Chapter Eighty-One

Heath finished his work early, and arrived home, putting his mount into the barn. It had been over three weeks since Simon left for San Francisco. The morning they all said goodbye, Heath and Nick took the children fishing. The mood was somber at first, but when Thomas Henry caught a fish it had everyone smiling. They arrived at the Big House several hours late with only one fish. However the boys had gone swimming, while Tara sat next to Heath. He decided that he needed to set something up for her and Sharon.

The next week had been hard, as everyone was feeling the absence of Simon. He had been such a part of their lives, and now he was gone. Sharon and Priscilla had stepped up their efforts to keep the children busy, as had Victoria. By the second week things had settled down, but Heath still had a private ache in his heart that only Sharon knew about.

Arriving in the house he went to look for Sharon and found her arranging a tea service in the front parlor. Heath was puzzled, because they were to meet with Silas and Violet. They had married not long after Sharon and Heath had arrived back. The ceremony had been at their church, followed by the 'jumping the broom' ceremony, which is how slaves at married in the old south.

Nick had offered his house in Montrey for the honeymoon, which the couple accepted gratefully. When the arrived back in the valley, Violet moved into the snug two-bedroom house that the family had gifted Silas. Heath had been glad that everything had worked out so well – or so he thought.

"Why are we having tea in the front parlor? I thought Silas and Violet just wanted to talk to us." Heath thought it was all over the top; his wife's reaction surprised him.

"Yes, they are coming to talk to us, probably about Violet resigning her position! She is married, and Silas will want her at home." Sharon had a panicked look on her face. "I can't imagine life without Violet, but I also understand her feelings. Tis just that we have been through so much together."

"Hannah used to tell me that worry does not solve anything. Let's see what she has to say." Heath put his arm around Sharon's shoulders and pulled her close. He hated to see her unhappy and hoped that Violet was not resigning. Heath was still in awe of how his life had changed since they had been back.

He still worked hard, but had started to delegate more things, especially trips to the far range. When he had talked to Nick about it, his brother's only comment was it's about time. It was hard to get up early in the morning but knowing that Sharon would be there to greet him in the afternoon made bearable.

It was an hour later and the couples were enjoying the tea. Heath asked lots of questions about the house in Monterey – it could be trip in the future for him and Sharon. He recalled Nick's comments about how relaxing it was, because it had nothing to do with the ranch. His pleasant thoughts were interrupted by Violet's next comment.

"Mrs. Sharon, I want to talk you about my employment." Violet set down her tea cup, and reached over to take Silas's hand, who gave her a reassuring smile. "When you first hired me, we were in a small townhouse, with one kitchen maid. Now we have a kitchen maid, a cook, and a house maid, as well as a much larger establishment."

"Yes the scope of your responsibilities have increased. I do understand." Sharon replied, suddenly seeing the bigger picture. This was not their snug little house, but an estate. From her training in Ireland, she knew what it all entailed.

"I do want to keep working for you, but honestly the additional duty with the children is impacting my workload with the house." Violet spoke slowly; she and Silas had rehearsed all this last night. "I want to continue on, but I think you need additional help with the children."

Sharon heard all this, and was so relieved that Violet wanted to keep on working for her. She was sure that Violet wanted more time with her husband, and did not blame her in the least. The telegram she had received yesterday came to her mind – it could be the answer to the situation.

"Violet, thank you for telling me all this. No, you should not be acting as nanny!" Sharon exclaimed, thinking back about the last three months. "I think hiring a nanny is a good idea, and I might have a candidate. Whatever happens though, I will involve you in the hiring process."

They finished their tea, and Sharon walked the couple out, giving them a hug. She watched them walk away, holding hands and was so glad for Violet. The woman had shared with her the details of her late husband, so Sharon was glad that she had found happiness. She was smiling until she walked back into the front parlor and saw Heath.

He was sitting on the sofa, his arms crossed, and sitting up very straight. Sharon paused for a moment, as he looked like the Heath of the first months of their marriage. She sighed inwardly, realizing that a person does not change overnight.

"Well, that went well." Sharon announced in an upbeat voice, with a smile on her face. She walked over and sat down next to him on the sofa. "Would you like another cup of tea? Or I could go get you a glass of bourbon from your study." Her hope was to make him happy.

"No, I do not want tea, bourbon, or a nanny for the children." Heath worked hard to keep his voice and emotions calm. He could see how Sharon would have a hard time understanding his point of view.

"What do you mean you do not want a nanny? Clearly, we already have one." Sharon was taken aback at his statement, starting to see that he really did not have knowledge of the domestic arrangements for the household of their size. "Plus, Nick and Priscilla have a nanny, that we use all the time." She added, privately thinking of a gift to give to Rosalie.

"That is not the point. I hate the fact that at the Big House the children only come down for lunch and Sunday dinner. The rest of the time they are in their own world, with their parents visiting them." Heath stood up, as the deep concealed anger came to the front. "One of the things I stated is that when we married, I wanted all of us to eat dinner together." He stomped his foot as he made the statement.

Sharon was looking at him in disbelief, as he hurled his statements. It came to her that he really had no concept of children. She was touched because she knew how much Heath loved Sean and Tara. She saw that she would have to educate him tactfully on the matter.

