Chapter Forty-Seven

Time To Confess All

"Well, this is it. We can't possibly leave it any longer. It wouldn't be fair." Carolyn sat back in her desk chair, taking her fingers from the keys of her typewriter. "They have to know. When we saw him this morning, Dr Morgan said everything is coming along nicely."

"The decision is yours entirely, my love." Daniel took her hand. "We have been so busy with demons, both man-made and unholy. And Harriet." He smiled a little, trying to ease the sheen of guilt reflected in her eyes.

"We have been a bit selfish with our time," Carolyn agreed with a sigh. "But I certainly didn't want my mother hearing the news, second-hand, from the new Mrs Mitford. That would be awful."

"Harriet was only thinking about herself." Daniel turned her hand over and kissed her palm. "Gossip is her first and truest love. I doubt she noticed anything that day. She was far too busy parading her new role as a wife and trying to make you jealous."

"Yes, but if she thinks about it, she may begin to speculate. Or decide to drop by for another visit. Harriet's hide has always been thicker than any rhino's."

She laid a hand on the neat stack of paperwork beside the typewriter. "And now that we've completed our latest manuscript, we have some time to spare."

"I would rather face down Turner again than your mother." Daniel sighed. "But you are right as always. It is time." He kissed her palm again before releasing her.

"I do so love you…" Carolyn leaned closer, looking deep into his beautiful blue eyes. "I always will…" She kissed him lingeringly.

Daniel cupped her face between his palms, kissing her back. Then he pulled away slowly, with infinite regret, reaching to push the telephone toward her.

"It's now or never. Before we both lose the courage," he encouraged softly.

"You make it sound so easy…" Carolyn compressed her lips, even as she picked up the receiver and dialled her parents' number.

It was quickly answered, almost as if her mother had been waiting for her call. "Hello, Mother," Carolyn answered her greeting.

"Carolyn… Oh, how lovely to hear from you," her mother replied quickly. "It's been so long since you have phoned. Is everything all right, dear? With you, I mean."

"Yes, we're all fine." Carolyn absorbed the soft reproach. "I'm sorry, Mother. But we've been a little busy."

"Oh, I completely understand, dear," Emily replied swiftly. "But when I heard the telephone ring, I just knew it was you. Do you have news for us? How are you coming along? Blooming, I hope. How is my darling soon-to-be new grandchild?"

Carolyn glanced at her husband. "That's why I'm calling you. We have some wonderful news we can finally share with you."

"You have? What news is that, dear?"

Carolyn took Daniel's hand, holding it tightly. "There's actually more than one soon-to-be grandchild for you. We're having twins, Mother."

The silence stretched taut between them. Emily sniffed and sighed.

"Twins…" Her softly spoken wonder echoed down the telephone line. "Oh, my darling girl, how wonderful. You know they're in the Williams family, of course. Harriet and Hazel's mother was also a twin. Though her brother never amounted to much so we don't talk about him."

She hesitated. "When did you find out? I mean, Harriet never said anything when she got back to Philadelphia with Owen. She told us she'd seen you. We said she should swing by your house on her honeymoon."

She sighed again. "Isn't that such wonderful news too? Married to Owen and he's finally been cleared of all charges. Your father is so happy."

"Yes, such wonderful news. But I wanted to be the one to tell you first," Carolyn hurried to reassure her. "You may give Harriet the good news if you wish."

"Very well, dear. If you think that's for the best." Emily didn't sound too pleased. "She will be so thrilled."

"Yes, won't she…" Carolyn rolled her eyes at her husband. "We would love to see you both. When could you and Dad get away to come down?"

"Of course, dear. We would love that too. Just let me ask your father when he's free…"

Carolyn waited, listening to her parents' conversation. Eventually, her mother came back onto the line. "We'll come down and see you the day after tomorrow. Oh, I can't wait to hug my girl. Kiss the children for me. Our best to Daniel."

"I will. Goodbye, Mother. We'll look forward to seeing you then. Yes, lovely to hear your voice, too. Bye…" Carolyn replaced the telephone receiver into its cradle.

She released a long sigh as she turned to her husband who was watching her with sympathy edged with frustration. "You know we couldn't escape forever. They're dying to see us and share all our news."

