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Long chapter coming up…

Chapter Twenty-six

Jeremy had finished laying his lies and past before them, and now waited with anxiety for Alice and Lexy to respond with tolerance or reproof. He had started his confession out strong, telling them that he'd lied and had wronged them with his behavior, and in turn, they'd immediately asked what he was talking about, their innocent faces adorned with looks of worry and compassion. For a moment Jeremy had hesitated, not knowing if he could go through with the confession he'd asked Ned to let him take on, but he continued on, and told them his true reasons for being in Lexington, and how this whole mess that was now the circumstances of his life came to be. Throughout his disclosure he was expecting at least a sigh or a frown, something that would clue him in to what the girls were thinking, but he'd received nothing. Only their compassionate expressions fading to emptiness as he spoke…

"I have a question." Lexy stated softly, breaking the quiet

"What is honey?" Ned asked, with a hint of relief in his voice. He was becoming concerned that neither of his daughters had spoken a word in response to Jeremy's confession, and was now somewhat reassured with Lexy speaking.

The girl turned to Jeremy, then cautiously began. "So you …came here because you wanted to see your daughter… not because you wanted a life with us?" She finished sullenly.

Jeremy glanced towards Ned who was now wearing a frown on his face. He must hate this, the boy thought despondently, then took a breath and answered "Yes…in the beginning I only cared about my daughter… but after I got to know you all…I came to care about you, and Alice" he said, briefly glancing at the girl's older sister "and the rest of the family too."

"Do you still want to take your daughter and run?"

Jeremy briefly averted his eyes, not wanting to lie, but having no choice. "No" he stated as he struggled to hold Lexy's stare.

The girl took a moment to absorb what Jeremy had said, then asked another question, but this time directed at her father. "Pa are you going to make Jeremy leave like Mr. and Mrs. Donovan did?" she questioned boldly as she looked towards her father.

Ned turned his gaze to Jeremy, then again set his eyes on his daughter. Though he was displeased with the lies the boy had told and still felt that he could not trust him, he would never ask him to leave. For he cared about Jeremy as if he were his own son, and therefore wanted him to remain in his home. "No…" Ned answered "Do you want him to go?" he asked candidly

Lexy glanced towards Jeremy, her face wearing a look of distress. Though she was upset upon hearing that he didn't come to Lexington to be apart of the family, she was happy when he'd said that he wanted to be a part of the family now, and though she was young, which caused everyone to think that she could not follow the adult happenings in everyone's lives, she understood why Jeremy had done what he'd done and would not hold it against him. "No" she answered seriously; then again turned to look at her father "In spite of everything, I want Jeremy to stay."

Jeremy sighed in relief, silently uttering a word of thanks within, while Ned's gaze fell upon Alice. He was concerned with her lack of words, her failure to state her dismay or understanding of Jeremy's situation. She was normally so vocal during such discussions. "Alice?" Ned asserted quietly "How about you? Do you want Jeremy to stay?" he inquired, causing the boy and Lexy to turn their attention in her direction.

Silence –

"I'm fine with it." She uttered dispassionately

"Fine with what?" Ned asked, needing more clarity

"With Jeremy staying…everything." Alice said with obvious strain "I'm disappointed that you only came to Lexington to see your daughter, or to kidnap her or whatever you came here to do." She continued coolly, as she turned her eyes to Jeremy "But you're apart of this family now…you care about us, at least that's what you say. And even if you don't, you were only doing what you had to do to get your daughter right?"

Ned open his mouth to respond, his face more defined with worry when Jeremy spoke first. "You're right…" he began carefully, sadly, obviously aware that she was not accepting what he'd confessed. "…in that everything I did was so that I could be close to my daughter" he explained "…but I do care about you and your family…"

"I know" Alice snapped, nearly cutting off Jeremy's last words " I was just say…"

"Pardon me…" a voice said coming from the entry of the room, causing everyone to look towards the door.

"Mabeline what is it?" Ned asked

"Dinner's ready." Sheannounced

"We'll be…"

"Thanks Mabeline!" Alice interjected, rudely suspending her father's response. "I'm starving" the young lady continued as she sprung from the couch and headed for the door.

"Alice!" Ned asserted sharply causing his daughter to cease in her tracks "Mabeline will you let Clay know that dinner's served. He's in his room."

"Yes sir"

"Jeremy, Lexy you two go on to dinner." Ned continued as he directed his attention to them. " Alice and I will join you shortly."

Everyone obeyed the man's commands and filed out of the room, Jeremy reluctantly as he stared worriedly at Alice; Ned then shut the door behind them and turned to face his daughter, whose back was now to him, her attention focused on an invisible object before her.

"Alice" Ned uttered. His daughter didn't move. "Honey look at me" he said as he moved closer to her. Alice turned to face her father, but avoided his eyes.

