Upstairs, both children were happily snugged in Candy's bed, while their grandmother read to them. Coming to the end of a chapter, Marjorie was getting ready to tuck them in, when Jonathan spoke up.
"Grandmother, may I have a drink of water? I'm thirsty."
"Me too," Candy added.
"Let me get that for you," she said, looking around the room for a pitcher and glasses.
The children looked at each other.
"Uh oh," they said together.
"We forgot to bring the pitcher up again," he admitted. "We'll have to go down to the kitchen to get it."
"I'll go. You two stay here."
"No, ma'am. We forgot it, so we have to get it," Candy explained.
"Yeah, we forgot it too many times, and Mom won't be happy with us if we let you go downstairs to bring it up it for us."
"All right. I'll wait for you up here, but don't be too long," their grandmother replied.
"Yes, ma'am."
The children were hoping they could get downstairs and back without being caught. If they were, they knew they'd be scolded, not only for forgetting the water pitcher again, but for being downstairs after going up to bed. Believing the rest of the family was in the living room, they went down the steps as quietly as possible and slipped into the kitchen.
Before they got too far into the room, they heard the captain and their grandfather's voices raised slightly. Sharing a look, they silently agreed to listen in, but, when they went into the hall, they saw their mom and Martha sitting on the bench, intently watching the door to the living room. Backing up quickly, they tried to listen from the kitchen.
"What are they talking about?" Candy whispered.
"I don't know, I can't make out what they're saying; but I'd sure like to find out."
"Me too. Let's sneak into the alcove. If we're lucky, we might be able to get passed Mom and Martha . . ."
"I hope so; I sure don't want to get caught."
XXXXX
The men were standing by the fireplace.
"All right, Gregg, let's get down to brass tacks," Ralph Muir said, anxious to get this 'sailor' out of his family's life. "I think my original offer was quite generous."
Daniel's eyebrow rose.
"Had your original offer been generous, do you really think I'd have turned it down?" he scoffed. "Muir, we're both businessmen and neither of us has time to play games. If you're serious about this, you need to come up with a serious offer."
Ralph laughed.
"Captain or not, you sir, are just a sailor, not a businessman."
"Believe what you will," Daniel replied, holding his anger in check. "It's you who needs to decide how much it's worth to you for me to end my relationship with the family. I'm perfectly happy, and care a great deal for all of them, so why would I walk away from the children and a woman as lovely as Carolyn?"
"I'll grant you that; she is something to look at. I wouldn't mind having a go at her myself," he sneered.
It was all Daniel could do to appear unaffected by the vulgar comment when what he really wanted to do was pummel the man senseless. The remark had caught him off guard, but it shouldn't have. Based on what he'd observed of Ralph Muir, he was a crass, offensive bastard, with no redeeming qualities, and the more he opened his mouth, the more he proved that point.
"My daughter-in-law's beauty and figure aside . . . if you do care for them, why are you even talking to me?" he asked rhetorically, giving him a look that indicated he was wise to him. "Never mind; let's say you do have feelings for Carolyn and my grandchildren. If you want what's best for them, you can't possibly believe you have the means to support them the way I can," Ralph boasted. Then chuckling, he continued. "I mean, you have a decent enough house, but it can't compete with the luxury they would have living with me. Face it, Gregg, you can't give them what I can."
"And what would that be?"
"They are the family of Ralph Muir and, as such, are recognized as members of Philadelphia's upper class. Jonathan will go to Dexter Academy, the prestigious boarding school his father attended, and Candace will be sent to Miss Porter's finishing school in Connecticut. It wouldn't hurt either one of them to learn how to behave properly. Their mother has allowed them to go off the rails out here in the middle of nowhere. They'll need to learn their place again, as does Carolyn; a situation you're obviously aware of," he said critically. "They've been away from civilization too long. Before I can even send them off to school or find a suitable replacement for my son in their lives, I'll have to whip them back into shape. I can't have my grandchildren and daughter-in-law behaving the way they do here."
"Whip them into shape . . ." Daniel said quietly. "It sounds like you don't have much of an opinion of the children's mother."
"I never have. I'll grant you, she's always been a pretty little thing, but she has no business raising my grandchildren. That's why I need to get them home before she makes them completely unsuitable for the life they will lead," he admitted.
