Nick's Saga

Part 18

by nlindabrit

Disclaimer: The characters and situations of the TV program "Big Valley" are the creations of Four Star/Republic Pictures and have been used without permission. No copyright infringement is intended by the author. The ideas expressed in this story are copyrighted to the author.

Part 18A -- New Danger

(The Barkleys are all looking forward to Minnie Perlman's forthcoming party, but before then, Marric's primitive behaviour will shock Jarrod Barkley to the core and Adrienne Derval will be forced into a fearful confrontation.)

Victoria was still debating whether or not to call on Jarrod and Sarah when fortunately for her peace of mind, her daughter-in-law called at the ranch bringing Baby Jack along with her. Victoria welcomed them delightedly, taking Jack from Sarah's arms and exclaiming, "Ah here he is! My one and only grandchild."

She stopped guiltily, smiling at Sarah, "I suppose I have two more now in Marric and Audra-Jane."

"I suppose so," agreed Sarah cordially, "there is little Melissa too, she must have captured a corner of your heart, I know she has mine, she's very sweet."

"Indeed she is," said Victoria, leading the way into the warm living room and seating herself with the babe in her lap. Victoria smiled at Sarah, a trace of tension in her hazel eyes, "I noticed your escort, I'm glad you're being careful Darling."

Sarah nodded, four armed and vigilant Barkley hands had accompanied her, "Jarrod insisted, I can hardly blame him, I don't think we can relax until we know that this man, Chango is it? Until he is captured, we must be cautious."

"I agree, I try to keep an eye on the children but it's a nightmare. Marric can apparently come and go virtually invisibly, certainly I've never caught him yet! If he does manage to slip away, he roams far and wide, it scares me and all Nick does is laugh and tell me Marric can take care of himself!"

"Hasn't his dislocated knee slowed him down?"

"Not for long! The trouble is that little Melissa is an escape artist too. I find her wandering out of doors, having given her nurse the slip. She toddles off to the barn looking for her hero of course."

Sarah smiled, "she still adores Heath then?"

"Indeed she does and if I'm any judge, her mother feels much the same about him."

Sarah's smoky blue eyes widened slightly, "really? How does Heath feel about that I wonder?"

Victoria sighed, "I wish I knew," she admitted.

She looked doubtfully at Sarah and decided that if Sarah was unlikely to confide in her then she should perhaps confide in Sarah. "To tell you the truth, I'm worried sick about the situation, I've been longing to discuss it with you and Jarrod but I didn't want to intrude, I realize you've seen very little of each other, circumstances being as they are."

Sarah's intelligent eyes were swiftly veiled, but after a moment she relaxed her defences slightly, "I did take Jarrod to task for neglecting Jack and I," she admitted.

Victoria trod carefully, "Jarrod has always played the role of mentor in the family, ever since his father's death, I can understand if that is irksome at times."

Sarah smiled, "I'm something of a challenge for Jarrod, I value my independence and I appreciate his confidence in me, but I guess I enjoy being cherished as much as any woman."

Victoria asked a direct question, "is everything all right between you both?"

"Yes, I believe so, would you like to come to dinner and have a talk with us both? I'm sure Jarrod will want to help, we both will if we can."

Victoria sighed with relief, "I'd welcome the opportunity to talk to you both, but do come here for dinner, this house is bristling with extra help at the moment and you have enough to do with the baby."

Sarah was pleased, "I'd like that and so will Jarrod, we'll be happy to join you tonight."

Victoria visibly relaxed, "excellent, I'll have a lovely dinner prepared for you and afterward perhaps we can discuss my worries in private, just you, me and Jarrod."

* * * * * * * *

As they set out for the Barkley mansion that evening, Jarrod warned Sarah to wrap up well, the night had turned both chilly and wet, with a fierce crosswind, that promised to drench them both, despite the protective canopy on the buggy. Jarrod set the placid horse in motion and Sarah nestled close to him, uncomfortably aware that the fine misty rain was penetrating the hood of her evening cloak and wetting her long hair. She looked ruefully at Jarrod, "We had the chance to be host and hostess tonight, we could have saved ourselves a drenching."

Jarrod's charming smile glinted in the gloom, "no you have your hands full with motherhood as it is, I'm glad you had nothing to do this evening except make yourself even lovelier for me and may I say Mrs Barkley that you are looking exceptionally beautiful this evening."

"Thank you kind Sir."

Jarrod eased the horse back a little to let their escorting riders pass ahead on the narrow road. "Mother wasn't very specific about what's on her mind I gather?"

"No, not very, but she seems to think that Heath and Adrienne are attracted to one another, which I don't myself find at all surprising. Adri is a quiet, refined sort of girl, just the sort of young lady to appeal to Heath. He's never been one for pushy women."

Jarrod's lips twitched, "no, not a bit like me," he murmured drily.

"Watch it Counselor!" She paused then went on, " Jarrod, why do you think Nick is opposed to a relationship between Heath and Adrienne?"

"We don't know for sure that he is," objected Jarrod.

"Well it's what Victoria thinks and it fits with what you observed yourself when you raised the possibility with Nick."

"I don't know Sarah, it may just be that he thinks she's a little too young yet for a serious romance, or too vulnerable in view of all that's happened to her."

Jarrod drew the buggy up outside the big front door and jumped down to assist Sarah to alight. One of the escorting guards jumped in and gathered up the reins to take the buggy to the barn. It was only a few steps before Jarrod and Sarah were safely sheltering under the porch, but the rain was torrential now and even those few steps had drenched them both. Jarrod opened the door and stepped aside for Sarah to pass before him into the foyer.

* * * * * * * *

Marric had been sleeping badly again, his sleep fitful at best and once more punctuated by dreadful nightmares. Heath had insisted on taking turns with Nick to sit up with the boy and the story-telling sessions in the wee small hours had finished the process of bonding between uncle and new nephew, begun on the day Heath rescued Marric and tended his dislocated knee. Marric had loved his father's old fashioned tales of knights and dragons and he had loved Jarrod's true stories of Nick's brief career as a soldier. His new uncle's stories were also true and very varied.

On the first night that Heath had settled into an easy chair with Marric, warmly wrapped and snuggled comfortably in his arms, the rancher had asked the boy what kind of stories he wanted to be told.

"Tell about you, all about you and the adventures you had before you ever came here."

Heath had obliged and told Marric tales of mining camps and fishing boats and silver deputy's badges. Entranced, Marric had confided to Nick that Uncle Heath had led a very interesting life before he became a Barkley.

It was now some while since Marric had slept at all soundly and the continuing danger posed by Chango was making the boy anxious and edgy. He had not wanted to eat at the table tonight, or in fact eat at all, his appetite was still poor, despite Silas's ingenious efforts to tempt him. Nick wanted Marric to eat with them though and told the boy so, Marric as ever, wanted to please Nick and the fact that Uncle Jarrod was coming decided the matter. Just as Jarrod and Sarah came swiftly into the foyer escaping from the rain Marric was descending the stairs, freshly washed and dressed in a new white shirt and dark trousers.

