"Well!" Agatha tossed her head. "Was it something I said?"

"Nonsense, Agatha, you know very well that 'the talk' is something private and personal!" Justine soothed her as they walked into the house. "It IS a rather personal sort of thing, you know! It is just as well the Professor has departed."

"True enough. Well, then ..." Agatha settled into a chair and adjusted her scarves. Nanny's face showed only inquiry, none of her disquietude as she sat across from her aunts. "He has kissed you, of course. How did that make you feel, Phoebe dear?"

"I ... the kisses were magic ... no, more like a dream ... I was soaring, terrified and exhilarated ..." she smiled as she remembered, and both Agatha and Justine looked at each other and nodded firmly.

"You act like a woman in love. Confused, then determined, then confused again. Perfectly natural. It is not the last time you will find yourself this way."

Nanny sighed. "You would think I would know better at my age."

"Ah, but true love knows nothing of age. It strikes, and you are left with confused emotions." Justine said gently.

"And a heart filled with joy." added Agatha.

"Yes, indeed. A heart FILLED with joy." Justine agreed.

"But I didn't ASK for this to happen! I thought I loved Cholmondeley! I DO love Cholmondeley ... but that love pales in comparison to what I feel for Harold ..." Nanny admitted.

"Love is a power that cannot be dictated. You do not find it. Rather, it finds you." Justine said gently.

"We know true love always wins in the end. Love is plentiful at the best of times, but most people tend to look for a special someone. Someone to share the laughter and the tears, to hold close when necessary. Most often, love arrives unexpectedly and surprisingly. You know that, Phoebe. Yes, you love Cholmondeley, yet your heart was never his. After less than two years, Harold and his family were securely placed in your thoughts, your emotions, and most importantly of all, you have given them your heart."

Nanny nodded, but said nothing.

Agatha continued. "At this significant time of your life, a transition from the freedom of childhood and youth to the far greater freedom of adulthood, with all its responsibilities and experiences, it behooves you to pay heed to all the elders, those who have lived through almost every situation imaginable, and some utterly unimaginable. Justine," Agatha turned suddenly, "do you remember the time ..."

"AGATHA! Please, stick to the topic at hand." Justine frowned.

"Yes, of course. The," she coughed a little, "the act of consummating the marriage."

"AGATHA!" the name seemed wrung from Justine.

"I just wanted to give our Phoebe an idea of what to expect, Justine. You know how young girls are, thinking all is sweetness and light and roses? Well, there are times you encounter a few thorns, and it's best to be prepared, I always think. Love is as necessary as the air we breathe, and you know yourself, Justine, that one of the greatest joys yet one of most fearful and awe-inspiring of human acts is making love. Of course, with the Professor, being he's gentlemanly, for all he's so forceful ... oh, it just sends delightful shivers over me, thinking about ..."

Justine looked prepared to explode again, and Nanny very quickly leaned forward, putting a hand on each of her aunts' hands. "Aunties, thank you ... but, well, I have talked with Mother ... before I left home, actually ..."

"You did?" both sounded disappointed, then they rallied. Justine nodded briskly. "Well, then, that's all right then."

Nanny smiled, inwardly relieved that yet another hurdle was over.

Plans were made with a rapidity that made even Nanny blink. She and the Professor went to the town office first. Armed with their driver's licences, social insurance numbers, the Professor's first wife's death certificate which he had been singularly unsurprised to find in his briefcase considering Agatha and Justine were even MORE like Nanny than she was herself, and ten dollars, all of which they had been assured were necessary for a marriage licence, they approached Claymore.

"Oh ho, you've come for your marriage licence, have you? No, indeed, no photo ID's are required! I don't even need to see your driver's licences. After all, I know you!" he smirked. He quickly grabbed the ten dollars out of the Professor's hand, and passed over a form. "Please print the answers legibly. They're really supposed to be typed, but, well, my typewriter is broken and I don't want to spend the money to repair it until next year. Or maybe even the year after that. No need to be HASTY about these things, is there?"

They filled out the form and passed it back to Claymore who pursed his lips as he read over it intently. "Can't be TOO careful, you know, even if I DO know you!" Then he guffawed and pointed to the year of Nanny's birth. "Oh ho, I must say you've aged well!" he leered at her. "I see you were born shortly before my great-uncle kicked the gas heater over!" Then he cringed as he mumbled, "Oohhhhhh, why did I mention HIM?" and squinted again at the paper. Nanny merely smiled at him, and Claymore next read the date as 1954 instead of 1864 as he had at first. "Hmm, how could I make a mistake like that? I'll tell you how! HE'S on my mind and confusing me!" he muttered. Shuddering, he put his hands over the paper to block the date from his sight and looked up with a silly laugh, "Nanny, I must confess, you look older than you are!"

At that, the Professor gave him a dirty look and Claymore hurriedly said, "I'm signing! I'm signing!" He scrawled his name and passed the marriage licence to Nanny who quickly folded it and put it in her purse. She just KNEW the Professor wanted to look at the date for himself, having heard Butch and Hal's story of the passport in her trunk. Counting on the fact that he would not think to check it at the wedding itself, she resolved to keep it out of his hands until the time came! Claymore ushered them out the door, telling them to bring the licence back when they had the bottom of the form filled in and adding that he'd be glad to do the wedding for them, CHEAP! "For cost and only five percent on top for my time and effort. You can't ask for a better deal!"

"I don't think so, Claymore. Thank you, anyway." the Professor shook his head, and they left while Claymore was still babbling about possibly seeing his way to giving them an even better deal, with only an additional four and a half percent added.

Nanny shook her head. "He IS wound tightly, I think. The poor man would faint if he knew we were going to be married in Gull Cottage."

"Perhaps we SHOULD let him perform the ceremony," teased the Professor. "After all, he does OWN Gull Cottage."

Nanny sent him a speaking glance, and he chuckled. The next stop was to visit with Rev. Farley and to ask if he would be willing to perform their marriage ceremony. After the Professor gave Nanny's aunts' visit as the reason for the early wedding date, the good reverend agreed to come to Gull Cottage at four o'clock on March 17th. They handed him the service Nanny's aunts had brought with them. He read it over quickly, and nodded his approval, saying only that it was rather unusual and he had never seen the like. Nanny explained that it was the usual ceremony in her home town in England, and the clergyman missed the Professor muttering, "Yes, the kingdom by the sea! And even though I'm not the boy next door, I'm allowed to marry her!"

When they left the church office, neither noticed Mrs. Hassenhammer walking up the street behind them. She hesitated at the sidewalk to the church, then hurried on home so she could phone Mrs. Post. "Mrs. Post, DO you think the Professor and his nanny are seriously thinking of getting married here in Schooner Bay? I JUST saw them leaving Rev. Farley's office! If so, we can't let it simply slide by, now can we? I didn't think so either. You know, my husband was saying that he was hoping to convince Professor Everett to give up his post in California and move here permanently. Wouldn't that be a coup for our little town, to have a California university professor full-time at our college? You what? You saw them come out of Claymore's office as well? Yes, I'll meet you there in five minutes!"

Accordingly, the two formidable ladies confronted the hapless Claymore Gregg and demanded some answers.

"Please, ladies, you KNOW that anything said here in this office is COMPLETELY confidential!" he whined. "It is a State secret who has been in here and why, you might say! It would go against all codes of ethics ever invented if I were to tell you that Nanny and the Professor were in here to purchase their marriage licence!" Then he clapped his hands over his mouth, and a look of horror crossed his face.

"Just as I thought." nodded Mrs. Hassenhammer emphatically. "They are trying to pull off a surprise wedding. Are you doing it, Claymore?"

"You know I can't say that." Claymore said, now beginning to get a little cross. "I OFFERED them a good deal, but they turned me down flat! It's not a high fee for them, after all, and every little bit helps, you know!"

"I wonder when it is?" Mrs. Post mused, ignoring Claymore's griping. "Her aunts are here right now, have you heard?"

"Who hasn't? The balloon is a source of curiosity for every child and many grownups, too, if it comes to that! Imagine, those two women coming across the ocean in a BALLOON! They look MUCH too prim and proper to be the type!"

