There was yet another wedding but Jeremiah got out of it by saying he had some letters to write to his sweetheart Penelope and to his grandfather and uncle. Besides after buttering up his mother a bit, he got out of the wedding.

Valerie had slipped him a note at the ball.

Olga went shopping and Neils was passed out Jeremiah came by to see Valerie. They wasted no time it would not do to almost get caught again. They went straight up to her bed.

"I have never done this before," she panted between kisses.

"Do not worry my sweet one," Jeremiah said, "I have."

"Oh Jeremiah," she said breathlessly.

Olaf was a bit upset when he heard noises opened his sisters room and saw her with a young man, he went down to get his father of course Neils could not be awoken. So Jeremiah spent a nice afternoon with Valerie. Olaf went off to fish with Liam and Thoren as he had planned.

The wedding was a small one, just the Keenes and older Warwicks, Tristen had stayed home to watch the children. Lissa and Delilah could not come both were expanding, Octavia thought it was a shame, but Annabelle had waited so long.

Annabelle looked lovely.

Jamie was glad this was the last of his daughters he would ever have to walk down the isle.

"Well finally," Annabelle whispered. They had been waiting most the day to have the ceremony, but two people had died today and Clive had to do their funerals first as it was getting too warm to allow them to wait.

"I do, yes, of course," Alan said when Clive asked him if he would take this woman to be his bride.

This made Annabelle smile, how she loved him he was so dear.

"Well this is the last family wedding for a long time," Octavia said drying her tears.

"It would be nice to go see Jeremiah's wedding, but we can't leave Joseph that long," Jamie sighed.

"Not only that, but you really wish to be ill that long again, you know how the sea makes you," Octavia sighed.

Jamie shook his head, he was glad at least this time he was not overcame with emotion as he had been at the wedding of Monique and Alexander.

He glanced at them, they looked happy, and he had completely misjudged Alexander, he seemed to wish to make Monique happy.

"We soon will have as many grandchildren as we have children," Jamie said as the bride and groom kissed.

"We have the golden touch," Octavia whispered.

Jamie looked at her, she still had the golden touch, just a caress of her hand could make him forget any woman but her, and make him feel like that teenage boy who married her almost thirty years ago.

Meanwhile Jeremiah was relieved when he got home and the adults were not here yet.

Ingrid was quite beside herself, first Valerie curled her hair like hers and now she was allowing both Lucas and Jeremiah to call on her. But Lucas had no hint his brother was seeing his girl.

"It is not fair," Ingrid whispered, "You have both Warwick boys."

"I can not help it, there is Tristen" Valerie giggled.

"He is a child, only barely turning thirteen and he is short," Ingrid giggled.

Ingrid decided she was going to do something about this, she couldn't let her cousin have all the fun.

"Going to bed with a man is not that bad." Valerie giggled.

"Valerie you let . . ." Ingrid said, tingling at the tought of hands and kisses, she had been letting Adam Keene call on her, but her father had thought they were getting too serious and she could do better.

"Do be quiet father is drunk not deaf, and mother is moping around somewhere.

"Does it hurt?" Ingrid asked. Her cousin smiled and nodded.

The next day Jeremiah was bored and decided to take Ginger out for a ride. The others were cleaning stalls, he wondered if his father was so poor he could not have servants to do that.

He was riding past the Landers house when he saw Valerie, or at least he thought it was Valerie, what he did not know it was Ingrid, she was wearing the coral dress she had been wearing the first time they had met. Ingrid and Valerie were not only cousins but best friends and often wore each others clothing.

She smiled and waved, and whispered, "come up the rose trellis."

He could not believe a virgin would be so eager to have another meeting with him, oh she was a wonderful sweet young flower. He had not caught on at the ball that the two cousins resembled each other, Ingrid had worn her hair up and had only danced with him once, unable to get away from her father or Adam that long.

"Oh this is exciting, my prince, just like Romeo and Juliette," she said when he popped through her window.

"I am not a prince, just a duke, or I will be soon I wager, do not get any romantical notions about me young misstress I will be your lover but I will not marry you, for I am engaged to a daughter of an Earl, who I will lie with as well, but I will not enjoy it as much as I do your sweetness," Jeremiah said.