"I know…" Daniel sighed roughly. "We've managed to keep them all at arm's length for a goodly amount of time. Now we must pay for that measure of blessed peace."

"Yes, it's now time…" Carolyn smoothed her hands over her swelling abdomen. "Though better my mother than Harriet. Or Hazel." She lifted her eyes to the ceiling. "I truly do not know how I coped with them the last two times."

"Yes…" Her husband nodded. "But, you have yet to tell Emily about your becoming a published writer. Maybe it's time for that, also. Get it all put in the open before Emily finds out by some other means."

"Yes, I think you're right." Carolyn's shoulders sagged. "I can only hope she will take it well. Harriet was so ridiculously scandalised over nothing."

"That woman finds fault in everything. You did well with sending her and her preening husband away with a flea in their ears. Your mother will understand if you tell her this is now your life and if she wishes to be a part of it then she must adapt. This is the twentieth century, after all. Or so you keep telling me."

"You make it sound so easy when you say it like that…" Carolyn shook her head. "You only have Claymore to worry about."

Daniel watched her with sympathy. "The day after tomorrow will come all too soon…"

※※※※※

Two days later, Martha answered a sudden knock at the front door. She opened it to see Bradford and Emily Williams, both carrying suitcases. Candy and Jonathan had left their games in the front garden to greet their grandparents and follow them into the house. Scruffy ran in with them.

"Hello, Martha." Emily smiled. "It's so nice to see you again."

"Why, Mr and Mrs Williams, hello. It's good to see you both again too," Martha replied sweetly. "It's been too long since we've last seen you."

She stood back, holding the door wide. "Please come on in. Your daughter's resting in the living room. I was just about to make us all some fresh coffee. Leave your cases there. I'll help the children deal with them."

She smiled. "You're both looking well."

"As well as can be expected." Bradford nodded to her. "It's been a very busy time in the Williams family," he continued proudly. "Two weddings inside six months. Must be some kind of record."

"Now, Bradford, dear. I'm sure Martha's not interested in our family's doings," his wife told him, stripping off her gloves with brisk efficiency.

Martha managed to cling to her welcoming smile. "I'm sure I'll hear all about it in due course." She shut the front door with a snap. "Come along, children. Let's see to these bags while your mother says hello to your grandparents."

"Good morning, Mother…" Carolyn opened the doors of the living room and hurried into the foyer. "How lovely to see you again. But, you're early. We weren't expecting you until this afternoon."

"Oh, Carolyn, dear," Emily replied, accepting her daughter's welcome hug. "It's wonderful to see you looking so well." She pulled back to look her daughter up and down. "We didn't want to waste another minute coming down to see you. Your news was the best I've heard in ages. Next to Harriet's."

"Well, it's wonderful to have you here." Carolyn turned to her father, embracing him fondly.

"We've been rather busy," Bradford replied quickly. "You know what with Harriet and Owen getting married. That was so unexpected. A whirlwind courtship. He swept her off her feet and didn't give her any time to refuse."

He chuckled then frowned quickly. "They said they'd come to see you on their honeymoon and you told them you were too busy to have them stay."

"Oh, Harriet's always exaggerating." Carolyn shook her head. "That was a little family vacation we'd already planned. If only they'd told us they were coming down we would have changed our plans and stayed home."

"That's as may be," her mother replied sternly. "But you know Harriet only wants the best for you and your baby. Well, babies, now."

She laid one hand lightly on her daughter's rounded belly. "But they said you weren't home That Cousin Claymore of Daniel's told them you were all out at the ends of the earth on some deserted island. Are you really sure that was even wise given your condition?"

She frowned, looking around. "Speaking of babies, where is that husband of yours? Isn't he here with you? He should be taking good care of you. I do hope he's not away on one of his spying missions."

"Now, Mother…" Bradford responded. "If he must be away then he will have a very good reason. But I agree, it's not a good look." He frowned at Carolyn.

She counted to ten under her breath. "I'm afraid he's a bit busy right now. But I'm sure he'll be along any minute. Why don't you come on into the living room and sit down? You must be tired after your journey."

"What sort of things is he getting on with this time?" her father demanded to know. "He never seems to be here where he's needed every time we come to see you."

"Oh, I don't know. Just things…" Carolyn replied helplessly, casting a quick glance up at the ceiling.

