Chapter 14

"That sounds like a wonderful idea," Father agreed.

Together they left the Great Hall and after arriving at his study Mary began to make the tea while Father excused himself to go to the rest room. Mary was surprised when he returned just a few moments later looking quite flustered, he had after all just caught Vincent and Catherine in the bathing chamber together!

"Jacob, what is the matter?" she questioned.

"Ummm…why nothing…nothing at all!" he tried to be convincing.

"I have never seen you this flustered before. Not even the night of the bachelor parties when I kissed you."

All of a sudden the incident in the bathing chamber was forgotten as he focused on an incident that he hadn't forgotten, but had tried to dismiss as aberrant behavior. He slowly approached the table where Mary was calmly pouring tea and asked, "Why did you kiss me that might Mary?"

"Because I had too much wine and my self control was not functioning very well," she replied without looking up at him.

He took the seat across from her and gently probed further, "I am not sure I understand what you mean Mary."

"I mean that if I hadn't been in my cups, I never would have let myself slip the way I did! After all, I have managed to keep the truth from you for over thirty years."

Startled that this dear sweet woman whom he had known most of his life had been keeping a secret from him, he just had to know what it was, "What secret might that be my dear?"

If he hadn't called her 'his dear' she might have been able to turn his question away, but as it was, the truth just came spilling out, "Only the fact that as soon as I had been able to think clearly after coming Below to mourn my daughter's death I saw what a fine and good man you were. I fell in love with you about the same time Vincent was brought to the tunnels."

Stunned at this news, Jacob Wells sat there in silence for quite some time. Mary finally looked up to see what was keeping him so quiet. As their eyes met, he said softly, "I had no idea."

"I know that, and I knew then that it was a very selfish thing to do!"

"Selfish! I do not believe that for a moment Mary! You do not have a selfish bone in your body!"

"Maybe not now, but I did then. However, I had learned much in my first few months down here and I saw how everyone depended on you, came to you for every little thing, and then Vincent was brought to you and I saw the instant love you had for him. For one brief moment I was jealous of him, but then I saw how much he needed all of us and my heart melted for the tiny scrap he was. I came to love him as if he were my own and in some small way that gave me comfort that we were connected even if it was only in my mind."

"Mary why did you never say anything all these long years?"

"As I said, it would have been selfish to want you for myself when the whole community needs you."

"I still profess that you do not have a selfish bone in your body, but as for the rest of this, Mary are you sure?"

"What do you mean 'am I sure'?" she asked with a gasp.

"I ummm…are you sure about your feelings?" he put forth tentatively.

Affronted, Mary's tone left no doubt about her feelings, "Do you think this is some school girl crush?! I have had these feeling for over thirty years! I think I know for sure what they are by now!"

"I am sorry Mary! I just meant, how could you love a grumpy old man like me?"

"You weren't always a grumpy old man, Jacob. You were a thirty five year younger grumpy man back then!"

He had taken a sip of his tea before she answered him and now was sputtering to keep from spraying the mouthful across the room. After regaining control, he said, "Well at least that tells me you have a clear picture of me."

"I always have had," she told him. "You can't truly love someone if you only love part of them. I know your faults as well as your strengths and the fact that you are not perfect only makes me love you more."

To be continued…..