Sorry for posting on an odd day (early Monday morning). It's the end of the semester and I've been buried in finals and papers, so I was unable to keep my normal schedule.

Thanks again for the amazing reviews! I'm really happy that everyone is continuing to enjoy the story and that there are new people (Robin and Rhonda – thanks for the feedback) reading this story. Please do continue to read and review!

Luciana – Thanks for the comments on the dialogue! It really was flattering to read how "eloquent" you thought it was.

Rhonda – To answer your questions, the servant who opened the door to Sean doesn't live there. She was actually leaving the home (perhaps after a brief visit with Marita) and was therefore "startled to see him outside the door." (Chapter 21) Though the house that Marita lives in belongs to the Prichards, and their servants do come by to attend to the yard, Marita lives there alone (the back-story can be found in Chapter 18). Hence there was no concern from her that she and Sean would get caught during their intimate time together.

On with the story…

Chapter Twenty-Four

Golden rays bathed the west side of the room, signaling evening's speedy approach. On the floor sat Marita and Sean, their hands clasped, fingers intertwined, sated by their meal, their talking, and their earlier love making. Not long ago they'd been forced to abandon their palette on the floor, due to the fierce appetites they'd built up. Slipping on their clothes, they 'd departed the room, Marita going to ignite the stove and to change and freshen up, and Sean making his way outside to his horse. Knowing that the workers were away, gone to the Prichard's for their afternoon break, Sean had taken the opportunity to feed his horse and hide it away in the barn that only Marita used. He planned on staying for a few more days and didn't want to add to any possible budding suspicions by leaving his horse in plain view. After finishing his task, Sean had come back inside and helped Marita cook a small serving of potatoes and curried beef; an act which was now fueling Marita's beam of delight. She had no clue to his ability to assist with such duties, and in all honesty thought that a man shouldn't engage in such things, but after her initial resistance, she'd enjoyed his aid. For it made cooking more exciting, and something that she never thought could be possible – fun. Now finished with their meal, their empty dishes resting on the table nearby, they sat quietly in front of the kindled hearth, Sean's back set to the soft stump of the couch, while Marita lay nestled between his legs, his arms around her; as her head rested gently beneath his chin. Marita was again replaying the events of the day, trying to process all that had occurred. She couldn't believe how so much had changed. The most astounding being she and Sean's engagement. She was still astonished that he'd proposed and that she'd deserted her fears and said yes. What was she thinking, she thought giddily, but with a hint of panic. Sean Logan was one of the most well known citizens of Lexington! He was the Deputy Director of Regional Affairs! How was she, better yet, how were they going to handle the impact their relationship would undoubtedly have on his job and their families? Even though her father and surprising Ned and Jeremy knew of her and Sean's feelings, the latter being news that Marita was stunned to learn, they all thought that they were over. And had no idea of the dramatic turn their relationship had taken. Marita closed her eyes, slightly adjusting her position, as she forced herself to calm down. It would all work out she reasoned...

"What are you thinking?" Sean asked quietly, detecting the anxiety in her stir.

Marita didn't answer right away, for she was savoring his voice, resonating through her, melting her soul. It never ceased to amaze her, how the simplest things about him, always touched her so much.

"I was thinking" she began faintly, her eyes now open, gazing upon the orange flames "How incredible life is…how just a few days ago I was praying that my letter would touch your heart…that you could somehow forgive me for what I'd done…and today you're here…holding me…loving me…something I never thought was possible."

"Why so impossible?" Sean questioned softly "Did you really think that I could stop loving you? That I would turn away from what you asked?"

Silence –

"No…I don't know…" Marita answered "After hurting you so deeply… I didn't know what would be left for me in your heart."

Sean's heart briefly panged at the thought of Marita fearing that his love for her could ever dwindle or be lost. "I was hurt…and angry" he confessed "…so much so that I could hardly function…"

Marita sighed, closing her eyes at hearing of his pain.

"But those feelings never swayed my love for you." He continued quietly as he tilted her face towards his gaze, causing Marita to open her eyes and meet his stare "Nothing could ever do that." He concluded earnestly, before taking her lips in an awkward, but tender kiss.

