You Owe Me [070-011-4.7] By: Penny Jordan Synopsis: Sophie's se re! "hris had !ried !o #or$e! S%a!er Ja&es.

'e'd (e!rayed her in !he wors! way possi(%e- wi!h her ousin. )nd when her ousin had (e o&e pre$nan!* he had &arried her. +ow S%a!er was widowed* and "hris had !o #a e hi& a$ain* as $uardian o# his si,-year-o%d dau$h!er. -o her surprise* he see&ed se! on a passiona!e .ende!!a* %ai&in$ she owed hi&. Owed hi& wha!/ On%y %i!!%e Sophie 0new !he !ru!h. -he !rou(%e was* sin e her &o!her's dea!h* she hadn'! u!!ered a sin$%e word.

1Jordan's re ord is pheno&ena%1 -he Boo0se%%er 2ear 3eader* 4 an hard%y (e%ie.e !ha! i! is a%&os! !wen!y years sin e 4 wro!e &y #irs! Mi%%s 5 Boon (oo0. -he !hri%% o# ha.in$ !ha! (oo0 a ep!ed and !hen seein$ i! on !he (oo0she%.es (ein$ pi 0ed up and hosen (y readers is one 4 sha%% ne.er #or$e!. -wen!y years see&s a %on$ !i&e. So &u h has happened durin$ !hose years6 so &u h has han$ed and ye! so &u h re&ains !he sa&e. -he han$es whi h we ha.e a%% seen wi!hin so ie!y are* 4 (e%ie.e* re#%e !ed in !he (oo0s we* as Mi%%s 5 Boon au!hors* wri!e. -hey &irror !he han$es !ha! !a0e p%a e around us in our own and our readers' %i.es. Our heroines ha.e han$ed* &a!ured* $rown up* as indeed 4 ha.e done &yse%#. 4 anno! !e%% you how &u h p%easure i! $i.es &e !o (e a(%e !o wri!e o# &a!ure as we%% as youn$ wo&en #indin$ %o.e and* o# ourse* %o.e is so&e!hin$ whi h has no! han$ed. 7o.e is s!i%% %o.e and a%ways wi%% (e (e ause %o.e is* a#!er a%%* an in!rinsi * .i!a% o&ponen! o# hu&an happiness. )s 4 read !hrou$h !hese (oo0s whi h are (ein$ reissued in !his "o%%e !or's 8di!ion* !hey (rin$ (a 0 #or &e &any happy &e&ories o# !he !i&es when 4 wro!e !he& and 4 hope !ha! &y readers* !oo* wi%% en9oy !he sa&e nos!a%$ia and p%easure. 4 wish you a%% .ery &any hours o# happy readin$ and %i.es (%essed wi!h %o.e. : &.-; < .) sM; =< BY P8++Y JO32)+

242 YO> P>3"')S8 -'4S BOO? @4-'O>- ) "OA83/ 4# you did* you shou%d (e aware !ha! i! is s!o%en proper!y as i! was repor!ed unso%d and des!royed (y a re!ai%er. +ei!her !he au!hor nor !he pu(%isher has re ei.ed any pay&en! #or !his (oo0. )%% !he hara !ers in !his (oo0 ha.e no e,is!en e ou!side !he i&a$ina!ion o# !he au!hor* and ha.e no re%a!ion wha!soe.er !o anyone (earin$ !he sa&e na&e or na&es. -hey are no! e.en dis!an!%y inspired (y any indi.idua% 0nown or un0nown !o !he au!hor* and a%% !he in iden!s are pure in.en!ion. )%% ri$h!s reser.ed in %udin$ !he ri$h! aBreprodu !ion in who%e or in par! in any #or&. -his edi!ion is pu(%ished (y arran$e&en! wi!h 'ar%eCuin 8n!erprises 44 B. A. -he !e,! o# !his pu(%i a!ion or any par! !hereo# &ay no! (e reprodu ed or !rans&i!!ed in any #or& or (y any &eans* e%e !roni or &e hani a%* in %udin$ pho!o opyin$* re ordin$* s!ora$e in an in#or&a!ion re!rie.a% sys!e&* or o!herwise* wi!hou! !he wri!!en per&ission o# !he pu(%isher. -his (oo0 is so%d su(9e ! !o !he ondi!ion !ha! i! sha%% no!* (y way o# !rade or o!herwise* (e %en!* reso%d* hired ou! or o!herwise ir u%a!ed wi!hou! !he prior onsen! o# !he pu(%isher in any #or& o# (indin$ or o.er o!her !han !ha! in whi h i! is pu(%ished and wi!hou! a si&i%ar ondi!ion in %udin$ !his ondi!ion (ein$ i&posed on !he su(seCuen! pur haser. M477S 5 BOO+ and M477S 5 BOO+ wi!h !he 3ose 2e.i e are re$is!ered !rade&ar0s o# !he pu(%isher. Dirs! pu(%ished in Erea! Bri!ain 1FGH (y Mi%%s 5 Boon 7i&i!ed -his edi!ion 1FFG 'ar%eCuin Mi%%s 5 Boon 7i&i!ed* 8!on 'ouse* 1G-I4 Paradise 3oad* 3i h&ond* Surrey -@F 4S3 Penny Jordan 1FGH 4SB+ 0 IJ< G0G<I 7 Se! in -i&es 3o&an 11 on 1I'B: p! (y 3ow%and Pho!o!ypese!!in$ 7i&i!ed Bury S!. 8d&unds* Su##o%0 Prin!ed and (ound 4n Spain (y 7>o$ra#ia 3oses S. ). 1 Bar e%ona

834") J>So.er i%%us!ra!or #or !he Penny Jordan "o%%e !or's 8di!ion 8ri a Jus! is an ar!is! and i%%us!ra!or wor0in$ in .arious &edia* in %udin$ wa!er o%our pen and in0* and !e,!i%es. 'er s!udio is in +o!!in$ha&. 'er wor0 is inspired (y !he na!ura% #or&s* ar hi!e !ure and .i(ran! o%ours !ha! she has e,perien ed on her !ra.e%s* &os! espe ia%%y in )#ri a and 4ndia. 8ri a has e,hi(i!ed her wor0 e,!ensi.e%y in Erea! Bri!ain and 8urope and has wor0s in pri.a!e and pu(%i o%%e !ions. )s an i%%us!ra!or she wor0s #or a nu&(er o# o&panies and a%so %e !ures on !e,!i%e desi$n !hrou$hou! !he oun!ry. )r!wor0 opyri$h! 8ri a Jus! 1FF7

"')P-83 O+8 !he %e!!er au$h! up wi!h "hris in +ew Yor0. She had (een wor0in$ !here #or a &on!h--one o# her %on$es! spe%%s in one p%a e in near%y si, &on!hs--&ode%%in$ %o!hes #or one o# +ew Yor0's !op desi$ners and sandwi hin$ (e!ween !he shows pho!o$raphi sessions under her #i.e year on!ra ! wi!h a %ar$e os&e!i s house. -ha! was !he !rou(%e wi!h $e!!in$ !o !he !op o# !he &ode%%in$ pro#ession* she !hou$h! wry%y* as she %e! herse%# in!o !he apar!&en! she had '(orrowed' #ro& an )&eri an &ode%* #or !he dura!ion o# her assi$n&en!s in +ew Yor0--!he wor0 a&e !hi 0 and #as!* (u! !here wasn'! enou$h !i&e !o do i! a%%. She was !wen!y-si, now6 and she had pro&ised herse%# when she !oo0 up &ode%%in$ she wou%d on%y s!ay in i! #our years. She had (een !wen!y !hen. Eri&a in$ #ain!%y she (en! au!o&a!i a%%y !o re!rie.e !he &ai% !ha! had s%ipped #ro& her #in$ers on !o !he #%oor. 'er needs were no! e,!ra.a$an!* (u! her aun!'s #ina% i%%ness had (een e,!re&e%y e,pensi.e #inan ia%%y. -he i%%ness #ro& whi h her aun! had su##ered had (een pro$ressi.e and !er&ina% in.o%.in$ &en!a% as we%% as physi a% des!ru !ion* and "hris was on%y !han0#u% !ha! durin$ !hose #ina% #ew years her aun! had re!rea!ed in!o a wor%d o# her own where !he !rue na!ure o# her own de %ine was on ea%ed #ro& her. -wo &on!hs a$o her aun! had died* and a%!hou$h now !here was no reason #or her !o on!inue earnin$ %ar$e su&s o# &oney* "hris ad&i!!ed &en!a%%y !ha! i! was !oo %a!e #or her !o han$e her areer. She ou%d &ode% #or possi(%y ano!her #our years i# she was %u 0y* and durin$ !ha! !i&e she shou%d earn enou$h !o 0eep her in o&para!i.e o&#or! #or !he res! o# her %i#e--i# she was are#u%. Bu! wha! was she $oin$ !o do wi!h !he res! o# !ha! %i#e/ Se.en years a$o she !hou$h! she had 0nown e,a !%y wha! ourse her %i#e wou%d !a0e. Marria$e !o S%a!er6 hi%dren. -he s&i%e ur.in$ her &ou!h was !o!a%%y hu&our%ess. So &u h #or drea&s. 3ea%i!y was a #ar ry #ro& her %a!e !eena$e hopes. -he &idsu&&er hea! o# +ew Yor0 had dar0ened her honey-(%onde hair s%i$h!%y wi!h perspira!ion. -han0 Eod #or air ondi!ionin$ she re#%e !ed as she dropped !he &ai% on !he s&a%% o##ee !a(%e and headed #or !he shower. Bein$ a(%e !o %ease ?e%%y 3eadin$'s apar!&en! had (een a we% o&e (onus on !his assi$n&en!* she was !ired o# %i.in$ ou! o# sui! ases6 o# &o.in$ #ro& i!y !o i!y* a%ways !he !ra.e%%er. -ha! was ne.er how she had en.isa$ed her %i#e. 4! was s!ran$e rea%%y

!ha! she* !he s!ay-a!-ho&e one* shou%d ha.e a areer !ha! &ade her !ra.e% so wide%y* whi%s! +a!a%ie* her res!%ess* wi%% o' !he wisp ousin shou%d ha.e (een !he one !o &arry* !o ha.e a hi%d. Drownin$ "hris s!opped !he si%0 sui! #ro& her (ody* !he #ir& ur.in$ %ines o# i! !oo #a&i%iar !o her !o warran! undue a!!en!ion. 4n a%% her years o# &ode%%in$ she had a%ways re#used !op%ess and nude sho!s. )nd re ei.ed a $ood dea% o# hea! #ro& her #irs! a$en! #or i!* she re&e&(ered wry%y. -hin$s were di##eren! now. )s one o# !he wor%d's !op &ode%s she ou%d pi 0 and hoose her assi$n&en!s and 'edi* her a$en!* had %ear ins!ru !ions a(ou! wha! she wou%d and wou%d no! a ep!. )s she s!epped in!o !he shower s!a%% she swep! her hair up in!o a %oose 0no!. 7on$ and honey- (%onde* i! was !hi 0 and resi%ien! enou$h !o adap! !o !he di##erin$ s!y%es she had !o adop!. She showered Cui 0%y and !hen s!epped ou!* wrappin$ her (ody in a !owe% (e#ore s!ar!in$ !o re&o.e her &a0e-up. )s a%ways when she had (een wearin$ i! #or se.era% hours she i! hed !o (e #ree o# i!. ) &ode% $ir% who ha!ed &a0e-up. She %au$hed derisi.e%y* %eanin$ eyeshadow #ro& !he %id o# one sea-$reen eye. 'er (eau!y %ay in her (one s!ru !ure and her eyes* and was a$e%ess. 'er %oo0s had a%ways (een a sour e o# on!en!ion (e!ween !he& when she and +a!a%ie were youn$. Orphaned a! #i.e she had (een (rou$h! up (y her aun! and un %e a%on$side !heir on%y hi%d* +a!a%ie* who was !wo years youn$er !han "hris. -iny* dain!y +a!a%ie* who she had soon %earned* possessed a rue%%y .indi !i.e s!rea0* whi h she used un&er i#u%%y !o pro!e ! wha! she onsidered !o (e hers* and !ha! had in %uded her paren!s and a%% her #riends. "hris had no! #ound i! easy !o a ep! her unwan!ed ro%e as 'orphan'* and &any !i&es durin$ !hose ear%y days she had re!rea!ed !o her (edroo& !o indu%$e in se re! !ears when +a!a%ie had !aun!ed her a(ou! her orphaned s!a!us. 1You wou%d ha.e had !o $o in a ho&e i# you hadn'! o&e here*1 had (een one o# +a!a%ie's #a.ouri!e !aun!s* o#!en wi!h !he !hrea! !a$$ed on o# '. and i# 4 don'! %i0e you* you wi%% s!i%% ha.e !o $o !here. 1 >nder !ha! !hrea! "hris had wea0%y* ha!in$ herse%# #or her wea0ness* $i.en in !o &any #or&s o# (%a 0&ai%* whi h ran$ed #ro& !he su(!%e ne.er- e,pressed pressure #ro& +a!a%ie !ha! she wou%d a%ways 0eep herse%# in !he (a 0$round* !o open de&ands #or '%oans' #ro& "hris's po 0e! &oney. Si$hin$ "hris &ois!urised her s0in. She ou%d see now !ha! +a! had 9us! (een inse ure. -here had (een a (ond (e!ween aun! and nie e !ha!

had ne.er !ru%y e,is!ed (e!ween &o!her and dau$h!er. 8.en in %oo0s she had rese&(%ed her aun!* "hris a 0now%ed$ed* and +a!a%ie wi!h !he per ep!ion !ha! &os! hi%dren possessed had sensed her &o!her's %eanin$ !owards her sis!er's hi%d and had (i!!er%y resen!ed "hris #or i!. +a!* on !he o!her hand had a%ways (een her #a!her's #a.ouri!e. >n %e 3o(er! had adored his s&a%%* dar0-haired dau$h!er* 'his %i!!%e pi,ie #airy' as he had a%%ed her. 'is dea!h in a road a iden! when +a! was #our!een had se.ere%y a##e !ed her. Dunni%y enou$h she herse%# had ne.er shared +a!'s deep resen!&en! o# !heir re%a!ionship* and as she had $rown o%der she had adop!ed a pro!e !i.e ins!in ! !owards her youn$er ousin* 0nowin$ wi!hou! any!hin$ (ein$ said !ha! she was en!erin$ a onspira y wi!h her aun! whi h in.o%.ed a ons!an! #eedin$ o# +a!'s e$o6 a ne.er-endin$ soo!hin$ o# her inse uri!ies. )s a hi%d +a! had $rown used !o her #a!her des ri(in$ her as !he 'pre!!ier' o# !he !wo ousins* and wi!h her dar0 ur%s and s&a%%* #rai% #ra&e she had possessed a pre!!y de%i a y !ha! "hris %a 0ed. @hen* as a !eena$er* "hris had s!ar!ed !o (%osso& +a!a%ie had (een (i!!er%y resen!#u%. 1Boys ha!e !a%% $ir%s*1 she had !o%d "hris spi!e#u%%y. )nd "hris ou%d s!i%% re&e&(er !he o asion when* one .ery ho! su&&er* she had (een sen! #or (y !he 'ead&is!ress* (e ause +a! had !o%d her !ea her !ha! her ousin (%ea hed her hair* s!ri !%y a$ains! !he ru%es o# !he s hoo%. 4n poin! o# #a !* i!s e,!re&e #airness !ha! su&&er had (een !he resu%! o# &ore sunshine !han usua%* and when pressed #or an e,p%ana!ion as !o why her youn$er ousin shou%d !ry !o $e! her in!o !rou(%e de%i(era!e%y* "hris had %eap! i&&edia!e%y !o +a!a%ie's de#en e. She ou%d s!i%% re&e&(er her head&is!ress's words on !ha! o asion. 1"hris* &y dear*1 she had !o%d her #ir&%y* 'your desire !o pro!e ! +a!a%ie is .ery na!ura% and praisewor!hy* (u! in !he %on$ run you wou%d (e he%pin$ her &ore i# you a%%owed her !o !a0e responsi(i%i!y #or her a !ions. -ha!'s !he on%y way we %earn !o !hin0 are#u%%y (e#ore we o&&i! !he&. 1 @ou%d %i#e ha.e (een any di##eren! i# she had heeded !ha! ad.i e/ Eri&a in$* "hris e,!ra !ed #resh underwear #ro& !he drawer. 4! !oo0 !wo !o o&&i! !rea hery6 +a!a%ie a%one ou%d no! (e (%a&ed #or !he des!ru !ion o# a%% her (ri$h!--and #oo%ish--drea&s. 4! was ano!her ha%#-an-hour (e#ore she dis o.ered !he %e!!er. She had 9us! &i,ed herse%# a oo%in$ #rui! drin0 and sa! down* when she au$h! si$h! o# i!* pro!rudin$ o&inous%y #ro& a&on$ a s!a 0 o# &ai%* !he so%i i!or's na&e and address in one orner* !he air&ai% s!i 0er in !he en!re.

She had $rown used !o orresponden e wi!h Messrs S&i!h 5 -urner durin$ !he wee0s #o%%owin$ her aun!'s dea!h. On her &arria$e +a!a%ie had de%i(era!e%y* and !o "hris's &ind* Cui!e hear!%ess%y u! o## a%% !ies wi!h her &o!her. 1She a%ways %o.ed you (es!*1 she had !o%d "hris spi!e#u%%y* when she !ried !o !a%0 !o her a(ou! i!. 14 ne.er wan! !o see her a$ain.1 4! had (een a oup%e o# years a#!er !ha! !ha! "hris had a !ua%%y no!i ed !he oddness o# her aun!'s (eha.iour and ano!her harrowin$ se.en &on!hs (e#ore her ondi!ion had (een orre !%y dia$nosed. -he spe ia%is!* sy&pa!he!i and unders!andin$ had !o%d "hris o# an e, e%%en! nursin$ ho&e whi h spe ia%ised in su h ases* and where her aun! wou%d re ei.e e.ery 0indness and !he .ery (es! o# are. -he #ees had (een as!rono&i a%. "hris had wri!!en !o +a!a%ie* (e%ie.in$ !ha! she wou%d wan! !o &a0e her pea e wi!h her &o!her in .iew o# her #ai%in$ hea%!h* (u! +a!a%ie had ne.er e.en rep%ied* and i! had (een &ore !han "hris ou%d ha.e endured !o $o down !o 7i!!%e Mar!in and !a%0 !o her. 4n order !o pay !he nursin$ ho&e #ees she had o&&i!!ed herse%# !o a $rue%%in$ nu&(er o# assi$n&en!s* and #or !he %as! #our years she had (are%y had !i&e !o !a0e a (rea!h. +ow i! was o.er* and she presu&ed !he %e!!er #ro& S&i!h 5 -urner re%a!ed !o !he #ina% de!ai%s surroundin$ her aun!'s es!a!e* i# her #ew (e%on$in$s and !he house in 7i!!%e Mar!in ou%d (e %assed as !ha!. 4! had o&e as no surprise !o "hris !o dis o.er !ha! her aun! had %e#! her !he house. She had (ou$h! i! a#!er >n %e 3o(er!'s dea!h* se%%in$ !he %ar$er proper!y and in.es!in$ !he di##eren e. "hris had a%ways %o.ed !he !ha! hed o!!a$e* despi!e i!s &any in on.enien es* (u! +a! had ha!ed i!. She ne.er #or$a.e her &o!her #or se%%in$ !he %ar$er proper!y* and ons!an!%y o&p%ained a(ou! !heir drop in %i.in$ s!andards. 4n anyone e%se "hris wou%d ha.e denoun ed her ousin's (eha.iour as (ru!a%%y se%#ish* (u! (e ause o# her hi%dhood ondi!ionin$ "hris was ons!an!%y #indin$ &en!a% e, uses #or her. )%!hou$h !here was one sin she ou%d ne.er #or$i.e her. 4d%y s%idin$ her nai% under !he sea%ed #%ap she e,!ra !ed !he shee!s o# paper inside. 'er hear! !hu&ped as she read !he #irs! %ine* (are%y !a0in$ in i!s &essa$e* her eyes ra in$ (a 0 !o !he (e$innin$ and !ra in$ !he words on e a$ain. '. re$re! !o in#or& you o# !he dea!h o# your ousin* +a!a%ie Ja&es nee Bo%!on* and wou%d in#or& you !ha!. 1

@i!hou! readin$ any #ur!her "hris %i#!ed her eyes #ro& !he paper. +a!a%ie deadK She ou%dn'! (e%ie.e i!. She was on%y !wen!y-#our. @ha! had happened/ She $%an ed a! !he da!e on !he %e!!er and her hear! dropped si 0enin$%y. +a!a%ie had (een dead #or si, wee0sK Si, wee0s* durin$ whi h she had !ra.e%%ed #ro& +assau !o 3io* !hen on !o "annes and #ina%%y !o +ew Yor0. She dropped !he %e!!er on !o !he #%oor* #i%%ed wi!h a &i,!ure o# nausea and $ui%!. 'ow o#!en durin$ !he %as! se.en years had she wished +a!a%ie ou! o# e,is!en e/ 'ow o#!en had she prayed !ha! she &i$h! wa0e up and dis o.er !ha! wha! had happened was a%% 9us! a ni$h!&are/ On%y now ou%d she ad&i! !o herse%# !he #reCuen y o# su h !hou$h!s* $enera%%y a#!er she had 9us! had !o poin! ou! !o ye! ano!her &a%e !ha! (ein$ a &ode% did no! &ean !ha! she was a%so a.ai%a(%e as a (ed &a!e. She had ne.er wan!ed her presen! %i#e6 i! had (een !hrus! upon her in a &anner o# spea0in$6 a &eans o# sa%.a$in$ her pride and her di$ni!y* and a%so a &eans o#. o# wha!/ 8s apin$ her own pain/ +o. +o! en!ire%y. 2eep inside her had (een !he una 0now%ed$ed !hou$h! !ha! (y %ea.in$ so&ehow she was $i.in$ so&e!hin$ !o +a!a%ie's un(orn hi%d--S%a!er's hi%d. -he hi%d !ha! shou%d ha.e (een hers. -he door(e%% ran$ and she s%ipped !he in!er o& swi! h au!o&a!i a%%y* sho 0ed ou! o# her in.o%.e&en! wi!h !he pas! when she heard 2anny's #a&i%iar +ew Yor0 a en!. 12anny* 4'& no! ready ye!*1 she apo%o$ised. 4n poin! o# #a ! she had %os! wha! %i!!%e desire she had possessed !o $o ou! wi!h !he (rash +ew Yor0er* who had #or ed his way in!o her %i#e !hree wee0s a$o. -a%%* #air* $ood %oo0in$* and we%% aware o# his a!!ra !ions 2anny had (een hasin$ her #ro& !he &o&en! o# her arri.a%* and was* "hris was er!ain* supre&e%y on#iden! !ha! in !he end he wou%d a! h her. She* howe.er had o!her ideas. "har&in$ !hou$h 2anny was he ou%dn'! !ou h !he deep inner ore she had %earned !o pro!e ! #ro& !he wor%d. +o &an had !ou hed !ha! sin e S%a!er. -en &inu!es %a!er she was down in !he %o((y wi!h 2anny* !he poise she had %earned o.er !he dia$nosed. -he spe ia%is!* sy&pa!he!i and unders!andin$ had !o%d "hris o# an e, e%%en! nursin$ ho&e whi h

spe ia%ised in su h ases* and where her aun! wou%d re ei.e e.ery 0indness and !he .ery (es! o# are. -he #ees had (een as!rono&i a%. "hris had wri!!en !o +a!a%ie* (e%ie.in$ !ha! she wou%d wan! !o &a0e her pea e wi!h her &o!her in .iew o# her #ai%in$ hea%!h* (u! +a!a%ie had ne.er e.en rep%ied* and i! had (een &ore !han "hris ou%d ha.e endured !o $o down !o 7i!!%e Mar!in and !a%0 !o her. 4n order !o pay !he nursin$ ho&e #ees she had o&&i!!ed herse%# !o a $rue%%in$ nu&(er o# assi$n&en!s* and #or !he %as! #our years she had (are%y had !i&e !o !a0e a (rea!h. +ow i! was o.er* and she presu&ed !he %e!!er #ro& S&i!h 5 -urner re%a!ed !o !he #ina% de!ai%s surroundin$ her aun!'s es!a!e* i# her #ew (e%on$in$s and !he house in 7i!!%e Mar!in ou%d (e %assed as !ha!. 4! had o&e as no surprise !o "hris !o dis o.er !ha! her aun! had %e#! her !he house. She had (ou$h! i! a#!er >n %e 3o(er!'s dea!h* se%%in$ !he %ar$er proper!y and in.es!in$ !he di##eren e. "hris had a%ways %o.ed !he !ha! hed o!!a$e* despi!e i!s &any in on.enien es* (u! +a! had ha!ed i!. She ne.er #or$a.e her &o!her #or se%%in$ !he %ar$er proper!y* and ons!an!%y o&p%ained a(ou! !heir drop in %i.in$ s!andards. 4n anyone e%se "hris wou%d ha.e denoun ed her ousin's (eha.iour dia$nosed. -he spe ia%is!* sy&pa!he!i and unders!andin$ had !o%d "hris o# an e, e%%en! nursin$ ho&e whi h spe ia%ised in su h ases* and where her aun! wou%d re ei.e e.ery 0indness and !he .ery (es! o# are. -he #ees had (een as!rono&i a%. "hris had wri!!en !o +a!a%ie* (e%ie.in$ !ha! she wou%d wan! !o &a0e her pea e wi!h her &o!her in .iew o# her #ai%in$ hea%!h* (u! +a!a%ie had ne.er e.en rep%ied* and i! had (een &ore !han "hris ou%d ha.e endured !o $o down !o 7i!!%e Mar!in and !a%0 !o her. 4n order !o pay !he nursin$ ho&e #ees she had o&&i!!ed herse%# !o a $rue%%in$ nu&(er o# assi$n&en!s* and #or !he %as! #our years she had (are%y had !i&e !o !a0e a (rea!h. +ow i! was o.er* and she presu&ed !he %e!!er #ro& S&i!h 5 -urner re%a!ed !o !he #ina% de!ai%s surroundin$ her aun!'s es!a!e* i# her #ew (e%on$in$s and !he house in 7i!!%e Mar!in ou%d (e %assed as !ha!. 4! had o&e as no surprise !o "hris !o dis o.er !ha! her aun! had %e#! her !he house. She had (ou$h! i! a#!er >n %e 3o(er!'s dea!h* se%%in$ !he %ar$er proper!y and in.es!in$ !he di##eren e. "hris had a%ways %o.ed !he !ha! hed o!!a$e* despi!e i!s &any in on.enien es* (u! +a! had ha!ed i!. She ne.er #or$a.e her &o!her #or se%%in$ !he %ar$er proper!y* and ons!an!%y o&p%ained a(ou! !heir drop in %i.in$ s!andards. 4n anyone e%se "hris wou%d ha.e denoun ed her ousin's

(eha.iour as (ru!a%%y se%#ish* (u! (e ause o# her hi%dhood ondi!ionin$ "hris was ons!an!%y #indin$ &en!a% e, uses #or her. )%!hou$h !here was one sin she ou%d ne.er #or$i.e her. 4d%y s%idin$ her nai% under !he sea%ed #%ap she e,!ra !ed !he shee!s o# paper inside. 'er hear! !hu&ped as she read !he #irs! %ine* (are%y !a0in$ in i!s &essa$e* her eyes ra in$ (a 0 !o !he (e$innin$ and !ra in$ !he words on e a$ain. 're$re! !o in#or& you o# !he dea!h o# your ousin* +a!a%ie Ja&es nee Bo%!on* and wou%d in#or& you !ha!. 1 @i!hou! readin$ any #ur!her "hris %i#!ed her eyes #ro& !he paper. +a!a%ie deadK She ou%dn'! (e%ie.e i!. She was on%y !wen!y-#our. @ha! had happened/ She $%an ed a! !he da!e on !he %e!!er and her hear! dropped si 0enin$%y. +a!a%ie had (een dead #or si, wee0sK Si, wee0s* durin$ whi h she had !ra.e%%ed #ro& +assau !o 3io* !hen on !o "annes and #ina%%y !o +ew Yor0. She dropped !he %e!!er on !o !he #%oor* #i%%ed wi!h a &i,!ure o# nausea and $ui%!. 'ow o#!en durin$ !he %as! se.en years had she wished +a!a%ie ou! o# e,is!en e/ 'ow o#!en had she prayed !ha! she &i$h! wa0e up and dis o.er !ha! wha! had happened was a%% 9us! a ni$h!&are/ On%y now ou%d she ad&i! !o herse%# !he #reCuen y o# su h !hou$h!s* $enera%%y a#!er she had 9us! had !o poin! ou! !o ye! ano!her &a%e !ha! (ein$ a &ode% did no! &ean !ha! she was a%so a.ai%a(%e as a (ed &a!e. She had ne.er wan!ed her presen! %i#e6 i! had (een !hrus! upon her in a &anner o# spea0in$6 a &eans o# sa%.a$in$ her pride and her di$ni!y* and a%so a &eans o#. o# wha!/ 8s apin$ her own pain/ +o. +o! en!ire%y. 2eep inside her had (een !he una 0now%ed$ed !hou$h! !ha! (y %ea.in$ so&ehow she was $i.in$ so&e!hin$ !o +a!a%ie's un(orn hi%d--S%a!er's hi%d. -he hi%d !ha! shou%d ha.e (een hers. -he door(e%% ran$ and she s%ipped !he in!er o& swi! h au!o&a!i a%%y* sho 0ed ou! o# her in.o%.e&en! wi!h !he pas! when she heard 2anny's #a&i%iar +ew Yor0 a en!. 12anny* 4'& no! ready ye!*1 she apo%o$ised. 4n poin! o# #a ! she had %os! wha! %i!!%e desire she had possessed !o $o ou! wi!h !he (rash +ew Yor0er* who had #or ed his way in!o her %i#e !hree wee0s a$o.

-a%%* #air* $ood %oo0in$* and we%% aware o# his a!!ra !ions 2anny had (een hasin$ her #ro& !he &o&en! o# her arri.a%* and was* "hris was er!ain* supre&e%y on#iden! !ha! in !he end he wou%d a! h her. She* howe.er had o!her ideas. "har&in$ !hou$h 2anny was he ou%dn'! !ou h !he deep inner ore she had %earned !o pro!e ! #ro& !he wor%d. +o &an had !ou hed !ha! sin e S%a!er. -en &inu!es %a!er she was down in !he %o((y wi!h 2anny* !he poise she had %earned o.er !he years o.erin$ her inna!e inner !ur&oi%. -hey were dinin$ ou! wi!h a (usiness asso ia!e o# 2anny's. 'e wan!ed !o show her o## %i0e a hi%d wi!h a new and s!a!us-sy&(o% !oy* i! was an a!!i!ude she had $rown a us!o&ed !o. -hey were !o $o !o a hi * 'in' res!auran!* whi h wou%d (e #u%% o# +ew Yor0 $%i!!era!i* and "hris's spiri!s san0 as she $o! in!o !he !a,i. +a!a%ie deadK 8.en now she ou%d no! !a0e i! in. @ha! had happened/ She wished now she had read !he %e!!er &ore #u%%y* (u! she had (een si&p%y !oo s!unned. She supposed i! was na!ura% !ha! !he so%i i!ors shou%d wri!e !o her as +a!a%ie's %oses! (%ood re%a!i.e a#!er her dau$h!er. She 0new !ha! +a!a%ie had had a $ir%* her aun! had !o%d her* wis!#u%%y* %on$in$ #or an oppor!uni!y !o see her on%y $rand hi%d* (u! 0nowin$ i! wou%d (e denied her. 4# i! hadn'! (een #or 3ay -ho&!on* she herse%# wou%d ha.e had !o s!ay in 7i!!%e Mar!in* endurin$ !he si$h! o# +a!a%ie %i.in$ wi!h S%a!er as his wi#e. She had a %o! !o !han0 3ay #or. S%a!er had ne.er %i0ed hi&. 13ash' he had a%%ed hi&* and in a way i! was !rue. 3ay had &ade his &oney pro&o!in$ pop s!ars. 'e had (een !hir!y-one !o S%a!er's !wen!y-#i.e !hen* #resh #ro& !he 7ondon 's ene' and de#ian!%y (rash. She had %i0ed hi& despi!e i!* a%!hou$h !hen she had !urned down !he 9o( he had o##ered her in !he new %u( he was openin$ in 7ondon. She had !hen on%y 0nown hi& a &a!!er o# &on!hs and ye! he had (een !he one she had !urned !o !ha! ni$h!* when she had dis o.ered +a!a%ie in S%a!er's ar&s. 'e had o&#or!ed her (ra in$%y !hen* 9us! as he had done when +a!a%ie announ ed her pre$nan y. 4! was 3ay who had !o%d her she ou$h! !o (e o&e a &ode%. 4! was 3ay who had in!rodu ed her !o !he prin ipa% o# !he .ery se%e ! 7ondon &ode%%in$ s hoo% where she had !rained. 1) %i!!%e !oo o%d #or a (e$inner' was how Mada&e had des ri(ed her* (u! she had &ore !han repaid 3ay's #ai!h in her. Dor a whi%e he had pursued her* (u! on%y ha%#-hear!ed%y* re o$nisin$ !ha! she was s!i%% #ar !oo (ruised !o on!e&p%a!e pu!!in$ anyone e%se in S%a!er's p%a e.

-hey had 0ep! in !ou h. 3ay was &arried now and %i.ed in "a%i#ornia. "hris %i0ed his wi#e and he had !he &os! adora(%e !wo-year-o%d son. -he e.enin$ dra$$ed on in!er&ina(%y. "hris was aware o# !he sharp* a%&os! disappro.in$ %oo0s 2anny was $i.in$ her* and &ade an e##or! !o 9oin in !he on.ersa!ion. -he o!her !wo &en and !heir wi.es were o(.ious%y i&pressed (o!h (y 2anny and !he res!auran!. -wo ou! o# !hree wasn'! (ad a.era$in$* "hris !hou$h! yni a%%y* wonderin$ wha! sor! o# dea% 2anny was hopin$ !o arran$e wi!h !hese !wo .ery proper Mid@es!ern )&eri ans and !heir wi.es. 2anny was a whee%er- dea%er in !he (es! sense o# !he word6 he !hri.ed on ha%%en$e and rises. "hris ou%d !e%% he was s!i%% annoyed wi!h her when he !oo0 her ho&e. 'e wan!ed !o o&e in wi!h her* (u! she !o%d hi& #ir&%y in !he !a,i !ha! he ou%d no!. 'is (rie# in#a!ua!ion wi!h her was near%y o.er* she re o$nised when he %e! her $e! ou! o# !he a(* (u! !hen wha! had she e,pe !ed/ 4! was hard%y 2anny's #au%! !ha! she didn'! %i.e up !o her i&a$e. She had $rown used !o seein$ her pho!o$raph p%as!ered o.er !he $ossip press* $enera%%y wi!h !ha! o# a asua% da!e* near%y a%ways re#erred !o as her %a!es! ' onCues!'. @ha! wou%d !hose edi!ors say i# !hey 0new !ha! in a !ua% #a ! she was s!i%% a .ir$in/ -he !hou$h! &ade her win e. -ha! she was* was on%y (y .ir!ue o# !he #a ! !ha! +a!a%ie had in!errup!ed S%a!er's %o.e&a0in$. 'e had ursed her ousin !ha! day. -hey had !hou$h! !he&se%.es a%one a! his house. 'e had run$ "hris a! ho&e 9us! (e#ore %un h* and !he sound o# his .oi e had sen! shi.ers runnin$ down her spine. She had 0nown hi& a %on$ !i&e. 'is #a!her had (een #riend%y wi!h her un %e* (u! he had (een away a! >ni.ersi!y and !hen he had wor0ed in )us!ra%ia #or a oup%e o# years preparin$ hi&se%# #or his e.en!ua% !a0e-o.er o# his #a!her's #ar& &a hinery o&pany. 'is #a!her had died o# a hear! a!!a 0 .ery une,pe !ed%y and he had o&e ho&e6 !anned* dar0-haired* hardened (y physi a% wor0* "hris had #e%! an i&&edia!e a!!ra !ion !o hi&. She had (een nine!een* and #a%%in$ in %o.e wi!h hi& was !he &os! e,hi%ara!in$* #ri$h!enin$ !hin$ she had e.er e,perien ed. She had !hou$h! he %o.ed her !oo. 'e had !o%d her he did6 he had spo0en a(ou! !he #u!ure as !hou$h i! was his in!en!ion !ha! !hey shared i!* (u! in !he end i! had a%% &ean! no!hin$. She ou$h! !o ha.e $uessed !ha! day when +a!a%ie sudden%y appeared une,pe !ed%y* (u! she had si&p%y !hou$h! o# i! as ano!her e,a&p%e o#

her ousin's (i!!er 9ea%ousy o# her. She had (een on ho%iday #ro& her 9o( in a %o a% !ra.e% a$en!s. S%a!er had run$ her a! ho&e* su$$es!in$ !hey &e! #or %un h* (u! when he pi 0ed her up* he had !o%d her !hroa!i%y !ha! !he on%y !hin$ he was hun$ry #or was her. She ou%d re&e&(er her e, i!e&en! e.en now* she ou%d a%&os! !as!e !he e,hi%ara!in$ #iLL o# se,ua% desire and in!ense adora!ion. -hey had $one (a 0 !o his house--he had inheri!ed i! #ro& his #a!her a%on$ wi!h !he #a&i%y (usiness6 a $ra ious %a!e Eeor$ian (ui%din$* no! o.er-%ar$e* wi!h a war&* ho&e%y a!&osphere !ha! "hris %o.ed. She hadn'! onsidered !hen how wea%!hy S%a!er was6 she had si&p%y (een a $ir% deep%y in %o.e #or !he #irs! !i&e in her %i#e. 4# S%a!er had !a0en her !o !he !inies! o# !erra ed houses she wou%d ha.e #e%! !he sa&e. -hey hadn'! e.en wai!ed !o $o ups!airs* she re&e&(ered pain#u%%y. S%a!er had opened !he door !o !he o&#or!a(%e %i.in$ roo&* and she had (een in his ar&s (e#ore i! %osed (ehind !he&* ea$er%y respondin$ !o his 0isses* !re&(%in$ wi!h !he desire sur$in$ !hrou$h her (ody. -hey had 0issed (e#ore* and he had aressed her* (u! !hey had ne.er a !ua%%y &ade %o.e. S%a!er 0new !ha! she was a .ir$in. 'e had as0ed her* and she had answered hi& hones!%y. She had i&a$ined !hen !here had (een !enderness as we%% as an!i ipa!ion in his eyes (u! o# ourse* i&a$ina!ion was a%% i! had (een. -hey had (een %yin$ on !he se!!ee when !hey were in!errup!ed (y +a!a%ie. "hris's (%ouse had (een un#as!ened* her (reas!s !ender and aroused (y S%a!er's 0isses. +a!a%ie had (urs! in on !he& o&p%e!e%y une,pe !ed%y* ha%# hys!eri a% as she a used "hris o# de%i(era!e%y &is%eadin$ her a(ou! her p%ans #or !he day. -he on%y way "hris had (een a(%e !o a%& her down was !o $o ho&e wi!h her. S%a!er* she re&e&(ered had (een !au!%y an$ry* and she had !hou$h! !hen i! was (e ause he resen!ed her on ern #or +a!a%ie. 'ad he e.en !hen (een &a0in$ %o.e !o her ousin as we%%/ @ha! wou%d ha.e happened i# +a!a%ie had no! in!errup!ed when she did/ @ha! wou%d he ha.e done i# he had &ade (o!h o# !he& pre$nan!/ 'ys!eri a% !ension (u((%ed pain#u%%y in her !hroa!. Perhaps !hey ou%d ha.e !ossed a oin #or hi&/ -he pain $rew sharper and she suppressed i! #ro& #or e o# ha(i!. 2ear Eod* e.en now a#!er se.en' years !he !hou$h! o# hi& s!i%% &ade her

a he* (o!h e&o!iona%%y and physi a%%y. She had ne.er !ru%y $o! o.er hi&--or &ore !ru!h#u%%y* she had ne.er !ru%y re o.ered #ro& !he (%ow o# dis o.erin$ he was no! !he &an she had (e%ie.ed. +o! on%y had she su##ered a $rue%%in$ sense o# re9e !ion* she had a%so had !o endure !he 0now%ed$e !ha! her 9ud$&en! was $ross%y a! #au%!. She wou%d ne.er #or$e! !he day +a!a%ie a&e !o her and !o%d her !he !ru!h. 4! was 9us! a wee0 a#!er she had seen her ousin in S%a!er's ar&s. She had (een wor0in$ a%% day* and nor&a%%y S%a!er pi 0ed her up a#!er wor0. On !his o asion !hou$h* !he $ir% she wor0ed wi!h !o%d her !ha! S%a!er's se re!ary had run$ and %e#! a &essa$e as0in$ her !o $o s!rai$h! round !o his house. She had no ar o# her own* and i! was a !wo &i%e wa%0* (u! "hris had (een !oo &u h in %o.e !o onsider !ha! &u h o# an o(s!a %e. )! S%a!er's house !hey wou%d (e a%one. So&e!hin$ he had see&ed !o a.oid sin e +a!a%ie in!errup!ed !he&. She 0new he was ha.in$ pro(%e&s wi!h !he o&pany6 a &a!!er o# se urin$ a .ery i&por!an! order whi h was .i!a% !o i!s on!inued e,is!en e and had pu! his (eha.iour down !o !his. 'is ar had (een par0ed in !he dri.e when she arri.ed* and #or so&e reason* whi h e.en now she ou%d no! rea%%y unders!and* ins!ead o# rin$in$ !he #ron! door (e%% she had de ided !o surprise hi& (y wa%0in$ in !hrou$h !he si!!in$ roo& and $a.e her an unin!errup!ed .iew o# !he se!!ee and i!s o upan!s. 'er who%e (ody had $one o%d as she re o$nised her ousin's dar0 head nes!%ed a$ains! S%a!er's shou%der* her ar&s were round his ne 0* his head (en! o.er hers. "hris hadn'! wai!ed !o see any &ore. On sha0y %e$s she had wa%0ed away* diLLy wi!h si 0ness and pain* una(%e !o o&e !o !er&s wi!h wha! she had 9us! wi!nessed. She wen! ho&e and ran$ S%a!er #ro& !here !o !e%% hi& !ha! she wasn'! #ee%in$ we%%* hopin$ a$ains! hope he wou%d &en!ion +a!a%ie's presen e6 !ha! !here was so&e e,p%ana!ion #or wha! she had seen* o!her !han !he o(.ious* (u! he hadn'!. +a!a%ie had re!urned &any hours %a!er* her #a e pa%e* and her eyes s&ud$ed* her who%e (earin$ one o# .indi !i.e !riu&ph and "hris 0new !ha! so&ehow +a!a%ie 0new wha! she had wi!nessed. 4! was ne.er &en!ioned (y ei!her o# !he&* a! %eas! no! !hen* and "hris had de!er&ined%y re#used !o a ep! any o# S%a!er's a%%s in !he wee0 !ha! #o%%owed* !oo hur! !o e.en on#ide in her aun!. 7a!er she was $%ad she had no! done so.

+e.er in a !housand years wou%d she #or$e! her sho 0 and pain when +a!a%ie a&e ho&e and announ ed !ha! she was e,pe !in$ S%a!er's hi%d. She had on%y !o%d "hris a! !ha! s!a$e* $%oa!in$ o.er her pain* .io%en!%y !riu&phan!* a%&os! hys!eri a% wi!h p%easure. 'er ousin had a%ways (een .o%a!i%e* "hris re&e&(ered* a%ways su(9e ! !o e&o!iona% 'hi$hs' and '%ows'6 dan$erous%y so* perhaps. She had no! $o! in !ou h wi!h S%a!er. -he on%y !hin$ %e#! #or her now was her pride and her pro#ound !han0#u%ness !ha! she wou%d no! share +a!a%ie's #a!e6 a! %eas! she had !o%d herse%# i! was !han0#u%ness. 8.en now pain speared her when she !hou$h! o# S%a!er's hi%d* (u! she dis&issed i!* #or in$ herse%# !o re&e&(er !he e.en!s o# !ha! !rau&a!i day. Jus! as soon as she ou%d es ape #ro& +a!a%ie she had $one ou!* si&p%y wa%0in$ herse%# in!o a s!a!e o# nu&( e,haus!ion* and !ha! was how 3ay had #ound her. She hadn'! e.en rea%ised how #ar she had wa%0ed or !ha! i! was $e!!in$ dar0. 'e had !a0en her ho&e wi!h hi&* and a%!hou$h he had Cues!ioned her %ose%y* a%% she wou%d !e%% hi& was !ha! she wan!ed !o $e! away #ro& 7i!!%e Mar!in. -ha! was when he had &ade his su$$es!ion !ha! she shou%d !a0e up &ode%%in$ as a areer. Pre.ious%y she had on%y 0nown hi& asua%%y* (u! now she #ound hi& a war& and he%p#u% #riend. @hen "hris &en!ioned +a!a%ie's na&e (rie#%y* no! wan!in$ !o !e%% hi& !he !ru!h. 3ay had %oo0ed an$ry* and she had $ained !he i&pression !ha! he did no! %i0e her. -ha! a%one had (een su##i ien! !o underwri!e her !rus! in hi&* and i! was a !rus! !ha! had ne.er (een &isp%a ed* un%i0e !ha! she had had #or S%a!er. She had %e#! !ha! ni$h! #or 7ondon wi!h 3ay* and had wri!!en !o her aun! !he ne,! day* e,p%ainin$ !ha! she had worried !ha! her aun! &i$h! dissuade her #ro& %ea.in$* $i.in$ !his as an e,p%ana!ion #or her unp%anned depar!ure. ) &on!h %a!er +a!a%ie and S%a!er were &arried. 'er aun! was (o!h s!unned and on erned. 1She's so youn$* "hris*1 she had si$hed* '#ar !oo youn$ #or &arria$e* (u! perhaps S%a!er.. 1 she had (ro0en o## !o #rown and say Cuie!%y. 1My dear 4 0now !ha! you and S%a!er...1 1@e're #riends* no!hin$ &ore*1 "hris had Cui 0%y assured her* has!i%y han$in$ !he su(9e !* !e%%in$ her aun! a(ou! her new %i#e and &a0in$ i! sound #ar &ore e, i!in$ !han i! a !ua%%y was.

She had wor0ed hard #or !wo years* (e#ore sudden%y (e o&in$ no!i ed* and was now $%ad !ha! she had no! a ep!ed any o# !he &ore du(ious assi$n&en!s !ha! had o&e her way in !hose ear%y days. +o &a$aLine was e.er $oin$ !o (e a(%e !o prin! '$ir%y' pho!o$raphs o# her si&p%y (e ause none had e.er (een !a0en. She had heard #ro& +a!a%ie on e* !ha! was a%%. ) !aun!in$ %e!!er* des ri(in$ in de!ai% her happiness wi!h S%a!er* and his wi!h her. 14! was .ery wise o# you !o %ea.e when you did*1 +a!a%ie had wri!!en. 1You sa.ed S%a!er !he ne essi!y o# !e%%in$ you he didn'! wan! you any &ore.1 "hris hadn'! (o!hered rep%yin$ and she had ne.er heard #ro& ei!her o# !he& sin e. +ow +a!a%ie was dead. 4! !oo0 her a %on$ !i&e !o $e! !o s%eep* i&a$es #ro& !he pas! haun!in$ her* and !hen when* a! %as! she did* !he i&pa!ien! 9an$%in$ o# !he !e%ephone roused her. 'er roo& was in dar0ness* and #or a #ew se onds she was !oo disorien!a!ed !o do any!hin$ (u! si&p%y %is!en !o !he shri%% su&&ons o# !he 'phone. )! %as! she &ade a &o.e !o answer i!. -he risp%y pre ise 8n$%ish a en! on !he o!her end o# !he %ine surprised her (y soundin$ a%&os! un#a&i%iar* &a0in$ her re&e&(er how %on$ i! was sin e she had .isi!ed her own oun!ry. 1Dha.e Mr. S&i!h #or you*1 !he risp .oi e announ ed* !he %ine $oin$ dead* (e#ore "hris heard !he ponderous !ones o# her aun!'s so%i i!or. 1"hris &y dear how are you/1 1'a%# as%eep*1 she !o%d hi& dri%y. 12o you rea%ise wha! !i&e i! is here/1 1)nd do you rea%ise we'.e (een !ryin$ !o $e! in !ou h wi!h you #or !he %as! si, wee0s*1 he re!a%ia!ed. 14'.e pra !i a%%y had !o su(poena your a$en! !o $e! !his address ou! o# her. "hris* i! isn'! %i0e you !o (e so di%a!ory... 4'd e,pe !ed !o hear #ro& you (e#ore now.1

'e &us! &ean a(ou! +a!a%ie's dea!h* "hris rea%ised* sudden%y o&in$ awa0e. 14 on%y $o! your %e!!er !oday*1 she !o%d hi&. 14! &us! ha.e (een #o%%owin$ &e round. @ha! happened/ 'ow did +a!a%ie...1 1-he oroner's .erdi ! was sui ide whi%e !he (a%an e o# her &ind was dis!ur(ed*1 she heard -o& S&i!h sayin$* !he words rea hin$ her s!upe#ied (rain on%y .ery s%ow%y. 14 did !e%% you !ha! in &y %e!!er* &y dear. Your ousin a%ways was a &i!e un(a%an ed* 4'& a#raid. Your aun! re o$nised !ha! #a ! and i! used !o ause her onsidera(%e on ern. 3o(er!'s &o!her had a si&i%ar !e&pera&en!.1 Sin e -o& S&i!h had 0nown !he #a&i%y #or &any years "hris did no! dispu!e his o&&en!s. Sui ideK -he word see&ed !o re.er(era!e pain#u%%y inside her s0u%%* resurre !in$ a%% her hi%dhood pro!e !i.e ins!in !s !owards her ousin. 1@hy/ +a!a%ie had had e.ery!hin$ !o %i.e #or* a hus(and* a hi%d...1 14! see&s !ha! your ousin had (een su##erin$ #ro& depression #or a %on$ !i&e.1 -o& S&i!h #ur!her sho 0ed her (y sayin$. 3e&orse* ho! and sharp* seared !hrou$h her. 'ad +a!a%ie needed her* wan!ed her/ "ou%d she ha.e he%ped her ousin. Pain &in$%ed wi!h $ui%!6 her ani&osi!y !owards +a!a%ie #or$o!!en* a%% her (i!!erness dire !ed !owards S%a!er. Perhaps he had (een as un#ai!h#u% !o +a! as he had her/ She shou%d ne.er ha.e (%a&ed her ousin #or wha! had happened6 +a! had (een an i&pressiona(%e se.en!een. S%a!er a &a!ure !wen!y-#i.e. 'a!red (urned whi!e ho! inside her* he had ro((ed her o# e.ery!hin$ she !hou$h! hi%dish%y* a%% her i%%usions6 her un(orn hi%dren* and now her on%y re%a!i.e. +o* no! Cui!e her on%y re%a!i.e* she rea%ised #rownin$. -here was +a!'s %i!!%e $ir%. Sophie. 1'ow is Sophie !a0in$ i!/1 she as0ed -o& S&i!h au!o&a!i a%%y* .oi in$ !he words a%&os! (e#ore she rea%ised she was $oin$ !o. She had de%i(era!e%y he%d herse%# a%oo# #ro& a%% 0now%ed$e o# Sophie* una(%e !o on!e&p%a!e !he pain o# 0nowin$ she was S%a!er's hi%d--!he hi%d she had wan!ed !o $i.e hi&. 1-ha!'s why 4'& rin$in$ you*1 -o& S&i!h !o%d her* #ur!her s!unnin$

her. 1She's a%ways (een a .ery wi!hdrawn* in!ro.er!ed hi%d* (u! now 4'& a#raid !here's ause #or serious on ern. Sophie hasn'! spo0en a sin$%e word sin e her &o!her died.1 Pi!y #or her un0nown nie e #%ooded "hris* !ears s!in$in$ her eyes as she !hou$h! o# !he hi%d's an$uish. 1+a!a%ie wou%dn'! ha.e na&ed you as Sophie's $uardian i# she hadn'! wan!ed !o do so. 4 0now i!'s as0in$ a %o! o# you* "hris* (u! 4 rea%%y !hin0 you shou%d o&e ho&e and see !he hi%d.1 EuardianK She was Sophie's $uardian/ "hris ou%dn'! !a0e i! in. 'er hand was s%ippery where i! $ripped !he re ei.er* a%% her o%d dou(!s and pain o&in$ (a 0* on%y !o (e su(&er$ed (y a wa.e o# pi!y #or +a!a%ie's hi%d. 1Bu! sure%y S%a!er...1 she (e$an hus0i%y* 0nowin$ !ha! S%a!er ou%d ne.er wi%%in$%y ha.e a$reed !o +a!a%ie's de ision !o appoin! her as his hi%d's $uardian. 1S%a!er is wi%%in$ !o !ry any!hin$ !ha! &i$h! he%p Sophie*1 -o& S&i!h as!ounded her (y sayin$. 1'e's despera!e* "hris.1 -here was a hin! o# reproa h in his .oi e* and $ui%!i%y "hris re&e&(ered !he unread pa$es o# his %e!!er* whi h she had dis arded. 12id you wri!e !o &e a(ou! !his/1 she as0ed. 14 se! e.ery!hin$ ou! in &y %e!!er*1 he a$reed pa!ien!%y. 14 was .ery surprised when +a!a%ie a&e !o see &e nine &on!hs a$o and said !ha! she wan!ed !o appoin! you as Sophie's $uardian* (u! she was so insis!en! !ha! 4 a$reed. 4# on%y 4'd %oo0ed &ore deep%y in!o her reasonin$ 4 &i$h! ha.e rea%ised how i%% she was* (u! she see&ed so a%& and reasona(%e. 'er own e,perien e o# %osin$ her #a!her had &ade her aware o# how inse ure a hi%d ou%d #ee% wi!h on%y one paren!6 i# any!hin$ shou%d happen !o her she wan!ed !o (e sure !ha! Sophie wou%d a%ways ha.e so&eone she ou%d !urn !o. 14 had no idea !hen o# ourse* !ha! she hadn'! dis ussed her in!en!ions wi!h S%a!er* or indeed !ha! you weren'! aware o# !he&.