As the boy reached the bottom of the stairs, lost in his own thoughts, Sarah had her back to him and Jarrod was helping her to remove her cloak. Her magnificent long hair was really a wonderful red-gold colour, but here in the comparative gloom of the foyer and darkened by the rain, it streamed down her back in a damp, dark tangle. Raising his head, still in his thoughtful reverie, Marric's green eyes rested on the wind-roughened dark tresses and with a shriek of pure unadulterated terror he launched himself at Sarah.

Before anyone could prevent him, Marric dragged his knife from its scabbard and slashed Sarah's arm open with brutal ferocity. Under the shocked gazes of most of the Barkley family, who had drifted into the foyer to welcome the arrivals, Sarah cried out in pain, then as she stared at her savaged arm, already streaming with blood, she swooned to the floor, half caught by her stunned husband as she fell.

Part 18B

The foyer was a babble of confusion and alarm, as shocked members of the family hastily collected themselves and tried to deal with this unexpected turn of events. Nick Barkley's mighty voice rang commandingly, "Marric!"

The boy stopped in his tracks, staring down at Sarah and his own bloody handiwork. In two swift strides, Nick was beside him, snatching the dripping knife from the boy's nerveless fingers and handing it to Heath, half a pace behind him.

Nick seized Marric by the shoulders and forced him to turn away from Sarah's inert form. Marric didn't resist but his eyes swivelled to rest on Sarah and his stunned Uncle Jarrod again. Nick shook the boy hard, "Marric? What is it Son?"

The boy's head turned to Nick, his eyes were totally stricken and tears poured down his face, his thin body convulsed with sobs and he was unable to answer the question. Nick's gaze met Heath's in an urgent plea for help, "I can't leave him, not for a second, if I do, he'll try to put another damned mask on himself, he'll probably kill himself!"

Heath nodded his understanding, "take him upstairs Nick, stay with him, I'll see to this."

Nick flashed Heath a heartfelt look of gratitude and scooped up Marric's rigid body, taking the stairs two at a time, he ran up to Marric's room and went in with his son, kicking the door shut behind him.

In the foyer Heath took charge, quietly telling Silas to send a man for the doctor, he moved to his mother's side and whispered that she and Audra should begin to prepare a room for the injured Sarah. Gathering her scattered wits, Victoria assented and swept Audra off with her up the stairs. Heath turned to the ashen faced Adrienne and gave her a reassuring smile, "I understand you're quite a nurse, can you help us to clean up this wound before the Doc gets here?"

Adri pulled herself together, "mais oui, I will fetch what may be needed, please bring her upstairs."

Heath turned to his brother, Jarrod was squatting on the floor, his wife in his arms and a look of horror on his face as his stricken gaze took in her pale unconscious face and the savagely slashed arm wound that was bleeding profusely, staining his tan coloured jacket and white dress shirt red with Sarah's blood. The normally urbane and pragmatic lawyer was a man in shock, unable to move or think, transfixed by this hideous recurrence of the worst day of his life.

For it had happened before, that terrible day up at Islas del Cielo, when the assassin's bullet meant for Jarrod had instead found Sarah, wounding her severely and triggering the premature birth of their daughter Martha. Sarah had survived but the baby had lived for only one short hour. Now it was happening again, she was unconscious in his arms again, her blood on him again! For the moment, he was so traumatized that he was powerless to help her.

Heath leaned down and laid a firm but gentle hand on his brother's shoulder, "Jarrod? We need to stop the bleeding quickly, I need you to help me with her."

Heath's calm, quiet tone had its effect and with a supreme effort of will Jarrod dragged his mind from the horror of that past remembrance and focused on the present disaster. He stood up shakily, with Sarah in his arms and followed Heath upstairs. Victoria met them on the landing and directed them into the guest room where Audra was hastily laying out clean white cloths beside a bowl of fresh water.

Jarrod laid Sarah on the bed and allowed Heath to draw him gently to one side to permit the women to do their work. Adrienne came softly in, carrying a tray which bore a pot of salve, a bottle of white powder and a smaller bottle of liquid on it, as well as a needle and thread. Victoria beckoned Adri to come to the head of the bed and took the tray from her. Adri sat beside her patient and began to staunch the blood with the cloths that Audra passed to her as she needed them. The wound was bleeding more sluggishly now and Adri concentrated on stemming the flow completely. She was a skilled nurse and Victoria let her work without interruption, assisted by Audra.

Victoria turned to her sons, "Heath, why don't you take Jarrod to Nick's room and give him some brandy, we'll be busy with Sarah for a little while."

"No!" snapped Jarrod. "I'm not leaving her, not for a second."

He moved to the far side of the bed and sat on the edge , looking down at his wife, his face a mask of distress. Victoria said quietly, "very well Darling, I'll go and get you some brandy myself."

She glided quietly from the room and Heath followed her out to the landing.

He put a gentle hand under her elbow, "are you all right Mother?"

"Yes, I'll be fine, it was just such a shock! I wonder what possessed Marric to do such a thing."

Heath shook his head, "I don't know, but I think I'd best help Nick find that out. The Doc should be here soon, will you and the girls be able to manage?"

"Yes Dear, do go and look in on Nick and Marric, we'll be fine. Adrienne knows what she's doing."

Heath began to move down the passage toward Marric's room, saying over his shoulder, "Mother, if you need any help with Jarrod, you holler."

Knocking quietly on the bedroom door, Heath opened it and went inside, closing the door behind him. Nick sat in the easy chair beside Marric's bed, the distraught boy in his lap, vainly trying to calm and pacify the struggling child. Marric was sobbing without restraint and trying to talk, but he was too upset to be making much sense. Nick cast a harassed glance at Heath and then turned his attention back to his distressed son, holding him tightly as the boy's thin but wiry body fought to break free.

Heath crossed the floor and squatted in front of the chair, putting his own hands on Marric's legs, trying as gently as possible to soothe the boy's desperate agony. Marric's struggles grew gradually less and he drew in deep racking breaths as the storm of weeping began to subside at last. He twisted in Nick's arms, his agonized green eyes pleading with his father as he whispered, "put...put a m...mask on me...do it now...hurry!"

Nick shook his head, "not a chance Soldier, that is never going to happen to you again!"

Marric's clenched fists beat on Nick's chest in a frenzy of helpless rage, "you have to, you have to, I'm a wolf! I'm a wolf and wolves have to be tamed!"

Nick shook him hard, "you are not a wolf, you're just a little boy, a little boy that needs help and love, and help and love are the only things you're going to get from me Marric!"

Marric twisted his hands in Nick's shirt front, "put the mask on, put the mask on," he sobbed and renewed his struggles to free himself from Nick's firm grip.

Nick spoke urgently to his brother, "there's a medicine, Adri has it, it calms him a little sometimes."

Heath stood up at once, "I'll get it."

He went swiftly back to the sick room and entered quietly, coming toward the bed. Sarah had regained her senses now and her left hand was held between both of Jarrod's. Adri had succeeded in stopping the bleeding and was examining the long gash in Sarah's right forearm before cleaning it thoroughly. In answer to Heath's quiet enquiry, she gave him the small bottle from the tray and whispered, "tell Nick he must only give the boy three drops in some water, no more than that."