Her father waved his hand toward her. "He really should be here to drive you around." A sudden thought assailed him. "He can drive, can't he? I mean, I think it's poor form if he doesn't know how. What then?"

"Of course, he knows how to drive…" Carolyn crossed her fingers behind her back. "He knows what's required of him. He's a very responsible man."

"If you say so, dear…" her mother mused. "I still don't like our having a spy in the family. It smacks of very shady doings and you know I don't like secrets."

"I know, Mother. But it's what he does," Carolyn replied, lost for what else to say and hoping Daniel would appear very soon.

"Why don't you three go on in? I'll be right back in a trice with a fresh pot of coffee…" Martha quickly inserted into the fraught silence. "We'll just take these bags up for you." She waved to the children who began to help her carry the luggage to the bottom of the stairs.

"I'm sure we can get comfortable," Emily reassured her daughter, taking her arm. "And then when your husband does appear, I want to hear all about everything. You know how I don't like secrets."

※※※※※

"Good God!" Lucius raised his eyebrows. "Why on earth do you need to be tested to drive one of their confounded, horseless carriages?"

He puffed furiously on his cigar, wreathing his head with the fragrant smoke. "Back in our day, a man earned his ticket by the dint of hard work and sacrifice. But carriage driving? Any child can do that, blindfolded." He shook his head in disgust.

"It's their laws." Daniel shrugged. "If I am to live in this time, then I must abide by them. I'm told a man can be imprisoned for not carrying their blasted licence to drive."

"What has the world come to?" Lucius sighed brusquely. "I'm glad it's you who wishes to inhabit this time and not me. Anyone who tried to stop me from going about my rightful duties would get more than he bargained for."

He drank his Madeira in agitation. "Is that all you wanted to tell me? My Rebecca awaits to go riding." He huffed a laugh. "I need no government-issued licence to do that!"

"No, there is something more." Daniel stubbed out the butt of his cigar. "It seems the Mitford has yet to learn his lesson and keep his attentions off my wife and onto his own."

Lucius gaped as he dropped his boots to the floor. "The blasted scoundrel has wed?" He whistled softly. "Crafty fellow. Who is the lucky lady, or should I not ask?"

"Carolyn's confoundedly nosy cousin, Harriet. She paraded him before us out at the camp on Spirit Island like some great prize. They were insufferable, thinking we cared about their blasted doings."

"Keelhauling him is too good for that blighter, then?" Lucius shook his head. "What's to do now?"

"The double-dealing mountebank has no doubt shuffled all his ill-gotten gains into his wife's name. But he has also sent an innocent man to jail in his stead. That I will not countenance."

Daniel passed the feather of his quill pen through his fingers thoughtfully. "I would see that man freed and the correct, unmitigated scoundrel go to jail."

"Oh ho, he has your blood up," Lucius approved with a grin. "I don't pity the fool now."

"He was not satisfied with the dubious affections of his new wife and still looks at mine. Carolyn sent them on their way with a few well-chosen words. But those two have hides thicker than a rhino's. They are not spent yet."

"Then I shall see what more there is to be found," Lucius assured him, draining his wine glass and holding it out for a refill. "There's bound to be something he's sure to have overlooked. Thirsty work, this spying game."

Daniel poured the wine, then cocked his head, listening. "Blast it all! We've just been boarded by Carolyn's parents. They're early, confound them!"

Lucius shrugged. "In-laws are the price you pay for taking a wife." He settled back in his armchair. "You should have thought of that when you made your bargain with Turner's master."

"Thank you for your sage advice," Daniel muttered. "Let me know what you find out about Mitford's dealings," he commanded as he dematerialised in a huff.

※※※※※

"Here he is, at last…" Bradford greeted Daniel the moment he walked into the living room. "We were beginning to think you weren't at home." He shook his head.

Daniel clasped his father-in-law's outstretched hand. "My apologies, Brad. I was unavoidably detained. But I'm here, now."

"Emily…" He took his mother-in-law's hand and bent to kiss the backs of her fingers. "It's wonderful to see you again. And blooming, too."

"You always seem to find just the right thing to say, Captain." Emily simpered at him. "We hoped you were here and not away on one of your little adventures for the Navy." She looked significantly at her daughter.