"I know. Well, if they've bought the licence, the wedding is sure to be in the next couple of months. Soon, I should think. Since they were talking with Rev. Farley, it wouldn't hurt to check with him. If they're having the wedding ceremony in the church, it's a public function and anyone is allowed to attend!"

"I somehow doubt we can get Rev. Farley to tell us anything. I wonder if my husband has heard? I'll ask him tonight. I can't imagine they would be married without letting US attend, at any rate!" Mrs. Hassenhammer said.

"Me, too?" Claymore asked. "I wouldn't mind seeing it, although I'd certainly rather be performing the service myself!"

Both ladies fixed him with a cold look, and he subsided into his chair as they sailed out the door.

Nanny and the Professor talked with the children that afternoon, and the Professor asked Hal and Butch to stand up with him. Much impressed, both agreed quickly. Nanny asked Prudence to be her flower girl, and the little girl beamed. Then suddenly her face clouded.

"What is it, Prudence?" the Professor asked, cradling his daughter on his knee.

"Well, well, you said before, when Nanny was going to marry Mr. Feathers, that you were going to give her away. Nanny, are you going to be given away again?"

"It's just a tradition, darling," Nanny reminded her, gently. Then her smile broke out. "And this time, I'm being given to your father and you."

"For keeps?" Prudence's eyes rounded.

"For ever and ever."

"I LOVE you, Nanny!" Prudence hugged her tightly, and Nanny returned the hug, her eyes meeting the Professor's and glowing with the love she felt.

When Prudence had happily run off, the Professor came up to Nanny, taking her hand in his and stroking it gently. "Who WILL do the honours of giving you away, Phoebe? One of your aunts?"

"I know who I'm going to ask." was all Nanny would say. "Although I may simply follow another of our family's traditions, and have NO one give me away, should the one I have in mind refuse."

Right after finishing the supper dishes, Nanny went out alone for a walk on the beach. She stood for a moment, looking up at Gull Cottage. In no time, the Captain appeared at her side.

"You wished to speak with me, Phoebe."

"Yes. I have a great favour to ask of you. Would you do me the honour of walking me down the aisle to give me away?"

"Give you away?" he stared at her.

She smiled. "You sound like Prudence. It's just a tradition, Captain."

"I realize that. I am just surprised that you have approached ME for this, since your Professor is not yet acquainted with me. Should I agree, I would take this task very seriously, Phoebe. I must tell you ..." he paused.

"Yes?"

"You ARE aware that I am opposed to marriage in the abstract, are you not?"

"I know you WERE opposed, Captain Gregg. And I know you and Carolyn together have managed to break through your opposition quite nicely. No need to protest ..." she shook her finger at him warningly.

His face relaxed. "Again I ask, why me?"

"Gull Cottage is your home, I feel a deep connection to you, for all we've only known one another a matter of months. You understand how I have travelled the world many times, a world essentially unfamiliar to the Professor. How can I explain the years of change I have witnessed? How do I make him understand the depth of the knowledge held by my people? Captain, you understand this because you are experiencing it with Carolyn. It still seems incredible, but with Harold, I feel as if we were two pieces that, once joined, will form a whole. He makes me feel ... whole. As Carolyn does you."

The Captain's face was inscrutable. Then he nodded. "Aye. I will not give you away, but I will proudly walk in beside you, to be your support and your friend and will give my blessing wholeheartedly to you and him."

"As I will you and Carolyn." She smiled at his startled, then comprehending visage. "Thank you, Captain."

"My pleasure, Phoebe." he bowed to her, then disappeared.

A week before the wedding, Nanny admitted she was again feeling at sixs and sevens. "I'm almost in a flap!" she smiled as she jumped up to get the tea pot, forgetting she was at Gull Cottage.

Martha took over smoothly, and sat Nanny down gently as she said, "That's the nice part about living in a small town. When you don't know what you're doing, someone else does."

Carolyn chuckled. "That's true enough! Don't worry, Nanny, everything will sort itself out in time. This is just pre-wedding jitters. Where are your aunts?"

"Oh, they've started taking the children up for a balloon ride. Hal and Butch weren't giving them any rest until they did. Hal is so interested ..."

"Maybe we should go watch?" Carolyn asked. "I've already signed a written consent for Candy and Jonathan to go up. I thought that was a wonderful idea of your aunts. They can't take EVERYONE up, and I'm sure more children than adults want to go. Having to have written permission makes it a lot easier."

"I've heard only about 5 children are going up." Nanny said.

"Yes, and I heard from Jonathan that Danny Shoemaker, who would, and I quote, 'really DIG going up, up and away', is not allowed to go. Mrs. Shoemaker said, 'Absolutely NOT!'" Martha grinned. "I'm with her, to be honest. I have no desire whatsoever to go flying in that thing!"

"Poor Danny," Carolyn smiled.

"Aunt Agatha and Aunt Justine said I could take the Professor up if he wanted to experience ballooning, but he declined this time." Nanny laughed. "He said he wanted to make it to his wedding in one piece!"

"Your Aunt Agatha offered to take the Captain and I up. For some reason, your aunt Justine scowled at her, and said if anyone took us up, it would be her. I thought about it, but decided I'd rather not. The Captain merely said he'd rather be sailing."

"I know Aunt Justine's reaction to THAT," Nanny said. "She thinks that sailing IS a fine way to fly, even if it can't SOAR, but when storms come, the balloon merely has to rise above them, whereas the ship has to battle through it, and that takes strength of will."

"You're right, that's what he told me she said," Carolyn said, slowly, wondering how Nanny knew. Perhaps Aunt Justine had said it before?

"Another person very taken with the balloon, and incidently, your aunt Justine, Nanny, is Cleveland Hampton." Martha said, a little grimly.

"Mr. Hampton?" Carolyn asked. "Really?"

"Aunt Justine?" Nanny looked surprised.

"She took him up yesterday, and he hasn't stopped talking about it OR her." Martha sighed. "I think he's just fickle. First you, Mrs. Muir, then me ... now Aunt Justine."

"Oh, Martha ..." began Carolyn.

"Ed hasn't wavered at all, though, has he, Martha?" Nanny asked.

"You told me CLEVELAND was for me!"

"Did I?"

"Well, I THOUGHT you did ..."

"I just told you that he was definitely interested in you ... as he was."

"For a little over a month." Martha exhaled heavily.

"Martha, you know Ed is still interested, and it has been a couple of YEARS ..." Carolyn put in.

"Yes ..." Martha's voice trailed off and she sighed again. "I guess what they say is true. The trouble with some women is that they get all excited about nothing and then they marry him. But I won't have the chance to get that far! Oh, Nanny, I'm sorry. I KNOW you and the Professor will be very happy."

Just then, Candy came running in breathlessly to say that Jonathan was up in the balloon with Prudence, and did her Mom want to see them. The three women dropped the subject of Martha's beaux and went outside.

After an ecstatic Jonathan and Prudence landed, Candy was given the final turn up in the air, and she, too, was beaming when Justine landed the balloon in exactly the same spot the Professor had hauled it a week earlier. When the children had run off to compare notes, Agatha and Justine beckoned Carolyn over to the basket.

"I know we've just met you, but you've been so good to our Phoebe. We wanted to do something for you." Agatha smiled.

Hoping they weren't going to offer again to take her up in the balloon, Carolyn waited.

"I do hope you won't be offended." said Justine. "It's just a small token of our gratitude."

"We couldn't resist it," Agatha patted Carolyn's hand. "and we hope you can't either."

"We realize that it's not new, but we DO hope you won't mind accepting it and perhaps wearing it for the wedding." With a flourish, Justine pulled a long dress out of a bag. Carolyn gasped in awe. The dress was a pale shade of green with what looked like tiny embroidered bouquets red and green scattered at random over the skirt. When Carolyn looked very closely at the embroidery, she realized it was actually the red Welsh dragon standing on a couple of dark green shamrocks.

"To celebrate both of your heritages, Welsh for yours, Irish for the Captain's," Justine said as she put it in Carolyn's arms.

Carolyn smoothed the soft material lovingly. "It's beautiful ... but I can't accept this!"

Nanny spoke softly to her, "They will be deeply offended if you don't."