"Do you… want Jeremy to go?" he asked

"Pa I said no!" Alice said unevenly, forcing herself to look him in the eyes.

"Are you sure, because if you do… I want to know, I need to know."

"I'm certain…" the girl stated strongly. Alice honestly didn't know what she wanted. She didn't know what to think of Jeremy's lies, and marriage, and daughter. Though she knew of the reasons for his behavior, she couldn't help but to feel sad, angry, every negative emotion it seemed. It was so confusing, but she still didn't want to talk about it. She just wanted to work out her feelings on her own. "Can we go to dinner?" she resumed in an annoyed voice as she moved past her father and towards the door. "I'm starving."

"Alice" Ned called after her, causing her to again stop. "I know that you're not okay with what you've learned… and that's okay…" he continued as he moved to where he could see her face. "It's okay to be hurt and angry… or to not even know what you're feeling right now and therefore not ready to talk…but I want you to know that when you're ready…to talk, I'm here." He finished earnestly.

Alice remained quiet, her eyes now lowered. Her father had touched a nerve with his words, and she needed a moment to get herself together before she looked at him again. She didn't want to embarrass herself by crying over something as stupid as what Jeremy had confessed.

"Thanks pa" she finally uttered as she brought her eyes back to his face." But I'm fine, really." she said unsteadily "Now can we please go to dinner?" She finished with forced strength

Ned studied her for a moment, totally not buying her assertion of being "fine," but he knew that there was nothing more he could do until she was ready to talk. "Sure" he said apprehensively. Then allowed his daughter to lead the way, his concern growing at knowing that she was avoiding discussing what was obviously troubling her heart.

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Marita stood next to a tree, watching the people skating on the nearby pond, while Sean fetched her something warm to drink. He had chosen the Fall Festival for their outing, thinking that being amongst a crowd of people from different walks of life would make their first outing as a couple less intimidating, and so far things had gone well, as well as could be expected that is. Though she and Sean had had a wonderful time just being together without having to hide their relationship, they had experienced attitudes that were less than welcoming. No one had said anything insulting or out of the way, but she and Sean could feel the atmosphere turn hostile when they were amongst people, primarily merchants, who disapproved of their relationship. Aside from the merchants, they'd also run across some of her students and their parents. And though the children were fairly indifferent, and were mainly just excited to see her, most of the parents were like the merchants, and were clearly appalled to see her with Sean. The night had been hard, Marita thought as she continued to observe the scene before her, even more difficult than she'd prepared herself for, but through it all she'd found strength in Sean, who'd never released her arm, and kept her talking and smiling despite everything. And while Marita knew that the negativity they'd experienced was only a small representation of what they'd eventually face, she was encouraged, and knew that she and Sean could have the life that they wanted if they remained strong in their commitment to one another.

"Marita?" a voice said from behind her, disrupting her thoughts. Marita turned towards the voice she knew well and found David Holmes standing a couple of feet away.

"Hello David." she said uneasily, forcing a smile

"Don't tell me you're here alone?" he questioned disbelievingly, as he moved forward, a broad smile now gracing his face.

"Well actually I'm…"

"Mr. Holmes!" Sean asserted as he walked up to Marita and the gentleman standing with her. "We meet again."

The man stood there a moment, obviously in shock, his smile instantly turning to a scowl. "Indeed" he answered tightly "I thought you'd be back in Lexington by now."

"Is that my tea?" Marita interjected before Sean could answer, hoping to deter the tension between he and Mr. Holmes.

"I'm sorry." Sean said softly, immediately turning his attention from Holmes, and onto Marita, giving her the steaming cup. "They only had hot cocoa." He declared, eyeing her with love.

"That's perfect, thank you" Marita stated quietly, briefly holding his gaze, before slowly taking a sip from the cup.

"Warmer?" Sean asked as he tenderly moved a lock of her hair to rest behind her shoulder, then ran his hand down her back.

"Yes." Marita answered awkwardly, trying hard to keep away a sigh, as she again gave him her smoldering eyes, before once more lowering them to the mouth of her cup.

Offended by Sean's gesture and his ability to move Marita to a guarded, but heated response, Holmes cleared his throat and was about to speak, attempting to defuse the mood between them, when he was interrupted…

"Marita! I'm so glad you could make it!" a woman's voice pronounced as she walked up to the tense group.

"Mrs. Prichard!" Marita said cheerfully, feigning excitement when in reality she was a bit uncomfortable with having her landlord/boss around, along with Mr. Holmes'

"How have you been?" the woman asked "The servants haven't seen you in days, and I was beginning to get worried."

"I've been fine." Marita answered lightly, successfully covering the panic that had sprung up within. "My days have been pretty busy, grading lessons and all, but I have managed to get out in the evenings... which is probably why the servants haven't seen me." She lied, hoping she'd deterred any cause for suspicion by Mrs. Prichard or Holmes.

