"To what do I owe this wonderful surprise?" Brandon asked as he moved to approach her when she came in the door, but the look on her face caused him to hesitate.
"Dinah, what is it?**
She didn't answer, but stood looking at him, her heart in her eyes. Brandon covered the distance between them and enveloped her in his arms. Dinah did nothing to resist him. It was going to make it all the harder later, but she selfishly wanted this one last embrace. After a moment, Brandon tried to kiss her, but Dinah drew away. That he was confused by her actions was clear, but Dinah moved to the window so she wouldn't have to look at the pain in his eyes. She looked outside for a moment and then turned to face Brandon.
"I can't marry you, Brandon." Dinah's voice was low, and Brandon waited for her to smile in teasing. "It's not fair of me to wait until a month before the wedding, but our union won't work, and I think if you'll consider what I'm saying, you'll agree."
Brandon had never been so stunned in all his life. He was so surprised he couldn't speak, but if he had been able to talk, he would have told Dinah that he didn't understand, and wouldn't understand; not now and not ever.
"I guess I've surprised you, and I owe you an explanation. Would you like to hear it?"
Numb, Brandon nodded. Dinah sat down by the cold fireplace, and Brandon took a chair opposite her.
"Is there someone else?" Brandon suddenly asked.
"Oh, no, Brandon.** Dinah was so distressed at such a thought, she didn't notice that Brandon had relaxed a little. She went on in a bit of a rush. "Brandon, I think you're in love with Sunny. I know she's young, but I think that deep inside, you love her.**
Brandon stared at her again, waiting for her to laugh, and
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instead had the wildest urge to laugh himself, partly with relief and partly with astonishment that she was serious. He moved from his chair then and came down on one knee next to Dinah. He took her hand tenderly within his own and spoke with love in his eyes.
"Dinah, I do love Sunny, she is very special to me. But it's not the same type of love I have for you. You and I are going to be husband and wife, and I-**
"No, we're not, Brandon,** Dinah cut him off, forcing herself to pull her hand away from his touch. "I love you, and I believe you love me, and if you could show me a fraction of the passion that you show when Sunny's name is merely mentioned, I might not be sitting here right now. I know this is painful for us both, but it's for the best."
"Dinah,** Brandon's voice pleaded with her. "Don't do this."
"Pm sorry." The words came as though wrenched from her. "But I won't marry you. I've prayed and agonized over this for weeks, Brandon, and there is no other way. I'm not saying you should run off and propose to Sunny, but at some point you need to face what you feel for her."
"Dinah," Brandon began to know frustration, "she's like a sister to me.**
Dinah's small hands came up to frame his face, her eyes filled with love. "I can understand why you feel that way, what with her age and the tie through Rand and Chelsea, but, Brandon, it's simply not so. She'snotyour sister, and it's time you stop telling yourself that lie."
Brandon was again without words. He was still on his knee when Dinah rose.
"I'll say goodbye now, Brandon. I'm sorry my decision seemed so abrupt. I will of course take the blame for everything. 1*11 ask my father to put a notice in the paper.**
"Dinah, please, I know we could work this out." Brandon tried one last plea.
Dinah shook her head, and he watched as she moved to the door. Turning, she gave herself one last look at his beloved face before walking away.
Brandon couldn't move for some time after the door closed, but he realized that they each needed some time alone. He thought he would wait two days to see if she would reconsider.
Telling himself that he had to make her understand, Brandon
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went back to his desk to stare unseeingly at his work.
When he went to call on her two days later, it was too late. Dinah's stepmother told Brandon that Dinah had gone to visit a friend in the south of France. They didn't know when she planned to return.
"On, miles," sunny called from lady's back, her breath showing white in the cold January air. "Where are you taking me?"
"Haven't you ever been this direction?" His voice held a smile.
"No, I guess I haven't. Are we still on Gallagher land?"
"Sure. This is the west quarter. It's beautiful, isn't it?"