-here's no!hin$ %e$a%%y (indin$ on you* o# ourse* and na!ura%%y S%a!er wi%% on!inue !o (rin$ up his dau$h!er* (u! a! !he &o&en! he see&s una(%e !o rea h her. She needs he%p* "hris* and you &i$h! (e !he on%y person who an he%p her. 1 1Bu! 4'& a s!ran$er !o her*1 "hris pro!es!ed* rea%isin$ #u%%y wha! -o& was as0in$ o# her. 'ow ou%d she re!urn !o 7i!!%e Mar!in/ 'ow ou%d she endure !he si$h! o# S%a!er's hi%d6 o# S%a!er hi&se%#. (u! no* she was o.er !ha! you!h#u% in#a!ua!ion. She 0new hi& now #or wha! he was* a wea0 &an !oo .ain !o resis! !he oppor!uni!y !o sedu e a !rus!in$ se.en!een-year-o%d. 'ad he rea%%y %o.ed +a!a%ie or had he si&p%y &arried her (e ause he had had !o/ She had had a %u 0y es ape "hris !o%d herse%#. She ou%d ha.e (een +a!a%ie* rushed (y &arria$e !o a hus(and who didn'! %o.e her* !rapped. She was %e!!in$ her i&a$ina!ion run away wi!h her* "hris !o%d herse%#. She had no reason !o suppose !ha! S%a!er did no! %o.e +a!a%ie* perhaps i! was e.en wish#u% !hin0in$K +oK +e.erK 1@e%% "hris/1 14'& o&in$ ho&e.1 4! wasn'! wha! she had in!ended !o say a! a%%* (u! now !he words were ou! !hey ou%d no! (e re!ra !ed. 1Eood $ir%.1 -o& S&i!h's .oi e appro.ed* and "hris shi.ered wonderin$ wha! !rain o# e.en!s she had se! in &o!ion. She didn'! wan! !o $o (a 0 !o 7i!!%e Mar!in6 she didn'! wan! !o see S%a!er or his hi%d. -he pas! was ano!her oun!ry6 and one she had sworn she wou%d ne.er re-.isi!* (u! i! was !oo %a!e now* she was a%ready o&&i!!ed6 o&&i!!ed !o a hi%d she had ne.er seen* and re&e&(erin$ ins!an es o# +a!a%ie's .indi !i.eness* she wondered &o&en!ari%y 9us! why her ousin had na&ed her as her hi%d's $uardian. -his !hou$h! was (rushed aside a%&os! ins!an!%y (y a #%ood o# $ui%!. 4# +a!a%ie had (een 9ea%ous o# her* hadn'! she (een 9ea%ous !oo in !urn/ 'adn'! she #e%! a%&os! ready !o 0i%% her ousin when she saw her in S%a!er's ar&s. She si$hed. )%% !ha! was o.er now* +a!a%ie was dead* and in !he end* #or wha!e.er reason* her ousin had en!rus!ed !o her are her hi%d* and she ou%d no! in a%% honour i$nore !ha! har$e* i# on%y #or her aun!'s sa0e.

"')P-83 -@O %ess !han !hir!y-si, hours %a!er when she s!epped o## a 'p%ane a! 'ea!hrow* "hris s!i%% wasn'! sure Cui!e how she had $o! !here. ) (rie# a%% !o her a$en! e,p%ainin$ !he si!ua!ion had resu%!ed in !he an e%%a!ion o# se.era% o# her assi$n&en!s and !he pos!pone&en! o# o!hers. 4! was a !es!i&ony !o her su ess !ha! !his was a%%owed !o happen* her a$en! !o%d her dri%y when she ran$ #ro& 7ondon !o !e%% "hris wha! she had done. 7ondon was &u h oo%er !han +ew Yor0. -o sa.e herse%# !he hass%e o# a o&p%i a!ed !rain 9ourney "hris had e%e !ed !o !ra.e% !o 7i!!%e Mar!in (y !a,i. -he a((ie raised his eye(rows a %i!!%e when she e,p%ained where she wan!ed !o $o. -he #are* wou%d* she 0new* (e as!rono&i a%* (u! !ha! was !he %eas! o# her worries ri$h! now. 'ad she done !he ri$h! !hin$/ -i&e a%one ou%d answer !ha!. She had a !ed i&pu%si.e%y* rare #or her !hese days* %is!enin$ !o !he .oi e o# her ons ien e ra!her !han %o$i . Sophie did no! 0now her and i! was a%&os!6 ri&ina%%y s!upid !o i&a$ine !he hi%d wou%d respond !o her when she ou%d or wou%d no! !o her own #a!her. "%osin$ her eyes "hris %eaned (a 0 in!o her sea!* unaware o# her dri.er's appre ia!i.e s ru!iny o# her !hrou$h his rear .iew &irror. 'er %o!hes were si&p%e* (u! undenia(%y e,pensi.e* and !he a((ie wondered wha! i! was !ha! !oo0 her !o su h a re&o!e par! o# !he oun!ry in su h a rush. She wasn'! wearin$ any rin$s. 4! was !hree o' %o 0 when !he !a,i deposi!ed her a! S%a!er's house. She hadn'! 0nown where e%se !o $o* and sin e -o& S&i!h had !o%d her !ha! S%a!er wou%d (e e,pe !in$ her i! had see&ed !he sensi(%e !hin$ !o do. She had on%y (rou$h! one ase wi!h her. -he %o a% es!a!e a$en! had !he 0eys !o !he o!!a$e she had inheri!ed #ro& her aun! and she p%anned !o o%%e ! !he& %a!er on. -he o!!a$e wou%d &a0e an idea% (ase #or her whi%s! she !ried !o $e! !o 0now Sophie and de ided wha! !o do. 4! had a! one !i&e (een %e! ou! (u! !he pas! !enan!s had %e#! so&e !i&e a$o and now i! was e&p!y. 'er rin$ on !he door(e%% produ ed no response and as she wai!ed #or so&eone !o appear "hris a 0now%ed$ed !ha! a! %eas! so&e o# !he !ension in#i%!ra!in$ her (ody was aused (y !he !hou$h! o# &ee!in$ S%a!er. -he house see&ed deser!ed and she ran$ a$ain* #rownin$ when !here was no response. -o& had assured her !ha! S%a!er wou%d (e !here. 'e wan!ed !o see her (e#ore she saw Sophie* so -o& had said. Si$hin$ she !ried !he door hand%e* ha%# surprised when i! !urned easi%y in her

hand. -he &o&en! she s!epped in!o !he ha%% &e&ories #%ooded !hrou$h her6 she had o#!en .isi!ed !he house wi!h her aun! and un %e who had (een #riends wi!h S%a!er's paren!s* (u! &os! o# her &e&ories s!e&&ed #ro& !hose (rie# &on!hs when she had &e! S%a!er here* when &ere%y !o y %e down !he dri.e and arri.e a! !he house had sen! diLLyin$ e, i!e&en! spira%%in$ !hrou$h her .eins. 4! had (een in !his ha%% !ha! he had #irs! 0issed her !he a#!ernoon she had o&e on so&e now #or$o!!en &ission #ro& her aun!. S%a!er had !a0en her (y surprise* and she had (een !oo s!unned !o resis!. 'e had see&ed ha%# sho 0ed hi&se%#* (u! he had re o.ered .ery Cui 0%y* &a0in$ so&e !easin$ re&ar0 a(ou! her (ein$ !oo pre!!y !o resis!. -ha! had (een !he s!ar! o# i!.. She si$hed* $%an in$ an,ious%y round !he pane%%ed roo&. @here was S%a!er/ She a%%ed his na&e dou(!#u%%y* shi.erin$ a %i!!%e in her !hin si%0 dress. @ha! had (een war& enou$h in +ew Yor0 was #ar #ro& adeCua!e here a! ho&e* despi!e !he #a ! !ha! i! was June. -he si!!in$-roo& door was ha%# open and drawn (y so&e #or e $rea!er !han her wi%% "hris wa%0ed !owards i!* a%&os! in a !ran e. 4! had (een here in !his roo& !ha! a%% her (ri$h!* #oo%ish drea&s had (een des!royed. 7i0e a s%eepwa%0er she wa%0ed inside* surprised !o #ind how %i!!%e had han$ed. +a!a%ie had %oa!hed !he house's !radi!iona% de or and she had ha%# e,pe !ed !o #ind e.ery!hin$ di##eren!. -he sun shone rosi%y !hrou$h !he #ren h windows* %ear%y re.ea%in$ !he #ea!ures o# !he &an s!re! hed ou! on !he se!!ee and "hris a&e !o an a(rup! ha%!* her (rea!hin$ une,pe !ed%y ons!ri !ed* a%&os! un(eara(%y ons ious o# !he air (urnin$ her s0in* as !hou$h so&eone had ripped o## an en!ire %ayer and %e#! her e,posed !o unendura(%e pain. -he sho 0 o# seein$ S%a!er was a !housand !i&es worse !han she had en.isa$ed* and i! &a!!ered %i!!%e !ha! he was o(%i.ious !o her presen e* apparen!%y #as! as%eep. Sudden%y !he in!er.enin$ years &ean! no!hin$* !he sophis!i a!ed she%% o# pro!e !ion she had $rown round her durin$ !he& disso%.in$ and %ea.in$ her a u!e%y .u%nera(%e. 'is hair was s!i%% un&ar0ed (y $rey* !hi 0%y (%a 0 and ru##%ed* his #ra&e s!i%% as %ean%y power#u% e.en in s%eep. 'is eyes were %osed* %ines she didn'! re&e&(er #annin$ ou! #ro& !he&. 'is &ou!h ur%ed downwards* a deep yni is& ar.ed in!o his s0in !ha! she didn'! re a%%* and !ha! sho 0ed her (y i!s une,pe !edness. 'is #a e was !he #a e o# a &an who had su##ered pain and disi%%usion&en!* or so i! see&ed as she %oo0ed a! hi&* and ye! where she shou%d ha.e #e%! $%ad !ha! !his was so* his appearan e &ade her hear! a he. Se.en years and Eod a%one 0new

how &any !housand &i%es* !hey had (een apar!* and ye! as she %oo0ed a! hi& "hris #ound her rea !ion !o hi& as in!ense and pain#u% as i! had (een so %on$ a$o. She ou%dn'! possi(%y s!i%% %o.e hi&6 !ha! was ridi u%ous* no* wha! she was e,perien in$ now was so&e!hin$ a0in !o de9a .u. 4! was on%y !he sho 0 o# seein$ hi& so une,pe !ed%y !ha! aused !his rea !ion.. She &us! re&e&(er !ha! he was no! and ne.er had (een !he &an she had !hou$h! hi&. She had in.es!ed hi& wi!h Cua%i!ies* .ir!ues !ha! he had ne.er possessed. >naware o# wha! she was doin$* she &o.ed %oser !o hi&. -iredness was deep%y in$rained in his #ea!ures. )s she &o.ed so&e!hin$ %in0ed a$ains! her shoe and she $%an ed downward !o see a ha%#-e&p!y (o!!%e o# whis0y and a $%ass. S%a!er had (een drin0in$/ She #rowned* and !hen re&inded herse%# !ha! he was a &an whose wi#e had on%y re en!%y o&&i!!ed sui ide* and !ha! wha!e.er his #ee%in$s #or +a!a%ie* !here &us! (e so&e #ee%in$s o# pain and $ui%! inside hi&. 'e &o.ed* #rownin$ in his s%eep and !he ushion on whi h he was res!in$ his head s%ipped on !o !he #%oor. "hris (en! au!o&a!i a%%y !o re!rie.e i!* (a%an in$ herse%# a$ains! !he ed$e o# !he se!!ee. 'er #in$ers (rushed a iden!a%%y a$ains! S%a!er's wris! and he 9er0ed away as !hou$h !he %i$h! on!a ! s!un$. 'is shir! was open a! !he !hroa!* and she ou%d see !he dar0 hair shadowin$ his s0in* !hi 0er now !han she re&e&(ered* or was i! si&p%y !ha! a! nine!een she had (een %ess a!!uned !o sheer &as u%ine se,ua%i!y !han she was now. 'er hear! s!ar!ed !o !hu&p hea.i%y and she (e$an !o draw away* $aspin$ wi!h sho 0 as S%a!er's #in$ers sudden%y %osed round her wris!. 'is eyes were s!i%% %osed* a deep #rown s orin$ his #orehead. 'is !hu&( s!ro0ed ur$en!%y o.er !he pu%se in her wris!* and "hris didn'! 0now wha! sho 0ed her !he &os!6 his aress or her response !o i!. 'e was s!i%% deep%y as%eep and she dropped !o her 0nees a! his side* $en!%y !ryin$ !o prise his #in$ers away wi!hou! wa0in$ hi&. )n$er and !ension (rou$h! a he !i #%ush o# o%our !o her s0in. Se.en years when she had %earned !o de#end herse%# a$ains! e.ery aw0ward si!ua!ion !here was* and ye! here she was redu ed !o !he s!a!us o# an e&(arrassed ado%es en!* si&p%y (e ause a &an he%d her wris! in his s%eep. Bu! S%a!er wasn'! si&p%y any &an* she a 0now%ed$ed (i!!er%y and her o&(ined e&(arrass&en! and pain spran$ no! so &u h #ro& !he #a ! !ha! he was !ou hin$ her* s!ar!%in$ !hou$h her rea !ion !o !ha! !ou h was* as #ro& !he 0now%ed$e !ha! he undou(!ed%y (e%ie.ed she was so&eone e%se6 perhaps +a!a%ie* perhaps no!. She ou%dn'! re%ease his

#in$ers. She wou%d ha.e !o wa0e hi& up. 4nward%y #u&in$* ou!ward%y o&posed* she %eaned o.er hi&* !ryin$ no! !o ad&i! her awareness o# !he s&oo!h #ir&ness o# his #%esh (enea!h his shir!-s%ee.e as she !ou hed his ar&. -he &o&en! she shoo0 hi& his eyes #%ew open. She had #or$o!!en how &es&eri !hey ou%d (e* !opaL one &o&en!* $o%d !he ne,!. -hey s!ared s!rai$h! in!o hers. 1"hrissie...1 'e s!ar!ed !o s&i%e* !he #in$ers o# his #ree hand s%idin$ in!o her hair and uppin$ !he (a 0 o# her head. -oo s!ar!%ed !o resis!* "hris #e%! hi& prope% her !owards hi&. 'er eyes %osed au!o&a!i a%%y* her %ips par!in$ in an!i ipa!ion o# his 0iss. She &i$h! a%&os! ne.er ha.e (een away. 'is 0iss was !ender and power#u%6 she was nine!een a$ain Cui.erin$ on !he (rin0 o# wo&anhood* wan!in$ hi& and ye! #ri$h!ened o# !ha! wan!in$ and his 0iss !o%d her !ha! he 0new a%% !his and unders!ood i!. She (are%y had !i&e !o re$is!er !hese #a !s (e#ore his ho%d sudden%y !i$h!ened* his eyes (%aLin$ (urn! $o%d in!o hers as he wi!hdrew #ro& her. "hris (%in0ed* s%ower !han he was !o &a0e !he !ransi!ion #ro& pas! !o presen!* un!i% she saw !he (i!in$ on!e&p! in his eyes and re o$nised !ha! when he had 0issed her he had no! (een #u%%y awa0e6 no! #u%%y aware o# wha! he was doin$. 1So you #ina%%y a&e.1 'e re%eased her and was on his #ee!* whi%s! she s!i%% 0ne%! nu&(%y on !he #%oor. 14 suppose we ou$h! !o (e honoured* (u! 4'& sure you'%% #or$i.e us i# we don'! (rin$ ou! !he #a!!ed a%#. @ha! (rou$h! you (a 0* "hrissie/ Eui%!/ "uriosi!y/1 Jus! a(ou! !o !e%% hi& !ha! she had on%y 9us! %earned o# +a!a%ie's dea!h* "hris s!u&(%ed !o her #ee! as she heard sounds ou!side. -he si!!in$-roo& door opened and a s&i%in$ p%u&p wo&an in her #i#!ies wa%0ed in ho%din$ !he hand o# a s&a%% hi%d. "hris (rea!hed in sharp%y. So !his was her nie e.. +a!a%ie's hi%d. S%a!er's hi%d. She ou%dn'! endure !o %oo0 a! hi& as she s!udied !he %i!!%e $ir%* and 0new ins!in !i.e%y why +a!a%ie had na&ed her as $uardian* 9us! as she 0new !ha! her ousin's de ision had no! (een &o!i.a!ed (y any o# !he $en!%er e&o!ions. +a!a%ie had no! han$ed* she

de ided he%p%ess%y* s!udyin$ !he s&a%% #a e so %i0e her own6 !he un!idy honey-(%onde hair* and !he $enera% air o# dis&a% hope%essness a(ou! !he hi%d. By so&e un0ind Cuir0 o# #a!e Sophie ou%d &ore easi%y ha.e passed #or her dau$h!er !han +a!a%ie's* a%!hou$h un%i0e "hris she had (rown eyes. "hris #rowned. +a!a%ie had had (%ue eyes* and S%a!er's were a&(er-$o%d. +o one as #ar as she 0new in ei!her #a&i%y had possessed !ha! s!ri0in$ o&(ina!ion o# (%onde hair and .e%.e!-(rown eyes* and ye! i! was #a&i%iar !o her* so &u h so !ha! i! !u$$ed e%usi.e%y a! her &e&ory. 1-here you are* Sophie*1 her o&panion said (ri$h!%y* 14 !o%d you you were $oin$ !o ha.e a .isi!or didn'! 4/1 -he hi%d &ade no response* no! e.en !o !he e,!en! o# %oo0in$ a! her* "hris rea%ised sad%y. 14 ha.e !o $o and $e! so&e shoppin$ now Mr. Ja&es*1 she added !o S%a!er. 1-ha!'s #ine* Mrs. 7an as!er. 1You'.e &ade up a roo& #or our .isi!or* 4 !a0e i!/1 1-he %ar$e $ues! roo&*1 Mrs. 7an as!er !o%d "hris wi!h a s&i%e* addin$ reassurin$%y !o Sophie. 14'%% (e (a 0 in !i&e #or !ea* Sophie* and !hen perhaps !oni$h! your aun! wi%% read your s!ory !o you.1 On e a$ain !here was no response. "hris a hed !o pi 0 !he hi%d up and hu$ her. She %oo0ed so pi!i#u%%y .u%nera(%e* so %os!* and hur! so&ehow* and ye! she sensed !ha! i! wou%d (e (es! no! !o approa h her. She #rowned as she re&e&(ered wha! S%a!er had said a(ou! a roo& #or her. She &us! !e%% hi& !ha! she wou%d (e s!ayin$ a! !he o!!a$e. She $%an ed a! her wa! h* re&e&(erin$ !ha! she s!i%% had !o o%%e ! !he 0eys. 1Bored wi!h us a%ready/1 S%a!er draw%ed sardoni a%%y. "hris saw Sophie on ea% a (e!rayin$ win e a! her #a!her's !one and she #rowned* wonderin$ wha! had aused !he hi%d's rea !ion. 'ad S%a!er perhaps o#!en spo0en !o +a!a%ie in !ha! sar as!i .oi e/

"hi%dren saw and #e%! &ore !han !heir paren!s $a.e !he& redi! #or* (u! she ou%d hard%y Cues!ion S%a!er on his re%a!ionship wi!h her ousin. 2id he 0now why +a!a%ie had appoin!ed her as Sophie's o-$uardian/ She $%an ed a! hi& (i!!er%y. Perhaps he had shared +a!a%ie's resen!&en! !ha! !heir hi%d shou%d so &u h #a.our her. She shuddered !o !hin0 o# !he s&a%% un 0indnesses Sophie ou%d ha.e su##ered a! +a!a%ie's hands6 !or&en!s re&e&(ered #ro& her own hi%dhood* and !hen re&inded herse%# !ha! Sophie was +a!a%ie's hi%d* and !ha! as usua% she was %e!!in$ her i&a$ina!ion run away wi!h her. "hris %oo0ed up !o #ind Sophie s!udyin$ her wari%y* as she rep! %oser !o her #a!her. 'is hand rea hed ou! !o en#o%d her s&a%%er one* !he s&i%e he $a.e her was reassurin$. ) hu$e %u&p %osed o## "hris's !hroa!. She had (een wron$ a(ou! one !hin$ a! %as!. Pa!en!%y S%a!er did %o.e his s&a%% dau$h!er--.ery &u h. -here was pain as we%% as %o.e in !he $o%d eyes as !hey s!udied !he s&a%% pa%e #a e. 14 an'! !hin0 why +a!a%ie spe i#ied !ha! 4 was !o (e her $uardian*1 "hris &ur&ured un $uarded%y )%&os! a! on e S%a!er's e,pression hardened. 1"an'! you/1 he said ur!%y. Sophie !ensed* and as !hou$h he sensed her dis!ress* he s!opped spea0in$* s&i%in$ war&%y a! !he hi%d (e#ore on!inuin$* 14'd (e!!er show you !o your roo&.1 1-ha! won'! (e ne essary.1 "hris was oo% and .ery &u h in on!ro% now. She $a.e hi& !he sa&e o%d (rie# s&i%e she reser.ed #or !oo-ea$er &a%es. 4! nor&a%%y had an e,!re&e%y da&penin$ e##e !* (u! S%a!er see&ed Cui!e uni&pressed. 14'%% (e s!ayin$ a! !he o!!a$e*1 she on!inued. 14n #a ! 4'd (e!!er $e! round !o 3eads and o%%e ! !he 0eys. -hey'.e (een 0eepin$ !he p%a e aired and %eaned #or &e.1 1"hrisK1 -here was an$er and (i!!erness re.er(era!in$ in his .oi e* and "hris saw Sophie !au!en a$ain. S%a!er &us! ha.e (een aware o# her !ension !oo* (e ause he (ro0e o## !o say soo!hin$%y* 14!'s a%% ri$h! Sophie* 4'& no! ross. @e ha.e !o !a%0*1 he !o%d "hris %e.e%%y* 'and i! wou%d (e &u h easier !o do so i# you s!ayed here* (u! 4 re&e&(er enou$h a(ou! you !o rea%ise !ha! you'%% $o your own way now* 9us! as you did in !he pas!. 4'%% wa%0 ou! !o your ar wi!h you. 1 +o dou(! so !ha! he ou%d say !he !hin$s !o her he wan!ed !o wi!hou!

upse!!in$ Sophie. 4! was s!ran$e* "hris re#%e !ed pain#u%%y. )%% !hese years she had de%i(era!e%y re#used !o !hin0 a(ou! S%a!er's hi%d* and ye! now !ha! she had seen her* she #e%! none o# !he resen!&en! or pain she had e,pe !ed. Sophie was si&p%y a .ery unhappy* .u%nera(%e hi%d who& she a hed !o o&#or! and he%p* (u! she was sensi(%e enou$h !o 0now !ha! !he #irs! approa h wou%d ha.e !o o&e #ro& Sophie herse%#. 14 don'! ha.e a ar*1 she !o%d S%a!er oo%%y. 14# 4 an %ea.e &y ase here #or an hour 4'%% o&e (a 0 and o%%e ! i! on e 4'.e $o! !he 0eys #or !he o!!a$e. 4 an use &y aun!'s Mini !o dri.e (a 0 in.1 S%a!er's s&i%e was derisi.e. 1P%ease yourse%# "hris*1 he draw%ed &o 0in$%y. 14'd o##er !o !a0e you* (u! 4 an'! %ea.e Sophie* and she isn'! !oo 0een on ridin$ in !he ar.1 "hris #rowned* (u! Sophie's #a e (ore ou! her #a!her's s!a!e&en!* she %oo0ed !ense and #ri$h!ened. 4! !oo0 her %on$er !han she had an!i ipa!ed !o wa%0 !o !he .i%%a$e--she had #or$o!!en !ha! she was no %on$er a !eena$er and a us!o&ed !o !he a%&os! dai%y wa%0. -he es!a!e a$en! e,pressed on ern when she !o%d hi& her in!en!ions. 1Bu! &y dear "hris* !he p%a e has (een e&p!y #or near%y !wo years. 1 14 arran$ed #or i! !o (e 0ep! %eaned and aired*1 "hris re&inded hi& #rownin$%y. 1@hi h we ha.e done* (u! !he roo# de.e%oped a %ea0 durin$ !he win!er* i! needs o&p%e!e%y re !ha! hin$ 4 ha.e wri!!en !o !e%% you*1 he !o%d her ha%# apo%o$e!i a%%y* and "hris si$hed* hearin$ !he #ain!%y a usa!ory no!e in his .oi e. 1>sin$ your aun!'s Mini is o&p%e!e%y ou! o# !he Cues!ion. 4 dou(! you ou%d e.en $e! i! s!ar!ed. 4'.e $o! a (e!!er idea. My sis!er has a s&a%% ar whi h 4 0now she won'! &ind you (orrowin$. She's in Eree e a! !he &o&en! on ho%iday* and won'! (e (a 0 #or se.era% wee0s. 'ow %on$ are you in!endin$ !o s!ay in 7i!!%e Mar!in/1 14'& no! sure ye!*1 "hris !o%d hi&* a ep!in$ his o##er o# !he %oan o#

a ar* (u! re#usin$ !o a%%ow hi& !o (oo0 a roo& a! !he .i%%a$e inn #or her. 'owe.er (ad !he o!!a$e was* she ou%d s!ay !here one ni$h!* sure%y/ She was a%ready (e#udd%ed wi!h a%% !he de isions she had had !o &a0e re en!%y. -o&orrow she ou%d de ide where she was $oin$ !o s!ay. 4! wou%d ha.e !o (e so&ewhere %ose !o Sophie o!herwise !here wou%d (e no poin! in her .isi!. )#!er she had o%%e !ed Susan Ba$shaw's s&a%% Dord and !han0ed 'aro%d 2a.ies #or !he %oan o# i!* "hris dro.e s!rai$h! (a 0 !o S%a!er's house. She had (een %on$er !han she e,pe !ed and her hear! !hu&ped an,ious%y as she approa hed !he house. >n(idden !he &e&ory o# S%a!er's war&%y persuasi.e 0iss &ade her &ou!h so#!en and her pu%ses ra e. S!op i!* she warned herse%# an$ri%y. 'e had 0issed her a%&os! as a re#%e, a !ion* his !rue #ee%in$s !owards her &ore !han %ear%y re.ea%ed in his a!!i!ude !o her on e he was proper%y awa0e. @ha! was !he &a!!er wi!h her anyway/ She had (een 0issed (y doLens o# &en sin e she %e#! 7i!!%e Mar!in. Bu! !heir !ou h had ne.er a##e !ed her as S%a!er's had done* she ad&i!!ed !ired%y. Perhaps now !ha! she was (a 0 in 7i!!%e Mar!in* i! was !i&e #or her !o #a e up !o !he #a ! !ha! she had ne.er rea%%y o.er o&e S%a!er's re9e !ion o# her6 !ha! her #ee%in$s #or hi& had ne.er proper%y died6 prin ipa%%y (e ause she had ne.er a%%owed herse%# a !rue &ournin$ period. She had rushed s!rai$h! #ro& !he dis o.ery o# his in#ide%i!y in!o !he he !i wor%d o# &ode%%in$* re#usin$ !o e.en a%%ow herse%# !o !hin0 a(ou! wha! had happened. 'ad she rea%%y o&e (a 0 si&p%y #or Sophie's sa0e* or had so&e ins!in !* deeper and &ore power#u% !han %o$i drawn her (a 0* #or in$ her !o #a e !he pas! and !o o&e !o !er&s wi!h i!* (e ause un!i% she did* she wou%d ne.er rea%%y (e #ree !o %o.e ano!her &an/ She ou%d ad&i! !ha! now* 9us! as she ou%d ad&i! how (arren and e&p!y her %i#e was. )%% !he !hin$s she had rea%%y wan!ed #ro& %i#e had (een !orn #ro& her and so she had (een #or ed !o se! herse%# a%!erna!i.e $oa%s* (u! areer su ess had ne.er rea%%y a!!ra !ed her6 !he .a%ues ins!i%%ed in her (y her aun! s!i%% he%d $ood. )! hear! she was s!i%% !ha! sa&e nine!een-year-o%d. She wan!ed a hus(and and hi%dren* "hris ad&i!!ed* surprised !o dis o.er how deep !his need was* (u! S%a!er s!ood #ir&%y in !he way o# her e.er #or&in$ a per&anen! re%a!ionship wi!h any o!her &an6 as did her %i#es!y%e. -he &en she &e! were no! &arria$e &a!eria%. 2is!ur(ed (y !he $hos!s she had %e! %oose inside herse%#* "hris par0ed !he ar and wa%0ed !owards !he #ron! door. 4! was se.era% &inu!es a#!er she had run$ !he (e%% when S%a!er appeared. 'e had han$ed his %o!hes and in !he he 0ed shir! and

9eans he ou%d a%&os! ha.e (een !he S%a!er o# se.en years a$o. "hris #e%! her &us %es !ense as he in.i!ed her in. )s he s!epped (a 0 her (ody (rushed (rie#%y a$ains! his in !he %ose on#ines o# !he ha%# opened door. 'er ner.e endin$s rea !ed wi%d%y* shi.erin$ spas&s o# awareness #%i 0erin$ o.er her s0in* whi%s! she s hoo%ed her #a e !o (e!ray no!hin$. 1@ha! happened !o !he Mini/1 he as0ed on e she was inside. 1'aro%d didn'! !hin0 i! wou%d s!ar!. 'e's %oaned &e his sis!er's ar in !he in!eri&.1 1@ha! did you do/ D%ash !hose sea-$reen eyes a! hi&/ You'%% ha.e !o (e are#u%* "hris* !his isn'! +ew Yor0. 'us(and-s!ea%in$ isn'! a ep!a(%e pra !i e down here.1 )n$er (urned ho0in$%y inside her. @ho was he !o dare !o ri!i ise wha! he assu&ed !o (e her way o# %i#e/ )#!er wha! he had done !o her* how dare he. She (i! (a 0 !he an$ry re!or! !re&(%in$ on !he !ip o# her !on$ue. -o& S&i!h had warned her !ha! shou%d he wish. S%a!er ou%d pro!es! a$ains! and possi(%y o.erru%e +a!a%ie's wi%%. 4# she wan!ed !o #u%#i%% !he ro%e +a!a%ie had as! #or her she &us! !ry !o &ain!ain so&e se&(%an e o# nor&a%i!y (e!ween S%a!er and herse%#. 1@here's Sophie/1 she as0ed hesi!an!%y* !ryin$ !o #i%% !he (i!!er si%en e s!re! hin$ (e!ween !he&. 14n (ed*1 S%a!er !o%d her* addin$ sardoni a%%y* 1"hi%dren o#!en are a! !his !i&e o# ni$h!. 4!'s $one ei$h!* and she's had a par!i u%ar%y !irin$ day. Mee!in$ s!ran$ers a%ways see&s !o ha.e a (ad e##e ! on her.1 'e had no need !o re&ind her o# her s!a!us* "hris !hou$h! !ired%y. +o one was &ore aware o# i! !han she6 i! &ade her #ee% .ery $ui%!y. -here was so&e!hin$ a(ou! Sophie !ha! !ou hed her a%&os! pain#u%%y. Perhaps i! was !he physi a% rese&(%an e !o herse%#6 !he &e&ories o# !he pain and %one%iness o# her own hi%dhood* on e her paren!s had died and (e#ore she rea%ised !he dep!h o# !he (ond !ha! ou%d e,is! (e!ween her aun! and herse%#. 14 don'! 0now e,a !%y why you'.e o&e here "hris*1 he added !au!%y* '(u! Sophie isn'! a !oy !o (e pi 0ed up* p%ayed wi!h #or a whi%e* and !hen pu! down when you're (ored. She's a .ery .u%nera(%e* unhappy %i!!%e $ir%. 1

1She's a%so &y on%y %i.in$ re%a!i.e*1 "hris said uns!eadi%y* 'and 4 #ee% 4 owe i! !o +a!a%ie !o do wha!e.er 4 an #or her. 1 14s !ha! how you see her/1 he 9eered un0ind%y. 1)s a responsi(i%i!y/ She's a responsi(i%i!y i!'s !a0en you da&n near si, wee0s !o a 0now%ed$e* "hris. Sophie doesn'! need !ha! sor! o# ha%#hear!ed* $ui%!-indu ed in!eres!. 1 14'.e on%y 9us! re ei.ed -o& S&i!h's %e!!er*1 "hris pro!es!ed an$ri%y. 1@hy/ Or is i! !ha! you on%y re!urn !o your own address a! si, wee0%y in!er.a%s* 9us! !o he 0 !ha! i!'s s!i%% !here/1 'is in#eren e was p%ain and dar0 o%our s or hed "hris's #a e. 7e! hi& !hin0 wha! he wished* she !hou$h! (i!!er%y. 7e! hi& i&a$ine she had a s ore o# %o.ers i# !ha! was wha! he wan!ed. @hy no!/ 4! was #ar (e!!er !han hi& 0nowin$ !he !ru!h. -ha! !here hadn'! (een a sin$%e %o.er* (e ause in her hear! she was s!i%% a hin$ #or his %o.e&a0in$. s!i%% $rie.in$ #or wha! she had %os!. 14 didn'! wan! you here*1 she heard hi& sayin$ ur!%y !o her* '(u! +a!a%ie did appoin! you as Sophie's 9oin! $uardian* a%!hou$h 4 !hin0 we (o!h 0now !ha! an'! ha.e sprun$ #ro& any a%!ruis!i i&pu%se. 1 'ard eyes i&pa%ed her as she swun$ a s!ar!%ed #a e !owards hi&. Bu! !hen why shou%d she (e so surprised/ +a!ura%%y +a!a%ie wou%d ha.e !o%d hi& how &u h she ha!ed her. )#!er a%% in !he ear%y days a! %eas! !hey had (een deep%y in %o.e6 in %o.e enou$h #or hi& !o ha.e dis arded her in !he rue% %es! and &os! pain#u% way he ou%d. 14 suppose +a!a%ie did resen! !he #a ! !ha! she %oo0s %i0e &e*1 "hris a$reed (%ea0%y. S%a!er's #a e was $ri&. 14n !he ir u&s!an es i! hard%y endeared !he hi%d !o her*1 he a$reed* and "hris #rowned a %i!!%e. )! !i&es he had a &anner o# spea0in$ a(ou! Sophie !ha! see&ed !o dis!an e her #ro& hi&* a%&os! as !hou$h !he %i!!%e $ir% were no! his dau$h!er* and ye! !here was su h an o(.ious (ond o# a##e !ion (e!ween !he&. Be#ore she ou%d Cues!ion hi& #ur!her a(ou! his re&ar0 he wen! on !o say* 1-o& S&i!h see&s !o !hin0 you &i$h! (e a(%e !o rea h Sophie* and so does John ?i%%i$rew* !he do !or in har$e o# her ase a! !he hospi!a%.

Sarah and 4 aren'! so sure. 1 Sarah/ "hris's hear! pounded. @as !his !he e,p%ana!ion #or +a!a%ie's sui ide. 2id S%a!er ha.e ano!her wo&an/ 1Sarah/1 she Cues!ioned %i$h!%y* a.oidin$ his eyes* in ase he read in !he& wha! she was !hin0in$. Mu h as she had ause !o resen! her ousin* she ou%d on%y #ee% sy&pa!hy wi!h her* i# she !oo had su##ered !he pain o# (ein$ re9e !ed (y S%a!er. )! %eas! in her ase a%% he had des!royed was her a(i%i!y !o %o.e and !rus!* whi%e in +a!a%ie's.. 1Sarah is !he psy ho!herapis! in har$e o# Sophie's ase. Su h (eha.iour isn'! en!ire%y un0nown in hi%dren and $enera%%y sprin$s #ro& a deep-sea!ed !rau&a. >n!i% we dis o.er wha! !ha! !rau&a is i! is un%i0e%y !ha! she wi%% spea0* a%!hou$h !here are .arious ways in whi h we an en oura$e her* (u! i# you do in!end !o s!ay and he%p* Sarah wi%% (rie# you on !hese herse%#. "hris s!ared a! hi& nonp%ussed. 14 !hou$h! !he !rau&a was o(.ious*1 she said uns!eadi%y. 1Sophie has %os! her &o!her in !he &os! dis!ressin$ way... Sure%y !ha!...1 1Sarah doesn'! (e%ie.e !ha! is !he ause and nei!her do 4.1 'e was a%&os! (rusCue* !urnin$ s%i$h!%y away #ro& her so !ha! his #a e was in !he shadows. 1Sophie and +a!a%ie did no! $e! on. +a!a%ie spen! .ery %i!!%e !i&e wi!h !he hi%d.1 "hris was no! en!ire%y on.in ed. 1@hy did +a! o&&i! sui ide/1 she as0ed hi& a(rup!%y. 'e swun$ round* !he shadows e! hin$ !he (ones #or&in$ his #a e* s!ea%in$ #ro& i! e.ery !ra e o# o%our. 'is eyes $%i!!ered #e(ri%e%y o.er her as he s!udied her* his (ody !ense wi!h an e&o!ion she ou%d no! de#ine. 1-o& S&i!h has a%ready !o%d you. She was &en!a%%y dis!ur(ed.1 1You don'! see& par!i u%ar%y on erned.1 4! was a dan$erous !hin$ !o say* and she a%&os! wished i! unsaid when he on!inued !o s!are a! her.

1@ha! is i! you wan! &e !o say "hris/1 he de&anded (i!!er%y a! %as!. 1+a!a%ie and 4 e%e !ed !o $o our separa!e ways a %on$* %on$ !i&e a$o. My &ain on ern now is Sophie. She's a%ready su##ered enou$h a! !he hands o# your ousin. 4 don'! in!end !o %e! you in rease !ha! su##erin$. Jus! re&e&(er !ha! whi%e you're here 4'%% (e wa! hin$ e.ery s!ep you !a0e. 2o any!hin$ !ha! a##e !s Sophie ad.erse%y and you'%% (e %ea.in$. 1 14'& no! %ea.in$ 7i!!%e Mar!in un!i% 4 see Sophie runnin$ a(ou!* %au$hin$ and ha!!erin$ as a si,- year-o%d shou%d*1 "hris re!a%ia!ed #ier e%y* !he o&&i!&en! she had 9us! &ade ha%# sho 0ed her* a%&os! as !hou$h she had (een i&pe%%ed !o !a0e !he #irs! s!ep down a road she hadn'! in!ended !o !ra.erse. S%a!er was s!i%% wa! hin$ her and #an!as!i a%%y* despi!e his o%d eyes and $ri& &ou!h she had !he i&pression !ha! he was p%eased (y her rea !ion* a%!hou$h she ou%d no! ha.e said why. 4&a$ina!ion* she !o%d herse%# sardoni a%%y. S%a!er ou%d ha.e no reason a! a%% #or wan!in$ her !o s!ay. 1-ha!'s Cui!e a o&&i!&en! you 9us! &ade*1 he !o%d her so#!%y. 1)re you apa(%e o# seein$ i! !hrou$h 4 wonder/1 She (en! !o pi 0 up her ase* pushin$ !he honey (%onde %oud o# hair o(s urin$ her .ision ou! o# !he way* i&pa!ien!%y* as she s!ood up !o #a e hi&. 1Jus! wa! h &e*1 she !o%d hi& $ri&%y. She was ou!side and in !he ar (e#ore she rea%ised !ha! she had no! &ade any arran$e&en!s #or !he #o%%owin$ day. ) Cui 0 &en!a% he 0 in#or&ed her !ha! i! wou%d (e Driday--how !ra.e%%in$ dis!or!ed one's sense o# !i&e--!ha! &ean! !ha! S%a!er wou%d (e wor0in$. She wou%d a%% on hi& ear%y in !he &ornin$ and !a 0%e hi& a(ou! wha! a ess she ou%d ha.e !o Sophie. Dee%in$ as !hou$h she had %eared a! %eas! one o(s!a %e* she pu! !he ar in $ear and se! ou! #or !he o!!a$e.

"')P-83 -'388 !he %ane whi h %ed !o !he o!!a$e and whi h she re&e&(ered as s eni and rura%* was dar0* a%&os! oppressi.e%y so* !he %ane i!se%# (ad%y ru!!ed in p%a es* and "hris hea.ed a s&a%% si$h o# re%ie# when a! %as! she pi 0ed ou! !he #a&i%iar %ow rou hin$ ou!%ine o# !he o!!a$e in !he ar's head%i$h!s. Par0in$ ou!side she hurried up !he une.en pa.ed pa!h. -he %o 0 was #ain!%y rus!y and she (ro0e a nai% as she app%ied %e.era$e !o !he 0ey. Eri&a in$ rue#u%%y she s!epped inside* #%i 0in$ on !he %i$h! au!o&a!i a%%y. 'er eyes widened in sho 0 as she s!ared round !he si!!in$ roo&. 2a&p s!ains &i%dewed one o# !he wa%%s6 !he o!!a$e #e%! o%d* and e.en worse* s&e%%ed #ain!%y &us!y. She re&e&(ered now !ha! her aun! had a%ways insis!ed on a s&a%% #ire e.en in su&&er* and !ha! she had o#!en e,pressed on ern a(ou! !he (ui%din$'s da&p ourse !oo. )s a !eena$er she had paid s an! a!!en!ion !o !hese o&&en!s* (u! now she was #or ed !o a 0now%ed$e !heir .era i!y. @hy had no one wri!!en !o her6 !o%d her how &u h !he o!!a$e was de!eriora!in$/ Or perhaps !hey had and !heir %e!!ers were s!i%% #o%%owin$ her round !he wor%d. Si$hin$ "hris &ade her way !hrou$h !he %i.in$ roo& and in!o !he 0i! hen. 'ere !oo si$ns o# de ay and ne$%e ! were o(.ious. -he o!!a$e was %ean enou$h (u! deso%a!e so&ehow* and so o%d and da&p !ha! !he a!&osphere s!ru 0 ri$h! !hrou$h !o her (ones. -he dinin$ roo& was no (e!!er* &ore pa! hes o# da&p &arrin$ !he p%as!er. @i!h a hea.y hear! "hris &ade her way ups!airs. -he roo# needed re-!ha! hin$* she had (een !o%d* and durin$ !he win!er i! had %ea0ed. -e&porary repairs had (een &ade* (u! a%% her worse #ears were on#ir&ed when she opened !he #irs! (edroo& door and wa%0ed inside. She and +a!a%ie had on e shared !his roo&6 i!s on!ours* e.ery ra 0 in i!s wa%%s were un(eara(%y #a&i%iar !o her* as was !he #ain!* (u! un&is!a0a(%e per#u&e !ha! a%so %in$ered in !he air. +a!a%ie's per#u&e* hea.y and orien!a%* a! se.en!een she was #ar !oo youn$ !o wear su h a sophis!i a!ed #ra$ran e* (u! she had insis!ed on doin$ so none!he%ess* and i!s s en! s!i%% hun$ on !he air. Sure%y a#!er si, years i! ou$h! !o ha.e died* "hris !hou$h! #rownin$%y. >n%ess o# ourse +a!a%ie had (een here &ore re en!%y. Bu! why/ She had #%a!%y re#used !o !a0e on any responsi(i%i!y #or !he o!!a$e when +a!a%ie had (een #or ed !o ha.e her aun! &o.ed away #ro& i!. 4! ou%d &ou%der away !o dus! was wha! -o& S&i!h !o%d her she had said when she

as0ed hi& !o $e! in !ou h wi!h her. She !ou hed !he o.er o# one o# !he sin$%e (eds a(sen!%y* wi!h < drawin$ her #in$ers as !hey &e! !he da&p #a(ri . She shi.ered sudden%y* no!i in$ !he &i%dew %in$in$ !o !he o.er. -his had (een her (ed. She s&i%ed wry%y !o herse%#. She had hosen !he Cui%! herse%#. +a!a%ie had hosen e,a !%y !he sa&e !hin$* and !hen had (urned a ho%e in her own wi!h a i$are!!e whi%e s&o0in$ se re!%y in (ed. )(sen!%y her #in$ers s&oo!hed !he #a(ri * !ensin$ as !hey #ound !he s&a%% (e!rayin$ (urn &ar0. -his was +a!a%ie's Cui%!. @ha! was i! doin$ on her (ed/ Me&ories o# +a!a%ie's possessi.eness durin$ !heir shared hi%dhood #%ooded her. +a!a%ie had ha!ed her e.en !ou hin$ any!hin$ o# hers. She wou%d ne.er ha.e a%%owed her Cui%! !o (e p%a ed on "hris's (ed. -ha! was a%% in !he pas!* "hris re&inded herse%#. +o dou(! whoe.er %eaned !he o!!a$e had &i,ed up !he Cui%!s. She !urned round and wa%0ed ou! o# !he roo&* shu!!in$ away !he &e&ories and !he %in$erin$ !ra es o# +a!a%ie's per#u&e. She ou%dn'! possi(%y s%eep in !ha! roo&* i! was #ar !oo da&p. 'er aun!'s (edroo& showed !he sa&e dis!ressin$ si$ns o# ne$%e !. +ow she 0new why S%a!er had o##ered her a (edroo& she !hou$h! wry%y. She wou%d ha.e !o s!ay here !oni$h!. She ou%d hard%y $o (a 0 now and wa0e up !he who%e househo%d. So where did !ha! %ea.e her/ 4# she wan!ed !o $e! %ose !o Sophie she wou%d ei!her ha.e !o !a0e a roo& a! !he pu( or . or swa%%ow her pride and as0 S%a!er i# his o##er o# a roo& was s!i%% open. Mu h as she wan!ed !o he%p Sophie she didn'! 0now i# she ou%d ope wi!h sharin$ !he sa&e house as S%a!er. She wasn'! nine!een any &ore she re&inded herse%# wry%y. @ha! was she a#raid o#/ -ha! S%a!er wou%d !ry !o !a0e up where !hey had %e#! o##/ 'ard%y %i0e%y. +o* !o&orrow she wou%d 9us! ha.e !o $o ap in hand !o hi& and as0 #or his he%p* &u h as she resen!ed !he idea. Bu! !ha! was !o&orrow. She s!i%% had !o ope wi!h !oni$h!. S%eepin$ in ei!her o# !he (edroo&s was ou! whi h %e#! on%y !he %i.in$ roo&. Shi.erin$ s%i$h!%y a! !he !hou$h! she re&e&(ered !ha! her aun! used !o 0eep spare (eddin$ in !he airin$ up(oard. 4# i! was s!i%% !here* perhaps i! &i$h! a! %eas! (e dry. @hi%e she was here she wou%d ha.e !o $e! a (ui%der in !o he 0 o.er !he o!!a$e and pu! i! !o ri$h!s6 pu! in a new da&p ourse and renew !he roo#. >n!i% !ha! was done no one ou%d possi(%y %i.e here. )s she wa%0ed !owards !he (a!hroo&* she $%an ed au!o&a!i a%%y a! !he s&a%% hes! in !he %andin$ a% o.e and !hen #rowned. -wo i$are!!e

