(Edward's POV)

I was in my study packing for leaving for town the next morning when I looked up and saw my brother Thomas standing in the doorway, white and trembling from head to foot.

"Oh God, you've seen Alastor…"

"Oh, s-so you know…"

"Yes; Will looked worse; in fact, he collapsed."

"Well what the bloody hell is going on! Why is the demon alive and in New Brunswick! Why was he at my house!"

I swallowed hard.

"Thomas, I don't know what's going on. I don't know why he's here. And I don't know why he was at your house."

"The idiot followed me here!"

My eyes widened.

"The children haven't seen him have they?"

"No, not if they're inside. He's out by my horse."

I sighed in relief.

"Thank God! Will would hang me if they saw him and started wondering too much about his identity."

"Well what are we going to do? Is Will here then?"

"Yes Will is here, and so is Mary; she had early contractions."

"Good Lord, this family is never relaxed!"

"I know.."

"So, what of Alastor?"

"We need to talk to him, Thomas. At least you and I, along with Peter. Will is taking care of Mary. And, well, you know how fragile he is in these situations. After all, Alastor may have had a hand at all four of us, but it was Will he beat the most."

"Why do you think that was anyway?"

"Well, Will was always fragile as a child. It was probably because he was so weak from being ill so often that Alastor saw him as an easy target.."

Thomas nodded.

"When, do you suppose, we could talk to him?"

"We could talk now, if you like. Peter is home, so we could discuss things there. Normally, I would say here, but with the situation with our younger brother and his family, we can't."

"Very well. So, we'll go to Peter's now then"

"Not yet. I want to wait until after dinner."

"What am I supposed to do with Alastor until then? He can't stay with me. The man nearly frightened Charlotte half to death this morning."

"Take him to Capt. Bordon's house."

As you wish." Thomas replied and swept out of the room.

(Bordon's POV)

I was outside taking my new stallion Apollo for a morning ride when I spotted Col. Tavington's brother, Thomas, coming up the entryway to my house, an older, distinguished looking man following behind him."

"Good day Thomas." I greeted him as I met him at the front door. "Is there something I can help you with…"

"I eyed the man who was now next to Thomas; I had never met him before, that I was sure of; but there was something eerily familiar about him.

"Thomas, your father is dead, isn't he?"

"Well, not quite. But he will be if my brother happens across him. Will apparently already threatened him with a pistol yesterday."

"What is going on?"

"I need you to keep Alastor here until after dinner; then I'll collect him and take him to Peter's."

"Alright, that is fine.." I replied, still a bit puzzled as to what was going on. 'Tavingtons.. They always leave one guessing…'

"Thank you Captain."

I nodded and led Alastor into the sitting room."

"So, Alastor, would you mind telling me what is going on? Why are you here?" I asked, settling myself into a chair.

"I came to seek reconciliation from my sons, particularly William. But when I went to his home, even his wife showed hostility; she lied to me about his whereabouts."

"That is to be expected. Being married to Col. Tavington, there's not doubt that she knows his family history."

"She doesn't need to be so involved. William can take care of himself."

My eyes flashed with anger.

"Mary is a very strong woman, and can fend for herself quite capably; so do not underestimate her power in the family. And she does as she pleases. It was in her family's best interest to lie, to protect her children and the colonel from seeing you."

"Well it is obvious now that she has a mind of her own. She is very beautiful though. My son has good taste."

"Yes but I'm warning you, stay away from her. Col. Tavington will raise hell if you so much as get near her or look at her in a sinful manor."

"It appears that he'll be that way with the rest of his family as well."

"He's protecting them from you. I can see why, as I too, know of his history, and to be honest with you, I would do the same."

"Captain, all I want is to reconcile with my sons."

"Why? They want nothing to do with you; they have families now. You're already lucky you're alive; I'm surprised the colonel let you live, let alone, live long enough to talk."

Alastor sighed.

"I know you are right. This is harder than I thought it would be."

"What did you expect? They're all the farthest thing from willingly accepting your reconciliation."

"Will you help me? I just want to die knowing I did at least one thing correctly in my life."

"No I will not. Col. Tavington may be my superior and close friend, but I do not wish to get into this conflict. It is yours and yours alone to deal with."

"Is there no one then?"

I shrugged.

"You're probably on your own. However, Thomas is taking you to Peter's after dinner."

"What do they want with me?"

"I'm not sure what they want. I suppose they want answers."

"Answers to what?" Alastor asked.

"I don't know. I'm sure you can think of what they would be."

"I'm a dead man…" Alastor whispered.

"I'm not going to console you on that one. You are a dead man. And, as I've said before, I'm not helping you. I'm just providing you with a temporary place to stay."

"Do you have noting enlightening to say?"

"I'm sorry. I've only dealt with one angry Tavington, not four, and the colonel is Hell all on his own. There's no telling what four will be like."

A few moments of silence passed before any of us spoke again.

"Please, even if you can't tell me very much, what are my sons like?"

"I can't tell you very much about any of them, save for the colonel. All of them are married except Peter. Col. Tavington is married to the former Mary Selton. He is a good man, and an excellent leader and father. Strict yes, but he keeps people in line, only commanding the same expectations of them as he does for himself."

Alastor nodded.

"Good Lord, I've missed a lot."

I nodded.

Alastor sighed.
"At least they turned out to be gentlemen."

'No thanks to you!' I thought, but replied, "Yes they did. They're the envy of New Brunswick."

An hour later, just as Thomas stated, he returned to collect Alastor and take him to Peter's.

"Thank you Captain. I hope he wasn't any trouble for you."

"No he wasn't. You're welcome. I hope all goes well for you and your brothers."

Thomas gave a quick nod and then, taking Alastor firmly by the arm, he escorted him out of my house.