"It sounds like you'd be content to take them with you and leave Carolyn here."
Ralph looked at him and smiled.
"I didn't say that."
"No, you managed to stop just short of admitting it."
"Well, just between you and me . . . I'll do whatever I have to do to get my grandchildren back."
"I see."
"Even you should appreciate how important discipline is, but then . . . being a 'sailor,' who came from nothing, you don't have the experience to understand what it's like for the upper class . . ." he trailed off momentarily. "It's not much, this life you live, is it? You're away from home all the time and rarely get to see your family," he said, before suddenly stopping and looking at the seaman with a gleam in his eyes.
"Although, you do have the benefit of spending time with lovely ladies all over the world, don't you? You're a reasonably good-looking man; I'll bet you don't have any trouble scratching that special itch. It's not as if they can come looking for you after you've . . ." he smirked, making a vulgar motion with his hands. "I suppose there are benefits to the life you lead, but tell me, Gregg, what do you have to offer my son's family?"
Daniel stared at him momentarily; he'd had more than enough of this worthless piece of flesh.
XXXXX
Marjorie was waiting for the children to return when it occurred to her what might be taking place downstairs. Afraid they would inadvertently hear what their grandfather was planning, she hurried out of the room.
XXXXX
Candy and Jonathan were able to slip past their mom and Martha, who had moved from the bench and were standing together, just outside the living room door, with their backs to them. The children got in place in the alcove just in time to hear their grandfather say he would send them both off to school. They listened as he criticized their mom, insulted the captain, and said something about ladies they didn't understand. Everything he was saying made them mad, and they were quietly deciding what they would do when they heard him ask their hero what he had to offer the family.
XXXXX
If Carolyn and Martha had been listening any closer to the doorway, they'd have fallen into the room. They were appalled at what Ralph was saying, but, at the same time, spellbound. Suddenly, they heard footsteps coming from the upstairs hallway. Worried it might be the children, they looked toward the stairs, ready to stop them in their tracks.
Marjorie was hurrying down the stairs, when she made eye contact with Carolyn, who put her index finger to her lips. Her mother-in-law glanced in the kitchen, and not seeing the children, went over to their mother and Martha.
"Are Candy and Jonathan settled?"
"No! That's why I'm here. They came down a few minutes ago to get their water pitcher."
"We haven't seen them."
"Then, where could they be?" Marjorie asked.
"I'll check the kitchen," Martha volunteered.
"We'll go to the dining room," Carolyn called quietly after her.
XXXXX
"What I have to offer Carolyn and the children is something you would never understand and is worth far more than you can imagine."
"Oh? And what could that possibly be?" Ralph practically snorted.
"He loves us," Candy answered simply.
Both men turned, surprised to see the children step through the curtain to the alcove and into the living room.
"Yeah. The captain shows us he loves us every day; more than you do, and more our father ever did," Jonathan added, lifting his chin defiantly.
"You children should be upstairs in bed!" Ralph thundered, taken aback by their insolence.
"I'm glad we're not," his granddaughter replied fighting her own anger. "Grandfather, how can you say those things about Mom? She takes good care of us . . . she always has . . . and what you said about the captain . . . you don't know anything about him! How can you say such mean things?!"
Daniel went over to the children and lowered himself in front of them.
"Candy. Jonathan. Thank you for coming to our defense, but this discussion is between your grandfather and me."
"But he's saying things that aren't true! Mom is the best mom we could ask for; we know she'll always be there for us. We could never count on Father; he was never home. And, Captain, you're not a 'sailor,' you're a 'seaman,' and we told him that! He says it like it's a bad thing," Candy said, trying get her point across and still be respectful.
"You're smart too, and you can do all kinds of things and teach us lots of fun and important things," Jonathan added. "And your great, great, great . . . I don't know how many greats . . . but one of your grandfathers, Cupboard Whitehorse-Smite, was a Lord . . . from England!" he shouted as his emotions got the best of him. Then marching over to Ralph, the boy added, "Grandfather, you can't take Candy and me away from Mom and the captain. We won't go!"
His sister walked over and stood beside her brother to show their united front.
"Jonathan's right. We don't ever want to live with you in Philadelphia. We're going to stay here with Mom and the captain, and Martha!"
