Edmund had been no less shocked by his friend's deceit and vile intentions. He had listened in stunned silence while Gabriel relayed all that Cassie had told him -- all that had happened. Then he retired quietly to his study.

She had nursed Jonathan before her bath, and now, needing the reassurance only the sight of her child could provide, she moved down the hall to check on him.

To her surprise, a candle still burned in Jonathan's room, casting a flickering triangle of light out into the hallway. The murmur of low voices reached her ears. A little uncertain, she hovered near the threshold.

"He resembles you greatly, you know."

Cassie caught her breath. It was Edmund. Turning slightly, she caught a glimpse of the mirror that hung on the opposite wall. Its reflection showed both Gabriel and Edmund bending over Jonathan's cradle.

Gabriel's voice came next. "I pray he does not have my temperament."

"Nor mine, for that matter."

A hint of dry laughter underscored Edmund's tone. Cassie hovered there, close enough to hear, but unseen by the pair inside.

"If he is lucky," Edmund added, "he will grow to be like his mother."

Cassie blinked. When Gabriel said nothing, she had the oddest sensation he was as startled by Edmund's observation as she.

But there was more.

"Do you know," Edmund said softly, "I was determined from the outset that she would be an outsider, so very determined I could never countenance a woman of her station, a Yankee yet! But as the weeks passed, I came to feel something I never thought to feel for her."

There was a small pause. "And what was that?" Gabriel asked slowly.

"Pride," he said quietly. "It's odd, really, for though she was afraid, she did not lack courage. Nor was she afraid to recognize her own mistakes, and she was not afraid to feel. And somehow -- somehow she made me see myself as I am."

In the hallway, Cassie pressed her back to the wall. She stuffed a fist in her mouth to keep from crying out. Her throat grew achingly tight. A heartrending relief poured through her. To think that she had gained Edmund's acceptance -- all that had once seemed so improbable, so impossible!

"Do you remember the night you brought her here? I recalled quite distinctly shouting at you that a change of gown would not make a lady of her." Edmund laughed, the sound dry and rusty, but a laugh nonetheless. "She was a lady already. And do you know, I do believe she shamed us both."

Edmund seemed to hesitate. His voice came haltingly. "You were right about your mother, Gabriel. I -- I did not love her as I should have -- as I could have, had I only tried. And I truly did not realize her death was no accident -- that she took her own life because of me. "His tone grew heavy. "I only wish you had told me years ago, though I understand why you did not."

Cassie's heart twisted. So Caroline had chosen to end her life! She had always suspected there was more to her death, and now she knew. But before the thought progressed further, Gabriel was speaking again.

"There is no need to --"

"There is every need, Gabriel. You cannot know the shame I bear when I think of how I treated her and how I treated you, my own son! I felt that your rebellion and defiance were your fault, not mine. But I know now that if you are hard, it's because it was I who made you that way. If you are stubborn it's because ... because you are my son. And I know now that ... you did not turn away. I -- I drove you away, Gabriel. With my own arrogance. My own selfishness and ignorance."

He paused. "I would have my son back, if only I could. I have made so many mistakes, mistakes I could never even begin to rectify." To Cassie's shock, there was a telltale unsteadiness in his voice, a catch that rent her heart in two. "I wish for you -- and yes, my grandson -- the one thing we never really had, Gabriel. A family and happiness. A bond of trust and love and commitment. I believe that with Cassie, you and Jonathan have that chance."

Cassie. It seemed such a small thing, but to Cassie it was everything. She swallowed a half-sob and shook her head, still disbelieving. Then she caught sight of Gabriel in the mirror. He held Jonathan against his shoulder, one big hand rubbing tiny circles over his back.

He was staring at his father, his expression solemnly intent. "You are not the man I once knew," he said quietly.

Edmund smiled slightly. "Nor are you."

For a moment, silence drifted. Cassie squeezed her eyes shut, and when she looked again, she beheld a most unexpected sight.

Gabriel placed his son gently in his father's arms.

"I think," he said softly, "it's time you got to know your grandson far better."

For Cassie, the simple, heartfelt scene was too much. Her eyes were streaming so that she could scarcely see. She walked quickly away before she discovered.

In her room, she wiped away her tears with the back of her hand. She had thought no good would come of this day.

She was wrong, thank God. For the breach between Gabriel and his father had finally ended ...

Perhaps it was time she healed the rift with her husband.

There had been no chance to speak with Gabriel alone tonight. But there was still so much left unsaid....

A rustle nearby snared her attention. She raised her head to find that Gabriel had just come through the connecting door between their rooms. Her heart caught painfully. Never had he been so handsome, with the candlelight flickering over the striking beauty of stark, masculine features.

Never had she loved him more.

"Gabriel, I -- I have something I must say to you. I should never have doubted you. I -- I don't know how I could have thought it possible that you would harm me. For what it's worth, I shall regret it forever ... and, oh, I know I do not deserve another chance, but I must know ... Do you truly want me to leave?" Unbidden, the question tumbled forth.

The tension spun out endlessly. Everything inside her was wound into a knot. It took an eternity before he answered.

His reply was so low she had to strain to hear. "If you are wise, you will, Cassie." He paused then said gently, "You need not worry. I will not take Jonathan from you, though it's my hope I can still see him. And I have told you -- I will provide for you -- always. You will never want for a thing."

Nothing, except you. He might well have struck a killing blow to the heart. There was an aching lump in her throat. How she found the courage to stand her ground, she did not know.

"That's not what I asked you." She hated the way her voice wobbled. "Do you want me to leave, Gabriel? Do you?"

She was just standing there, her slender shoulders shaking, silent tears sliding down her cheeks. Gabriel gazed across at her pale, beautiful face, knowing full well he deserved nothing from her. He had hurt her again, he realized ... he was always hurting her ...

He closed his eyes to shut out the sight of her tears. "No," he whispered. "Though God help me, I should. It's what's best for you."

"If it's not what you want, then why must I go? Oh, please, Gabriel, just tell me what you feel. Do not tell me what you think I want to hear. Do not withhold what you think I do not want to hear. Just -- tell me what's in your heart." Three tentative steps placed him within reach.

He opened his eyes then. A surge of emotion rose inside him, too powerful to contain, too powerful to deny.

"You are in my heart, Cassie ... You as no other ... only you. . .

For all the softness of his tone, he was fiercely intent ... Joy surged in her breast. Her eyes were suddenly shining. She placed her fingertips on his chest and gave a choked little cry.

"Gabriel --"

He threaded his fingers in her hair and tipped her head back. His gaze was exquisitely tender as it roved her features.

"I love you," he said quietly. "You are my lady, my bride ... my life."

It was all there in his eyes, in his voice, in the touch of his hands as they drew her close. A half-sob of sheer bliss escaped. "Oh, