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Chapter Fifty-Four
What's in a Name?
Carolyn woke up again in the soft glow of early morning. Small noises in the bedroom had quickly penetrated her slumbers. She glanced at the bedside clock, which stood at the time of half past the hour of four. She sighed as she moved her limbs, feeling better for the refreshing sleep.
Daniel was fully stretched out beside her, his right arm flung casually across her waist as he slept. In the bassinet at the foot of the bed came those noises of stirring and small mews of discontent. Those were the sounds that had awakened her.
"I'm coming…" she whispered, slipping from beneath her husband's arm and out of bed to go to them.
Two pair of dark eyes assessed her as small fists were waved in her direction. The sounds of discontent grew louder and more insistent.
She leaned in to check them quickly, finding both were clean and dry. She sighed, knowing that either Martha or Olivia must have attended to their needs through the night. Now it was their growing hunger that had stirred them both awake once more.
"Come here, then…" She leaned into the bassinet, lifting the twins one at a time onto the bed.
She slid back beneath the covers with the babies safely tucked into the space between her and her husband's body. He groaned as he came awake, opening his eyes and sitting up to see what was going on.
"You're awake," he said, unnecessarily. "Is everything all right?"
"Better than all right," Carolyn assured him comfortably, lying back against her mound of pillows. "But we do need to have that talk now. I've been thinking."
"Me, too. But, you first. What have you been thinking?" Daniel asked softly as he toyed with small, seeking fingers that had latched firmly onto his.
Carolyn smiled. "The right names for our babies, as you well know. Now that it's already tomorrow. I will be telephoning my mother first thing this morning. She'll want to know they've arrived and are both healthy."
"The world outside must always intrude, I suppose," Daniel replied with a sigh. "I do prefer this world where it is just us." He pushed himself up to lean back against the headboard. "But we have already discussed this at length and we still came to no firm conclusions."
"I know." Carolyn nodded. "But that was before we knew what we were having." She reached out to take her husband's bearded chin in the palm of her hand, bringing his gaze around to hers. "It just came to me now as I got up to see to them. It is only fitting that our son should be named after his father."
Her husband blinked at her, then frowned. "Daniel?" He shrugged. "I suppose it was good enough for me and my father before. I would like that, but only if you are sure. There are better names."
"I'm very sure there are, but none more right," Carolyn affirmed, leaning forward to kiss him. "Daniel, it is then."
"Very well. And this young lady?" Daniel smoothed the side of his forefinger down his daughter's downy cheek. "Shall we name her Carolyn after you?"
"No…" His wife shook her head quickly as she lifted her son into the cradle of her arms. "I was named for my maternal grandmother. She was a woman I never got on with. She used to pinch my cheek hard every time she saw me. It hurt. I have a far better idea."
"Oh?" Daniel raised his brows at her. "I'm sure that whatever name you choose, it will be fitting for this wee mite." His daughter lay gurgling up at him, her small hands clutching his trailing fingers as she tried to get her mouth around them.
"Lucy…" Carolyn said in a rush. "I have always loved the name. I wanted to be called Lucy. It means light."
"Yes, I know what it means," Daniel replied with a reminiscent smile as he picked up the little girl. "I like it. It suits her."
"You do? Oh, I'm so glad." Carolyn sighed. "Lucy, it is then. Daniel and Lucy." She leaned down to kiss each baby's forehead in turn.
Daniel shook his head. "Though, when I was very young, I was nicknamed Danny by my family. My father was the man everyone called Daniel. I guess some things will never change."
"Well, Candy doesn't like being called Candice. She says that name is only for when she's in really serious trouble." Carolyn laughed softly. "I guess, in time, one name will stick. Do you mind?"
"Of course not. Daniel or Danny, he is still my son. A miracle I never expected or looked for. I am more than happy to share either name with him."
"Then, as soon as we have all had breakfast I will telephone my mother. She will be thrilled."
"Yes, the outside world must intrude," Daniel said again as they exchanged babies. "As long as no one gets the bright idea to send that Harriet back to see us. That I will not tolerate."
"I'll make sure I tell Mother," Carolyn reassured him as she settled her daughter more comfortably in her arms.
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"Oh, my dear…" Emily sighed down the telephone line later in the morning. "I am so very pleased for both of you. It is such a relief to know that you are all safe and well. That everything is fine."
"We are too, Mother," Carolyn replied quickly.