Ralph's face got bright red and, for a moment, Daniel though he was going to lash out at the children. He immediately put himself between them and their grandfather.
"Candy, Jonathan, that's enough," he said quietly, placing his hands on their shoulders.
"But Captain!"
"Come along," the seaman said.
Jonathan looked up at him wanting to argue but saw the concern and love his hero had for both of them and threw himself into his arms. Daniel held him close, picked him up, and carried him away from his grandfather, while guiding Candy away with his hand on her shoulder.
Returning to the hallway almost at the same time, the women heard the children's voices and hurried into the living room.
Spotting her mom, Candy's emotions started to crumble, and she ran to her.
"Mommy, Grandfather said he would take us away. We don't want to go with him. We want to stay here with you!"
Carolyn was on her knees, her arms wrapped around her daughter, as Daniel comforted Jonathan.
"No one is going to take either of you away from me. Do you understand?" she said with tears pooling in her eyes.
"But Mommy, he said that's what he would do if we didn't move back to Philadelphia!" Jonathan said, confirming what they'd heard.
"Son, I would never let that happen," Daniel said looking from the boy to his sister, before resting his gaze on Carolyn. "You and Candy can stay here at Gull Cottage with your mother and Martha for as long as you want. You have my promise."
The two older women had watched the exchange, and, while both had tears in their eyes, Marjorie's anger toward Ralph was palpable. She saw the havoc he'd caused their grandchildren and her glare shot daggers at him from the doorway.
"My love," Daniel said softly. "Perhaps it would be best if you and Mrs. Muir take the children upstairs. Your father-in-law and I have a few things left to settle. I'll be up as soon as we're finished."
Carolyn stood, keeping a reassuring hand on Candy.
"Daniel, Marjorie and I will take them up, but I'll be back once they've gone down. It's time I sit in on the discussion you two are having. Once we have things resolved, you and I can go back up to tuck them in."
He wasn't the least bit surprised by the stand she was taking.
"As you wish, my dear."
"You will come up to tuck us in, won't you?" Candy confirmed.
"Aye, lass. Nothing and no one could keep me away.
Both children, though still worried, looked relieved.
"Can we get a glass of water first?" she asked. "That's why we had to come downstairs," she admitted.
Her mother smiled, tapped her nose with her finger, and winked.
"Martha, I know we told the children the water pitcher was their responsibility, but . . . just this once . . . would you mind taking it up for them?" Carolyn asked.
"Of course, Mrs. Muir," she said, wiping her eyes with her apron as she bustled off to the kitchen.
Daniel winked at Candy and hugged Jonathan close before putting him down.
"Go on now; everything is going to be all right. I'll be up before you go to sleep."
The young girl immediately wrapped her arms around him.
"I love you, Captain," she said, loud enough so her grandfather would hear.
"And I love you, my girl," he said, kissing the top of her head.
As Carolyn and Marjorie took the children upstairs, the men stared at each other.
"It would seem the children don't want any part of your plan," Daniel said simply.
"I'm not concerned about what children think."
"You should be. This family isn't going anywhere. Candy, Jonathan, and Carolyn are not interested in your gilt-edged proposal. You have your answer. It's time for you to go back to where you came from."
Ralph looked at him shaking his head.
"Gregg, for a 'seaman' you're not much of a man, are you? You bend over backwards for those children, not to mention how you fawn all over Carolyn. What kind of lily-livered milksop are you?"
"Excuse me?"
"That pretty thing says 'jump' and you say, 'how high?' Just what kind of hold does she have on you?"
Not bothering to wait for a reply, the other man smirked, looking the captain up and down.
"She is as good as Bobby claimed, isn't she?"
Before Ralph knew what was happening, he was lying flat on the living room floor; out cold.
Martha heard a loud thump as she was coming out of the kitchen and looked in to find the captain standing over the children's worthless grandfather. She couldn't help the huge smile that spread across her face.
"It's about time."
Daniel was rubbing his fist as he returned her smile.
"I've wanted to do that since I first met him."
"I don't know why you waited this long."
Their eyes met and he gave a slight shrug and took in the prone figure on the floor.
"Do you want this?" Martha asked, indicating the pitcher of water.
"I'd hate to get the floor wet."
"Oh, go ahead. It'll clean up easy enough."