"Mmm, yes." Sunny spoke with contentment as they topped a rise and sat looking out on the lovely valley below. A light covering of snow powdered the land, showing every dip and hollow. The trees were old and huge, and Sunny was captivated at the variety. She let her eyes drink in the scene until they swung back to her nephew. He was grinning at her.
"Why are you smiling?"
Miles shrugged. "It's just nice to be home. Part of me wishes I wasn't leaving in a week."
"We sure missed you at Christmas."
"I missed you too, but the things I've learned and seen have been worth every lonely moment."
Miles went on to tell her of the places he had been and ideas he had for starting his own ship-building company. Sunny was captivated.
"I've prayed for you, Miles," Sunny said when he paused, and Miles* eyes looked a bit moist.
"You don't know how glad I am to hear that. I've prayed for you also." He wanted to say more, but Sunny was pulling her glove off and searching in one of the fingers. She drew forth a small piece of paper and handed it to him.
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"I gave everyone a Bible verse this year, and this one is yours, like I said, I missed you, but it's rather nice to give it to you now."
Miles unfolded the paper. The verse Sunny had inscribed was Isaiah 64:8: "But now, O Lord, thou art our rather; we are the clay, and thou our potter, and we all are the work of thy hand.**
"Rand has been teaching me about keeping verses in their context,** Sunny said shyly. "That is, I understand that some promises are for Israel. I must admit that I'm not certain if that verse applies to believers today, but when I read it I thought of you and your willingness to be what God's wants you to be-your desire to be molded by Him."
Miles was so moved he couldn't speak for some moments. He sat looking off across the acreage, thanking God that Sunny's spirit was so gentle.
"Thank you, Sunny,** he finally managed.
"Is that a house over there?"
"What?** Miles laughed at the change in topics.
"Way over there, see? I think I see a home."
"That would be Ravenscroft, Grandmama Sunny's home. Want to see it?**
By way of an answer, Sunny grinned and heeled Lady into motion. They raced down to the floor of the valley and made their way smoothly in the direction of the house. Grandmama Sunny's home came into view as they circled a group of trees, and Sunny reined Lady rather sharply in her surprise at having come up to the Ravenscroft gate so suddenly.
The beautiful two-story sandstone with graceful alcoves and dormered windows was quite simply the loveliest manor house she had ever seen. Sunny rode Lady up the drive and then dismounted in the forecourt. Feeling the frozen ground beneath her feet, she walked all the way around the old house as though in a trance. In truth, she was praying.
O Ffither)her heart whispered.ItJs so lovely, and it lets me know my grandmother just a, bit.Sunny's thoughts stopped then as she thought of something so wonderful she could barely think.
/want to live here, Lord,her mind raced on. /want to have a home of my own. Please help me to be patient. Help me to trust Tou for this.
"What's going on behind that delighted race?" Miles asked her suddenly. They had come full circle and were now nearly back where they had begun. This was no small home.
"Oh, many things,** she admitted.UI wish Fd known Grand-mama Sunny. I mean, everyone speaks so lovingly of her, and it would be wonderful to have a grandmother of my own.**
&
nbsp; "You'll see her again someday, you know."
"Oh, Miles, I'd forgotten about that,** she grinned at him. "Thank you.**
"It is a wonderful house isn't it?** Miles went on. "Do you realize how centrally it's located? The village is about 15 minutes that direcion,** Miles pointed to the east. "Willows' End and Bracken are both within 20-minute rides."
"It's wonderful, and do you know what I just thought? I think it might be mine.** Sunny's smile was nearly off her face.
"Yours?**
"Yes. Brandon told me years ago that Grandmama Sunny had left me nearly everything.**
"Hey,** Miles spoke with delight. "I'll bet you're right. I wonder whether it has slipped Father's mind or whether he'd rather you didn't know.**
Miles* voice had grown very dry on this last note, and Sunny laughed with amusement. She was still laughing as they remounted and made their way home.