She had yet to share the news that the twins had been born at home and not in the hospital. She knew her mother would not be happy with the news. But she didn't feel like getting into that thorny issue just yet.
"And have you settled on their names yet?" Emily continued with a hopeful tone in her voice.
"Daniel and Lucy," Carolyn told her as she crossed her fingers.
"Oh, how delightful and appropriate," Emily acknowledged with a sigh. "And when may we come down again and visit our new little ones?"
Warmed by her mother's request instead of her making it a command, Carolyn glanced at Daniel who was seated beside her at the bedroom desk. "Why don't you both come down next Saturday, Mother? By then we should be settled into some sort of a routine."
"Excellent. We'll be looking forward to that. I'll tell your father as soon as he gets in from his round of golf. I love you, my dear. And your news is just wonderful. Do take good care of yourself and your babies. We can't wait to see you again."
"I will, Mother, And I love you too," Carolyn replied. "But please, for now, just keep it between you and Father. I'll tell the rest of the family when I'm ready."
"If you think that's wise, dear," Emily replied slowly. "Of course, the decision is yours. I won't say a word. Though, I hardly see anything of Harriet, these days. She and Owen are always so busy with their own lives. I'm afraid Hazel is more than a little put out by her sister's good fortune. She barely speaks to me now."
"I'm sorry for that. But, yes, it's what I want…" Carolyn shared a thumbs-up with her husband, not prepared to discuss her cousin's love life. "Thank you, Mother. Please give my love to Dad too. Goodbye, Mother."
"Goodbye, dear…"
Carolyn slowly replaced the receiver into its cradle. "Well, that went far better than I expected."
"Yes…" Daniel nodded, watching her. "It will be all right. I do think your mother has finally learned her place in your life."
"That remains to be seen…" Carolyn sighed as she stood up to approach the bassinet. "I just hope she can keep the good news to herself for now. I have the feeling it won't be easy for her."
※※※※※
In her room at the Schooner Bay Inn, Harriet showered and dressed before she packed her bags. Overtired from her long drive, she'd slept in and the morning was already well advanced by the time she opened her eyes and frowned at the unfamiliar surroundings. Then she remembered.
She took her luggage down to the trunk of her car before she returned to pay her bill at reception. The Inn's owner thanked her grudgingly as he accepted her money with a sour look of discontent. Last night, he'd been pulled from his warm bed and had descended the stairs to unlock the front door when Harriet had continued her insistent knocking to be let in.
"Good morning…" Harriet shrugged her annoyance over his morose attitude before she walked outside once more. She paused in the warm sunshine, assessing the town with critical eyes.
"Schoonerville…" she scoffed with a toss of her head. The place still held no appeal for her.
Her state of nervous tension meant she'd eaten very little for dinner last night and she had been too late for her breakfast this morning. The innkeeper had smugly assured her that the kitchen was closed now until dinnertime. His small measure of petty revenge for her late arrival.
"Small towns…" Harriet sighed as she looked up and down the street for any sign of a decent café. She was badly in need of her morning cup of strong, black coffee.
"Ah, Miss Williams?" a man's voice at her elbow inquired in a shocked tone. "I… how nice to see you again. And so soon."
"Mrs Mitford," Harriet corrected crisply, as she turned her head to find Claymore Gregg standing next to her with his hat raised. "Oh, it's only you. Good morning."
Claymore grimaced as he settled his hat back onto his head. "Um, good morning. I… did not expect to see you back in town." He shifted uncomfortably. "Ah, does Mrs Gregg know you're here?"
He now found himself in a very awkward and uncomfortable position. He'd become an unwilling party to his great-uncle's engineering the inevitable downfall of the woman's husband. Of course, he could not disclose such damning information. It was more than his life was worth to divulge the truth. Sweat broke out on his brow and he mopped his forehead with his handkerchief as he searched for something banal to say.
"Um, you're here early for a Monday morning. Did you, um, drive down last night?" He frowned back at the Inn.
"I really don't see that it's any of your concern when I arrived or what my business is," Harriet replied. "But I am on my way out to see my cousin now." She glanced up and down the street again. "As soon as I've had my coffee and something to eat."
"Oh, I see…" Claymore shifted uncomfortably. "How nice. Well, I'm sure she'll be so pleased to see you." He tittered nervously as he sidled around her. "Um, I'm so sorry, but you must excuse me. I… I have a meeting that I'm already late for." He raised his hat again before he hurried away down the sidewalk.