(u!!s %ay in !he ash!ray. -he hairs on !he (a 0 o# her ne 0 pri 0%ed warnin$%y and she suppressed !he desire !o !urn round and %oo0 (ehind her. O(.ious%y !hey had (een %e#! !here (y !he %eaner. )nd ye! as she en!ered !he (a!hroo& "hris had !he dis!in ! i&pression !ha! so&e!hin$ was no! Cui!e ri$h!.. Pushin$ aside !he no!ion as #an i#u% she opened !he airin$ up(oard* re%ie.ed !o dis o.er a pi%e o# (eddin$ !here !ha! #e%! dry !o !he !ou h. -he house had an i&&ersion hea!er so a! %eas! she wou%d (e a(%e !o ha.e a war& (a!h (e#ore ur%in$ up downs!airs on one o# !he hairs* a%!hou$h she didn'! an!i ipa!e $e!!in$ a $ood dea% o# s%eep. "o&in$ (a 0 had resurre !ed #ar &ore &e&ories !han she had an!i ipa!ed* or was i! S%a!er's (rie#%y !ender 0iss !ha! had s!irred up a%% !he !ension she ou%d #ee% inside herse%#/ @hy had +a!a%ie o&&i!!ed sui ide/ @ou%d !hey e.er 0now/ Men!a%%y dis!ur(ed was how S%a!er had des ri(ed her and whi%s! i! was !rue !ha! she had a%ways had a !enden y !owards hys!eria* espe ia%%y when she ou%dn'! $e! her own way* she had a%ways !hirs!ed #or %i#e wi!h a !ena i!y !ha! "hris si&p%y ou%d no! en.isa$e disappearin$ o.erni$h!. She wo0e up as she had e,pe !ed !o* o%d and s!i##* shi.erin$ in !he ear%y &ornin$ %i$h!. 4! was se.en o' %o 0. 4n !he pas! S%a!er had a%ways %e#! #or !he #a !ory a! ei$h! !hir!y* whi h didn'! %ea.e her &u h !i&e !o see hi&. Ba!hin$ and dressin$ in #resh %o!hes* she (rushed her hair* %ea.in$ her s0in #ree o# &a0eup. 'er s!o&a h $row%ed pro!es!in$%y* re&indin$ her how %on$ i! was sin e she had had so&e!hin$ !o ea!* as she hurried ou! !o !he ar. She dro.e up !owards S%a!er's house s%ow%y* dreadin$ !he &o&en! when she &us! #a e hi&. Mrs. 7an as!er opened !he door !o her* her 0ind #a e reased in on ern as she saw "hris's pa%e se! #a e. 14s S%a!er in/1 "hris as0ed !ense%y. 1'e's 9us! ha.in$ his (rea0#as!*1 she !o%d her. 1You an $o s!rai$h! !hrou$h. 4'%% $o and $e! ano!her up* you %oo0 as !hou$h you ou%d do wi!h so&e!hin$ !o drin0.1 "hris 0no 0ed hesi!an!%y on !he door and !hen opened i!. 2ressed in a #or&a% (usiness sui!. S%a!er %oo0ed #ar &ore #or&ida(%e !han he had done !he pre.ious day. 'e was drin0in$ a up o# o##ee* !he up raised

!o his %ips* his eye(rows drawin$ !o$e!her as he saw her. 'e rep%a ed !he up and #o%ded !he newspaper he had (een s!udyin$. 1Eood &ornin$. 4 !rus! you s%ep! we%%.1 'is .oi e was oo%%y derisi.e and "hris had !o s!op herse%# #ro& #%ushin$* 0nowin$ !ha! he &us! 0now e,a !%y how un o&#or!a(%e a ni$h! she had had. 1+o! .ery*1 she &ana$ed !o respond. 14 hadn'! rea%ised !he o!!a$e had (e o&e so di%apida!ed. My own #au%! 4 suppose...1 She saw S%a!er #%i 0 (a 0 a u## !o $%an e a! his wa! h* !he $o%d (and $%is!enin$ a&on$ !he dar0 hairs* and she had !o #i$h! down a sense o# hos!i%i!y !ha! he shou%d &a0e i! so p%ain !ha! he was an,ious !o (e #ree o# her o&pany. 17e!'s u! !he s&a%% !a%0 sha%% we/1 he said ur!%y. 14'& sure you ha.en'! o&e here a! !his !i&e o# !he &ornin$ !o dis uss !he wor0 !ha! needs !o (e done on !he o!!a$e. @ha! do you wan!/1 Eod how she ha!ed hi&* "hris see!hed* %oa!hin$ !he way he was redu in$ her !o !he ro%e o# (e$$in$. 'e &us! 0now why she was here6 he had !o* and ye! he was doin$ e.ery!hin$ he ou%d !o &a0e i! hard #or her. -he arri.a% o# his house0eeper wi!h a up and a #resh po! o# o##ee pro.ided a we% o&e (rea0* (u! as soon as she had $one* his eyes hardened !o i y o%dness* and he &ade no &o.e !o o##er her a drin0* "hris no!i ed* her resen!&en! in reasin$ (y !he se ond. 4# i! wasn'! #or Sophie she wou%d !urn on her hee% and wa%0 ou! o# here ri$h! now. 1@e%% "hris/1 -he ur! i&pa!ien e o# his .oi e %a era!ed her !ender ner.es. 'er .oi e hus0y wi!h an$er she said !ense%y* 14 a&e !o as0 i# your o##er o# a roo& was s!i%% open. O(.ious%y 4 an'! s!ay a! !he o!!a$e...1 -he s&i%e he $a.e her wasn'! en oura$in$. 4! &ade her hear! &iss a (ea! and !hen s!ar! !o !hud une.en%y. 1@e%% now* 4 see& !o re&e&(er yes!erday !ha! you were &os! .ehe&en! in re#usin$ !o s!ay here. Mui!e a han$e o# hear!.1 1Yes!erday 4 !hou$h! 4 wou%d (e a(%e !o s!ay a! !he o!!a$e.1 "hris

rep%ied as e.en%y as she ou%d* ha!in$ !he way he was &a0in$ her e,p%ain wha! he a%ready 0new--and had 0nown yes!erday. )%% !he !i&e she had (een re#usin$ !o s!ay here he had 0nown !he s!a!e o# !he o!!a$e and !ha! she wou%d ha.e !o rea !. Dury (rou$h! a dar0 #%ush o# o%our !o her s0in as she on!inued (i!!er%y* 1>n%i0e you 4 didn'! rea%ise !he s!a!e i! was in...1 1@ha! are you !ryin$ !o do "hris*1 he in!errup!ed sardoni a%%y. 1B%a&e &e #or your own rash i&pu%si.eness/ -ha! was e.er your way wasn'! i!--!o (%a&e o!hers #or your own #ai%in$s/1 -he in9us!i e o# his o&&en! and !he (i!!er way in whi h he .oi ed i! !oo0 her (rea!h away. -ears s!un$ her eyes* &u h !o her ha$rin. -ha! was i!. She ou%dn'! !a0e any &ore. -urnin$ her (a 0 on hi& she was 9us! a(ou! !o wa%0 ou! when he said Cuie!%y* 1-he o##er is s!i%% open* and now i# you'%% e, use &e* i!'s !i&e 4 was %ea.in$. Sarah wi%% (e arri.in$ 9us! a#!er !en. Mondays* @ednesdays and Dridays* she spends !wo hours a &ornin$ wi!h Sophie. )nd now i# you'%% e, use &e.1 'e was s!andin$ up and openin$ !he door (e#ore "hris ou%d spea0. She wan!ed !o #%in$ his o##er in his #a e* !o !e%% hi& !ha! she didn'! need his roo&* (u! she #or ed herse%# !o ho%d her !on$ue. Sure%y she had %earned in !he %as! si, years !o on!ro% her !e&per/ PuLL%ed she $%an ed a! !he %osed door. 4n #a ! she ou%dn'! re&e&(er a sin$%e ins!an e when she had %os! i!* and ye! here she was dan$erous%y %ose !o (oi%in$ poin! a#!er !he e, han$e o# (are%y a doLen words wi!h S%a!er. Be#ore she ou%d dwe%% !oo deep%y on her !hou$h!s Mrs. 7an as!er a&e in* s&i%in$ a$ain. 14'%% 9us! $e! you so&e (rea0#as!*1 she o##ered* 'and !hen 4'%% !a0e you up !o see your roo& and Sophie. 1 Era!e#u%%y "hris sa! down. )! %eas! Mrs. 7an as!er appeared no! !o resen! her presen e. @hen !he o%der wo&an a&e (a 0 wi!h $rape#rui! and !oas!* "hris as0ed her !o s!ay. 14! wou%d he%p &e !o 0now so&e!hin$ o# Sophie's rou!ine*1 she !o%d her. 14 0now so %i!!%e a(ou! her.1 1Poor %i!!%e &i!e* i!'s a sha&e*1 Mrs. 7an as!er &ur&ured. 1Bri$h! %i!!%e !hin$ she was !oo a! one !i&e. @orships her #a!her she does.. 1

1)nd her &o!her/1 "hris Cues!ioned. 12id Sophie $e! on we%% wi!h her &o!her/1 14 ou%dn'! say.1 -he house0eeper a.oided her eyes. 1)%ways in and ou! was Mrs. Ja&es. )%ways here* !here and e.erywhere.1 4n o!her words +a!a%ie had !ended !o ne$%e ! her hi%d* "hris !hou$h! readin$ (e!ween !he %ines* (u! how did Sophie's ina(i%i!y !o spea0 !ie in wi!h !ha!/ Perhaps Sarah wou%d (e a(%e !o !e%% her &ore6 perhaps i! wou%dn'! (e a (ad idea !o see i# she ou%d #ind so&e!hin$ !o read on !he su(9e !. @hi%e she a!e her (rea0#as! Mrs. 7an as!er ou!%ined Sophie's rou!ine. 14 nor&a%%y $e! her up a(ou! nine6 she has (rea0#as!* and !hen i# Sarah isn'! o&in$ she $oes ou! !o p%ay in !he $arden. 14n !he a#!ernoon i# i!'s #ine 4 !a0e her ou! #or a wa%0. Mr. Ja&es nor&a%%y p%ays wi!h her #or a oup%e o# hours when he o&es in de.o!ed !o her he is* and so pa!ien!.1 1She's a%&os! si,*1 "hris &ur&ured. 1@ha! a(ou! s hoo%/1 12oin$ Cui!e we%% a! p%ay s hoo% she was un!i% !his happened. She s!i%% reads a %o! and Mr. Ja&es $e!s spe ia% (oo0s #or her6 you 0now* so !ha! he an !ea h her hi&se%#* (u! !hey won'! a ep! her a! !he .i%%a$e s hoo% !he way she is 9us! now.1 Poor Sophie* "hris's hear! wen! ou! !o her. )%ready she was an ou! as! di##eren! #ro& her peers6 i# on%y she ou%d he%p her in so&e way. -en!a!i.e%y she as0ed Mrs. 7an as!er i# i! wou%d (e possi(%e #or her and Sophie !o ha.e (rea0#as! wi!h S%a!er* and !o her re%ie# !he house0eeper a$reed. 1More o&pany is wha! she needs*1 she !o%d her* 'a proper #a&i%y a!&osphere i# you 0now wha! 4 &ean. 4 a%ways !hou$h!. 1 She (ro0e o## and %oo0ed s%i$h!%y #%us!ered* and dip%o&a!i a%%y "hris didn'! pro(e. -he house0eeper &us! 0now &ore a(ou! S%a!er and +a!a%ie's %i#e !o$e!her

!han anyone e%se* and perhaps in !i&e she &i$h! (e a(%e !o %earn so&e!hin$ #ro& her !ha! wou%d $i.e her a %ue as !o why +a!a%ie shou%d !a0e her own %i#e. Dinishin$ her (rea0#as!* she as0ed i# she ou%d a o&pany !he house0eeper ups!airs when she wen! !o wa0e Sophie. -he %i!!%e $ir% was awa0e when !hey wa%0ed in!o her roo&--a drea& o# a %i!!%e $ir%'s roo&* de ora!ed in su$ar andy pin0s and #ri%%s. 1"hose a%% !he de ora!ions in here hi&se%# Mr. Ja&es did*1 Mrs. 7an as!er !o%d "hris proud%y wa! hin$ her sur.ey !he roo&. 1)%% new i! is...1 1Oh ... wha! was i! %i0e (e#ore/1 "hris Cues!ioned wonderin$ i# i! had (een a $ood idea !o !a0e away !hin$s !ha! were #a&i%iar no &a!!er how we%%-in!en!ioned !he a !ion had (een. Mrs. 7an as!er's %ips o&pressed. She #rowned s%i$h!%y as she %oo0ed a! Sophie* and !hen said a! %as!. 1Mrs. Ja&es a%ways said !here wasn'! &u h poin! in doin$ a roo& up spe ia%%y #or her* %ai&ed !he hi%d wou%dn'! appre ia!e i!. 2ownri$h! rue% she was !o her so&e!i&es*1 she added* %owerin$ her .oi e. Bi!in$ her %ip "hris $%an ed a ross a! !he (ed. Sophie was %yin$ !here wa! hin$ !he&* and sudden &e&ory o# her own hi%dhood a&e !o her. @i!hou! pausin$ !o !hin0 "hris wen! a ross !o her and sa! down* pi 0in$ up a #ra&ed pho!o$raph o## !he hes! (y !he (ed. 4n i! Sophie was s&i%in$ up a! her #a!her. +a!a%ie was no! in %uded in !he prin!. 1@ha! a %o.e%y pho!o$raph o# Sophie !his is*1 "hris e, %ai&ed* ho%din$ !he #ra&e ou! !o Mrs. 7an as!er. 1She %oo0s so pre!!y when she s&i%es.1 4! was no %ess !han !he !ru!h* (u! "hris had had a .i.id &e&ory o# +a!a%ie a! si, sayin$ #urious%y !ha! she wou%d no! share her (edroo& wi!h "hris and !ha! she ha!ed* ha!ed her p%ain u$%y ousin. "hris had (een hear!(ro0en a! her re9e !ion* and #or years had $enuine%y !hou$h! !ha! she was u$%y6 a .iew !ha! +a!a%ie had (een a! pains !o rein#or e. "ou%d she ha.e done !he sa&e !hin$ !o Sophie/ 4! see&ed i&possi(%e* (u! !he hu&an (rain was a s!ran$e !hin$. +a!a%ie wou%d ha.e (i!!er%y resen!ed ha.in$ a hi%d who %oo0ed so &u h %i0e her* "hris 0new and perhaps !here had (een o asions when she had !a0en ou! her ha!red o# her ousin on her hi%d.

-he pansy (rown eyes #%i 0ered #ro& "hris !o !he pho!o$raph* (u! !he s&a%% #a e re&ained so%e&n and s!i##. @here had she seen !ha! o&(ina!ion o# #air hair and (rown eyes (e#ore "hris wondered id%y. 4! was so #a&i%iar she #e%! she ou$h! !o (e a(%e !o re&e&(er and ye! she ou%d no!. 1@ha! a pre!!y pin0 dress !oo*1 "hris e, %ai&ed* re#usin$ !o $i.e up. 14 used !o ha.e a dress %i0e !ha! when 4 was a %i!!%e $ir%. 4s pin0 your #a.ouri!e o%our Sophie/1 she as0ed !he %i!!%e $ir%* addressin$ her dire !%y #or !he #irs! !i&e. Sophie's on%y response was !o %oo0 (ehind "hris a! !he house0eeper. 1Mrs. Ja&es used !o dress her in dun$arees &os! o# !he !i&e*1 she !o%d "hris. 1Said !here wasn'! &u h poin! in dressin$ her up* a%!hou$h she spen! enou$h on her own %o!hes.1 She sni##ed disappro.in$%y and !hen said !o Sophie. 1"o&e on now youn$ %ady. -i&e you were $e!!in$ up.1 +o! wan!in$ !o o.erwhe%& Sophie "hris $o! !o her #ee!. 14'%% &ee! you (o!h downs!airs* sha%% 4/1 she su$$es!ed* s&i%in$ a! Sophie* %ea.in$ her wi!h !he o!her wo&an. 8,a !%y on !he do! o# !en a s&a%% es!a!e ar s!opped ou!side !he house. -he $ir% who $o! ou! was s%i&* wi!h hes!nu! hair and a .ery se%# possessed e,pression. "hris dis%i0ed her on si$h!* and wondered a! her a!a.is!i response. 4! wasn'! %i0e her !o !a0e an ins!an! dis%i0e !o anyone. +e.er!he%ess she in!rodu ed herse%# p%easan!%y whi%e Mrs. 7an as!er wen! !o $e! Sophie and &a0e !he& so&e o##ee* !ryin$ !o &a0e on.ersa!ion. 1S%a!er !e%%s &e you o&e here !hree &ornin$s a wee0/ 'ow is Sophie respondin$ so #ar/1 14!'s !oo ear%y !o say ye!*1 !he o!her $ir% said dis&issi.e%y. @as Sarah s%i$h!%y de#ensi.e/ "hris ou%d no! !e%%* (u! she 0new !ha!

her dis%i0e was re ipro a!ed when Sarah added ur!%y* 1You 0now !ha! nei!her S%a!er or 4 wan! you here/ You an'! do any!hin$ !o he%p Sophie. She needs e,per! are and a!!en!ion.1 1'er &o!her appoin!ed &e as her o-$uardian*1 "hris in!errup!ed Cuie!%y* de!er&ined !o 0eep her !e&per and no! a%%ow herse%# !o (e ra!!%ed (y !he way Sarah (anded S%a!er and herse%# !o$e!her* and #ir&%y p%a ed "hris as !heir ene&y. 1'er &o!herK1 Sarah s&i%ed wi!h derision. 1+a!a%ie ne.er $a.e a da&n a(ou! !he hi%d... she ha!ed her #ro& !he &o&en! she was (orn. 4# she e.er !hou$h! o# Sophie a! a%% i! was si&p%y as a pawn she ou%d use a$ains! S%a!er.1 1You see& !o 0now an aw#u% %o! a(ou! &y ousin and her hus(and.1 "hris spo0e (e#ore she ou%d s!op herse%#* ha!in$ !he !riu&phan! $%ea& shinin$ in Sarah's !oo pa%e (%ue eyes as she re!urned* 1S%a!er and 4 are o%d #riends.. B O%d #riends and new %o.ers/ "hris wondered* s!unned (y !he spearin$ pain 9o%!in$ !hrou$h her (ody. @hen Mrs. 7an as!er re!urned wi!h Sophie* she was $%ad o# !he e, use !o es ape. 14'%% !a0e you up !o your roo& now*1 !he house0eeper o##ered. 14! does ha.e i!s own (a!hroo&.1 On !he %andin$ she wa%0ed pas! Sophie's roo& and !wo o!her doors* hesi!a!in$ #or a se ond ou!side one (e#ore passin$ on !o a !hird* and openin$ !he door in!o a p%easan!%y de ora!ed $ues! roo&. "hris's ase was a%ready on !he (ed6 !he roo& had a!!ra !i.e .iews o.er !he $ardens* !he ad9oinin$ (a!hroo& de ora!ed in a si&i%ar s!y%e !o !he (edroo&. 'ow %on$ wou%d she (e s!ayin$ here she wondered/ 'ow %on$ ou%d she endure !o s!ay here/ )n unp%easan! !hou$h! s!ru 0 her. 4# Sarah and S%a!er were %o.ers* did she s!ay here/ @hy shou%d i! on ern her* she as0ed herse%# hardi%y. She had no ro&an!i in!eres! in S%a!er now. -ha! was a%% dead. Bu! was i!/ More !o dis!ra ! her !hou$h!s !han any!hin$ e%se she as0ed Mrs. 7an as!er (rie#%y* 1S%a!er and +a!a%ie ... whi h roo&...1 1Mrs. Ja&es had her own roo&*1 Mrs. 7an as!er !o%d her

non o&&i!!a%%y--'!he door ne,! !o !his. 1 She #id$e!ed #or a &o&en! and !hen added an,ious%y. 1)%% her !hin$s are s!i%% in !here* 4 was wonderin$ i# you ou%d possi(%y sor! !hrou$h !he&...1 Bu! sure%y S%a!er. 1 "hris pro!es!ed* s!i%% !ryin$ !o o&e !o !er&s wi!h !he #a ! !ha! S%a!er and +a!a%ie had apparen!%y had separa!e roo&s. )! whose ins!i$a!ion/ Mrs. 7an as!er had a%ready in!i&a!ed !ha! +a!a%ie spen! a $ood dea% o# !i&e away #ro& !he house* (u! how %on$ had S%a!er and Sarah... 1 Mr. Ja&es 9us! !o%d &e !o $e! rid o# e.ery!hin$ and %ose up !he roo&* (u! 4 #e%! 4 ou%dn'!. So&e o# her %o!hes were .ery e,pensi.e. 1 "hris ou%d unders!and Mrs. 7an as!er's di%e&&a. 1O# ourse 4'%% $o !hrou$h !he&*1 she a$reed* !hin0in$ !ha! dis!as!e#u% !hou$h !he !as0 pro&ised !o (e* i! was so&e!hin$ she owed her ousin. "hris did no! see Sarah $o. Mrs. 7an as!er a&e ou! in!o !he $arden !o !e%% her !ha! %un h was ready and e,p%ained !ha! !he o!her wo&an had %e#!. Sophie was .ery su(dued o.er %un h* 0eepin$ her eyes #i,ed on her p%a!e. @ha! had happened !ha! was so !rau&a!i !ha! i! had s!opped her #ro& !a%0in$/ )nd no! 9us! #ro& !a%0in$* "hris a 0now%ed$ed* o.er!%y wa! hin$ her. Sophie was a .ery wi!hdrawn %i!!%e $ir%* #%in hin$ away #ro& a%&os! e.ery physi a% on!a !* %o 0ed up inside herse%#. )#!er %un h Mrs. 7an as!er e,p%ained !ha! she was $oin$ shoppin$. Sophie nor&a%%y wen! wi!h her (u! when "hris su$$es!ed !ha! !he %i!!%e $ir% &i$h! wan! !o s!ay (ehind wi!h her* she was (o!h surprised and p%eased !o see !he #air head nod. 1She's !a0en !o you*1 Mrs. 7an as!er !o%d "hris when Sophie wen! ups!airs !o %ean her !ee!h. 1)par! #ro& !hose (rown eyes she's !he spi!!in$ i&a$e o# you !oo.1 1>&&* $enes are a #unny !hin$*1 "hris a$reed. She had spo!!ed a pi%e o# hi%dren's (oo0s in !he si!!in$ roo&. -he a#!ernoon was sunny and war&* and a#!er hoosin$ a (oo0 #or herse%# #ro& S%a!er's we%%-s!o 0ed (oo0she%.es she headed (a 0 !o !he dinin$ roo&* where as she e,pe !ed* Sophie was wai!in$. Jus! (e ause !he %i!!%e $ir% re#used !o spea0 i! didn'! &ean she did no! hear--and unders!and* "hris re&inded herse%#.

She ou%dn'! #or e Sophie !o a ep! her* !o $i.e her her on#iden e* (u!.. "o&in$ !o a de ision she (e$an spea0in$* !a%0in$ Cuie!%y* addressin$ her o&&en!s !o herse%#. 14!'s su h a %o.e%y a#!ernoon 4 !hin0 4'%% $o ou! in!o !he $arden. 4# 4 an #ind a de 0 hair so&ewhere 4 ou%d si! down and read. Perhaps 4'%% #ind one in !he $ara$e.1 @i!hou! %oo0in$ !o see Sophie's rea !ion she headed #or !he 0i! hen and !he (a 0 door* p%eased !o see !ha! !he %i!!%e $ir% was #o%%owin$ her. -he dra(* o.ersiLe dun$arees she was wearin$ did no!hin$ #or her !hin* !ense %i!!%e (ody* and "hris &ade a &en!a% no!e !o $o ou! and (uy her so&e new %o!hes. Perhaps she &i$h! e.en (e a(%e !o !a0e Sophie wi!h her. )s she had e,pe !ed she #ound so&e $arden hairs in !he $ara$e* pi 0in$ one up* she s!ro%%ed round !o !he %ar$e (a 0 %awn* Sophie a! her hee%s. )%% !he !i&e she was wa%0in$ she 0ep! on !a%0in$ a(ou! !he house and !he .i%%a$e a(ou! !he han$es she had #ound a(ou! her aun! and her own hi%dhood* (u! ne.er &en!ionin$ Sophie's &o!her. @hen she #ina%%y sa! down and opened her (oo0 Sophie was s!i%% (eside her. 1>&& !his %oo0s a $ood s!ory.1 She #%i 0ed a $%an e a! !he si%en! hi%d as she opened one o# Sophie's (oo0s and s!ar!ed !o read a%oud #ro& i!. Sophie was s!andin$ si, #ee! away wa! hin$ her. "hris read s%ow%y and pa!ien!%y* o asiona%%y %i#!in$ her eyes #ro& !he pa$e !o re&ar0 on her surroundin$s. Sophie $a.e no si$ns o# respondin$* (u! she was s!i%% !here* wa! hin$ her &o!ion%ess%y. "hris was &ore !han ha%#way !hrou$h !he (oo0 (e#ore she #e%! Sophie &o.e. 'er hear! %eap! !ense%y. 'ad she $o! (ored and wa%0ed away or. She dare no! %i#! her eyes #ro& !he prin!ed pa$e* and was on%y a(%e !o e,pe% her (rea!h proper%y when !he hi%d's shadow #e%% a ross her %ap as Sophie rep! nearer. She was s!i%% s!andin$ (eside her hair when "hris a&e !o !he end o# !he s!ory. )! %eas! she had es!a(%ished on!a ! wi!h Sophie i# no!hin$ e%se* she !hou$h! e%a!ed%y. -he %i!!%e $ir% had no! re9e !ed her as she had #eared. @ha! had +a!a%ie !o%d Sophie a(ou! her i# any!hin$/ 'ad she drawn o&parisons (e!ween !he&/ Si$hin$ #rus!ra!ed%y "hris pi 0ed up

ano!her o# Sophie's (oo0s. -here was so &u h !ha! was a puLL%e !o her and i! was one she had no way o# so%.in$ wi!hou! Sophie's oopera!ion. She had rea hed au!o&a!i a%%y #or !he ne,! (oo0 in !he pi%e* and was s!ar!%ed when Sophie's (rown #in$ers pushed her hand away* and !hen e,!ra !ed ano!her (oo0 !hrus!in$ i! !owards her. -he (oo0 was o%d and !a!!ered* and sudden%y un(eara(%y #a&i%iar. 4! was one o# her own "hris re o$nised. ) (oo0 she had re ei.ed #ro& her paren!s on her %as! (ir!hday (e#ore !hey died. "are#u%%y s&oo!hin$ o.er !he (a!!ered o.er she re&e&(ered how pre ious !he (oo0 had on e (een !o her--a sy&(o% o# a%% !ha! she had %os!. She had %e#! i! (ehind a! !he o!!a$e when she %e#! a%on$ wi!h a%% her o!her !reasures. Bu! where had Sophie $o! i! #ro&/ Drownin$ s%i$h!%y* she sudden%y rea%ised !ha! !he %i!!%e $ir% was wa! hin$ her* her eyes i&p%orin$. @i!h an une,pe !ed &o.e&en! she opened !he (oo0 as i! %ay on "hris's %ap* poin!in$ !o where "hris had %on$ a$o ins ri(ed her na&e. Sophie 0newK So&ehow !he %i!!%e $ir% had di.ined wha! had (een in her &ind and !his was her way o# showin$ her !ha! she did 0now who she was. 8&o!ion o.erwhe%&ed her* and rea !in$ wi!hou! !hin0in$ "hris did wha! she had pro&ised herse%# she wou%d no! do* rea hin$ ou! !o hu$ !he !ense wiry (ody (ra ed a$ains! her. -oo %a!e she re&e&(ered !ha! she had !o%d herse%# she wou%d %e! Sophie (e !he one !o do !he approa hin$. 1Oh Sophie...1 She re%eased her sha0i%y* (rushin$ !he #air hair ou! o# !he (rown eyes. 1Yes !ha! was on e &y (oo0*1 she !o%d her* !ryin$ !o sound a%&. 1My paren!s $a.e i! !o &e when 4 was a %i!!%e $ir%--(e#ore 4 wen! !o %i.e wi!h your &u&&y* (u! where did you $e! i!/1 4ns!an!%y Sophie !ensed* her (rown eyes #ri$h!ened and wary. 2ear Eod* Sophie !hou$h! she was $oin$ !o (e ross wi!h her. 1+o no* dar%in$*1 she said so#!%y* 14'& no! ross. 4'& $%ad you #ound i!. 2o you wan! &e !o read !o you #ro& i!/1 -he #ear re!rea!ed and Sophie nodded her head $uarded%y* %eanin$ a$ains! !he side o# "hris's hair as she s!ar!ed !o read. -he war&!h o# her s%i$h! (ody was a re&inder !o "hris o# a%% she herse%# had ne.er had.

S%a!er's hi%d* "hris !hou$h! pain#u%%y $%an in$ a! her down (en! head* and ye! she ou%d see no!hin$ o# S%a!er in her. Be ause perhaps she didn'! wan! !o/ She s!opped readin$ and %oo0ed a! Sophie* re&ar0in$ so#!%y* 1You 0now 4 !hin0 you wou%d (e &u h &ore o&#or!a(%e si!!in$ on &y 0nee. @ha! do you !hin0/ @ou%d you %i0e !ha!/1 She he%d her (rea!h* ha%# e,pe !in$ re9e !ion. She was a&aLed !ha! Sophie had responded !o her as we%% as she had* (u! when !he #air head nodded she &ana$ed !o on ea% her e%a!iop and say .ery a%&%y. 1"o&e on !hen* %e! &e %i#! you up.1 She was s!i%% si!!in$ !here an hour %a!er when Mrs. 7an as!er re!urned* !he o%der wo&an's eye(rows %i#!in$ when she a&e in!o !he $arden and saw !he&. 1She's as%eep*1 "hris !o%d her s&i%in$ a! her. 1My $oodness* you're honoured* (u! !hen 4 ou%d !e%% she'd !a0en !o you ri$h! #ro& !he s!ar!. +e.er %e#! you* her eyes didn'! yes!erday.1 14 an'! he%p wonderin$ wha! +a!a%ie !o%d her a(ou! &e*1 "hris #e%! drawn !o on#ide in !he o!her wo&an. 1She and 4 ne.er $o! on. She used !o say 4 was u$%y...1 1)ye* she had a nas!y way wi!h words when she wan!ed*1 Mrs. 7an as!er a$reed. 1Many's !he !i&e 4 #ound !he 0iddie ryin$ a#!er she'd had a $o a! her.1 1S%a!er doesn'! see& !o !hin0 !ha! Sophie's !rau&a is as a resu%! o# her &o!her's dea!h. 'e see&s !o !hin0 !here's so&e!hin$ e%se.1 14 &us! ad&i! 4 didn'! e,pe ! her !o !a0e i! so hard. )#!er a%% she didn'! see !ha! &u h o# her* (u! !hen you ne.er 0now wi!h 0iddies.1 +o! wan!in$ !o see& !oo urious a(ou! her ousin's pri.a!e a##airs "hris did no! as0 any &ore Cues!ions* %e!!in$ !he house0eeper on!inue indoors. -o&orrow she wou%d &a0e a s!ar! on +a!a%ie's roo&* she de ided as she

arried Sophie inside a %i!!%e %a!er on. She heard !he 'phone rin$ as she wa%0ed inside* and !hen i! s!opped as Mrs. 7an as!er answered i!. 1-ha! was Mr. Ja&es*1 she !o%d "hris !en &inu!es %a!er. 1Said he wou%dn'! (e in !o dinner !oni$h! and !ha! you were !o ea! wi!hou! hi&.1 12id he say when he wou%d (e (a 0/1 2id her .oi e !re&(%e (e!rayin$%y "hris wondered* ha!in$ herse%# #or as0in$ !he Cues!ion. @ha! (usiness o# hers were S%a!er's o&in$s and $oin$s/ 1+o* he didn'!.1 So S%a!er wou%dn'! (e ea!in$ wi!h !he& !oni$h!. @hy shou%d !ha! &a0e her #ee% so res!%ess and !ense. @as he !a0in$ Sarah ou! !o dinner perhaps. @hi!e-ho! sha#!s o# pain (urned !hrou$h her #%esh. @ha! was !he &a!!er wi!h her* "hris as0ed herse%# Sure%y she wasn'! 9ea%ous/ "')P-83 DO>3 hris wo0e a(rup!%y #ro& a deep s%eep* o&p%e!e%y disorien!a!ed and no! 0nowin$ why she had wo0en un!i% she heard !he !hin 0eenin$ sound a$ain. 4! shi.ered !hrou$h her* raisin$ $oose(u&ps o# #%esh on her (ody* o&pe%%in$ an au!o&a!i rea !ion !ha! had her on her #ee! and hurryin$ !owards her (edroo& door. -he sound was one o# an ani&a% in pain and !error--or a s&a%% hi%d and "hris headed ins!in !i.e%y #or Sophie's roo&* no! (o!herin$ !o swi! h on %i$h!s in her has!e !o rea h !he %i!!%e $ir%. ) ni$h!&are s ene $ree!ed her. Sophie's ur!ains were open* &oon%i$h! pi 0in$ ou! !he ri$id #i$ure o# !he %i!!%e $ir% as she sa! (o%! upri$h! in her (ed6 her eyes wide and s!arin$* a !or&en!ed a%&os! unear!h%y sound issuin$ #ro& her !hroa!* &a0in$ "hris shudder in sy&pa!he!i response. )s she rea hed !he (ed. S%a!er's au!hori!a!i.e .oi e said ur!%y #ro& (ehind her* 17ea.e her... don'! !ou h her. 4'%% hand%e !his.1 'e pushed pas! her* and sa! down on !he (ed* !a0in$ Sophie in his ar&s* &ur&urin$ so#! words o# o&#or! !o her* un!i% !he ri$idi!y %e#! her

(ody. "hris e,pe%%ed her own (rea!h in rea !ion* no! rea%isin$ how !ense she had (een un!i% she did so. Aery $en!%y S%a!er %aid !he s%eepin$ hi%d (a 0 on !he &a!!ress* wa! hin$ her (roodin$%y #or se.era% se onds (e#ore drawin$ !he o.ers up o.er her. Sophie's eyes were %osed now* her (ody re%a,ed and a! pea e. Dor !he #irs! !i&e "hris (e a&e aware o# !he !hinness o# her own &us%in ni$h!dress. She had responded au!o&a!i a%%y !o Sophie's dis!ress* no! (o!herin$ !o pu%% on a ro(e. >n%i0e S%a!er. )$ains! her wi%% her eyes were drawn !o !he open .ee (e!ween !he whi!e %ape%s o# !he %oose%y (e%!ed !o we%%in$ ro(e he wore* her pu%ses !huddin$ ou! an un&is!a0a(%e &essa$e !o her. -he ro(e s!opped shor! a! S%a!er's 0nees* !he un&is!a0a(%e shape o# his hard !hi$hs easi%y dis!in$uisha(%e (enea!h !he #a(ri as he a&e !owards her* usherin$ her ou! o# !he roo&* and !hen swi#!%y %osin$ !he (edroo& door a#!er !he&. 1@ha! happened/1 "hris as0ed hi& in a dis!ressed .oi e. 14 heard !he &os! aw#u% sound...1 1Sophie has !hese ni$h!&ares*1 he !o%d her in a %ipped !one. 14!'s !he on%y !i&e she e.er uses her .o a% hords. -hey had (een $e!!in$ &ore in#reCuen!.1 -he in#eren e was !ha! so&ehow she was responsi(%e #or !heir re-appearan e and "hris #%ushed an$ri%y. She had (een so !hri%%ed (y !he rappor! she see&ed !o ha.e es!a(%ished wi!h !he %i!!%e $ir%* and now S%a!er was &a0in$ her #ee% $ui%!y* as !hou$h in so&e way she were responsi(%e #or Sophie's dis!ress. 1-he !heory is !ha! in her ni$h!&ares Sophie o&es #a e !o #a e wi!h wha!e.er !rau&a pre.en!s her #ro& spea0in$. 2urin$ !he day she's a(%e !o 0eep her #ears a! (ay* (u! a! ni$h!...1 he shru$$ed* pain e! hin$ sharp %ines a%on$side his &ou!h and "hris a hed wi!h sy&pa!hy #or Sophie and her &en!a% a$ony. 14# she ou%d 9us! !a%0 a(ou! i!...1 she whispered* &ore !o herse%# !han any!hin$ e%se* (u! S%a!er au$h! !he words and $ri&a ed sardoni a%%y. 14# she ou%d.. yes a%% our pro(%e&s wou%d (e so%.ed and Sophie's wi!h !he&* (u! un#or!una!e%y she an'!.1

-hey had (een wa%0in$ down !he passa$e as !hey spo0e* "hris re%u !an!%y ons ious o# S%a!er's pro,i&i!y as his !hi$h o asiona%%y (rushed a$ains! hers. Ou!side her door she ha%!ed* !urnin$ !o #a e hi&* her hear! %eapin$ in!o her !hroa! wi!h a (ound !ha! a%&os! su##o a!ed her as she saw !he way he was %oo0in$ a! her. -he &oon%i$h! !hrou$h her open door had her !rapped in i!s (ea&* !ra in$ !he ou!%ine o# her (ody (enea!h !he !hin o!!on o# her ni$h!dress in #ai!h#u% de!ai%. She he%d her (rea!h as S%a!er's $aLe s%id s%ow%y o.er her* !ryin$ !o Cue%% !he !ension (ui%din$ up inside her. 4n !he pas! he had ne.er %oo0ed a! her %i0e !ha!. 'e had desired her yes* (u! he had (een ons ious o# her you!h and e,perien e. +ow he was s!udyin$ her wi!h a (%end o# raw se,ua% appre ia!ion and on!e&p! !ha! ur$ed her !o es ape. 1-ha!'s a .ery #e! hin$ $ar&en! you're wearin$*1 he draw%ed so#!%y a! %as!. 1)re you sure you $o! up pure%y on Sophie's a oun!* "hris/1 1@ha! do you &ean/1 -he (rea!h hissed #ro& her %un$s wi!h !he Cues!ion* her s0in o%ourin$ wi!h an$er as she in!erpre!ed his Cues!ion. 1Oh o&e on "hris*1 he on!inued* wa! hin$ her* 14 &ay no! (e a &e&(er o# !he 9e! se! rowd you han$ around wi!h (u! 4 a& we%% aware o# !he 0ind o# wo&an you are. Mui!e a ha%%en$e 4 shou%d i&a$ine* !o see i# you ou%d o&e (a 0 and !a0e up where you %e#! o##* (u! 4'& a#raid your repu!a!ion's $one !o your head &y dear 4...1 -oo #urious !o $uard her !on$ue* "hris in!errup!ed hi&. 1You 0now no!hin$ o# !he wo&an 4 a&* S%a!er.1 She .ir!ua%%y spa! !he words a! hi&* her eyes $%ea&in$ (ri$h! $reen in !he &oon%i$h!* her s&oo!h s0in #%ushin$ wi!h !he onrush o# adrena%in !o her .eins. 1)nd as #or wha! you're i&p%yin$* 4 wou%dn'! !ou h you i# you were !he %as! &an on ear!h. You do no!hin$ #or &e*1 she hur%ed a! hi& re 0%ess%y #or $ood &easure. 1You ne.er ha.e and you ne.er wi%%.1 1Oh no/1 'is %in$ers $ripped her wris! as she rea hed #or !he door* i&prisonin$ i! a%&os! pain#u%%y. 'e was %ose enou$h now #or her !o (e aware o# !he an$ry rise and #a%% o# his hes!* and o# !he dar0 #ury (urnin$ his eyes !o &o%!en a&(er. 14!'s hi$h !i&e so&eone shoo0 !ha! pedes!a% you'.e p%a e yourse%# on

%ady*1 he $round ou! a$ains! her ear as he (und%ed her in!o her roo&. -he &o&en! !hey were inside* "hris !urned on hi&* rea !in$ ins!in !i.e%y !o !he #ear ra in$ !hrou$h her* dar!in$ #or !he door as she sou$h! !o e.ade !he punish&en! she sensed he had in &ind* (u! he was !oo #as! #or her* %eanin$ a$ains! !he %osed door as she ra ed #or i! and usin$ !he i&pe!us o# her #%i$h! !o pu%% her hard a$ains! his (ody* a%&os! 0no 0in$ !he (rea!h #ro& her %un$s. 'is hand %e#! her wris! !o $rip her wais!. She was !rapped (e!ween his hands* e.ery an$ry sCuir& o# her (ody (rin$in$ her in!o %oser on!a ! wi!h his unyie%din$ hardness. She ou%d a%&os! #ee% !he ra$e .i(ra!in$ inside hi&. 14'.e wai!ed a %on$ !i&e #or !his oppor!uni!y "hris.1 'is #ury a%&os! s!unned her. She was a! a %oss !o unders!and !he reason #or i!. She was !he one who had (een (e!rayed6 who had (een so (ad%y hur! !ha! she had had !o o&p%e!e%y han$e her %i#e in order !o es ape !he pain* and e.en !hen she had no! su eeded. 1You owe &e...1 14 owe you no!hin$.1 So&ehow she &ana$ed !o (rin$ ou! !he an$ry denia%* a%% !oo aware !ha! !he in reased pressure o# S%a!er's hands was #or in$ her (reas!s a$ains! his hes!* !he rou$h%y an$ry &o.e&en!s o# his (rea!hin$ e,er!in$ a sensua% s!i&u%a!ion !ha! hardened her nipp%es in!o pro.o a!i.e in.i!a!ion and in reased her pu%se ra!e. @hy was she rea !in$ !o hi& %i0e !his when so &any o!her &en had %e#! her o%d/ @hy/ Be ause Cui!e si&p%y her (ody had ne.er #or$o!!en his !ou h6 had ne.er #or$o!!en !he pro&ise i&p%i i! in his %o.e&a0in$6 on e %on$ a$o she had (een pro$ra&&ed !o rea ! passiona!e%y !o his !ou h* and she was no &ore a(%e !o s!op wha! was happenin$ !o her !han she was a(%e !o unders!and his &o!i.a!ion. 17i0e he%%.1 'e a%&os! snar%ed !he words in!o her &ou!h as he (en! his head !owards her. 1@hen you %e#! here* you were s!i%% a .ir$in--one o# !he (i$$es! &is!a0es 4 e.er &ade. You won'! #oo% &e so easi%y a$ain "hris.1 'er .ir$ini!y* !ha! was wha! he (e%ie.ed she owed hi&/ -ha! was wha! !his was a%% a(ou!/ 4n S%a!er's eyes she was !he one who $o! away and he (i!!er%y resen!ed !ha! #a !. @asn'! he on!en! wi!h !he #a ! !ha! he had sedu ed her ousin and i&pre$na!ed her wi!h his hi%d/ @as his on ei! so o%ossa% !ha! he re$re!!ed !ha! she had no! shared +a!a%ie's #a!e/

'ard on !he hee%s o# wren hin$ pain a&e #ier e ra$e. ra$e a$ains! herse%# (e ause he ou%d s!i%% arouse her* and ra$e a$ains! hi&* (e ause he was so &u h %ess !han she had on e !hou$h! hi& !o (e. 14s !ha! wha! a%% !his is a(ou! S%a!er/1 She &ar.e%%ed a! her own a(i%i!y !o appear oo% and &o 0in$. 'e was an$ry* dan$erous%y so* and so&ehow she &us! $e! hi& ou! o# her roo& (e#ore his on!ro% (ro0e o&p%e!e%y. -o wound hi& where he was &os! .u%nera(%e--in his ou!siLe e$o--see&ed her (es! han e she de ided Cui 0%y* 0nowin$ !ha! she ou%d no! !rus! herse%# !o rea ! %o$i a%%y whi%e he s!i%% he%d her in his ar&s. -ha! was !he (i!!eres! pi%% o# a%%--despi!e e.ery!hin$ she 0new6 a%% !he pain she had endured6 she was s!i%% physi a%%y .ery &u h aware o# hi&6 her (ody s!i%% yearned #or hi&* and she 0new !ha! she wou%d ha.e !o #i$h! no! 9us! hi&* (u! her physi a% ra.in$ #or hi& as we%%. 1My .ir$ini!y/1 She #or ed a &o 0in$ s&i%e. 14!'s %on$ $one 4'& a#raid.1 1)nd 4'%% (e! you an'! e.en re&e&(er !he &an you $a.e i! !o.1 -here was a (i!!er .io%en e in his .oi e6 !ha! shoo0 her* a%er!in$ her !o her in reasin$ dan$er. 1@ha! an you re&e&(er "hris/ -his/1 'is &ou!h was on hers (e#ore she ou%d es ape* searin$ her s0in* &ou%din$ her %ips !o !he hard on!ours o# his* his !on$ue e,per!%y pr isin$ i!s way pas! !heir so#! (arrier. ) !housand sensa!ions oursed !hrou$h her .eins* hie# o# whi h was !he 0now%ed$e !ha! no &an had e.er &ade her #ee% %i0e !his. She 0new she shou%d #i$h! !o es ape* (u! her (ody was !oo wea0 !o o(ey her &ind. She &ade a so#! sound o# need in her !hroa!* ins!an!%y !rans%a!ed (y S%a!er* his !ee!h nippin$ ero!i a%%y a! her s0in un!i% her &ou!h opened* and her hands o# !heir own .o%i!ion %o 0ed (ehind his head* her #in$ers %u! hin$ a! !he !hi 0 dar0ness o# his hair* as she $a.e herse%# up o&p%e!e%y !o !he o.erpowerin$ ra$e o# need pourin$ !hrou$h her. 4! was as !hou$h her s!ar.ed senses had sudden%y o&e !o %i#e* drin0in$ $reedi%y #ro& S%a!er's &ou!h* respondin$ !o his 0iss wi!h a #e.erish in!ensi!y !ha! (%o!!ed ou! a%% a(i%i!y !o !hin0. 'is !hu&( s!ro0ed her !hroa!* #indin$ !he spo! where !he so#! sounds o# p%easure re.er(era!ed a$ains! her s0in* &a0in$ her !re&(%e wi!h desire. 'er hands s%id #ro& his ne 0 !o !he open %ape%s o# his ro(e* in.es!i$a!in$ !he power#u% s!ru !ure o# his shou%ders* his s0in war&%y sensua% %i0e raw si%0* !o her !ou h. She wan!ed !o !ou h hi& a%% o.er* !o a(sor( hi& in!o her and (e a(sor(ed (y hi&. 4! see&ed i&possi(%e !ha! she ou%d $e! %ose enou$h

!o hi&* and his pro(in$ !hu&( re$is!ered !he i&pa!ien e o# her so#!%y &oaned need* as i! s!ro0ed her !hroa!. @hi h one o# !he& %oosened !he (e%! o# his ro(e "hris did no! 0now* (u! she did 0now !ha! i! was S%a!er who s%id !he s!raps o# her ni$h!dress down her ar&s* un!i% !he (odi e a&e #ree* his (ody !au! wi!h desire as he s!udied !he &oon- si%.ered ou!%ines o# her (reas!s. +o &an had seen her %i0e !his (e#ore* no! e.en S%a!er hi&se%#* (u! !here was pride in !he way "hris he%d her (ody* her (rea!hin$ Cui 0enin$ as she #e%! S%a!er re$is!er !he (ur$eonin$ e.iden e o# her desire as her nipp%es s!i##ened in!o hard pea0s and she swayed %ose !o hi&. S!i%% %eanin$ on !he door he pu%%ed her in!o !he rad%e o# his hips* !he hard e.iden e o# his desire #or her so&e!hin$ !ha! wou%d ha.e sho 0ed her nor&a%%y (u! whi h now &ade her a he wi!h e, i!e&en! and need. 3a!iona% !hou$h! was i&possi(%e. Pas! and presen! &er$ed and &in$%ed un!i% !hey were insepara(%e. -he si, %on$ years !hey had (een apar! &i$h! ne.er ha.e (een6 "hris's (ody re9oi ed in his #a&i%iar !ou h* her &ou!h pressin$ wi%d%y p%eadin$ 0isses a$ains! his s0in as his hands upped her (reas!s and his dar0 head des ended* his %ips &a0in$ a %eisure%y e,p%ora!ion o# her sa!in s0in. +ei!her o# !he& spo0e a word* !he sound o# !heir &in$%ed (rea!hin$ !he on%y !hin$ !o (rea0 !he !hi 0 si%en e. O(eyin$ so&e unspo0en o&&and "hris ar hed (a 0 a$ains! !he suppor! o# S%a!er's hands %ow on her (a 0. 4n !he &oon%i$h! her (reas!s $%ea&ed &i%0y whi!e* !heir #u%% ur.es !au! and pro.o a!i.e. 'er hear! !hudded wi!h s%ed$eha&&er (%ows* an a hin$ need oi%in$ in !he pi! o# her s!o&a h. )$ains! her %ower (ody S%a!er's !hi$hs #e%! hard and !ense* !he hea! o&in$ o## his s0in in.adin$ her (%oods!rea& and Cui 0enin$ !he ourse o# her (%ood. One hand %e#! her (a 0 !o up her (reas!* his !hu&( s!ro0in$ s%ow%y o.er !he hard pea0 o# her nipp%e. S%a!er's $aLe #as!ened on !he #%esh he was aressin$ wi!h a !ense a(sorp!ion !ha! !i$h!ened !he spira% o# need inside "hris* un!i% she wan!ed !o ry ou! wi!h !he a$ony o# i!. @i!h a%&os! un(eara(%e s%owness S%a!er %owered his &ou!h !o her (reas!* s!ro0in$ a$onisin$ de%i(era!e ir %es o# p%easure round !he pa%e s0in 9us! (eyond !he aureo%e o# her nipp%e. 4! was a !or&en! "hris ou%dn'! endure. She %i#!ed her hands !o his ne 0 (uryin$ her #in$ers in his %ianas she ur$ed his &ou!h a$ains! her (ody* ar hin$ i! wan!on%y a$ains! hi&. S!i%% he on!inued his sensua% p%ay wi!h her nipp%e*

!easin$ i! wi!h %i$h! &ois! s!ro0es !ha! dro.e her in!o a &ind%ess #renLy o# need* hus0y sounds o# #rus!ra!ion 9oinin$ !he $rowin$ !ension o# !heir (rea!hin$. 1"hris...1 -he hoarse sound o# S%a!er's .oi e in!ruded on her pri.a!e wor%d o# #an!asy* sho 0in$ her in!o rea%i!y. S%a!er raised his head !o s!udy her* his eyes &issin$ no!hin$ as !hey s%id s%ow%y o.er her (ody in sardoni appraisa% o# i!s arousa%. -he hea! inside her !urned !o i e* and "hris shi.ered* (i!!er%y re$re!!in$ her %a 0 o# se%# on!ro%. 1@ha! was !ha! you said a(ou! &e doin$ no!hin$ #or you/1 4! was a !aun! she &i$h! ha.e e,pe !ed* and one !ha! was we%% deser.ed in !he ir u&s!an es* and where she had a hed wi!h desire "hris now a hed wi!h pain. )s S%a!er re%eased her* she &ade an ins!in !i.e &o.e !o ross her ar&s o.er her na0ed (reas!s. 'is e,pression $ri&%y on!e&p!uous he #o%%owed !he &o.e&en!. 1)%% !hese years 4'.e wondered wha! i! wou%d ha.e (een %i0e wi!h you (u! a wo&an who's so easi%y aroused (y e.ery &an who !ou hes her is %i0e #%a! ha&pa$ne--!as!e%ess and unappe!isin$.1 1You wan!ed &e.1 "hris &ur&ured !he words in (ewi%dered a$ony una(%e !o o&prehend #u%%y wha! had happened. 1-ha! was &ere%y a &a%e &ani#es!a!ion o# physi a% desire ... !here was no!hin$ persona% in i! "hris* 9us! as !here was no!hin$ persona% in your desire #or &e. Your +ew Yor0 s!uds &i$h! no! &ind (ein$ &ere%y one o# a rowd* (u! 4'& a#raid !ha!'s no! #or &e.1 'e opened !he door and wa%0ed !hrou$h i! %ea.in$ her s!arin$ nu&(%y a#!er hi&. 'ow had i! happened/ 'ow had he !rapped her in!o (e!rayin$ herse%# !o hi& in su h a way/ 'er &ind ir %ed end%ess%y !ryin$ !o #ind an e,p%ana!ion* (u! !here was none. 'er %ips were dry* and she !ou hed !he& wi!h !he !ip o# her !on$ue* dis!ur(ed (y !heir #ain!%y swo%%en on!ours. 7i0e an au!o&a!on she pu%%ed on her ni$h!dress* shudderin$ as deep spas&s o# se%# dis$us! wra 0ed her. She deser.ed e.ery oun e o# !he on!e&p! S%a!er had shown her--no! (e ause she was !he sha%%ow* se%# indu%$en! rea!ure he (e%ie.ed* (u! (e ause she had a%%owed her (ody !o (e!ray her &ind* !o o.erru%e si, years o# hard wor0. Ori$ina%%y when she %e#! 7i!!%e Mar!in she had !o%d herse%# !ha! a! %eas! she had her se%# respe !6 !ha! !ha! was s!i%% in!a !6 now she didn'! e.en ha.e !ha!. She had &e%!ed in S%a!er's ar&s %i0e a %i$h!ed and%e* %i0e o.er-dry 0ind%in$* and i! s!i%% sho 0ed her !ha! he had !he power !o i$ni!e her senses in !ha! way. Aiewed #ro& a dis!an e o# si, years*

her ado%es en! hun$er #or hi& had (een so&e!hin$ she had se! aside as una(%e !o happen !o her a se ond !i&e. -he in!ensi!y o# need he ou%d arouse inside her was so&e!hin$ she #ound hard !o o&e !o !er&s wi!h. She 0new herse%# we%% enou$h !o 0now !ha! she had ne.er #e%! %i0e !ha! wi!h anyone e%se. S%a!er was !he on%y one who ou%d &a0e her (urn wi!h physi a% hun$er. @hy/ Be ause o# wha! had happened (e!ween !he& in !he pas!6 !ha! &us! (e !he answer. >n(idden* ano!her and &ore serious e,p%ana!ion raised i!s head* (u! "hris re#used !o e.en ad&i! i!. S!i%% in %o.e wi!h S%a!er/ 'ow ou%d she (e. She ou%dn'! hide herse%# away in her roo& #or e.er* "hris !o%d herse%# sardoni a%%y* s!udyin$ her re#%e !ion in !he &irror* her &a0e-up was #%aw%ess* and on%y an e,per! ou%d !e%% how &u h she had done !o on ea% !he resu%!s o# her s%eep%ess ni$h!. 'er hair she had drawn (a 0 in a sophis!i a!ed 0no!6 her si%0 separa!es were spe ia%%y hosen !o enhan e her oo%* !ou h &e no! appearan e. 4! was a %i!!%e !oo %a!e !o hide (ehind !ha! #a ade now* she !o%d herse%# yni a%%y* (u! she needed !he ar&our o# appearin$ !o (e in on!ro% when she #a ed S%a!er. 'er #a e o%oured #ain!%y (enea!h her &a0e-up as she re&e&(ered her a(andoned response !o hi&. +o* S%a!er wasn'! $oin$ !o a%%ow her !o #or$e! %as! ni$h! in a hurry. -ee!h %en hed she wa%0ed !owards her door. She wou%d ha.e !o #a e hi&* #or Sophie's sa0e i# no!hin$ e%se. 'e %i#!ed his head (rie#%y in a 0now%ed$e&en! o# her presen e as she wa%0ed in!o !he (rea0#as! roo&. 2ressed #or !he o##i e* he %oo0ed re&o!e and #or&ida(%e. -ryin$ !o s!e& her inward Cui.erin$ "hris pu%%ed ou! a hair and sa! down. 1Aery i&pressi.e.1 -he paper was %aid aside as he s!udied her i&&a u%a!e #a e and si%0 (%ouse. 1Bu! i! doesn'! #oo% &e "hris. 4 ou$h! !o !han0 you #or %as! ni$h!. 4! &i$h! ha.e !a0en si, years !o (rin$ &e !o &y senses* (u! %as! ni$h! er!ain%y did !he !ri 0. -here's no!hin$ %i0e a o%d dose o# rea%i!y #or (anishin$ i&possi(%e drea&s is !here/ 1 'e was !a%0in$ in ridd%es !ha! "hris ou%d no! unders!and. She s!ar!ed !o pour herse%# a up o# o##ee and !hen s!opped as her hand s!ar!ed !o sha0e.

