Ivan had been missed when he did not show up for work. Today he had been going to help Roland with new forms and things Swensen and son needed printed up, he had worked hard on the designs which were laid out on his desk but no Ivan.

Roland came over to the pub.

"Have you seen Ivan?" Roland

"Early this morning he came by, wanted to come to Quentin's with me, said he wanted to live like an Indian, I talked him out of it, I think he is just bored," Tristen said.

"I really thought he liked the new job I got him, I am worried about him," Roland sighed.

"I did too, Ivan, Victor, and Olaf are my best friends, I am going to miss Olaf so much I sure hope he can come visit you like he said," Tristen sighed. He wondered if he should have agreed to take Ivan.

The day wore on and his father and Lewis came in, Lissa and Philip had gone to horse races.

Shortly after darkness fell over Amberly, it was a quiet late summer night no one was in the pub, and the only guest they had was probably asleep.

Thoren came in, and he was looking really angry.

"So this is where you are father I thought you would be in bed with Delilah, or one of your other slatterns," Thoren said.

"What did you call my sister! Take it back!" Tristen growled.

"My father is fornicating with Delilah and half the women in this town I don't have to do anything." Thoren snarled. The two young men circled like snarling dogs.

Oh God, Lewis thought seeing Jamie, Jamie looked furious.

"You idiot you don't even know what a slattern your sister is and her blond haired little bast . . ." Thoren snarled.

"Shut up or I will . . ." Tristen threatened.

"What beat me up, Tristen you not only are an idiot but . . ." Thoren laughed, humourlessly.

"That is enough," Jamie said in that low voice that always creeped Lewis out and made him think Jamie could kill.

Tristen might have backed off but Thoren wasn't going to have it he was spoiling for a fight he shoved Tristen.

Tristen shoved him back, Lewis looked at Jamie as if to say should we step in? The look on Jamies face was cold and he was white around the mouth, his blue eyes were fire and his fists were clenched.

"Stop it Thoren I will hurt you," Tristen said.

"You are puny and you know I am right your sister sleeps with my father soon everyone will know," Thoren laughed, as if he was enjoying some game or sport.

"Liar." Tristen said smacking Thoren.

"I will show you, you rotten . . ." Thoren screamed in rage

Jamie said something but Lewis nor the boys heard him.

Thoren punched Tristen and it was over the circling, and Tristen fell upon Thoren like a wolf on a deer.

The two boys were fighting furiously, bare fists snapping against flesh.

"LEWIS! Dammed your eyes, grab your boy!" Jamie snarled.

Lewis did, noticing Jamie only had to touch Tristen to back him off.

Thoren hit him but he held Thoren in an embrace and, "Do not do this son I love you."

"No you do not I hate you," Thoren sobbed.

"Why, I have always loved you," Lewis sighed.

"Because I am fat and ugly and not tall and handsome like you, girls loath me, and you loath me," Thoren sobbed.

"I loathe you because you are mean and a liar," Tristen said.

"I hate you all," Thoren screamed breaking free from his father. Tristen stood his ground he had whipped Thoren a good one he could do it again. Jamie shook his head.

"You all go to Hell!" Thoren screamed and ran out. Lewis sighed.

"Go lock the door and go up to bed Tristen we will talk in the morning before you leave," Jamie said firmly.

Tristen turned after making a small noise like he was about to say something and thought better of it.

Everyone knew how tough Jamie was, he had put three shepherds out of commission once and he was around forty if he was a day but he was strong and quick.

Lewis looked at Jamie and sucked in his breath, Jamie looked furious.

Lewis had seen men face each other down before, Lewis thought about Thoren would he go home, what was he doing here anyway he was supposed to be at seminary? He thought Jamie may kill him then where would his poor wife be with only Richard and Maurisa to look out for her and what of dear Delilah?

"Listen to me Lewis for we will only be having this conversation once," Jamie growled.

"I am listening," Lewis said and smiled slightly, he had to use the outhouse and bad. He would be lucky to get out of here with a dry pair of trousers.