"But ..."

Martha looked at the dress, then at Carolyn. "I think it's gorgeous, and just exactly right for your wedding. Er ... Nanny's wedding."

Justine and Agatha both beamed. "That's what we thought. You WILL accept it, Carolyn, won't you?"

Swallowing, Carolyn slowly nodded. Tears came unbidden to her eyes as she looked at Nanny's aunts. "I can't thank you enough. It IS lovely, and I'd love to wear it for the wedding. As you say, it's perfect."

"Your Captain was quite a man," Agatha said, and she sighed gustily. "QUITE a man. Still is, I'd say."

"AGATHA!" Justine moaned. "Please! Act your age!" When Agatha opened her mouth to reply, Justine added, "And I don't care if you think you're close to HIS age ... you're not!"

Nanny intervened before the argument escalated further. "Aunties, Martha still has the kettle full of water. How about a cup of tea?"

On Thursday, the Professor prepared to head off for the college for his last class of the week. Nanny set his breakfast in front of him, then, with her arm on his shoulders, she quickly kissed his cheek. "I'm so proud of you, and happy for you, and you know that whatever you decide will be fine with the rest of us."

"I beg your pardon? What are you talking about?" he stared at her. Was Hassenhammer going to offer him a permanent job, something he had been hinting at for over a month now?

Her enigmatic smile was his only answer until later that day. Then he found himself listening in disbelief when he received a telephone call from the President of his university back in California.

"Everett, we need you back here at once! To be quite clear about this, I'm going to be retiring permanently in a few years, and I must go on sick leave right away. You know how these doctors are! Fussing like old women! The Board and the Trustees have tentatively put your name forward as my successor. Naturally they want to see how things work out, so you are to be appointed the Academic Dean and Henderson is to be the interim President. He has agreed to that, but wants you to be the one appointed to the permanent position. For now, everyone feels the position of Academic Dean would suit you admirably. The students and the faculty all like you, and you've managed to get along with Fairbanks even though you once hoped to get THAT job. We still think he's a better Head of the Mathematics Department than you would be. Academic Dean is more your line, we think. More importantly, you have demonstrated a remarkable talent working with the administration. The Board feels you would support all the faculty as professional people who have been hired because they can help the school achieve its goals of training young people. The Trustees are confident that you are well suited to carrying on with the new initiatives Henderson implemented that will address their strategic plans and goals. The college will be well positioned for continued growth, and some of the interim measures have already been put in place. So what do you say, Everett? May we expect you back here by the end of the Spring Break which, as I'm sure remember, is next week?"

The Professor tried to think, then had to struggle to get his voice to work. "I'm flattered, very flattered, but ... well, I'm getting married on Saturday ..."

"What? MARRIED? Well ... well, splendid! You'll need to get away from Maine and re-establish yourself here in your proper place in California! Look on it as a honeymoon! You'll have time to settle back in before going away in June for your month's holiday! After all, isn't that where the phrase 'honeyMOON' came from?" he chuckled.

"I ... I'd like some time to ..."

"Think about it? No doubt. But you'll have to be quick ... I doubt even YOU will be thinking about a job on Saturday!"

"You're not related to my fiancee or her people, are you?" the Professor mumbled under his breath, but the President paid no attention.

"The Board and the Trustees are meeting here in six hours, and I'm here for the duration ... we'll be awaiting your call anytime, Everett!" and he was gone.

The Professor stared at the phone receiver in his hand, then carefully dropped it into position. Academic Dean ... then President of the College! It really was the most splendid opportunity ... but to leave Schooner Bay so suddenly! He had had to come all this way to find complete happiness again, and this little town and the good friends they had met here had become entwined in all their heartstrings! He had grown accustomed to the slower pace. The children had settled in well to their school. Phoebe loved it here. What would she and the children think of moving back to California now instead of June as planned? Then his lips twisted in a wry smile. He KNEW what Phoebe thought ... she had told him just that morning! So, she was leaving it up to him to decide between returning to California or staying here in Schooner Bay where they had been so very happy, where so many of his dreams had come true again? He knew Hassenhammer wanted him to stay, and would be delighted if an agreement was reached. It really wasn't a difficult decision at all, the Professor realized, and he wouldn't even wait the six hours!

Picking up the phone again, he dialed out. "California, please, Millie."

The afternoon of the seventeenth, Carolyn and Nanny were dressing in the main bedroom of Gull Cottage. Carolyn marvelled that her dress fit so well. When she was ready, she helped Nanny adjust her veil. "You're beautiful," she said sincerely, eying her friend. "Your great-grandmother's dress is lovely, Nanny, but you are simply radiant in it."

"Thank you, Carolyn." Nanny was about to say something more, but at that point her aunts knocked on the door, then bustled in.

"You both look simply heavenly!" Agatha said, clasping her hands and gazing at the two younger women. "Oh, Justine, isn't our Phoebe a picture? It's so sad your parents couldn't be here for this moment. And Carolyn, we just KNEW that dress was perfect for you!"

"Yes, indeed, Carolyn, that is lovely on you. Phoebe, may you continue to soar as you embark on your new life with your true love." There was a suspicious moisture in Justine's eyes and she kissed Nanny carefully so as not to smudge her makeup. "We'll see you downstairs, dears."

"The children are ready, too," added Agatha as she followed Justine to the door. "all spick and span and looking like the precious darlings they are! We'll send Prudence in shortly."

When they were alone again, Carolyn had no time to say anything before Nanny was smiling softly and speaking. "Come in, Captain."

The Captain appeared, resplendent in his uniform. Nanny took Carolyn's hand and reached out to the Captain, saying softly, "I want to thank you both for everything you have done, and wish you the best in your future."

"Blessings to you and your Professor, as well," the Captain said in a husky voice.

"Nanny, thank YOU for everything, and I hope you'll be happy," Carolyn said, fighting unexpected tears. "I'm sure you will be, if the way you feel right now is any indication!"

"Shall we go down? I believe all is ready." the Captain tugged on his ear, looking uncomfortable with all this talk of the future when he believed he was still firmly in the past.

Nanny took a deep breath, then nodded. Carolyn opened the door, and Prudence was waiting there, with a basket of flower petals in her hands. She stared in awe at Carolyn, then Nanny, and said, "You're both so pretty! Nanny? Remember when Mr. Feathers said it was bad luck for him to see you in your wedding dress before the wedding? Daddy saw you then. Does that mean it's bad luck?"

Nanny hugged her, "No, sweetheart, there is no bad luck with this wedding."

"I'm glad," Prudence beamed.

The three of them went down the stairs and stood by the living room door. Martha began to sing "Always". Carolyn walked into the room first while Martha was singing,

" Dreams will all come true,

growing old with you ..."

and she found herself thinking more and more of herself and the Captain. Her dreams DID appear to be coming true, with him. Remembering the last time, over four years ago now, that she and the Captain had witnessed a wedding in the living room of Gull Cottage, Carolyn wondered if it would be possible to say her vows inaudibly with Nanny -- and marry Captain Gregg the only way possible for them at this time!

Prudence followed Carolyn to where her father and brothers were waiting in front of the minister. She joined them, and smiled across at Candy and Jonathan on the other side with Nanny's aunts. Then Nanny entered slowly, and although neither the groom nor the minister could see him, the Captain proudly paced by her side with his hand at her elbow. His eyes met Carolyn's and a thrill ran over her.

The Professor gazed at Nanny almost in disbelief. How could this lovely creature have fallen in love with HIM and agreed to marry him? He wondered vaguely who she had asked to give her away, as obviously whoever it was had refused the honour. Perhaps one of her aunts? Yet why wouldn't either one have agreed? He thought he saw something shimmer beside her, then a faint, shadowy impression of a man, and he almost jumped when he recognized the man in the portrait above the mantel! When Nanny reached the Professor and smiled up at him, he noticed she glanced over and nodded slightly, and the indistinct apparition beside her moved closer to Carolyn. Carolyn was looking up at the ethereal form, twisting her hands, and the Professor realized she was sliding the rings off her hands, putting the wedding ring from Bobby on her right hand and slipping the Claddagh to the ghostly figure. The GHOSTLY figure? The Professor wondered dazedly what was coming over him. Since committing himself to Phoebe, everything around him had seemed more alive, as if her strength of character, her independent spirit and her passion for everything had made him come back to life in a special way. Colours were more vibrant, scents more powerful, tastes more delicious, touch more pleasurable ... and now his sight was more perceptive? Was this her magic as well?