1@i!hdrawa% sy&p!o&s/1 'is s&i%e was !aun! 8 in$%y rue%. 1You don'! ha.e !o s!ay here "hris* you 0now !ha!. You an %ea.e any !i&e you %i0e.1 1-ha!'s 9us! wha! you'd %i0e &e !o do isn'! i!.1 -he !ru!h hi! her in a (%indin$ #%ash. S%a!er was !oo %e.er !o open%y de#y +a!a%ie's wi%%* (u! !here were &ore su(!%e ways o# &a0in$ sure she ne.er #u%#i%%ed her responsi(i%i!ies !owards Sophie. 14'& no! %ea.in$ here ye! S%a!er*1 she !o%d hi& ur!%y* 1+o! un!i% 4 #ind ou! wha!'s haun!in$ Sophie...1 1+o(%e sen!i&en!s.1 'is #a e %oo0ed aus!ere* his e,pression shu!!ered. 1You rea%ise o# ourse* !ha! we &i$h! ne.er #ind ou!. Sophie's !rau&a ou%d (e per&anen!. 1 4! was a sho 0in$ !hou$h!. "hris's &ind swi! hed #ro& her own pro(%e&s !o !he %i!!%e $ir%'s. 1'ow is she !his &ornin$/1 she Cueried worried%y. 1S!i%% s%eepin$. She o#!en does a#!er a (ad ni$h! %i0e %as! ni$h!. 4'.e $i.en Mrs. 7an as!er ins!ru !ions !o %e! her s%eep on. @ha! do you propose !o do wi!h yourse%# !his &ornin$/ 1 @ho did he !hin0 he was* her $ao%er/ "hris #rowned deep%y. 14 !hou$h! 4'd $o in!o !he .i%%a$e and see a(ou! $e!!in$ !he Mini #i,ed. 4 an'! 0eep on usin$ so&eone e%se's ar.1 1>&&...1 'e didn'! spea0 a$ain un!i% he $o! up !o %ea.e* (y whi h !i&e "hris's ner.es were in shreds. >n%i0e her he see&ed !o ha.e su##ered no a#!er e##e !s #ro& %as! ni$h!* (u! !hen un%i0e her he had no! su##ered !he &os! a u!e &en!a% and physi a% an$uish (e ause o# i!. -he &os! unpa%a!a(%e !hin$ o# a%% was !ha! her (ody s!i%% a hed #or hi&6 s!i%% hun$ered #or his possession. )#!er he had $one "hris wen! ups!airs !o %oo0 in on Sophie. -he %i!!%e $ir% was so pea e#u%%y as%eep !ha! i! see&ed i&possi(%e !o onne ! her

pea e now wi!h !he !or&en! she had su##ered durin$ !he ni$h!. S%a!er had !o%d her !ha! Sophie rare%y wo0e up durin$ her ni$h!&ares* and !ha! on her do !or's ad.i e he did no! &en!ion !he& !o her when she was awa0e. 8,p%ainin$ !o Mrs. 7an as!er where she was $oin$* "hris $o! in her (orrowed ar and dro.e down !o !he .i%%a$e. -he s&a%% $ara$e %oo0ed &u h spru er !han she re&e&(ered i! and !he youn$ &an who a&e #orward !o he%p her see&ed ea$er !o p%ease. Mui 0%y "hris ou!%ined her pro(%e&. 14'%% er!ain%y $o up and ha.e a %oo0 a! i! #or you*1 he a$reed when she had #inished. 1@here did you say you were s!ayin$/1 @hen "hris !o%d hi&* she was surprised !o see !he dar0 o%our seepin$ up under his s0in. 1You'%% (e +a! ... !ha! is Mrs. Ja&es's ousin !hen/1 he (%ur!ed ou!. 1Yes.1 She wa! hed hi& are#u%%y. O(.ious%y he 0new +a!a%ie* (u! !hen he wou%d. 7i!!%e Mar!in was a .ery s&a%% .i%%a$e. 'e was Cui!e a!!ra !i.e in a #air-headed* (oyish way* pro(a(%y a oup%e o# years her 9unior "hris dedu ed* and possi(%y so&e!hin$ o# an idea%is!. 1You 0new &y ousin/1 'e nodded his head* his o%our in reasin$* his head %owerin$ de#ensi.e%y as he answered. 1She (rou$h! her ar !o &e #or ser.i in$. @e $o! Cui!e #riend%y. 1 'is #a e !wis!ed in!o a (i!!er s&i%e. 14# she'd !a0en &y ad.i e she &i$h! s!i%% (e a%i.e now. 4 0new she wasn'! happy* (u!...1 he !urned away* and "hris Cues!ioned sharp%y* 1+a!a%ie !o%d you she wasn'! happy/1 1@e used !o $o ou! #or a drin0 o asiona%%y. 'er ar hadn'! (een runnin$ .ery we%%. 4 ou%dn'! #ind any!hin$ wron$ wi!h i!* so she su$$es!ed we wen! ou! #or a dri.e--she !hou$h! !he #au%! &i$h! show up (e!!er. She !o%d &e she was .ery %one%y and we $o! in!o !he ha(i! o# $oin$ ou! on e or !wi e a &on!h.1 'e saw "hris's e,pression and no! 0nowin$ wha! had aused i! and !ha! her sardoni $ri&a e was &ore #or

her ousin's dup%i i!y !han (e ause o# his response !o i!* said de#ensi.e%y* 14! was a%% Cui!e inno en!.. she 9us! needed so&eone !o !a%0 !o...1 %i0ed her.. she said !ha! no one here unders!ood her. She was (ored* %one%y... 'er hus(and i$nored her6 he had o!her wo&en. -he oroner said !ha! she !oo0 her own %i#e (e ause she was se.ere%y depressed* (u! i! was her hus(and who was rea%%y responsi(%e. 4# he hadn'! ne$%e !ed her. 4# he'd %o.ed her as she deser.ed !o (e %o.ed.1 'e !urned !o "hris* his #a e drawn in (e!rayin$ %ines o# an$uish* and "hris re o$nised in his e,pression a%% his hope%ess adora!ion o# her ousin and #e%! pi!y #or hi&. 1'e re#used !o s%eep wi!h her you 0now* !o (e a proper hus(and !o her. 4! s!ar!ed when she was arryin$ his hi%d. 'e said she %oo0ed repu%si.e. 'e (ro0e her hear!.1 'is re.e%a!ions were as!oundin$ "hris. She didn'! 0now wha! !o (e%ie.e. +a!a%ie had a%ways had a pen han! #or e&(roiderin$ !he !ru!h* (u! she a%ready 0new !ha! her ousin and S%a!er had separa!e roo&s. 'ad he perhaps re$re!!ed his i&pu%si.e &arria$e !o her/ 'ad he e.er wished !ha! she had (een !he one he had &arried/ Bu! no* she was %e!!in$ her i&a$ina!ion run away wi!h her now. S%a!er had ne.er rea%%y wan!ed her. She 0new !ha! +a!a%ie had died #ro& an o.erdose o# s%eepin$ pi%%s and she wondered sudden%y i# !he do !or who had pres ri(ed !he& had rea%ised how dan$erous%y depressed her ousin was. 'a.in$ !han0ed +a!a%ie's youn$ ad&irer #or his o##er !o he 0 o.er !he Mini* "hris &ade arran$e&en!s !o !e%ephone hi& in a #ew days' !i&e !o see wha! pro$ress i# any had (een &ade. 'e had* she %earned (e#ore she !oo0 her %ea.e o# hi&* (ou$h! !he s&a%% .i%%a$e (usiness wi!h a s&a%% %e$a y. 'ad he and +a!a%ie (een %o.ers/ So&ehow "hris didn'! !hin0 so. 3i hard "our#%and did no! s!ri0e her as !he !ype !o in.o%.e hi&se%# wi!h ano!her &an's wi#e on a physi a% %e.e%. +o* wha!e.er o&#or! +a!a%ie had had #ro& hi&* i! had (een o# a pure%y e&o!iona% na!ure "hris #e%! sure. Be#ore re!urnin$ !o !he house she a%%ed in a! !he .i%%a$e he&is! in 7i!!%e Mar!in* !hey shared a do !or wi!h !hree o!her .i%%a$es* and o%d 2o !or Eood#e%%ow had ne.er &ade any se re! o# his on!e&p! #or s%eepin$ !a(%e!s and !ranCui%isers. "hris was near%y sure he wou%d ne.er ha.e pres ri(ed !he& #or +a!a%ie who had a%ways had a !enden y !owards &or(id hypo hondria. On enCuiry !he he&is! !o%d her heer#u%%y !ha! 2o !or Eood#e%%ow had re!ired* and !ha! !hey now a&e under a %o a% Eroup Pra !i e (ased in !he neares! !own.

14!'s 2o !or 'oward who near%y a%ways does !he house a%%s*1 he #ur!her a&p%i#ied. 1'e %i.es 9us! ou!side !he .i%%a$e. 'e used !o pra !i e in 7ondon* (u! when his wi#e (e a&e i%% !hey de ided !o &o.e down here. Sha&e a(ou! her. On%y !hir!y-!wo and %i0e%y !o (e an in.a%id #or !he res! o# her %i#e.1 'e e,p%ained !o "hris !ha! !he do !or's wi#e su##ered #ro& a pro$ressi.e &us u%ar was!in$ disease* addin$ !ha! !heir !hree hi%dren were now a! (oardin$ s hoo%. 12e.o!ed !o his 0ids 2o !or 'oward is.1 S&i%in$ &e hani a%%y "hris %e#! !he shop. 4! wasn'! hard !o i&a$ine !ha! an o.erwor0ed do !or* wi!h as &any persona% pro(%e&s as 2r. 'oward apparen!%y had* wou%d pres ri(e s%eepin$ !a(%e!s #or so&eone %i0e +a!a%ie . possi(%y hopin$ !o 0eep her ou! o# his (usy sur$ery. "hris wondered i# i! was wor!h $oin$ !o see hi&. She 0new !ha! no!hin$ wou%d (rin$ (a 0 her ousin* (u! she ou%dn'! he%p !hin0in$ i# she ou%d dis o.er &ore a(ou! why she had !a0en her own %i#e she &i$h! #ind so&e %ue !ha! wou%d he%p wi!h Sophie. 4! was %un h!i&e when she $o! (a 0 !o !he house. Sophie pi 0ed %a 0%us!re%y a! her #ood* %oo0in$ hea.y-eyed and !ired. 4! !ranspired !ha! i! was Mrs. 7an as!er's a#!ernoon o##* and "hris readi%y a$reed !o %oo0 a#!er !he %i!!%e $ir%* su$$es!in$ !ha! !hey wen! ou! #or a wa%0. Sophie nodded her head when !he Cues!ion was pu! !o her* and ha%# an hour %a!er !he !wo o# !he& se! o## a%on$ a pa!h "hris re&e&(ered #ro& her own hi%dhood. 4! %ed a ross se.era% #ie%ds and on !o so&e open $round where $ypsies used !o a&p when "hris was %i!!%e. )! #irs! Sophie see&ed Cui!e ea$er !o wa%0 (ris0%y !hrou$h !he #ie%ds. -he rops were $rowin$ we%% and as !hey wa%0ed "hris !a%0ed* no! as0in$ #or any rep%y* (u! !ryin$ !o &oni!or Sophie's response !o her ha!!er. 4! wasn'! un!i% !hey rea hed !he %as! #ie%d !ha! "hris rea%ised !he open $round no %on$er e,is!ed. Se.era% houses had (een (ui%! on i!* in %udin$ a %ar$e (un$a%ow whose (a 0 $arden o.er%oo0ed !he #ie%ds. Drownin$ s%i$h!%y she was dis!ur(ed !o dis o.er !ha! Sophie had sudden%y $one ri$id* her s&a%% (ody .ery !ense. 1Sophie* dar%in$* wha! is i!/1 "hris 0ne%! (eside her* %oo0in$ worried%y a! her se! #a e. Sophie was s!arin$ in !he dire !ion o# !he new de.e%op&en!. PuLL%ed* "hris #o%%owed her on en!ra!ed a!!en!ion. -here was no!hin$ espe ia%%y re&ar0a(%e a(ou! !he houses6 no!hin$ !ha!

!o her eyes ou%d ha.e $i.en rise !o !he %i!!%e $ir%'s in!ense rea !ion. 2e idin$ !o !a0e a ris0 "hris said asua%%y* 1"o&e on !hen* %e!'s $o and %oo0 a! !hose houses* 4 ha.en'! seen !he& (e#ore.1 She s!ood up (u! (e#ore she ou%d !a0e a sin$%e s!ep #orward Sophie !u$$ed on her hand and re#used !o &o.e. 4! wasn'! un!i% "hris !urned round !o #a e !he dire !ion !hey had o&e in !ha! Sophie onsen!ed !o wa%0. @ha! had (een !he ause o# her sudden !ension/ "hris wondered i# i! was wor!h &en!ionin$ !he in iden! !o anyone* re%u !an! !o approa h S%a!er in ase he !hou$h! she was si&p%y usin$ Sophie as an e, use !o draw his a!!en!ion !o her. 'er #a e #%a&ed as she !hou$h! a(ou! !he pre.ious ni$h!. She !ried !o dis&iss !he &e&ories #ro& her &ind* (u! !hey 0ep! sur$in$ (a 0. -he in!ensi!y o# her own physi a% response s!i%% sho 0ed her6 e.en now she ou%d hard%y (e%ie.e !ha! she had a !ua%%y e,perien ed su h an o.erwhe%&in$ need. 4! was o&p%e!e%y ou! o# hara !er. "o&p%e!e%y ou! o# !he hara !er she had (ui%! #or herse%# sin e %ea.in$ ho&e* she a&ended s%i$h!%y. -he o%d "hrissie had rea !ed in &u h !he sa&e way* on%y !hen she had no! had !he e,perien e !o re o$nise !he in!ensi!y o# her desire. Sophie %oo0ed so !ired and drained when !hey $o! (a 0 !o !he house !ha! "hris su$$es!ed a nap. )%!hou$h she ou%d no! spea0 Sophie had her own way o# o&&uni a!in$ and her (rie# nod on#ir&ed !o "hris !ha! !he %i!!%e $ir% was !ired. @i!h Sophie as%eep !he res! o# !he a#!ernoon s!re! hed e&p!i%y ahead. 4! was #i.e o' %o 0. She had no idea wha! !i&e she ou%d e,pe ! S%a!er (a 0--i# indeed he in!ended !o re!urn #or dinner. 4n !he o%d days he had on%y wor0ed Sa!urday &ornin$s. She had a s!ron$ suspi ion !ha! #ro& now on he wou%d (e a! pains !o a.oid her. 'e had &ade his poin!6 pro.ed how .u%nera(%e !o hi& she was. Si$hin$* "hris re&e&(ered her pro&ise !o $o !hrou$h +a!a%ie's !hin$s. She pushed open !he door !o her ousin's roo&* %e!!in$ ou! her (rea!h in a #ain! si$h. -he de or was !ypi a%%y +a!a%ie* s!ron$ and dra&a!i wi!h %o!s o# ri h o%ours. ) (an0 o# wardro(es #i%%ed one wa%%.

)n hour %a!er "hris had a u&u%a!ed se.era% pi%es o# %o!hes on !he #%oor (eside her. -he air around her was !hi 0 wi!h her ousin's #a.ouri!e per#u&e* a%&os! %oyin$%y so* and "hris &o.ed (a 0 !o push open !he (edroo& door. +a!a%ie er!ain%y hadn'! s!in!ed herse%# on %o!hes* (u! !hen wasn'! %o!hes (uyin$ a #a.oured o upa!ion o# %one%y* (ored wo&en/ 'ad her ousin (een %one%y/ ) s&a%% sound &ade "hris !urn round. Sophie was s!andin$ 9us! inside !he open door a %oo0 o# a(9e ! horror on her #a e. @hen she saw "hris she &ade a s&a%%* inar!i u%a!e sound and hur%ed herse%# a! her* !he #or e o# her s&a%% (ody near%y ro 0in$ "hris (a 0 on her hee%s. 4ns!in !i.e%y she o&#or!ed !he %i!!%e $ir% hu$$in$ and soo!hin$ her. Sophie (uried her #a e a$ains! her (reas!* (rea!hin$ in deep%y* and i! was se.era% se onds (e#ore "hris rea%ised !ha! !he %i!!%e $ir% was !ryin$ !o a(sor( her per#u&e. >n%i0e +a!a%ie's i! was %i$h! and #resh* and Sophie see&ed !o #ind i! soo!hin$* (e ause she s!opped !re&(%in$* and a%%owed "hris !o s!and up wi!h her in her ar&s. She was 9us! wa%0in$ !owards !he door wi!h her* when S%a!er wa%0ed in* his eyes a hard* &e!a%%i $o%d. -hey ra0ed o.er her #urious%y as she s!ood !here* a pu%se (ea!in$ sporadi a%%y a! !he side o# his 9aw. 1@ha! are you doin$/1 1+a!a%ie was &y ousin.1 "hris rep%ied !au!%y* #or so&e reason no! (o!herin$ !o e,p%ain !o hi& !ha! Mrs. 7an as!er had reCues!ed her he%p. 14sn'! i! na!ura% !ha! 4 shou%d wan! !o 0now why she shou%d wan! !o end her %i#e/1 1)nd you hoped !o #ind e,p%ana!ions in here/1 'is s&i%e was un0ind%y derisi.e. 1+a!a%ie spen! a%&os! as %i!!%e !i&e in her own (ed as she did in &ine. @e%%*1 he de&anded sa.a$e%y when she s!ared &u!e%y a! hi&* 'isn'! !ha! wha! you wan!ed !o 0now/ 4sn'! !ha! one o# !he reasons why you a&e (a 0/ -o see 9us! wha! ha.o you wrou$h!/ 1 'is &eanin$ was %os! !o her* a%% she ou%d do was !a0e in !he #a ! !ha! whi%s! she had assu&ed S%a!er's indi##eren e had dri.en +a!a%ie away #ro& hi&* he was i&p%yin$ !ha! her ousin had ne.er en9oyed (ein$ his wi#e. @ha! was !he !ru!h/

"')P-83 D4A8 no! wan!in$ !o &ee! Sarah a$ain "hris de ided !he ne,! !i&e !he o!her $ir% was due !ha! she wou%d spend !he &ornin$ a! !he o!!a$e. Be#ore she $o! es!i&a!es #or !he wor0 !ha! wou%d need !o (e done she wan!ed !o ha.e ano!her %oo0 a! !he p%a e. @as i! si&p%y &isp%a ed nos!a%$ia !ha! &ade her wan! !o 0eep i!/ )#!er a%% she was rare%y in 8n$%and !hese days. S!i%% she wou%dn'! &ode% #or e.er* she re&inded herse%# and !hen !here was Sophie. -he o!!a$e wou%d (e a use#u% (ase #ro& whi h she ou%d see !he %i!!%e $ir% in years !o o&e. She had a sudden and sharp%y pain#u% .ision o# S%a!er wi!h Sarah and perhaps e.en !heir hi%dren* herse%# onde&ned a%ways !o (e an ou!sider in his %i#e* !o%era!ed (e ause +a!a%ie had appoin!ed her as her hi%d's $uardian. ) (i!!er !hou$h! s!ru 0 her. +a!a%ie had 0nown how despera!e%y in %o.e wi!h S%a!er she had (een6 had her ousin appoin!ed her as Sophie's $uardian !hrou$h so&e Ma hia.e%%ian desire !o ause her #ur!her pain/ She #rowned* !ryin$ !o dis&iss !he !hou$h! as she dro.e !owards !he o!!a$e. She had heard so &u h !ha! was on#%i !in$ re en!%y* i! was no wonder she #ound i! di##i u%! !o orre%a!e a%% !he #a !s proper%y. Dor ins!an e 3i hard had %ai&ed !ha! i! had (een S%a!er who re9e !ed +a!a%ie (e ause o# her pre$nan y* whi%e S%a!er had i&p%ied* wi!hou! sayin$ as &u h* !ha! +a!a%ie had (een pro&is uous-- un#ai!h#u% !o her &arria$e .ows* (u! !hen &i$h! her e&o!iona%%y uns!a(%e ousin ha.e !hou$h! she had $ood reason !o (e i# 3i hard was ri$h! and S%a!er had re9e !ed her/ @hen she pu%%ed up ou!side !he o!!a$e "hris was no nearer !o dis o.erin$ e,a !%y wha! she !hou$h!. )s a !eena$er she had #ound S%a!er se,ua%%y o.er-powerin$6 he was a &an wi!h a s!ron$ se, dri.e as re en! e.en!s had pro.ed and she ou%dn'! see hi& a(sen!in$ hi&se%# #ro& his wi#e's (ed un%ess !here was so&eone e%se !o !a0e her p%a e. 'ad he perhaps (e!rayed +a!a%ie in !he sa&e way !ha! he had (e!rayed her/ Bo!h o# !he& had (een youn$ and inno en!--perhaps !oo nai.e !o ho%d his in!eres! on e !he !hri%% o# !he ini!ia% hase was o.er. 4n !he (ri$h! ear%y su&&er sunshine !he o!!a$e %oo0ed depressin$%y de%apida!ed. 4! wou%d os! a #or!une !o pu! i! in order* "hris &used as she e,a&ined !he downs!airs roo&s. -he 0i! hen* a%ways s&a%% and po0y needed o&p%e!e%y $u!!in$ and perhaps e.en e,!endin$* i# p%annin$ per&ission ou%d (e o(!ained. -he prospe ! o# a%% !he wor0 and e,pense in.o%.ed shou%d ha.e (een daun!in$ (u! as she wandered round "hris #ound herse%# i&a$inin$ how !he o!!a$e 1 ou%d (e6 how &u h she wou%d en9oy (ein$ here* %oo0in$ a#!er Sophie.. !he !wo !he& spendin$ %on$ e.enin$s !a%0in$... 4# Sophie e.er did !a%0 a$ain. She &us!* "hris !hou$h! #ier e%y* so&ehow !he %i!!%e $ir% &us! (e #reed

#ro& !he !rau&a !rappin$ her in her wor%d o# si%en e. 4# on%y !here was so&e way she ou%d rea%%y he%p her. -he i&po!en e o# her si!ua!ion $a%%ed her. She wan!ed so &u h !o he%p Sophie* a%ready drawn !o !he %i!!%e $ir% in a way she had ne.er e,pe !ed. Sophie had &u h o# her $rand&o!her in her "hris a 0now%ed$ed6 and !ha! o&(ined wi!h !he physi a% si&i%ari!y (e!ween !he& had #or$ed an a%&os! ins!an!aneous (ond. So(er%y she re#%e !ed on how !ha! sa&e o&(ina!ion &us! ha.e a##e !ed +a!a%ie* who had %oa!hed her* and ne.er !ru%y appre ia!ed her own &o!her. Si$hin$ "hris &ade her way ups!airs. -he s!airs rea0ed pro!es!in$%y under !he pressure o# her wei$h!* !he (anis!er rai% dan$erous%y ri 0e!y. >ps!airs "hris &ade ins!in !i.e%y #or her own roo&* her eyes $%an in$ a%on$ !he #a&i%iar (oo0 she%.es. -here were se.era% s&a%% $aps. 2id !ha! &ean !ha! Sophie had &ore (oo0s !ha! had (e%on$ed !o her/ Bu! how had she $o! !he&/ "hris ou%dn'! see +a!a%ie $i.in$ !he& !o her. +a!a%ie had ne.er (een a 0een reader6 indeed "hris had a .i.id &e&ory o# ryin$ wre! hed%y under !he (ed %o!hes one ni$h! (e ause +a!a%ie had &u!i%a!ed one o# her #a.ouri!e (oo0s. +a!a%ie had !a0en a spi!e#u% p%easure in her dis!ress* she re&e&(ered wry%y. "ou%d her ousin ha.e han$ed so &u h !ha! she had a !ua%%y wan!ed !o hand Sophie in!o her are !hrou$h $enuine ousin%y %o.e/ "hris did no! !hin0 so. She (i! her %ip as she s!ared si$h!%ess%y ou! o# !he (edroo& window. She had a s!ron$ on.i !ion !ha! her ear%ier suspi ions had (een !he ri$h! ones. +a!a%ie had &ade !he appoin!&en! !hrou$h sheer &a%i e* 0nowin$ how &u h i! wou%d !or!ure her !o ha.e !o o&e in %ose on!a ! wi!h S%a!er. ?nowin$. "hris drew in a sharp (rea!h* !re&(%in$ as she san0 down on !o her (ed* unaware o# !he da&p seepin$ #ro& i! in!o her 9eans. @ha! was she !hin0in$/ @ha! was she ad&i!!in$/ Sudden%y she had (een (rou$h! #a e !o #a e wi!h so&e!hin$ she had !ried !o on ea% #ro& herse%# #or years. -here had (een no one e%se in her %i#e si&p%y (e ause she had ne.er o&p%e!e%y e.i !ed S%a!er #ro& i!. Oh yes* she had $one away* (ui%! a new %i#e #or herse%#* (u! i! had (een in &any ways a s!eri%e %i#e6 and no &a!!er how &u h she !ried !o deny i! !o herse%# she was s!i%% .ery .u%nera(%e !o S%a!er. She had &e! &any &en durin$ her areer as a &ode% so&e as se,ua%%y power#u%* &any (e!!er %oo0in$* (u! none o# !he& a##e !ed her in !he way !ha! he did. She s!i%% %o.ed hi&6 i# %o.e* su h a si&p%e word* was !he ri$h! des rip!ion #ro& !he #ri$h!enin$ o&p%e,i!y and ran$e o# e&o!ions he aroused inside her6 an$er6 need6 pain* sharp%y a u!e se,ua% hun$er* and a%ways a !erri(%e

a hin$ %oss !ha! she shou%d are so &u h and he shou%d are no! a! a%%. Shi.erin$* she s!ood up* pa in$ !he s&a%% roo&* an$ry wi!h herse%# and (i!!er%y resen!#u% o# +a!a%ie who had #or ed !his on#ron!a!ion upon her. -he o!her ni$h! when S%a!er had !ou hed her she had responded (%ind%y* ins!in !i.e%y* her s!ar.ed senses respondin$ !o his !ou h a$ains! her wi%%. 'e (e%ie.in$ her !o (e se,ua%%y e,perien ed had pu! her response down !o se,ua% hun$er--she 0new (e!!er. @rappin$ her ar&s round her s%ender wais! she !o%d herse%# !ha! S%a!er &us! ne.er* e.er dis o.er !he !ru!h. 4# he did he wou%d use i! !o hu&i%ia!e and de$rade her* !o &o 0 her and ause her pain as he had done on e (e#ore. 7i0e a hi%d (urned (y #ire "hris shran0 away #ro& e.en !he !hou$h! o# su h pain* re&e&(erin$ how searin$ and a$onisin$ i! had (een. Sudden%y !he o!!a$e see&ed %aus!ropho(i . She wa%0ed !owards !he door* (u&pin$ in!o a s&a%% hes! in her has!e. -he i&pa ! 9arred her hip pain#u%%y. 4! a%so &o.ed !he s&a%% hes! a #ew in hes and re.ea%ed a &an's !ie %yin$ ha%# on ea%ed (enea!h i!. 4d%y "hris (en! and pi 0ed i! up. -he !ie was .ery !radi!iona%6 s!riped in !he #ashion o# an o%d s hoo% or uni.ersi!y !ie. She #in$ered i! a(sen!%y* no!in$ !ha! !he #a(ri was hi$h Cua%i!y si%0. 'ow had i! o&e !o (e in !his roo&/ Perhaps i! had (een +a!a%ie's #a!her's* a%!hou$h so&ehow i! %oo0ed !oo new. -e%%in$ herse%# !ha! i! didn'! &a!!er who i! (e%on$ed !o* she pu! i! on !op o# !he hes!* and headed #or !he door. 4! was !i&e she re!urned her (orrowed ar !o i!s ri$h!#u% owner and he 0ed up on !he Mini's pro$ress. 4# no!hin$ ou%d (e done wi!h i! she wou%d ha.e !o hire ano!her #or !he dura!ion o# her .isi!. ) a%% a! !he $ara$e e%i i!ed !he in#or&a!ion !ha! !he Mini was (ein$ o.erhau%ed and !ha! !here was no!hin$ &a9or wron$ wi!h i!. 4! wou%d !a0e !wo days !o #i,* 3i hard !o%d her wi!h a shy s&i%e* as0in$ i# she wan!ed hi& !o on!inue wi!h !he wor0. "hris said !ha! she did* and !hen dro.e on !o !he s&a%% es!a!e a$en!s' o##i e. 'aro%d 2a.ies was de%i$h!ed !o see her* and as0ed her ou! !o %un h. 3e&e&(erin$ !he wor0 !ha! wou%d need !o (e done on !he o!!a$e "hris assen!ed. She wou%d (e a(%e !o pi 0 his (rains as !o who she ou$h! !o e&p%oy. @hen she &en!ioned !he ar* he (rushed aside her o&&en!s. 1?eep i! un!i% yours is ready. My sis!er won'! (e (a 0 #or so&e !i&e ye!.1 1You rea%%y are .ery $enerous*1 "hris !han0ed hi&. 14 don'! 0now how 4'& $oin$ !o repay you.1

1By ha.in$ %un h wi!h &e !oday and dinner one ni$h! %a!er in !he wee0*1 he responded pro&p!%y. -hey (o!h %au$hed. "hris re o$nised his !ype o# approa h* and was a&used (y i!. 'aro%d 2a.ies was a &an who wou%d a%ways en9oy ha.in$ an a!!ra !i.e wo&an on his ar&6 i# she was so ia%%y or pu(%i %y pro&inen!* so &u h !he (e!!er. @hen he &arried* i! wou%d (e a are#u%%y 9ud$ed s!ep* possi(%y !o so&eone who was #ain!%y ' oun!y'. 'e was a &an who wou%d a%ways pu! his own in!eres!s #irs!* (u! he was p%easan! o&pany. 7un hin$ ou! wou%d (e a we% o&e (rea0 #ro& her !oo in!ense !hou$h!s* she de ided as she #o%%owed hi& ou! !o his ar* s&i%in$ #ain!%y as she no!i ed !he i&pressi.e %ines o# !he new re$is!ra!ion BM@* o&&en!in$ du!i#u%%y on i! as she s%id in!o !he passen$er sea!. 1) reasona(%e ar is a &us! in &y (usiness*1 'aro%d !o%d her wi!h a s&i%e. 1'e%ps i&press !he %ien!s...1 'e !oo0 her !o a s&a%% oun!ry res!auran! !ha! was new !o her* (u! o(.ious%y .ery popu%ar !o 9ud$e #ro& !he pa 0ed ar par0. @i!hou! (ein$ !o%d "hris $uessed !ha! i! was !he %o a% 'in' p%a e. 1-his p%a e hasn'! (een open .ery %on$*1 'aro%d !o%d her* on#ir&in$ her !hou$h!s. 14 so%d !he& !he #ar&house--a .ery en!erprisin$ youn$ oup%e* who spe ia%i se in nou.e%%e uisine. 4 !hin0 you'%% %i0e i!.1 4nside "hris was p%eased !o see !ha! !he #ar&house a!&osphere had (een re!ained. -he o!!a$e had (een s0i%#u%%y reno.a!ed !o pro.ide a o&#or!a(%e* (u! au!hen!i -%oo0in$ dinin$ roo&. -he youn$ wo&an who $ree!ed !he& was p%easan! and har&in$. 'aro%d in!rodu ed her as Sa%%y @e((* e,p%ainin$ !ha! she and her hus(and ran !he res!auran!. 1Pau% is 0in$ o# !he 0i! hen*1 Sa%%y added wi!h a $rin. 14'& responsi(%e #or !he (uyin$ and !he $enera% runnin$ o# !he p%a e.1 -hey ha!!ed #or a #ew &inu!es* and !hen wen! !o !he (ar !o order !heir drin0s. By !he !i&e !hey had (een ser.ed Sa%%y was (a 0 !o !a0e !he&

!o !heir !a(%e. )%!hou$h (usy* !he res!auran! wasn'! o.er rowded* and "hris par!i u%ar%y %i0ed !he way !he o!her wo&an wen! !hrou$h !he &enu wi!h !he&. -he se%e !ion was Cui!e s&a%%* (u! .ery .aried* and "hris $a.e her order on#iden! !ha! she was $oin$ !o en9oy e.ery &ou!h#u%. -hey were 9us! wai!in$ #or !heir #irs! ourse* when a !a%% #air-haired &an wa%0ed in!o !he res!auran!. Broad shou%dered* physi a%%y* he was .ery a!!ra !i.e* a%!hou$h "hris had !he un&is!a0a(%e i&pression !ha! he was under so&e de$ree o# s!rain. 'is (%ond hair was a%ready s!rea0ed wi!h si%.er* a%!hou$h he ou%dn'! (e &ore !han in his %a!e !hir!ies a! !he &os!. @hen he saw 'aro%d he s&i%ed and a&e Cui 0%y !owards !he&. 1John*1 'aro%d $ree!ed hi& war&%y. 1)re you %un hin$ a%one/1 1-ha! was &y in!en!ion*1 !he o!her &an a$reed. 1@e%% i# "hris doesn'! &ind* why don'! you 9oin us/1 'aro%d su$$es!ed Cui 0%y. Pu! %i0e !ha! "hris ou%d hard%y ha.e .oi ed an o(9e !ion e.en had she wan!ed !o* (u! she didn'!. So&e!hin$ a(ou! !he (%ond-haired &an !ou hed her deep%y. She had an in!ui!i.e sense !ha! he had e,perien ed $rea! pain. @hoe.er he was* he &us! (e re%a!i.e%y i&por!an! #or 'aro%d !o wan! hi& !o 9oin !he&* she !hou$h! yni a%%y. ) prospe !i.e %ien! perhaps/ -he in!rodu !ion when i! a&e s!ar!%ed her. 1"hris* &ee! John*1 'aro%d s&i%ed* 12r. John 'oward. 'e %i.es 9us! ou!side !he .i%%a$e.. 1 1Yes...1 "hris's s&i%e was au!o&a!i . 1Yes* 4 0now...1 So !his was 2r. 'oward. -he sa&e do !or who had pres ri(ed +a!a%ie's s%eepin$ pi%%s apparen!%y. @as !ha! why he %oo0ed so s!rained/ 'e %oo0ed a arin$ &an6 one who wou%d su##er #ro& !he 0now%ed$e !ha! one o# his pa!ien!s had used !he dru$s he had $i.en #or aid* !o end her %i#e. )nd !hen "hris re&e&(ered !he s!ory o# his wi#e* and her sy&pa!hy in reased. 4ns!in !%y she pu! herse%# ou! !o &a0e hi& #ee% a! ease* !a !#u%%y &en!ionin$ in on.ersa!ion !ha! she was +a!a%ie's ousin* and sensin$ his on!ro%%ed s!ar!.

1) rea% !ra$edy*1 'aro%d in!errup!ed* 'and !ha! poor %i!!%e 0id. 'ow is she* "hris/ 1 14!'s hard #or &e !o say. 4 0now so %i!!%e a(ou! !hese !hin$s. @ha! are !he han es o# her re$ainin$ spee h/1 She pu! !he Cues!ion dire !%y !o John 'oward* $%ad o# an oppor!uni!y !o $e! a Cua%i#ied &edi a% opinion. 14! depends.1 'e had $one .ery !ense6 "hris ou%d p%ain%y see !he si$ns o# his !ension in his %en hed hands and whi!e #a e. 1On wha!/1 "hris persis!ed. 12is o.erin$ !he ause o# !he ori$ina% !rau&a/ 4'& sure i!'s onne !ed wi!h +a!a%ie in so&e way*1 she on!inued. 1My ousin...1 She (ro0e o##* s!ar!%ed as John 'oward upse! his drin0* !he #%uid pourin$ s!i 0i%y o.er !he !a(%e. 'is #a e was a%&os! as whi!e as !he %inen* and "hris was sho 0ed (y his !ension. 'e apo%o$ised 9er0i%y. 'aro%d was #rownin$* and "hris su&&oned e.ery %as! oun e o# her so ia% poise !o s&oo!h o.er !he aw0ward &o&en!. She didn'! 0now why John 'oward had 0no 0ed o.er his drin0 %i0e !ha!* (u! p%ain%y he had &ore o&pe%%in$ !hin$s on his &ind !han Sophie's !rau&a. She !a%0ed $ai%y #or se.era% &inu!es a(ou! her %i#e in +ew Yor0* &a0in$ 'aro%d %au$h and e.en drawin$ a #ain! s&i%e #ro& John* and (y !he !i&e !heir #ood arri.ed !he aw0ward &o&en! &i$h! ne.er ha.e (een. John ordered Cui 0%y* re#usin$ a s!ar!er. 'e and 'aro%d o(.ious%y &o.ed in !he sa&e rowd* and "hris %is!ened !o !he& dis ussin$ a %o a% hun! &ee!in$ wi!h one ear whi%e her o!her senses Cui.ered !ense%y in response !o so&e si%en!* su(!%e &essa$e. )! %as!* una(%e !o s!op herse%#* she !urned her head. +ow i! was her !urn !o %ose o%our. S%a!er was sea!ed !hree !a(%es away* wi!h !wo o!her (usiness- sui!ed &en and an e,!re&e%y $%a&orous (rune!!e. )%% #our o# !he& see&ed !o (e en$rossed in dis ussion (u! as her $%an e %in$ered on S%a!er's #a e i! was as !hou$h she had sen! ou! so&e si%en! &essa$e !o hi&. 'e &o.ed* $o%d eyes !aun!in$ $reen* his &ou!h !wis!in$ derisi.e%y as he s!udied her !oo-pa%e #a e. S!i%% a u!e%y aware o# !he &o&- in$'s unp%easan! dis o.ery !ha! she %o.ed hi& "hris was !he #irs! !o %oo0 away* hopin$ !ha! he had no! no!i ed !he sudden (e!rayin$ #%ood o# o%our sur$in$ up under her s0in.

@ho was !he (rune!!e/ 4n o!her ir u&s!an es she wou%d ha.e #ound her ins!in !i.e 9ea%ousy a%&os! ridi u%ous* (u! now she was he%d #as! in i!s pain#u%%y (i!in$ $rip* !or!urin$ herse%# on i!s sharp !ee!h* as she !ried !o %is!en !o wha! her !a(%e o&panions were sayin$ ins!ead o# wa! hin$ S%a!er. 'e was %i0e a &a$ne!* drawin$ her a!!en!ion (a 0 !o hi& !i&e and !i&e a$ain. On se.era% o asions he %oo0ed up !o #ind her wa! hin$ hi&* and on one !he (rune!!e saw her* and s&i%ed. 1>&&* 4 hadn'! rea%ised S%a!er was here*1 'aro%d o&&en!ed #o%%owin$ her $aLe. 1'e's $o! !he "hie# 8,e u!i.es #ro& Dan hon wi!h hi& !oo. Mus! (e ne$o!ia!in$ ano!her on!ra ! wi!h !he&.1 Dan hon* he wen! on !o e,p%ain* were a Dren h o&pany in a si&i%ar &ar0e! !o S%a!er's* !o who& he o asiona%%y so%d .arious pa!en! ri$h!s. 1)nd !he $ir%/1 "hris as0ed as %i$h!%y as she ou%d. 1S%a!er's se re!ary*1 'aro%d !o%d her pro&p!%y. "hris #e%! a u!e%y si 0. @ha! was !he &a!!er wi!h her/ Jus! (e ause !he $ir% was S%a!er's se re!ary i! did no! ne essari%y &ean !ha! !hey had a se,ua% re%a!ionship as we%% as a (usiness one. @ha! a(ou! Sarah/ @ha! a(ou! her* she derided inward%y* wi!h unusua% (i!!erness. Sarah* %i0e herse%# and +a!a%ie wou%d no dou(! ha.e !o a us!o& herse%# !o sharin$ hi&. She was $%ad when !he %un h was o.er* and so i! see&ed was John 'oward. -here was an a%&os! physi a% air o# re%ie# a(ou! hi& as he s!ood up. She had no!* "hris !hou$h! re$re!#u%%y (een a(%e !o as0 hi& a(ou! +a!a%ie. Mo.ed (y sudden i&pu%se she rea hed ou! !o p%a e a res!rainin$ hand on his 9a 0e!. 1P%ease...1 she as0ed hus0i%y* ' ou%d 4 see you so&e !i&e.. 4 wan! !o !a%0 !o you a(ou! +a!a%ie. 1 Benea!h her #in$ers "hris #e%! his' ar& !ense. 14 ... 4'%% a%% you*1 he !o%d her ur!%y.

14 &us! $o now...1 1'e see&s !o (e under a %o! o# s!rain*1 "hris o&&en!ed !o 'aro%d as !hey %e#! !he res!auran!. 1Yes* we%% o# ourse* his wi#e is .ir!ua%%y an in.a%id. -ha! an'! (e easy #or a &an a nor&a%* hea%!hy &an* !o %i.e wi!h. O# ourse he wou%d ne.er di.or e her*1 he added* 'she o&es #ro& an e,!re&e%y wea%!hy #a&i%y. 'e was in pri.a!e pra !i e (e#ore she (e a&e i%%6 !he wor0 he does now an hard%y pay as &u h* and on e one has (e o&e used !o a er!ain s!andard o# %i.in$. 1 'is o&&en!s nausea!ed "hris* (u! !hen 'aro%d wou%d !hin0 !ha! way* she !o%d herse%# as !hey headed (a 0 !o his o##i e. -ha!* o# ourse* did no! &ean !ha! John 'oward did. 'e had s!ru 0 her as #ar !oo sensi!i.e and arin$ a &an !o 9e!!ison his wi#e when she needed hi& !he &os!* (u! !hen &en as a ra e rare%y !hou$h! as wo&en did. @o&en were apa(%e o# $rea! sa ri#i e on (eha%# o# !he &en !hey %o.ed* &en se%do& re!urned !he #a.our. @hen !hey re!urned !o his o##i e "hris dis ussed wi!h 'aro%d !he wor0 she (e%ie.ed needed doin$ on !he o!!a$e. )s she had hoped he 0new o# se.era% #ir&s who ou%d arry i! ou! and pro&ised !o o(!ain es!i&a!es #or her. 1So* i! ou%d (e !ha! we &i$h! see a %i!!%e &ore o# you in !he #u!ure*1 he o&&en!ed as he wa%0ed wi!h her !o !he ar. 14'& .ery $%ad.1 Be#ore she %e#! he as0ed her ou! !o dinner &en!ionin$ !ha! so&e #riends o# his were ho%din$ a !wen!y-#irs! par!y #or !heir dau$h!er and !ha! he wou%d %i0e her !o a o&pany hi&. -he par!y was on Sa!urday* and "hris as0ed hi& i# she ou%d %e! hi& 0now. She hadn'! o&e !o 7i!!%e Mar!in !o so ia%ise* (u! #or Sophie's sa0e* !hen a$ain !hou$h (y Sa!urday she &i$h! (e $%ad o# an e, use !o es ape #ro& !he house and S%a!er's dis!ur(in$ presen e. Sophie was ha.in$ a nap when "hris $o! (a 0 !o !he house. Sarah had %e#! (u! Mrs. 7an as!er raised her eye(rows when "hris as0ed wha! pro$ress had (een &ade. 1Sarah $e!s !oo i&pa!ien! wi!h her. Su eedin$ wi!h Sophie is .ery i&por!an! !o her--!oo i&por!an! perhaps. 4 !hin0 she hopes !o i&press S%a!er...1 "hris was a %i!!%e surprised !ha! !he house0eeper shou%d spea0 !o her so #ree%y* (u! !hen no dou(! Mrs. 7an as!er* who ou%dn'! 0now o# !he

e.en!s o# !he pas!* onsidered "hris as a &e&(er o# S%a!er's #a&i%y. 'ad +a!a%ie en.isa$ed how she wou%d #ee%6 how she wou%d su##er (ein$ in su h %ose pro,i&i!y !o S%a!er. She shuddered sudden%y. "ou%d !ha! !hou$h! perhaps e.en ha.e (een in her ousin's &ind in !hose %as! &o&en!s (e#ore her dea!h/ )%% a! on e she ou%d a%&os! #ee% +a!a%ie's &a%e.o%en e rea hin$ ou! !o !ou h her. Shru$$in$ aside !he unp%easan! sensa!ion she wen! ups!airs !o Sophie's roo&. -he %i!!%e $ir% was #as! as%eep. She had (een drawin$* and shee!s o# (ri$h!%y o%oured paper %i!!ered !he (ed. )%&os! a(sen!%y "hris s!ar!ed !o pi 0 !he& up* #reeLin$ as she s!udied !he s!i 0 #i$ures. 4n one drawin$ a s&a%% s!i 0 #i$ure was on#ron!in$ a %ar$er one* (o!h* !o 9ud$e #ro& !he dresses Sophie had drawn on !he&* #e&a%e. -he %ar$er one's #a e was on!or!ed in an e,pression o# an$er so .io%en!* "hris ou%d a%&os! #ee% i!. She ou%dn'! see !he s&a%%er #i$ure's #a e (e ause Sophie had drawn her (a 0 .iew. Mui!e irra!iona%%y she #e%! !ha! !he drawin$ had so&e re%e.an e !o Sophie's !rau&a* and she ri##%ed !hrou$h !he o!her drawin$s* s!udyin$ !he& a%% are#u%%y* (u! !here were none si&i%ar. 8,!ra !in$ !he drawin$ she (en! down !o !ou h !he s%eepin$ hi%d's hair. Poor Sophie. 4# on%y she was her hi%d "hris !hou$h! a hin$%y* hers and S%a!er's. )n$ry wi!h herse%# she wen! in!o her own roo&* pu!!in$ !he drawin$ in !he drawer (eside her (ed. She wan!ed !o show i! !o S%a!er* (u! she was a#raid he wou%d dis&iss her suspi ions as hi%dish. 3es!%ess6 pursued (y unwe% o&e !hou$h!s she wandered ou! in!o !he $arden. Beyond !he e,panse o# %awn a windin$ pa!h %ed !o a se %uded su&&erhouse* (ui%! (eside an orna&en!a% #ish poo%. -he poo% had a%ways en!ran ed "hris6 !he pea e and so%i!ude o# !he su&&erhouse drawin$ her* and she headed !here now. She%!ered #ro& !he res! o# !he $arden (y a s reen o# !rees* i! had a se re!* a$e%ess air. -he su&&erhouse was un%o 0ed and "hris wa%0ed inside* no!i in$ !ha! sin e she had %as! .isi!ed i!* new ushions had (een &ade #or !he sea!s !ha! %ined one wa%%. She had o#!en i&a$ined 8dwardian %adies !a0in$ a#!ernoon !ea here* swin$in$ $en!%y in a ha&&o 0 (eside !he poo% perhaps* whi%e #anned (y so&e arden!* (u! (ash#u% ad&irer. 7os! in daydrea&s* she 9u&ped !ense%y when she heard S%a!er's .oi e* a%%in$ her na&e* her ins!in !i.e* 'wha! are you doin$ here/ 1 drawin$ a sardoni s&i%e #ro& his %ips. 14 %i.e here*1 he draw%ed* 1@ha!'s your e, use/1 She shru$$ed* s!ri.in$ !o s!eady her ra in$ pu%ses.