"I will, thank you Adrienne."

Heath took the medicine straight back to Nick, who was still coping with Marric's hysterical struggles, but as Heath came toward father and son with the bottle, Marric's eyes suddenly rolled back in his head and his thin form went limp in Nick's embrace.

Nick sighed with relief, murmuring "thank God!"

He rose from the chair and laid the pathetic little figure down on the bed.

Heath came to stand beside his brother. "I know you told me he does this, just passes out, maybe it's for the best right now."

Nick ran a shaking hand through his hair, "I reckon so. He usually sleeps for a long time when this happens but I'll get him into bed and sit with him in case he wakes."

Heath nodded, "I'll take this bottle back to Adrienne, she may need it for Sarah."

"How is she?" asked Nick anxiously and Heath gripped his brother's shoulder comfortingly, "she'll be fine, Adri's tending her wound and the Doc'll be here soon."

"Nick shuddered, "My God Heath, did you see Jarrod's face?"

"I know Nick, I guess it was like reliving the shooting all over again."

Heath entered the sick room again and was surprised to find that Adrienne had already cleaned the wound. He gave her back the medicine and she smiled a shy thank you to him. Victoria had coaxed Jarrod into drinking a stiff measure of brandy and the lawyer's deathly pallor had gone now. He still sat holding his wife's hand, but the stricken horror was gone from his face and he was talking soothingly to Sarah.

Sarah glanced up at Heath, "Is Marric all right?" Her voice was a little faint but her eyes were alert.

"Darling that doesn't matter now," broke in Jarrod.

Sarah's voice was a trifle stronger as she squeezed his hand, "of course it matters Jarrod, how is he Heath?"

"He's passed out, should sleep now for quite a while. Nick's with him and the Doc can take a look at him after he's seen you," Heath assured her.

Sarah was satisfied and closed her eyes once more, fighting the wave of faintness that washed over her. Jarrod bent over her in alarm, "Sarah? Darling, what is it?"

Adrienne's small hand touched his arm, "try not to worry Jarrod, she has lost a considerable amount of blood and it is making her feel faint, but all will be well." Her soft, gentle voice sounded quietly confident and Jarrod was reassured, flashing her a grateful smile, he smoothed Sarah's still damp hair back from her forehead.

Adri's eyes sought Victoria's and the older woman came at once to her side.

"In cases such as this, it is a good thing to stitch up the wound as soon as possible, to prevent infection. I know the Doctor is coming, but I am willing to stitch it right now if you wish."

Victoria glanced at Heath and he nodded in answer to the silent question in her eyes. She nodded decisively to the younger woman,

"Yes Adri, please do, I know how skilled you are."

Heath stood for a minute watching the young woman's competent movements as she stitched the wound expertly closed. This girl was so sweet, so gentle and yet so capable. Heath felt a sense of shared experience with her, she had been forced by circumstances to grow up early and to rely only upon herself and so had he. Nick had not needed to point out to him that Adrienne had suffered, he had known it the moment he looked into the depth of her vulnerable eyes.

Heath meant what he had said to his brother, he would rather lose an arm than cause this girl a moment's pain. Nick seemed to think that his ward needed a breathing space, Heath had given his word he would respect that, he didn't intend to break the promise. With an effort he dragged his gaze from Adrienne, murmuring, "I'll see if the Doc's here yet."

He left the room without a backward glance, unaware that Victoria's pensive gaze followed him as he went.

Part 18C

In the foyer, Silas picked up the bloodstained knife from the table where Heath Barkley had laid it down. He wiped it and put it in his jacket pocket and proceeded to wipe up the blood from the floor where Sarah had lain. This done, he went into the Barkley kitchen to tell the cook that it would be much later, if at all, when the Barkleys might want dinner. He deposited Marric's knife in his own quarters, he would give it back to Nick Barkley when the opportunity offered. The old man came back into the foyer and sat on the straight back chair beside the big front door to await the arrival of the doctor.

Heath came down the stairs and crossed to the front door, he smiled at Silas, "you all right?"

"Sure I am, just a little shocked I guess, same as we all are."

Heath nodded, "Mother's family dinner hasn't quite turned out how she planned it has it?"

No Sir, it surely has not! Does anyone need me to do anything upstairs?"

"No Silas, it's all under control, you go on and get some rest, I'll let the Doc in."

"Very well," answered the old man rising and going slowly through to the back of the house, where his own quarters were situated.

"When a dripping Howard Merar arrived a short while later, Heath divested him of his wet coat and warmed the good doctor up with a generous measure of brandy before taking him up to the sick room. Doctor Merar inspected Adrienne's handiwork and professed himself satisfied, telling the blushing girl that she was an exceptional nurse. He smiled at Sarah, who was starting to regain her colour, "thanks to Miss Adrienne, this wound should leave hardly a trace of a scar, not like my big old stitches would!"

When Doctor Merar had examined Sarah and satisfied himself that there was no need for a blood transfusion, he recommended her to get a little sleep and then to eat something if she felt able. Leaving Sarah with Jarrod, Victoria, Adrienne and Audra went to their own rooms to change blood stained dresses, whilst Heath took Doctor Merar to Marric's room. The two men entered quietly and Nick rose softly from his chair beside the sleeping child's bed and came to meet them.

Merar asked a few low voiced questions and left some medicine for Nick to give the child when he awoke from his profound sleep. He ran concerned eyes over the two Barkley brothers as well, "you boys need to get some rest too by the look of you," he smiled.

Heath courteously invited the doctor to stay and eat with the family but he declined and after seeing him to his buggy Heath returned to Nick again.

"Want me to stay with Marric while you get a bite to eat Nick?"

Nick shook his head, "I don't want to leave him, not until I've gotten to the bottom of this, he might try to harm himself, he's done it before."

Heath nodded, "all right, I'll get us both something and bring it up here."

Nick managed a smile, "it feels good being home with you Heath, like I got my sidekick back."

"It feels like that to me too," smiled Heath and went softly out.

The evening meal was taken as a series of separate picnics that evening, Heath and Nick eating in Marric's room, Jarrod and Sarah in the guest room and Victoria, Audra and Adrienne in the nursery with the little ones. It had been agreed that Jarrod and Sarah were to stay the night, although Sarah had wanted to go home to her baby. Jarrod had insisted gently but firmly and she had given way.

Heath offered to spell Nick in keeping vigil at Marric's bedside and Nick agreed gratefully, taking the first watch himself and insisting Heath got some rest. Heath was glad to seek the solitude of his own room for a while, his thoughts were in turmoil and he needed a period of quiet reflection. He stretched out on his bed, hands behind his head and for the first time Heath acknowledged to himself an uneasy truth, he was falling very deeply in love with Adrienne Derval.

He had been strongly attracted to her on first meeting, almost presciently aware that she was the one, the person he could spend his life with. Every time he had seen her since then, her lovely presence had sunk deeper into his psyche, until she had taken a permanent hold on his heart. Heath wondered what the future held for him and for the lovely young ward of his brother. A resolve had been born within Heath, a resolve that had begun as a spark and which was now steadily growing into an ever brighter flame. The resolve to ask Adrienne Derval to be his wife.