Harriet grimaced as she watched him leave. "Such an odd little man…" She turned away to walk along the street, seeking a suitable place to get that decent cup of coffee.
Claymore unlocked his office door and ran inside. Out of breath and panting, he rushed for the telephone on his desk. "Oh, please be, in, please be in," he chanted as he dialled the number for Gull Cottage. "Please, please, please, be in…"
The dial tone rang for some fraught seconds and then it was answered. "The Gregg residence. This is Martha Grant speaking…"
"Oh, Martha! Thank heavens…" Claymore sagged into the chair behind his desk. "I do need to warn, Mrs Muir. Oh, I mean, Mrs Gregg. I really need to warn her right away."
"She's a bit busy right now," Martha replied crisply. "What can we do for you, Claymore?"
Claymore mopped his brow with his handkerchief. "Well, I've just seen Harriet Williams. I mean, Mrs Harriet Mitford. She's back in town. I met her outside the Inn just now. Maybe she stayed the night, I have no idea. But I do know she said she's on her way out to see you all. I thought you should know."
"I see…" Martha replied. "Well, thank you, Claymore. For once you've done a decent thing. I'll be sure and tell Mrs Gregg immediately. She'll want to thank you too. Goodbye."
"Great…" Claymore sagged back in his chair as the line went dead against his ear. "Um, goodbye…"
※※※※※
"Harriet's here, in town?" Daniel stared at the housekeeper in disbelief after she delivered the unwelcome message. "But the sun's not even over the yardarm. When did she arrive?"
"That's what Claymore said. Seems she drove down last night and has been staying at the Inn." Martha shrugged, looking across at Carolyn, who was seated on the living room couch. "And she's on her way out to see us."
"But why is she here?" Carolyn sighed, sitting forward. "She never said anything about coming to visit. And my mother can't have told her about the twins, yet."
"At least Claymore warned us in time," Daniel replied. "We can prepare to repel her, the moment she arrives."
"It must be serious for her to come all this way so suddenly," Carolyn worried.
"Serious or not. The woman will not be staying. Not if I have anything to do with it," her husband said hardly. "I will not have that woman oversetting you for any trumped-up and foolish reason. She is selfish to the bone and cannot see where she is not welcome. Her nose is far too long and she has a large, uncontrollable tongue."
"I do know that." Carolyn sighed. "I just hope she's all right. She didn't look herself when she and Owen came visiting us when we were staying out at Ghost Island."
"It's worse than that…" Olivia quietly appeared in the doorway beside Martha. "My spirits say it will not be an easy meeting with your cousin. She brings her petty marital troubles to your door. You will need all your focus."
The little medium sighed as she shook her head. "I shall see what's to be done and consult with my spirit guides. They will tell me all we need to know."
She smiled. "But, in the meantime, I shall go upstairs and see to Danny and Lucy. It's better if they're not disturbed while they're asleep. We don't wish to ingrain any new habit of starting at the slightest noise or raised voices. It's as well that Candy and Jonathan are at school while your cousin is here."
"Thank you, Olivia," Carolyn replied with a worried frown as the older woman left the room again. "I wonder what Harriet can want."
"Well, your cousin's welcome here will be short-lived and that's the end of the matter," Daniel affirmed. "If you insist on seeing her to know what is on her mind, my love, then so be it. But she goes no further than this room and she will not be staying the night."
"If it's for the best," Carolyn agreed slowly. "I did send her to marry Owen knowing what he really wanted from a wife. But if it has all gone wrong, then I must make her understand it's no longer any concern of mine. Not anymore." She turned to frown through the living room windows.
Her husband and Martha exchanged telling glances. Daniel shook his head. "I'll go and summon Lucius. See what he has to say about it all." He dematerialised as he spoke, leaving both women to look after him with varying expressions of expectation and concern.
"If you want my opinion, that Harriet will be fine," Martha affirmed stoutly. "You well know she's been like this before. All het up over nothing. I'm sure it's just something small between her and her husband. You know that woman can't bear any sort of conflict. And she listens to no advice but her own."
She pulled a discontented face. "But I'll go and make us a pot of coffee, good and strong. Just in case. I have a feeling we're going to need it before this day is any older." She left the room, closing the doors behind her with a snap.