Rev. Farley cleared his throat pointedly. "Professor Everett?"

The Professor jerked his gaze away from Carolyn and whatever was beside her and faced the minister. He glanced surreptitiously at Nanny and felt rather than saw her shoulders lift in a slight shrug and a slow smile spread over her face. Knowing that was the only answer he would probably ever get, even to a direct question, he tried to concentrate on the minister's words.

Rev. Farley began, "We have come together here in celebration of the joining together of Phoebe Figalilly and Harold Everett. Much wisdom, concerning the joining together of two souls, has come our way through all paths of belief, and from many cultures. With each union, more knowledge is gained and more wisdom gathered. Though we are unable to give all this knowledge to these two who stand before us, we can hope to leave with them the knowledge of love and all its strengths and the anticipation of the wisdom that comes with time. Without love, life is nothing; without love, death has no redemption. Love is before life and after death. Love is eternal. As with any aspect of life, marriage has its cycles, its ups and its downs, its trials and its triumphs. With full understanding of this, Phoebe and Harold have come here today to be joined as one in marriage. At this time, others might ask, 'Who gives the bride in marriage?' I ask simply of Phoebe, do you come to this marriage of your own free will and have you your family's blessing?"

"I do," came her soft words.

"And we can vouch for that!" Agatha spoke up. Justine nudged her, and she subsided.

Rev. Farley continued. "Do you, Harold, come to this marriage of your own free will, and have you your family's blessing?"

"I do." his voice was firm.

"Harold and Phoebe, you have a unique responsibility toward one another and by your marriage, you, Phoebe, will also now have a unique relationship to Hal, Butch and Prudence. Do you pledge to them your love and promise to strive to understand their needs and desires in the years to come?"

"I do." Nanny nodded. Then she quoted St. Paul's words to the Corinthians. "If I have prophetic powers and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, but have not love, I am nothing."

"Hal, Butch and Prudence, you are witnessing the marriage of your father to the woman who used to be your nanny but who now will be your stepmother. Do you give to them both your love and your blessing for their life together?"

"I do." Hal said solemnly, as befit the occasion.

Butch grinned. "I sure do!"

Prudence merely nodded, her face wreathed in smiles.

Rev. Farley continued. "Phoebe and Harold, please join hands. As time passes, remember that your love should be firm as the ground beneath your feet, and as constant as the stars above your head. Let the powers of the mind and of the intellect guide you in your marriage, let the strength of your wills bind you together, let the power of love and desire make you happy, and the strength of your dedication make you inseparable. Be close, but not too close. Possess one another, yet be understanding. Have patience with one another, for storms will come, but they will pass quickly. Be free in giving affection and warmth. Have no fear, for God is with you always. Now, Harold, as you place the ring on Phoebe's finger, repeat after me ... I, Harold Everett, by the life that courses within my blood..."

The Captain, standing close to Carolyn and keeping his eyes on her, murmured his "answers" and "vows" to her while the Professor said them to Nanny. Carolyn's heart was filled with happiness, almost to overflowing. The Captain's rich voice, coloured with overtones of his deep love for her, thrilled her as he repeated the marriage vows for her ears alone.

"... and the love that resides within my heart, take thee, Phoebe Figalilly (Carolyn Muir), to my hand, my heart, and my spirit, to be my chosen one. To desire thee and be desired by thee, to possess thee and be possessed by thee, without sin or shame, for none can exist in the purity of my love for thee. I promise to love thee wholly and completely without restraint, in sickness and in health, in plenty and in poverty, in life and beyond, where we shall meet, remember, and love again. I shall not seek to change thee in any way. I shall respect thee, thy beliefs, thy people, and thy ways as I respect myself."

Just after he finished putting the ring on his bride's left hand, making sure the heart was pointing inward, the Professor glanced over and saw Carolyn's left hand very slightly raised, and the Claddagh appearing on her finger! Nanny tightened her hands on his and he brought his attention back to her. She smiled and nodded slightly. His eyes widened. Then he forgot Carolyn as Nanny softly repeated her vows to him, her voice strong and sure. As Nanny finished speaking, he happened to catch a glimpse of Carolyn's face, and saw her lips moving infinitesimally -- her eyes fixed on the shadowy figure at her side.

Rev. Farley, too, had thought he had caught a glimpse of something by Carolyn's side. He had noticed the ring sliding onto her finger, pushed by unseen fingers. But, meeting Phoebe's calm gaze, he took a leap of faith and carried on as if he were performing a double wedding. He saw Carolyn's lips moving almost imperceptibly and realized she was repeating the vows with Phoebe although her voice was inaudible. It was almost as though she was speaking to someone who wasn't even there! This was the strangest wedding he had ever presided at! He couldn't help but think of Carolyn's own aborted wedding planned by her mother, and the subsequent anniversary service at the conclusion of which he had noticed Carolyn again acting rather mysteriously. Had he really seen her repeat marriage vows just now ... to a ghost?

Shaken, Rev. Farley cleared his throat and said, "Love is more than a feeling, it's a commitment. It's a commitment to work things out and to resolve the issues; to communicate when it's hard to and to forgive each other and start fresh each day. Good marriages take time and effort to build. They don't just happen. Phoebe and Harold," Rev. Farley paused, looked at Carolyn for a split second then in between her and Nanny where he thought he had seen something, then turned back to Nanny and the Professor, "you have chosen each other in love and freedom. You have declared your purpose before your family and friends gathered here today and you have made your pledges one to the other. By the power vested in me by God and the State, I now pronounce you husband and wife. May your love so endure that its flame remains a sign of the fire within your hearts, and may that fire burn as long as the stars shine."

Then Rev. Farley announced with a smile that they could kiss. The illusion beside Carolyn turned and the Professor almost jumped as the bright blue twinkling eyes of the man in the portrait met his, winked once, then turned away. Even as the Professor bent to touch his lips to Nanny's, he realized that Carolyn, too, was being kissed, although he could still see her face THROUGH the back of the Captain's head. The CAPTAIN? Then Nanny squeezed his hands again, and once more his mind was back on his own beautiful bride. He smiled down at her, then kissed her deeply and Phoebe Figalilly, the mysterious, mystifying, and unusual nanny came into her own as Phoebe Figalilly Everett, loved and beloved wife and mother.

Martha stood up from the piano bench, her eyes streaming with the tears that always flowed at weddings, and she hugged Nanny enthusiastically. While everyone else was busy greeting Nanny and the Professor, the Captain softly quoted a portion of a poem by Robert Browning to Carolyn:

"Grow old along me!

The Best is yet to be,

The last of life, for which the first made:

Our times are in His hands

Who saith "A whole I have planned."

Youth show but half;

Trust God: see all, nor be afraid.

Our times are in his hands!"

Then he disappeared and the Professor jumped when the loud, triumphant chords of the Hallelujah Chorus echoed throughout the room. He looked at the piano and the keys moving by themselves, then at Nanny, then at Carolyn. The figure he had thought he had seen by Carolyn was gone. Her eyes were glimmering with unshed tears, but her face was shining with happiness and she mouthed "player piano?" in answer to his silent confusion. He made a mental note to ask later if the Captain could play the piano, then shook himself. What utter nonsense! How could he possibly be even THINKING of such a thing as a ghost? It was not even within the realm of any scientific possibility, and he refused to waste any more time in speculation. He was obviously and understandably overcome by his marriage to Phoebe, and hopefully would settle down somewhat very soon!

After hugging Nanny and the Professor, Nanny's aunts congratulated Carolyn and the Captain as well, much to Carolyn's confusion, as she had not realized she had been seen. Rev. Farley asked if the marriage licence could be signed before going much further, and he spread the paper Nanny had given him on the table.

