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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."
br /> "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.
That night, Chelsea broke down. She had waited until she and Rand were in their room for the night. Rand sat by Chelsea's prone form on the bed, his arms around her, feeling very helpless as his wife cried.
They had both met the captain of the ship and believed him to be an honorable man, but suddenly they asked themselves where the years had gone. Their firstborn was 19 years old and headed into a life of which they had no part. They were excited for their son, but that didn't stop the pain of separation, and for this reason Chelsea sobbed.
When her tears were spent Rand and Chelsea spent the next hour praying for their son and reading Scripture about God's tender
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care. Rand read from Psalm 91, verses 2, 3, and 4, where the Scripture spoke of how trustworthy God is: "I will say of the Lord, he is my refuge and my fortress, my God; in nun will I trust. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust; his truth shall be thy shield and buckler."
Greatly comforted by the words, Chelsea entrusted Miles to God's care each and every time she felt her worry coming on. Surprisingly they had a good night's sleep, and they returned to Willows' End in the morning.
Heather had been thrilled to see them and in feet wished they could have stayed longer in town, but any loneliness she might have felt was alleviated by the appearance of Dinah Hadley. Dinah needed to begin work on her trousseau, and she arrived with Brandon and her stepmother just two days later.
Brandon stayed for supper and had a delightful evening. The twins were allowed to stay up and entertain the adults with their latest piece on the piano. The evening passed much too quickly for the engaged couple, and it was with a heavy heart that Dinah walked Brandon to the door.
**It was a lovely evening, wasn't it, Brandon?"
"Lovely," he whispered never taking his eyes offher face.
Dinah smiled and Brandon pulled her into a small alcove off the entryway and into his arms. When Dinah could speak again, she laughed with tenderness.
"So my kisses make you laugh." Brandon tried to sound indignant, but could only manage contentment.
"No. I was just thinking of what Heather said Sunny's latest plans were."
To Dinah's surprise, she felt Brandon's arms stiffen.
"You're upset," she stated quietly.
"Yes, I am. She just turned 16, a time when most young women should be settling down a bit, but she's still running from one escapade to the next."
"But Brandon," Dinah's voice was kind. "Teaching some of the village children to read is a wonderful idea."
"I guess it is," Brandon replied, relaxing some, "but as I said, I wish she wasn't so frantic to always keep busy."
"I think you worry too much," Dinah remarked amiably.
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Brandon looked down into her face and wondered how he could be worrying about Sunny when he was holding his nature wife in his arms. He kissed her then until they were both breathless, and it was with great regret that they parted. The promise of seeing each other in the morning, and the way Brandon whispered his love for Dinah as he left, made the wait a sufferable chore for both of them.
rand steeled himself for the next event. He didn't know when or where it would happen, but the very way his sister walked and moved told him she was cooking up yet another scheme.
Surprisingly enough, the incident with the horse race had made them closer than ever. Rand had waited until Brandon was gone and all was quiet that evening. He'd gone to Sunny's room, and even though she was already in bed, they had talked for the better part of two hours.
It had taken some time for her to see that the very feet she had ridden Jackson without permission needed to be dealt with. Sunny was under the impression that since she wasn't hurt and the horse wasn't injured, and she had won the race to boot, all was just fine. The fact that rules had been broken and an unnecessary risk had been taken did not seem to matter to her.
Rand did not leave the room until they did matter. He explained in a logical voice why she was wrong, and after much talk and some genuine soul-searching, Sunny had admitted she'd been out of line. Rand hated to do it, but he had even increased her punishment. In the week that she was restricted from riding, she was to sit with the dictionary for two hours each day and find words that pertained to obedience.
Other than the word "obey," Sunny discovered such related terms as "compliance," "submit," "yield," "duty," "respect," and "loyalty." After finding the words, she was to write out a detailed
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definition and even use the word in a sentence. At the end of the week, Rand asked her for the list. At the bottom he wrote one word and handed it back to her.
"Why did you write the word 'love' on my list, Rand?" Sunny had wanted to know.
Rand chose his words carefully. "I believe love is the only motivation that's going to prompt you to follow our rules. It is my hope that your love for Chelsea and me will prod you into making the correct choice, even when you don't want to. You know we'll love you no matter what, but we hope that in return your love for us will be evident in the way you honor us with your obedience."
Rand found
that his words did just the trick. Sunny's eyes misted over, and she gave him a fierce hug. "I'm sorry, Rand,** she whispered in his ear, and this time it was more heartfelt than ever before.
Months had passed since that time. Miles was gone, and his absence was painful. For a few weeks Sunny had worked almost every day to teach a handful of village children how to read. Holly was all aflutter about her coming out, and in the midst of this, with the weather very cold, Rand waited with trepidation.
"Has Sunny said anything to you about any new schemes?" Chelsea chuckled. "No, Rand. You ask me that every night, and it's always no. I can't understand why you're worried. She always comes to us now, and when you stop and think about it, it's never been anything too outrageous."
Rand punched his pillow into a more comfortable position and stayed quiet. He was nowhere near as optimistic as his spouse. Sunny was not depressed as she had been in the past winters, but Rand was sure that was only because she was dreaming of a new plan to drive him into an early grave. He prayed himself to sleep, but felt very faithless. It was too much to hope that they might make spring without Sunny felling into more trouble.
"Jordan!" Sunny cried his name and ran to greet him on this unexpected visit. "Why are you home?"
"Oh, I had some business that needed my attention, so I thought I'd take time to drop in."
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Jordan was finished with school; however, his father had an estate some three hours away and preferred for him to live there to manage it. Jordan did not mention to Sunny that he had come home to ask his father one more time if he could live at home. All his dreams about how close he would be to Sunny when he finished school went up in a puff of smoke when his father told Jordan where he needed to work.
He had always tried to honor his parents, but this time Jordan had been sorely tempted to leave home, propose to Sunny, and disappear with her to the far ends of the earth. Instead, he prayed and waited. He also worked hard, and even though he missed Sunny so much it hurt, he stayed on and did a fine job. In fact, his father was so pleased that when they had talked, he had given him some hope. It seemed that Jordan would be needed at home all that summer, and when the fall came they would reevaluate the situation.