1-he su&&erhouse a%ways drew &e.1 -oo %a!e she re a%%ed wi!h in!ense %ari!y !ha! !hey had on e !a0en she%!er here #ro& a sudden su&&er s!or&* her !hin o!!on dress had (een soa0ed in !heir i&pu%si.e ins!in !i.e dash #or she%!er* and she had no! rea%ised why S%a!er was s!udyin$ her so in!en!%y un!i% she %oo0ed down and saw !he ou!%ine o# her (reas!s %ear%y de%inea!ed (enea!h !he !hin o!!on. -ha! had (een !he #irs! !i&e he had 0issed her wi!h rea% passion* his hands &o%din$ !he #ir& shape o# her (reas!s* !ea hin$ her !hin$s a(ou! her own (ur$eonin$ se,ua%i!y she had ne.er drea&ed possi(%e. @i!h an e##or! she dra$$ed her !hou$h!s away #ro& !he pas!. 18n9oy your %un h/1 S%a!er was wa! hin$ her* wai!in$ !o !rap her* she sensed in!ui!i.e%y. 1Aery &u h*1 she responded oo%%y. 18n9oy yours/1 1Dinan ia%%y i! was e,!re&e%y rewardin$* as no dou(! was yours. -wo new possi(%e %o.ers dis o.ered in one day* (u! !ha!'s a%% !hey'%% e.er (e "hris--%o.ers. 'aro%d won'! &arry anyone %ess !han so&eone wi!h !he ri$h! so ia% pedi$ree* and John 'oward wi%% ne.er %ea.e his wi#e. Bu! !hen you a%ways did ha.e a pen han! #or o!her peop%e's &en* didn'! you/ -hose were a%ways !he sor! o# &en you wan!ed. 1 She ou%d sense his an$er wi!hou! 0nowin$ !he ause #or i!. She ou%d #ee% i! rea hin$ ou! !o en.e%op her %i0e a (%as! o# hea! and she responded !o i!* dri.en !o $oad hi& (y sayin$ &o 0in$%y. 14 on e wan!ed you S%a!er ... re&e&(er/1 Dor a &o&en! !he #o%%y o# her !aun! rys!a%%ised in her &ind and she wan!ed !o a%% !he words (a 0* (u! S%a!er was a%ready rea !in$* his &ou!h !wis!ed in a (i!!er parody o# a s&i%e. 1Oh yes* 4 re&e&(er a%% ri$h!...1 he a$reed s&oo!h%y. 14 9us! wish !o he%% 4 didn'!*1 "hris !hou$h! she heard hi& &u!!er under his (rea!h as he a&e !owards her. 14 re&e&(er !his.1 'e rea hed her (e#ore she ou%d e.ade hi&* !he (a 0 o# !he ushions (rushin$ a$ains! !he (a 0 o# her 0nees as she !ried !o &o.e away. 1@ha! are you so ner.ous a(ou!* "hris/1 he as0ed her &o 0in$%y.

1@hy !he !i&id .ir$in a !/ You &us! ha.e p%ayed !his s ene a !housand !i&es sin e we #irs! rehearsed i! here in !his su&&erhouse. 'ow did i! $o/1 'is .oi e had an u$%y !aun!in$ sound !ha! !ore a! her hear!. 1Oh yes... -a0e one rain-da&pened $ir% ... on.enien!%y no! wearin$ a (ra.1 1S!op i!.1 -he words were !orn #ro& her !hroa! &a0in$ i! a he wi!h pain. 'e was de%i(era!e%y !ra&p%in$ on a%% her &e&ories* des!royin$ no! 9us! her #u!ure (u! her pas!* !urnin$ so&e!hin$ !ha! !o her a! %eas! had (een poi$nan!%y (eau!i#u% in!o so&e!hin$ &undane and e.en unp%easan!%y a% u%a!ed. -here had (een no!hin$ a% u%a!ed in her response !o hi&6 nor in her e&(arrass&en! when she #ound hi& %oo0in$ a! her. 'er (reas!s rose and #e%% in Cui 0 a$i!a!ion (enea!h her o!!on shir!* her (rea!h !i$h!enin$ pain#u%%y in!o an e,p%osi.e 0no! in her hes! when S%a!er de%i(era!e%y p%a ed one hand ei!her side o# her head on !he wa%% (ehind her* %eanin$ his !orso !owards her. 'e was %ose enou$h #or her !o a! h !he s en! o# his (ody* &a%e and s%i$h!%y &us0y as !hou$h !or&en!in$ her %i0e !his was so&e!hin$ !ha! .a$ue%y e, i!ed hi&. -he !hou$h! &ade her nauseous* her (ody !re&(%in$ wi!h rea !ion. She was o%d enou$h !o (e a(%e !o hand%e !his si!ua!ion wi!h sophis!i a!ion* she re&inded herse%#* so why wasn'! she doin$ so/ @hy was she rea !in$ %i0e an ado%es en!* !orn (e!ween es ape and desire. 1S!op i!/1 'is eye(rows rose. 14 ha.en'! e.en (e$un !o s!ar! ye! "hris. )nd (esides you don'! rea%%y wan! &e !o s!op do you/1 She !urned her head away so !ha! she wou%dn'! ha.e !o %oo0 a! hi&* sho 0ed when he sudden%y hau%ed her a$ains! his (ody. 12o you/1 he $ra!ed. 1@ha! a& 4 supposed !o say S%a!er/1 Dor a &o&en! she had a%&os! (e%ie.ed !he harsh .oi e he%d a no!e o# #ier e a$ony* (u! she dis&issed !his as sheer i&a$ina!ion* re&indin$ herse%# o# how he had hur! her6 o# how he &us! no! $uess how she #e%!. Su&&onin$ a%% her oura$e she !hrew (a 0 her head* #or in$ herse%# !o &ee! his eyes. 1@ha! do you wan! #ro& &e S%a!er/ @ha! do you wan! !o hear &e say/ -ha! 4 wan! you/1 1Yes ... da&n you. YesK You owe &e "hris...1 'is .oi e dropped

s%i$h!%y o.er !he %as! #ew words* his eyes dar0 wi!h an$er. "hris was !oo s!upe#ied !o respond. She owed hi&i 'ow ou%d he s!and !here and e,pe ! her !o a ep! !ha!/ 1You owe &e...1 'e repea!ed !he words as !hou$h !hey were so&e pri.a!e in an!a!ion as he (en! his head* !he hard pressure o# his (ody a$ains! hers &a0in$ "hris a u!e%y aware o# his arousa%. 4! was a%% so une,pe !ed and ine,p%i a(%e !ha! she had no de #en es a$ains! hi&. -he pressure o# his &ou!h was #ier e%y* an$ri%y de&andin$* sa.a$in$ !he so#!ness o# her %ips* in.o0in$ a response #ro& her !ha! (rou$h! !hi 0%y &u!!ered sounds o# p%easure #ro& his !hroa!. She was %os!* o&p%e!e%y and u!!er%y* "hris !hou$h! haLi%y* &e%!in$ (enea!h !he hea! o# his 0iss* wan!in$ hi& . %o.in$ hi&. 1S%a!er/1 Sarah's .oi e #ro& ou!side !he su&&erhouse (ro0e in!o !he drea& wor%d "hris had en!ered. 4ns!in !i.e%y she !ensed* (rea0in$ away #ro& S%a!er. 'e was (rea!hin$ hea.i%y* !he pupi%s o# his eyes di%a!ed* whe!her (y an$er or passion "hris ou%d no! !e%%. She was o%d enou$h now !o 0now !ha! &en did no! ne essari%y %o.e and respe ! where !hey desired and she had !o !urn away as Sarah en!ered !he su&&erhouse* si 0ened (y her own (%ind* (e!rayin$ response !o hi&. 1Oh !here you are*1 she heard !he o!her $ir% . sayin$ pee.ish%y. 14'.e (een %oo0in$ #or you. @e're supposed !o (e $oin$ ou! !o dinner !oni$h!...1 1Yes* 4 0now. @ha! pro$ress ha.e you &ade wi!h Sophie !oday/1 4# she had needed on#ir&a!ion !ha! S%a!er ared no!hin$ #or her* she had i! in his swi#! re.ersion !o nor&a%6 his o&p%e!e %a 0 o# in!eres! in her. 1+o! &u h.1 "hris #or ed herse%# !o !urn round* sha0en (y !he open hos!i%i!y in Sarah's eyes as she s!udied her. 1She see&s !o (e .ery dis!ur(ed (y your presen e.1 She %oo0ed dire !%y a! "hris. 14# you wan! &y opinion S%a!er* you'%% $e! rid o# her. Sophie wi%% ne.er &a0e any pro$ress whi%e she s!ays here upse!!in$ her.1

"hris he%d her (rea!h* a%&os! diLLy wi!h !he e##or! as she wai!ed #or S%a!er !o denoun e her and a$ree wi!h Sarah. 14 an'! do !ha!*1 he as!ounded her (y sayin$. 1+a!a%ie hose "hris as Sophie's $uardian...1 1'ea.en a%one 0nows why*1 Sarah u! in i&pa!ien!%y. 1She ne.er had a $ood word !o say #or her whi%e she was a%i.e.1 She !urned away openin$ !he su&&erhouse door. 14'%% see you %a!er !hen S%a!er...1 She wen! wi!hou! a word !o "hris* who won 8 de red why she had o&e when she was seein$ S%a!er %a!er on !ha! e.enin$. Perhaps she wan!ed !o rein#or e !o "hris her in.o%.e&en! wi!h hi&. Sudden%y she #e%! .ery .u%nera(%e and inse ure. Perhaps Sarah was ri$h!. Perhaps she was ha.in$ a (ad e##e ! on Sophie/ 'er ne$a!i.e #ee%in$s &ade her &ur&ur so#!%y* 14 don'! 0now why +a!a%ie appoin!ed &e ei!her...1 -he !ension e&ana!in$ #ro& S%a!er as she &ade !he ad&ission s!ar!%ed her. 'is #a e was pa%e under his !an* !he s0in drawn !i$h!%y o.er !he (ones o# his #a e. 1Oh o&e on* "hris*1 he said i i%y. 1@e (o!h 0now e,a !%y why...1 'e !urned on his hee% and %e#! her (e#ore she ou%d say ano!her word* (u! "hris was $%ad she was a%one. -he pain o# !he (%ow he had 9us! dea%! her was so se.ere !ha! she wou%d ha.e (ro0en down i# he'd s!ayed. 'e 0new. 'e 0new how she #e%! a(ou! hi& and 9us! why +a!a%ie had appoin!ed her. 'e 0new and he was addin$ !o her !or&en! de%i(era!e%y. 'e &us! ha!e her near%y as &u h as +a!a%ie hadK 4ns!in !i.e%y she wan!ed !o es ape* !o pu! as &u h dis!an e (e!ween herse%# and S%a!er as she ou%d* (u! she ou%d no! do i!* #or Sophie's sa0e. She &us! si&p%y s!ay and endure.

"')P-83 S4N !ha! ni$h! "hris wen! !o (ed ear%y* (u! s%eep e%uded her. O# ourse her wa0e#u%ness had no!hin$ !o do wi!h !he #a ! !ha! S%a!er was ou! wi!h Sarah* she derided herse%#* as she %ay !ense wai!in$ #or !he sound o# his re!urnin$ ar. )%% !hese years she had de%uded herse%# !ha! she was o.er hi&6 !ha! he &ean! no!hin$ !o her o!her !han (ad &e&ories and now in a #ew shor! days !he pro!e !i.e o.er she had (ui%! around herse%# had (een (%as!ed away. +o! un!i% she heard S%a!er's ar s!op ou!side !he house did she &ana$e !o s%eep. ) $%an e a! her wa! h showed her !ha! i! was near%y !wo o' %o 0. Jea%ousy* #ier e%y orrosi.e and pain#u% o.erwhe%&ed her as she pi !ured Sarah in S%a!er's ar&s. 'er desire !o #ind ou! why +a!a%ie had !a0en her own %i#e was #as! (ein$ o.er!a0en (y an ins!in !i.e need !o $e! away #ro& S%a!er (e#ore he dis o.ered her !ru!h. 'is !aun! o# !he ear%y e.enin$ haun!ed her6 he 0new why +a!a%ie had appoin!ed her Sophie's $uardian6 he 0new e,a !%y how .u%nera(%e she was* (u! p%ease Eod he did no! 0now ye! why she was so .u%nera(%e. 4# on%y she ou%d %ea.e* (u! !here was Sophie !o onsider6 Sophie who rea hed ou! and !ou hed her hear!6 Sophie who she sensed needed her. Perhaps she was o.er-dra&a!isin$ she re#%e !ed in !he &ornin$ as she dressed. @hy shou%d Sophie respond !o her when she did no! !o Sarah or her own #a!her/ She wen! #ro& her own roo& !o !he %i!!%e $ir%'s and #ound her $e!!in$ dressed. 'er s&i%e when she saw "hris (anished a%% her dou(!s* and "hris hu$$ed her ins!in !i.e%y* !ensin$ as !he door opened and S%a!er wa%0ed in. 'e sur.eyed !he& wi!h unreada(%e eyes #or se.era% %on$ se onds. 2ressed #or&a%%y in a (usiness sui! he %oo0ed so physi a%%y a!!ra !i.e !ha! "hris #e%! her s!o&a h a !ua%%y %en h in #ier e desire. Sophie* unaware o# !he under- urren!s #%owin$ deep and #as! (e!ween !he !wo adu%!s* (ea&ed a! her #a!her. 14'& %ea.in$ ear%y !his &ornin$*1 S%a!er !o%d "hris when she had !rans#erred Sophie in!o her #a!her's ar&s* 'and 4 don'! e,pe ! !o (e in !o dinner !oni$h!. 1 Sarah a$ain/ "hris !hou$h! 9ea%ous%y. She had !o a.er! her #a e so !ha! he wou%dn'! see wha! she was #ee%in$. 1Oh* 4 near%y #or$o!*1 he added draw%in$%y* an e,pression in his eyes

!ha! "hris ou%d no! de#ine* (u! whi h &ade her shudder wi!h !ense dread* 'so&e &ai% arri.ed #or you !his &ornin$. 1 'e rea hed in!o his po 0e! and wi!hdrew a (und%e o# en.e%opes. "hris had %e#! his address as her #orwardin$ address wi!h her a$en! and she !oo0 !he %e!!ers #ro& hi& in si%en e. )s she did so* !he !op en.e%ope s%ipped sideways. 7i0e &os! o# !he o!hers i! arried an air &ai% s!i 0er. @ri!!en on pa%e (%ue paper* on !he re.erse side was !he sender's na&e and address and "hris s&i%ed in.o%un!ari%y as she rea hed #or i!* unaware o# how &u h her s&i%e han$ed her e,pression. 1You're s!i%% in !ou h wi!h -ho&!on !hen/1 -he harsh on!e&p! in S%a!er's .oi e &ade her s!i##en* her head (owed as she re!rie.ed her %e!!er. 14 read !ha! he &arried...1 1Yes... 'e has a %i!!%e (oy now*1 "hris !o%d hi& s&oo!h%y* una(%e !o unders!and !he reason #or his o(.ious on!e&p!. She 0new !ha! he and 3ay had no! (een par!i u%ar #riends when 3ay had %i.ed %o a%%y* (u! she ou%d see no reason #or hi& !o rea ! in !he &anner he was doin$. 1You're a .ery oo% %ady "hris.1 -he way he said i!* i! wasn'! a o&p%i&en!. 12oes his wi#e...1 'e s!opped as !he !e%ephone s!ar!ed !o rin$* pu!!in$ Sophie down on !he #%oor. 14'& e,pe !in$ a a%%*1 he !o%d "hris ur!%y. 1-ha! wi%% (e i!.1 @hen he had $one Sophie %oo0ed un er!ain%y up a! her. Jus! (e ause !he %i!!%e $ir% ou%d no! spea0 i! did no! &ean she ou%d no! unders!and* "hris !hou$h! $ui%!i%y* #or in$ a s&i%e and rea hin$ ou! !o !a0e Sophie's hand. 'er responsi.e s&i%e &ade her hear! a he. -here was so&e!hin$ so #a&i%iar a(ou! i!* and ye! i! wasn'! S%a!er's s&i%e* she rea%ised* wi!h a s&a%% s!a((in$ sho 0* and i! er!ain%y wasn'! +a!a%ie's. 4! &us! (e Sophie's rese&(%an e !o herse%# !ha! she saw in her s&i%e "hris re#%e !ed* and ye! so&e!hin$ !u$$ed a! her &e&ory* so&e!hin$ e%usi.e !ha! she 0new she shou%d re&e&(er* (u! ou%d no!.

She read 3ay's %e!!er o.er (rea0#as!. 4! was !easin$%y ha!!y and in %uded an in.i!a!ion !o .isi! !he& %a!er in !he year. 4! was hi$h !i&e she %earned !o s!op %eanin$ on 3ay and 2inah she !hou$h! wry%y as she pu! i! (a 0 in i!s en.e%ope and !hen !urned !o s!udy !he pho!o$raphs he had sen! her Bo!h o# !he& were o# 2inah his wi#e* and Jere&y now near%y !hree years o%d. -he !odd%er (ea&ed ou! o# !he pho!o$raph* and sensin$ Sophie's uriosi!y "hris showed i! !o !he %i!!%e $ir%. 1My !ha!'s a (onny %i!!%e (oy*1 Mrs. 7an as!er o&&en!ed* o&in$ in wi!h !heir (rea0#as!* and $%an in$ o.er "hris's shou%der* she pu! her head on one side* and ru&ina!ed* 13e&inds &e o# so&eone* (u! 4 an'! 9us! !hin0 who #or !he &o&en!.1 1'is #a!her used !o %i.e %o a%%y*1 "hris o##ered* 'and Jere&y is .ery %i0e hi& #a ia%%y* a%!hou$h he has his &o!her's o%ourin$. 1 -hey ha!!ed #or a whi%e and !hen "hris o##ered !o !a0e Sophie ou! in!o !he $arden so !ha! Mrs. 7an as!er ou%d $e! on wi!h her wor0. "hris had (rou$h! so&e &ore (oo0s (a 0 #ro& !he o!!a$e and she ran ups!airs !o $e! one. 'a%# an hour %a!er* she $%an ed up #ro& !he pa$e she was readin$ !o s!udy Sophie's en!ran ed #a e. @innie !he Pooh was o(.ious%y as #ir& a #a.ouri!e wi!h Sophie as i! had (een wi!h her. 14'%% 9us! read !o !he end o# !his hap!er and !hen we &us! s!op*1 she !o%d her wi!h a s&i%e. She had #a%%en easi%y in!o !he ha(i! o# !a%0in$ !o Sophie as !hou$h she had e,pe !ed her !o respond. -he %i!!%e $ir% had her own ways o# o&&uni a!in$ wha! she wan!ed or needed* and "hris si$hed #ain!%y when she %osed !he (oo0* wonderin$ i# she wou%d e.er !a%0 a$ain. 1-i&e #or &y e,er ises*1 she !o%d Sophie* s!andin$ up. 1@an! !o wa! h/1 )s a &ode% her e,er ise re$i&e was an in!e$ra% par! o# "hris's %i#e* and when Sophie nodded her head she he%d ou! her hand !o her. 1"o&e on !hen. @e'%% do !he& ou!side !oday as i!'s so ni e. 7e!'s $o ups!airs and $e! &y asse!!e.1 @hi%e "hris han$ed in!o shor!s and a (rie# !op Sophie wa! hed her $ra.e%y. )n idea sudden%y o urred !o "hris. 1You an do !he& wi!h &e !his &ornin$*1 she !o%d her wi!h a s&i%e.

17e!'s $o and #ind your shor!s sha%% we/1 @hen Sophie &ade no de&ur "hris !oo0 her in!o her (edroo& and he%ped her !o han$e in!o shor!s and a !ee-shir!. Ou!side in !he $arden* she did a #ew (asi war& up e,er ises and !hen !urned !o Sophie* showin$ her a si&p%er easy .ersion !ha! wou%d no! !a, her $rowin$ &us %es. -o her de%i$h! Sophie responded en!husias!i a%%y. She had a na!ura% physi a% rhy!h& !ha! he%ped her adap! Cui 0%y !o !he e,er ise rou!ine. "hris had de%i(era!e%y op!ed #or a '#un' !ape wi!h %i.e%y &usi in %udin$ se.era% 'pop' son$s !ha! had re en!%y (een in !he har!s. She ou%d &iss ou! on serious e,er ises #or one day* and !he physi a% #un o# 9oinin$ in wi!h her wou%d (e $ood #or Sophie she was sure. -he hi%d &us! #ee% !he e##e ! o# a%% !he adu%! on ern on en!ra!ed on her. -hey were ha%#way !hrou$h !he !ape when "hris sudden%y (e a&e aware o# a sound o!her !han !ha! issuin$ #ro& !he !ape whi h was p%ayin$ a popu%ar hi! !une. 'ard%y darin$ !o (e%ie.e wha! she was hearin$ she 0ep! on &o.in$ au!o&a!i a%%y* ed$in$ s%i$h!%y %oser !o Sophie. 2is(e%ie# &ade her hear! !urn o.er wi!h 9oy as she dis o.ered !ha! she was ri$h!* Sophie was a !ua%%y hu&&in$ in !i&e !o !he son$. "hris didn'! 0now wha! !o do. One par! o# her wan!ed !o hu$ !he %i!!%e $ir% and show her e, i!e&en! and ye! ano!her warned her !ha! Sophie's hu&&in$ was en!ire%y spon!aneous* so&e!hin$ she herse%# was pro(a(%y no! e.en aware o# and !ha! !o draw a!!en!ion !o i! &i$h! ause a%% sor!s o# reper ussions. Sudden%y she wished she 0new &ore a(ou! Sophie's ondi!ion6 !ha! she ou%d he%p her6 (u! no! darin$ !o do any!hin$ she si&p%y arried on wi!h her e,er ises* !ryin$ no! !o %e! Sophie sense her e, i!e&en!. She didn'! hu& wi!h any o!her son$s* and a#!erwards* !hin0in$ a(ou! i!* "hris rea%ised !ha! !ha! par!i u%ar !une had (een in !he hi! parade #or so&e wee0s prior !o +a!a%ie's dea!h. "ou%d !here (e any onne !ion/ She had !o !a%0 !o so&eone. S%a!er was uno(!aina(%e6 Sarah she ou%dn'! (rin$ herse%# !o on!a !* so !ha! %e#! who/ Sudden%y she !hou$h! o# John 'oward. 'e %i.ed %o a%%y* so sure%y he &us! (e in !he !e%ephone dire !ory. -e%%in$ herse%# !ha! he pro(a(%y wou%dn'! e.en (e a! ho&e* "hris ne.er!he%ess #ound his nu&(er and dia%%ed i!* her hear! !huddin$ wi!h !re&u%ous e, i!e&en!.

-o her re%ie# he a !ua%%y answered !he 'phone. Mui 0%y "hris announ ed herse%#. 14 was wonderin$ i# you ou%d o&e o.er*1 she !o%d hi& (rea!h%ess%y. 14!'s a(ou! Sophie ... !he &os! urious !hin$...1 !hou$h! 4 heard her a !ua%%y hu&&in$ 9us! now...1 She he%d her (rea!h dreadin$ hearin$ hi& s orn her dis o.ery* (u! !o her p%easure he see&ed a%&os! as e, i!ed as she was. 14'%% (e o.er ri$h! away*1 he !o%d her. 3ep%a in$ !he re ei.er* "hris wen! in sear h o# Mrs. 7an as!er. 14'& e,pe !in$ 2r. 'oward soon*1 she !o%d !he o%der wo&an* surprised when she #rowned and %oo0ed ra!her disappro.in$. 14s so&e!hin$ wron$/1 she Cues!ioned un er!ain%y. 14.. wan!ed !o !a%0 !o hi& a(ou! Sophie...1 Mui 0%y she e,p%ained wha! had happened in !he $arden and a! on e Mrs. 7an as!er's e,pression %i$h!ened. 1'e'%% er!ain%y (e !he (es! person !o !a%0 !o*1 she !o%d "hris. 1>sed !o spe ia%i se in hi%dren's ai%&en!s (e#ore he a&e down here. Said i! !oo0 up !oo &u h o# his !i&e. 1 1Yes. 4 an unders!and !ha! he'd wan! !o spend as &u h !i&e as he an wi!h his wi#e*1 "hris o&&en!ed. 14! &us! (e dread#u% #or her* poor wo&an...1 1)ye* (u! !here's !he& as !hin0s i!'s worse #or hi&*1 Mrs. 7an as!er !o%d her o(%iCue%y* '(ein$ !ied !o an in.a%id and a%%. O# ourse she's se ure enou$h. 'e ou%dn'! di.or e her. 'e on%y wor0s par!-!i&e now and i!'s her &oney !ha! suppor!s !he&. "o&es #ro& a .ery wea%!hy #a&i%y. 'er #a!her was e,!re&e%y we%% !o do and she was !he on%y hi%d.. 1 1Oh 4'& sure !ha! isn'! !he reason he s!ays wi!h her*1 "hris was e,!re&e%y dis!ressed (y Mrs. 7an as!er's o&&en! a%!hou$h she ou%dn'! e,a !%y say why. Perhaps i! was (e ause she had su##ered so &u h disi%%usion&en! herse%# !ha! she ou%dn'! (ear !o hear o# any &a%e (e!raya% o# her se,.

1May(e no!.1 Mrs. 7an as!er's .oi e was non o&&i!!a% (u! !he s&i%e she $a.e "hris e,!re&e%y war&. She was 9us! $oin$ ups!airs !o han$e when !he 'phone ran$ in !he ha%%. She pi 0ed up !he re ei.er* surprised !o hear an un#a&i%iar #e&a%e .oi e. 14'& 'e%en 'oward*1 she in!rodu ed herse%#. 1My hus(and as0ed &e !o $i.e you a a%%. 'e was 9us! on his way round when he was a%%ed ou! !o an e&er$en y--a road a iden!. 'e'%% (e wi!h you as soon as he an. 'ow is Sophie/ 1 she as0ed in on ern. 1She was a%ways su h a war&* responsi.e hi%d* 4 ha!e !o !hin0 o# her su##erin$...1 )s she su##ered* "hris !hou$h! in!ui!i.e%y* %i0in$ !he o!her wo&an wi!hou! 0nowin$ her. -hey ha!!ed #or se.era% &inu!es and !hen "hris hun$ up* re!ra in$ her #oo!s!eps !o !he 0i! hen !o ad.ise Mrs. 7an as!er o# !he han$ed arran$e&en!s. 4! was a#!er %un h (e#ore John 'oward #ina%%y arri.ed. "hris was sun(a!hin$ in !he $arden* Sophie as%eep (eside her. 1Sorry 4 ou%dn'! $e! here sooner*1 he apo%o$ised. 'e %oo0ed !ired* "hris rea%ised* $e!!in$ up are#u%%y so !ha! she didn'! dis!ur( Sophie. 1-ha!'s a%% ri$h!*1 she !o%d hi& easi%y. 1Your wi#e e,p%ained when she ran$.1 So&e!hin$ #%i 0ered in his eyes and was $one. Pain possi(%y "hris de ided* sudden%y aware o# how hea%!hy she &us! appear in on!ras! !o 'e%en. 1Beau!i#u% day.1 'e shru$$ed o## his 9a 0e! and $ri&a ed. 1-ha!'s (e!!er.1 'e was #or&a%%y dressed* wearin$ a s!riped !ie !ha! was .a$ue%y #a&i%iar "hris rea%ised* &en!a%%y o&parin$ i! !o !he one she had pi 0ed up in !he o!!a$e. @ere !hey !he sa&e/ She shru$$ed aside !he !hou$h! as uni&por!an! and i&pro(a(%e. @ha! wou%d one o# John 'oward's !ies (e doin$ in her aun!'s o!!a$e/

14'%% $o and &a0e us so&e o##ee*1 "hris o##ered* pi 0in$ up her ro(e and !yin$ i!. -here was no!hin$ inde en! a(ou! her (i0ini (u! ne.er!he%ess she #e%! (e!!er a %i!!%e &ore o.ered up. @hen she re!urned wi!h !he o##ee and so&e %e&onade #or Sophie !he %i!!%e $ir% was s!i%% as%eep. 8n oura$ed (y John 'oward she e,p%ained wha! had happened !ha! &ornin$. 1>&&* as you des ri(e i!* i! sounds %i0e a o&p%e!e%y in.o%un!ary !hin$--i# no!hin$ e%se i! pro.es on %usi.e%y !ha! !here's no da&a$e !o !he .o a% hords* (u! !hen we ne.er !hou$h! !here was. @as Sophie herse%# aware o# wha! she was doin$/1 "hris shoo0 her head. 14 didn'! dare !o draw a!!en!ion !o i!. Shou%d 4. 1 'e shoo0 his head an!i ipa!in$ her Cues!ion. 1+o ... no you did !he ri$h! !hin$. 2oes Sophie ha.e her own !ape or radio/1 @hen she shoo0 her head* he &used* 14! &i$h! (e an idea !o $e! her one. 4# we an $e! her !o respond !o &usi i! wi%% he%p...1 'e (ro0e o## as Sophie wo0e up* %i#!in$ her head. "hris s&i%ed a! her* worried (y !he %oo0 o# !o!a% !error she sudden%y saw in !he %i!!%e $ir%'s eyes. )s she pi 0ed her up she ou%d #ee% !he wa.es o# !ension shudderin$ !hrou$h her (ody* (u! was a! a %oss !o unders!and !he reason #or !he&. 1@ha! is i!* dar%in$/1 she as0ed so#!%y. 12id you ha.e a (ad drea&/1 1So&e!hin$ wron$/1 John 'oward %oo0ed i%% a! ease. 1She see&s !erri#ied o# so&e!hin$*1 "hris !o%d hi&. 1Perhaps she's (een ha.in$ a (ad drea&.1 14s !ha! wha! i! was* Sophie/1 'e rea hed ou! a hand and "hris was a%&os! o.er(a%an ed (y !he #or e wi!h whi h Sophie drew away #ro& hi&* %in$in$ !o her and !urnin$ her head in!o her shou%der. John 'oward's hand dropped away. 14! see&s she doesn'! &u h are #or &e*1 he said wry%y.

1Poor Sophie* 4 suspe ! she's $rown .ery wary o# a%% us &edi a% !ypes* and perhaps i!'s no wonder.1 'e &ade no #ur!her e##or! !o !ou h !he %i!!%e $ir%* and "hris was war&ed (y !he e,pression o# $ui%! and unhappiness in his eyes. 'e o(.ious%y ared .ery deep%y a(ou! his pa!ien!s* (u! she ou%d unders!and !ha! Sophie &i$h! dis!rus! and perhaps e.en dis%i0e !he &edi a% pro#ession as a (ody. 1@hy don'! you $o ups!airs and hoose a (oo0 #or &e !o read #ro&/1 she su$$es!ed so#!%y* pu!!in$ Sophie down. 12r. 'oward is 9us! $oin$...1 -hey (o!h wa! hed her run away. 14'& sorry she rea !ed !o you %i0e !ha!*1 she apo%o$ised rue#u%%y* '(u!.. 1 1You're sorry/ 'is e,pression a%&os! a$onised he $ripped her #orear&s* his #a e on!or!ed wi!h pain. 1"hris !here's...1 'e (ro0e o## !urnin$ !o %oo0 !owards !he dri.e as !hey (o!h heard !he sound o# a ar. 1S%a!er*1 "hris &ur&ured #rownin$. 1Bu! he said he wou%dn'! (e o&in$ ho&e un!i% a#!er dinner.1 She ou%d s!i%% sense John 'oward's !ension and as S%a!er s!opped !he ar and %i&(ed ou!* she rea hed up ins!in !i.e%y !o !ou h his #a e in a $es!ure o# o&&isera!ion* her s&i%e war&%y sy&pa!he!i . 14! &us! (e di##i u%! #or you*1 she said unders!andin$%y* '(u!. 1 She had in!ended !o $o on !o say !ha! he &us! (e used !o his s&a%% pa!ien!s rea !in$ a$ains! hi& when !hey had !o endure pain and su##erin$* (u! his !or!ured* 1 2i##i u%!--&y Eod. 1 s!opped her. >naware o# how %ose !hey were !o one ano!her* or how !heir pro,i&i!y &i$h! appear !o an on%oo0er* i! !oo0 S%a!er's harsh e, %a&a!ion !o &a0e her s!ep (a 0 in.o%un!ari%y* her ner.es !ensin$ in response !o his nearness. 2i&%y she was aware o# John 'oward sayin$ $ood(ye* and so&e!hin$ a(ou! $e!!in$ in !ou h wi!h her* as he hurried away* her senses !o!a%%y on en!ra!ed on S%a!er. 1You said you weren'! o&in$ (a 0 un!i% a#!er dinner.1 S!upid%y she had &ade !he words sound %i0e an a usa!ion* and S%a!er's &ou!h hardened.

1-his does happen !o (e &y ho&e*1 he $round ou! (i!!er%y* 'and 4 won'! ha.e you !ain!in$ i! (y #i%%in$ i! wi!h your %o.ers. @ha!'s !he &a!!er* "hris/ 1 he de&anded !hi 0%y when she si&p%y s!ared a! hi&* !o!a%%y nonp%ussed (y his a usa!ion. 1"a&e (a 0 a! !he wron$ &o&en! did 4... Your (ody s!i%% a hes #or o&p%e!ion* does i!/ @e%% 4 &i$h! no! (e John 'oward (u! 4 re 0on 4 an sa!is#y you as we%% as he ou%d...1 1+o...1 -he pani -s!ri 0en word was %awed #ro& her !hroa!. 1Yes...1 She had a%ways 0nown !ha! S%a!er was s!ron$* (u! how s!ron$ she had no! rea%ised un!i% he pi 0ed her up* %a&pin$ hard ar&s round her* arryin$ her o.er !he $rass despi!e her despera!e a!!e&p!s !o es ape. 'e was headin$ #or !he su&&erhouse* she rea%ised daLed%y $aspin$ as he opened* !he door and s%id her !o her #ee!* se urin$ her wris! wi!h one hand* whi%e !he o!her de#!%y %o 0ed !he door. She !ried !o es ape* usin$ her nai%s on his hand !o !ry and prise !he& #ree* (u! apar! #ro& a (rie# $run! o# pain !here was no response. 3ed wea%s %ined his !anned s0in* his e,pression sa.a$e as he #o%%owed her $%an e down !o !he&. 1My Eod 4'%% &a0e you pay #or !ha!*1 he &u!!ered !hi 0%y* and "hris wondered #ear#u%%y i# he was !e&porari%y deran$ed. -here was no s&e%% o# drin0 on his (rea!h* and in &os! respe !s he appeared o&p%e!e%y nor&a%* (u! !here was no!hin$ nor&a% a(ou! !he way he had dra$$ed her in here* %o 0in$ !he door (ehind !he& and !hen po 0e!in$ !he 0ey. +ei!her was !here any!hin$ nor&a% a(ou! !he way he was wa! hin$ her* !he $o%d eyes di%a!ed* (urnin$ wi!h a #e.er !ha! was &irrored in !he dar0 sur$e o# o%our runnin$ up under his !anned s0in. 'e was a%&os! sa.a$e wi!h ra$e* "hris a 0now%ed$ed* shudderin$ deep%y. 'e re&inded her o# a wi%d ani&a% penned up in a a$e* se ured #or !he !i&e (ein$ (u! re%en!%ess%y de!er&ined !o es ape* in#ini!e%y dan$erous in his ap!i.i!y. @ha! was i! !ha! he%d S%a!er in ap!i.i!y/ -he &e&ory o# +a!a%ie/ @as !ha! why he was here/ 2id he share her ousin's ha!red o# her/ @as !his his way o# showin$ his $rie#/ ) sa ri#i e o# her on !he a%!ar o# his $ui%! !owards +a!a%ie/ 'is re%a!ionship wi!h her ousin had o(.ious%y (een par!i u%ar%y o&p%e,* i# he was !o (e (e%ie.ed a! %eas! . (u! !hey had s!ayed &arried* and he had !o%era!ed her in#ide%i!ies. 14s !ha! wha! you %i0e* "hrissie/1 'is .oi e was a%&os! hypno!i . -he

purr o# !he 9un$%e pan!her (e#ore i! !ore ou! i!s .i !i&'s !hroa! "hris !hou$h! !re&(%in$. 1Se, &i,ed wi!h .io%en e/ 4s !ha! wha! e, i!es you ... drawin$ (%ood physi a%%y as we%% as &en!a%%y/1 'is words seared !hrou$h her* sho 0in$ her and &a0in$ her a he wi!h renewed pain. -his was no! !he S%a!er she had herished in her &e&ories6 !he %o.er she had drea&ed o# a! ni$h!* e.en !hou$h in !he &ornin$ she had &ana$ed !o deny !hose drea&s !o herse%#. 1@ha! 4 don'! %i0e is (ein$ #or ed a$ains! &y wi%%* S%a!er.1 She &ana$ed !o u!!er !he words wi!h so&e se&(%an e o# se%#-assuran e* usin$ her &ode%'s poise !o on ea% her #ear. 14# you 9us! un%o 0 !ha! door* 4'%% #or$e! !his e.en happened... 4# no!...1 14# no!* you'%% wha!/1 he 9eered (i!!er%y. 1"ry rape/1 -he 9i(e s!a((ed ri$h! !hrou$h her (ody* &a0in$ her !ense in sho 0 and an$er* !he u$%iness o# !he word (rin$in$ a hideous rea%i!y !o her si!ua!ion. 1Oh no*1 S%a!er &u!!ered sa.a$e%y. 14! won'! (e rape* "hrissie.. !ha! wan!on (ody o# yours is $oin$ !o wan! &e 9us! as &u h as i! wan!ed John 'oward. Dunny a(ou! you and +a!a%ie* how you a%ways wan!ed !he sa&e &an...1 -he rue% !aun! ro((ed her o# !he a(i%i!y !o spea0. She ha!ed hi& #or hoosin$ now !o re&ind her o# her .u%nera(i%i!y !o hi&. O# ourse he #e%! on#iden! !ha! he ou%d &a0e her wan! hi&. 'e 0new how she had responded !o hi& in !he pas!. @ha! she ou%dn'! unders!and was why he !hou$h! she had e.en on!e&p%a!ed &a0in$ %o.e wi!h John 'oward (u! !ha! hard%y &a!!ered now. So&ehow she was $oin$ !o pro.e !o hi& !ha! she ou%d resis! hi& and !ha! wou%d !a0e e.ery oun e o# wi%%power she possessed. )s he a&e !owards her she re#used !o &o.e* e.en !hou$h e.ery ner.e in her (ody ried ou! #or her !o (a 0 away. 'er (es! #or& o# pro!e !ion was o%d re9e !ion. D%i$h! wou%d on%y in rease his (e%ie# !ha! he

ou%d su(due her. 'is hands un!yin$ !he 0no! o# her ro(e and !hen s%idin$ up o.er her (ody were a sho 0in$ rea%i!y. Dier e%y 0eepin$ her #a e a.er!ed* "hris wi%%ed herse%# no! !o rea !. She was si&p%y posin$ #or an ad* she !o%d herse%# #ran!i a%%y. S%a!er's hands were si&p%y !hose o# ano!her &ode%. Bu! no o!her &an had e.er !ou hed her %i0e !his* and her (ody re#used !o a ep! her de ep!ion. She shuddered as S%a!er's #in$ers (i! in!o her shou%ders. 14 !hin0 we an dispense wi!h !his*1 he !o%d her so#!%y* addin$ &o 0in$%y. 1@hy are you shi.erin$* "hrissie/ You an'! possi(%y (e o%d.1 4# any!hin$ !he su&&erhouse was o.er-war&* and his &o 0ery (ro0e !hrou$h !he #a ade o# her on!ro%. 12on'! a%% &e !ha!*1 she de&anded hus0i%y* re#errin$ !o his spe ia% use o# her na&e. 1@hy no!/ You used !o %i0e i!...1 was !he on%y person who a%%ed you "hrissie* you on e !o%d &e* and you said 9us! hearin$ &y .oi e sayin$ your na&e (rou$h! you ou! in $oose(u&ps.1 She had said !ha!* "hris re&e&(ered a hin$%y* and a%!hou$h he had %au$hed $en!%y a! her nai.e!e she re&e&(ered !ha! a%ways a#!er !ha! when !hey were a%one S%a!er wou%d &ur&ur her na&e a$ains! her s0in* sa.ourin$ her ins!an!aneous response !o hi&. 'is hands s%id !he ro(e o## her shou%ders and &u h as she wou%d ha.e %i0ed !o ha.e #ou$h! !o re!ain i!* "hris %e! i! $o. 4! wou%d (e undi$ni#ied !o s!ru$$%e she !o%d herse%#* and (esides !he (es! way o# resis!in$ hi& was si&p%y no! !o respond. 'er (i0ini wasn'! par!i u%ar%y (rie# (y &ode& s!andards* (u! she #e%! a u!e%y un o&#or!a(%e as S%a!er s!udied her. 1You a%ways did ha.e a (eau!i#u% (ody* "hrissie.1 'e &ur&ured !he words a$ains! !he .u%nera(%e s0in o# her !hroa!. "hris $ri!!ed her !ee!h !o$e!her* wi%%in$ herse%# no! !o respond* and ha!in$ S%a!er wi!h a wa.e o# #ee%in$ so s!ron$ !ha! i! diLLied her as he %au$hed $en!%y* his !hu&( re$is!erin$ !he hurried !hud o# her pu%se* his &ou!h* &o.in$ wi!h unerrin$ pre ision a$ains! her s0in* %oser and %oser !o !he (ase o# her !hroa!. @i%d sur$es o# desire !or&en!ed her* e.ery ins!in ! ur$in$ her

response. 4! was so !e&p!in$ si&p%y !o ar h her !hroa! a$ains! his &ou!h6 !o ur% her #in$ers in!o his hair and ho%d hi& %o 0ed a$ains! her whi%e her hea!ed (%ood pounded ou! i!s &essa$e a$ains! his %ips* (u! she wasn'! $oin$ !o $i.e in. 1S!i%% !he sa&e o%d "hrissie.1 'is &ou!h %e#! her s0in* (u! his !hu&( on!inued !o !or&en! !he !huddin$ pu%se. 13eady !o u! your nose o## !o spi!e your #a e. You 0now you wan! &e* and 4 0now i! !oo...1 14 don'!.1 -he ho! denia% was ou! (e#ore she ou%d si%en e i!* !e&per $%i!!erin$ $reen%y in her eyes. -o her surprise S%a!er %au$hed* a ri h* !riu&phan! sound !ha! s0i!!ered dan$erous%y o.er her !au! ner.es. 1+ow !ha!'s (e!!er. 3ea% e&o!ion a! %as!. You're %yin$* "hris*1 he added s%ee0%y. 1You wan! &e a%% ri$h!. 4 an see i! here.1 'is !hu&( !ou hed her pu%sin$ !hroa!* in a !or&en!in$ aress !ha! #or ed her !o s&o!her an a hin$ $roan. 1)nd here.1 'is hand &o.ed* and "hris %osed her eyes in #ier e pain as his !hu&( &o.ed wi!h inso%en! appraisa% o.er !he hardenin$ nu( o# one (reas!. She didn'! wan! !o open her eyes (u! so&e!hin$ #or ed her !o do so. She didn'! wan! !o %oo0 down a! S%a!er's %ean (rown hand where i! res!ed a$ains! !he underside o# her (reas!* (u! she #e%! i&pe%%ed !o. )$ains! !he !hin o!!on o# her (i0ini !op her nipp%es s!rained in un&is!a0a(%e arousa%* pani %awin$ in !he pi! o# her s!o&a h* &in$%in$ wi!h her a hin$ &us %es un!i% she #e%! she wou%d snap in !wo wi!h !he !ension. 1You wan! &e*1 S%a!er insis!ed !hi 0%y* 'and a%!hou$h 4'%% pro(a(%y (e da&ned #or i!* 4 a he #or you. 1 1+o...1 'er wi%d &oan o# denia% see&ed !o un%eash so&e!hin$ deep%y pri&i!i.e inside hi&* (e ause S%a!er's res!rain! snapped and he pu%%ed her #ier e%y a$ains! his (ody* rushin$ her a$ains! his hes!* his hand !rappin$ hers a$ains! his !hi$h* #or in$ her !o a 0now%ed$e his arousa% as he &u!!ered raw%y.