Shortly after midnight, Heath took Nick's place watching over the still sleeping Marric and for the next four hours he sat silently by the little boy's bed, turning over in his mind the problems besetting the Barkley family. It seemed to Heath that the most urgent task was to hunt down the bandit Chango, who was a profound threat to them all until he was dealt with.

The need to prevent any recurrence of Marric's violent behaviour of the previous evening was fairly pressing too. Heath was determined to do his best to help with that. Marric's thin and mistreated little figure was pathetic enough to awaken anyone's sympathy but Heath, like his two older brothers before him had seen beneath that frail exterior to the underlying steel. This child was gallant and intelligent, he had survived a living hell for five long years and Heath was just as willing as Nick and Jarrod to help this boy recover from the damage done to him.

Heath's own affair of the heart would have to be thrust to the background for a time. For one thing, he had given Nick his word not to pursue a courtship and for another, the personal safety of Adrienne and her tiny daughter were paramount at this time. Heath smiled slightly in the gloom, well, he thought, if I can't court my chosen lady, I can damn well protect her and I will!

In the early dawn, Nick reappeared and before he could insist that Heath went back to bed for a while, the attention of both brothers was drawn to the bed as Marric stirred fitfully in his sleep and then awoke with a start. Nick sat on the bed, stroking the boy's hair and gently pressing him back against his pillows. Heath began to pour out the measure of medicine left by Howard Merar. Marric's green eyes were dulled by his long sleep and for a minute he lay quiet, then as remembrance returned, his eyes brimmed with tears and he whispered brokenly, "I hurt Sarah."

Nick gathered him up and wrapping him in a blanket, he held him in his lap, while Heath tilted the medicine down the boy's throat. Marric didn't want to take it, he was trying to talk to Nick and he choked slightly over the dose. Nick patted his back and Heath quietly asked Nick if he should leave. Nick shook his head, "please stay, help me with him," he said simply.

Heath drew up another chair and he and Nick waited for Marric to calm down a little. The boy was trying to talk and Nick and Heath soothed him sufficiently to enable him to dry his tears and explain himself.

"I'd been dreaming," said Marric sadly, "about the circus and...and Zelda, I was dreaming before I came down to dinner and I guess I was thinking about it...about Zelda. Then I was at the bottom of the stairs and...and I looked up and she was there!"

"You mean Sarah was there," asked Nick.

"No!" sobbed Marric, "not Sarah, Zelda!"

Heath was beginning to see the light, "Sarah had her back to him Nick, it was pretty dim in the foyer and Sarah's hair was real wet."

Nick nodded, "it would have looked a lot darker than it really is and it was wild from the wind too."

Marric was not sobbing now but long slow tears were rolling down his face, "I didn't mean to hurt Sarah, I just...thought she was Zelda, just for a moment."

Nick held him close, "I know, I'll explain it to Sarah, it was an accident and she'll understand."

Marric shook his head in despair, "I could have killed her, I...I'm not safe Patrone."

Nick looked helplessly at Heath and his brother intervened, gently taking Marric's chin in his hand, making Marric look at him.

"You've been badly treated Marric and it isn't something you can just leave behind you. It's going to take a long time for you to get well but you will get well, want to know why?"

The little fair head nodded and the green eyes were filled with hope.

Heath smiled, "because you have a family now, a family that will help you every step of the way. I can tell you that a good family can heal almost any hurt, and I know what I'm talking about."

Nick flashed Heath a grateful look and said gently to his son, "remember you said that you were lucky because you had three fathers, both your uncles and me?"

"Yes I remember."

"Well all three of us are going to help you, like your Uncle Heath just said, every step of the way."

The misery descended on Marric's face again and he shook his head, "Uncle Jarrod won't want to help me now," he whispered sadly, "Uncle Jarrod will never ever forgive me."

Part 18D

As soon as Victoria was up and dressed, she gave instructions to her groom Ciego and he swiftly hitched up a medium sized buggy and set off for Jarrod Barkley's elegant house, accompanied, as everyone on the ranch now was, by armed outriders. He was back in under an hour and well pleased with herself Victoria ordered a breakfast tray to be prepared for Sarah and Jarrod. When it was ready, Silas carefully carried it upstairs and Victoria preceded him, knocking on the bedroom door and entering with a smile.

Jarrod was already up and dressed and Sarah was sitting up in bed, brushing her hair. Husband and wife looked up as the door opened and what they saw brought a smile to both their faces. Victoria crossed to the bed and put baby Jack into his mother's arms.

"I sent Ciego over early, I hope you don't mind, I thought it might be nice for Jack to be reunited with you straight away."

Sarah cuddled her son, "it was a sweet thought Victoria, thank you."

Jarrod came to greet his son and flashed his mother a charming smile, "thank you Mother."

At the breakfast table, Nick explained Marric's actions to the ladies and was relieved when they both understood and freely forgave the child's behaviour. He grimaced at his mother, "I hope Jarrod and Sarah are as understanding. I'm not looking forward to telling them."

His mother took the hint, "leave it to me Nick."

When Jarrod and his little family came downstairs, Victoria poured coffee and told her son and Sarah exactly what Nick had told her.

Sarah was visibly relieved, "I was sure there must be an explanation, I certainly don't hold anything against that poor little boy, indeed I think it's miraculous that his personality isn't twisted beyond repair."

Victoria agreed, "he's a remarkable child and has already made a lot of progress, I'm just sorry that you were in the firing line last night."

Jarrod was rather silent and his mother looked searchingly at him, she was sure he too would be compassionate to Marric, but so far he had said nothing. He became aware of her eyes upon him and smiled ruefully at her.

"I don't blame the boy either, I'm just feeling a trifle guilty," he confessed.

Sarah was puzzled, "why should you feel guilty Jarrod?"

"Because my Darling, I suggested giving that knife to Marric in the first place, if I hadn't, perhaps you wouldn't have had your arm slashed last night."

Nick had entered in time to hear this remark, "that's poppycock Jarrod! You know as well as I do that he was always able to get his hands on a knife when he wanted one."

Jarrod had to laugh, "true enough Nick, I was forgetting that."

Nick said quietly, "the thing is folks, Marric's so ashamed he won't face either of you, he thinks what he did is unforgiveable."

The harassed rancher took Sarah's hands, "my new little son owes you an apology Sassy, but please accept mine for now."

Sarah shook her head. "There's no lasting harm done Nick and thanks to your capable ward I won't even have a scar to speak of." She looked at her husband, "you know Jarrod, I expect it's you that Marric is upset about, he bonded very well with you in Mexico, perhaps you should see if you can talk to him and bring him down to see me?"

Jarrod flashed her a look of love and gratitude, "bless you Darling, I'll do just that." Nick offered to accompany Marric but Jarrod declined, "it might be better if I talk to him alone Nick."

The lawyer went upstairs and was walking along the passage to Marric's room when the door opened and the boy came out onto the landing. He stood irresolute, afraid to meet Jarrod's eyes but looked up when Jarrod softly said his name. He was surprised to find that the lawyer did not wear a stern frown, only a friendly smile and he was holding out his arms.