Tristen headed upstairs, and Jamie made sure he was really gone before he turned to Lewis.

You and I have been friends a long time Lewis," Jamie started.

"Yes," Lewis said hoping his bladder didn't give out he had not even been this scared facing Neils because it happened so fast.

"I know you are bedding Delilah I would have to be blind and stupid not to know that, but being a gentleman and understanding that women have needs despite what people would have us believe I pretended not to see," Jamie said frowning.

Oh my God he knows, not even her husband had known until they had been caught.

"In a year I want her to marry someone good, and I don't want you to spoil it by tarnishing her reputation." Jamie said then punched him.

Lewis grunted for such a small man Jamie could punch hard, and Lewis felt he had held back, it was just to show him that he was not to be trifled with.

"I would never hurt Delilah, I love her," Lewis blurted.

"You are a married man," Jamie said stiffly.

"I am aware of that but, I would never do anything to harm her, she and I have only been out in public with her once in broad day light in the afternoon to take her to see the house." Lewis explained.

"All I am asking is be careful you do not wish to ruin her repetation so she can marry a decent man." Jamie said.

"Why, she does not want to marry?" Lewis said now he was getting a little upset, before he had remained calm. Suddenly he forgot the overwhelming urge to urinate.

"Good Lord Lewis! Jamie said throwing up his hands making Lewis flinch slightly, and remember he needed to visit the privy at first chance, "She is a woman with four children, with no means of support and Astrid who had a small fortune even felt she needed a husband. What kind of woman could go through life with out a husband?" Jamie asked, thinking Lewis really was smitten by Delilah and he wasn't thinking clearly.

Lewis sighed and Jamie went on about how his daughter needed someone who could support her and provide a home.

"I could do that," Lewis said softly.

"Lewis a kept woman," Jamie said, feeling a bit disgusted it was only a step up from prostitution.

Suddenly tears welled up in Lewis's eyes and Jamie stared at him with disbelief.

"I have bought her a cottage, and there is a part time job for her, Jamie I love her, I have never loved another woman like this. I love my wife too, but not like this, I can't leave Astrid she is not a well woman I could never do that despite what Thoren thinks. But Jamie I swear to you I would never hurt Delilah in any way." Lewis said softly.

"My God Lewis," Jamie said, then watched his friend leave. Not knowing what to think.

From Warren, Ivan found out that the gypsies had camped on the common and had left heading South west towards Port Vantage.

Gypsies, maybe he would join them Ivan thought as he went to the stable and selected a horse. He could have taken two but he decided that might make his mother and brothers suspicious, one would have to do they could ride double which was nice. He took his fathers big saddle the one with a place for a second rider.

They rode most of the day stopped and rested the horse and camped after catching some fish.

She didn't mind sleeping out beneath the stars and sharing a horse blanket, she seemed happy and relaxed with him. He had never known a girl like her.

In the morning they reached the riverside village and talked to a young man at the livery and he said the gypsys had moved on down river.

"I sure would have liked to have gone with them, they seemed so happy." Darren said smiling and honestly I am in a bit of trouble with someone he thought.

"Go with us," Caroline offered.

"Really you would let me come along?" Darren asked.

"Well I guess if can I trade my horse and tack for a horse and rig," Ivan said reluctantly.

"I have a buggy I just need a horse, we can trade your horse and saddle for one and some harness," Darren said quickly.

Ivan looked at the horse and his fathers saddle. and sighed, "No just the horse I keep the saddle. She is really a good horse and in foal to a racer."

Darren looked at the saddle and sighed he had to get out of here before his father returned and found out what he had done.

"All right, just the horse. She was a good one and maybe when his father saw her he would not be quite as angry. He had always wanted a really good mare.

So then it was set three travelers on a journey, but Ivan had mixed feelings about Darren coming along, he knew it would be better with three people last night he had barely slept, and Darren had supplies and bedding loaded into the buggy all ready. One of them could watch while others slept. Ivan thought he would now have his revenge on his mother when she found he had gone. He loathed Clive and his religion, he hoped Clive would be blamed but he doubted it.

