by Lori Wick
The younger girl was a mess. Her hair was in a riot around her face, and her riding habit was covered with dust. There was a smear of mud on her cheek, and sweat ran in a small trickle down her temple.
**I raced!” she answered Chelsea, her eyes sparkling with pleasure. “That idiot Cradwell said that nothing good ever came out of the Gallagher stables, so we had a wager.”
Chelsea, who had done far worse in her day, and had not seen them on the ridge, leaned forward in her chair. She failed to notice
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that her brother was livid.
“Whom did you race? Jeremy?”
“Yes!”
“Did you win?”
A long-suffering look came over Sunny’s face; Brandon clearly did not understand. “I had to uphold the honor of the Gallagher name. Jeremy said-”
“We saw you on the ridge,” Rand put in quietly, looking and feeling quite pale now that he knew which horse he had seen and who had been riding it. “You were riding my horse without permission.”
All amusement faded from Chelsea as she understood the severity of the circumstances. Barely holding himself in check, Brandon allowed Rand to handle the situation. After he had seen Sunny and realized who the rider of the black horse had been, Brandon’s anger mingled with fear.
“You will not ride Lady or any other horse for a week, Sunny,” Rand said quietly. “Now go and get cleaned up.”
Sunny glared at her brother in fury. “You’re only saying that because Brandon is here, and you know if you don’t punish me, he’ll have a proper fit. I was defending the Gallagher name, I tell you!”
“No name is worth your life,” Rand continued with more calm than he felt. “And I dare say, if Brandon had his way, you’d lose riding privileges for a month and get a sound thrashing to boot.”
Sunny’s furious eyes swept the room until they rested momentarily on Brandon’s own angry gaze. Her chin went into the air, and she left the room in a swirl of chestnut hair.
No one spoke for some minutes, but Miles turned to find Rand’s eyes on him. The younger man’s hands went into the air in a pleading move.
“Don’t say it, Dad. You don’t know Sunny at all if you think we could have stopped her. She was gone from the Cradwells’ before we even came out of the house. I could have come for you, but it would have been over by the time we got back.”
“Where was Hank Cradwell?” Brandon wanted to know.
Jordan spoke this time. “He’s very much like his son; he would have thought it a good joke.”
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They quieted again, and everyone became aware of Holly’s muffled sobs. “I tried to stop her,” she cried, “but she wouldn’t listen.1was so scared. All I could do was pray.”
Rand sat down next to his daughter and put a loving arm around her. “You’re not responsible for Sonny’s actions, and she’s all right, so don’t cry anymore. I’m going to talk with her later and see if I can get through to her.”
The young people went their separate ways then, and Rand gave his wife a loving, if not reproving, look, his hand reaching to stroke her cheek before he walked her to the door. She wanted to check on Sunny.
Brandon spent some time wondering how he would be able to talk with Sunny about her finances without mentioning the race.
sunny sat opposite rand’s desk and stared at the back of the paper in Brandon’s hand. It was one of her expense sheets. Brandon had brought the last several months’ reports with him, but he had asked for her new one, and now he was studying it and leaving her to sit.
“If you’re going to take this long,” she finally spoke impatiently, “I’ll go and come back.”
“Stay where you are, Sunny.” The paper never moved, and the voice behind it was maddeningly calm.
Sunny, who had finally settled down after the incident in the parlor, began to boil all over again. She had really thought Brandon would be far too busy to spend time on her finances, but here he was, poring over her records as though he hadn’t a care in the world.
Brandon needs a family of his own.Sunny concluded silently.A wife and at least four kids, maybe six. Then he wouldn’t have time to nose into my affairs. After all, the money is mine. What does he care what I spend? Tes indeed, marriage would be perfect. Tou need a wife, Brandon.
The paper dipped slightly; Brandon’s dark eyes met Sunny’s over the top.
“Sunny?” Brandon’s brows had lifted, and his voice was soft-too soft. Sunny realized she had uttered the last sentence aloud. “Would you mind repeating that?”
“I’d rather not.”
The paper was laid on the desk. “I’d rather you did.”
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Sunny sighed and saw no hope for it. “I was just thinking that if you had a wife, you wouldn’t have time to bother me about my money.”
Brandon tried not to laugh at the comical look on her face. To Sunny’s annoyance, he raised the paper again as though she hadn’t spoken. With ill-concealed impatience, she shifted around in her chair and waited once again. She had decided to leave without permission when the paper lowered for the last time.
“What is this entry for riding boots? It must be an error. Twenty-three pounds? How many pair did you buy?” “Just one,” Sunny said with a shrug. “I thought you were never going to many?” Sunny blinked at him in confusion. “I’m not.” “Well, the way you’re going through money, you’ll be broke in five years and in desperate need of a rich husband to support you.”
It wasn’t quite as bad as all that, but Brandon did not know how to get through to her.
“You’re just saying that,” Sunny accused, but her voice was uncertain.
Brandon stared at her young face, and when he spoke, his voice held all the love he felt for her. “You’re right; I am. But your spending is rather excessive, and I’m worried about you.”
