I had the worst time with this chapter as it seemed slow... But it does move the plot forward.

Appraisals

Dinner was awkward and Sibella wasn't sure why. Perhaps it was because, other than Adam's family, Alan was their first guest in the house. And then after setting the table and putting out the platter of sliced pork roast, bowls filled with mashed potatoes, green beans and a basket of hot biscuits, Chauncy drove Mrs. George home, leaving Sibella as hostess for the first time. Adam was the only one who appeared relaxed. Appeared, Sibella considered, because beneath his charming smile and overt politeness, Sibella knew he was greatly annoyed. At what or whom, she didn't know, but he did say that he had hired someone to help around the place and to drive her to town; his name was Moss Owen. Sibella started to protest that if Chauncey couldn't drive her, she was more than capable of driving herself, but Alan agreed it was a good idea. There were so many former soldiers who had basically become highwaymen, Alan said. Sibella felt he was being far too deferential to Adam but then he was a guest and Adam was the host. She supposed it was to be expected as men always stuck together anyway.

As the dinner conversation went on, Alan was far too cheerful and talkative and tried too hard to be clever. He even flushed on occasion as he realized he was talking too much about himself. He told Adam he was lost as to any possible career as he had a useless education; Adam had no advice except that often times, men fell into theirs due to circumstances, adding nothing else. Sibella felt the need to prevent lags in conversation and Adam glanced at her quizzically as she feigned amusement and tried to change the subject while refilling coffee cups and offering more food and chattering away when Alan was quiet; Adam barely said a word, but Sibella knew he was listening and observing everything. And probably judging but as usual, he kept his assessments to himself. Adam suddenly said while gesturing to her, "We should have that set of sapphires appraised and keep them in the safe deposit box with our important business documents."

"But then I'd have to go to town to get them before I wore them anywhere." Sibella touched the necklace.

"Well, yes," Alan said, agreeing with Sibella. "I'm sure her mother wants her to wear the set, not just keep them locked away. And as for appraising, well, that's up to you, of course, but is Virginia City cosmopolitan enough to have a jeweler who knows anything? Wouldn't you have to take them to San Francisco or somewhere else and be certain the jeweler is not only knowledgeable but honest? I've heard many stories of diamonds and such being switched for lesser ones; why a proficient jeweler can switch a stone even while you're standing there. But of course, it's your decision." He toyed with the food on his plate.

"Yes, it is our decision," Adam said, "and we have a jeweler who's also an assayer. With the two professions, he makes a comfortable living. He can appraise the gold settings and with a loupe, I can make an educated guess as to the value of the stones."

"Well, I suppose…" Sibella said as she gazed at the ring. "But…"

"Where do you keep your other jewels like the pearls from your last birthday and that jade necklace?" Alan asked. "I'm sure Adam is smart enough to have designed a drop safe somewhere in the house. Have you, Adam?" Alan asked.

Sibella answered. "Oh, of course. We have…" She noticed Adam's look, the look one would give a child who was about to do something forbidden and she stopped. Adam reached for his glass of red wine and took a sip while keeping his eyes on Sibella. Alan noticed.

"Now, Sibella, I have been rude. Of course, you shouldn't reveal such things? That would contravene the purpose of having a safe, wouldn't it, to tell where it is?" Alan smiled weakly and downed the rest of his wine.

Sibella looked back and forth at the two men; there was something odd going on. Sibella suggested coffee and dessert in the drawing room and Adam excused himself, saying he had an early day and needed to retire; he bade Alan goodnight and kissed Sibella lightly on the cheek before leaving the room to go up the curving staircase. They both watched him leave the dining room and it was as if all the air went with him.

Alan sighed. "Sibella, again, I am sorry about asking about the jewelry. Adam, well, he acted as if I was going to steal your jewels."

"Oh, don't think twice about it and like I told you, Adam trusts no one." But Adam's suspicion had contaminated her; it had been an odd question for Alan to ask. "I'll go cut the pie. Big piece or small?"

"No, no dessert for me, but don't let me stop you from you from having any." They still sat at the table.

"I don't want any either although Mrs. George does bake well, too well; my waistbands are becoming tight." Sibella wanted to follow Adam up to bed. Maybe then he would tell her what was bothering him. She knew Adam was worried about his father's cold, or what seemed a cold, and would probably stop by the Ponderosa before going into his office, but yet, it was only 9:00 and they had company. Granted it was her friend but even Alan seemed oddly distant. "All right, Alan, what's wrong? You've been on edge this whole visit and at dinner you talked far too much about nothing."