"Oh then we should enjoy the time you are here," Ingrid said thinking surely she could change his mind, after all she was Lewis Landers daughter, and she had heard Todd and Justin talking about how no woman could resist their father.

He kissed her and said, "Ah Ingrid, you are lovelier then Valerie even."

Ingrid was shocked he knew the difference, but she was not going to stop because he had guessed her game.

He took her to bed, and never did he experience what he did with her, even though he had deflowered many a maiden. She was as lusty as he was.

The earth seemed to shake beneath them, and his heart was pounding still and his legs seemed not to have any strength left. She was some woman.

Lewis had really meant to go talk to Jamie about Jeremiah, but Delilah talked him out of it. She said her father may not attend church, but he was a very moral person and he would not allow Jeremiah to behave so and her grandfather was almost a minister before the Duke died and he had to take the title.

It made Lewis feel better, but he should have trusted his instincts.

What Delilah did not know was Jeremiah loved to defy his grandfather, it was like a game for him, and it didn't help that his uncle Ethan brought in the prettiest maids he could find for Jeremiah's pleasure. Ethan still thought he was buying Jeremiah's loyalty but he was mistaken, Jeremiah was much like his father, he had his own mind, but without the moral fiber Jamie had.

Ingrid had gotten herself invited over after church to dinner just so she could see Jeremiah, he had not been in church, even though Lucas and some of his family were, newly wed sisters.

Olga had invited him to Sunday dinner and told him there was enough if he would like to invite Jeremiah.

Both girls were disappointed when Lucas showed up alone.

"Where is Jeremiah?" Ingrid asked.

"He went riding with Jessica Amberly," Lucas said, wondering if Ingrid liked Jeremiah.

"Oh pooh," Valerie said, "We are much more fun."

"Jessica Amberly is an old maid she is almost twenty," Ingrid agreed.

"Now girls," Neils sighed, his family was going to Hell in a handbasket, yes indeed Olga was right, there would be dire straights if he did not sober up. He had been sober since he woke up this morning, one reason it was Sunday no pubs were open and Olga had hid or poured out all the wiskey. She had tried to drag him to church, to listen to some temperance speech most likely.

Lucas had a feeling they would have prefered Jeremiah to him. Both Tristen and his best friend Orsen had warned him they had seen Valerie out with Jeremiah on the common. But it was Owen Chastain who had sworn he had seen them kissing at the last horse race.

After the meal,Neils was not feeling that good, and insisted in talking to Lucas.

"What are your intentions with my daughter," Neils asked.

"Honourable of course sir," Lucas said.

"I see, and what are your plans?" Neils asked.

"I am going to return to school with Orsen, Victor, and Ivan, finish this year then take over running the farm for my father, so that next year Tristen can go to academy," Lucas explained.

"I see, so you wish to marry my daughter?"

"We are only fifteen sir, it is a bit early to think of marriage, perhaps in two years if she finds she still fancies me we will speak of it," Lucas sighed, these kind of conversations made him very nervous.

"Good, I think I will continue letting her see you but no more kissing in public, and she is forbidden to go to night time races," Neils said.

Valerie moaned, that had been Jeremiah she had been kissing at the race, and some nosy parker had told her father.

Summer seemed to end so soon, Jeremiah was to leave by stage in the morning on his way back to England while the sea was still good for easy and fast sailing.

He had a wonderful time in New England and had found the girls here more then willing to give him a good time.

Octavia had painted his portrait. Everyone said it was her best work ever, even better then Oly's painting.

She was so proud of her son and hated to see him go.

That night Ingrid heard something at her window, it was her lover, she smiled as he came in, and they kissed, it would be their last time in her bed.

"Oh Jeremiah, I am glad you came," she said smiling, he could have chosen any of the other girls, but he chose her.

He turned and kissed her, could he really leave her here.

"Ingrid, do you love me?" he asked, she answered with a kiss.

The next morning Jamie was just coming down to breakfast.

"Father, father, Ginger and Flower are gone," Tristen shouted running into the house.

"Where is Lucas and Jeremiah?" Jamie sighed.