"Come here Soldier," ordered Jarrod with firm gentleness.

Marric came to him at the run and was lifted into Jarrod's arms. He wrapped his arms around his uncle's neck sobbing out a disjointed apology and trying distractedly to explain.

Jarrod held him, softly comforting the child and gradually Marric grew calmer and listened as his uncle assured him that both he and Sarah understood what had occurred. Marric shyly consented to come downstairs and make his apologies to Sarah in person.

"Good Boy," approved Jarrod, "I'm proud of you."

He and Marric descended the stairs hand in hand and Marric stood in front of Sarah, crimson with shame, he begged her pardon with great earnestness and she made haste to assure him he was already forgiven.

Sarah was a perceptive woman and she had noted that Marric was always gentle with his sister and little Melissa. She beckoned the nursemaid who had just brought baby Jack downstairs and taking her child from his nurse Sarah held him out to a surprised Marric. She smiled encouragingly at the boy, "would you like to hold Jack for a minute Marric?"

He took Jack from her arms with exaggerated care and held him with great tenderness. The baby gurgled happily at Marric and the boy suddenly smiled, "oh he has Uncle Jarrod's blue eyes!"

Sarah smiled, "yes he does doesn't he."

When Jarrod drove his wife and baby home a little later she felt his gaze upon her and she smiled.

"What is it Jarrod?"

"That was a lovely thing you did, letting Marric hold Jack."

Sarah shrugged, "he's always gentle with animals and little children, there wasn't a risk you know."

"Maybe not, but it did the boy a power of good and I'm a lucky man."

"Lucky, why?"

Jarrod's smile glinted, "because I have a wife who is as clever as she is beautiful."

Part 18E

In the next few days, Nick and Heath Barkley did all they could to track the bandit Chango. Their men scoured the ranchlands and the surrounding country, searching in vain for any trace of the renegade. Jarrod enlisted the aid of the sheriff and hired extra men for his brothers. He also paid reliable Stockton citizens to form posses and a huge manhunt got under way.

Marric had been forbidden to wander far from the house and Nick told him flatly not to dare try hunting Chango down himself. The boy had promised he would not do so but he chafed under the restrictions on him. He knew these bandits a lot better than Nick suspected, for the evil Zelda had dealt with them on many occasions. Indeed she had bought the small blonde baby from them. The child she had intended to rear as a daughter, but of whom she had quickly tired.

Flinging the child against a wall in a frenzied rage, Zelda had smashed the tiny girl's legs beyond repair. This babe had a name now, she was Marric Barkley's precious sister Audra-Jane and her brother ached to be the cause of the capture of Chango. So he stealthily conducted his own search for the Yaqui and because he had greater knowledge of the renegade's ways, he it was who first spotted him.

Audra Barkley had been worried for some time about a party she had organized for her Sunday school class, she had intended a picnic on the grassy slopes of Sky meadow but it seemed unlikely her brothers would sanction this while Chango was still at large. Audra decided to consult her mother and Victoria made a sensible suggestion, "have the party here Dear, right here in the garden. I don't think Nick and Heath will raise any objections, they have what they describe as a ring of steel around the land surrounding this house and the road from Stockton and it extends to the land around Jarrod's house as well. They seem quite certain that this man couldn't penetrate it."

"I'm sure they're right Mother and thank you, it's a marvellous idea, I really didn't want to disappoint the children!"

The Barkley brothers were correct, not even a wily renegade like Chango could break into the security zone they had thrown around the people they loved. What they did not know was Chango had no need to try and break through the ring of steel, for he was already inside it. The bandit had gone to ground when the ‘Little Wolf' gave chase to him. He saw Marric tumble from his horse and injure his knee and saw his eventual rescue by the brother of ‘Patrone'.

Chango was developing a passionate hatred for Heath Barkley, he had been up at the logging camp with his close compadre Reno and he had silently watched from dark shadow as Heath's skillfully thrown knife had ended Reno's life. The two renegades were strangers to the concepts of friendship or love, but they had ridden together many years and had a certain rough loyalty between them. If Chango got the chance, Reno's death would not go unavenged. Besides, he nursed a more personal grudge against Heath, Jai had ordered the destruction of the Barkley log flume and Heath had prevented it.

Chango's reluctance to return to Mexico and report the failure to Jai, explained his continuing presence here in this closely guarded and dangerous place. He had remained in hiding near the Barkley mansion, covertly observing his enemies and hoping for an opportunity to salvage some sort of victory against the Barkleys. He hoped to do something, anything, detrimental or hurtful to the Barkleys, so that he could tell Jai and deflect his master's likely wrath. Jai was still in a Mexican army stockade, but his men had ways of communicating with their leader, at least the few still at large did. Chango knew that if Jai wanted to punish his failure, he could order his death from his cell with ease.

So he watched and waited for an opening, a chance to bring death, destruction or both on the Barkley family.

Adrienne professed herself willing to assist Audra with the children's party and it was settled that it would take place the day before Minnie Perlman's glittering soirée. All went well, there were trestle tables and benches set up, gaily decorated with coloured flags and paper streamers. There was plentiful food and each child had a little gift to unwrap as well. They ate and drank, sang and laughed. Games were played and competitions organized. Everyone had a wonderful time and since the vigilant ranch hands were all carefully watching the approaches to their security zone, there was no overt aura of protection to dampen the happy atmosphere.

Smilingly supervising the children alongside Audra and watching her own tiny daughter enjoy herself, Adrienne thought this was one of the pleasantest and most relaxed afternoons she had known in a long time. She scanned the throng of cheerful children milling about the garden and wondered where Marric had gone. She had gently compelled him to attend and he had done so, reluctantly at first. He had visibly relaxed as he got involved with the playing crowd of kids and soon was racing and yelling with the rest of the boys.

As Adrienne held a hand to shade her eyes from the sun, she began to be uneasy. Where had Marric got to? She wondered if she should tell anyone about his absence, she didn't want to get him in trouble but he was not allowed to roam at present and she feared his valiant spirit might lead him into danger. She owed too great a debt to Nick Barkley to stand idly by while his son put himself at risk and she resolved to raise the alarm about Marric immediately. As she continued to scan the horizon, she saw a flash of movement on the edge of a grove of trees at the end of the big garden and her blood froze as icy dread gripped her heart, paralysing her momentarily with it's cold ferocity.

* * * * * * * *

Marric had spotted Chango lurking in the fringe of trees that skirted the garden. The renegade was well concealed and totally motionless but Marric was a skilled observer, his vigilance had kept him alive in the nightmare that had been his early life and he discerned the outlaw's presence easily. For a moment he was unsure what to do next. He could tell Adrienne and Audra of course and his grandmother was in the house as well, she was a reliable person. But Marric knew Chango, knew also that there are truly evil people in this world. Chango was evil and Marric wondered what the bandit would do if he realized the alarm had been raised. Marric's cool, analytical brain reasoned that if Chango saw a flurry of activity and saw the children being hustled away he might break cover and if he did that, it stood to sense he would do so violently. Marric didn't want anyone to be hurt or killed by this man, what he wanted was for Chango to be dealt with, permanently.