Sunny’s heart would have needed to be made of marble not to respond to the love his eyes displayed. She nodded reluctantly and gave him a small smile. He joined her on the far side of the desk then, and they looked over her spending together. He pointed out some areas where she needed to show a good deal more discretion, and when Sunny had questions, he answered them with just the right words to help her understand.
When the business was settled, Sunny thanked him graciously and they moved to the davenport to talk about the family and the London social season. It felt like old times.
Holly’s “coming out” the following spring was the central topic, and Sunny was quite excited about all that would go on. Brandon allowed his head to fall against the back of the davenport, his long legs stretched before him as he spoke.
“It’s hard to believe how old you and Holly are now. She’s the first of the granddaughters to come out. It’s at times like these when I really miss my grandfather.” Brandon, his eyes on the ceiling, did not see Sunny’s body stiffen.
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“I can tell how much you must miss him.” Her voice went cold without warning, and Brandon lifted his head and frowned in surprise at her. When he saw that she was about to rise, he put a hand on her arm.
ttWhat did you mean by that, Sunny?”
Sunny pulled her arm free and stood. “In my country a man does not bury his grandfather one day and seek a wife the next.” Sunny knew that wasn’t the truth, but she was angry. She headed for the door, but Brandon was there first, reaching over her head to push the portal shut as she tried the handle. Without turning back to him, Sunny spoke.
“Move your hand; I wishtoleave.”
“We need to talk.”
“No.”
Brandon ignored this and began to speak. “I think you’ve been unfair, but you probably know that. I do not care to be told that I’ve feigned my mourning.”
Sunny turned then, surprised at his words.
“I loved
my grandfather, and I do not believe my seeing Dinah has blasphemed his memory. But then that’s not what this is really about, is it, Sunny?”
She moved from the door then, her movements nearly panicked. **I don’t care to discuss it.” Brandon watched her go to the window. Had there been another exit in the room, she would have bolted. He stayed by the door and began to speak softly to her back.
“You can’t understand how we can go on living a normal life after saying goodbye to a man we loved so well, can you? I miss my Papa, more than I can say, but I know where my grandfather is. I know 111 see him again someday.”
“You can’t know that.” Sunny turned back to him, her eyes fierce, her hands clenched at her sides.
“Yes, Sunny, I can.” Brandon’s voice was so gentle that it brought tears to her eyes, but she would not break down. His heart melted at the sight of those tears.
“You fight, sweetheart. You fight against what we believe in with all of our hearts. You admired Papa, and I know you admire Rand and me and all of us, but you refuse to face why we’re different; you refuse to face the Person who has made the difference.” “But I’m a good person too,” Sunny interjected.
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**Be that as it may,” Brandon’s voice was still tender, “yot goodness counts for nothing outside of Jesus Christ. It won’t save] you from a lost eternity, separation from God, and having to live in] torment forever.”
Brandon could see he had upset her. She looked distraught. “Sunny,” he called her name softly. “Turn to Him now, Sunny, and He can help you through this pain and confusion.”
He watched with a good deal of hurt as she gave a small shake of her head and composed herself once again. He couldn’t help but think that if he felt pain, God must be in agony.
Oh, God,he prayed in his heart.She won’t let go of her pride. She needs Tou so much. Help me to keep loving her, and please. Father, break down the watt around her heart,
When Sunny was back in control of herself, she once again approached the door where Brandon still stood.
“I’m sorry. What I said about you and Dinah was wrong. I’ve met Dinah Hadley, and she’s a lovely person. If she’s the one, Brandon, I hope you’ll be very happy.” She hugged him then, and Brandon’s arms went gladly around her.
He was still hugging her when he spoke. “Promise you’ll come to me, Sunny, if you need to talk about Grandfather.”
Sunny looked up into his face. “I will, but I don’t think I’m going to change my mind.”
“If you’re that confident,” Brandon told her, “then it won’t bother you if I tell you I’ll be praying that you will indeed.”
Sunny looked at those raised brows and determined eyes and smiled a little. She didn’t know that Brandon caught the extreme uncertainty lingering in the lovely depths of her violet eyes.
“PARDON ME, YOUR GRACE.”
“Yes, Parks?” Brandon looked up from the massive desk in his study.
“Your nephew is here and wishes to speak with you.”
“Miles?” Brandon was surprised.
“Yes, sir. When he found you were working, he asked me not to disturb you, but he looks a bit upset and I thought-”
“Send him in,” Brandon said easily and rose from the desk to greet him.
“If this isn’t a good time, Uncle Brandon,” Miles spoke by way of greeting, “I can come back.”
“This is fine, Miles. Come, have a seat.”
Miles sat in a plush chair by the fire but did not relax. Brandon sat opposite him and watched him for just a moment. He was so like Rand in appearance that it was uncanny, but today there was a look of near desperation about him; he looked younger than his 19 years. Brandon wondered if maybe he hadn’t quarreled with his family.
It then occurred to him that Miles should be in school. Brandon was only seven years older than his nephew, but suddenly he felt much older and had to keep from asking Miles why, in early November, he was out of school.
“I suppose you’re wondering why I’m here,” Miles began.
“Well, I must admit to some curiosity.”