Seated in the chair beside the fireplace, Carolyn shook her head. "Daniel is always here when I need him, Mother. You really must believe that."

Emily raised her brows as she sipped her coffee. "I sincerely hope so."

"Anything to report, Captain?" Bradford asked, unable to help himself. "Any dealings you're allowed to tell us about?"

Daniel walked to the table to pour himself a cup of coffee. "Sorry, but everything is hush-hush. Top secret…" He laid one forefinger beside his nose.

"Oh, then, say no more, dear boy. Say no more…" Bradford chuckled, giving him a broad wink.

"Twins…" Emily turned to him, looking him up and down intently. "I must say I was thrilled to hear the news. Are they also in your family?"

"Not a one," Daniel replied, crossing the room to stand beside Carolyn's chair. "I am the only son of an only son."

"Oh, but your Cousin Claymore…" Emily frowned.

"On my mother's side," Daniel replied smoothly. "But her name was also Gregg," he hurried to add when he saw the questioning look in her eyes. "A very distant relative of my father's branch of the family."

"We also have some other news to share with you…" Carolyn sighed with cautious relief, stepping in to divert her mother's attention.

"A day of firsts…" Bradford sat forward. "More good news, I hope?"

"Very much so…" Carolyn handed her empty coffee cup to Daniel and stood up.

She crossed to the bookcase on the far wall and took out three paperback books. She carried them to her mother and held them out for her to take.

Emily put aside her cup and accepted them, turning each one over in her hands. "Annabelle Grant…" she mused, reading the name of the author printed on the cover beneath the title. "'In A Captain's Arms…'" She read the first title.

She looked up. "I don't understand. Why are you showing me these? You know I don't read this kind of novel."

She handed them to her husband, seated beside her on the couch. "Who is this Annabelle Grant, anyway?"

"She is me, Mother." Carolyn laid the flat of her hand over her heart. "These are my novels. I wrote them."

"Yours?" Emily's hand crept to her lips in confusion. "You wrote those?" She waved a hand at the books. "I don't understand. How did you write them?"

Bradford was busy reading the blurb on the backs of the books. Then he turned one over to frown at the front cover and its sensual drawing. "Rather racy, my dear. If you don't mind me saying. Very nautical."

Emily took the books back from him. "But I thought you only write articles for that magazine. The Feminine View. I've read some of them and they are mostly quite acceptable. But these…"

She shook her head. "You did speak of writing those memoirs of the Captain's…" She glanced nervously at Daniel who was watching her with narrowed eyes. "They are one thing. And we all know that article called Maiden Voyage was an unfortunate mistake on your part. Never to be repeated…" A slight flush of colour stained her cheeks as she stared down at the book cover.

She sighed deeply and with regret. "I mean, you must know, the family would never wish to see your name attached to such trashy fiction as these. It would be quite insupportable." She sniffed, pressing her fingertips to her lips.

"But this 'trashy fiction', as you call it, is selling very well," Carolyn replied, shaking her head at Daniel when he would have defended her. "In fact, I'm making quite a name for myself."

She shook her head. "Well, Annabelle is. And I'm very proud of my work. I wish you could be also."

"Well, I think it's splendid," Bradford waded in manfully, ignoring his wife's glare of reproof. "Twins and now this. Our daughter is a success. Be happy for her."

He got to his feet to hug Carolyn, kissing her cheek. "I just knew you had it in you. You always had your head in a book or were busy scribbling something down, even as a small child. But to be paid for it…" He shook his head in wonder.

"Oh, Brad, how can you approve of such a dreadful thing?" Emily demanded tearfully. "Think of what our friends will say if they ever found out. My church ladies…"

"If they do find out, so what?" Her husband shrugged. "Your daughter's a published writer and is making a name for herself. I say that's something to be proud of."

He looked around the room. "That was the whole reason why she came to this house in the first place all those years ago."

He turned back to his wife. "But I'm not going to tell them and nor are you, Mother. You will not breathe a word to anyone. Especially not Harriet."

"If you say so, dear…" His wife stared up at him, non-plussed. But she didn't comment further.

Bradford smiled as he turned to shake Daniel's hand. "So now we have a secret or two we can't share." He laid one forefinger alongside his nose. "I think that about makes us even."

Daniel clasped the older man's hand willingly and with relief. "It may just do at that."

※※※※※