1Yes... Yes... "hris... Dee% how &u h 4 wan! you* and you wan! &e !he sa&e way ... 4 0now you do.1 4! was use%ess !o 0eep on resis!in$ hi&. -he hea! o# his (ody (enea!h her hand in !hose #ew se onds (e#ore he had %e! her pu%% away had %e#! her wi!h a su##o a!in$ e&o!iona% response. She was a #oo% !o (e swayed si&p%y (y his desire #or her6 hadn'! she %earned 9us! how %i!!%e &a%e desire rea%%y &ean!/ )nd ye! !he 0now%ed$e o# his need #or her !ou hed o## so&e!hin$ e%e&en!a% (uried deep inside her !ha! on e awa0ened ou%d no! (e su(dued. She was (are%y aware o# her own so#! &oan as S%a!er un!ied her (i0ini !op* her senses a%% !oo a!!uned !o hi&6 !o !he hurried rise and #a%% o# his (rea!hin$6 !he dar0enin$ $%i!!er o# his eyes as he pushed her away #ro& hi& !o s!udy !he #u%% per#e !ion o# her (reas!s. 'ea! rose up in a dar0 !ide under his s0in. 'e !hrus! o## his 9a 0e!* wren hin$ i&pa!ien!%y a! his !ie* and as !hou$h !he i&pa!ien e o# his &o.e&en!s were an e ho o# her own #ee%in$s "hris #e%! !he sur$e o# desire sweep !or&en!in$%y !hrou$h her (ody* indu in$ a yearnin$ a he in her %ower s!o&a h and &a0in$ her (reas!s swe%%* her nipp%es rosi%y ere !. "hris had ne.er posed #or any pho!o$raphs !ha! in.o%.ed her $oin$ e.en !op%ess* ne.er &ind nude* and she was !orn (e!ween sha&e and e, i!e&en! as she saw S%a!er's rea !ion !o her e.iden! arousa%* and dis o.ered !he sensua% p%easure o# 0nowin$ he was wa! hin$ her* his (ody !au! wi!h hun$er. 'e pu%%ed a! !he !op !wo (u!!ons o# his shir!* a(andonin$ !he !as0 !o !a0e her in his ar&s* his .oi e hoarse and &u##%ed a$ains! !he s&oo!h s0in o# her shou%der as he de&anded. 1-a0e i! o## #or &e* "hrissie. 4 !hin0 4'%% $o &ad i# 4 don'! !ou h you. 1 )s she &ade a !en!a!i.e &o.e&en! !owards !he s&a%% pear% (u!!ons "hris #e%! !he hea! o# his s0in (urnin$ in!o her !hrou$h !he #ine &a!eria% o# his shir!. -he need !o #ee% !ha! hea! dire !%y a$ains! her s0in was a%&os! !erri#yin$ in i!s in!ensi!y. She didn'! 0now whi h o# !he& was !re&(%in$ !he &os! she !hou$h! haLi%y as she !ried !o wor0 !he s&a%% (u!!ons #ree* one hand #%a! a$ains! !he hard wa%% o# S%a!er's hes! as she s!eadied herse%#. )%% !he !i&e she was !ryin$ !o on en!ra!e on her !as0* S%a!er's &ou!h was p%ayin$ de%i a!e%y o.er her s0in* aressin$ !he %ine o# her ne 0 and shou%der. Shi.ers o# p%easure ra ed !hrou$h her* as !he %as! (u!!on a&e #ree and she !u$$ed !he shir! !ai%s #ree o# his wais!(and. 'is (ody was harder6

s!ron$er !han she re&e&(ered* !he &us %es o# his s!o&a h drawn in sharp%y as her #in$ernai%s a iden!a%%y $raLed a$ains! his hes!. -he hair !ha! $rew !here was dar0* and odd%y s&oo!h* and she $a.e in !o !he !e&p!a!ion !o run her #in$er!ips %i$h!%y !hrou$h i!. S%a!er's sharp $asp (rou$h! her e,p%ora!ions !o a sudden ha%!* p%easure #%oodin$ her (ody %i0e &e%!ed honey as he (i! in!o her s0in* pu%%in$ her a$ains! hi& so !ha! !he #ine dar0 hairs $raLed arousin$%y a$ains! her swo%%en nipp%es. @hen he &o.ed* in reasin$ !he !or&en!in$ on!a !* "hris &oaned hus0i%y in her !hroa!* her &ou!h #indin$ !he hard o%u&n o# his !hroa!. 4! ar hed (enea!h her !en!a!i.e aress in i!in$ #ur!her e,p%ora!ion. 2e%i a!e%y "hris (rushed her !hu&( o.er i!s &a%e ou!%ine* #ee%in$ S%a!er's harsh sound o# p%easure re.er(era!in$ (enea!h her hand. 'er %ips !ou hed !he spo! aressed (y her !hu&( and she was s!ar!%ed (y !he harsh e, %a&a!ion o# sound S%a!er &ade* his hand uppin$ her (reas!* s!ro0in$ ur$en!%y o.er i!s hard !ip. 1"hrissie.1 -he sound o# her na&e was %os! (enea!h !he sa.a$e p%easure o# his 0iss* !heir &ou!hs &e%din$ and #usin$* passion a !an$i(%e #or e en.e%opin$ !he& as "hris wrapped her ar&s round hi&* e,u%!in$ in !he #ier e a(rasion o# his (ody hair a$ains! her (reas!s* pu%sin$ wi!h #e.erish need !ha! (e!rayed i!se%# in !he o&pu%si.e !hrus! o# her %ower (ody a$ains! his as i! de&anded an in reasin$%y %oser on!a ! wi!h !he hard &us %es o# his !hi$hs. -hey were s!i%% s!andin$ up* and when S%a!er re%eased her (reas!* his hands &o.in$ swi#!%y down her (ody* !o s%ide inside !he u!away %e$s o# her (i0ini (o!!o&* and ho%d her a$ains! hi& so !ha! she ou%d #ee% !he shudders o# need pu%sin$ !hrou$h hi& she $%oried in !he in!i&a!e on!a !* pressin$ wi%d 0isses a$ains! his &ois! s0in. ) wi%dness she hadn'! 0nown herse%# apa(%e o# en!ered her (%ood* her hands s!ro0in$ #e.erish%y o.er S%a!er's !orso* her &ou!h o(edien! !o S%a!er's &u!!ered ur$in$s* #o%%owin$ a pa!h downward o.er his !hroa! and shou%der un!i% she res!ed a$ains! !he hard* a%&os! #%a! ou!%ine o# his nipp%e. Sho 0 he%d "hris a%&os! ri$id #or a &o&en!* !he hea! o# S%a!er's hands uppin$ her (o!!o& sendin$ shi.ers o# in!ense p%easure Cui.erin$ !hrou$h her. 'is (ody pu%sed #ran!i a%%y a$ains! hers one hand #reein$ i!se%# #ro& her %ower (ody !o !an$%e in her hair and !hen spread a$ains! !he (a 0 o# her head. 1Yes... "hrissie*1 she heard hi& &u!!er* as she was on.u%sed wi!h wa.es o# p%easure. 1Yes ... 0iss &e...1 De.erish sounds o# p%easure wra 0ed his (ody as she %e! her %ips p%ay wi!h !he s&a%% hard nu( o# #%esh* and #ee%in$

sudden%y* re 0%ess%y responsi.e* "hris %e! her !on$ue p%ay de%i a!e%y o.er his !ense s0in* !easin$ i! wi!h her %ips* un!i% S%a!er $a.e a harsh &oan !ha! de&anded #u%#i%&en! o# !he pro&ise her !or&en!in$ &ou!h i&p%ied. -he hoarse* a%&os! #e.erish words i$ni!ed her own passions* her (ody !hro((in$ wi!h a hin$ need as she s!ro0ed and 0issed as &u h o# his (ody as she ou%d. 4! was !he (arrier o# his wais!(and and (e%! !ha! s!opped her--!ha! and !he sudden sensa!ion o# %osin$ her (a%an e* !ha! i! !oo0 her se.era% se onds !o re o$nise !he #a ! !ha! S%a!er had %i#!ed her o## her #ee! and was arryin$ her o.er !o !he %ow ushioned (en h a$ains! !he wa%%. 1"hris ... &y Eod* how you !or&en! &e.1 -he !hi 0 ad&ission was &ade as S%a!er %owered her on !o !he ushions. S!i%% (endin$ o.er her* he s!udied her a%&os! (roodin$%y #or a se ond and "hris shi.ered %i$h!%y under !ha! e,p%ora!ion. She wan!ed hi& so &u h i! hur!* and sudden%y* she 0new !ha! no &a!!er how &u h she su##ered #or i! a#!erwards she despera!e%y wan!ed hi& !o &a0e %o.e !o her. 4! wasn'! si&p%y a &a!!er o# appeasin$ her a hin$ (ody. 4! was so&e!hin$ !o ho%d on !o in !he %one%y #u!ure. So&e!hin$ !o drea& a(ou! and !o re&e&(er. )nd she a%ways wou%d re&e&(er !ha! she had aroused hi&6 !ha! she had &ade hi& !re&(%e and ry ou! wi!h a p%easure so #ier e !ha! she ou%d s!i%% see i! (ea!in$ in his (ody. 4ns!in !i.e%y she 0new !ha! i# she denied hi& now he wou%d no! !ry !o #or e or oer e her6 !hey had $one #ar (eyond !ha!* and she sensed !ha! he was as !a0en o## $uard as she was herse%# (y !heir e,p%osi.e response !o one ano!her. -his was !he o&in$ !o$e!her !hey shou%d ha.e shared se.en years a$o* she !hou$h! in!ui!i.e%y6 !his was why she had ne.er (een #ree o# hi&. >n ons ious%y she &o.ed* rea hin$ up !owards hi&* !he a#!ernoon sun s%an!in$ in !hrou$h !he windows and ou!%inin$ her (reas!s. -here was a %ear %ine where her !an ended and S%a!er !ra ed i! s%ow%y* his dar0 $aLe a(sor(in$ !he rea !ions o# her (ody* &a0in$ her #ee% !ha! in his &ind a%ready he possessed her and #i%%ed her. 'er #in$ers !ou hed his wais!* her hair $o%den a$ains! !he dar0 #a(ri o# his pan!s as she %eaned #orward and pressed !re&u%ous %ips !o !he #ir& s0in 9us! a(o.e his (e%!. 1"hrissie...1 'is response was e,p%osi.e* his head %owerin$ un!i% his &ou!h !ou hed her nipp%e. Dier e* a%&os! un(eara(%e pan$s o# p%easure

sho! !hrou$h her a! his !ou h* her !ee!h unwi!!in$%y nippin$ ero!i a%%y a! his s0in* her (ody %en hin$ (enea!h wa.es o# #iery p%easure as wi!hou! any $en!%e pre%i&inaries S%a!er's !on$ue rasped !he sensi!i.e pea0 o# her (reas!* his &ou!h !u$$in$ o&pu%si.e%y* whi%e his hand s!ru$$%ed !o re%ease !he #as!enin$ o# his pan!s* his ur$en! &o.e&en!s in i!in$ "hris !o he%p hi&* and !o shi.er in pri&a- e.a% #e&a%e responsi.eness a! !he si$h! o# his na0ed* aroused (ody. She wan!ed !o !ou h hi&6 a desire in reased (y his #ier e possession o# her (reas!* (u! !re&(%ed on !he (rin0 o# doin$ so* un!i% he re%eased her !ender nipp%e !o &u!!er a p%ea a$ains! her s0in !ha! &ade her $o ho! wi!h rea !ion and response. )s !hou$h !o under%ine wha! he had said* his &ou!h &o.ed downwards o.er her (ody* his !on$ue ir %in$ !he s&oo!h inden!a!ion in her (e%%y* his #in$ers de#!%y un!yin$ !he s!rin$s o# her (i0ini (o!!o&. Jus! #or a se ond "hris #e%! a u!e%y se%#- ons ious. She raised her head* in!endin$ !o &ur&ur an ins!in !i.e pro!es!* (u! !he words died unsaid as S%a!er %oo0ed dire !%y a! her* and she !re&(%ed (enea!h !he #ier e need (urnin$ in his eyes. 1You're so .ery* .ery (eau!i#u%...1 'e said !he words s%ow%y* as !hou$h (are%y aware o# ha.in$ spo0en !he&* his hand pushin$ away !he #a(ri o# her (i0ini. Jus! #or a se ond i! res!ed a$ains! her (ody* and "hris was s!unned (y her &us %es' ins!in !i.e response6 (y !he !i$h!%y oi%in$ sensa!ion (ui%din$ up inside her !ha! &ade her a he !o ar h a$ains! !he hard pressure o# his hand* !o. She %osed her eyes* shi.erin$ wi!h !he sho 0 o# her own sensua%i!y. 1"hrissie...1 She #e%! a !ou h as %i$h! as (u!!er#%y win$s a$ains! her !hi$h* and !hen $asped a! !he in!rusi.e s!ro0e o# S%a!er's #in$ers* ha%# sho 0ed ha%# !hri%%ed (y his in!i&a y. 4! was a%&os! as !hou$h he had read her !hou$h!s6 had 0nown. She opened her eyes !o spea0 !o hi& and was !rans#i,ed (y !he si$h! o# his dar0 head %eanin$ a$ains! her. !hi$hs. -he $o%d eyes wou%d no! a%%ow hers !o s%ide away* ho! o%our &oun!in$ her s0in as he de%i(era!e%y p%a ed his &ou!h a$ains! her s0in. 'o! shi.ers o# p%easure sur$ed !hrou$h her. 'er (ody see&ed !o &e%!* openin$ !o hi& and she $asped* shudderin$ (enea!h !he aressin$ in!i&a y o# his #in$ers. 1-ou h &e* "hrissie*1 he o&&anded in a hoarse .oi e. 1-ou h &e.. 0iss &e* !he way 4'& !ou hin$ and 0issin$ you...1 )%&os! %i0e an au!o&a!on she o(eyed hi&* !ense%y a! #irs!* o.erwhe%&ed

(y !he in!i&a y o# wha! she was doin$* (u! !he hea! o# his s0in* !he sheer p%easure o# hearin$ his raw sounds o# desire* !he responsi.eness o# his (ody !o her %i$h!es! !ou h* soon o(%i!era!ed e.ery !ra e o# shyness. 'er own (ody was eCua%%y responsi.e !o hi&* ar hin$ wan!on%y !o his %i$h!es! !ou h* her &ind as! adri#! (y her (ody as she $a.e in !o !he &ind%ess e s!asy his !ou h e.o0ed. 'is &ou!h a$ains! her !hi$h &ade her a he wi!h hun$er (u! when i! &o.ed hi$her she !ensed ins!in !i.e%y* !hrown in!o shi.erin$ un er!ain!y. 1"hrissie/1 S%a!er's .oi e re$is!ered her unease* and sudden%y #earin$ !ha! he &i$h! wi!hdraw #ro& her* "hris said ur$en!%y* 1S%a!er ... p%ease...1 wan! you. 4...1 -ears spur!ed une,pe !ed%y #ro& her eyes* as he &o.ed--away #ro& her or so she !hou$h!* un!i% she rea%ised he had 9oined her on !he ushions* his (ody hard and war& a$ains! her own as he !oo0 her in his ar&s* !ra in$ !he ourse o# her !ears wi!h his !on$ue. 14 wan! you !oo.1 'is words were on#ir&ed (y !he aroused wei$h! o# his (ody. 'er #ears su(sidin$ "hris ar hed upward ins!in !i.e%y !o &ee! i!* $aspin$ as !he #u%% in!ensi!y o# her inner need washed o.er her* and she responded (%ind%y !o !he ur$in$ o# S%a!er's hands and (ody* re.e%%in$ in !he rhy!h&i !hrus! o# his &a%eness a$ains! her* s!ar!%ed (y her rea !ion !o !he sudden (rie# spas& o# pain !ha! #or one se ond !hrea!ened !o o.er o&e p%easure. She #e%! S%a!er's #in$ers !i$h!en and opened her eyes !o #ind hi& %oo0in$ dis(e%ie.in$%y (a 0 a! her. She had #or$o!!en !ha! he hadn'! 0nown she was s!i%% a .ir$in. She !hou$h! he was $oin$ !o spea0* !o wi!hdraw #ro& her* and pressed herse%# #ier e%y a$ains! hi&* ho%din$ hi& !o her* 0issin$ hi& passiona!e%y* her !ee!h a! hin$ on his %ower %ip as she #e%! his response in !he power#u% sur$e o# his (ody in!o hers. She 0new she ried ou!--in p%easure no! pain* (u! !he sound was swa%%owed (y S%a!er's &ou!h* #ier e%y en&eshed wi!h hers* s hoo%in$ !he #ier e !ide o# need swe%%in$ !hrou$h her 9us! as his (ody on!ro%%ed her un!u!ored physi a% response* nur!urin$ i! un!i% she !hou$h! she wou%d si&p%y e,p%ode* disso%.e* wi!h !he in!ensi!y o# i!. -he power o# !he spas&s o# p%easure wra 0in$ her &ade her ry ou! his na&e* ons ious (rie#%y o# his own harsh e, %a&a!ion o# p%easure* and #i%%ed wi!h an in!ense%y #e&a%e sense o# a o&p%ish&en! !ha! she had sa!is#ied hi&. 8.en as she !ried !o re$is!er !he !hou$h! !he wor%d s!ar!ed !o whir% in a (%ur round her. She was $oin$ !o #ain! "hris rea%ised in s!unned dis(e%ie#. S%a!er had 9us! &ade %o.e !o her and

she was $oin$ !o #ain!. 2ar0ness we%%ed up and %ai&ed her* spinnin$ her diLLi%y round. She was aware o# S%a!er a%%in$ her na&e* (u! she ou%d no! su&&on !he ener$y !o respond. 'er #ain! ou%d sure%y ha.e %as!ed on%y se onds* "hris !hou$h! &uLLi%y* openin$ her eyes* (%ushin$ #urious%y as she dis o.ered !ha! S%a!er was (endin$ o.er her* on e &ore #u%%y dressed. 1"hris...1 'is .oi e was harsh* !he e,pression in his eyes so o%d !ha! she shi.ered (enea!h i!. 'e had o.ered her wi!h her wrap* she rea%ised* sudden%y $%ad o# i!s (rie# pro!e !ion. 1"hris ... we ha.e !o !a%0...1 +o words o# %o.e or praise* she rea%ised (i!!er%y* (u! !hen wha! had she e,pe !ed/ 1+o6.. +o...1 Pani ed$ed up under her .oi e and she s!ru$$%ed !o on ea% i!* si!!in$ up and %u&si%y pu%%in$ on her ro(e. @hen S%a!er &o.ed !o he%p her she #%in hed away #ro& hi& as !hou$h !he on!a ! (urned. 'e dropped her ar& i&&edia!e%y (a 0in$ away* his &ou!h !ense. 1"hris...1 1+o ... no* don'! say any!hin$* 4 don'! wan! !o hear.1 She s!u&(%ed !o her #ee!* ha%# s!u&(%in$ and ha%# &nnin$ !o !he door. She had #or$o!!en i! was %o 0ed and (an$ed on i! i&po!en!%y wi!h her #is!s* !ears s!rea&in$ down her #a e. 17e! &e ou! o# here*1 she de&anded ha%# hys!eri a%%y* no! 0nowin$ why she was ryin$ or why she was #i%%ed wi!h !his i&pu%se !o #%ee* 0nowin$ on%y !ha! she had !o $e! away . !ha! she had !o es ape S%a!er's presen e. 1"hris...1 'e a&e !owards her and she (a 0ed away. 14'& no! $oin$ !o !ou h you.1 'is .oi e was !erse* his (a 0 !urned !owards her as he un%o 0ed !he door and opened i!. She (o%!ed !hrou$h i! %i0e a !erri#ied hare* no! s!oppin$ un!i% she was sa#e%y inside her own roo&. @ha! had aused her #%i$h! she didn'! 0now. +ow !ha! her se,ua% hun$er was appeased she #e%! (i!!er and asha&ed. She %o.ed S%a!er* (u! he did no! %o.e her* and worse s!i%% he now 0new how she #e%!--he &us! do--he &us! re o$nise !he reason why she had re!ained her .ir$ini!y #or so %on$--and !he reason she had (een so i&pa!ien! !oday !o %ose i!. Sha&e s or hed her s0in. 4# on%y she ou%d si&p%y

disappear she !hou$h! he%p%ess%y. 4# on%y she ne.er had !o #a e hi& a$ain* (u! !here was Sophie !o onsider. She si&p%y ou%d no! wa%0 ou! on !he %i!!%e $ir% now. Sure%y her #u!ure6 her $ood hea%!h was &ore i&por!an! !han se%#ish pride/ +a!a%ie s #* &i$h! no! ha.e &ade her Sophie's $uardian #or O any %o.e o# ei!her o# !he&* (u! she was $oin$ !o O do a%% she ou%d !o arry ou! her !as0 proper%y. O So&ehow she wou%d 9us! ha.e !o #a e S%a!er and O endure his &o 0ery. So&ehow . (u! p%ease Eod no! 9us! ye!* she !hou$h! a hin$%y as she ur%ed up on her (ed. She ou%dn'! #a e hi& 9us! ye!. "')P-83 S8A8+ shadows were %en$!henin$ in !he $arden when she wo0e up. 2owns!airs a door s%a&&ed and her (ody !ensed* her eyes #i,ed on her %osed door* in &u!e dread. @hen S%a!er a&e in she shran0 (a 0 under !he (ed %o!hes. 1"hris.1 'is .oi e was sharp. 1Sophie see&s !o (e &issin$.1 -he .ery rea% an,ie!y she ou%d de!e ! in his eyes (anished any suspi ions she &i$h! ha.e had !ha! he was &a0in$ i! up. 1Mrs. 7an as!er $a.e her !ea as usua% and she wen! ups!airs !o read. @hen she wen! !o $e! her ready #or (ed she ou%dn'! #ind her. 1 14'%% he%p you %oo0.1 She pushed (a 0 !he (ed %o!hes* a.oidin$ &ee!in$ his eyes as she swun$ her #ee! !o !he #%oor. 14'.e sear hed !he house and $arden a%ready. +ow 4'%% ha.e !o rin$ !he po%i e.1 'e was ou! o# !he door (e#ore she had %e#! her (ed. She had dreaded o&in$ #a e !o #a e wi!h hi& a$ain (u! now !heir &u!ua% on ern #or Sophie o.errode any e&(arrass&en! "hris &i$h! ha.e #e%!. 2ressed and downs!airs she was 9us! in !i&e !o a! h !he !ai% end o# his !e%ephone on.ersa!ion. 1Yes 4 unders!and how you #ee%* Sarah*1 she heard hi& sayin$* '(u! o(.ious%y 4 an'! !a0e you ou! !o dinner !oni$h!. Yes. yes. 1 'e sounded !erse%y an$ry and "hris wondered a! !he o!her wo&an's %a 0 o# on ern #or Sophie. )#!er a%% she was S%a!er's hi%d and she !hou$h! Sarah wou%d ha.e ared a(ou! her #or his sa0e i# no! #or !he

%i!!%e $ir%'s own. )n,ious #or so&e!hin$ !o o upy herse%# wi!h* "hris wen! ou! in!o !he $arden. 4! was .ery %ar$e and par!s o# i! were a%&os! o.er$rown. Sophie ou%d easi%y (e %os! in i!* (u! S%a!er had said he had sear hed i! and 0nowin$ hi& as she did she owned !ha! !ha! sear h wou%d ha.e (een a !horou$h one. She wandered down !he dri.e and ou! on !o !he road. 4! &ade her (%ood run i e in her .eins !o on!e&p%a!e !he #a!es !ha! &i$h! ha.e (e#a%%en !he %i!!%e $ir%. She #rowned re&e&(erin$ how dis!ressed she had (een (y John 'oward's .isi!. She hadn'! e.en had !i&e !o !e%% S%a!er a(ou! her hu&&in$* "hris re#%e !ed re!ra in$ her s!eps (a 0 !o !he house. She #ound S%a!er in !he s!udy* his (a 0 was !owards her. 'e was s!udyin$ a #ra&ed pho!o$raph he he%d in his hands. "hris didn'! need !o see i! !o re o$nise !he pho!o$raph o# her ousin and Sophie whi h nor&a%%y s!ood on his des0. 4nward%y she wep! (i!!er !ears o# pain* (u! ou!side she s!ri.ed !o appear a%& as she approa hed !he des0. -he na0ed a he o# a$ony she had dis erned in S%a!er's e,pression was wiped %ean as he saw her* !he pho!o$raph res!ored !o i!s ri$h!#u% p%a e. 14! &i$h! no! (e i&por!an!*1 she (e$an !erse%y* '(u! Sophie see&ed .ery upse! !his &ornin$ whi%e John was here. 'e e,p%ained !o &e. 1 1'e did* did he/1 S%a!er %au$hed wi!h harsh (i!!erness. 1-he "hris 4 re&e&(er wou%dn'! ha.e... Oh #or Eod's sa0e wha!'s !he use... Yes* i! is i&por!an!*1 he wen! on (i!!er%y. 1Sure%y e.en you an re o$nise !ha! &u h... 2ear Eod when 4 !hin0 o# wha! ou%d happen !o her...1 'is .oi e was suspended and "hris wondered on a sho 0 wa.e o# horror i# he (%a&ed her #or Sophie's disappearan e. 'is ne,! words see&ed !o on#ir& her #ears. 1Sarah warned &e a$ains! %e!!in$ you s!ay*1 he $round ou! sa.a$e%y* 'and 4'& (e$innin$ !o !hin0 she &i$h! (e ri$h!. 1 'e s!rode pas! her wi!hou! ano!her word %ea.in$ "hris !o s!are pain#u%%y a#!er hi&. "ou%d Sophie ha.e run away (e ause o# John's .isi!/ 'ad she perhaps #eared !ha! !hey &i$h! (e a #orerunner !o &ore !es!s/ More .isi!s !o

hospi!a% whi h Mrs. 7an as!er had a%ready !o%d "hris she ha!ed/ Bu! where wou%d she $o/ >n(idden !he &e&ory o# her (oo0 in Sophie's hands !or&en!ed her. -he o!!a$eK Bu! sure%y Sophie ou%d no! ha.e $one !here/ ) !wo &i%e wa%0 or &ore and a%% on her own. So&eone &us! sure%y ha.e spo!!ed her. +o* she was (ein$ ridi u%ous !o e.en !hin0 o# su h a !hin$ as S%a!er wou%d no dou(! !e%% her were she #oo%ish enou$h !o on#ide her !hou$h!s !o hi&. Bu! wha! i# she were ri$h!. wha! i# Sophie had. -here was on%y one way !o #ind ou!* "hris !hou$h! nu&(%y headin$ #or !he #ron! door and pi 0in$ up her 0eys on !he way. -en &inu!es %a!er she was poin!in$ !he ar down !he %ane !ha! %ed !o !he o!!a$e. )%ready i! was dar0 enou$h #or her !o need head%i$h!s and !he !hou$h! o# Sophie wa%0in$ a%% a%one down !his narrow* o.er$rown %ane &ade her a he wi!h #ear #or !he %i!!%e $ir%. -he o!!a$e was a%% in dar0ness. Ee!!in$ ou! o# !he ar "hris (era!ed herse%# #or her s!upidi!y. She was 9us! was!in$ .a%ua(%e !i&e whi h wou%d ha.e (een #ar (e!!er e,pended in sear hin$ %oser !o ho&e. Sophie ou%d no! possi(%y (e here. -he o!!a$e door wasn'! %o 0ed. "hris re&e&(ered !ha! she had no! %o 0ed i! a#!er her %as! .isi! an!i ipa!in$ !he arri.a% o# !he wor0&en who were !o $i.e her !he .arious es!i&a!es she wan!ed. -he door rea0ed s%i$h!%y and swun$ inwards. -he sound o# !iny s a&perin$ #ee! (rou$h! !he #ine hairs on "hris's s0in (o%! upri$h!. Mi e. Shudderin$ she #ound !he %i$h! swi! h. -he roo& %oo0ed no di##eren! !han i! had on her %as! .isi!. 1Sophie. 1 she a%%ed !he %i!!%e $ir%'s na&e so#!%y* #ee%in$ #oo%ish. O# ourse she was no! here. ) Cui 0 inspe !ion o# !he 0i! hen and dinin$ roo& on#ir&ed !his .iew. On%y ups!airs !o he 0 now* "hris !hrou$h! weari%y a%ready re$re!!in$ her i&pu%si.e a !ion in o&in$ here. -he s!airs rea0ed as she %i&(ed !he&* re&indin$ her o# how pre arious !hey were. She hadn'! (o!hered wi!h !he %i$h! and she ursed so#!%y as one s!air $a.e way (enea!h her #oo!. -he wood #e%! so#! and ro!!en and she $ri&a ed an!i ipa!in$ !he os! o# rep%a in$ i!. -he who%e p%a e was pro(a(%y ridd%ed wi!h da&p. )! !he !op o# !he s!airs she a%%ed Sophie's na&e a$ain. Si%en e. 'er ears s!re! hed !o a! h !he s%i$h!es! sound re$is!ered a #ain!. wha!/

Shi.erin$ #ain!%y "hris hurried in!o her o%d roo&* s!oppin$ dead when she saw !he s&a%%* hudd%ed up #i$ure on her o%d (ed. 1Sophie...1 'er re%ie# !urned !o #ear as she rea hed !he (ed and dis o.ered how o%d !he %i!!%e $ir% was* her eyes $%aLed and unseein$ as !hey s!ared ri$h! pas! her. 1Sophie* i!'s &e. "hris...1 she said so#!%y* #ear !ou hin$ i e #in$ers a! her hear!. @ha! had happened !o Sophie !o ause !his/ 14'& $oin$ !o !a0e you ho&e !o 2addy* 1 She said Cuie!%y. 1"o&e on now...1 Sophie's s&a%% (ody was ri$id and !ense* so &u h so !ha! "hris #eared !o &o.e her. 'er eyes* nor&a%%y a%i$h! wi!h war&!h were e&p!y* .a an! a%&os!* and !ha! &ore !han any!hin$ #ri$h!ened "hris. @ha! shou%d she do/ She daredn'! ris0 &o.in$ Sophie (y #or e in ase her rea !ions dro.e her e.en #ur!her in!o her !rau&a* and ye! she dreaded %ea.in$ her here a%one.. 4# on%y !he o!!a$e had a 'phone. -here was one a! !he (o!!o& o# !he %ane* and !he %ane %ed on%y !o !he o!!a$e. 4! wou%d !a0e on%y &inu!es #or her !o $e! !here. &inu!es in whi h Sophie wou%d sure%y (e sa#e/ )s !hese !hou$h!s ra ed !hrou$h her &ind "hris !ried !o appear ou!ward%y a%&. 1@e'.e (een worried a(ou! you*1 she !o%d !he %i!!%e $ir%* hopin$ !o see so&e $%i&&er o# response in her e&p!y eyes* prayin$ !ha! she ou%d &a0e Sophie respond !o her6 !ha! she needn'! %ea.e her here* (u! ou%d !a0e her wi!h her (a 0 !o S%a!er.. 4# on%y she had !o%d hi& her suspi ions6 i# on%y she had no! #eared his re9e !ion and &o 0ery &ore !han she had !rus!ed her own ins!in !s. 4! was use%ess !o !hin0 o# 'i# on%ys' now she !o%d herse%#. 1P%ease %oo0 a! &e Sophie*1 she (e$$ed. 17e! &e !a0e you ho&e !o 2addy.1 14 don'! ha.e a daddy.. she !o%d &e 4 didn'!...1 -he sound o# her hoarse* rus!y %i!!%e .oi e !rans#i,ed "hris a%&os! &ore !han !he words she was u!!erin$* and !hen i! hi! her* Sophie had a !ua%%y spo0en. 1Sophie... Sophie dar%in$...1 She rushed o.er !o !he (ed* hu$$in$ her* &ur&urin$ #oo%ish words o# praise* soa0in$ her #air hair wi!h her !ears* (u! Sophie was o&p%e!e%y unresponsi.e. So &u h so !ha! her e%a!ion died. @ha! on ear!h ou%d Sophie &ean/ She didn'! ha.e a daddy/ S%a!er !hou$h! !he wor%d o# her6 he was so $en!%e and arin$ wi!h her !ha! o#!en she #ound herse%#

en.yin$ her. Jus! !his e.enin$ s!udyin$ her pho!o$raph !here had (een su h pain in his eyes !ha! "hris had a hed !o ha.e !he power !o soo!he i!. 1Sophie* %is!en !o &e*1 she e,hor!ed so#!%y. 1You do ha.e a daddy and 2addy %o.es you .ery &u h. 4 0now he does...1 -here was a(so%u!e%y no response. She had o&e ou! dressed in 9eans and a !hin !ee-shir! and now "hris shi.ered. -he o!!a$e was (o!h o%d and da&p* !he &us!y s en! per.adin$ e.erywhere reepin$ in!o her %un$s. @ha! on ear!h ou$h! she !o do/ Sophie's a%&os! !ran e-%i0e s!a!e de ided her. She daredn'! ris0 &o.in$ her #or i(%y6 spe ia%%y no! in .iew o# her e,!re&e%y dis!ur(ed s!a!e6 she wou%d ha.e !o dri.e down !o !he end o# !he %ane and rin$ S%a!er. 1Sophie* 4'& $oin$ !o $o ou! now and !e%ephone your daddy...1 4! see&ed poin!%ess !a%0in$ !o her* (u! she ou%dn'! si&p%y %ea.e wi!hou! an e,p%ana!ion "hris !hou$h! nu&(%y and who 0new perhaps i# she !a%0ed she &i$h! $e! so&e response. 14 won'! (e %on$*1 she pro&ised openin$ !he (edroo& door. 1You wai! here #or &e. 4'%% (e (a 0 9us! as soon as 4 an. 'er hear! !hu&pin$ pain#u%%y she hurried downs!airs* in her has!e and an,ie!y #or$e!!in$ !he ro!!en s!ep. )s her #oo! wen! down in!o no!hin$ she ried ou! and pi! hed #orward in!o end%ess dar0ness* pain e,p%odin$ inside her s0u%%. @here on ear!h was she "hris wondered &uLLi%y openin$ her eyes. Dor a se ond she !hou$h! she was s!i%% in !he su&&erhouse . (u! no i! was #ar !oo o%d and !here was no sunshine. 'ea! ran !hrou$h her (ody as i! re&e&(ered S%a!er's %o.e&a0in$. She &o.ed her head res!%ess%y !ryin$ !o es ape !he &e&ories* ryin$ ou! as pain %an ed !hrou$h her !e&p%e. She pu! her hand up !o i! ins!in !i.e%y* win in$ as she #e%! !he war& s!i 0iness !here. +ow she re&e&(ered. She had &issed her s!ep and #a%%en down s!airs in !he o!!a$e. Sophie. Dresh pani sur$ed !hrou$h her as she re&e&(ered !he %i!!%e $ir%.. )! %eas! Sophie ou%d no! ha.e %e#!* she re#%e !ed $%an in$ a! !he s!airs6 ha%# o# !he& had $i.en way as she #e%% and !here was now a $apin$ ho%e where !he s!air ase had (een. -he downs!airs %i$h!s were on6 !hey &i$h! a%er! so&eone !o !heir presen e. She &us! !ry !o $e! !o !he 'phone. She !ried !o $e! up and (i! (a 0 a

#resh $asp o# pain as her an0%e (u 0%ed undernea!h her re#usin$ !o !a0e her wei$h!. 'ad she (ro0en i!/ "hris wasn'! sure* (u! she did ha.e !o ad&i! a#!er !wo &ore a!!e&p!s !o s!and on i! !ha! she wasn'! $oin$ !o (e a(%e !o $e! ou! !o !he ar. -ha! &ean! !ha! she and Sophie were !rapped here un!i% so&eone #ound !he&. -han0 $oodness she had pu! !he downs!airs %i$h!s on. So&eone &i$h! see !he& and (e a%er!ed !o !heir p%i$h!. 4! was a #ain! hope she re o$nised. +o one used !he %ane and !here were no o!her houses near(y. @ou%d S%a!er e.en!ua%%y de ide !o o&e and in.es!i$a!e/ Eri& pi !ures o# herse%# and Sophie s!ar.in$ !o dea!h #%ooded her &ind* #ir&%y re(u!!ed (y her o&&on-sense. She was (ein$ ridi u%ous. -he &os! !hey wou%d ha.e !o wai! was pro(a(%y un!i% !o&orrow &ornin$ when sure%y one or o!her o# !he wor0&en wou%d (e a%on$ !o sur.ey !he o!!a$e. 4! was s ar e%y a o&#or!in$ !hou$h!. -he ni$h! s!re! hed ou! ahead o# !he&* %on$ and .ery* .ery %one%y. SophieK "hris's hear! %ur hed in pani . 1Sophie...1 she a%%ed so#!%y. 1Sophie.. i!'s "hris. "an you hear &e/ 1 -here was no response. She !ried a$ain se.era% !i&es* dra$$in$ her !hro((in$ an0%e (ehind her as she &o.ed %oser !o !he s!airs. -he pain &o.in$ en$endered &ade her head swi&. She had (are%y ea!en a%% day and now !he !rau&as she had endured were (e$innin$ !o !a0e !heir !o%%. 'er head !hro((ed &uLLi%y* and !he roo& wen! (%a 0 whir%in$ si 0enin$%y round her. 'ow &any !i&es in !he hours !ha! #o%%owed she s%ipped in and ou! o# ons iousness "hris did no! 0now. She &us! (e su##erin$ #ro& on ussion she re#%e !ed a! one poin!* !ryin$ !o sor! ou! her &udd%ed !hou$h!s6 !hou$h!s !hreaded !hrou$h wi!h !or&en!in$ i&a$es o# S%a!er. 4! was 9us! as we%% she !hou$h! unhappi%y a! one poin!* !ha! Sophie was unaware o# !heir si!ua!ion. )! %eas! end%ess dar0ness* pain e,p%odin$ inside her s0u%%. @here on ear!h was she "hris wondered &uLLi%y openin$ her eyes. Dor a se ond she !hou$h! she was s!i%% in !he su&&erhouse . (u! no i! was #ar !oo o%d and !here was no sunshine. 'ea! ran !hrou$h her (ody as i! re&e&(ered S%a!er's %o.e&a0in$. She &o.ed her head res!%ess%y !ryin$ !o es ape !he &e&ories* ryin$ ou! as pain %an ed !hrou$h her !e&p%e. She pu! her hand up !o i! ins!in !i.e%y* win in$ as she #e%! !he war& s!i 0iness !here. +ow she re&e&(ered. She had &issed her s!ep and #a%%en down s!airs in !he o!!a$e. Sophie. Dresh pani sur$ed !hrou$h her as she re&e&(ered !he %i!!%e $ir%. )! %eas! Sophie

ou%d no! ha.e %e#!* she re#%e !ed $%an in$ a! !he s!airs6 ha%# o# !he& had $i.en way as she #e%% and !here was now a $apin$ ho%e where !he s!air ase had (een. -he downs!airs %i$h!s were on6 !hey &i$h! a%er! so&eone !o !heir presen e. She &us! !ry !o $e! !o !he 'phone. She !ried !o $e! up and (i! (a 0 a #resh $asp o# pain as her an0%e (u 0%ed undernea!h her re#usin$ !o !a0e her wei$h!. 'ad she (ro0en i!/ "hris wasn'! sure* (u! she did ha.e !o ad&i! a#!er !wo &ore a!!e&p!s !o s!and on i! !ha! she wasn'! $oin$ !o (e a(%e !o $e! ou! !o !he ar. -ha! &ean! !ha! she and Sophie were !rapped here un!i% so&eone #ound !he&. -han0 $oodness she had pu! !he downs!airs %i$h!s on. So&eone &i$h! see !he& and (e a%er!ed !o !heir p%i$h!. 4! was a #ain! hope she re o$nised. +o one used !he %ane and !here were no o!her houses near(y. @ou%d S%a!er e.en!ua%%y de ide !o o&e and in.es!i$a!e/ Eri& pi !ures o# herse%# and Sophie s!ar.in$ !o dea!h #%ooded her &ind* #ir&%y re(u!!ed (y her o&&on-sense. She was (ein$ ridi u%ous. -he &os! !hey wou%d ha.e !o wai! was pro(a(%y un!i% !o&orrow &ornin$ when sure%y one or o!her o# !he wor0&en wou%d (e a%on$ !o sur.ey !he o!!a$e. 4! was s ar e%y a o&#or!in$ !hou$h!. -he ni$h! s!re! hed ou! ahead o# !he&* %on$ and .ery* .ery %one%y. SophieK "hris's hear! %ur hed in pani . 1Sophie...1 she a%%ed so#!%y. 1Sophie.. i!'s "hris. "an you hear &e/1 -here was no response. She !ried a$ain se.era% !i&es* dra$$in$ her !hro((in$ an0%e (ehind her as she &o.ed %oser !o !he s!airs. -he pain &o.in$ en$endered &ade her head swi&. She had (are%y ea!en a%% day and now !he !rau&as she had endured were (e$innin$ !o !a0e !heir !o%%. 'er head !hro((ed &uLLi%y* and !he roo& wen! (%a 0 whir%in$ si 0enin$%y round her. 'ow &any !i&es in !he hours !ha! #o%%owed she s%ipped in and ou! o# ons iousness "hris did no! 0now. She &us! (e su##erin$ #ro& on ussion she re#%e !ed a! one poin!* !ryin$ !o sor! ou! her &udd%ed !hou$h!s6 !hou$h!s !hreaded !hrou$h wi!h !or&en!in$ i&a$es o# S%a!er. 4! was 9us! as we%% she !hou$h! unhappi%y a! one poin!* !ha! Sophie was unaware o# !heir si!ua!ion. )! %eas! !he %i!!%e $ir% was sa.ed !he !error !ha! s!a%0ed her. 'ow did she 0now wha! #ears !or&en!ed Sophie's youn$ &ind* she as0ed herse%# a hin$%y. @hy had Sophie &ade !ha! o&&en! a(ou! S%a!er/ @ha! was she doin$ a! !he o!!a$e/ @as i! as "hris'had on e sensed* a p%a e o# a re#u$e #or her/ 'er &udd%ed !hou$h!s ran in!o one ano!her* pain

&a0in$ her %on$ !o $i.e way !o !ears. 'er (ody #e%! as !hou$h i! had (een (ea!en. 'er (a 0 &us! ha.e au$h! on one o# !he s!airs as she #e%%* i! a hed so &u h. 1Sophie...1 she a%%ed wea0%y* 0nowin$ !here wou%d (e no response. 1Sophie...1 She &us! ha.e s%ep! (e ause !he ne,! !hin$ she 0new i! was %i$h!. 'er (ody a hed a%% o.er and she was shi.erin$. 8,posure* she a% u%a!ed* a%&os! as !hou$h she were an on%oo0er on her own pain. She %oo0ed down a! her an0%e. 4! was .ery (ad%y swo%%en and (ruised (%a 0 and (%ue. She ou%dn'! (ear !o &o.e i!. 'er head !hro((ed and her eyes #e%! $ri!!y. 1Sophie...1 'er .oi e sounded !hin and reedy* (u! her physi a% dis o&#or! was #or$o!!en as Sophie sudden%y appeared a! !he !op o# !he s!airs* %oo0in$ un!idy and $ra.e. Bu! !his !i&e !here was re o$ni!ion in her eyes re o$ni!ion and on ern. 14!'s a%% ri$h!* Sophie...1 she said wea0%y. 14 #e%% down !he s!airs. 2on'! o&e !oo near !he ed$e* !hey're .ery ro!!en. 'a.e you (een as%eep/ 1 -he #air head nodded. +o si$n o# any a!!e&p! !o spea0 "hris no!i ed. 2id !ha! &ean !ha! Sophie wasn'! aware o# wha! had happened %as! ni$h!/ 4! was so #rus!ra!in$ no! (ein$ a(%e !o as0 her. 12id you o&e here !o $e! ano!her (oo0/1 she as0ed %i$h!%y* wa! hin$ Sophie's s&a%% #a e. Dor a &o&en! i! ru&p%ed and %oo0ed puLL%ed and !hen Sophie nodded* runnin$ (a 0 !o !he (edroo& and !hen reappearin$ wi!h an o%d 8nid Bry!on (oo0. 1Eood $ir%. You si! !here and read i!*1 "hris en oura$ed. 1So&e &en wi%% (e here soon and !hey'%% !a0e us ho&e !o ... !o your daddy.1 Prayin$ !ha! wha! she was sayin$ was !rue* "hris wa! hed Sophie's #a e %ose%y* (u! her on%y response !o her o&&en! was a (rie# s&i%e. She was e,hi(i!in$ none o# !he e&o!ion she had shown %as! ni$h! when "hris &en!ioned S%a!er. She $%an ed a! her wa! h. Se.en. 'ow &u h

%on$er wou%d !hey (e !rapped here/ 4# !he s!airs hadn'! $one she ou%d perhaps ha.e sen! Sophie o## wi!h a &essa$e* (u! !hen i# !hey hadn'! $one she wou%dn'! (e %yin$ here una(%e !o &o.e. -i&e raw%ed (y. "hris !ried &o.in$ and $roaned as pain sho! !hrou$h her (ody* wi%%in$ i! away as she saw Sophie's worried e,pression. She &us! no! #ri$h!en !he %i!!%e $ir%. -hrow &e down a (oo0 Sophie and 4'%% read !o you*1 she o##ered* %e!!in$ ou! a pain#u% (rea!h as Sophie !ro!!ed o## in!o !he (edroo&. -he (oo0 she dropped are#u%%y wi!hin "hris's rea h was ano!her 8nid Bry!on. Pain#u%%y !urnin$ !he pa$es "hris s!ar!ed !o read. )! !i&es !he pain #ro& her (ruised (ody a%&os! suspended her .oi e. She was shi.erin$ (ad%y and her head a hed* #ine poin!s o# %i$h! dan in$ a$ains! her eye(a%%s &a0in$ her %on$ !o %ose her eyes and $i.e way !o o(%i.ion. @hen she e.en!ua%%y heard a ar o&in$ down !he %ane* she a%&os! didn'! (e%ie.e i!. 1Sophie* run !o !he window and wa.e*1 she o&&anded !ense%y. 4! was hard%y %i0e%y !ha! whoe.er i! was wou%dn'! s!op. -he %ane %ed nowhere e%se* (u! she ou%dn'! re%a, un!i% she heard s%a&&in$ doors and &a%e .oi es. 1@hose ar is !ha! ou!side/1 she heard so&eone as0 as !he door was !hrus! open. -wo s!unned &a%e #a es %oo0ed down a! her. -ryin$ !o s&i%e "hris #o used (%ind%y on !heir #a es* and said #oo%ish%y* 1-han0 $oodness you're here...1 1Ee! on !he 'phone !o 2o S!a##ord*1 she heard !he o%der &an sayin$ !erse%y. 1@e'd (es! no! &o.e her. "o&e a rea% ropper she has...1 1P%ease...1 "hris #ou$h! en roa hin$ un ons iousness !o !u$ on !he &an's s%ee.e. 1P%ease... !here's Sophie...1 she &ana$ed !o whisper. >ps!airs 1Sophie/ 4sn'! !ha! S%a!er Ja&es's 0id/ -he one !ha!'s $one &issin$/1 -he sharp Cuery was !he %as! !hin$ "hris heard proper%y as (%a 0ness washed down o.er her. Aa$ue%y she was aware o# o&in$s and $oin$s* o# .oi es. S%a!er's a&on$ !he& (u! when she !ried !o rea h ou! !o !he& she ou%dn'! spea0. So&eone was %i#!in$ her. 1S%a!er...1 she !ried !o $e! her !on$ue round his na&e* (u! i! #e%! nu&( and swo%%en.

1She's o0ay* 4'.e $i.en her a pain0i%%in$ sho!...1 1O0ay/1 @as !ha! rea%%y S%a!er's .oi e* soundin$ so raw%y (i!!er. 1"on ussion ... a swo%%en an0%e... Eod 0nows how &any (ruises and on!usions.. e,haus!ion and e,posure and you say she's o0ay...1 She (are%y had !i&e !o a(sor( S%a!er's on ern (e#ore !he o!her .oi e spo0e a$ain. 1+one o# !he& !hin$s !ha! won'! &end ... and a! %eas! Sophie's sa#e... @onder wha! &ade her o&e down here... You'%% ha.e !o as0 your #riend when she's re o.ered. O(.ious%y she &us! ha.e suspe !ed...1 1-hen why !he he%% didn'! she !e%% &e ins!ead o# o&in$ down here a%one/1 -he sa.a$ery in S%a!er's .oi e pier ed !hrou$h her. +o dou(! he (%a&ed her #or !he de%ay in #indin$ Sophie. She s!ar!ed !o ry s%ow%y* ons iousness re edin$. 1"hris... "hris...1 She 0new i! was S%a!er a%%in$ !o her (u! she ou%dn'! respond. She dared no! #or #ear o# wha! her response wou%d re.ea%. 4! was easier (y #ar !o si&p%y s%ide down in!o !he we% o&in$ (%a 0ness !ha! rea hed ou! i!s ar&s !o e&(ra e her6 ar&s #ar sa#er !han S%a!er's had e.er (een.

"')P-83 84E'i! was se.era% days (e#ore her do !or pronoun ed "hris we%% enou$h !o %ea.e hospi!a%. )%!hou$h her a !ua% physi a% in9uries had (een re%a!i.e%y s%i$h! he had (een on erned !ha! she &i$h! (e su##erin$ #ro& on ussion. -o !e%% !he !ru!h "hris #ound !he e.en!s o# !he e.enin$ o# her a iden! .ery (%urred and shadowy. )%% !ha! she ou%d re&e&(er proper%y was hearin$ Sophie spea06 !he %i!!%e $ir%'s an$uished words were ar.ed in!o her hear!* (u! she was re%u !an! !o &en!ion !he& !o anyone. )%!hou$h 0ind and on erned !he hospi!a% s!a## were so (ris0 !ha! she #eared !hey wou%d (e%ie.e she was i&a$inin$ !hin$s and perhaps e.en 0eep her in hospi!a% #or #ur!her !es!s. She was #ar !oo !hin 2r. S!a##ord o&p%ained* and "hris was #or ed !o ad&i! !ha! she had %os! wei$h! sin e o&in$ !o 8n$%and. Mrs. 7an as!er had (een in !o see her* and #ro& her "hris had %earned !ha! Sophie had su##ered no!hin$ &ore !han a o%d a#!er her ordea%. 1You 0now wha! 0ids are*1 she said heer#u%%y* 'a%!hou$h we s!i%% ha.en'! (een a(%e !o #ind ou! why she wen! !here in !he #irs! p%a e. 1 "hris herse%# wasn'! sure* (u! she did 0now !ha! so&e!hin$ !ha! had happened !ha! a#!ernoon had !ri$$ered o## Sophie's #%i$h!* and !ha! so&e!hin$ i! see&ed was so&ehow onne !ed wi!h John. S%a!er a&e !o pi 0 her up. She had wan!ed !o re#use !o $o wi!h hi&* (u! ou%d see no way o# doin$ so wi!hou! ausin$ a s ene. 'e wa%0ed in!o !he ward* !a%% and .iri%e%y hea%!hy-%oo0in$ in 9eans and a !hin o!!on shir!. "hris ou%d #ee% her (ody pu%sin$ in si%en! response !o his presen e* and she a.er!ed her head una(%e !o (ear !he pain o# %oo0in$ a! hi& wi!hou! (e!rayin$ how she #e%!. 1"hris...1 'e hadn'! (een !o see her durin$ her s!ay in hospi!a%* (u! !hen why shou%d he/ She &ean! no!hin$ !o hi&. She (i! her %ip re&e&(erin$ !he hea! o# his (ody a$ains! hers in !he su&&erhouse and a&ended her !hou$h!s. 'e had wan!ed her physi a%%y* he had !o%d her !ha! &u h (u! !here was no desire now in !he $o%den eyes as !hey s%ow%y sear hed her pa%e #a e. 1'ow are you #ee%in$/1 14'& #ine...1 ) oward%y i&pu%se &ade her add hus0i%y* 14 rea%%y &us! !hin0 a(ou! %ea.in$ soon... Sarah was ri$h!* 4 don'! see& !o (e he%pin$ Sophie.1 She !urned away #ro& hi& no! wan!in$ hi& !o see !he de#ea! in her eyes.

She had o&e !o 7i!!%e Mar!in so (uoyed up wi!h hopes and idea%s* (u! now !hey were a%% $one. -he indi##eren e !o S%a!er she had (een so proud o# had (een no!hin$ &ore !han a &en!a% sha& ere !ed (y her &ind !o pro!e ! her .u%nera(%e hear! now i! had (een des!royed. Dar #ro& he%pin$ Sophie* a%% she see&ed !o ha.e done was !o pre ipi!a!e ano!her !rau&a. 'ad she (een pushin$ !he %i!!%e $ir% !oo hard* de&andin$ !oo &u h o# her/ @hen S%a!er didn'! spea0 she on!inued s%ow%y. 14 #ee% responsi(%e #or her disappearan e... 4! &us! ha.e (een (e ause o# so&e!hin$ 4 said or did...1 1+o! ne essari%y.1 'is oo% denia% &ade "hris !urn her head and %oo0 up a! hi& in surprise. S%a!er !oo had %os! wei$h!* she re o$nised nu&(%y. 'is #a e was !hinner* re.ea%in$ hard (ones* (u! !hen he &us! ha.e endured a$ony wonderin$ wha! had happened !o Sophie. 1@hy did you in.i!e John 'oward !o !he house/1 "hris %osed her eyes on a wa.e o# pain. -hey'd on%y (een !o$e!her #or #i.e &inu!es and a%ready he was (a 0 !o a usin$ her: onde&nin$ her. 1+o! (e ause 4 wan!ed hi& !o &a0e %o.e !o &e*1 she assured hi& (i!!er%y. 1+o &a!!er wha! you &i$h! !hin0 o# &y &ora%s or %a 0 o# !he&...1 She (ro0e o## o%ourin$ ho!%y and shi.erin$. 1-ha!'s ano!her su(9e ! we ha.e !o dis uss*1 S%a!er !o%d her ur!%y. 14 a& aware !ha! 4 see& !o ha.e (een $ui%!y o# so&e error o# 9ud$&en! "hris* (u! now is nei!her !he !i&e nor !he p%a e.1 O# ourse i! was on%y na!ura% !ha! he shou%d (e &ore on erned a(ou! Sophie !han he was a(ou! &is9ud$in$ her* "hris !o%d herse%# #ir&%y* and ye! !here was pain in a ep!an e o# !he 0now%ed$e and wi!h i! a&e !he dea!h o# her #ain!* on%y 9us! now ad&i!!ed* hope !ha! so&ehow !he #a ! !ha! she had had no %o.er (u! hi& wou%d (rin$ a(ou! a han$e o# hear! wi!hin hi&. @ha! had she e,pe !ed* she derided herse%#. ) de %ara!ion o# undyin$ %o.e/ 1@e%%/1 'is ur! !one re&inded her !ha! he was s!i%% wai!in$ #or an answer. 14# you rea%%y wan! !o 0now why don'! you as0 John hi&se%#*1 she de&anded hi%dish%y* 14'& sure you'd &u h ra!her (e%ie.e hi& !han &e.1

1On !his o asion 4'& Cui!e prepared !o a ep! wha! you ha.e !o say.1 -he #ain!%y sardoni in#%e !ion !o his .oi e &ade "hris %oo0 &ore %ose%y a! hi&* no! sure i# i! was dire !ed a! her or a! hi&se%#. -he $o%d eyes were shu!!ered* unreada(%e* (u! !here was !ension in !he way he he%d his (ody. 14! was (e ause o# Sophie*1 "hris !o%d hi& hus0i%y. 1@e were e,er isin$ !o$e!her ... 9us! a $a&e rea%%y and !hen 4 heard her a !ua%%y hu&&in$...1 didn'! 0now wha! !o do...1 was #ri$h!ened o# pro.o0in$ !he wron$ response #ro& her ... so 4 'phoned John.1 1'u&&in$/1 -he #ier e $%i!!er o# hope (urnin$ his eyes !o deep !opaL &ade "hris's hear! %ur h in sy&pa!hy. @ha!e.er e%se she ou%d a use S%a!er o#* no! %o.in$ his hi%d was no! a&on$ !he&. 1John said i! was pro(a(%y an au!o&a!i rea !ion*1 she e,p%ained sha0i%y. 1-he !une was one !ha! had (een in !he hi! parade 9us! (e#ore +a!a%ie died. Sophie had pro(a(%y heard i! doLens o# !i&es*1 she added* re&e&(erin$ her ousin's predi%e !ion #or popu%ar &usi . +a!a%ie had ne.er (een a(%e !o endure si%en e or her own o&pany6 a%ways she &us! ha.e noise* a !i.i!y. 'ers had in !ru!h (een a res!%ess spiri!. 1@hy didn'! you !e%% &e !his/1 'is #in$ers $ripped her ar&* dar0%y !anned a$ains! her pa%er s0in. "hris #%in hed au!o&a!i a%%y ins!an!%y re&e&(erin$ !he %as! o asion on whi h he had !ou hed her* unaware o# how hu$e her eyes %oo0ed in !he hospi!a% pa%%or o# her #a e. 14!'s a%% ri$h!* "hris.1 S%a!er's .oi e was %ipped and derisi.e as he re&o.ed his hand. 14'& no! a(ou! !o #or e &yse%# on you...1 She #%ushed dar0%y* (e%ie.in$ !he o&&en! !o (e a rue% !aun! desi$ned !o re&ind her 9us! how %i!!%e #or e had (een needed--none i# she was hones!* (e ause she had wan!ed hi& wi!h a need !ha! pro(a(%y o.er-rode his own. 'er need* un%i0e his* had (een #ue%%ed (y %o.e. 14 wan!ed !o !e%% you* (u! you were a! wor0*1 she re&inded hi&* 'and you said you weren'! o&in$ (a 0 un!i% %a!e. 1 She #rowned re&e&(erin$ his une,pe !ed appearan e.