In Marric Barkley's opinion, only one man was capable of eradicating the risk posed by a man so dangerous as Chango, that man was his adored adoptive father Nick Barkley. From the moment he had seen Nick ride through the gate of the hell on earth called Circus of Despair, Marric had known that here was a man of power and strength. Not since his hated grandfather long ago in Poland, had Marric seen a man who was so obviously a born leader.

Nick didn't know that Marric had seen him, Zelda had removed the dreadful mask for long enough to show the newcomer to Marric, whispering to him that the rider dressed in black, galloping through the camp scattering Zelda's men with his whip and bellowing his fury, was the devil himself come to eat Marric's liver. Then she had reclamped the torturing iron mask in place once more.

Marric had not believed Zelda, she was an evil witch and he loathed her. Despite his initial panic when Nick had removed his mask, a panic that had seen him bite deep into Nick's forearm, Marric had realized that Nick was to be his salvation not his doom. He had stood beside Nick's tall figure when Zelda had offered him the choice of leaving with her or staying. He had only hesitated for a second before slipping his hand in Nick's.

Watching Nick gently straighten his sister's broken limbs, Marric had admired the big man's gentleness. Here was a man as strong and as powerful as his grandfather but with a kind and gentle heart as well. Marric had edged closer and closer to the man he was already learning to depend upon and almost unconsciously he had laid a trusting hand on Nick Barkley's shoulder, he had felt the latent strength in Nick's muscular arm and had known with his prescient instinct that he was no longer alone and would never be alone again.

Marric's decision was made, if he tried to alert the guarding ranch hands or told the women to shepherd the children indoors, Chango would escape in the confusion. No, Marric knew he had to find Patrone and his uncles, they were all men in whom Marric had boundless faith, they would be able to finish Chango and then he could not threaten these good people any more. These are my people now, thought the boy, I must find Patrone!

Part 18F

Marric slipped unnoticed from the merry-making and saddling his fast pony, he used the cover of the big barn to leave the Barkley compound the back way. He rode away at speed in the direction of Jarrod Barkley's house, for that was the direction he had seen Nick and Heath ride in not an hour earlier. He was a superb young horseman and rode like the wind, bringing his pony to an abrupt halt in a spurt of dust just ten minutes later outside Jarrod's house.

Marric flung himself from the pony's back and burst unceremoniously into Jarrod and Sarah's elegant hall. He brushed past a startled man-servant and burst into the sunny parlour at the rear of the house where Sarah sat reading, her baby on a rug at her feet, kicking his fat little legs. At sight of him, Sarah had to beat down a sudden stab of fear, for his eyes were glittering with excitement and his expression was wild.

With a heroic effort of will, Sarah forced a smile to her face, "well that wasn't a very mannerly entrance Young Man, whatever's the matter."

"Sorry Sarah," panted Marric, "but I must see my father quickly, it's Chango, Sarah I've found him!"

Sarah's stomach twisted with dread, "oh God, your father and uncles are in the meadow on the South side of this house, I'll send a man for them."

Marric was already heading for the door, "I'll go, it'll be faster!"

"No! Nick wouldn't want you out there Marric, you have to stay here."

He turned desperate green eyes upon her, "there's no time! I have to go myself Sarah."

In her heart, she knew he was right but he was just a little boy! Sarah came to a rapid decision, "very well Marric but wait a moment."

Sarah hastened into her husband's study, returning in seconds with Jarrod's hunting knife. She pressed it into the boy's hands and their eyes met.

"I know your father took yours when I got hurt Marric," she said quietly and he flushed darkly.

"Sarah continued, "your Uncle Jarrod would want me to give you his knife now. Go and find them and for heaven's sake Darling, don't let that bandit hurt you, or I'll never forgive myself!"

* * * * * * * *

Frozen with despair and terror Adrienne Derval watched the furtive figure in the lee of the trees. She didn't doubt for a second that this was Chango and realized that the renegade had all this while been inside the protective barrier cast around the ranch by her guardian and his brothers. She was strangely calm now, because she was without hope, it was happening all over again, her worst nightmare was becoming reality.

With a supreme effort of will the girl began to gather to her as many of the children as were within reach and she quietly told them to run to the house and stay in the porch until she came to them. They were nice kids and to her relief, obeyed her without fuss or hysteria. With a thumping heart, Adri saw that Audra Barkley and two of the older girls in the class were moving toward the far end of the garden.

Adri didn't dare call to them, Chango would be alerted if she did that, so she moved towards Audra and the Potter girls who were eleven year old twins and Audra's chief admirers in class.

For a minute Adri believed that all would yet be well, for she was nearing Audra and the little girls and Chango remained unmoving in the shadow of the trees. To her sorrow though, just as she neared Audra, the Yaqui moved out from his lair, swift as a deer and seizing Audra Barkley's wrist in one hand, He grabbed the frightened twins by the backs of their pinafores in his other hand and stood facing the slender girl who obsessed the cruel mind of his master.

Chango's face split in a mirthless, bitter smile, "hola Chiquita, we meet again, do you remember me?"

"You are the one called Chango," answered Adrienne, she was surprised to find that her voice sounded calm and steady.

"Jai sends his love Chiquita," jeered the outlaw.

"Jai does not know the meaning of love," said Adri quietly.

"You'll find out Girl! When Jai escapes and comes for you, you'll find out."

Adrienne spoke in a soft defeated voice, "let my friend and the children go, I am ready to go with you."

Chango's laughter was ugly, "I have not come to take you anywhere, I wouldn't get half a mile from here with you in tow without getting caught or killed, you are perfectly safe Chiquita!"

Adrienne was puzzled, "then why are you here?"

"Jai gave Reno and me a job to do, destroying the big log flume up in the high country, your guardian's log flume. Thanks to another of these damn Barkleys, Reno is dead and our job is left undone. I need to take some good news back to Jai! So I figure to slit the throats of these kids here, that should make you real popular around here Mamzelle! This one," he indicated Audra by shaking her like a rat, "she is Patrone's little sister no? I will leave him her scalp."

With considerable courage, Audra kicked out at her captor and lashed at his face with raking finger nails. He had to release the Potter twins to get control of Audra again and the two little girls tried to flee to Adrienne's outstretched arms but were too scared to get very far, standing shivering and clinging to one another. In a flash, Chango had grabbed them again, throwing them to the ground at his feet and ordering them savagely not to move. Their terrified faces showed they would comply.

Chango forced Audra to her knees and reached for his big hunting knife, with his other hand he took Audra's long blonde hair in a cruel grip. Adrienne knew that she must act fast and as her mind tried desperately to find some way through this ordeal, the words of the renegade echoed in her brain. ‘You are perfectly safe Chiquita'. With a flash of insight Adri realized that this was true, Chango would never dare to hurt her, Jai would surely kill him if he did. Her thoughts flew back to earlier in the day when Silas had handed to her Marric's confiscated knife. She had intended to give it to Nick, but as yet she had not seen him, the knife was lying in her skirt pocket at this moment.