Nanny signed it first, then the Professor, and she smiled with satisfaction to note that indeed he was too pre-occupied to look at her date of birth. Martha signed, then it was Carolyn's turn. For some reason, she happened to notice the date of Nanny's birth, and muffled a gasp. The children had been right, back in September, when they had said she was 108! She glanced up, but no one was paying any attention to her. She looked one more time at the date, and suddenly wasn't sure what the numbers were. The year could not POSSIBLY be 1864, could it? She moved away, and Rev. Farley filled out the bottom of the form, and signed it, never noticing anything unusual about the dates. He folded the marriage licence up and stuck it in his pocket, assuring the Professor that he would personally deliver it to Claymore first thing Monday morning.

The ensuing party was a merry one. At last Rev. Farley departed, then Nanny's aunts bid everyone farewell, saying they planned to spend the night in their balloon. After all, it WAS their home away from home! Prudence was sharing Candy's room and Hal and Butch were staying with Jonathan in HIS room so that Nanny and the Professor could have a very short honeymoon of the weekend on their own. After many hugs and kisses, the two newlyweds were shooed out the door as well.

After closing the door behind Nanny and the Professor, Martha looked at Carolyn and the Captain. "Now, it's nice enough for you two to get out and walk. I'll make sure the children get to bed. After all, although the fog is getting heavier, it's a balmy night, and this will probably be the only honeymoon per se that you will ever get!"

At Carolyn's blank look and the Captain's discomfitted one, Martha looked a trifle disgusted. "Just how blind do you really think everyone IS around here? Maybe the children didn't notice, and possibly Nanny and the Professor were too engrossed in each other, although I'm not totally sure about Nanny!, but even Rev. Farley was giving you a few sideways glances! As for me, well, Mrs. Muir ... or Mrs. Captain Gregg as you are in your heart! ... I have very sharp eyes. I saw you both saying the vows, I saw the rings change hands," she gestured towards the Claddagh now gracing Carolyn's left hand, "I KNOW this was your wedding as well -- the closest you'll ever get to a wedding in this world!"

"Oh, Martha!" Carolyn hugged her tightly, and Martha felt a kiss pressed on her cheek which she knew was from the Captain.

"I'd do more if I could for you two, but as it is, all I can give you is a few hours ..." she waved away their thanks and almost pushed them both out the door before calling out to the children to start getting ready for bed.

"Oh, Justine, wasn't it a simply divine wedding?" Agatha sighed. "A DOUBLE wedding!"

"Yes, indeed. Our Phoebe will be happy, that is obvious, and so will Carolyn."

"With her delicious Captain ..."

"AGATHA!" Justine jerked in the ladder and hoisted the anchor in to the basket. "Now, are you quite ready to leave? Antarctica, here we come!"

As the balloon lifted, they both leaned over the side and blew kisses to all the children, who turned in surprise to see the others with their hands also clasped over their cheeks where they had felt the kisses. The Captain and Carolyn, carefully making their way down to the beach, paused and looked at each other, then the Captain looked up and he smiled and blew a kiss back to the balloon ladies. "Safe voyage!" Nanny and the Professor, lingering in the garden of their place, looked up as the airborne kisses hit their cheeks and Nanny waved and blew kisses back, calling softly, "Thank you for coming, aunties!" Then the Professor called, "Drop in anytime!" and his chuckles faded as he drew his wife into his arms for a quick kiss before going into the house and shutting themselves away from the rest of the world.

When Carolyn reached the solid ground of the beach, she suddenly remembered seeing Nanny's birthdate on the marriage licence. "Captain, did you notice when Nanny was born? The children were right! She IS nearly 109 years old!"

The Captain brushed off her wonder, saying she could easily have misread the date. Carolyn wanted to pursue the matter, but his demeanor was more than a little off-putting. His scowl was growing more fierce by the moment.

"Captain? What is it?" She put her hand out, but it swept through his arm. Dismayed, realizing she would not be able to even TOUCH him on their wedding night, she tried to block her feelings from him, urging him instead to tell her what he was feeling.

"To be honest, madam, I am wondering what on earth came over me this afternoon!"

"You mean when you promised to love me?"

"Madam, you KNOW I cannot promise you anything!" he stopped and faced her, anguish evident on his face. "Right now, I cannot even seal a promise with the customary kiss!"

"On the contrary, Daniel Gregg, you can and have promised me the same thing I have promised you." Carolyn said softly, not swayed by his manner. "You have promised me the most important thing in the world. You have promised me forever," She waited for a heartbeat, then added with an enchanting smile, "and I'm holding you to it. We even have Martha as a witness."

"Carolyn ..." he began, then he relaxed. "Carolyn, I love you. Forever, if that is truly what you want."

"It is." was her firm reply.

On Tuesday, when the Everetts' marriage licence was received by the correct department for the State of Maine, the clerk going over the form suddenly let out a bark of laughter. "THIS little old lady must be mighty rich for a man so much younger than her to be even considering marrying the old crone. No wonder they came to Maine to get married -- away from all their relatives and friends, supposing they even HAVE any! Dig this! Even her name is wacky! Figalilly! No wonder she wanted to change it. She was a spinster, too. Wonder why she waited so long? Says here she's almost 109!"

"Get out!"

"Seriously, man, look here! Of course, they're both from California and everyone knows that state's full of weirdos ... but he was born December 17, 1927 and SHE was born April 18, 1864! I first thought it said 1964, and figured he was a sicko, marrying a kid of nine!"

"Lemme see that!" the other clerk pulled the paper over and stared at the date. Then he looked up. "Well," he said doubtfully, "it looks to ME like the year she was born COULD be 1954 ... if she carried the bottom circle of the five around a bit too high. Then at least she'd be nineteen. Hmm, I guess she's the mooch and is marrying HIM for his money. No other reason to marry someone 27 years older than herself! Whoever wrote that in has really crummy writing AND a bad pen, what with all the blotches! No wonder it says to type it or print it LEGIBLY!! That second number COULD be an eight, but we have to be SERIOUS here."

"Well, I'll put 1954 in ... probably no one else looks at these anyway. I'm certainly not going to contact them to ask the proper date! It doesn't really matter to US."

By Sunday, of course, news of the marriage at Gull Cottage had spread over Schooner Bay. Sunday evening, speculation was rife as to WHY the wedding had happened with such speed and secrecy. After all, Nanny and the Professor were TECHNICALLY just engaged on Valentine's Day, then married in haste on St. Patrick's Day! Of course, they had lived together for a couple of years and obviously had indulged in some illicit hanky-panky! By Monday morning, it was obvious to all who felt it their concern that Nanny was clearly pregnant, and that was the sole reason the two had married so quickly, instead of waiting until July as originally planned.

"Mrs. Post, I can't TELL you how this has affected my sensibilities!" Mrs. Hassenhammer spoke quickly on the phone. "Why, here we were, hoping that we could persuade the Professor to remain here indefinitely, and he behaves in such a shockingly indecent manner! Imagine! Nanny in the family way! I just don't know WHAT to think!"

"So your husband is not going to offer him a permanent position after all?"

Mrs. Hassenhammer snorted inelegantly. "Of course he is! First thing this morning, he said. HE doesn't care about the Professor's personal life. He just says he can't imagine why it took the Professor so long to marry her! I've a good mind to ..."

"Men!" Mrs. Post fumed. "I hear Mr. Gilbert only wonders that he even bothered to marry her at all! I suppose we should be thankful that he did make an honest woman of her, at least, and marry her to give the baby a legitimate name!"

Although the adults in Gull Cottage as well as Nanny and the Professor were unaware of all the speculation and rumours flying around, it wasn't long before the children were confronted with them. Monday afternoon at recess, a group of the town children gathered around Butch and Prudence in the school yard.

"My Mom told my Dad at lunch today that Nanny must be in the family way, and that's why they got married in such a hurry." Danny Shoemaker said.

"That's what MY Mom says, too." Penelope Hassenhammer put in.

"What does family way mean? Now she HAS a family. Me and Hal and Butch." Prudence said.

"Silly! It means she's going to have a BABY! She's going to get fat and ugly and nasty. That's what happened to my aunt before SHE got a baby!" Maybelle Gilbert rolled her eyes.

