The Great Family Gathering. Cornwall, October, 1864.
Everyone gathered around Lilly and Jasper’s twin baby girls, while Blanche tried to catch Neil’s eye as she admired his new captain’s uniform.
From among them, Ben drew Sharla aside. “At least take off your bonnet and shawl, my love,” he told her, tugging on the bow under her chin. “There will be lots of time to coo over babies.”
“I’m sorry. I know we just arrived, yet there are so many people to speak to… Where is Dane?”
Ben lifted his chin and pointed with it toward the other side of the big drawing room. Dane was sitting on the top of the two steps down into the drawing room from the front hall, next to Jack. Jack sat with his head hanging, a telegram held limply in his hand.
“What happened?” Sharla asked, alarmed.
“Jenny eloped this morning,” Ben said.
“Eloped with who?” Sharla asked, stunned. “She never spoke of a man in her life! I always assumed that she and Jack…”
“The wire doesn’t say. It only says Jack should go marry his lady.”
As she watched, Dane patted Jack’s shoulder.
Jack turned and hugged him. His eyes glittered with unshed tears.
Sharla drew in a startled breath.
“Dane is winning everyone over, isn’t he?” Ben asked, with pride in his voice, picking up her hand and stroking the back of it.
Sharla was enjoying the extra attention Ben was paying her. Here on the estate, they were free to be themselves. Dane was jovial and relaxed and dispensing his advice and wisdom to anyone who cared to listen…which seemed to be a great many of the family. Ben was free to kiss her and hold her and she was free to love him back. No one was shocked. Everyone took it in stride, another family oddity that pleased them.
Dane came up to them and settled his hands on their shoulders. “We may have to spend some time propping Jack up, this week,” he said, his voice low. “He’s reeling.”
Ben nodded. “Jack and Will used brandy on me, when Sharla got engaged to you.”
“A good start,” Dane declared. “Ready?” he asked Ben.
“For what?” Sharla asked.
Ben wrapped his arm around her waist, and Dane did the same. “Come along,” Dane told her.
They led her out of the house and around to the maze.
Elisa was sitting on the garden bench that faced the entrance to the maze, with her face turned up to the sun. When she heard their steps on the path, she turned to look. Her lips parted, as she got to her feet.
Sharla didn’t realize she was trying to pull backward, until Ben and Dane coaxed her forward once more.
“No, you don’t,” Ben said.
“Time to pull the sting,” Dane added.
“I can’t!” Sharla whispered. “I was wrong. Cruel!”
Elisa hurried forward, her hands both held out pleadingly. “Oh, Sharla,” she said brokenly. “Look at you!”
Sharla grew still. Both men were too strong to resist. Neither of them removed their arms.
Elisa stopped in front of her. Her worn eyes filled with tears. “You’re happy!” Elisa breathed. “You are glowing with it! I was so wrong…!”
Sharla’s eyes stung, too. “No, you weren’t wrong. Oh…this is…I’ve never had to explain to anyone until now…” She looked up at Dane, then at Ben, silently begging them to help her.
Elisa grew still. “You are all together?” she breathed, surprise widening her eyes.
“Ben is the real husband,” Dane said.
“Nothing worked for any of us, until there was three of us,” Sharla added.
“A fact for which I give thanks to God every day,” Ben added. “I’d be dead without them.”
“Me, too,” Dane added. “In spirit, at least.”
“And I would be lost,” Sharla added, recalling her flirtation with Laudanum and drink, when the guilt had been overwhelming.
Elisa took her hands. “Oh, my dear. You did it. You took one of life’s most bitter lessons and you turned it into something good. I’m so proud of you!” Her tears spilled.
Sharla hugged her and Elisa held her tightly.
“Do you love him?” Elisa whispered.
“I love Dane for his wisdom and his kindness. I love Ben with every bone and breath and fiber in me. Yes, I love them.”
“Then I am happy for you, my darling daughter.”