"Well, you're certainly right; it is yours,** Rand told Sunny over dinner. "And you're also right about myfergetting to tell you. It was built in the sixteenth century, and your grandmother lived there until the day she died. We'll have to go back and have a look inside. I must say that it holds some pretty wonderful memories for me.**
"I hate to throw water on those memories,** Chelsea intervened. "But a certain young lady is coming out later this year, and we've got a lot to do before we even think of Ravenscroft.**
Sunny gave a long-suffering groan and began her old argument, but Chelsea stopped her with a laugh.
"It's not going to work. Youarecoming out and youwill doit properly."
"Holly dreaded her debut. She was sick for days before," Sunny reasoned.
"But I survived," Holly chimed in.
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"You're supposedtobe on my side, Holly. Tell your mother that no girl should ever have to go through all that."
"I thought it was a real learning experience," Holly said innocently, and the table roared at Sunny's howl.
"I believe so. Chelsea told me she sent one to Bracken as well as London."
"He's still in London?" Holly wanted to know.
"I'm afraid so," Rand answered cryptically, leaving the girls to stare at one another after he had gone.
A month later Holly and Sunny practised for Sunny's coming out. All the debutantes for that year were to go to the palace together. As each girl's turn came, she was to stand alone before the queen, curtsy low, and receive a brief word of approval. Sunny was still dreading the event.
"No, no, Sunny," Holly told her as they worked in the upstairs salon. "You bow with your head down."
"But then I won't be able to see her. What's the point of finally being in the same room with the queen only to have to look at the floor?"
Sunny's look was so comical that Holly collapsed in a chair with a fit of giggles.
"It sounds like a lot of work is getting done in here." Rand spoke from the doorway of the gallery.
"In a few weeks' time I must go before the queen and make a fool of myself, and all Holly can do is laugh."
"And all Sunny can do is make jokes," Holly put in.
"Well, I think you're^oing to do fine. Chelsea lived through it and so did Holly. I can't see any reason for you to be upset."
"But Rand," Sunny tried her last tack, "the whole point is to introduce me to suitable men for marriage. I'm not getting married, so why all the ftiss and expense?"
"I guess because it's tradition," he said logically.
"You're also hoping I'll change my mind."
"Actually," Rand admitted, "I'm not. If you don't care to marry, I won't force you. On the other hand, it's a state I highly recommend, and if you do find the man God wants you to spend your life with, I'll be thrilled."
Sunny could hardly argue with that, so she and Holly continued their practice. Rand saw that he was not needed and headed toward the door. Sunny's voice stopped him.
"Did Brandon get my invitation?"
Brandon stared across the candlelit table at his rather harsh-looking, dark-haired companion, and wondered when he would stop comparing all women to Dinah.
She wasn't on his heart constantly anymore, but then that was because he had finally taken her advice. He had faced the feet that Sunny was not his sister, and in so doing, saw that he had been keeping Sunny from his mind by dwelling on Dinah.
After admitting this to himself, Brandon found he had several options. He could see more of Sunny, to prove one way or the other if she was in his heart the way Dinah had said, or he could put the whole business from his mind as being ridiculous. He found he could do neither.
The thought of courting Sunny and seeing a look of revulsion cross her face over having a man who was like a brother to her acting in such a way was more than he could take. He decided to put her from his mind, but found that impossible as well. He'd moved into his London town house and immersed himself in his work. He hadn't been to Bracken or Willows' Encffor weeks.
He had learned of Sunny's salvation just days after Dinah's departure. Thrusting his pain aside, Brandon had gone to see her, but that was before he had worked Dinah from his mind. Even though he praised God that Sunny was now a sister in Christ, at the time he could only see Dinah everywhere he looked.
Now today, an invitation to Sunny's coming-out ball had arrived. Brandon, who had been struggling terribly with his prayer life, found himself pleading with God for answers.
He recognized that the first thing to be done was to face matters and stop hiding in his work. He must also get back to Bracken. Staying in London and avoiding the country, where he would certainly see Sunny, hadtocease.