"Ah, the end of the term is always difficult during your first go. It'll get better." The woman stated, thankfully buying Marita's tale.

"Have you met David Holmes?" Marita asked tersely, shifting the conversation as she turned to the gentleman on her right. The woman indicated that she had, stating that he'd handled some banking business for her. Then greeted him. "And this is Sean Logan" Marita resumed as she turned to the man closest by her side, whose hand still lay on her back, managing to comfort her somewhat.

"Nice to meet you Mr. Logan" the woman uttered hesitantly, her smile fading as she noticed Sean's arm obscured behind Marita's back.

"Likewise" Sean stated calmly, ignoring the woman's changed stance.

"May I ask how you know Marita?" Mrs. Prichard asked, her face bearing a look of stern curiosity.

"We're ("He's an") old friend(s)." Marita and Sean asserted simultaneously, knowing that though they had chosen to emerge publicly with their relationship, now was not the time to announce their engagement.

"Actually we grew up together on my father's ranch." Sean resumed "And have been close ever since." He finished as he glanced towards Marita, expressing in that brief moment what he felt for her in soul.

The woman uttered a genial response to Sean's statement, but her face remained impassive and stern. "Well…" she continued, turning her eyes from Sean and back on Marita "…have you seen Mrs. Welch's knitted sweaters?" she asked awkwardly

"I'm afraid I haven't" Marita answered, forcing herself to sound casual, when she was actually a bundle of her nerves inside. "There's so much here…"

"Well they're right across the way." The woman interjected. "You must see them. You gentlemen won't mind if I steal her away would you?" the woman ended lightly her eyes again going to Sean.

"No. ("Not at all")" Sean and Holmes both answered

"Good!" the woman said, pleased; then led Marita away before she could protest leaving Sean and Holmes alone.

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"She's a wonderful woman." Holmes said as he and Sean watched Marita and Mrs. Prichard visit a nearby booth.

"You don't have to tell me." Sean stated as he continued to watch her, his heart flooding with warmth.

"Then I guess I don't have to tell you that she'd be better off without you." The man asserted boldly

"Excuse me?" Sean uttered, clearly taken aback as he turned with anger to face the man who was steps away.

"Marita is a beautiful, smart woman who belongs with her people." Holmes continued as he directed his eyes to Sean.

"You mean she belongs with you?" Sean countered sharply

"If I must me frank yes." Holmes stated firmly "Do you honestly believe she belongs with you? What can you offer her, being who you are? You know nothing about our people, our struggles, therefore how can you possibly understand who Marita is and what she needs?"

"You don't know anything about me." Sean responded angrily "I know Marita. And understand her life, her struggles, what makes her the incredible woman she is. And despite what you may think, her experiences, our experiences together, go way beyond the color of our skin."

"I find that hard to believe." Holmes opposed harshly

"I don't care what you believe." Sean retorted "I know, and more importantly Marita knows what we share, and no amount of impositions by you or any one else is going to change that."

"Did you not just see Mrs. Prichard's discontent with you and Marita's 'friendship'?" Holmes asked heatedly "You'll only bring her grief?!" He finished strongly

"No!" Sean snapped "What I bring her is happiness and love." He countered firmly now staring the man squarely in the eyes.

"Hmprh, I shouldn't have expected anything less from a man of your breeding, thinking that a woman of color can only find peace with you!" Holmes stated tartly

"I'm not going to even attempt to address your egregious insinuation!" Sean asserted hotly "I'm done here!" Then turned to walk away.

"It'll never work!" the man stated sharply, causing Sean to stop in his tracks and turn back.

"Come again?!"

"She'll never belong to you ..." Holmes repeated stiffly "Not in this lifetime."

"Well you got one thing right. Marita will never belong to me." Sean replied fiercely, holding the man's stare. "But we do belong together. And all of your flattery, and the fact that you are the same ethnicity as she, is not going to change what Marita and I share – NEVER!" he finished powerfully, managing to hide the fact that he'd been shaken by the man's words, before he then turned from a more furious Holmes and calmly walked away.

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Asa stood staring out into the darkness, a drink in his hand – thinking. It had been days since Pete had given him Sean's letter and he was still reeling from the contents the note had. He couldn't believe that Sean had ended his engagement to Vivian, his daughter, a prominent white woman of Lexington, for a nobody – a Negro. Even now, the contents of that letter sickened him. How could Sean have such feelings for someone who was not worth the money they were once bought with he thought angrily. It disgusted him, so much so that his first instinct had been to expose Sean for what he was, a Negro lovin liar, but he'd changed his mind. There were some things he needed to take care of before he gave Sean his due, the main thing being getting Vivian out of town. He would rather be dead than see her again humiliated and embarrassed by Sean's indiscretions. First he'd take care of her, he thought, make sure she was far away from Lexington for an extended period of time, then he'd set his plan in motion to take down Sean Logan.