Chapter 11

Blustering a bit, Father admitted, "No, she should get up and move around as soon as she is able to do so, but they could have stayed in Vincent's chamber. There is enough room to walk around in there. We simply don't know if this woman can be trusted! She clearly is well-to-do, you could see that in the clothes and jewelry she was wearing."

"Father, just because she dresses nicely, does not mean that she can't be trusted. You should have seen how easily she accepted in Vincent's appearance when her bandages came off…"

"He let her see him? Is he out of his mind? How many times have I told that boy of the dangers…"

"Father! First off, Vincent is hardly a boy any longer and just what kind of 'danger' do you think that tiny woman could be?"

"She could reveal our whereabouts to the world Above!" he protested.

"She has been badly traumatized and missing for days, do you really think that if she did tell anyone would believe her? On top of that Vincent trusts her and he has always been a good judge of character. If he were to ask her not to say anything I am sure that she would honor his wishes."

"What makes you so sure?" he questioned warily.

"You didn't see the way the two of them were looking at each other…"

Father interrupted, "Just what way were they looking at each other?"

Mary quickly realized her mistake and tried to cover what she felt was a budding relationship by saying, "Like they were good friends, Father."

Relieved, he said, "Well, as long as that is all it was! Still, I should probably have a talk with that boy."

Feeling that this would be the wrong time to insist that Vincent was a man and not a boy, she simply agreed, "Yes, Father." Then to change the subject she said, "I heard William was making stew tonight and I know how you love it. Would you like to walk to the dining hall together?"

Unaware that Mary had been in love with him for more than three decades, and that she cherished every moment she could spend with him, he answered her obliviously, "I have a few things I need to do here first. You go ahead on without me."

With a barely audible sigh, she said, "Yes, Father," and left the study.

After finishing their cake Vincent offered to continue reading Great Expectations to her. Catherine happily agreed, but fell asleep before he could get through one chapter. Vincent marked their place and after tucking a blanket around her, decided to stretch his legs for a while.

An hour later he returned to the central hub and because he could sense that Catherine would probably sleep the night through, Vincent stopped by Father's study to see he had time for a game of chess.

Father looked up from the medical journal he was reading when his sun entered the study and said, "Oh good Vincent. I need to have a talk with you about this woman you have brought into our world."

"Her name is Catherine, Father, and she is much improved. She even took a short walk today after I explained about our world here and how it needs to remain a secret. Catherine assured me that she would never reveal our whereabouts to anyone and I trust her on this."

"Ah…well…that is good to hear then. I was very concerned about that, since you brought her here in a very unconventional manor."

"Father if I hadn't brought her here she would have died! You wouldn't have wanted that would you?"

"Well no, of course not, but she wasn't able to promise to keep our secret then."

"No, she was unconscious, but now she has promised and is already talking about returning home as soon as she is able."

"That is good! The sooner the better!"

"Yes, Father," was all Vincent said even though that was not at all what he was feeling. He found he was very reluctant to let Catherine leave. He was afraid they might never see each other again once she had gone.

To take his mind off that thought Vincent said, "I had dropped by to see if you were in the mood for a game of chess Father."

"Now when have you ever known me to turn down a game Vincent? I would love to play!"

They actually played several games before calling it a night. Father was very pleased that he had won one of them. He had taught Vincent to play when he was only five and at the age of eight Vincent had won his first game. However, since his son had turned twelve, it was rare that Father cold ever beat him. So on those rare occasions it did happen Father took great delight in his win.

To be continued….