※※※※※
"I left that foolish-beyond-all-permission woman a confoundedly decent note upon her pillow telling her all about her fake engagement ring. She only needed to have the thing appraised and her husband's perfidy would have been revealed and his house of cards would have tumbled down." Lucius took a turn around the wheelhouse, his hands clasped behind his back as he puffed mightily on his cigar. "That would have been the end of the matter. But no, the addle-headed woman shied away from knowing the truth like a half-broken filly and then she went running right back to the man who's happily cheating her out of all that's rightfully hers."
He turned back to glare at Daniel, who was seated behind his desk, calmly watching him. "I recently summoned the shade of Van Gogh and he confirmed those paintings that man cherishes and displays as genuine are anything but. Vincent was shocked and quite ireful in his contempt. He wanted to deface them then and there. His temper is as red as his hair and as easily aroused."
"Then we move forward apace," Daniel remarked, drawing deeply on his own cigar. "We shall tighten the noose some more and see how he dances to our tune."
"But if the foolish woman will not see what is staring her right in the face…" Lucius ground his clenched teeth into the stub of his cigar. "Now she comes here, carrying her pathetic tales to your very door."
"She will not carry them far over the doorsill," Daniel affirmed. "Carolyn will hear her out then I will show her the door. She will not be aboard my ship for longer than is necessary. I have had it to my back teeth of the Williams women who do not know their place. I will not have my wife upset at this time."
"Keelhauled and thrown overboard to the two-legged sharks," Lucius agreed grimly, slumping into his favoured armchair. "That great-nephew of yours should join her and her benighted husband. A more two-faced, underhanded, parsimonious man I have yet to meet on either side of the veil. You would do well to keep an eye on him. He still secretly covets what is yours and would hurt you, if he could."
"I do and I will." Daniel nodded as he poured his friend another generous measure of Madeira and passed it across the desk. "Claymore has his uses and he has served us ably in this matter. He understands only too well the ways of this blasted modern world. At least, in our time, a man looked into your eyes as he stabbed you in the chest."
"Well, that's to his cost and mine," Lucius grouched as he raised his glass in salute before taking a long swallow of the ruby liquid. "But yes, his murky world thankfully is no longer ours. I felt sullied by our dealings with him and the Mitford. At least, the pirates we faced were honest in their black-hearted thievery."
"That they were," Daniel acknowledged with a salute of his glass. "Now tell me what more you have uncovered. We have no more time to lose. The woman will darken our doorsill soon enough and I would be prepared."
"Congratulations, by the way," Lucius raised his glass again. "On the safe delivery of two perfect babes. A strong son to follow in your name and a pretty daughter fit to be married off as soon as she comes of age. Your new human life certainly seems to suit you. Very few have succeeded as well as you have."
He waved a dismissive hand. "But spare me the details, I beg of you. I could never fathom why women get so worked up about small, mewling creatures who do nothing but eat and sleep." He pulled a face. "And, well, you know…"
"Don't worry, I won't." Daniel huffed a laugh as his lips twisted at the last remark. "But do not say anything about marrying off our daughter within the hearing of my wife. Have a care, unless you wish for your eternity to be severely shortened."
"Ah, I see…" Lucius puffed in his cigar. "Well, I married my Rebecca when she was barely sixteen and a finer wife no man could ask for. This new world of yours…"
He shrugged his consternation. "You are entirely welcome to it and all it contains. A woman should know her place and that her husband is her rightful master. As soon as this Mitford affair is finally dealt with, I will be able to pay a lot more attention to the happiness of my own wife instead of yours. We shall return to the past and dwell there in blissful peace."
Daniel smiled at his friend's vehemence. "Until you become bored with all those cotillions and soirees and come running back here, seeking some fresh adventures to stir your blood anew."
"Damn you, Gregg!" Lucius grimaced as he held out his empty glass for more wine. "You know me far too well. Blast your eyes!" He shook his head in resignation as he stubbed out the butt of his cigar and reached for another. "But, at least, you know how to keep good stocks of the necessaries. That great-nephew of yours stands in great need of a sharp lesson on how to be a half-decent host."
He laughed at his own weakness for new and exciting adventures. "Now, where were we with the Mitford and his spalpeen dealings?" He clamped the fresh cigar between his teeth and lit it.
He shook out the match, eyeing his good friend through the rising drift of smoke. "I've a goodly mind to do him a great deal of mischief. I shall start with scaring the daylights out of him! That'll teach him a lesson on how to treat the woman in his life if nothing else will!"
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