1@hy did you !e%% &e !ha!. S%a!er/ 1 she as0ed hi& (i!!er%y. 1@as i! (e ause you wan!ed !o a! h &e ou!/ -o pro.e perhaps !ha! 4 wasn'! a #i! person !o (e in.o%.ed wi!h Sophie/ 4 &i$h! ha.e $uessed !ha! you'd #ind so&e su(!%e way o# $e!!in$ rid o# &e.. !ha! a%ways was your s!y%e wasn'! i!/1 1My s!y%e/1 'e $a.e a shor! (ar0 o# %au$h!er. 1My Eod !ha!'s ri h o&in$ #ro& you. Perhaps 4 a&e (a 0 (e ause 4 ou%dn'! endure (ein$ away #ro& you any %on$er.1 'e said i! so derisi.e%y !ha! #or a &o&en! she a !ua%%y wan!ed !o hi! hi&* (u! she on!ro%%ed !he i&pu%se sayin$ Cuie!%y* 1>s Cuarre%%in$ won'! he%p Sophie* S%a!er.1 1+o.1 'e #rowned. 14 !hin0 4 0now wha! &ade Sophie disappear !he way she did* (u! 4 an'! wor0 ou! why she shou%d $o !o !he o!!a$e. -o !he (es! o# &y 0now%ed$e she didn'! e.en 0now i! e,is!ed. +a!a%ie ne.er .isi!ed her &o!her !here a#!er you %e#!* and on e !he o!!a$e was e&p!y...1 1You're wron$. S%a!er*1 "hris !o%d hi& posi!i.e%y* 1+a!a%ie had .isi!ed !he o!!a$e--and re%a!i.e%y re en!%y. -he #irs! !i&e 4 wa%0ed in!o i! a#!er &y arri.a% 4 ou%d s&e%% her per#u&e--i! was Cui!e un&is!a0a(%e* and Sophie &us! ha.e (een wi!h her (e ause she has so&e (oo0s o# &ine !ha! an on%y ha.e o&e #ro& !he o!!a$e. +a!a%ie wou%d er!ain%y ne.er ha.e !hou$h! !o o%%e ! !he& and $i.e !he& !o her.1 1+o* !here ne.er was any %o.e %os! (e!ween you was !here/1 14 an'! !hin0 why +a!a%ie shou%d $o !o !he o!!a$e*1 "hris persis!ed. 1She a%ways said she ha!ed i! when we %i.ed !here.1 She $%an ed enCuirin$%y a! S%a!er* surprised !o see how (roodin$ and (i!!er his e,pression was. 1"an'! you/1 he said derisi.e%y. 14 shou%d ha.e !hou$h! i! was o(.ious* a%!hou$h in .iew o# re en! dis o.eries perhaps 4'& &is9ud$in$ you a$ain. 4 suspe ! +a!a%ie used !he o!!a$e as a on.enien! p%a e !o &ee! her %o.ers*1 he !o%d "hris #ran0%y.

She was s!unned and o&p%e!e%y %os! #or words* par!%y (e ause o# wha! S%a!er had su$$es!ed and par!%y due !o his apparen! %a 0 o# on ern a! +a!a%ie's (e!raya%. 1You didn'! are/1 she whispered* on%y ha%# aware !ha! she was $i.in$ .oi e !o her inner !hou$h!s. You didn'!. 1 17o.e her/1 'is &ou!h !wis!ed. 1+a!a%ie and 4 &ade a (ar$ain* "hris* and wha!e.er e%se was in.o%.ed in i!* %o.e &os! er!ain%y wasn'!.1 4! !oo0 her se.era% se onds !o $rasp !he !ru!h. S%a!er had &arried +a!a%ie (e ause she arried his hi%d. She ou$h! !o ha.e #e%! pi!y #or her ousin and one par! o# her did* (u! !he $rea!er #ee%in$ sur$in$ !hrou$h her was one o# re%ie#. S%a!er had ne.er %o.ed +a!a%ie . (u! he had &ade %o.e !o her* her (rain au!ioned* and a! !he sa&e !i&e as he was &a0in$ %o.e !o you . he &i$h! no! ha.e %o.ed +a!a%ie* (u! he didn'! %o.e you ei!her* "hris. 4! was undenia(%y !rue. 1Sophie see&ed .ery dis!ressed (y John's presen e.1 "hris (ro0e !he hea.y si%en e wi!h !he #irs! !hin$ she ou%d !hin0 o#. 1Yes.. yes* she wou%d (e.1 S%a!er's .oi e was %ipped* his e,pression $ri&. 1@ha! &ade you !hin0 o# %oo0in$ in !he o!!a$e* and why !he he%% didn'! you !e%% &e where you were $oin$/1 'e as0ed !he Cues!ion 9us! as !he nurse a&e up !o !e%% "hris !ha! she was #ree !o $o. 14! was on%y a .ery #ain! hope 4 #e%! si%%y !e%%in$ anyone a(ou! i!.. 1 didn'! rea%%y (e%ie.e i! &yse%#... 1 )nd so ins!ead you da&ned near%y 0i%%ed. 1 'e (ro0e o## and !urned his head away. 'e was #urious wi!h her* "hris a 0now%ed$ed a hin$%y and he had e.ery ri$h! !o (e. She had 9eopardised Sophie's %i#e* (u! &us! he under%ine !o her how .ery %i!!%e she &ean! !o hi&/ -he nurse as0ed hi& !o %ea.e so !ha! "hris ou%d $e! dressed. 'e was wai!in$ #or her ou!side !he ward* his e,pression s!i%% (%ea0. 1)re you sure you're o0ay/1 She &us! %oo0 an a(so%u!e wre 0* "hris a 0now%ed$ed pain#u%%y* or was i! si&p%y !ha! S%a!er wou%d pre#er her !o re&ain in hospi!a% ou! o# his way.

14'& #ine*1 she !o%d hi& !au!%y. 1Jus! as soon as 4 an &a0e !he arran$e&en!s 4'%% (e %ea.in$...1 1@e'%% !a%0 a(ou! !ha! %a!er.1 'e was hus!%in$ her in!o his ar. 12r. S!a##ord wan!s !o see you #or a he 0-up in !wo wee0s #ro& now* so 4 shou%dn'! &a0e any arran$e&en!s !o %ea.e (e#ore !hen i# 4 were you.1 "hris $asped. 1'e ne.er said any!hin$ !o &e.1 1+o/1 S%a!er was p%ain%y (ored wi!h !he on.ersa!ion. 'e %eaned a ross her* de#!%y se urin$ her sea! (e%!. 14'& no! a hi%d you 0now.1 She 0new she was (ein$ pe!!y* (u! e.en !he %ini a% (rush o# his #in$ers a$ains! her %o!hed (ody was a 0ind o# a$ony she s!i%% #e%! !oo .u%nera(%e !o endure* on9urin$ up as i! did i&a$es o# o!her !ou hes* #ar #ro& %ini a% and (urned in!o her &e&ory #or a%% !i&e. 1)nd wha! a(ou! Sophie*1 S%a!er de&anded. 1@ha! a(ou! a%% !ha! pure &o!i.a!in$ s!u## you a&e ou! wi!h no! so %on$ a$o a(ou! ha.in$ a du!y !owards her* or was !ha! si&p%y a%% a pose* "hris/ ) way o# $e!!in$ a! &e...1 1+oK 4 %o.e Sophie*1 she !o%d hi& sha0i%y* '(u! 4 don'! !hin0 4'& he%pin$ her a! a%%. 1 1Sa&e o%d "hris*1 S%a!er !aun!ed. 1You a%ways did wan! ins!an! resu%!s. Sophie needs !i&e* "hris.. !i&e !o ad9us! !o +a!a%ie's dea!h... She %o.es you*1 he !o%d her une,pe !ed%y. 14# you %ea.e now i! ou%d do her irrepara(%e har&.1 @hy was he !e%%in$ her !his/ "hris's head #e%! &uLLy. 'e ou%dn'! possi(%y wan! her !o s!ay6 he had a%ready !o%d her !ha!6 pro.ed i! !o her. un%ess . she shi.ered sudden%y despi!e !he ar's hea!in$.. S%a!er was an e,!re&e%y sensua% &an. did he perhaps en.ision her as a wi%%in$ (ed-par!ner6 so&eone he ou%d use un!i% su h !i&e as he !ired o# her/

14# 4 do s!ay* i! wi%% (e s!ri !%y as Sophie's $uardian.1 -he words were ou! (e#ore she ou%d s!op !he&* !he sudden s ree h o# ar !yres as S%a!er pu%%ed !o an a(rup! ha%!* sho 0in$ her. 4! was #or!una!e !ha! !hey were on an e&p!y oun!ry road "hris re#%e !ed nu&(%y as his hands %e#! !he whee% and $ripped her shou%ders* !he (i!!er #ury in his eyes sho 0in$ her. 1)nd 9us! wha! !he he%% does !ha! &ean/1 12on'! !ou h &e.1 She was in dan$er o# !o!a% o%%apse* "hris !hou$h! wea0%y. 4# S%a!er didn'! %e! $o o# her soon* she wou%d (e (a((%in$ her %o.e !o hi&* de&andin$ #ar &ore #ro& hi& !han &ere%y !he an$ry $rip o# his #in$ers on her s0in. 17e! &e $o. 4 an'! (ear you !o !ou h &e*1 she %ied hus0i%y* despera!e !o pu! so&e dis!an e (e!ween !he&. S%a!er's #a e %oo0ed $rey* on%y his eyes a%i.e as !hey (urned in!o her. 'e re%eased her s%ow%y and sa! (a 0 in his own sea!. 12on'! worry* "hris*1 he !o%d her sardoni a%%y* 14'.e #ar &ore i&por!an! !hin$s !o worry a(ou! !han &a0in$ %o.e !o you. You puLL%e &e you 0now* !here's so &u h a(ou! you !ha!'s on!radi !ory...1 14'& a wo&an. S%a!er...1 So&ehow she &ana$ed !o su&&on a s&a%% s&i%e* 14!'s an a!!ri(u!e o# &y se,...1 14 !hin0 4'& (e$innin$ !o unders!and why you and 3ay are s!i%% 1 #riends1. @ha! happened* "hris/ 2id you ho%d ou! #or &arria$e and he %ose in!eres!/1 "hris was !o!a%%y nonp%ussed. 14 ne.er wan!ed !o &arry 3ayBshe !o%d hi& in (ewi%der&en!. 1+o...1 #or$o! i! was your areer you wan!ed !o #ur!her* wasn'! i!/ )nd he was !he .ehi %e you used !o do i!. 1 'er hear! was !hu&pin$ erra!i a%%y. 1Yes !ha!'s ri$h!.1 Dor a &o&en! she had a%&os! #or$o!!en !he %ie she had perpe!ra!ed a%% !hose years a$o !o sa.e her pride* $oin$ !o S%a!er and a$reein$ when he a used her o# wan!in$ !o pursue a areer as a &ode%* e.en (oas!in$ a %i!!%e o# 3ay's o##er !o he%p her. )ny!hin$ !o s!op hi& #ro& $uessin$ how &u h his (e!raya% hur! her.

-he res! o# !he 9ourney was ondu !ed in si%en e* "hris hea.in$ a #ain! si$h o# re%ie# when !hey rea hed !he house. 'er an0%e was s!i%% s%i$h!%y pain#u%* ne essi!a!in$ her !a0in$ are on s!airs* (u! she was no! prepared #or S%a!er !o pi 0 her up in his ar&s when she hesi!a!ed a! !he (o!!o& o# !he&. 1S%a!er* pu! &e down. 4 an &ana$e...1 1@hy (o!her* !his way's &u h Cui 0er.1 14'& no! an in.a%id you 0now*1 she pro!es!ed when he arried her in!o her (edroo& and deposi!ed her on !he (ed. 1 1Perhaps no!* (u! you ha.e spen! !he %as! #ew days in hospi!a%. S!a##ord said we were !o &a0e sure !ha! you $o! so&e res!.1 'e was s!i%% (endin$ o.er her and "hris had a su##o a!in$ desire !o rea h up and !ou h hi&. !o #ee% his &ou!h a$ains! her own. Perhaps so&e!hin$ in her e,pression o&&uni a!ed her desires !o hi& (e ause she was ons ious o# a han$e in his e,pression* a dar0enin$ o# his eyes !ha! (e!rayed his purpose as his head a&e %ower. 1"hris...1 -he way he said her na&e &ade her hear! !urn o.er6 she yearned #or hi& !o ho%d her6 !o %o.e her. 'is hand upped her #a e* his !hu&( pro(in$ !he so#!ness o# her &ou!h. 1S%a!erK1 -he sharp%y i&pera!i.e sound o# Sarah's .oi e #or ed "hris (a 0 !o rea%i!y. She 9er0ed away #ro& S%a!er as !hou$h he was #ire. 14 need !o !a%0 !o you a(ou! Sophie. She's s!i%% e,!re&e%y dis!ressed.1 She $a.e "hris a (i!!er%y .eno&ous %oo0. 1You'.e (rou$h! her (a 0 !hen.1 +o need !o $uess wha! Sarah !hou$h! a(ou! !ha!. 4! was %ear !o hear in her .oi e. 4! was on%y when S%a!er %e#! her roo& wi!h !he o!her wo&an !ha! "hris re&e&(ered she had no! !o%d hi& a(ou! Sophie spea0in$. -here wou%d (e o!her o asions* and anyway perhaps she wou%d (e wiser !o dis uss wha! had happened wi!h John #irs!. 'e was &ore %i0e%y !o (e%ie.e her !han S%a!er who &i$h! e.en !hin0 !ha! she was &a0in$ i! up* de%i(era!e%y #a(ri a!in$ so&e!hin$ !o pro.e !ha! her presen e was o# (ene#i! !o Sophie* %en$!henin$ her s!ay so !ha! she ou%d (e near hi&. Bu! S%a!er apparen!%y wan!ed her !o s!ay. -horou$h%y &udd%ed (y her !hou$h!s "hris %osed her eyes and dri#!ed in!o s%eep. 4! was Sophie who wo0e her. -he %i!!%e $ir% had rep! in!o her roo&

and was si!!in$ on !he end o# !he (ed wa! hin$ her. "hris $a.e her a war& s&i%e* and said so#!%y* 1'e%%o...1 -he p%easure !ha! shone in her (rown eyes as Sophie re!urned her s&i%e* &ade "hris's hear! swe%% wi!h %o.e. 1'a.e you o&e !o read !o &e/1 she as0ed. Sophie had !he ine.i!a(%e (oo0 wi!h her* she no!i ed* !a0in$ i! when Sophie pro##ered i!* $uessin$ !ha! she wan!ed her !o read. 'a%#-an-hour %a!er !hey were in!errup!ed (y S%a!er. 1So !here you are. Sarah's (een %oo0in$ e.erywhere #or you*1 he hided Sophie $en!%y. She pu%%ed a s%i$h! #a e* (u! hopped o## !he (ed in o(edien e !o her #a!her's ins!ru !ions. @a! hin$ !he& %ea.e* "hris #rowned* re&e&(erin$ Sophie's an$uished words. -here had (een no e.iden e !oday !ha! she e.en re&e&(ered !he&* ne.er &ind dou(!ed !ha! S%a!er was her #a!her. She a!e !he %un h Mrs. 7an as!er prepared* du!i#u%%y* and was 9us! wonderin$ a(ou! $e!!in$ up when Sarah &ar hed in!o her roo&. 14 suppose you !hin0 you'.e (een .ery %e.er*1 she hissed wi!hou! prea&(%e. 1Ma0in$ S%a!er #ee% so $ui%!y !ha! he has !o 0eep you here* (u! i! won'! do you any $ood. Oh 4'& no! #oo%ed e.en i# he is. You don'! are a(ou! Sophie. 4!'s a%% a pre!e,! !o s!ay here wi!h S%a!er. 'e doesn'! wan! you* you 0now*1 she added .i ious%y* 'any &ore !han he wan!ed +a!a%ie. 'e and 4 are $oin$ !o (e &arried. 1 She %au$hed &o 0in$%y when she saw !he pain in "hris's eyes. 1Sure%y you $uessed/1 1You're no! wearin$ an en$a$e&en! rin$.1 "hris 0new !ha! her .oi e !re&(%ed (e!rayin$%y. 1+o! ye! ... we don'! wan! !o ause any $ossip* (esides i!'s !he weddin$ rin$ !ha!'s !he &os! i&por!an!. Oh S%a!er &ay #ind you physi a%%y a!!ra !i.e*1 she on!inued (e#ore "hris ou%d spea0* '(u! he'd ne.er %e! hi&se%# $e! in.o%.ed wi!h ano!her &e&(er o# +a!a%ie's #a&i%y. You're pro(a(%y a%% !ain!ed wi!h !he sa&e (rush. 4# she was &en!a%%y uns!a(%e* who's !o say !ha! you aren'! !oo. S%a!er had enou$h o# wha! !ha! &eans (ein$ &arried !o +a!a%ie. 1 1My ousin was no! uns!a(%e*1 "hris denied* 0nowin$ in her hear! !ha!

she was %yin$. 'ad S%a!er o&p%ained !o Sarah a(ou! +a!a%ie's di##i u%! !e&pera&en!/ She ou%dn'! endure !he 0now%ed$e !ha! he &us! %o.e !he o!her wo&an. @ha! wou%d Sarah say i# she re.ea%ed !ha! on%y days a$o S%a!er had &ade %o.e !o her/ 4! was a hypo!he!i a% Cues!ion (e ause "hris 0new she wou%d no! !e%% her. She had !oo &u h pride* and (esides she 0new !ha! Sarah wou%d pu! !he sa&e in!erpre!a!ion on his (eha.iour !ha! she had her H se%#. 'e had si&p%y wan!ed her physi a%%y. Pain o.erwhe%&ed her. 1+o/1 Sarah's eye(rows ar hed on!e&p!uous%y* 1"an you !hin0 o# any o!her e,p%ana!ion #or her ... ny&pho&ania.../1 She %au$hed un0ind%y when "hris (%an hed. 1Oh o&e on* you &us! 0now wha! sor! o# wo&an she was. She ou%dn'! %ea.e any &an a%one ... 4'& on%y surprised !ha! S%a!er &arried her.1 1@ha! wou%d you ha.e had hi& do/1 "hris de&anded (i!!er%y* 14$nore !he #a ! !ha! she was arryin$ his hi%d/1 1'is hi%d/1 Sarah's &ou!h !wis!ed on!e&p!uous%y. 1S%a!er didn'! #a!her Sophie. 4 dou(! !ha! e.en +a!a%ie 0new who did* (u! i! er!ain%y wasn'! S%a!er. She !o%d &e herse%# !ha! !hey had ne.er on e (een %o.ers. S%a!er ou%dn'! (ear !o !ou h her* you see.1 -he sho 0 o# wha! she was sayin$ s!unned "hris. 1+o! S%a!er's hi%d/ (u! 1@hy did he &arry her/ +a!a%ie on e !o%d &e !hey had so&e sor! o# pa !. S%a!er doesn'! !a%0 a(ou! i!.1 So !here were so&e !hin$s !ha! S%a!er didn'! !e%% her* "hris !hou$h! nu&(%y. 14 don'! (e%ie.e you*1 she &ana$ed !o $e! ou! #ina%%y* 1+a!a%ie &ay ha.e !o%d you !hese !hin$s* (u! she...1 1@as a on$eni!a% %iar/ Yes 4 0now* (u! in !his ins!an e 4 (e%ie.e her. She 0new how S%a!er and 4 #e%! a(ou! one ano!her... She 0new he wan!ed a di.or e... @hy e%se do you !hin0 she !oo0 !ha! o.erdose/1 4! was horri(%e* #ar worse !han "hris had i&a$ined. She was !oo se%#ish !o %e! hi& $o*1 Sarah on!inued* an$ry spo!s o# o%our (urnin$ in her hee0s.

1She didn'! wan! hi& #or herse%#6 she didn'! %o.e hi& (u! she wou%dn'! %e! hi& $o.. 1 1Bu! Sophie...1 "hris pro!es!ed wea0%y. 1'e %o.es her.. she %o.es hi&...1 Sarah shru$$ed. 1'e #ee%s a responsi(i%i!y !owards !he hi%d6 he's !ha! 0ind o# &an* (u! on e we're &arried* !here'%% (e no p%a e here #or +a!a%ie's (as!ard. 4# you are so &u h a(ou! her* why don'! you $o (a 0 where you a&e #ro& and !a0e her wi!h you... +ei!her o# you are wan!ed round here*1 she #inished a%%ous%y. She was $one (e#ore "hris ou%d rea !. She wan!ed !o deny !he !ru!h o# wha! Sarah had said* (u! so&e deeper ins!in ! !han %o$i warned her !ha! i! was !rue6 !ha! Sophie was no! S%a!er's hi%d. )nd Sophie 0new i!. @ho had !o%d her/ Sarah/ She was .indi !i.e enou$h* "hris !hou$h! an$ri%y. )nd wha! o# +a!a%ie/ )s !hou$h i! had (een yes!erday "hris re&e&(ered her ousin !e%%in$ her !ha! she was arryin$ S%a!er's (a(y. )#!er seein$ !he !wo o# !he& !o$e!her she had had no reason !o dis(e%ie.e her* (u! a ordin$ !o Sarah !hey had ne.er e.en (een %o.ers. )nd i# no! S%a!er* !hen who. )s !hou$h an inner door in her &ind had un%o 0ed* a pi !ure #%ashed a ross her &ind. -hrus!in$ (a 0 !he (ed %o!hes* she wa%0ed uns!eadi%y a ross !o !he dressin$ !a(%e* Cui 0%y e,!ra !in$ 3ay's %e!!er. 'er #in$ers !re&(%ed as she pi 0ed up !he pho!o$raph. -he (a(y (ea&ed (a 0 a! her* !he rese&(%an e !o Sophie so a u!e !ha! she &ar.e%%ed !ha! she had no! seen i! (e#ore. She was s!andin$ ashen-#a ed s!udyin$ !he pho!o$raph when S%a!er wa%0ed in. 1Sophie's 3ay's hi%d.1 She roa0ed !he words* s!i%% on%y ha%# a(%e !o (e%ie.e !he&. 1'e (e$o! her* i# !ha!'s wha! you &ean*1 a&e S%a!er's $ri& response. 14! isn'! .ery p%easan! dis o.erin$ !ha! so&eone you !rus!ed has de ei.ed you is i!* "hris/1 1'e an'! ha.e 0nown*1 "hris whispered posi!i.e%y* 1+a!a%ie...1 1+a!a%ie wen! !o hi& and (e$$ed hi& !o he%p her. 'e !o%d her !o $o and $e! an a(or!ion*1 S%a!er !o%d her ur!%y. 1She was on !he .er$e o# a (rea0down when she a&e !o &e.1

1)nd you &arried her (e ause...1 1My reasons #or &arryin$ her are no!hin$ !o do wi!h you. 4# 4 were you i! wou%d (e 3ay 4 wan!ed !o Cues!ion--no! &e. @ha! sudden%y (rou$h! on !his #%ash o# insi$h!* (y !he way/1 he draw%ed !aun!in$%y* and "hris had !he nausea- indu in$ suspi ion !ha! he !hou$h! she had 0nown a%% a%on$ a(ou! Sophie's paren!a$e. 1Sophie spo0e when we were a! !he o!!a$e*1 she said s%ow%y. 14 !o%d her 4 wan!ed !o !a0e her ho&e !o you* and she said !o &e* 1 he isn'! &y daddy. 11 1-ha! (i! hK1 S%a!er's #a e had $one (one- whi!e* his &ou!h hard and !ense. 1+a!a%ie &us! ha.e !o%d her. Eod 0nows she !hrea!ened !o o#!en enou$h* (u! 4 ne.er !hou$h!...1 14! rea%%y doesn'! &a!!er wha! you !hou$h!.1 'ow oo% and on!ro%%ed she sounded* "hris &ar.e%%ed* wa! hin$ S%a!er's #a e han$e* a%er! wariness reepin$ in!o his eyes as he wa! hed her. 1)%% !his pro.es is !ha! Sophie is so%e%y &y responsi(i%i!y. Jus! as soon as 4 an 4'%% &a0e arran$e&en!s #or (o!h o# us !o %ea.e...1 1You.. now 9us! one &inu!e.1 'e a%&os! snar%ed !he words. 1Sophie s!ays ri$h! here wi!h &e...1 1@hy/1 "hris %oo0ed dire !%y a! hi&. 1You don'! wan! her.1 Dor se.era% !ension #i%%ed se onds S%a!er &ere%y s!ared a! her wi!h &in$%ed %oa!hin$ and on!e&p!* and !hen a! %as! in a %ipped .oi e he said* 1You ha.en'! han$ed ha.e you* "hris/ You a%ways did ha.e !his #a i%i!y #or !urnin$ !hin$s round !o sui! your own on.enien e. @e%% no! !his !i&e... no! !his !i&e.1 'e s%a&&ed !he door a#!er hi&* %ea.in$ "hris !o rep%a e !he pho!o$raph in i!s en.e%ope. 8.en now she ou%d (are%y !a0e i! a%% in* (u! she did 0now one !hin$. 3ay wou%d ne.er ha.e !o%d +a!a%ie !o ha.e an a(or!ion. 'e was a deep%y re%i$ious person6 so&e!hin$ !ha! .ery #ew peop%e 0new. 'e hi&se%# had (een i%%e$i!i&a!e and o#!en o&&en!ed !ha! had a(or!ion (een #ree%y a.ai%a(%e in his &o!her's %i#e!i&e* he ne.er wou%d ha.e (een (orn a! a%%. 'e had (een a(andoned as a (a(y and (rou$h! up (y a su ession o# #os!er paren!s6

and #or !ha! reason "hris ou%d ne.er see hi& re#usin$ !o a 0now%ed$e any hi%d o# his own. She had !o spea0 !o hi&* (u! !he news !ha! he had a si,-year-o%d dau$h!er was hard%y so&e!hin$ she ou%d 9us! announ e o.er !he !e%ephone. )nd wha! a(ou! Sophie/ "ou%d !he 0now%ed$e !ha! S%a!er wasn'! her #a!her (e !he ause o# her si%en e. She had !o !a%0 !o John. She wou%dn'! as0 hi& !o o&e !o !he house in ase seein$ hi& upse! Sophie a$ain* she de ided. She'!hou$h! #or a #ew &inu!es. -he o!!a$e* !hey ou%d &ee! !here. On e she had spo0en !o hi& she &i$h! (e a(%e !o e.o%.e so&e p%an #or Sophie's #u!ure. One !hin$ she was sure o#6 she wasn'! $oin$ !o %ea.e her here !o (e (u%%ied and dis%i0ed (y Sarah on e she (e a&e S%a!er's wi#e. S%a!er had %ai&ed !ha! he wan!ed her. @hy/ >n%ess o# ourse* i! was si&p%y !ha! he wan!ed !o pre.en! her #ro& ha.in$ !he %i!!%e $ir%/ "ou%d he rea%%y ha!e her so &u h/ She was !he one who ou$h! !o ha.e ha!ed hi&. She #rowned. @hy had he no! !o%d her why he was &arryin$ +a!a%ie. why had he no! e,p%ained/ @ha! did i! &a!!er now. +o!hin$ was han$ed. 'e ou%dn'! ha.e %o.ed her a! a%%6 i! had (een (ad enou$h when she (e%ie.ed he had pre#erred her ousin !o herse%#* (u! !o 0now !ha! he had &arried +a!a%ie wi!hou! %o.in$ her6 !o 0now !ha! she had &ean! so %i!!%e !o hi& !ha! he had so easi%y and are%ess%y dis&issed her #ro& his %i#e* was (i!!er $a%% indeed.

"')P-83 +4+8 hris had !o wai! !hree days (e#ore an oppor!uni!y presen!ed i!se%# #or her !o rin$ John wi!hou! (ein$ o.erheard (y S%a!er. 4! was unse!!%in$* 0nowin$ !ha! he was in !he house wi!h her* and i! &ade her s!ay in (ed &u h %on$er !han she had an!i ipa!ed. On one or !wo o asions when he had o&e up !o see her* she had !he suspi ion !ha! !ha! was e,a !%y wha! he had wan!ed* and she ou%dn'! he%p re&e&(erin$ his $ri& e,pression on !he day !hey had %e#! !he hospi!a% and she had announ ed her in!en!ion o# $e!!in$ (a 0 on her #ee! 9us! as Cui 0%y as she ou%d. 4! was* she had !o%d herse%#* 9us! a &a!!er o# (idin$ her !i&e* and e.en!ua%%y she was pro.ed ri$h!. On !he !hird &ornin$ o# her en#or ed s!ay in (ed. S%a!er wa%0ed in!o her roo& and announ ed !erse%y !ha! he was ha.in$ !o .isi! !he #a !ory. 12on'! e.en !hin0 o# a!!e&p!in$ !o do any!hin$ #oo%ish whi%e 4'& $one* "hris*1 he warned her !erse%y* o&in$ !o s!and (eside her (ed. 'e hadn'! ye! pu! on his 9a 0e! and !he !hin whi!e si%0 o# his shir! %o.in$%y ou!%ined !he !au! &us %es o# his hes!. She a hed !o !ou h hi& "hris ad&i!!ed !o herse%#* ha%# sho 0ed (y !he in!ensi!y o# her physi a% desire #or hi&. Se.en years a$o* she had wan!ed hi& yes* (u! !hen she had (een &ore !han on!en! !o %e! hi& se! !he pa e o# !heir re%a!ionship and !o #o%%ow his $uidan e whereas now. +ow she was a wo&an* no! an ado%es en!* she re&inded herse%# wry%y* dra$$in$ her eyes away #ro& hi&* %es! !hey (e!rayed so&e!hin$ o# her !hou$h!s !o hi&. 1@e s!i%% ha.e !o !a%0.1 1+o.1 'er response was ins!an!aneous and .ery re.ea%in$. She 0new #ro& his e,pression !ha! S%a!er had heard !he #ear in her .oi e. 'is &ou!h had $one hard* his eyes a%&os! a&(er as he s!ared down a! her. 1Yes* da&n you*1 he on!radi !ed !hi 0%y* addin$* 1@ha! are you so #ri$h!ened o#* "hris/ 4s i! !his/1 'is &ou!h was on hers (e#ore she ou%d &o.e* his (ody (%o 0in$ ou! !he %i$h!* his hands i&prisonin$ her shou%ders a$ains! !he &a!!ress. )! #irs! she !wis!ed despera!e%y #ro& side !o side !ryin$ !o es ape* (u! !he #ier e hea! o# his &ou!h6 !he need !ha! his an$ry* a%&os! (i!!er 0iss aroused in spi!e o# a%% her de!er&ina!ion no! !o a 0now%ed$e i!* o.erwhe%&ed her and her &ou!h so#!ened (enea!h his* her ar&s $oin$ round his ne 0* s!ro0in$ !he so#!ness o# his hair.

She #e%! !he (ed depress under his wei$h! and her !rea herous (ody $%oried in ha.in$ hi& so %ose !o her6 o##erin$ no resis!an e a! a%% when he s%id aside one o# !he de%i a!e s!raps o# her ni$h!dress !o up !he rounded #ir&ness o# her (reas!. -he so#! sound o# p%easure she &ade in !he (a 0 o# her !hroa! &us! ha.e rea hed hi&. "hris #e%! hi& !ense* re$is!erin$ her response. ) (i!!er wa.e o# sha&e #%ooded o.er her and she pu%%ed away #ro& hi&* !urnin$ her #a e in!o !he pi%%ow. 13unnin$ away a$ain* "hris/1 She #e%! his (rea!h (rush her s0in* and shi.ered in.o%un!ari%y* !ryin$ !o wi!hs!and !he s!ro0in$ pro(e o# his !hu&(* as i! &o.ed o.er her %ower %ip. 1)%% ri$h!* 4'%% %e! you $e! away wi!h i!--!his !i&e. Bu! you an'! run #or e.er* "hris.1 She #e%! hi& $e! up* her (ody ins!an!%y &issin$ !he hea.y war&!h o# his* and as she heard hi& &o.e !owards !he door she a hed !o a%% hi& (a 0. On%y a#!er !he door %osed (ehind hi& was she a(%e !o e,pe% a sha0y (rea!h. -he sooner she %e#! here !he (e!!er* she !o%d herse%#* %is!enin$ #or !he sound o# his ar dri.in$ away. She didn'! 0now wha! $a&e he was p%ayin$ wi!h her* (u! wha! she did 0now was !ha! i# she a%%owed herse%# !o (e drawn in!o i!* she wou%d de#ini!e%y (e !he %oser. On e she was sure !ha! S%a!er was $one she dressed as Cui 0%y as she ou%d* !a0in$ are no! !o pu! !oo &u h wei$h! on her in9ured an0%e. 7u 0i%y Mrs. 7an as!er was ou! wi!h Sophie* and !here was no!hin$ !o s!op "hris #ro& rin$in$ John. +o!hin$ apar! #ro& her ons ien e as she wondered wha! S%a!er &i$h! !hin0. Bu! why shou%dn'! she* she ar$ued s!u((orn%y wi!h herse%#* Sophie wasn'! e.en his hi%d6 he didn'! rea%%y wan! her* he si&p%y %oo0ed a#!er her !hrou$h ha(i!. )nd ye!. she had (een so sure she had seen rea% %o.e and arin$ in his eyes #or !he %i!!%e $ir%. John 'oward was a do !or* she !o%d herse%#. 'e wou%d 0now #ar (e!!er !han S%a!er wha! in!erpre!a!ion !o pu! on Sophie's (eha.iour. She $o! !hrou$h !o hi& s!rai$h! away* and as0ed hi& i# he was #ree #or %un h. She didn'! wan! hi& o&in$ !o !he house a$ain--no! a#!er wha! had happened %as! !i&e. 'e see&ed ra!her res!rained and oo% !owards her* (u! "hris ur$ed hi&

!o a ep!. Perhaps he !hou$h! she was &a0in$ a p%ay #or hi&* she !hou$h! (i!!er%y. )#!er a%%* i# wha! Sarah had said a(ou! +a!a%ie was o&&on 0now%ed$e in !he %o a%'s eyes* she &i$h! a%ready (e !arred wi!h !he sa&e (rushK 8.en!ua%%y John $a.e way and a$reed !o &ee! her a! !he sa&e res!auran! where !hey had ori$ina%%y (een in!rodu ed. 14 wou%dn'! as0* (u! i! rea%%y is i&por!an!*1 she !o%d hi& (e#ore rin$in$ o##* 'and 4 9us! don'! 0now who e%se !o !urn !o. 1 She was in a #e.er o# !ension as she wen! (a 0 ups!airs !o o%%e ! her !hin$s* dreadin$ S%a!er o&in$ (a 0 and pre.en!in$ her #ro& $oin$ ou!. She daren'! e.en %ea.e a no!e #or Mrs. 7an as!er 9us! in ase S%a!er a&e a#!er her. 4! wasn'! un!i% !he !a,i she had ordered !o !a0e her !o !he res!auran! %eared S%a!er's dri.e !ha! she was #ina%%y a(%e !o re%ease her pen! up (rea!h. -o her re%ie# John was a%ready si!!in$ in !he (ar wai!in$ #or her. 'e $ree!ed her (rie#%y* %oo0in$ !ense and i%% a! ease. 14'& a#raid 4 don'! ha.e &u h !i&e*1 he apo%o$ised* orderin$ her a drin0. 14 ha.e a pre!!y hea.y s hedu%e !oday* and &y wi#e wasn'! !oo we%% !his &ornin$. 4 wan! !o $o ho&e and he 0 up on her (e#ore 4 $o (a 0 !o wor0.1 14 wou%dn'! ha.e run$ you i# i! hadn'! (een i&por!an!*1 "hris (e$an de#ensi.e%y. 14 9us! didn'! 0now who e%se !o !urn !o... 4!'s a(ou! Sophie...1 Mui 0%y she ou!%ined wha! had happened6 when she had #inished !here was a %on$ si%en e. John 'oward's #a e was whi!e* his eyes a%&os! haun!ed. 'e %oo0ed so i%% !ha! "hris was sho 0ed. She had ne.er i&a$ined hi& rea !in$ so .io%en!%y !o her dis %osures. 12ear Eod* 4'.e $o! !o $e! ou! o# here*1 he !o%d her uns!eadi%y. 1)re you despera!e%y hun$ry/1 "hris shoo0 her head. 'er s!o&a h was hurnin$ i! was !rue* (u! no! !hrou$h hun$er. She had !he sensa!ion o# (ein$ poised on an une,pe !ed

pre ipi e* and i! was an e,!re&e%y unwe% o&e one. 12id you dri.e here/1 John as0ed !erse%y. @hen "hris shoo0 her head a$ain* John !oo0 her ar& and %ed her ou! o# !he (ar. 1@e'%% $o #or a dri.e... "o&e on.1 'e s!i%% %oo0ed i%% when !hey were ins!a%%ed in !he ar* so &u h so !ha! "hris #e%! e,!re&e%y $ui%!y. 1 17oo0*1 she (e$an un er!ain%y* 14'& sorry 4 (o!hered you wi!h a%% !his. 4 shou%d ha.e !o%d S%a!er* (u! 4 was a#raid he wou%d dis&iss i! as sheer #an!asy... -ha! was (e#ore 4 %earned !ha! he isn'! Sophie's #a!her* o# ourse.1 She (i! her %ip wonderin$ i# she had re.ea%ed so&e!hin$ !ha! John didn'! 0now* (u! his &ind was o(.ious%y runnin$ on di##eren! %ines #ro& hers (e ause a%% he said was* 1She pro&ised &e she wou%dn'! do i!.1 'is .oi e sounded !hi 0 and s!rained* a%&os! as !hou$h he #ound u!!erin$ !he words a hu$e physi a% e##or!. -he road he !oo0 was a &eanderin$ oun!ry one !ha! "hris di&%y re&e&(ered. 'e pu%%ed o## i! (y a #ar& $a!e* and swi! hed o## his ar en$ine. 'is #a e was s!i%% $rey wi!h pain* and "hris #e%! !he ner.ous !re&ors o# dread inside her (ui%din$ up as he #ina%%y !urned !owards her. 1Eod i!'s !i&es %i0e !hese !ha! 4 wish 4'd no! $i.en up s&o0in$*1 he said !ense%y. )(rup!%y he %oo0ed a! her. 1You're sure !ha! Sophie rea%%y spo0e/1 1Mui!e sure*1 "hris on#ir&ed Cuie!%y* 'a%!hou$h she see&s !o re&e&(er no!hin$ a(ou! i!. 1 1+o.. no she wou%dn'! do.. i! wou%d (e !he !rau&a o# (ein$ !here in !he o!!a$e a%one* espe ia%%y a#!er seein$ &e.. her &ind wou%d (%o! i! a%% ou! 4 e,pe !.1 'e !oo0 a deep (rea!h and %e! i! ou! on a shudderin$ si$h. 1+one o# us rea%%y 0nows wha! wi%% happen a(ou! Sophie. ) !rau&a as $rea! as !he one !ha! ori$ina%%y aused her du&(ness wou%d (e !he idea% so%u!ion* (u! su h !hin$s anno! (e &anu#a !ured or on!ro%%ed* and an $o dan$erous%y wron$...1 1@ha! was !he !rau&a !ha! ori$ina%%y aused !he pro(%e&/1 "hris as0ed

Cuie!%y* 1+o one see&s !o 0now...1 14 0now*1 John !o%d her* 'and so does S%a!er. 1 -here was a %on$* %on$ pause durin$ whi h "hris he%d her (rea!h wonderin$ i# he wou%d $o on and i# he did* wha! he wou%d !e%% her/ @as S%a!er !o (%a&e #or Sophie's i%%ness/ @as !ha! wha! John was $oin$ !o re.ea% !o her/ 14s !ha! why S%a!er #ee%s so responsi(%e #or her/1 she as0ed a! %as!* needin$ !o (rea0 !he pain#u% si%en e. 1Be ause he's !o (%a&e/1 1+o.. no.1 -he an$uished denia% #i%%ed !he in!erior o# !he ar wi!h e&o!ion so in!ense !ha! i! was a%&os! !an$i(%e. 14# anyone's !o (%a&e* i!'s &e.1 -he ad&ission sho 0ed her* ro((in$ her o# (rea!h and !he a(i%i!y !o ra!iona%ise. 4! !oo0 her se.era% s!upe#ied se onds !o #ind !he i&pe!us !o say hus0i%y* 1You.. (u! how ou%d !ha! (e possi(%e/1 1+a!a%ie and 4 were ha.in$ an a##air.1 On e a$ain "hris was %os! #or words. O# a%% !he &en !o (e in.o%.ed wi!h her ousin* John 'oward was !he .ery %as! she wou%d ha.e !hou$h! o#. 1Bu!...1 )%% !ha! she was !hin0in$ &us! ha.e shown on her #a e (e ause John $ri&a ed s%i$h!%y and said* 1Yes* 4 0now.. (u! !here are !i&es in our %i.es when we a%% do !hin$s we an'! e,p%ain or ana%yse. +a!a%ie was !he .ery wors! wo&an #or &e !o (e o&e e&o!iona%%y in.o%.ed wi!h. 2e&andin$* pe!u%an!* se%#ish* $reedy* uns!a(%e* she was a%% o# !hose !hin$s o&p%e!e%y opposi!e #ro& &y wi#e* in #a !* and perhaps !ha!'s where !he a!!ra !ion %ay. 4! wasn'! e.en a physi a% !hin$ a! %eas! no! a! #irs!. She see&ed so $ay. so pa!he!i a%%y %one%y and .u%nera(%e. She a&e !o see &e when 4 was doin$ so&e %o u& wor0 #or her re$u%ar do !or. She wan!ed &e !o pres ri(e !ranCui%%isers #or her. She ou%dn'! s%eep* she !o%d &e. She was !hin* a%&os! pain#u%%y so. 14 didn'! rea%ise !hen !ha! her !hinness was par! o# a de%i(era!e a&pai$n !o $e! a! S%a!er. 4 !hou$h! her hus(and !he &os! se%#ish in onsidera!e (ru!e a%i.e. She ran$ &e up a wee0 %a!er. She needed so&eone !o !a%0 !o she !o%d &e...1 #e%% #or i!... 4! was .ery

#%a!!erin$ !o ha.e su h a (eau!i#u% wo&an wan!in$ &y o&pany. 1@e s!ar!ed &ee!in$.. %un hin$ !o$e!her* and !hen %a!er $oin$ !o !he o!!a$e. 4'%% ne.er #or$e! !he #irs! !i&e we &ade %o.e !here. +a!a%ie see&ed !o (e on an in!ense hi$h.. She 0ep! %au$hin$* $%oa!in$ a%&os!.. 4 0new !here was so&e!hin$ wron$* (u! 4 %osed &y eyes !o i!* (y !hen 4 was !oo deep%y in.o%.ed. 4 re#used !o see wha! shou%d ha.e (een o(.ious !o &e6 !ha! +a!a%ie was despera!e%y i%%. @e 0ep! on seein$ one ano!her* and !hen one day she !o%d &e she wan!ed &e !o $e! a di.or e. 4 !o%d her i! was i&possi(%e. She'd a%ways 0nown !ha!.. @ha!e.er &y #ee%in$s* 4 ou%dn'! %ea.e 'e%en. 1She see&ed !o han$e o&p%e!e%y #ro& !he person 4 !hou$h! she was. She s rea&ed and ra.ed* a%%in$ &e .i%e na&es* !e%%in$ &e she'd !e%% 'e%en a(ou! our a##air. On and on i! wen! un!i% she'd e,haus!ed herse%#. 4 ad&i!!ed !hen !ha! she was serious%y &en!a%%y i%%* (u! 4 ou%dn'! (rea0 o## our re%a!ionship--4 daredn'!. 4 !ried !o persuade her !o $o and see a spe ia%is!* (u! she had su h se.ere hys!eri s !ha! 4 !ried !o !a0e !he oward's way ou! !hen 4'& a#raid. 4 re&inded her !ha! she had a hus(and . a hi%d. 1'er hus(and %o.ed so&eone e%se* she !o%d &e and as #or her hi%d* SophieK She ha!ed Sophie she !o%d &e. She had a%ways ha!ed her. 4! was (e ause o# Sophie !ha! she was !rapped in her &arria$e wi!h S%a!er. 4! was on%y %a!er !ha! she !o%d &e !ha! Sophie wasn'! e.en his hi%d* (y whi h !i&e 4 was a! &y wi!s' end* despera!e !o pre.en! &y wi#e #ro& #indin$ ou! a(ou! our a##air* and !erri#ied #or +a!a%ie who* i! was (e o&in$ in reasin$%y o(.ious* was .ery* .ery i%%. 4 was au$h! in a %e#! s!i 0. 4n o!her ir u&s!an es 4 ou%d ha.e approa hed S%a!er and !o%d hi& &y #ears* (u! (e ause o# &y re%a!ionship wi!h +a!a%ie* !ha! was i&possi(%e. 1She ran$ &e up a! ho&e one e.enin$ de&andin$ !ha! 4 &ee! her a! !he o!!a$e !he ne,! day. 4 wen! !o (ed !ha! ni$h! de!er&ined !o sor! !hin$s ou! on e and #or a%%. 1She was 9u&py and on ed$e when 4 $o! !here. S%a!er was #urious wi!h her* she !o%d &e (e ause she'd !hrea!ened !o !e%% Sophie !ha! he wasn'! her #a!her... She was .ery wi%d and dis!rau$h!. She wan!ed &e !o $o away wi!h her* !o %ea.e &y wi#e. 4 e,p%ained !ha! i! was i&possi(%e. @hi%e we were ar$uin$ Sophie wa%0ed in!o !he o!!a$e. 4 didn'! 0now i! (u! +a!a%ie had (een !a0in$ her !here. She had a !hin$ a(ou! !he p%a e !ha! 4 ou%dn'! unders!and. She ha!ed i!* and ye! she wan!ed !o (e !here. Be#ore 4 ou%d s!op her +a!a%ie !urned on !he %i!!%e $ir% s rea&in$ a! her. She a !ua%%y hi! Sophie a ross !he #a e (e#ore 4 ou%d res!rain her. Sophie was ryin$ na!ura%%y.

She wan!ed her daddy* she so((ed. 1 'e (ro0e o## * shudderin$ deep%y* his eyes dar0 wi!h pain* re&e&(erin$ wha! had happened* and "hris he%d her (rea!h. 'er own hes! #e%! !i$h! and un o&#or!a(%e. 4# anyone e%se had !o%d her !his she dou(!ed !ha! she wou%d ha.e (e%ie.ed !he&. 1-ha! was when +a!a%ie !o%d her !ha! S%a!er wasn'! her #a!her.. 4'%% ne.er #or$e! i!. Sophie 9us! s!ared a! her* and !hen she said s%ow%y* 1 4 ha!e you and 4 wish you'd $o away and ne.er* e.er o&e (a 0. 1 She ran ou! o# !he o!!a$e (e#ore 4 ou%d s!op her and when 4 s!ar!ed !o $o a#!er her* +a!a%ie he%d &e (a 0* s rea&in$ !ha! she'd $o s!rai$h! !o &y wi#e* i# 4 %e#! her. 4 didn'! 0now wha! !o do. )%% &y ins!in !s* &y !rainin$* ur$ed &e !o $o a#!er Sophie* (u! &y $ui%!* !he 0now%ed$e o# wha! +a!a%ie ou%d and wou%d do !o our %i#e !o$e!her* s!opped &e. )nd !ha!'s so&e!hin$ 4'%%'ne.er ease !o re$re!* ne.er (e a(%e !o sCuare wi!h &y ons ien e--so&e!hin$ 4'%% ha.e !o %i.e wi!h #or !he res! o# &y %i#e. 14 ne.er saw +a!a%ie a%i.e a$ain a#!er !ha! ni$h!. 4 e.en!ua%%y &ana$ed !o a%& her down* and 4 !oo0 her ho&e. S%a!er was away in 7ondon. 1'e ran$ &e !he ne,! day. 4 !hin0 4 0new !he &o&en! 4 heard his .oi e. 'e as0ed &e !o $o round. @hen 4 $o! !here he !o%d &e !ha! +a!a%ie was dead. She'd !a0en a &assi.e o.erdose o 0!ai% o# !ranCui%%isers and Eod 0nows wha!. She %e#! a %e!!er* (%a&in$ &e* sayin$ !ha! she was arryin$ &y hi%d* !ha! 4'd sedu ed and !hen a(andoned her. 14 9us! didn'! 0now wha! !o say !o S%a!er* (u! he &ade i! easy #or &e. 'e 0new wha! +a!a%ie was %i0e* he assured &e. 'e a%so des!royed !he %e!!er. 'e !o%d &e !ha! wha! had happened !he !ru!h wou%d re&ain (e!ween !he !wo o# us. +a!a%ie had (een unwe%% and un(a%an ed #or a whi%e. 'er own do !or ou%d a!!es! !o !ha!. 'e had in #a ! no!i#ied her own do !or !he &o&en! he dis o.ered her. )s you 0now !hey had separa!e roo&s* and apparen!%y i! was Sophie who #ound her. S%a!er #ound her s!andin$ (eside !he (ed* 9us! s!arin$ a! her &o!her. She hasn'! spo0en a word sin e.1 'e %a ed his hands !o$e!her and s!udied !heir (%un! !ips. 14!'s Cui!e o(.ious !ha! Sophie (%a&es herse%# #or her &o!her's dea!h. 4 ne.er wan! !o see you a$ain* she said* and wha! happens... her &o!her disappears. O# ourse we'.e !ried !o e,p%ain.. (u! she's a hi%d.. and a%so deep inside her !here's s!i%% ha!red !here #or +a!a%ie.