"Lucas is in his bed, but Jeremiah's was not slept in," Nicholas announced.

"What is going on?" Lucas asked joining his siblings.

"Well maybe Lucas should go look for Jeremiah he has a nine o'clock coach ride to Rivers Edge where he has to catch the noon coach for Portland," Jamie said, glancing at the sun, it was seven,"

The boys went out to look with out any luck.

Meanwhile at the Landers house, Lewis was looking for Ingrid, he had to go buy wine today and Astrid was still sleeping he wanted Ingrid to look after her little brother and sister so Thoren could go with him. The boy had been such a good son looking after them and his mother when Lewis was occupied, he deserved a treat. He found his maid and asked her and wondered where his daughter was off to.

Jamie went to the pub with Lucas, thinking maybe Jeremiah did not like goodbyes, he had a hard time with it as a child when Jamie had left. Perhaps he had gotten up early and went to the coach, there was an earlier one he could have caught, but why had he taken two horses, he had not brought that much luggage.

Daniel assured Jamie there were none of his horses in the stable.

Most curious, Jamie went over to the station, he saw Julius who had been moved to ticket seller much to his chagrin. He wanted back in clerking.

"Did anyone take the morning coach?" Jamie asked him.

Julius looked at some papers.

"Mr. Timberlane, some ladies, James could you talk to your son in law and get me moved back to clerking," Julius pleaded.

"Sure, I can talk to him," Jamie said, thinking he was lucky to have this job at all.

"Who are you looking for?" Pharnum asked coming in.

"Jeremiah," Jamie said, doubting if the man knew who he was.

"Oh I saw him riding out of town sometime after midnight, there was a blond young woman with him. I was coming back from playing a party at the Kayhills," Julius sighed, he was so tired.

"Sorry I couldn't help," Pharnum said limping towards his desk.

"Oh which way were they headed?" Jamie asked.

"Rivers Edge," Julius said, thinking his father in law could sure be dense, Kayhills lived in Rivers Edge, what other road would he be on.

It was soon to be known Jeremiah had ran off with Ingrid Landers, and he had left the horses at Swensens in Rivers Edge.

Lewis was beside himself, how could this have happened.

"But I do not want to attend school You need a man here mother," Ivan pleaded.

"Nonsense Liam is here." Janette sighed, she wanted Ivan out of the house, so she would be free of him and could recieve Clive as a caller without all the drama.

"Liam is nine, Orsen has one more year, allow me to stay until he returns, then I will . . ." Ivan started.

"You will go to academy son." Janette said, in a cool voice she was tired of arguing with her third son about everything.

"He is right who will you turn to when you need a man to do something?" Victor asked.

"Roland, Alexander, or Clive, if the first two are two busy,"

"No! NO! Noooooooooooo!" Ivan shouted, "You can not make me!"

"You must obey your mother," Clive said.

"Shut up preacher no one asked you, and leave this house before I kick your scrawny backside." Ivan threatened.

When Roland came to get the boys Ivan got in the wagon, only because he was afraid Roland would get a rod after him, and Roland was strong, besides he respected his nephew. He was angry at his mother, and decided he would do something to make her regret her choice.

Orsen and Lucas talked about Ivan after class, he was doing fine in his studies but he was moody and did not try to make friends or join in activity of any kind. He refused to go to chapel. Since he was not boarding at the school they could not force him, but it made the head master a bit upset.

"I sure hope he comes out of that, next year when Tristen comes to school I would like him to be here for him. Tristen always liked Ivan so much," Lucas reasoned.

"I hope so as well, I do not know why mother was so insistant that Ivan attend when it was clear he prefered to wait a year, mother is not usually like that she is so kind and understanding. But since papa died things have never been the same." Orsen said.

In November Delilah gave birth to Nathaniel, he was just as beautiful as Ross had been as well as Rochelle and Rosalee.

Julius seemed to pay little mind to the children, he did bring Ross a pretty little toy piano which cost more then Delilah had spent on clothes for all of the children. Her poor daughters were wearing hand me downs from Monique and Annabelle.

It really upset her but she decided not to complain at least he was paying some mind to one of the children.