"Your aunt, maybe, but not NANNY!" Butch insisted. "She'd never be ugly or nasty." He thought for a moment. "She might get fat if she was going to have a baby, though."

"And when she has a baby, you kids better look out! Your Dad'll love her and the new kid, and not want to bother with the three of you!" Graham Gilbert taunted them.

"That's not true!" protested Butch, but weakly.

"And Nanny may be nice now, but I bet she'll be AWFUL when the baby's here." Penelope said.

"No! No, I don't want to hear this!" cried Prudence, her sobs attracting Hal's attention as he was passing.

"Claymore Gregg says there's something fishy about Nanny, even if she is lovely, because she wouldn't even LOOK at him. He says your Dad took advantage of her or something, since she was living under your roof, when she is so much younger than him." Billy McBean taunted Butch and Prudence.

"My Dad says your Dad knew a good thing when he saw it, but he doesn't know why he bothered to marry her, when obviously he was fooling around with her without the pain of a wedding." sneered Graham.

Hal, coming up at that point, overheard the boy, and doubled his fists. He advanced menacingly on Graham. "You take that back! You take it back, I tell you!"

"He didn't say it, it was his dad!" protested Danny.

"I don't care, he didn't need to repeat it, especially not to Butch and Prudence! Now take it back!" Hal didn't give way.

"I won't!" shrieked Graham. "My Dad wouldn't say anything that wasn't true! And he says marriage is just a trap for men! He bets Nanny got pregnant on purpose!"

Hal couldn't stand it any more, and he began to pummel Graham. They rolled around on the ground, punching and scratching. The other children gathered round to watch and cheer them on. Jonathan and Candy ran up and when they heard what the fracas was about, Candy jumped right in to the fight with Hal, trying to pull Graham away. Billy went to Graham's aid and grabbed at Candy, striking her in the eye with his fist. Soon all the children were brawling, even Penelope being dragged kicking and screaming into the melee.

Suddenly Mr. Hampton, Miss Drew and Miss Stoddard were there, separating the antagonists. "What is going on here?" Mr. Hampton demanded sternly.

The entire crowd of children wouldn't look anywhere but at their feet.

"Graham?" Mr. Hampton prodded the oldest boy.

Graham scuffed his foot in the dirt and refused to answer. Neither would any of the others, even when threatened that their parents would be called. Since everyone had been fighting, and no one would explain why, the teachers decided to keep them all in after school for detention. The children could all explain the reason for their tardiness to their parents!

Carolyn was at the Everetts having tea with Nanny when Nanny suddenly froze, her cup midway to her lips. "What is it?" Carolyn asked, almost frightened by the look on Nanny's face. Was it anger, or could that really be pain she saw in Nanny's eyes?

"Oh, dear," Nanny said softly, and she bit her lip as she put the cup carefully down. Then she looked at Carolyn and tried to smile. "I'm afraid there has been some talk around Schooner Bay which has caused trouble at the school." Before Carolyn could say anything, Nanny looked around. "Just a minute, it's the Professor ..."

The phone rang and Nanny got up and answered it. Her voice was subdued, very different from her usual bubbly tone. Carolyn sat still, feeling tension and not knowing the cause of it. Then she realized the Captain was in the room. She looked around and spotted him behind her, his face grim.

"Captain," she acknowledged him quietly. "I don't suppose you want to tell me right away what this is all about?"

"No, my dear, I do not believe I do." was his firm response.

"I didn't think so." Then Carolyn turned back as Nanny returned to the kitchen and sat down, staring at her teacup.

"Nanny?"

"I'm sorry, Carolyn." Nanny's smile was weak and forced. "There's suddenly a lot going on. It's ... rather more than I bargained for just three days after my wedding." Then her smile brightened a little. "Still, you DO know how I feel, don't you? After all, you eloped, so had many rumours to deal with as well!"

"Well, yes, actually ..." Carolyn said slowly. Rumours? Oh yes, she and Bobby had had to deal with many rumours after their elopement! Notably that she was pregnant, which was not true. But how had Nanny known that? It had been so many years ago, and she had never mentioned it since. Were the people of Schooner Bay circulating such rumours about Nanny and the Professor? To be perfectly honest, she wouldn't put it past them ...

"I just didn't expect to be going back to California so soon ... it, well, it will seem as if what people are saying is true ..." Nanny sighed.

"What are you talking about?"

"Oh, I shouldn't be stealing the Professor's thunder. He's so proud of his news ... He'll be here in a minute. See, the car is just leaving town now!" Nanny jumped up.

"I should be going ..." Carolyn stood up quickly.

"The Professor is bringing all the children here, Mrs. Muir," the Captain intervened. "I think it best you wait."

"What is going on?" Carolyn beseeched them. Nanny and the Captain exchanged glances, then the sounds of the car were heard, and the car doors slamming. The kitchen door opened, and the children filed silently in, followed by a rather stern-looking Professor.

Carolyn took in the scruffy appearance of all the children, and the black eyes sported by both Hal and Candy. She sighed, and sat down again at the table, her chin on her hand.

"I believe they were all fighting, my dear." the Captain whispered in her ear.

"Not each other, I hope," was her faint reply.

For a moment no one spoke, then Nanny moved over to young Hal who was staring at the floor. "Thank you for standing up for me." she said, simply.

Hal raised his head sharply and stared at her in disbelief. "Who told you?"

The Professor, the children and Carolyn all looked at Nanny, but she was looking at Candy. "And Candy, it was nice of you to help, although no one approves of fighting."

"I know," Candy sighed. "Especially GIRLS."

Carolyn, although she had no idea how Nanny had known the reason for the fight, now had an idea what had happened. "It's not just girls fighting that's not right, Candy." she said gently to her daughter. "But knowing you, if Hal had been defending someone and you were anywhere in the vicinity, you'd be right in there, too. You have a strong sense of justice."

"I do?" Candy sounded surprised, and she straightened up as a smile began to cross her face. "Yeah, I guess I do."

"They shouldn't have been teasing Butch and Prudence." Hal muttered. "And saying all those lies."

"No," Nanny agreed, "but they WERE merely repeating what their parents are thinking and saying. I suppose we can't be too hard on them." Her eyes were filled with pain as she looked straight ahead. "I just don't understand why ..." she murmured, as if to herself.

"Nanny?" Prudence asked, almost tearfully, "Is this the bad luck Mr. Feathers told us would happen because Daddy saw you in your wedding dress before the wedding?"

"No, of course not, Prudence!" Nanny tried to smile.

"That's when she was going to marry Mr. Feathers," Hal informed his sister. "That doesn't count. Dad didn't see her when she was wearing it for HIM until the wedding."

Prudence was suddenly throwing her arms around Nanny's waist. "You WON'T be nasty to us, will you, Nanny? You love us like we love you!"

"Oh, darling, yes, of COURSE I love you, and I certainly hope I won't be nasty!" Nanny knelt down and returned Prudence's hug, kissing her cheek.

"And you won't get fat 'n ugly either, will you? Or love the new baby more than us?"

"Prudence!" Hal and Butch reacted to that. "You weren't supposed to tell her that!"

Carolyn smothered a gasp. So THAT is what the fight had been about! Small town rumours were certainly terrible things. She wanted to take her children and slip out the door, but was afraid to move. The Professor's face tightened into a mask of anger and he clenched his fists at his side.

"Professor, please. Prudence, Butch, Hal, there is no new baby." Nanny's voice was quiet.

"But they SAID ..." Prudence began.

"I did not marry your father because I was having a baby." Nanny said. "I married him because I love him, and I love you all."

"We love you, too, Nanny, and I TOLD those kids you weren't like that!" Butch declared. "But why are people saying that? Even Claymore ..."

"THAT MEDDLING BUSYBODY WAS BABBLING?" the Captain roared. "I'LL NAIL HIS SORRY HIDE TO THE MIZZENMAST!"

Butch jumped, and stammered, "Well, well, th-that's what B-Billy said!"

The Professor stared at Butch after shooting a puzzled glance around the room, "Billy said? I thought you said Claymore! Butch, you've gone white! What's the matter?"

"I'm sorry, lad. Don't worry. Your father can neither see nor hear me, so it tends to get a little confusing." the Captain spoke quickly.