Deep within Adrienne derval something bared it's teeth and she drew the knife out and stood with it in her hand, "let my friend and the children go," she said quietly.

Chango laughed aloud, "you don't really think that you could hurt me with that little knife do you Girl?"

Adri shook her head, raising her hand until the blade of the knife lay against her own neck, "no, but I will hurt myself Chango, in fact unless you let these people go and ride away, I will kill myself."

The renegade's cruel eyes narrowed, "you're bluffing," he said flatly.

Adri pressed the cold blade against her throat and felt the warmth as a thin trickle of blood ran from the incision she had made.

"I am an honest woman Chango, I tell you truly that unless you ride away, I will do what I have threatened. My friends will take good care of my child and Jai has ruined my future anyway, don't make the mistake of thinking I will not take my life."

Part 18G

Adrienne could sense his indecision, he was powerless to hurt her, Jai would kill him if he did. Adri watched as he reasoned out that Jai would also kill him if he were to let her kill herself.

After what seemed an age, Chango at last reached his decision, the bandit flung Audra Barkley away from him, savagely kicking her in the stomach as he did so. He spoke to Adrienne in a voice of cold pure rage, "this is not over Girl, I will reckon with you and yours one day soon!"

Then he headed for the trees and seemed to melt away into the shadows. There was no sound of a horse, evidently he had tethered it some distance away.

Adri lowered the arm holding the knife and started to shiver uncontrollably, with a shaking hand she restored the knife to her pocket and moved to where poor Audra lay crumpled on the grass, struggling to breathe after the brutal kick she had been given. Adri managed to prop her friend up, letting Audra's torso rest against her shoulder and the two little girls wriggled across the grass, seeking the comfort of the two women's sheltering arms.

* * * * * * * *

It didn't take Marric long to find the Barkley brothers, they were sitting their horses on the ridge behind Jarrod's house and as soon as he spotted them, Marric spurred his pony toward them, calling to his father as he did so.

They heard his repeated cries of "Patrone, Patrone!" and all three turned their horses and rode to meet him. The boy wasted no time, pulling up his pony and gasping out, "Chango! He is in the garden, come quickly." The four riders spurred their mounts forward and were soon thundering down the well maintained road between Jarrod's home and the Barkley mansion.

As they reached the rear of the house, Victoria could be seen, ushering the Sunday school children into the safety of the house. She saw her sons approaching and gestured toward the far end of the garden. They wheeled to the right and galloped to the huddled group of figures on the grass near to the fringe of trees. Nick was first out of the saddle and he ran to Adri's side, tenderly taking Audra from her and holding his gasping sister in his arms, saying "Sis, easy Sis, I've got you."

Still in the saddle, Heath turned to Jarrod and said, "I'll warn the men." He galloped away through the trees. Jarrod dismounted and ordered Marric to go to the house and help his grandmother with the rest of the children. Marric looked mutinous but when Jarrod sternly repeated the order he rode back toward the house without further argument. Jarrod helped Adrienne to her feet and then squatted beside Nick and Audra, looking anxiously at his sister.

Nick's voice was reassuring, "she's breathing easier now, she'll be all right."

Jarrod held out his arms to the two pathetically frightened little girls and when he encouraged them gently, they came to him. He enfolded them in his arms and they clung to him, mute with shock and terror.

Adrienne stood alone, limp with reaction from her ordeal, she watched as Nick continued to cradle his sister, stroking her hair and soothing her in his most gentle voice. Jarrod was standing now, an arm about each of the Potter twins and he looked searchingly at Adrienne. "Are you all right Honey?"

She managed a feeble nod but was unable to control her voice enough to answer him in words.

Heath came riding swiftly back and dismounted, glancing at Nick and Audra, then at Jarrod. He said tersely to Jarrod, "I've got the men after him, I don't believe even he can break through our lines this time."

Jarrod nodded, "thank God things are no worse here."

Heath looked at his brother's ward, she was as pale as death and trembling pitifully. Audra was held in her brother's gentle embrace and Jarrod was tenderly soothing the two little girls. Heath was fighting an urge to offer some comfort to Adrienne, a gesture Nick was unlikely to approve of. Heath glanced at Nick and for a few seconds the eyes of the two brothers locked, then Heath turned to Adrienne and reached for her, drawing her unresisting body into his arms. He wrapped warm, comforting arms about her and as she melted into his embrace Adrienne felt all the tension and fear drain from her body. She clung to Heath, her tears wet against his shirt front as she sobbed out her reaction to the ordeal she had undergone.

Away to the West came a short sharp burst of gunfire and the three brothers exchanged glances. Nick stood up, with Audra in his arms and his hazel eyes fixed on Heath's face. Pulling herself together and gaining a shaky control over her tears, Adrienne gently disengaged herself from her protector. She gave him a tremulous travesty of a smile, "go and see," she ordered softly.

He started to argue but she laid a hand on his arm, "I'll be fine, all the better for knowing if the men got that...that monster."

Heath covered her hand with his own, smiling tenderly at the young woman he loved, "I'll be right back," he promised.

Turning from her, he vaulted into the saddle once more and rode away.

Jarrod spoke quietly to Nick, "let's get Audra indoors and see how badly she's hurt."

Nick had been staring at Adrienne, a rather grim frown on his face, but at Jarrod's words he jerked himself into action and strode away across the grass with his fair burden. Jarrod held the hands of the two little girls, "come along Darlings, come indoors with me and we'll have my mother check you over then I'm going to take you home to your parents."

Adrienne's soft brown eyes followed Heath's receding figure until he vanished from view, then she too turned and went slowly indoors.

By the time Heath returned to the house, Victoria had already left for Stockton with the Potter twins and an escort of armed Barkley hands for protection. She wanted to restore the twins to their parents personally and also to explain what had occurred. Abe Potter was the local apothecary and he and his wife Millie were old friends of Victoria's. She could only hope that they would understand and pardon the ordeal that had befallen their children, whilst they were in the care of the Barkleys.

When Heath came in to the foyer, Silas told him his brothers were in the living room, so Heath immediately joined them there. Jarrod poured Heath a drink and Nick looked searchingly at Heath, "well?" His tone was brusque but Heath appeared unruffled by it. For answer he tossed something to Nick, who caught it deftly. It was an amulet, complete with it's central black star, identical to the one taken from Reno up at the logging camp.

Nick looked grimly at Heath, "dead?"

"A dozen bullets in him," confirmed Heath and took the glass that Jarrod offered him.

"Good riddance," said Nick adding almost as an afterthought, "thanks Heath."

Heath changed the subject, "how's Sis doing?"

Jarrod answered him, "she's badly bruised and shocked of course, but there are no broken ribs or any other serious damage. Adrienne's looking after her."

Heath looked both his brothers in the eye, "I'd say Adri was pretty shocked too and needed some looking after herself," he said quietly.

"Looked like you were doing a pretty thorough job of that in the garden," snapped Nick.

Jarrod winced, waiting for the storm to break but Heath didn't reply, he drained his drink, setting the glass down on the table and with a murmured, "excuse me," he turned away from his brothers and went quickly upstairs to his own room.