Lewis came to see her and the baby, they kissed, and then he had to go, he seemed so sad his daughter had written him to tell him she was safe and was living in a nice cottage, Jeremiah had provided for her. He was trying to get out of his marriage with the Earls daughter so he could marry her. Lewis doubted this would happen.

Lewis was really in love with Delilah, he had broken his own rules and fallen in love with a lover. Of course he loved them all in his way, but not in the deep way he loved her, and he felt little Nathaniel was his son.

At the home of Neils and Olga Swensen, Valerie was not feeling well of a morning.

"When have you had your last woman time?" Olga asked her daughter, she feared what was ailing her daughter.

"Not for a couple of months, August I believe," Valerie said.

"I know what it is then, you are with child, tell me who have you lain with?" Olga asked.

Valerie thought about this for a moment, and then lied, "Lucas Warwick."

She decided she really cared about Lucas, and she had been a fool to allow Jeremiah to have his way with her.

After a lecture about sin, and how she would have to marry Lucas, which Valerie had expected hearing gossip all her life about girls that had to marry.

Olga decided to take this matter in her own hands, after all it was a matter for of delicasy and you did not send a bull to buy china as her mother always said. Neils had been trying lately to keep sober and work with Alexander this would take him into a tailspin. He was liable to charge in and get into a fight with Jamie and get himself hurt. Besides he was a bit upset with Jamie for some reason Olga could not understand.

She had Olaf go after school and bring a letter to the inn.

Jamie was a bit surprised by the plea he come as soon as possible, he wondered what Neils had done now. Unlike many men who drink Neils was verbally abusive but never violent to his family and friends. He wondered if this had changed, if so he could put Olga and the children up at the inn he supposed.

"What can I do for you?" Jamie asked, he knew Olga least of all the Swensens, she had none of the warmth of Janette, she was quiet and kind of blended into the background.

"You are an honorable man and have always helped our family and been a good friend to my husband and father in law, not to mention my sons, now it is Valerie who needs your help," Olga said tears in her eyes.

"What has happened," Jamie said wishing Octavia was here, she would be so much better at handling womens problems then he was.

"Valerie is with child and she has named Lucas as father." Olga blurted out.

"Oh my," Jamie said this was a total shock to him.

"You will do the right thing?" she asked, all he could do was nod and mumble an assurance that he would.

Octavia knew something was wrong Jamie had been quiet all evening. After the children were in bed he asked her to come and sit in the dinning room.

"Olga Swensen sent for me this afternoon," Jamie said.

"Really, I always thought she felt like she was too good to socialize with us," Octavia said, even Astrid had mentioned that Olga was not friendly with any of the other women. Astrid thought her sister in law was a cold fish without much personality. Octavia had talked to her when she had came to see Roland at the Inn but found the woman as Astrid had said.

"She claims that Lucas has gotten Valerie with child." Jamie sighed, it was still hard for him to believe, Lucas seemed so innocent.

Oh no that can not be true can it, I could have believed it with Quentin, or even our daughters except for Monique and maybe Annabelle, but Lucas he and Tristen were the most hard working and honest children they had ever raised. Even Maylissa had been less then honest at times." Octavia said, thinking what she had overheard Maylissa tell Annabelle about Delilah. The very idea Delilah would have anything but a passing word for Lewis Landers.

"I know I am very stunned by this," Jamie agreed.

"Jamie what do you think we should do?" Octavia said feeling so bad for Lucas, his education would have to be sacrificed.

"What I think I should do is ride down to Rivers Edge and talk to our son, he should know it is wrong to lay with a woman before the vows, even Quentin waited for Wenday and his joining, it is only right," Jamie sighed, thinking about Daghlesha and what a mistake that had been.

Octavia smiled, remembering back to how shy Jamie was on that night 25 years ago when they had first lain together. Then she shook her head, Lucas was a lot like his father, so shy he could barely hold hands with a girl.

On the long ride to Rivers Edge Jamie thought about Jeremiah, and wondered if Jeremiah could possibly have fathered this child. Lewis had said something about evidence of carnal nature, but Jamie had been too busy trying to calm his friend down to think of what that meant.