Delilah had gone to church a couple of Sundays and taken the children, but now that she had moved to Arcadia she had decided it was too far and she also decided she didn't need redeeming, she had a scary dream that was all. She did not wish to harm Astrid, she wished her well. She had come to the point of thinking she was not sure she even wanted to marry Lewis, even though she loved him. Part of the reason she loved him was the life style they had. Secretive and naughty and the fun of it all. If he were to marry her it would become boring and everyday.

So when parson DuBiose showed up one sunny afternoon when she was out tending the yellow roses she was surprised.

"We have missed you at church," he said.

She shrugged, and thought why she had gone twice, wasn't he out of his jurisdiction or parish or what ever it was called.

"It takes some time to travel to Amberly and back," she said simply.

"I realize that, also Arcadia has no church only a public house and a general store and a brick manufactory so I have come to minister unto you," he said.

She smiled seductively, he was handsome and his voice and accent were exotic to her ears.

He was relieved she was in what looked to be a gardening frock and not the low cut gowns she favoured.

"Let us go inside, children stay out but mind Nate," Delilah said glancing at her youngest fondly.

"I really wished you would come back to church you have a lovely singing voice." he said, remembering her voice as she sang a hymn. There was no musical instruments at the church now that Olaf had left with his violin and Victor did not wish to play every Sunday so he had been surprised to hear her voice leading the congregation with clarity and perfect pitch.

"Me?" she asked, remembering that her husband had called her singing horrid. But maybe he had been jealous that would be so like him.

"Yes you," Bram said, and she peered into his eyes, and suddenly a deliciously wicked idea came to her. How she could get him to leave her alone.

She scooted closer to him and said, "That is very kind of you Bram. I can call you Bram, that is such an unusual name, not French, you know my mother is half French."

He felt a heat rising from her and from himself and unpure thoughts of her bolted into his mind.

Her arms were around him and his around hers as a reaction.

Suddenly he felt he had no will and he kissed her passionately, and felt himself giving into her passion with his own.

Delilah was both surprised and delighted at his kisses, he really knew how to kiss.

But then he jumped up mumbled something about getting back and bolted out the door like a frightened teenager.

Delilah laughed, and wondered what she had done if he had started to unbutton her frock. Ah but he did not, he was too timid our little parson Dubios.

Bram loathed himself for letting her unleash his passion, he felt both sinful and dirty somehow. He would bring a woman from the church along next time someone safe. If he ever came again, which he doubted. Delilah Orphington did something to him made him wish to violate the very laws of God. It was a long way to Heaven but two short steps to Hell his father had told him. Delilah was two steps all by herself.

Joseph and Nicholas were as different in temperament as water and fire. Nicholas was almost twelve, although small for his age, his love was sailing and watercraft of any kind interested him. He was neat and liked things in order. He wanted to be a ships captain some day and dreamed of going to sail.

While Joseph could swim and fish that was about all he wanted to do with water or boats, he was ten and tall for his age like his mother. He wanted badly to ride race horses for Lissa and he and Rafe raced ponies and pretended to be horses themselves. He was sloppy and careless and prefered rough and tumble games.

Nicholas had had it with Josephs ways when he came home and found his books and model boat he had carefully made from slivers of wood his father had cut for him tossed on the floor and broken.

"Joseph, do I bother your things?" Nicholas asked.

Nicholas started to lecture him for his careless ways. Joseph plugged his ears and said, "I hate you go die and eat worms!"

Jamie sighed, he wished he had a seperate room to put one of the boys in, but with Lucas and his two children there was not room.

"Maybe you should go live in the barn with the horses, oh wait they don't like pigs either."

"You boys better be packed and your ponies saddled Tristen will be here any moment and Lucas is already at the stable." Jamie said, thinking maybe Quentin could think of some way to handle the battle torn brothers. The only time they seemed to get along was when they were riding or fishing or playing with Richard or Rafe, both those boys seemed to instinctively know how to keep peace.