He arched an eyebrow but didn't hesitate to take the offered pitcher. Standing over Ralph, he slowly poured the water all over his suit, from his knees to his shoulders, so it would soak in. Then, he methodically dripped water on the man's forehead, which had the intended effect, as he started slowly coming around.
Daniel handed the pitcher back to Martha.
"Thank you, dear lady."
"I'll leave you to finish your discussion," she said, turning to refill the pitcher for the nursery. The captain settled back in his chair to watch the infuriating man try to get his bearings.
Ralph sat up, wiped his forehead, and gingerly touched his jaw. As he moved it back and forth, he winced in pain and shot the seaman an intimidating look from his place on the floor. It had little to no effect.
"Get up! We have things to discuss," Daniel ordered.
Not liking his tone, but still groggy, Ralph scowled at the captain. As he positioned himself to stand, he began to feel just how wet he was. Looking at the condition of his suit, he used a slew of inappropriate language as he awkwardly struggled to his feet.
Daniel took in his appearance, then the floor, and was pleased to see that, except for a drop of water here and there, it was dry.
Ralph slowly moved away from the seaman to sit on the sofa but was stopped immediately.
"Not there!" the seaman commanded, indicating the leather chair next to him. "Over here. You wouldn't want to leave the couch damp, now, would you?"
Despite his anger at being spoken to that way, Ralph walked across the room straightening his appearance, as best as he could, in an effort to maintain his dignity.
"You do know you're a miserable excuse of man, don't you? I won't even get into your failure has a grandfather."
"You're nothing but a low-class sailor and always will be. You have nothing to offer my grandchildren that could benefit them," Ralph said, practically spitting the words at him.
"Ah, now that's where you're wrong," Daniel replied in a calm, even tone. "Unlike you and your son, I believe the most important thing a man can give his children is to love, honor, and cherish their mother, and hold true to the vows he pledged."
"But you aren't married to Carolyn and those children aren't yours; they're Bobby's."
"Muir, I think it's time you accept the fact that 'your Bobby' is gone, and no matter what you try to do, his son has no interest in replacing him. Fortunately, the negative impact 'your Bobby' had on Candy and Jonathan is also gone, or at least minimized, and I will do everything in my power to see that you have as little influence over them as their father does now."
"You never even met my son. You don't know anything about him."
"I believe you've already told me all I need to know about 'your Bobby,'" he reminded him. "It would seem, he was just like his father; an arrogant, self-absorbed man, who didn't care about anything but his own wants and desires. He was a 'man child' who pledged the sacred vows of holy matrimony, with no intention of keeping them, and made a mockery of his marriage covenant by spreading his seed to every woman he could bed. His wife and children deserved better than they received from him, and, if it weren't for Candy and Jonathan, I would say 'your Bobby' was the true definition of a 'good for nothing.'"
"How dare you speak of my son like that!"
"Tell me where I went wrong, and I'll consider an apology."
Ralph didn't say anything . . . just glared at him.
"I didn't think so," Daniel said confidently. "If you truly care for your grandchildren, you will leave them to grow up here, where they are loved and cherished, as they never were by 'your Bobby.'"
"With you, I suppose?"
The captain smiled at him.
"This seems to be the perfect opportunity to clarify a misconception you have, or rather had. There isn't enough money in the world to make me end my relationship with Carolyn and the children. If I were as poor as a church mouse, I wouldn't take your money," he said directly. "You see, although Candy and Jonathan aren't my children by blood, they are the children of my heart, and, in this case, that bond is stronger, and more powerful, than blood."
"You act so high and mighty, but I haven't heard a word about an engagement to their mother. You're not fooling me. You just want to get under her skirts, and with no marriage proposal, I can only assume she's already raised them for you."
In a heartbeat, Daniel was out of his chair, pulling Ralph up his by his lapels.
"Your snide insinuations about Carolyn will end right now; do you understand me?" he shouted. "I will destroy you if you continue to slander her good name."
Ralph smiled arrogantly at him.
"I'd like to see you try. I'll drag her reputation, and yours, through the mud, and those children will be mine, as they should have been since I lost Bobby," he spat. "I'll tie you up in court so long you won't have a penny to your name when I'm finished."
Daniel pulled him even closer.