Part 18H

Jarrod poured fresh drinks for himself and Nick and handed his brother a glass. "Nick you've never been a man to ignore what's right in front of you, it's as plain as day that Heath and Adri are sweet on each other, why deny it to yourself?"

Nick skirted this question, moodily sipping his drink and saying only, "Heath gave me his word he'd leave her alone and I'm holding him to it!"

"Yes I see that you are but why? Why make him give you that promise in the first place and why try to hold him to it when it's obvious he's deeply in love with her?"

Nick was not to be drawn, "I got my reasons," he growled.

Jarrod tried again, "Nick you told me when we were still in Mexico that your enforced absence from the ranch had made you realize just how important your partnership with Heath was to you, do you remember that conversation?"

"I remember."

"Well Nick, I don't know why you're dead set against Heath and Adri becoming a couple, I guess it's your own business, after all you are the girl's guardian, maybe you think she's too young, I don't know. But I warn you Nick, if you persist in this you're risking your partnership with your brother and I don't think you want that."

Nick shook his head exasperated, "dammit Jarrod, you don't understand, it's Heath I'm thinking of!"

At the top of the stairs, Adrienne, who had ministered to Audra and then left her to sleep, had listened silently to every word of the conversation between Nick and Jarrod. When she heard Nick's words, ‘it's Heath I'm thinking of' her eyes filled with tears and she sought the refuge of her own room to sob her heartbreak into her pillow. So now she knew the truth, Nick Barkley had treated her with great kindness and had even assumed legal guardianship of her, but he clearly didn't think her a worthy bride for his younger brother. In her distress, Adri forgot that Nick had offered her his own hand back in Mexico, she could see no other interpretation of her guardian's words, she was tainted, unsuitable, not good enough to become a member of the Barkley family. When confronting the renegade Chango, Adri had threatened to take her own life, now, in her misery she wished with all her heart that she was indeed dead.

Downstairs, Jarrod Barkley was beginning to see the light. He laid a gentle hand on his brother's shoulder, "Nick I think you and I need to talk, come and sit down over here."

From Nick's earliest days he had enjoyed a good relationship with Jarrod, the calm and pragmatic older brother had always been able to induce the more volatile Nick to confide in him and his wise counsels had served Nick well through the years. It was not hard now for Jarrod to persuade Nick to tell him all that was in his mind concerning Heath and Adrienne and Nick did so, while Jarrod listened intently.

By the time Victoria arrived home again, Jarrod had already left, anxious to put Sarah's mind at rest and give her a full account of the violent events in the garden.

Nick and Heath were nowhere to be seen so Victoria went directly upstairs to see her daughter. Peeping quietly around Audra's door, her mother could see that she was sleeping peacefully so she didn't disturb her, softly closing the door again and going to the nursery to look in on the children.

Little Audra-Jane was seated in Silas's lap as the old man patiently fed her spoonfuls of some wholesome broth he had prepared. Marric was playing with little Melissa and in answer to Victoria's enquiry, the nursemaid Trini informed her that she had not seen Adrienne all afternoon. Leaving the nursery, Victoria went along the passage to Adri's room and tapped on the door. There was a lengthy delay before the door was opened and one look at Adri's reddened eyes and woebegone face were enough to tell Victoria that her protégé had been crying her heart out.

The Barkley matriarch drew Adri into the room and sat with her, a maternal arm about the younger woman's shoulders. She coaxed Adri into telling her exactly what had upset her and she offered to talk to both Jarrod and Nick on Adri's behalf. This Adrienne vehemently begged her not to do and Victoria reluctantly agreed not to do so if her protégé was so against the idea. She made Adri lie down and covered her with the quilt, kissing her tenderly and telling her to try and sleep for a while.

Later that evening, Adrienne awoke from a fitful sleep and refreshed herself by washing her hands and face and tidying her hair. She had thought long and hard before sleep claimed her and had tentatively decided what she must do. She emerged cautiously from her bedroom and went along to the end of the landing and tapped on the door of Heath Barkley's room. She heard his voice call "come in" and she opened the door, entered and shut it again behind her.

Heath had been lying stretched out on his bed but as he saw who his visitor was he came instantly to his feet.

Adrienne shyly said, "forgive the intrusion Heath, but I must speak with you."

Heath's voice was quiet but firm, "this not a good idea Adri, Nick would have a fit if he knew you were in here."

Her head reared defiantly, "I just wanted to thank you for...for comforting me in the garden earlier, it was a kind thing to do."

He was too honest to dissemble, "there was nothing kind about it, I've been fighting the urge to take you in my arms since you got here."

A faint tremulous smile curved her lips, "I...I thought you felt...as I felt, but you made no attempt to get to know me better, so I assumed I was wrong."

Heath turned away from her, "no, you weren't wrong, but I gave my word to Nick that I would leave you alone. Keeping that promise has been getting more difficult every day."

She sat rather wearily on the chair beside his writing desk, "why did Nick ask such a promise, did he tell you?"

"Not exactly, but he said you had been through a lot and that you needed a breathing space, I guess he's right about that."

Adrienne's head drooped, "if you had not given your word to your brother, what then?"

Heath turned back to her and took her cold hand in his, "at first I thought there was too great a difference in our ages, after all, I'm ten years older than you."

"Only nine," Adri objected.

Heath knelt beside her chair, "all right nine then, it seemed a lot, but as I got to know you, I realized that what you've been through has made you wise beyond your years."

Adri's clear gaze searched his face, "I love you Heath," she said simply. "I began to do so the minute I saw you for the first time and my love for you has just grown stronger ever since."

He was troubled, "I think you know I love you too Adrienne, but I don't want to take advantage, Nick's right, you probably do need a breathing space."

Her glossy head dipped and her long hair spilled over their hands, "It...isn't me Nick is thinking of," she said sadly, "I heard him tell Jarrod, he said it's you he's concerned for."

Heath shook his head, "I don't understand."

She tried to explain, " I am not...not pure, not good enough for a Barkley."

"That's nonsense Adri, I won't believe that Nick thinks like that, I know him better."

She squeezed his hand beseechingly, "I thought perhaps you could talk with him, try to make him understand. I do not want to be torn apart by my love for you and my obedience to my guardian's wishes."

Heath stood up, "all right, I'll talk to Nick, maybe not tonight though, it's been quite a day. Perhaps before Minnie's party tomorrow."

Adri stood and leaning forward shyly kissed Heath's cheek, "bien, I will leave it to you then."

He smiled, "now will you please get out of here before Nick murders us both!"

Adrienne did as Heath asked and stealthily left his room to return to her own. As she sat before her dressing table mirror, brushing her dark, silky hair, she could scarcely believe her own actions. Had she really gone up to Heath Barkley, bold as brass and declared her love for him? She knew that she had done so, but could hardly credit that she had found the courage to do it. She searched her heart and knew that she did not regret her forwardness, whatever happened now, she had told him she loved him and that fact gave her a strange inner contentment. A contentment made all the more complete by the knowledge that he loved her too. With an almost painful eagerness, Adrienne looked forward to the Perlman party on the morrow, for good or ill, her fate would surely be decided after that.

Continued…