"Nothing." Butch said to his Dad.

"Yeah, the Captain just yelled, but it wasn't at him." Jonathan said, nudging Butch to show his support.

"The Captain? Yelled? I thought I heard something ..." the Professor looked from Butch to Jonathan, then to Nanny, then to Carolyn. No one met his eyes.

"Loud wind." Hal said. "Thunder, maybe. NOT a ghost. There's no such thing as ghosts. I'm going to clean up. Come on, Butch and Prudence. You need it too." The three children left the room.

"I am NOT loud wind." the Captain announced in a disgusted voice.

Carolyn glared at him, motioning for him to leave. Then she realized that the Professor was looking at her, then in the direction of her glare. "Candy, Jonathan, we'd better be on our way, too."

"We'll see you later, Carolyn, if that's all right." Nanny said. "Once the children are in bed. We'd like to talk with you and Martha. That IS all right, isn't it, Professor?"

He scratched his head, wondering if he was now seeing things in his own home, not just Gull Cottage. He could have sworn someone or something had stood in the kitchen and spoken in thunderous tones! Could it possibly be Carolyn's ghost? Now, why did he word it like that? There were no ghosts, only myths and legends, and even if he set logic aside for a moment and thought there might be a ghost haunting Gull Cottage, it would certainly not be CAROLYN'S! She was much too practical to believe in silly tales like that ... wasn't she? Then Nanny was beside him, her hand on his arm, her voice sympathetic when she murmured, "It has been a most trying day, Professor, but really, you must keep an open mind."

"An open mind," he repeated numbly. "Children fighting, people talking, ghosts in our kitchen ..."

Later that evening, he sat in the living room of Gull Cottage with Carolyn while Nanny and Martha busied themselves in the kitchen. He looked up at the portrait of Captain Gregg, then at Carolyn, then back to the fireplace. Frozen in place, he clearly saw Captain Gregg leaning on the mantle. The Captain winked at him, and the Professor jumped.

"C ... Captain Gregg?" he stammered.

Carolyn's eyes narrowed and she followed his gaze. Sure enough, there stood the Captain underneath his portrait. Carolyn frowned at him. "Captain!" she hissed.

"We meet at last, Professor Everett," the Captain said smoothly, bowing slightly.

"Jonathan keeps talking about you ... and Claymore SWORE you were here, but, well, you know Claymore..." the Professor couldn't take his eyes off the spirit. If all his instincts were correct, and he was no longer sure about ANYTHING!, this was who had stolen Carolyn's heart. He struggled to keep an open mind, as Nanny had advised him.

"Professor ..." Carolyn began, but the men ignored her.

"Indeed I do know that blasted barnacle." the Captain said grimly. "To my eternal regret!"

"Yes. I believe he's your great-nephew? So he says, that is." the Professor prodded, wanting to see if the rumours that the ghost 'had it in' for Claymore were correct.

"Confound it, WHY must everyone assume that simply having the same name necessarily means that I am related to that spineless, penny-pinching, mewling jellyfish?" the Captain thundered. "It is a COMPLETE reflection on me! It is certainly a long descent from greatness into the dust to talk of him being a descendant of mine! Ah ha! THAT must be why he promotes that myth!" He looked smug as he added, "Because of me, in Schooner Bay he is granted a certain ... nobility, as it were."

"Don't you think you're going a little far, Captain?" Carolyn said dryly. "Even for you, that's pushing the envelope. NOBILITY?"

"I beg your pardon, Mrs. Muir?" the Captain sounded incredulous. "As I told you before, I AM Schooner Bay." he said grandly.

"And as I corrected you before, you WERE Schooner Bay." she retorted.

The Professor merely looked from one to another, astounded at their repartee. "You ARE real!" he said at last. "I couldn't have possibly made up an exchange like that!"

The Captain vanished with a low growl. Nanny came in at that moment with the tea tray, followed by Martha with a plate of cookies. Nanny handed Carolyn a cup, then the Professor, then said brightly, "So you've finally met the Captain, Professor! You know, you two are rather alike."

Looking rather taken aback, the Professor finally said, "Alike? How? And by the way, I didn't know you were listening to our conversation."

"What conversation?" Martha asked blankly. "You met the Captain?"

"YOU know about him, too?" the Professor looked at her.

"Professor, I suspected he was here for over a year before I finally admitted to myself that he really WAS haunting Gull Cottage." Martha grimaced.

"Martha! Over a year? You never said that before!" Carolyn was surprised.

"Well, neither did you say anything! I didn't want to be the one to say something first! You always had a reasonable explanation for the strange happenings ..."

"Not always," Carolyn murmured, remembering some of the questionable interpretations she had stammered out when pressed.

"And what do you mean, I'm like him, Nanny?" the Professor turned to his fiance. "How do YOU know about him? Wait, don't tell me. I suppose you see him?"

"Of course." she said matter-of-factly. "Cookie, Professor?"

"No, blast it, I want a straight answer for once!" the Professor scowled at her. "How long have you been able to see him?" Then he looked mildly surprised at his words, the expression 'blast it' not being a usual expletive for him.

"From the beginning, of course." Perplexed, Nanny looked at the three incredulous faces before her. "That first day on the beach, I knew he was watching us through his telescope, then he just had to come for a closer look ..."

"Really?" Carolyn and Martha spoke simultaneously.

"Well, I didn't actually to come here to talk about a ghost, fascinating though the subject might be. And since he's gone for the moment, I think ..." the Professor sipped his tea, then took a deep breath. "I've been offered a promotion in California, Carolyn, and I'm going to take it. It means we have to be back in California by the beginning of next week."

"WHAT?" Carolyn's cup clattered back onto the saucer, and she would have dropped both had the Captain suddenly not been there catching it for her. "Th-thank you, Captain." she said absently.

Placing it on the coffee table, the Captain straightened slowly, his eyes on the Professor. "So," he said at last. "You are taking Phoebe away again."

Now the Professor's eyes narrowed. "Phoebe?"

The Captain's grim face relaxed slightly. "Unlike you, I did not grow accustomed to calling her Nanny before trying to switch to her first name. You may relax, sir, Phoebe and I are friends."

"Ah." the Professor did not relax. He was not at all sure he liked the inference in the Captain's voice. "She ASKED me to call her Nanny in the beginning, so I was just doing as I was asked. Everyone calls her Nanny! It's just taking some time now for the two of us to use each other's first name when we're with others." he said defensively.

"Do you realize how ridiculous the two of you are being?" Nanny demanded. "Professor ... H-Hal, you know I love you!" She stumbled over his nickname, then continued, "Captain Gregg and I are very good friends ... as you and Carolyn are!"

The men eyed each other again, taking each other's measure. Martha rolled her eyes. "I thought it bad enough when Ed and Cleveland were fighting over me! But to have two idiots, both married to women they love who also love them ..." she shook her head. "Well, I'll just say congratulations on your job, Professor, and I'll miss you a great deal, but I'll miss Nanny more!"

Even as the Professor looked at Carolyn then the Captain and mouthed the word, "married?" and the Captain grumbled, "idiots?" under his breath, Martha was standing up and giving Nanny a quick hug. "I'm going to bed," she announced. "You four can sort yourselves out without my help. I'm sure we'll be seeing lots of you for the next week, anyway, and of course I'll do all I can to help pack. I DO wish you weren't going, but I suppose I can see why you have to, or think you have to go ... Good night."

"I'll do up the dishes, Martha." Carolyn said. "Good night." She looked at Nanny, who smiled slightly.

"Yes, Carolyn, we've told the children." Nanny said.

Wondering yet again how Nanny appeared to read her mind, Carolyn murmured, "Candy and Jonathan told me about what happened at school today."

"Short of staying here long enough to dispel the rumours, I can't see we can do anything about it," Nanny sighed. "And the Professor is really quite anxious to accept this job offer."

"What is the job, Hal?" Carolyn turned to him.

The Professor almost jumped, and his eyes came up from her left hand, where he had been eying the new ring on her finger. "Academic Dean for the State University for a couple of years, while being groomed to step into the position of President."