"Please sit down and listen to what I have to say." Sharon extended her hand and indicated the sofa. When Heath sat down, she breathed a small sigh of relief. "Sean and Tara eat dinner with us because they are older, and we also eat earlier. You have never had a problem with them being in the nursery at the Big House before and the schedule." Sharon started to explain, but Heath tried to interrupt but she raised her hand.

"Priscilla had three children in four years – let me tell you childbirth is not easy. Further, young children need a different eating and sleeping schedule." Sharon declared fiercely, as she continued "Hopefully we will have children of our own, but I will not bring a toddler or baby to the dining room table." She wanted to establish the guidelines going forward.

Heath was shocked at what she was saying, even at her comment about how he had been happy to use Rosalie to help him. It came to him that Sharon had different standards, which fell in line with society's expectations, as opposed to his. Heath also validated the comment that Violet had been acting as nanny all this time. He had just been happy with how well run the household was even though he was not involved.

"I grew up in a shack in a mining town. My mother worked many jobs to keep food on the table, while Hannah and Rachel looked out for me." Heath knew he would have to share his past with Sharon, so she understood. He gritted his teeth as he went on, hating it but knowing it needed to be done.

"Families did everything together. Meals, sleeping chores. The family did everything for each other – outsiders would not help you." Heath explained and went on to talk about when he had first arrived with the Barkley's the concept of servants had been hard to understand.

"Until I was fourteen, I lived in a shanty with a thatched roof and a peat stove. However, I went into service and saw a different way." Sharon was not going to let him play the oppressed childhood card. "We – you and me – are Barkley's and there are expectations for us to give back – and make life better – to society."

"Violet has already been acting as a nanny, other than when we send the children to the Big House." Sharon had already made her decision, and as mistress of the household it would stand. She had outlined her terms to Heath before they married. He had wanted what Nick and Carl had, so he had to understand the rules.

Sharon for one moment wondered if Heath had given Sarah the respect and authority as mistress of the household; the divorce might not have happened. Of course, she knew Sarah's history, and had no problem seeing how it had all played out.

"So I am just supposed to go along with this?" Heath was not ready to concede, even though he knew Sharon was right. It came to him, as he thought about Nick's life, he had been critical and jealous all at the same time. Nick let Priscilla take of everything, and it had worked out. Further, he now privately acknowledged that he did not know a great deal about childcare.

"Heath, you heard Violet – she is in charge of a large establishment, and the children are an extra level of responsibility." Sharon had been watching Heath's face and could see that he was struggling with the changes in his life. She took his hands in hers, understanding his upbringing still affected him.

"There is the fact that you have promised to take me to San Francisco, after roundup to replace my underwear." Sharon moved against him, laying a kiss on his cheek. His body was hard and warm, and she nuzzled happily against him. "I do not imagine you want the children along?" She asked in a teasing voice, before she pulled back.

"We are going to Washington, D.C in October so you can help Cabot pass labor reform. I want to bring the children, but there will be events where I have to attend with you." Sharon stated, reaching over to give him a light kiss, their tongues barely touching.

"You can certainly understand that I would not want some stranger watching our children!" Sharon looked him directly in the eye and saw how he nodded his head.

"So we are going to have a nanny?" Heath in truth knew it was a done decision, and it was for the best. He recalled his thought, after he and Sharon had enjoyed relations for the first time, that nothing would be the same.

"I actually had a telegram yesterday, from Uncle Jimmy – Eileen is doing well, and Eimear wants to come up to Stockton." Sharon explained, going on "she might be willing to take the position. Of course, she also talked about San Franscico. I told you she wants out of the settlement."

"Sharon, I love you, and I want you to be happy. I also understand your concerns and trust your judgement." Heath pushed her back against the sofa, and let his hands explore her body, while his lips kissed her lips and neck. Her skin was so soft, and she was warm and trembling against his body. He deepened his kisses, and his explorations of her body.

"Heath we have to stop!" Sharon declared, as his hands were up against her femaleness. She was so ready for him, but the thought of one of the servants coming into the room gave her pause.

"No we do not. There is a reason doors have locks." Heath growled, being aroused, but understanding her concern. He stood up, and walked over to the door, where he turned the lock, before coming back to her. "I want to make love to you here and now, with you are on top me." He sat down and pulled her into his lap, positing her against his manhood.

Sharon noted how his hands pushed her skirt and petticoats up, as they stroked her inner thighs. She understood what he wanted and moved her fingers to the buttons of his pants, to undo them. His manhood sprang up hard and fast, and she let her fingers stroke the shaft.

She took note of how aroused he looked and was gratified that she could make him feel that way. Sharon adjusted her hips, to bring her femaleness against his shaft, as she slowly to her juices coat his member. Heath was all set to thrust deep into her, but she decided to have some fun.

Heath felt her move her femaleness against his shaft and felt the warm juices flow down his manhood. He went to move hard against her, but she stopped him just short of penetration. Sharon looked down on his, her lips soft and her eyes aroused with passion.

He felt her push against him, going just a little deeper, as she clenched tightly against his shaft. Heath went to thrust deeper, but she pulled back, giving him a teasing look. This happened two more times, until Heath, on the third time, kept her tightly against him, as he thrust hard and deep into her. Sharon started to scream, and Heath put his lips on hers, even as it thrilled him what he did to her.

It was later, and Heath was curled up with Sharon on the sofa. She had gone to his study and brought back two glasses of brandy for them. As he took a sip of brandy, it came to him that the queen of the chess board always knew best.