Sean returned to his position, leaving Marita to again eye the fire, while she now fought to restrain her tears.

"I'm sorry for what I put you through" she whispered solemnly, shakily; Then brought Sean's hand to her lips, kissing it softly, lingeringly.

"Don't be" Sean stated quietly huskily, stirred by her innocent caress "You were just doing what you thought was right." He ended. Then planted a kiss on top of her head causing her to sigh at his forgiveness and love.

They again became quiet, listening to the soothing crackle of the fire and the occasional sound of the servants that were yard's away, finishing up their work for the day. Marita's mind again wondered to her future with Sean, to the difficulties that were sure to arise with their families, and the outside world…

"How are we going to do this?" she asked quietly, abruptly, voicing her disjointed musings aloud

Silence –

"What do you mean?" Sean replied casually, skillfully covering his slight concern

"With society and our families…" Marita stated distractedly, then suddenly stopped herself, taking a moment to settle her thoughts. "How are we going to tell our families about our plans?" she continued with more focus "How are they going to handle our engagement?"

Sean silently sighed – relieved, then answered. "Well we could bypass all of the uproar and marry today… or tomorrow…while there's no family… or friends… or colleagues standing in our way."he finished sincerely

Marita sat up, breaking his hold as she turned to face him. "You can't be serious?" she uttered slowly, gazing at him in disbelieve.

"Marita I'm always serious when it comes to you" he replied softly

Marita was speechless, her soul excited and stunned. But why she was so shocked she didn't know. For in the past 24 hours Sean had surprised her with more love and vows than she ever thought possible. Why wouldn't he want to make things official, while there was no one to fault them or tear them apart? But as much as Marita desired to do this, to properly bind herself to him in the eyes of God. She knew that this wasn't how it should be done.

"Your idea…sounds wonderful" She began cautiously "And nothing would please me more than to marry you this instant…but I can't… not until my father… and your family knows that we're together…it just wouldn't feel right to do it any other way. "

Sean lowered his gaze in disappointment and thought. Though he knew Marita was right, that now would probably not be the best time to elope, considering everyone was still in the dark about their relationship. There was still a part of him that was hoping that she would agree to marry him during this time of such tranquilness and bliss…

"Are you disappointed?" Marita asked somberly, interrupting his thoughts

"No…Yes, I'm disappointed" Sean corrected as he again met her gaze "I still want to marry you today, this very moment" he stated intently "…but you're right… to marry now… would be unfair to our families… and to you… and I don't want that…" he continued as he gently touched her cheek "So we'll do everything by the book. I'll ask your father for your hand and then I'll tell my family…I want you to have the engagement and wedding of your dreams" he ended quietly, his eyes fixed tenderly upon her.

"I want that too…" Marita whispered as she clasped the hand that lay on her cheek. Then pressed it to her lips. "…But I have to be honest," she resumed following their hands as she lowered them to her lap, then again giving him her eyes "I'm still concerned with how our engagement… will affect your job as Deputy Director…"

"You shouldn't be" Sean replied earnestly "I meant what I said before. I'm going to resign as Deputy Director so that we can make a life here..."

"No" Marita protested firmly "I won't let you do that. Lexington would be the more stable place to start our lives. I mean even if you resign from your position as Director. You would still have a lucrative business in your tobacco crop and in Lexington we'll have the support of our families…"

"That may be true but what about keeping you safe, keeping our families safe. You know yourself that there is a strong possibility that there will be hostility towards us, as well as our families if we decide to settle in Lexington. But if we choose to leave, maybe some of that hostility can be avoided."

"Sean you can't move here" Marita stated strongly "What would you do to make a living? We don't have any land to produce tobacco or fruit and even if we did we would need help harvesting the crop…and you can't inquire about a position with the local government until you've been a resident for at least 2 years…"

"I have enough money to tide us over until I can find a job at one of the local law practices or if need be on one of the timber farms…" Sean countered "Plus, there is your work to consider. Your job here is your dream. You love teaching those kids at the Preparatory school. I don't want you to have to give that up."

"But I just started my position at the school." Marita disputed "You've been working as Deputy Director for a number of months and running your tobacco business for years…to make such an abrupt decision to leave that behind is too much."