"That's wonderful!" Carolyn said warmly. Then her face fell. "But you really have to go so soon?"

"I'm afraid so." Then the Professor cleared his throat and looked again at the Captain who was rocking on his heels with his hands clasped behind his back. "Although I'm beginning to wonder what ELSE I have missed in the seven months I've been here."

"You only see me now because I wish it." the Captain said shortly. "You were not willing to accept my presence before. You have Phoebe's influence on you to thank for your clear-sightedness now."

The Professor took his wife's hand in his, then his arm went around her and he hugged her. She leaned into him, smiling up at him, then she looked at the Captain. "Thank you, Captain. I so wanted the Professor to meet you before we left."

The Captain, watching them together with bleak eyes, nodded, and turned to Carolyn. As she met his glance, she knew he was thinking the same thing she was. How nice it would be to be able to hug in public, to touch and to be recognized as a couple by everyone, rumours notwithstanding!

"He gave you away, didn't he?" the Professor suddenly said. "When I thought that whoever you had asked had turned you down? Instead, I just couldn't see him clearly. But I THOUGHT I saw something ..."

"Phoebe's influence," was the Captain's gruff retort. "And I didn't give her away, I just walked in with her."

The Professor cleared his throat. "Umm, I know it's none of my business, but I must confess I've been wondering ..."

Nanny chuckled and patted his cheek. "Yes, it was a double wedding. They said their vows with us. Of course, Butch was the only one of our family to see the Captain ..."

"Butch? You mean, this afternoon ...?"

"Yes, blast it, I was in your house!" the Captain growled. "The young lad has been able to see me for over a month now."

"Butch? So you're married, Carolyn? But are you ... how can you ...?" the Professor fumbled for words. His face reddened, and he looked helplessly at his wife, unable to look at either Carolyn or the Captain.

"Hal," Nanny said softly, "You know I've always said that the impossible can happen if you have a little bit of faith and a lot of love. Do you really need to know more than that?"

"He does NOT!" the Captain scowled at him. "Now, you have given your news, and it is late. You can shove off now!"

"Captain!" Carolyn stared at him. "You are being very rude!"

"You know I do not like someone denying me in my own home!" the Captain snarled, "and that is precisely what he is trying to do! Good night, Madam!" and he disappeared with a crack of thunder.

"Hal, Nanny, I'm sorry ..." Carolyn began.

"No need to apologize, Carolyn. I DO think we should head home, though. There have been a number of shocks for everyone today ..." Nanny said, standing up.

The Professor got to his feet as well, a dazed look still on his face.

"Congratulations again, Hal," Carolyn said, giving him a hug and a peck on the cheek. She turned to Nanny and hugged her tightly. "I'll miss you so much!" she whispered, feeling the tears coming to her eyes.

"Don't start, Carolyn, or I will, too," Nanny tried to smile as she returned the warm hug, her eyes suspiciously bright as well.

"It wouldn't be so bad if you weren't clear across the country!" Carolyn sighed. "And phone calls are so expensive."

"Perhaps in another ten or twenty years a machine will be invented where we can type our messages and they will instantly be seen by the recipient no matter where in the world they are sent!" Nanny nodded emphatically. "Perhaps even a camera could be attached so we can SEE each other!"

Carolyn laughed, "I don't think I'll hold my breath for something like THAT. The good old typewriter will have to change an awful lot before THAT will be possible!"

"We'll see," Nanny smiled her mysterious smile, and the Professor looked at her sharply. Now she was predicting the future?

"My dear, you are sounding more and more like your Aunt Henrietta!" he kissed his wife's forehead, grinning at her rather indignant face. "I believe it's time we went home."

Nanny gave Carolyn another warm hug. "I'll talk to you tomorrow. Good night!"

On their way home, the Professor was still trying to come to grips with the fact that there really was a ghost in Gull Cottage. "I don't believe in ghosts!" he muttered. "It's sheer co-incidence, or something! No such a thing. How can Carolyn possibly be in love with ... with a GHOST? There's simply no scientific explanation for such phenomena!"

"Nor is there for love, Hal," Nanny said softly, tightening her arm around his waist. Her use of his nickname, still rare on her lips, was very endearing.

"You always manage to dance around answers, and never seem to speak in a straightforward manner! Why IS that, Phoebe? And please don't say again that you expect it's practice!" he frowned.

Nanny smiled up at him. "Well then, I suppose it is an art, Hal ... one which I have been encouraged to develop to its fullest by my family."

"An art ... or a way to conceal the truth?" Now his voice was petulant, and she chuckled.

Changing the subject, Nanny said, "Remember how Schooner Bay had a surprise engagement party for us?"

"How could I forget?" he sighed. "I suppose you're going to tell me they want a wedding party now? Well, I'm not going. After spreading such vile rumours around, how can they even THINK of ...?"

"No, it's not Schooner Bay. Actually, your brothers are quite upset about having had to miss our wedding. They've ... well, they've talked with Fred at the university and his wife Alice, and even Mrs. Fowler, and all together they're planning a big party in California to celebrate our return ... and our wedding ... your new job ... and Ben's wedding ... and Bob's engagement ..." she punctuated her words with light kisses.

"WHAT?" he pulled back and stared at her incredulously.

"You heard me," she said innocently. "A big party in Cali ..."

"BOB'S engagement? Just what was in that tea at Gull Cottage?" he demanded. "He said nothing to me!"

"Oh, he doesn't know yet," Her voice was light. "It won't happen for another month. They don't expect us back before June, you know. It will be a surprise for all of them."

"Our return to California or Bob getting engaged? Engaged! I didn't even know he was SEEING anyone! He's always been too wrapped up in his work!"

Nanny smiled, her eyes mysterious in the moonlight. "He usually is. But she will be noticed, never you fear!"

"She WILL? You mean, even BOB doesn't know yet?"

"Hal, do you really want to know all the details? Right NOW?" her arm tightened around him, and her eyes turned alluring.

The Professor promptly forgot about his job, his brothers, Schooner Bay rumours, the children fighting at school, everything except that he loved his wife more than he had ever thought possible ... It had been an incredible seven month sojourn in Maine, and he would be grateful for the rest of his life that he had taken the chance and come east to Schooner Bay. Had he stayed in California, he might NEVER have realized how much he loved Phoebe!

"We're really gonna miss them, Mom," Candy said dolefully, staring down the road where Professor Everett's car, loaded to the hilt, had just disappeared. Arabella had already been shipped back to California along with most of the family's belongings.

Carolyn put an arm around both of her children and hugged them. "Yes, we will," she said. "But we are extremely lucky they stayed the extra three months, don't you agree?"

Martha wiped her eyes and sniffed. "Without them, Gull Cottage and Schooner Bay just won't seem the same place for a while."

Looking up with a wobbly smile, Jonathan said, "Well, at least Mrs. Post and Mrs. Hassenhammer won't have any more excuses to have a party here again,"

"Gregory Post said his Mom said it was time Mom had the PTA meeting here again," Candy murmured.

"OVER MY DEAD BODY!" roared the Captain, appearing in front of the little group with his hands on his hips, glaring at Carolyn ferociously.

"If necessary," muttered Martha, then added, "Come on, kids, let's have some cookies and hot chocolate. The air has suddenly cooled down out here!" She left, the two children scampering along with her.

The Captain looked over at Carolyn and his voice softened somewhat. "My dear, you may rest assured that you will be keeping in touch," His rich, melodious voice comforted her as much as the words he spoke. "Phoebe has said she will write. You are a writer. There are telephones. On occasion, there might even be an opportunity for you all to fly to California for a vacation."

"I suppose," Carolyn agreed, "but that won't be quite the same, without you."

"Nothing is," he said smugly.

Carolyn's smile spread across her face. "You, sir, have a rather large ego."

He bowed politely. "To match my magnificent personality, my dear."

Laughing, the two turned and went back into their home, secure in their love for each other. With the Captain at her side for the rest of her life, Carolyn knew she would weather all the storms along the way, and somehow she knew that Nanny was right, the two families would keep in touch. They were friends forever. The Captain certainly knew the meaning of forever, and she suspected that somehow, in some mysterious way, Nanny knew it too.

THE END