"You're a despicable man, who's lived his life taking what he wants from whomever he wants, with no thought of its effect. You don't give a damn about those children. Based on what I've seen the last few days, you don't care about them or anyone, except yourself. It's no wonder 'your Bobby' turned out the way he did; you molded him into your own warped likeness," Daniel growled, tightening his grip. "Understand this, old man. If you go after Carolyn, I will ruin you and your precious Muir Company, and I will never let you do to Candy and Jonathan what you did to 'your Bobby.' You 'may' have more money than I do, but I will fight you with everything I have to keep Carolyn and the children away from you."
He desperately wanted to hit him again and was battling to hold his temper in check. In frustration, he shoved him back into the chair, apparently, a little harder than he'd intended. Ralph, and the chair, went over backwards.
He calmly watched as the older man tried to get to his feet again. He was deciding if he would help him or not when Carolyn entered the room. She wasn't happy at what she was seeing, but she wasn't surprised either.
Noticing her, the captain flashed an 'oops you caught me,' guilty smile.
Ralph was so flustered, as he struggled to get up, he didn't notice his daughter-in-law had entered the room.
"You'll never be the man my Bobby was," he shouted, pointing a finger at Daniel.
"And I'm eternally grateful for that," Carolyn remarked, walking up behind him.
Ralph spun around and shouted at her.
"I will never let my son's children stay here to be influenced by someone as inconsequential as this . . . this . . . sailor!"
"Why don't we sit down and discuss this like rational people?" she said calmly.
"Are you calling me irrational?! What about him?! If we were in Philadelphia, I'd have your sailor arrested for assault!"
"Sit down, Muir, or would you like me to help you to your chair, again?!"
"Daniel! Ralph! Both of you . . . sit down!"
The two men circled each other like a couple of caged lions, before Ralph set his chair upright and sat down. Daniel followed suit as Carolyn shook her head at their behavior and settled on the couch.
"Now . . ."
"You listen to me, missy!" Ralph said, sitting on the edge of his seat, pointing at her. "Those children belong with me, and I'll have them one way or another."
"Just say the word, Madam, and I shall throw this poor excuse of a human being out of the house," Daniel remarked casually, pulling on his sleeves."
Carolyn rubbed her forehead in frustration.
"Ralph, regardless of your threats, the children and I will not be moving back to Philadelphia. Schooner Bay is our home now, and where we intend to stay."
"With him, I suppose," Ralph said, jerking his head toward Daniel.
"Perhaps."
"Over my dead body!"
"I'd be happy to oblige you."
"Daniel!"
He cocked his head and smiled at his lady.
"I will not have my son's children raised by the likes of him!"
"I do find it fascinating, Muir, that you have yet to mention your wife. It's always 'my son,' 'my Bobby,' and now, 'my son's children' . . . it's as if she has no part in your life. What does Mrs. Muir think of your plan to steal Candy and Jonathan from their mother?"
"She will do what I say, as it should be. I'm certainly not the milksop you are. I'm the ruler of my house, and what I say goes!"
"Like an oriental potentate, I suppose," Daniel smiled.
Ralph looked at him, having no idea what he was talking about.
"And that is just one of many reasons my children will never be raised by you," Carolyn said with steely resolve. "Ralph, if you insist on pursuing this, I will use everything at my disposal to stop you. Daniel and I, Martha, and our friends here will fight you."
"HA! You and these backwoods yahoos don't stand a chance against me."
"Maybe not alone, but my parents will fight along with us to make sure you never see Candy and Jonathan again, much less gain custody of them. As you are aware, Dad knows quite a few important people, not only in Philadelphia, but throughout Pennsylvania, and the surrounding states. I would imagine some of those people know of you and the Muir Company . . . perhaps even do business with you . . . or should I say people who 'once did business with you.' We can't know just how long the Muir Company will survive if Brad Williams, the president of the First Pennsylvania Bank, had unflattering things to say about you. I would imagine my mother would also do her part to make sure you were never invited to another one of those society events you're so keen on attending."
"Why you . . . ungrateful bit . . ."
"RALPH!"
Marjorie's shout drew everyone's attention. Carolyn and Daniel were surprised, but her husband was stunned. In all their years together, she'd never raised her voice to him like that.