He also knew that Ingrid and Valerie strongly resembled each other and gave Monique fits in school always trading places. Perhaps they had both lain with Jeremiah and he was not aware of the change. Jamie had limited experience with women, only having been with two in his life, this was a question he could ask Lewis.

"Sir, my son Lucas Warwick may not be completing his term, there has been a bit of a family emergency, I need to speak to him." Jamie explained.

"I am so sad to hear that he was just coming into his own, he is a good student who makes an effort," the man said.

"If he doesn't come back his brother will be for sure," Jamie said, thinking Tristen was helping at the Pub but he really wanted to go to the Academy.

The Headmaster had him wait in a small courtyard while he went to fetch Lucas.

Lucas ran to where his father sat knowing something was wrong.

"Father what are you doing here?" Lucas asked with surprise, "Is everyone all right, mother . . my brothers and sisters? Did Delilah and Maylissa have their babies all right?"

"They are fine," Jamie said, he could see the boy had no clue, "Maylissa had a daughter Rebecca, Delilah a son Nathaniel."

"Good, but father, I am confused something must be wrong," Lucas said.

"Valerie is with child and she is claiming you as father," Jamie said sternly.

For a moment all Lucas could do was stare at his father, he almost blurted out that he was innocent, and it must be Jeremiah. Then his practical side took over, or maybe it was his heart. He really loved Valerie and she had hurt him so much by choosing Jeremiah over him. He could be mean and refuse to admit being the father.

"I want to talk to her," Lucas said calmly. But inside he felt like he had turned to apple jelly.

Jamie was surprised but agreed

Lucas went down to tell Orsen what was going on, he hoped Orsen would still be his friend after this.

"Jeremiah is the father, Lucas do not do this," Orsen whisphered.

"I love her, besides what will this do to her if I refuse the charade?" Lucas asked

Some poor youth had eaten the haggis, and Orsen shook his head, Lucas wasn't sure if it was a gesture of pity for him or the youth.

"I suppose you are right, she is my neice I just am sad to see you go," Orsen sighed.

"Me too, well take care my friend," Lucas said.

On the way home they stopped by to see Todd, Jamie had a plan if Lucas and Valerie married but he would need Todds help.

Todd upon hearing Jamie's idea and plea agreed at once. Besides he could really use help that knew what they were doing.

The next day Olga and Valerie came over to the Warwick house so Neils would not overhear.

Octavia could see that Valerie was full of shame and it was all taking a toll on the young mother to be, and her heart wint out to her.

"Let's let the children have a minute alone while I explain the plan I have come up with." Jamie said.

Lucas came in and sat beside Valerie, part of him was still hurt she had not came to him pure, or at least waited for him. But part of him loved her.

"I want to hear the truth, did you lay with my brother Jeremiah, is this his child?" Lucas asked as soon he was sure the adults were in the kitchen.

"Oh Lucas, I will not lie, I am so ashamed, I do not know what came over me, your brother has such a way about him, I could not help myself. I do love you I always have since that day when we were twelve and Ingrid dared us to kiss at Orsens birthday party." she sobbed.

Lucas nodded, part of him did not believe her, but most of him wanted to. He did love her, but he knew she had decieved him.

"I will let you know my decision tomorrow." Lucas said, and out the door he went.

She started to cry, and knew she had really mistreated him he was so sweet and kind.

"Come on girl let us go home," Olga sighed, she agreed to Jamie and Octavia's plan it was brilliant, Neils would be furious but it was the best, now if Lucas would agree to his part.

Two days later, after many tears, and wondering what she would do, Lucas appeared at her doorstep moments after her father had left.

"Well if you want to marry me you better get your bags, I have Ruby hooked to my sisters rig." Lucas said.

"Oh yes! You bet I do, I love you so much I will be the best wife ever." she promised, she had no idea where they were going, and she did not care, she was in love, she was getting out of this opressive house. She was going to be with Lucas.

Of course Lucas had a job with Todd and they would live at his inn, and they would stay there until the baby was old enough that no one would think he or she was too early. Todd had someone to marry them right away. Todd was so greatful to Jamie for the help with his pub he readily agreed.