"It's not an abrupt decision…" Sean asserted "I've been thinking about quitting as Director since August, since before you left."

"What? Why?" Marita asked bewildered

"Because I knew that in order for us to be together I needed to forgo my public image, which meant giving up my position in Regional Affairs."

"You never told me this." Marita voiced with perplexedly

"I planned to…" Sean said quietly "Actually I did… in the letter I wrote you."

"Letter? What letter?" Marita asked, now completely confused

Silence –

"Before I left for Louisville, I wrote you a letter, conveying my intentions… and in it… I told you that I planned to resign as Deputy Director."

"What!" Marita sighed with shock "I nev…"

"I know" Sean interjected "Mabeline was supposed to give you the letter when you came to work that day, but she had the emergency with her mother…and ended up taking it to Knoxville, where it was misplaced."

Silence –

"A letter" Marita uttered quietly, her eyes falling from Sean, as she sat back on her heals, contemplating what she'd learned, and remembering the despair she felt at that time; thinking on how this letter might've altered her choice to leave. "A love letter?" she questioned softly as she returned her gaze to him.

For a moment Sean adoringly held her stare, not speaking; then he quietly responded "Yes"

Marita couldn't help the smile that instantly graced her face, as she thoughtlessly pulled her lower lip between her teeth. "So what else did it say?" she asked, unable to contain her glee.

Sean returned her smile, then leaned forward and planted a long sweet kiss on her lips.

"Come here and I'll tell you" he whispered quietly as he gently tucked her hair behind her ear. Then returned to his position, gently pulling her hand.

Marita studied him a moment, her smile broadening before she revisited her seat between his legs. Her back again pressed against him, and her head resting lightly beneath his chin. Sean immediately wrapped his arms around her and once more intertwined their hands. Groaning as he squeezed her softly, causing Marita to sigh with pleasure. "That's better" he breathed; then kissed the top of her ear.

"So what else was in the letter?" Marita asked softly, anxiously, as she now helplessly closed her eyes at the peacefulness that came with being in Sean's arms.

"Nothing that I haven't already told you…or shown you." He uttered passionately in her ear; then nipped it lightly.

"Sean…" Marita sighed more from the delight of his gesture, than the disappointment in not getting the answer she was expecting.

"So where are we going to live?" Sean whispered in her ear, again serious as he smoothly changed the subject.

Perceiving his sincerity, Marita allowed the discussion of the letter to drop, but made a mental note to return to the matter at a later time. "I don't know" she replied softly, honestly "Both places are reasonable choices…I just want us to start our lives with stability and security." She ended with a hushed yarn.

"Yeah" Sean sighed, as he quietly contemplated her response.

She was right he mused, as he absently stroked her hand with his thumb. If they chose to live in Lexington at least they would be with family and he could support Marita through his tobacco crop and his work on the ranch, but the flip side of that would be the possible threat that could come with them remaining there, which in turn made Cholena look more appealing. Along with Marita's dream job being here, the people in Cholena would probably be more tolerant of their marriage, he thought, especially with it being further north, but that still didn't guarantee their safety, he mused. Nothing would ever do that. There was prejudice, and violence because of those prejudices everywhere, including in the north… And then there was still the problem with his career, if they chose to reside in Cholena. What would he do here? He pondered. Though he had a good amount of money put away, enough to would keep them comfortable for a while, he would eventually need steady work to support him and Marita's life and eventual family, and like their issues with safety, there was no guarantee that he'd find a job with a local lawyer or on one of the timber farms …

"You're right…" Sean finally stated, his mind still heavily on the decision they'd soon have to make. "Both places have things that work and things that don't…"

"Hmm?" Marita moaned languidly, obviously being beset with sleep. Sean's lengthy rumination had opened the door for the slumber that had plagued her earlier.

Silence –

"Nothing" Sean whispered, realizing that she was falling asleep. He then gently kissed the top of her head, smoothing her hair away from her face, causing Marita to moan quietly and lightly adjust her position against him. Sean smiled to himself, a part of him still finding this all so unbelievable. He again tightened his arms around a now sleeping Marita, silently relishing the moment, as he remained awake, continuing to contemplate the promise of their impending future.