“I’ve come to ask you a question, and I don’t know how.”
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Brandon felt surprise at this. There had never been any hesitancy between them before, and he wasn’t certain what to think.
“This might be easier if you were still at sea. I mean, I think it would. I don’t want you to think I’m taking advantage of your title.”
“You should know better than most, Miles, that the title is just that, a title. Outside of some added responsibilities, little has changed since I became the duke,” Brandon’s smile became rather wry. **I dare say any pull I might have had before I stopped sailing is still with me today.”
Miles laughed a little and relaxed some.
“Let’s have it, Miles,” Brandon suddenly said, and saw that those were just the words the younger man needed to hear.
“I want to go to sea.” All at once Miles’ eyes were alight with excitement, and quite abruptly all hesitation fell away. “I’ve been doing some extra studying at school, studies on a nautical theme, and I want to go to sea; no, Ineedto go to sea. If I can’t, I just don’t know what I’ll do. I don’t wanttosail my own ship, but over the next three or four years I want to sail with every craft on the water so I can someday build ships of my own.”
If Brandon had had more warning of Miles’s appearance, he might have dreamt up a number of reasons for the younger man’s visit. But this would not have been one of them. That he’d thought through his idea was quite clear, but Brandon had to have an answer to the first question that came to mind. “Do your parents know about this?” Miles shook his head reluctantly and stared into the fire. “Why, Miles? You’ve never been hesitant to go to them before. At least I’d never thought you were.”
“Oh, Brandon,” Miles rose and paced the room, talking to the floor at large. “This is so much bigger than anything IVe ever wanted. I think IVe been a good son, and I know my parents want whatever I want, but I can just see Mum’s face when I tell her I want to go to sea-that I’ll be gone for months or years at a time to who knows where.”
Miles turned back to him, his heart in his fine brown eyes. “I was hoping that if you would agree to help me-I mean, help me find the right ship to start on-you would also go with me to break the idea to my parents.
“I’ve prayed about it for a long time, and I know I tend to underestimate God. He could be working in Mother’s heart right
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now, somehow preparing her for what I’m going to say. I’m not afraid to go to them on my own, but I think my father has always assumed I’d help in the mills. I don’t know what Mum thinks. I wouldn’t be gone forever, but, well-”
Miles seemed to run out of words at that point and dropped back heavily into the chair. He stared pensively into the fire, so it took a few moments for him to see that his uncle was smiling at him. Miles blinked in surprise at the look.
“I think it’s a great plan, Miles. And you’re right about underestimating God; we all do. You’ve taken it a step further, however. You’ve underestimated the very people who want your happiness above all else.” Brandon paused to let this sink in. “You don’t have anything to fear from your parents, Miles. I can assure you of that.”
“So you’ll help me?”
“Of course. If your parents are dead set against this, I’ll not come between you; but if you want to go to sea, I know several men who would welcome you to their crews.”
Brandon laughed when Miles shot out of his chair with excitement. He looked 15 all over again as he nearly danced around the room in glee.
“So you’ll come with me and tell them? Today?”
“Today?” Brandon looked comically overwhelmed. “What about school?”
“Oh, I’m all done,” Miles spoke offhandedly, his mind distinctly on other things.
“Done?”
Intent on studying a ship in a bottle that sat on
the mantel, Miles didn’t hear him.
“Miles,” Brandon’s penetrating voice finally got through. “Come back on land and explain to me why you’re not in school.”
“Oh,” Miles turned to him. “My teachers knew I wanted to finish early, so I’ve worked extra hard and already taken my examination. Even if my parents say no, there is no reason to go back to school.”
Brandon was very impressed. He’d never thought of Miles as lazy, but this was a drive that Brandon had not witnessed before.
“So you’ll come with me?”
“Yes,” Brandon answered without hesitation. He pulled a watch from his pocket and studied it. “Let’s have some lunch and then we’ll leave for Willows’ End.”
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“Great,** Miles said, his voice breathless with excitement. “Thanks, Brandon.”
“You’re welcome, Miles. You know I’ll do all I can.”
With the closing of 1846, Sunny’s birthday and the holidays passed as they never had before. As the family gathered, no one could help but look around and know that it would never be quite the same again.
Much to the family’s delight, Brandon had spoken to Dinah’s father, and the anticipation of her presence as Brandon’s wife for Christmas the following year was a deep joy. On the other hand, the fact that Miles was headed to sea just after the first of the year put a slight damper on the spirits of all concerned. They realized he might not be home for Christinas for years to come.
Miles was sensitive to everyone’s feelings, but his excitement over leaving could not be masked. His parents had given their full support to the endeavor, and although he knew there was great work ahead for him, at the moment he was stepping on a cloud.
Mid-January came much too swiftly, and when the seventeenth arrived, Chelsea opted to stay at their London house, Heather at her side, rather than say goodbye to Miles at the ship. Rand, Jordan, Sunny, Holly, Foster, and the twins all saw Miles to the docks and stood as a group when theGypsypulled from the berth. The young people all agreed that they would miss him, but as the ship sailed away they also thought it a most wonderful adventure. Only Jordan noticed how quiet Rand was on the ride back to the house.