"Before you continue making your baseless threats, you should know I will oppose any attempt you make to force Carolyn and the children to move back to Philadelphia. And, if you are foolish enough to try to take Candy and Jonathan away from her, I will fight with her, the captain, and anyone else . . . against you."
"As if you would," he sneered.
"Don't underestimate me, Ralph. I won't let you do to our grandchildren what you did to our son. I was alone when Robert was a boy, and not strong enough to fight you, but I'm not alone anymore," she told him. "Candy and Jonathan have a chance at a wonderful life here if Carolyn and the captain should marry, and, even if they don't, the family is better off here than anywhere near you!"
"Just who do you think you're talking to?" he blustered.
"A man I've come to know all too well, and one who, oddly enough, is a complete stranger to the man who courted me," she said sadly. "Ralph, you need to give up on this outrageous idea. You've overstayed your welcome, and it's time for us to go back to Philadelphia. We should go upstairs and start packing and leave Carolyn and the children to the happy lives they were living before you decided to stick your nose where it didn't belong."
"This isn't settled, Marjorie."
"Yes, it is. Ralph, you're a fool, and so blinded by your arrogance, you can't see that Carolyn is doing a wonderful job raising her children; a far better job than you could ever do."
He looked at Marjorie, stunned that she was standing up to him, and opted not to respond. Looking for a way to save face, he directed his contempt at Daniel.
"Gregg, you haven't seen the last of me!" Ralph said loudly as he started out of the room.
"Enjoy your packing, 'milksop,'" Daniel called after him, receiving a stern look from both women.
Marjorie looked at her husband as he came toward her.
"Why is your suit wet?"
"Ask that damn sailor!" he growled as he swept by her.
She looked at Daniel, who gave her a half smile and shrugged his shoulders.
Carolyn hadn't noticed Ralph's suit until Marjorie brought it to her attention.
"What did happen to his suit?" she asked.
Daniel stood tall, pulled at his cuffs, and explained.
"He said some inappropriate . . . and rather unflattering things about you . . . and I felt it my duty to defend your honor."
"Uh huh," she said crossing her arms. "So, what did you do?"
"I . . . ah . . . punched him."
"And?"
"Knocked him out," he said, unable to hide his satisfaction.
"You didn't!"
"I did. I knocked him out cold," he said, rocking on his heels. "And I'd do it again!"
"And his wet suit?"
"Well, I had to wake him up, didn't I? So, I poured a pitcher of water on him and did just that. My love, no one is going to say what he said about you and get away with it. I don't care who they are!" he replied raising his voice.
The women exchanged a look, and the younger Mrs. Muir deferred to her mother-in-law.
"I won't ask what he said, but I have a pretty good idea," Marjorie said. "And I've no doubt Ralph deserved whatever punishment he received."
Daniel stood tall and nodded at her response.
"Thank you, madam."
Carolyn joined Marjorie at the door.
"Thank you for your support."
"You're welcome, dear. I meant every word I said, Candy and Jonathan couldn't be in better hands, and Ralph certainly deserved everything the captain did to him . . . probably more."
"Are you sure you have to leave?"
Daniel was surprised at the question, as was her mother-in-law.
"Surely, you don't want us to stay any longer . . . after all the trouble Ralph's caused and still may?"
"Well . . . you are welcome to stay for an extended visit . . . but, yes, you're right; it's time for Ralph to go back to Philadelphia."
They laughed together and were wrapped in a heartfelt hug when Daniel approached them.
"My dear, Mrs. Muir, if there is anything I can do for you, please ask."
"There is one thing I would like to know . . ."
Daniel and Carolyn exchanged a look, believing she was going to ask about a wedding. Neither was sure how they would answer.
Marjorie watched their discomfort and looked seriously at the seaman.
"Just when . . . does the train to Boston leave tomorrow?"
Relieved chuckles escaped the couple.
"Now, that is something I can tell you," he smiled. "It pulls out of the station tomorrow morning at eight."
"Then, I better go up and do the packing. "He'll make a mess of it, if he does anything at all," she said, starting out of the room.
"If that is your plan, dear lady, I will bring a carriage up in the morning to take you and the family into town."
"Thank you, Captain."
"Marjorie, before you start packing, would you like to help us tuck in the children?"
"I've tucked them in once, but . . . if you don't mind . . . I'd love to."