At times he was angry with Dinah. His life had seemed so well
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ordered. Then she was gone, and he had found himself without a wife, as well as uncomfortable around a little sister he loved dearly.
"She's not your sister," Brandon reminded himself quietly.
"Who's not your sister?** his dinner companion asked crossly. "Honestly, Brandon, I don't think you've heard a word I've said."
"I apologize, Leslie. My mind was wandering."
"Well," she said, still in a huff. "The Marks are over there, and I must speak to Karen. It is to be hoped that when I return, you'll be in better spirits."
Brandon watched her stalk across the crowded restaurant, knowing he would cut the evening short.I've not been trusting Tou, Lord,he prayed, even as he nodded absently to some passing diners.But I need guidance so badly. I honestly can't see Sunny and me as a couple. But Dinah was right, Lord, I've got to examine my feelings. I still hurt over her rejection, and I've never felt like this before. My focus has been only on my pain and not on You. Help me. Lord, to start again, and to glorify Tou in my life.
"I actually survived it, holly," Sunny said with glee. "I didn't feint or trip and fell into the queen's lap."
Holly laughed and hugged her for the fifth time. "Now you only have to get through the dance."
Sunny shrugged. "That'll be a breeze. It's only people we know and-" Sunny stopped at Holly's look. "It will be a breeze, won't it, Holly?"
"Well, actually," the older girl admitted, "you feel just a bit like a cow for sale on the open market."
"Are you serious?"
"Yes. Every eligible male from 18 to 80 will be downstairs to look you over."
Sunny's fece showed her chagrin and then new understanding. "That's why you keep getting marriage offers from complete strangers."
"I'm afraid so, but I think you'll do fine. You tender the most wonderful look when someone's advances are improper. I call it your *empress' look."
"What do I look like?" Sunny, who had been totally unaware that she'd ever done such a thing, was captivated.
Holly tried to emulate her, and Rand and Chelsea entered to find both girls nearly hysterical.
"Now just look at you both," Chelsea remonstrated as she fussed with the lace on Sunny's dress. "You're so flushed, it looks as though you've been drinking."
Th
e girls laughed all over at this, and Rand joined them. "You're
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a big help, Rand," she scolded him, fighting her own mirth. "Now this is Sunny's big night, and it's almost time to go downstairs."
The family worked at controlling themselves, and within moments Sunny found herself alone. She took a deep breath and prayed. "O heavenly Father, this is not something I'm excited about, but so much work has been done and I want to please Chelsea and Rand. Please help me to honor You tonight with what I do and say. And please, Lord," she added. "Please let me see a few friendly faces."
Sunny had prayed at some length before she suddenly realized she had lost track of time. Walking from her bedroom into the hall, she looked down the wide staircase and saw Rand anxiously looking up. Her fears were confirmed-she had kept them waiting. He smiled tenderly though, his heart swelling with love at the sight of her, and Sunny returned the smile and began her walk down to the dance.
Christie had pulled Sunny's hair up and piled it high atop her head. Her slim white throat was adorned with the amethyst necklace she had found in the jewel box from Darhabar; the matching earrings glistened on her lobes. Her gown was a deep purple with a tiered skirt. The neckline was rounded and frothed with cream-colored lace. The same lace hung in gentle folds from her wrists and over her hands. The tiers in the skirt were also lined with lace. When Chelsea had first seen it, she had commented that Madam Angelica had once again outdone herself. As with all her creations, the gown was perfect in style and color.
Traditionally, the father of the debutante started the dancing with his daughter, but Rand, as Sunny's oldest brother, was more than happy to fill in. He swung Sunny onto the floor in time to a waltz. Chelsea stood on the sidelines, biting her lip to keep from crying. Several minutes into the dance, Rand and Sunny were joined on the floor by other couples. Within moments they were surrounded by the crowd.
"Well, I'd say you're a success."
"I don't know if I like all of this, Rand," Sunny admitted in a small voice. "You're not going to believe this, but I just realized why Holly keeps getting marriage offers."