+a!a%ie ne.er showed her any a##e !ion. 4n #a ! she see&ed !o ha!e her* (u! S%a!er.. 1 'e shoo0 his head. 1So&e days 4 wonder how 4 an %i.e wi!h !he (urden o# $ui%! 4 ha.e !o arry. 4 %oo0 a! &y wi#e...1 !hin0 o# &y %i#e* and 4 wish !o Eod 4 had !he $u!s !o !e%% her. She's s!ron$ enou$h !o !a0e i!* &u h* &u h s!ron$er !han +a!a%ie* &u h s!ron$er !han &e* (u! 4'& a#raid !ha! i# 4 do !e%% her* she'%% di.or e &e* and i# +a!a%ie !au$h! &e any!hin$* i! was 9us! how &u h 'e%en &eans !o &e.1 4! was a%% so .ery di##eren! #ro& wha! she had i&a$ined !ha! "hris had di##i u%!y in !a0in$ i! a%% in. Dar #ro& (ein$ !he ause o# her ousin's dea!h* S%a!er had in a !ua% #a ! (een &ore o# a .i !i&* (o!h o# her !rea hery and her uns!a(%e na!ure. 4n &en!a%%y depi !in$ her ousin as despera!e%y unhappy (e ause o# !he un0ind !rea!&en! o# her hus(and* she had (een a(ou! as #ar #ro& !he !ru!h as i! was possi(%e !o $e!. Bu! !ha! didn'! a%!er her own .u%nera(i%i!y !o S%a!er6 nor !he #a ! !ha! she wou%d (e wise !o $e! away #ro& hi& (e#ore she re.ea%ed !o hi& &ore !han she wan!ed !o 0now. She was s!i%% as #ar away as e.er #ro& dis o.erin$ why S%a!er had &arried +a!a%ie in !he #irs! p%a e--!he on%y person who was e.er %i0e%y !o #ind ou! was Sarah* on e !hey &arried. )s his wi#e* she wou%d ha.e a ri$h! !o 0now. )nd Sophie/ @ha! o# her/ -ha! Sarah didn'! wan! +a!a%ie's hi%d !o ha.e a p%a e in !heir %i.es "hris 0new* (u! wou%d S%a!er (e in a$ree&en! !o her ha.in$ so%e $uardianship o# !he %i!!%e $ir%/ She had enou$h &oney now !o re!ire #ro& &ode%%in$6 she ou%d $i.e Sophie a o&#or!a(%e ho&e* %o.e* are6 and perhaps e.en in !i&e she &i$h! (e a(%e !o in!rodu e her !o her rea% #a!her. Bu! S%a!er was Sophie's rea% #a!her* par! o# her insis!ed. S%a!er was !he #a!her she wan!ed6 !he #a!her who had (rou$h! her up. 'ow ou%d +a!a%ie ha.e (een so rue%/ 4ns!in !i.e%y she 0new and she (%an hed a! !he 0now%ed$e* apar! #ro& S%a!er none o# !he& were inno en! o# hur!in$ Sophie. +a!a%ie ou%dn'! %o.e her dau$h!er (e ause she %oo0ed !oo &u h %i0e her* "hris a 0now%ed$ed. 1)re you a%% ri$h!/1 She s&i%ed pain#u%%y. 14'& #ine* 9us! ra!her she%%-sho 0ed. +o.. p%ease... You don'! owe &e any e,p%ana!ions or apo%o$ies ... 4'& $%ad you'.e !o%d &e !hou$h... 4! e,p%ains so &u h ... why Sophie shou%d (e so upse! a#!er your .isi!.1

1Yes* poor hi%d. S%a!er see&s !o !hin0 she (e%ie.ed !ha! 4 &i$h! !a0e you away #ro& her as* in her eyes* a! %eas!* 4 had !a0en her &o!her.1 So S%a!er had !a%0ed !o hi& a(ou! !ha!. "hris hewed a(sen!%y a! her (o!!o& %ip. She needed !i&e !o !hin0* !i&e !o sor! herse%# ou! and o&e ou! wi!h a on ise* wor0a(%e p%an #or her own and Sophie's #u!ures--a p%an !ha! S%a!er wou%d a$ree !o. 1Sha%% 4 !a0e you (a 0 now/1 -hey were on%y a oup%e o# &i%es #ro& S%a!er's house* as !he row #%ies* and "hris shoo0 her head. 1+o 4 !hin0 4'%% wa%0 (a 0 !hrou$h !he #ie%ds*1 she !o%d hi&. 14 need !i&e !o !hin0--!o reassess !hin$s. -he wa%0 wi%% he%p &e.1 1@e%% !a0e i! easy on !ha! an0%e.1 )s she $o! ou! o# !he ar "hris !urned !o hi&. 1-han0 you #or !e%%in$ &e*1 she said so#!%y. 4! ou%dn'! ha.e (een easy #or hi&--she ou%d see in his #a e !ha! i! hadn'!. 14 !hin0 your wi#e is a .ery %u 0y %ady*1 she added en oura$in$%y* 'and 4 !hin0 you shou%d !e%% her--e.ery!hin$. 1 1Perhaps 4 wi%%. 4 wan! !o* (u! #indin$ !he oura$e is ano!her &a!!er.1 @a%0in$ s%ow%y (a 0 !o !he house* "hris !ried !o #or&u%a!e so&e sor! o# p%an !o pu! !o S%a!er. Shou%d she si&p%y on#ron! hi& wi!h her new#ound 0now%ed$e and de&and !ha! he re%ease Sophie in!o her are/ )#!er a%% !here was no (%ood re%a!ionship (e!ween !he&. Or shou%d she approa h !he &a!!er &ore su(!%y6 shou%d she say !ha! she 0new !ha! Sarah wou%d no! wan! !he hi%d on e !hey were &arried/ )nd Sophie herse%#/ @ha! wou%d she wan!/ -ha! she %o.ed S%a!er "hris didn'! #or a &o&en! dou(!* (u! wou%d !ha! %o.e (e a(%e !o sur.i.e Sarah's hos!i%i!y/ @ou%d she e.er (e a(%e !o re$ain her .oi e i# she s!ayed wi!h S%a!er/ @ou%dn'! she ha.e a #ar (e!!er han e o# re o.ery in a o&p%e!e%y new en.iron&en!/ She wou%d ha.e !o !a0e %e$a% and &edi a% ad.i e "hris re#%e !ed--and she ou%d (e #a in$ a hard and e,pensi.e (a!!%e* (u! she #e%! sure !ha! she ou%d $i.e Sophie &ore !han S%a!er and Sarah. @ha! wou%d happen when Sarah had a #a&i%y/

Sophie wou%d (e !o!a%%y e, %uded* Sarah wou%d &a0e sure o# !ha!. @res!%in$ wi!h her !hou$h!s she was ha%#way up !he dri.e (e#ore she saw S%a!er's ar. 4! was par0ed a! an an$%e* !yre &ar0s s ored !hrou$h !he $ra.e% as !hou$h he had s!opped in a hurry. 'er hear! s!ar!ed !o !hud in pani . By now he &us! ha.e dis o.ered !ha! she was &issin$. @hy hadn'! she !hou$h! a(ou! !ha!/ Be ause she had (een !oo on erned wi!h John's re.e%a!ions and Sophie's #u!ure* !ha! was why. 'e was (a 0 ear%y. 'ad he re!urned espe ia%%y !o he 0 up on her/ @e%% she was a $rown wo&an she re&inded herse%# ner.ous%y* and i# she wan!ed !o $o ou! #or a wa%0 !hen she was o&p%e!e%y #ree !o do so. 'er an0%e was .ir!ua%%y #u%%y re o.ered6 i! (are%y a hed a! a%%. S%a!er was (ein$ ridi u%ous in re#usin$ !o %e! her $o ou!. )s she rounded !he orner o# !he house* hopin$ !o wa%0 in undis o.ered .ia !he drawin$ roo& #ren h windows* she a&e !o an a(rup! ha%!* her pu%ses ra in$ an,ious%y as she !oo0 in !he s&a%% !a(%eau on !he %awn. S%a!er was rou hin$ down on his hee%s* ro 0in$ Sophie's s&a%% #ra&e in his ar&s. Mrs. 7an as!er s!ood worried%y (y* and as she wa! hed !he&* !heir .oi es rea hed her* S%a!er's !erse as he de&anded (rusCue%y* 1@hen did you dis o.er !ha! she'd $one/1 1Jus! (e#ore %un h.1 Mrs. 7an as!er sounded e,!re&e%y upse!. 1She'd 9us! $one* no no!e... no!hin$.1 1Bu! a%% her %o!hes are s!i%% here...1 2id !hey !hin0 she'd %e#! per&anen!%y/ "hris was horri#ied !o dis o.er wha! her inno en!%y in!ended de ep!ion had %ed !o. She !oo0 a s!ep #orward* 0i 0in$ a s&a%% pe((%e as she did so. -he sound i! &ade as i! s0i!!ered a ross !he raLy pa.ed pa!h see&ed pre!e&a!ura%%y %oud in !he !ense si%en e !ha! #o%%owed S%a!er's awareness o# her presen e. ) ross !he ha%# doLen or so yards !ha! separa!ed !he& !heir eyes &e!* S%a!er's !opaL and dar0%y (i!!er* "hris's $reen and un o&#or!a(%y $ui%!y. She wai!ed #or S%a!er !o say so&e!hin$6 !o .oi e his s&ou%derin$ ra$e* (u! i! wasn'! he who (ro0e !he !hi 0 si%en e* i! was Sophie. 7i#!in$ her head she saw "hris* her eyes widenin$ #irs! in dis(e%ie# and !hen in !re&u%ous 9oy. 3a in$ !owards her* she a%%ed her na&e* a !hi 0* ho0ed sound* (u! Cui!e dis!in !%y her na&e* "hris !hou$h! daLed%y* $oin$ down on her 0nees and ho%din$ ou! her ar&s !o a! h her.

1Sophie... Sophie...1 -ears s!un$ her eyes* as she he%d Sophie s%i$h!%y away #ro& her. 1Sure%y you didn'! !hin0 4'd rea%%y $o 9us! %i0e !ha!/1 @a! hin$ !he s&a%% de%i a!e #a e* she re&e&(ered a%% !ha! John had !o%d her* and re&orse #%ooded !hrou$h her. 'ad Sophie !hou$h! !ha! she had %e#! her !oo/ 1SophieK1 S%a!er was s!andin$ (eside !he&* one %ean hand res!in$ on Sophie's hee0s as he !urned her #a e up !owards his own. 1She said &y na&e*1 "hris said ho0i%y. 1Yes* 4 heard her.1 -he Cuie! a%& in S%a!er's .oi e warned "hris no! !o &a0e !oo &u h o# wha! had happened. 1)nd a rus!y %i!!%e sCuea0 i! was !oo... 4! sounded &ore %i0e a &ouse wi!h a sore !hroa! !han &y Sophie.1 -o "hris's $rea! 9oy Sophie $i$$%ed. 14! wasn'! a &ouse. 2addy ... i! was &e.1 ) ross her head !heir eyes &e!* and #or on e "hris wasn'! asha&ed o# S%a!er seein$ !he e&o!ion $%i!!erin$ !here. 'is own eyes had dar0ened and %oo0ed o.er-(ri$h!. 1-a0e her inside*1 he !o%d "hris Cuie!%y* 14'%% $o and rin$ !he hospi!a%. )nd "hris...1 'is &ou!h was $ri& as she !urned !owards hi&. 12on'! !hin0 !his &eans !ha! you and 4 won'! (e ha.in$ !ha! !a%0.1

"')P-83 -8+ o# ourse* i! was hours (e#ore !he e, i!e&en! a(a!ed. Sophie* &u h !o "hris's oward%y re%ie#* insis!ed on s%eepin$ wi!h her and !hus ensured !ha! S%a!er wou%d no! (e a(%e !o !a%0 !o her a%one. On e she rea%ised wha! Sophie had !hou$h!* "hris was a! $rea! pains !o assure !he %i!!%e $ir% !ha! !here had (een no Cues!ion o# her %ea.in$ wi!hou! !e%%in$ her. 14 don'! wan! you !o %ea.e here a! a%%. 4 wan! you !o s!ay #or a%ways*1 Sophie pro!es!ed. -hey were a%one in "hris's roo&. 2owns!airs S%a!er was no dou(! &a0in$ appoin!&en!s #or Sophie !o see her spe ia%is!s* "hris re#%e !ed* !orn (e!ween $i.in$ !he %i!!%e $ir% !he assuran e she so (ad%y needed and !e%%in$ her !he !ru!h. 14 wan! you !o (e wi!h &e #or a%ways*1 Sophie on!inued passiona!e%y. -his a! %eas! "hris 0new she was a(%e !o respond !o hones!%y. 1)nd 4 wan! !o (e wi!h you* swee!hear!*1 she !o%d her. 12addy said you &us! ha.e $one (a 0 !o )&eri a*1 Sophie on#ided $ui%e%ess%y. 1'e said you had your areer !o !hin0 o#.1 "hris's &ou!h !i$h!ened. She ou%d 9us! i&a$ine how S%a!er had said !ha!. 1-here'%% a%ways (e an i&por!an! p%a e #or you in &y %i#e* Sophie.1 1Pro&ise &e you'%% s!ay wi!h &e #or a%ways/1 )! a %oss !o 0now how !o respond* "hris was sa.ed !he ne essi!y o# doin$ so when S%a!er rapped (rie#%y on !he door and wa%0ed in. 1Bed #or you* youn$ %ady*1 he !o%d Sophie* 1You'.e $o! a (i$ day ahead o# you !o&orrow. @e're $oin$ !o see 2r. 'ar!we%%.1 Sophie pu%%ed a #a e. 1'e wan!s !o hear !his new .oi e o# yours #or hi&se%#. 'e didn'! (e%ie.e &e when 4 said you sounded %i0e a rus!y &ouse*1 S%a!er

!eased. @a! hin$ !he& %i0e !his i! see&ed i&possi(%e !o (e%ie.e !ha! Sophie wasn'! his hi%d. 'e see&ed !o %o.e her so &u h. -o punish herse%# #or her &o&en!ary wea0ness "hris in!errup!ed oo%%y* 1'a.e you !o%d Sarah !he $ood news/1 1+o! ye!.1 S%a!er's .oi e was (%and%y easy. 14 !hou$h! she'd (e !he #irs! one you'd wan! !o share i! wi!h.1 14'%% $i.e her a rin$ %a!er on...1 'e see&ed so asua%* (u! !hen perhaps %i0e her he rea%ised !ha! Sarah wou%d no! (e par!i u%ar%y o.er9oyed (y !he news. 12addy* !e%% "hris we wan! her !o s!ay wi!h us #or a%ways*1 Sophie in!errup!ed. 14 wan! you !o.1 1Oh* "hris is !oo (i$ a $ir% !o pay any a!!en!ion !o wha! 4 say*1 S%a!er responded. 1She a%ways $oes her own way.B4 %earned !ha! a %on$ !i&e a$o.1 "hris #e%! o%our !in$e her s0in. S%a!er was o(.ious%y re#errin$ !o !he !i&e she had !o%d hi& !ha! her areer was &ore i&por!an! !o her !han hi&6 (u! !hen she had (e%ie.ed !ha! he %o.ed +a!a%ie* and she had spo0en !hose words !o sa.e her pride* 0nowin$ !ha! she ou%d no! re&ain in 7i!!%e Mar!in !o wa! h as an on%oo0er his &arria$e !o her ousin. +ei!her had she wan!ed hi& !o $uess why she was runnin$ away* so she had used !he on.enien! e, use o# her ' areer'. 'ow an$ry he had (een !he #irs! !i&e she !o%d hi& !ha! 3ay had said she wou%d &a0e a $ood &ode%K -hen she had (are%y paid any a!!en!ion !o 3ay's o&&en!* si&p%y shru$$in$ i! aside. Mode%%in$* or indeed any areer* had (een !he %as! !hin$ on her &ind6 she had (een drea&in$ o# &arria$e !o S%a!er* (earin$ his hi%dren. 1Mode%%in$/ More %i0e posin$ #or $ir%ie &a$aLines*1 S%a!er had said s a!hin$%y* addin$* 12on'! you 0now how &any si%%y %i!!%e $ir%s #a%% in!o !ha! !rap e.ery year/ )nd on e !hey're in i!* no &a!!er how hard !hey #i$h! !hey an'! $e! ou!.1 +ow she ou%d see why he had dou(!ed 3ay's sin eri!y* (u! !hen she had (een puLL%ed (y his dis%i0e o# !he o!her &an.

)nd S%a!er had (een wron$ a(ou! hi&* o# ourse. @i!hou! 3ay's he%p and en oura$e&en! she wou%d ne.er ha.e &ade i! !o !he !op. 1)re you happy now* "hris* now !ha! you'.e a hie.ed your a&(i!ion/1 'appy/ >nhappiness dar0ened her eyes &o&en!ari%y. O# ourse she wasn'! happy in !he way !ha! he &ean!6 her areer had (een a way o# #i%%in$ !i&e* o# si%en in$ her !hou$h!s* o# 0eepin$ a! (ay !he 0now%ed$e !ha! she s!i%% %o.ed hi&. 1O# ourse.1 'ow s&oo!h%y !he %ies s%ipped o## her !on$ue. 14 ha.e a hea%!hy (an0 (a%an e* &y independen e6 so&e .ery $ood #riends...1 1Bu! no %o.er !o share your (ed a! ni$h!*1 S%a!er !aun!ed. Sophie* "hris sudden%y no!i ed* had dropped o## !o s%eep in his ar&s* o(.ious%y worn ou! (y !he day. 'er &ind see&ed !o ha.e $one (%an0* re#usin$ !o pro.ide her wi!h a &eans o# !urnin$ aside S%a!er's Cues!ion. 1On%y (e ause 4 don'! hoose !o ha.e one*1 she &ana$ed a! %as!. 1@hy no!* 4 wonder/ 4! er!ain%y isn'! (e ause o# any %a 0 o# physi a% desire.1 'er #a e s!un$ wi!h ho! o%our. 1Perhaps 4 si&p%y pre#er &y independen e !o (ein$ he%d in !hra%% !o so&e &a%e.1 1Bu! you an'! deny !ha! i! is possi(%e !ha! you ou%d (e 1 he%d in !hra%%1* as you pu! i!/1 -he !hrus! was so#!* (u! in!ense%y pain#u%. "hris su&&oned a%% !he s0i%% she had %earned in her years o# &ode%%in$* a%% her a(i%i!y !o assu&e an e,pression a! wi%%. 1Possi(%e*1 she draw%ed s&i%in$ a! hi& &o 0in$%y* '(u! no! pro(a(%e. 1 She he%d her (rea!h wai!in$ #or hi& !o rea !-- !o re!a%ia!e* and e,pe%%ed i! in re%ie# as she heard Mrs. 7an as!er a%%in$ hi&.

14'%% !a0e Sophie.1 She he%d ou! her ar&s #or !he s%eepin$ hi%d. )s he passed her o.er* !heir hands !ou hed. -iny e%e !ri #ris sons o# awareness shi&&ered o.er her s0in. -he &o&en! he had $one "hris hurried !o !he door and %o 0ed i!* !han0#u% #or !he o%d-#ashioned %o 0s !hese doors s!i%% possessed. Jus! as soon as she ou%d she was $oin$ !o %ea.e 7i!!%e Mar!in and !a0e Sophie wi!h her. S%a!er wou%d see !he wisdo& o# su h a ourse6 he &us! see i!. Sarah wou%d er!ain%y a$ree wi!h her* "hris !hou$h! $ri&%y. 4! was o&#or!in$ !o wa0e up and #ee% Sophie's s&a%% (ody ur%ed in!o hers* a%!hou$h "hris #e%! ra!her e&(arrassed when she had !o pad a ross !he #%oor !o un%o 0 her door a! Mrs. 7an as!er's 0no 0. 1S%a!er said !o %e! you (o!h s%eep in !his &ornin$*1 she announ ed arryin$ in a !ray o# !ea. 1'e's 9us! $one down !o !he #a !ory* (u! he'%% (e (a 0 soon. 'e's !a0in$ Sophie in!o Mar!on a! e%e.en* !o !he hospi!a% !here.1 @hi%e he was $one she wou%d rin$ her a$en!* "hris de ided* she wou%d 0now !he (es! %e$a% #ir& #or her !o e&p%oy. )n,ious%y she (i! her %ip* wou%d Sophie !urn a$ains! her #or !a0in$ her away #ro& S%a!er/ She hoped no!. -he %i!!%e $ir% was irrepressi(%y ha!!y o.er (rea0#as!* and when "hris he%ped Mrs. 7an as!er !o %ear away !he o%der wo&an %au$hed* 14 ne.er !hou$h! !he day wou%d o&e when 4 didn'! wan! !o hear Sophie !a%0in$* (u! ri$h! now...1 1>&&* she see&s !o ha.e $o! her .oi e (a 0 wi!h a .en$ean e*1 "hris a$reed. She pu! down !he p%a!es she was arryin$. 14'& so sorry 4 $a.e you a%% su h a s are yes!erday. 4 don'! 0now why Sophie shou%d !hin0 4'd %e#!. 4'd si&p%y $one ou! !o %un h wi!h ... wi!h so&eone.1 1Oh* !ha!'s a%% ri$h!. ) !ua%%y i! was S%a!er who de ided !ha! you'd $one #or $ood. Di! !o o&&i! &urder* he %oo0ed when he a&e (a 0 and #ound ou! you'd $one.1 'er $%an e was spe u%a!i.e. 14# Sophie hadn'! (een in !he 0i! hen wi!h &e when he a&e in sayin$

!ha! you'd upped and %e#!* 4 dou(! i! wou%d e.er ha.e en!ered her &ind. O# ourse she was disappoin!ed when we $o! (a 0 #ro& !he shops and you weren'! here...1 14 shou%d ha.e %e#! a no!e*1 "hris apo%o$ised. 1@e%% in .iew o# wha!'s happened* i!'s a%% wor0ed ou! #or !he (es!*1 Mrs. 7an as!er said o&#or!a(%y. "hris &ade a poin! o# s!ayin$ ou! o# !he way when S%a!er re!urned !o o%%e ! Sophie. She .ery &u h wan!ed !o $o wi!h !he&* (u! S%a!er hadn'! as0ed her !o* and (esides she wasn'! sure i# she was up !o !he ordea% o# his o&pany. 'er a!!e&p!s !o $e! !hrou$h !o her a$en! were #rus!ra!ed (y !he %ines (ein$ (usy. She wou%d 9us! ha.e !o wai! un!i% !o&orrow "hris re#%e !ed when she heard !he sound o# S%a!er's ar re!urnin$ %a!er in !he a#!ernoon. She wen! downs!airs !o &ee! !he&. Sophie was $%owin$ wi!h e, i!e&en!. 12r. 'ar!we%% said 4 was a &ira %e*1 she !o%d "hris proud%y* 'and he said 4 didn'! sound %i0e a rus!y &ouse a! a%%. 1 1'e a%so said you had !o res!*1 S%a!er re&inded her wry%y. 14'%% !a0e her ups!airs*1 "hris o##ered. 7oo0in$ a! hi& she had sudden%y (een s!ru 0 (y !he %ines o# pain and !iredness round his eyes. 'e had a%ways see&ed so s!ron$ and in.u%nera(%e !ha! she had ne.er no!i ed !he& (e#ore. She wan!ed !o $o up !o hi& and draw his head down on !o her (reas!6 !o o&#or! hi&. -o o&(a! !his &o&en!ary wea0ness she !oo0 ho%d o# Sophie's hand and !u$$ed her inside. >ps!airs in her roo& Sophie was s!i%% ar$uin$ !ha! she wasn'! !ired* (u! wi!hin !en &inu!es o# "hris s!ar!in$ !o read !o her she was #as! as%eep. 4! was a sho 0 !o #ind S%a!er s!andin$ 9us! inside !he door* wa! hin$ !he&. 'ow %on$ had he (een !here/ 'er hear! !hu&pin$ une.en%y* "hris $o! up. 1You rea%%y are a(ou! her* don'! you/1 he said Cuie!%y. 1'ow does i! #ee%* "hris* !o 0now wha! you'.e $i.en up/1

3ea !ion rio!ed inside her. Dor in$ i! down she said %i$h!%y. 14'& on%y !wen!y-si,. S%a!er. -here's s!i%% p%en!y o# !i&e #or &e !o ha.e a hi%d* i# 4 wan! one.1 1Dirs! you'.e $o! !o #ind a &an.1 'e said !he words a%&os! insu%!in$%y* and re&e&(erin$ wha! she had read o# ar!i#i ia% inse&ina!ion and !he new s he&e in opera!ion in !he S!a!es where(y a wo&an ou%d e%e ! !o i&pre$na!e herse%# wi!h !he seed o# so&e o# !he (es! (rains in !he wor%d* she shru$$ed* 1+o! ne essari%y* you...1 )%&os! a! on e his #a e dar0ened* his eyes s&ou%derin$ dar0 $o%d. 14 wha!/ 1 he snar%ed* !o!a%%y &isunders!andin$ her o&&en!. 14 &i$h! ha.e a%ready ha.e $i.en you a hi%d/ 4# 4 ha.e you won'! $e! !o 0eep i!. +o hi%d o# &ine is $oin$ !o (e (rou$h! up (y...1 1By wha!/1 "hris shou!ed a! hi&* near%y as #urious as he was hi&se%#. 1By so&eone whose ousin is a ny&pho&ania / @ha!'s wron$* S%a!er/ )re you worried !ha! 4 &i$h! ha.e inheri!ed !he sa&e !enden ies as +a!a%ie6 !ha! 4 &i$h! orrup! &y own hi%d/ 1 She was (are%y a(%e !o unders!and her own pain* 0nowin$ on%y !ha! i! had sprun$ #ro& !he (i!!er an$er in S%a!er's eyes when he !hou$h! she &i$h! (e re#errin$ !o !he #a ! !ha! she ou%d ha.e on ei.ed his hi%d. 2id he rea%%y dis%i0e her so &u h/ Be%a!ed%y she re&e&(ered Sophie. ) Cui 0 $%an e a! !he %i!!%e $ir% on#ir&ed !ha! she was s!i%% as%eep. Brushin$ pas! S%a!er* she wen! on uns!eady %e$s !o her own roo&. On e !here she san0 down on !o !he (ed* %on$in$ !o $i.e way !o !ears* (u! !oo wound up !o do so. @hen !he door opened and S%a!er wa%0ed in she ou%d hard%y (e%ie.e her eyes. 13unnin$ away a$ain* "hris*1 he !aun!ed. 'is .oi e sounded odd* !hi 0 and hus0y* as !hou$h he was (are%y a(%e !o #ra&e !he words. 1@e%% !his !i&e !here's nowhere !o run !o. Jus! answer &e one !hin$ hones!%y* ha.e you e.er re$re!!ed wha! you did/ 'a.e you e.er wished #or 9us! one se ond !ha! you hadn'! pu! your pre ious areer #irs!/

@hy !he he%% did you o&e (a 0* "hris/ 1 1You 0now why.. -4'& Sophie's $uardian.1 1)nd !ha! (rou$h! you (a 06 a !enuous %in0 wi!h a hi%d you'd ne.er e.en seen/ -ha!'s no! !he "hris 4 0now. She ne.er %e! e&o!iona% !ies o# any !ype &ean any!hin$ !o her.1 1-ha!'s no! !rueK1 14sn'! i!/ -hen how !he he%% do you e,p%ain !he #a ! !ha! you were a(%e !o wa%0 ou! on &e* wi!hou! so &u h as a sin$%e word o# re$re!/1 1)%% !hese years and you s!i%% resen! !ha!/1 She ou%d hard%y (e%ie.e i!. She had ne.er !hou$h! o# hi& as (ein$ so e$o en!ri a% 'e hadn'! %o.ed her6 he had (een p%annin$ !o &arry so&eone and ye! a#!er a%% !his !i&e he ou%d disp%ay !his a%&os! e, essi.e (i!!erness (e ause she had %e#!. 14'& surprised you an s!i%% re&e&(er.1 1Oh 4 re&e&(er a%% ri$h! ... 9us! as 4 re&e&(er e.ery hour o# !he ni$h!&are &y %i#e's (een sin e. 'a.e you any idea wha! i! was %i0e &arried !o +a!a%ie wonderin$ wha! !he he%% she was $oin$ !o do ne,!/ @hen Sophie was si, wee0s o%d +a!a%ie !ried !o s&o!her her. 1 'e wa! hed her $o whi!e. 1Oh yes. She ne.er %o.ed Sophie6 ne.er wan!ed her. 4 had !o wa! h her %i0e a haw0* and !hen %a!er !here were &en... +e.er one &an #or any %en$!h o# !i&e* un!i%...1 1>n!i% she &e! John*1 "hris supp%ied #or hi&. 14 &e! hi& #or %un h yes!erday. 'e !o%d &e a%% a(ou! i!. 4'& no! +a!a%ie* S%a!er*1 she added Cuie!%y when she saw !he !hou$h!s re#%e !ed in his eyes. 14 !hou$h! when we were !rapped in !he o!!a$e !ha! Sophie spo0e and 4 wan!ed !o !a%0 !o hi& a(ou! i!. 'e !o%d &e a %o! &ore !han 4'd (ar$ained on hearin$. 1 She despera!e%y wan!ed !o as0 hi& why he had e.er &arried +a!a%ie* (u! she didn'! ha.e !he ri$h!. 1You &i$h! as we%% 0now*1 she on!inued* '!ha! 4 wan! Sophie !o o&e and %i.e wi!h &e. 1

-he #urious sound he &ade as he swore* si%en ed her. 1You (i! h*1 he e, %ai&ed (i!!er%y. 1You !hin0 you an !a0e i! a%%* don'! you/ @e%% you're no! ha.in$ Sophie.1 1She isn'! your hi%d*1 "hris poin!ed ou!* 'and Sarah doesn'! wan! her. 1 1Sarah/ @ha! !he he%%'s she $o! !o do wi!h a%% !his/1 1Oh* o&e on. S%a!er.1 She was $e!!in$ an$ry herse%# now. 1Sarah !o%d &e you and she are $e! F !in$ &arried. She see&ed !o !hin0 !ha! was why +a!a%ie !oo0 her %i#e--she said you'd as0ed her #or a di.or e. She doesn'! %i0e Sophie* you &us! 0now !ha!. You'%% ha.e o!her hi%dren (u! Sophie is re%a!ed !o &e (y (%ood. 4 an $i.e her so &u h* and 4 %o.e her.1 1)nd you !hin0 4 don'! is !ha! i!/ Dor si, years she's (een &y hi%d* and now sudden%y 4'& supposed !o $i.e her up/ @e%% i# you wan! Sophie* you're da&ned we%% $oin$ !o ha.e !o pay #or her*1 he snar%ed sudden%y* s%a&&in$ !he door %osed (ehind hi&. 1'ow/1 "hris was !o!a%%y on#used. @ha! did he wan!/ Money/ S%a!er had a%ways (een re%a!i.e%y wea%!hy6 &oney had ne.er see&ed !o (e a &o!i.a!in$ #or e in his %i#e. 'er &ind ou%d no! !a0e in wha! he was sayin$. 17i0e !his.1 'e %o 0ed !he door and a&e !owards her* his in!en!ion wri!!en %ear%y in his eyes. "hris !ensed and &o.ed (a 06 !he e!erna% &o.es o# prey and hun!er. 2eep down inside her !ension (e$an !o oi% in spira%s o# e, i!e&en!. S%a!er wan!ed her6 she 0new i! as ins!in !i.e%y and in!ense%y as !hou$h he had said !he word ou! %oud !o her. 'er pu%ses !hudded pro!es!in$%y as he a&e %oser* so %ose !ha! she ou%d see !he ye%%ow spe 0%es in his irises. S%a!er. 1 12on'! say any!hin$*1 he warned her !hi 0%y. 1You owe &e !his* "hris ... !his and a%% !he !housands o# o!her !i&es you shou%d ha.e (een in &y ar&s and weren'!. 4 don'! unders!and i!* da&n you*1 he &u!!ered as he rea hed her and seiLed ho%d o# her upper ar&s.

1You're no! o%d* or %a 0in$ in passion--9us! !he opposi!e* and ye! a%% !hese years !here you'.e re&ained a .ir$in...1 "hris !ried !o su&&on a oo% s&i%e. 1Perhaps 4 9us! en9oy !easin$*1 she o&&en!ed (ri$h!%y* !ryin$ !o sha0e #ree o# his $rip. 14 rea%%y don'! !hin0 !his is a $ood idea. S%a!er...1 13ea%%y/ +ow 4 happen !o disa$ree.1 -he si%0y so#!ness o# his .oi e shi.ered a ross her ner.es. 1You're &arryin$ Sarah*1 "hris re&inded hi& sudden%y $rowin$ despera!e. 14'& no! &arried !o her ye!. You owe &e !his* "hris...1 4! was !he se ond !i&e he had .oi ed !he e&pha!i %ai&. She didn'! owe hi& any!hin$* "hris !hou$h! (i!!er%y6 on !he on!rary* he was !he one.. 'er !hou$h!s (e a&e a on#used 9u&(%e as his &ou!h !ou hed hers* %in$erin$ sensua%%y on !he so#!ness o# her %ower %ip. Aio%en e she ou%d ha.e resis!ed* (u! !his !enderness* !his #ee%in$ she had !ha! he was wi%%in$ her (a 0wards in !i&e were !hin$s she ou%dn'! o&pe!e a$ains!. 'er (ody wan!ed hi&6 yearned #or hi& #ar &ore hun$ri%y now !ha! i! was aware o# a%% !ha! his possession ou%d &ean6 !han i! had done in !he o%d days* when his e,perien e had pro!e !ed her inno en e. -he hea! o# his &ou!h as i! &o.ed on hers sedu ed her senses* her (ody (urnin$ where he !ou hed i!* s!ro0in$ %i$h!%y o.er her %o!hes* un!i% she a hed !o (e rid o# !heir ons!ri !i.e %ayers and #ree !o #ee% !he oi%ed si%0 o# his s0in on her own. She #e%! hi& &o.e s%i$h!%y away and ins!in !i.e%y her &ou!h %un$* her !on$ue !en!a!i.e%y (e$$in$ hi& !o s!ay. 1"hrisK1 -he &u##%ed sound o# her na&e* a%&os! !or!ured as he &u!!ered i! a$ains! her !hroa! &ade her hear! !hud e, i!ed%y. She %o.ed hi& so &u h she was wi%%in$ !o !a0e e.en !hese ru&(s* she a 0now%ed$ed &en!a%%y. 4# S%a!er wan!ed !o &a0e %o.e !o her !hen she was &ore !han wi%%in$ #or hi& !o do so. 4n his ar&s she wan!ed !o (e #or hi& a%% !he wo&an he had e.er hun$ered #or6 a wo&an he wou%d re&e&(er a%% his %i#e. She wan!ed !heir %o.e&a0in$ !o (e so&e!hin$ !ha! &arria$e !o Sarah wou%d ne.er (e a(%e !o o(%i!era!e

and i# !ha! was se%#ish !hen she was $oin$ !o (e se%#ish she de ided* an$uished%y. 1You don'! 0now how &u h 4 wan! you.1 -he ad&ission see&ed !o (e wrun$ #ro& hi&* his s0in ho! as he pressed his #orehead a$ains! hers* his #in$ers !ense on her (ody. -he sudden sensa!ion o# power was so s!ron$ and o.erwhe%&in$ !ha! she didn'! e.en !ry !o resis! i!. 1Show &e.1 She whispered !he words a$ains! his &ou!h* !easin$ !he !au! shape o# i! wi!h so#! 0isses* s%idin$ her hands a%on$ his shou%ders un!i% her (reas!s were pressed #%a! a$ains! his hes!. -he #renLied !hud o# his hear! see&ed !o (ea! ri$h! !hrou$h her* her insides ur%in$ p%easura(%y wi!h e, i!e&en! as his hands upped her #a e* his &ou!h de.ourin$ hers* a(sor(in$ !he !as!e and !e,!ure o# i!* as !hou$h i! were so&e &a$i a% %i#e #or e. -he hea! o# his pa%& a$ains! her (reas! &e%!ed her insides* her need #indin$ so&e re%ie# in !he s&a%% sounds o# p%easure she &ade deep in her !hroa!. 14!'s %i0e %is!enin$ !o a 0i!!en purrin$.1 S%a!er &ou!hed !he words a$ains! her !hroa! #ee%in$ !he re.er(era!ions o# !he s&a%% sounds in reasin$ in .o%u&e as he un#as!ened her (%ouse and s%id his hand inside. )$ains! !he !hin si%0 o# her (ra her nipp%es s!rained pro.o a!i.e%y #or his !ou h* her (ody ar hed a%on$ !he %en$!h o# his* suppor!ed (y his ar& a! !he (a 0 o# her wais!. 'is &ou!h %e#! her !hroa!* and "hris opened her eyes re%u !an!%y. 'ea! e,p%oded inside her as she saw !he na0ed desire $%i!!erin$ in his eyes as his $aLe res!ed on !he aroused !hrus! o# her (reas!s. 1?iss &e.1 -he words see&ed !o o&e #ro& a wo&an who was a%&os! a s!ran$er !o her6 a wo&an who see&ed !o 0now ins!in !i.e%y how !o $uide S%a!er's dar0 head !o her (reas!6 a wo&an who &ade no se re! o# !he p%easure he $a.e her when he pushed aside !he #ine si%0 and s%id his &ou!h o.er !he hard nu( o# her nipp%e. 17i0e !his/1 S%a!er's &ou!h aressed her o!her (reas!* whi%e "hris &ur&ured her p%easure* her hands %u! hin$ a! !he s&oo!h #%esh o# his (a 0. -o!a%%y en$rossed in !he sharp%y ero!i sensa!ions #%oodin$ her (ody as S%a!er's &ou!h su 0%ed her nipp%es* "hris was (are%y aware o# hi& unLippin$ her s0ir! un!i% i! s%id #ree o# her hips* and he %i#!ed

her #ree o# i!* his hands s%idin$ inside !he (arrier o# her (rie#s !o ho%d her a$ains! hi&. 'is harsh $roan o# p%easure a! !he in!i&a!e on!a ! o# !heir (odies #%ooded her wi!h %o.e. 'er #in$ers !u$$ed a! !he (u!!ons o# his shir!* her &ou!h #usin$ ea$er%y wi!h his* as her hips s!rained ea$er%y a$ains! hi&. Benea!h his shir! his hes! was s%i$h!%y &ois!* !he &us0y s en! o# his (ody en.e%opin$ her. @hen he dropped down on one 0nee in #ron! o# her !o un#as!en her s!o 0in$s "hris Cui.ered wi!h heady an!i ipa!ion. Dor on e in her %i#e she wasn'! $oin$ !o !hin0 or ra!iona%ise6 she was si&p%y $oin$ !o #ee%. Bu! !he #ier e shee!in$ o# p%easure ra in$ under her s0in as S%a!er's &ou!h aressed !he !ender inside o# her !hi$h was so&e!hin$ #or whi h she was !o!a%%y unprepared. She pu%%ed away ins!in !i.e%y* !re&(%in$* au$h! up in oi%s o# e.er !i$h!enin$ desire #or hi&* a dar0 dde o# o%our s!or&in$ her s0in. 1"hris... "hris ... %e! &e %o.e you.1 S%a!er's s0in was as #%ushed as her own* his .oi e !hi 0* (are%y re o$nisa(%e. Mui.ers o# sensa!ion arrowed !hrou$h her %i0e dar!s o# #ire as he !oo0 her si%en e #or onsen! and his !on$ue wo.e de%i a!e pa!!erns a$ains! her responsi.e s0in* his hands de#!%y re&o.in$ !he si%0 s!o 0in$s. -he dain!y ri((on o# her suspender (e%! s%id !o !he #%oor !he &o&en! he un#as!ened i!. "hris shi.ered as she #e%! !he %i$h! (rush o# his #in$ers a$ains! !he !op o# her !hi$h and !hen under !he e%as!i o# her !iny (rie#s. 2iLLi%y she %osed her eyes* wan!in$ !o !ou h hi& as he was !ou hin$ her* a hin$ #or hi& !o possess her (ody* !o.. 4dio!i a%%y* when he had re&o.ed her (rie#s she wan!ed !o hide herse%# away #ro& hi&* and as !hou$h he sensed !he i&pu%se he rea hed up* $raspin$ her wris!s* se urin$ !he& %i$h!%y (ehind her (ody wi!h one hand* whi%e !he o!her s!ro0ed s%ow%y up !he %e#! hand side o# her (ody* his #in$ers ur%in$ round her an0%e* e,p%orin$ !he shape o# her a%#6 her 0nee.. "hris was shi.erin$ on.u%si.e%y* %on$ (e#ore she #e%! !he $en!%e dri#! o# his &ou!h a%on$ her inner !hi$h. 'is hand upped her (o!!o&* and she ried ou! a%oud as she #e%! !he in!i&a!e (rush o# his !on$ue a$ains! her (ody* wan!in$ !o pu%% away and ye! !oo en#ee(%ed (y !he !u&u%!uous sur$e o# p%easure rushin$ !hrou$h her !o do so. -he s&a%% sounds she had (een suppressin$ %o$$ed up her !hroa! and were e,pe%%ed in a !or&en!ed &oan. 1S%a!er* p%ease...1 She wan!ed !o &a0e hi& s!op wha! he was doin$6 !o $i.e .oi e !o her sho 0 a! !he in!i&a y o# his aresses* (u! !he

#e.ered words o# praise and en oura$e&en! he was $roanin$ a$ains! her s0in s!opped her. She %e! hi& %i#! her on !o !he (ed* ho%din$ ou! her ar&s ea$er%y !o hi& as he re&o.ed !he res! o# his %o!hin$. 'is (ody was per#e !* she !hou$h! (rea!h%ess%y s!udyin$ i! wi!h open uriosi!y* una(%e !o s!op herse%# #ro& !ou hin$* ha%# in awe. ha%# in %o.e. ) &an's open physi a% arousa% was so&e!hin$ she had ne.er wi!nessed (e#ore* and she was o.er o&e (y a #ee%in$ o# pride !ha! she shou%d ha.e su h an e##e ! on hi&* oup%ed wi!h a need !o show hi& how &u h his desire #or her &ean! !o her. @hen she !ou hed hi& hesi!an!%y he !ensed. >n er!ain!y #%i 0ered !hrou$h her. 4n !he o%d days a%!hou$h she had 0nown !ha! she aroused hi&* a%% !he aresses (e!ween !he& had (een ini!ia!ed (y S%a!er. She had ne.er !ou hed hi& in!i&a!e%y nor had he indi a!ed !ha! he wan!ed her !o do so. +ow she wan!ed !o* #or her own sa0e as &u h as his* (u! wha! i# he didn'! wan! her !o/ She %oo0ed hesi!an!%y up a! hi&* and au$h! her (rea!h. 2esire (urned #ier e%y in his eyes* e.ery (one in his #a e sharp-e! hed6 his (ody !ensed. 'e swa%%owed and she wa! hed !he &us %es in his !hroa! &o.e* %i0e so&eone in a drea&. @an!in$ hi& was !he wors! 0ind o# a$ony6 an a he !ha! see&ed !o in.ade e.ery &us %e and e%% o# s0in. 1S%a!er.1 She &ur&ured his na&e* her #in$ers s!ro0in$ !he #ir& sine wed sur#a e o# his !hi$h. >n%i0e her own i! was o.ered in #ine dar0 hairs. 'e didn'! &o.e nei!her re9e !in$ nor a ep!in$ her aress. She (en! her head and !ou hed her %ips !o his s0in. ) !hi 0 inar!i u%a!e sound sha!!ered !he hea.y si%en e surroundin$ !he&. 4ns!an!%y "hris !ensed and %oo0ed up a! hi&* her hear! !hu&pin$. +eed6 hun$er6 an$er6 a%% were %ear%y dis erni(%e in his eyes. 'e %osed !he& as she wa! hed* s%idin$ his hands in!o her hair. 1You &a0e &e a he so (ad%y !ha! 4 !hin0 4'& $oin$ &ad wi!h !he a$ony o# i!. 2on'! p%ay wi!h &e* "hris*1 he warned her hoarse%y. 1You're no! nine!een now--you're o%d enou$h !o 0now !ha! 4 wan! you in a%% !he ways a &an an wan! a wo&an. 4 wan! !o aress and arouse your (ody un!i% 4 an #ee% !he p%easure #%ood !hrou$h i!. 4 wan! you !o !ou h and aress &e in e,a !%y !he sa&e way* (u! no! as so&e sor! o# e,peri&en! you #ee% you ha.e !o e&(ar0 on6 no! (e ause i!'s a re ipro a% pay&en!. 2o you unders!and &e/1

O# ourse she did. 'er (ody a hed in !une !o his harsh%y spo0en words* #ee%in$ !he pain6 !he wan!in$ !ha! had $i.en (ir!h !o !he&. 14'.e drea&ed o# you #or years*1 she !o%d hi& s%ow%y. 1) hed #or you ... ried #or you. 4 %o.e you. S%a!er*1 she ad&i!!ed hus0i%y* (endin$ her head un!i% her hair s%id si%0i%y a$ains! his !hi$hs and her %ips aressed !he hard &a%eness o# hi&. 'is #ier e sounds o# p%easure hea!ed her (%ood* her (ody p%ian! and ea$er #or his* re.e%%in$ in !he puni!i.e* ur$en! rasp o# his !on$ue and !ee!h a$ains! !he !au! pea0s o# her (reas!s as he pu%%ed her away #ro& his (ody and pro eeded !o &a0e %o.e !o her wi!h an ur$en y !ha! see&ed !o &a! h her own a hin$ need #or #u%#i%&en!. -he !hrus! o# his (ody a$ains! and in!o her own pier ed her wi!h wa.es o# p%easure. 'er &ou!h %un$ #e.erish%y !o his* re!urnin$ his dru$$in$ 0isses. 'ea! #i%%ed her and !hen e,p%oded in!o wa.es o# p%easure. Benea!h his &ou!h she a%%ed his na&e. 'is &ou!h %e#! hers* a harsh ry o# #u%#i%&en! e hoin$ round !he roo& as his (ody #ound re%ease. 'e 0issed her a$ain. Een!%y !his !i&e* his %ips pressin$ !ender* a%&os! adorin$ 0isses a$ains! her !hroa! and (reas!s* his ar&s ur.in$ her in!o his (ody. 3e%a,ed and drowsy* "hris was au$h! o&p%e!e%y o## $uard when he said* 1@hy did you say you %o.ed &e/ ) s%ip o# !he !on$ue... So&e!hin$ you #e%! you ou$h! !o say* or was i! si&p%y !he !ru!h/1 3ea !ion rushed o.er her %i0e a o%d sprin$ !ide. She !ried !o &o.e* (u! he wou%dn'! %e! her. 'er hu&i%ia!ion was now o&p%e!e* she derided herse%#. 4n her need #or hi&* her %o.e o# hi& she had (e!rayed herse%# o&p%e!e%y* whi%e S%a!er had re.ea%ed. no!hin$. She wan!ed !o %ie (u! she 0new she ou%dn'!. -he words o# an o%d sayin$ a&e (a 0 !o her. 1-o !hine own se%# (e !rue.1 @hy shou%d she de&ean herse%# in her own eyes (y %yin$. @ha! wou%d i! a hie.e now/ 1On e %on$ a$o 4 %ied !o you !o sa.e &y pride* S%a!er*1 she !o%d hi& Cuie!%y* 14'& no! prepared !o do !ha! a se ond !i&e. Yes* 4 do %o.e you.1 She &ade herse%# %oo0 a! hi&. 14 wou%d !hin0 %ess o# &yse%# #or &a0in$ %o.e wi!h you no! doin$ so* !han 4 do #or (ein$ #oo%ish enou$h !o do so.1 She was Cui!e proud o# her %i!!%e spee h (u! S%a!er didn'! appear !o

ha.e !a0en i! a%% in. 'e was #rownin$. 1@ha! do you &ean you %ied !o &e on e/1 Men!a%%y shru$$in$* "hris de ided he &i$h! as we%% 0now !he o&p%e!e !ru!h. Perhaps i! wou%d he%p disso%.e his (i!!er dis!rus! o# her6 he%p hi& !o see !ha! Sophie's p%a e was wi!h her. 14'& !a%0in$ a(ou! when 4 !o%d you !ha! &y areer a&e #irs!. -ha! wasn'! !he !ru!h. 4 was despera!e%y hope%ess%y in %o.e wi!h you* (u! +a!a%ie had 9us! !o%d &e !ha! you were $oin$ !o &arry her* wha! was 4 supposed !o do/ 4 ou%dn'! endure !he pain o# (ein$ re9e !ed (y you* so 4 wen! !o 3ay and !o%d hi& 4'd re onsidered his o##er !o he%p &e (e o&e a &ode%.1 1You (e%ie.ed +a!a%ie* 9us! %i0e !ha!/1 +o! 9us! %i0e !ha!*1 "hris ad&i!!ed andid%y. 14 saw her in your ar&s one day. 4'd o&e here !o see you. You were in !he drawin$ roo& !o$e!her...1 1-ha! &us! ha.e (een !he day she !o%d &e a(ou! !he (a(y.1 1She !o%d &e she was arryin$ your hi%d...1 S%a!er's &ou!h had !hinned* his eyes dar0 wi!h an$er. 1She !o%d &e !ha! you and 3ay were %o.ers6 !ha! you'd !o%d her you were !ired o# &e* !ha! you were $oin$ !o %ea.e 7i!!%e Mar!in. She su$$es!ed we soo!he ea h o!her's pride (y &arryin$. 4 was ha%# o## &y head wi!h 9ea%ousy a! !he !i&e.. 4 ou%dn'! (ear !o !hin0 !ha! you didn'! %o.e &e. 1 "hris sa! up* $a!herin$ !he shee! round her. 1She %ied !o (o!h o# us*1 she said s%ow%y. 1Doo%ed us (o!h.. !ri 0ed us.1 >ne,pe !ed%y !ears s!ar!ed !o we%% in her eyes and (ri& o.er on !o her hee0s. 1"hris* p%ease don'! ry...1 S%a!er's ar&s a&e round her* her head res!in$ on his hes!.

14!'s o.er !he who%e !hin$* and we're #ree !o $o on wi!h our %i.es.1 @ha! he &ean! !ha! he was #ree o# wha!e.er he had #e%! #or her #ree !o &arry Sarah* "hris !hou$h! a hin$%y. 1)nd you'%% %e! &e ha.e Sophie/1 She win ed as he shoo0 his head. 17e! you !a0e away !he on%y !hin$ !ha!'s 0ep! &e sane !hese %as! si, years/ 2o you 0now why 4 %o.ed her so &u h ini!ia%%y* "hris/ @e%% i! was (e ause she %oo0ed so &u h %i0e you. 4 ou%dn'! ha.e you* (u! 4 ou%d ha.e a hi%d who re&inded &e o# you who ou%d ha.e (een our hi%d.1 @hen she %oo0ed a! hi& un o&prehendin$%y he added !hi 0%y. 1"hris* "hris* i! isn'! !oo %a!e #or us. 4 s!i%% %o.e you.. you %o.e &e.. 1 1You %o.e &e/1 She said i! wonderin$%y* despair $i.in$ way !o 9oy. 1O# ourse 4 da&n we%% do.1 'e !i%!ed her #a e up !o &ee! his own* 0issin$ her wi!h a dep!h o# e&o!ion !ha! (anished a%% her %in$erin$ dou(!s. 1@hy do you i&a$ine 4 was so an,ious !o $e! you (a 0 here6 so dis!ur(ed !o dis o.er !ha! you were s!i%% a .ir$in6 so !erri#ied !ha! 4 &i$h! ha.e hur! or #ri$h!ened you !ha! 4 daredn'! o&e near you (e ause 4 0new !ha! i# 4 did* 4'd &a0e %o.e !o you a$ain. and a$ain. 1 1Bu! Sarah*1 "hris pro!es!ed. 1She...1 1Sarah %ied. 4'.e ne.er dis ussed &arria$e wi!h her. 4'd ne.er &arry her e.en i# you didn'! e,is!* si&p%y (e ause o# !he way she #ee%s a(ou! Sophie. 1"hris* &arry &e 9us! as soon as we an arran$e i!...1 1@ha! and $i.e up &y su ess#u% areer/1 She had on%y (een !easin$ hi&* $i.in$ way !o heady* drun0en 9oy (u! !he &o&en! she saw !he pain in his eyes she re$re!!ed !he %i$h! words. 1Oh no S%a!er ... don'! %oo0 %i0e !ha!... 4'd $i.e up a !housand

su ess#u% areers !o (e wi!h you... O# ourse 4'%% &arry you.1 1)nd Sophie/1 1She'%% a%ways (e our e%des! hi%d. Perhaps one day we an !e%% her a(ou! 3ay. 4 don'! (e%ie.e he an ha.e 0nown a(ou! +a!a%ie. 'e wou%d ne.er ha.e su$$es!ed an a(or!ion. Perhaps she 0new he wou%dn'! &arry her and used !ha! s!ory !o $ain your sy&pa!hy. @e'%% ne.er 0now.1 1Se.en years o# &y %i#e your ousin s!o%e #ro& us. Se.en years when we ou%d ha.e (een !o$e!her* when 4 ou%d ha.e wo0en up wi!h you in &y ar&s. @a! hed you (ear our hi%dren... Se.en years o# %o.in$ !o a! h up on.1 1-hen we'd (e!!er no! was!e !i&e !a%0in$* had we/1 "hris &ur&ured ar h%y. She s!re! hed sensuous%y a$ains! hi&* de%i$h!in$ in his s%ow appraisa% o# her (ody* de%i$h!in$ in !he #reedo& !o show her %o.e and 0now !ha! i! was re ipro a!ed. 14 %o.e you S%a!er*1 she !o%d hi& so#!%y. 14 a%ways ha.e and 4 a%ways wi%%...1 14 sin ere%y hope so*1 he !o%d her !hi 0%y* '(e ause wi!hou! you &y %i#e si&p%y isn'! wor!h %i.in$. 1