"Be a good friend and pour me another glass of this wonderful rosé; a slight taste of strawberry and with just the perfect balance between…"

"You and Adam! One wine tastes like another to me. Here!" She placed the bottle before him with a thump. "Drink all you like! Now what is the matter?"

"Nothing is the matter, at least with me except that husband of yours always knocks me akilter. I try not to imagine him naked but it's so difficult!" Alan filled his wine glass. "But I expected that you would tell Adam about Thorne and how you're coming into town with me tomorrow morning and will see him again. I must confess I was worried the man might explode if you did, having no idea if he was the jealous type so I wanted to keep the conversation far, far away from that happening although I would imagine he loses his temper magnificently!" Alan sighed and drank his wine.

"I haven't yet seen that happen," Sibella said with furrowed brow, "and hope I never do; I think the roof would blow off the house. But, since you brought him up, what has Thorne been up to these past few years."

~ 0 ~

It was a little past 10 when Sibella and Alan went upstairs to bed. Sibella hoped Adam would be sound asleep. Then she could avoid having to face him and any questions he might have about why Alan was the carrier of the sapphire set and why he was there.

Alan was drunk, having emptied the remaining half of the wine bottle by himself which, after he told Sibella what little he knew about Thorne's activities since the man had left Sacramento and then returned a few weeks ago. Alan then insisted she tell him all about her wedding night, "Since you didn't write! Even your own dear mother had no information about whether you'd left him and headed off back east as you always planned or were gloriously happy in wedded bliss." And although Sibella hesitated to reveal Adam had spent their wedding night with his mistress in Carson City, she did. "But my dear," Alan had said, "you had no intention of staying with him so I suppose one can't blame the man. After all, you were guarding your virtue with your very life, an honest to goodness modern acolyte of Diana!"

Outside the guest room, Sibella stood with Alan both speaking in low tones. "Good night, Alan. I'm sorry again the room is so sparsely furnished but the water closet across the hall there is working—the flush is a bit loud. But just in case you prefer it, there's a chamber pot under the bed and Mrs. George set up that shaving stand with the water pitcher, towels and, well, if you need anything, let me know., it's that door." She pointed to the one catty-cornered to his. "Remember there's also the water closet downstairs; it doesn't sound as loud up here."

"Adam is a wonderful architect; made it convenient for everyone to take a piss!" Alan laughed at his own cleverness.

"Shhh!" Sibella warned, finger to her lips. "You'll wake up Adam!"

"But I'm so far away from the happy couple." Alan feigned a bereft expression and wavered a bit on his feet. "Oh, I am drunk, but drunk on expensive wine! One can't ask for more except to crawl into bed with a loved one. Would you allow me to share the bed with you and Adam?" He swayed and she feared he would fall over.

"Alan, you need to go to bed and sleep this off." Sibella helped Alan stand solidly on his feet.

"But alas…Sibella, I still can't get over how you were deflowered—voluntarily! Who knew his large hand coming down on your ass would make you so very wet? It's a good thing your parents never spanked you; you would have misbehaved just to get a smack! I should have guessed though—he's so domineering. Do you think he'd spank my fanny and then slide that monstrous member down my throat—or elsewhere? I become light-headed just considering it. I might just swoon!"

"That's because all the blood has been diverted to below your belt!" Sibella and Alan giggled until she shushed him again and glanced at her bedroom door.

"Yes, we mustn't wake the sleeping bear. Oh well, I'll suffer through the night alone. And thank you, Sibella for your kindness." Alan kissed her cheek. "And although I haven't been the best friend, I'd endure any hardship to spend time with you again and you promise-promise-we'll go into Virginia City tomorrow."

"I promise." Sibella raised her right hand as she had once seen someone do in a courtroom indicating they were telling the truth. "Goodnight." She smiled and Alan kissed her cheek and slowly closed his door as she walked away. He leaned against it.

"Oh, I should never have seen that man again," he said to himself. "I have no judgment and I've made a terrible mistake. Oh, how I envy you, Sibella. You're so loved and so safe here. Oh, I hope Adam never finds out what I have done." Alan removed his tie and walked over to raise the wick on the lamp sitting on the bureau. He sat on the bed pulling off his jacket. "I am so weak, so very weak. My dear, Sibella, can you ever forgive me?"