XXXXX
After assuring the children, that no one, including their grandmother, was going to let their grandfather take them away from their mom and the captain, Candy and Jonathan settled down for another chapter of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. After the long day and emotions of the evening, they didn't last long and were asleep before the seaman could read more than a page or two.
The adults repeated the tucking in process and kissed the sleeping children goodnight.
In the hallway, Daniel and Carolyn exchanged 'goodnights' with Marjorie.
"Are you sure you'll be all right?" Carolyn asked, glancing in the direction of the guest room.
"Yes. He may bluster about for a bit, but if I ignore him, he should eventually stop."
"If he doesn't, I want you to go to the Master cabin and sleep in my bed."
"But where would you sleep?"
"I can sleep on the sofa in there. There's plenty of room."
"Well . . . if he goes on too long . . . I just might; we have a long day of traveling ahead of us. You're sure you don't mind?"
"Not at all."
"I'm hoping it won't come to that, but, if he goes on, I'd be grateful to have somewhere to get a respite from his tantrum."
"Carolyn, why don't I go down and stoke the fire for your bath water while you ladies make your arrangements?" the captain suggested, feeling this was a discussion he wanted no part of.
"Thank you, Daniel. I'll be down in a few minutes."
"You're welcome, my dear," he replied and then turning to Carolyn's mother-in-law added. "Goodnight, Mrs. Muir. I hope you have a restful night's sleep and look forward to seeing you in the morning."
"Thank you, Captain. Goodnight."
He nodded, turned on his heal, and made a beeline for the stairs. The women couldn't help sharing a smile at his quick getaway.
"I'll get my things now, so, if you do end up in the Master Cabin, I won't disturb you after I've had my bath," Carolyn said.
"Dear, are you sure you don't mind?"
"Of course not. I want you to be comfortable while you're here. I meant what I said earlier, you could put him on the train tomorrow and stay with us for a while."
"Thank you, Carolyn, but I think it's best that I go back with him. I don't know if I can be a deterrent or not, but I might be able to find out if he's up to anything and let you know. I do have a favor, though."
"I'm happy to do anything I can for you."
Marjorie smiled.
"When you and the captain do marry, I hope you'll let me know and not elope this time."
Carolyn blushed.
"I will. I promise."
"Thank you, dear. I'd better get in there now and see what kind of mess he's made."
They walked down the hall together and separated, each going into their own room, hoping the fireworks were over for the day.
XXXXX
After getting out the extra set of sheets and putting her robe and nightgown in the washroom, Carolyn checked on the children again, to ease her mind, then went downstairs. In the kitchen, she found Daniel sitting at the table, deep in thought, his back to the door. Walking up behind him, she slipped her arms over his shoulders, crossed them on his chest, and kissed his neck. He shivered at the feel of her lips on his skin.
Turning his head, he smiled when their eyes met.
"You look pleased with yourself."
"I love that I have that effect on you," she sighed.
"My love, that is only a small indication of the effect you have on me," he said.
Lifting her arm over his head, he moved her beside him, pushed his chair back, and pulled her into his lap. She made herself at home and leaned against him.
"My love, are you all right?"
"I think so," she replied, as her hand rested on his chest. "But I can't help worrying about what he might do."
"We will repel any attempts he makes against you and the children," he assured her.
"I know," she sighed.
"You don't sound convinced."
"Oh Daniel, I wish he'd never come. With him in Philadelphia, I didn't have to think of him, or be reminded of how much Robert was like him. It's so much easier not having to think about that time of our lives, and how unpleasant it was at times."
He drew her closer and let her talk.
"You've seen how Candy and Jonathan are around Ralph. They behaved the same way whenever their father chose to honor us with his presence. They learned early on not to be loud if he was around. He would walk in the door, and it was if their spirit and enthusiasm ran and hid in the closet or under the bed, until he left again. On several occasions that's exactly where I found them, after one or two of their father's tantrums."
Daniel tamped down his anger at the way Robert Muir treated his family and tried to focus on something positive.
"I would say that's not something you'll have to worry about from now on. They had no trouble standing up to their grandfather tonight."
"No, they didn't, did they?" she smiled.
"Carolyn, you've done a wonderful job with both Candy and Jonathan."
"Thank you, but I never should have put up with the way Robert treated us," she said, her voice breaking.
"You did what you had to do; please don't play the 'what if' game. Despite what you all had to endure, they are fine children and will grow up to become responsible adults you will be proud of," he said kissing her hair.
"'We' will be proud of," she reminded him.
He smiled and kissed her softly.
"How did you leave things upstairs?"
"It was surprisingly quiet. I didn't hear a sound coming from the guest room."
"I'm afraid your mother-in-law is in for a long ride home, though."
"Yes, but at least if he gives her too much trouble tonight, she can go to the master cabin to get some sleep. If she does, I'll curl up on the couch in there. I put the extra set of sheets out, just in case."
"You know he won't give up easily."
"No, he didn't hesitate to tell us it wasn't over, and I believe him; Marjorie does too. She's going to keep an eye on him and let us know if she suspects that he's up to something. I'm also going to write to Mother and Dad tomorrow, to let them know about the visit and everything that happened. As president of the bank, and a member of the Philadelphia Club, Dad knows a lot of prominent businessmen; some who may do business with Ralph."
"But wouldn't your father-in-law belong to the same club and have his own acquaintances there?"
"He tried to join, but they denied his membership."
Daniel chuckled.
"If not for the obvious reasons, I wonder why he was refused?"
"It's very private and, according to Dad, the hardest men's club to get into. It's very 'upper crust' you know," she said, using an exaggerated, formal tone. "It's limited largely to old Philadelphia families."
"Ah, there's no room for the 'nouveau riche.'"
"Well, Dad said they do make exceptions, on occasion, but that he'd heard it had something to do with either Ralph or Robert making an enemy or two of several prominent members."
"That wouldn't surprise me at all," he replied, taking a moment to trail kisses down her neck. He stopped and smiled with satisfaction when his kisses caused her to shiver the same way he had. "Soooo," he said in an exaggerated tone. "If you do ask me to marry you, I would be marrying into an old Philadelphia family?"
"Yes, you would. Just as I would be marrying into an old Schooner Bay family," she said snuggling against him.
"That's right! I wonder what grandfather, Lord Cupboard Whitehorse-Smite, would have thought of his great, great, great grandson marrying into an old Philadelphia family?" he said smiling.
She chuckled and then lifted her head from his shoulder.
"If I do ask you to marry me, are you saying you would accept my proposal just to improve your position in society?" she teased.
"My love, I don't give a fig about your social status," he said. "You are far too alluring for me to bother with something as inconsequential as the 'upper classes'," he replied in his own formal tone. Smiling at her momentarily, his lips made their way back to her neck. Working his way down from behind her ear to her collar bone, he spoke between each kiss. "I suspect . . . I will need . . . an eternity . . . to learn everything . . . there is . . . to know about you . . . and I plan . . . to take my time . . . doing . . . just that."
Carolyn leaned her head back, giving him complete access until she couldn't take it anymore. She captured his head between her hands, brought their lips together, and, in a flash, ignited their passion.
They lost all thought of where they were. Their bodies shifted, their lips and hands teased and caressed, each making no secret of what they wanted. Lost in the moment, it took the sound of raw desire escaping both of them to bring their passion to a sudden halt.
Their eyes met and their shared frustration was obvious as they fought against the longings they desperately wanted to satisfy. Carolyn's hand gently caressed his bearded cheek as she kissed him gently.
With a look of profound regret, she eased herself off his lap, pulled herself together, and walked over to the stove on the pretense of checking her bath water.
Author's Note
I believe this is the chapter many of you had been waiting for. I hope it lived up to your expectations.
I had thought this would be the end of Part 3, but it seems I did get inspired this week. I am happy to tell you, I fleshed out the epilog and there will be one more chapter, albeit shorter than the others, next Friday.
Part 4 is in the planning stages, but I suspect it won't be as long as this one turned out to be. I haven't written a word yet, but the characters have been running through my mind like an old 8mm home movie, so I'm hopeful it will flow from my head to my keyboard without too much trouble. My biggest challenge always seems to be that opening paragraph, but once I get that . . . I'm off and running.
As always, a special thank you goes to Mary for being my beta and keeping me on my toes. I continue to learn from her mentorship and am grateful for her assistance.
Have a good week everyone and stay safe.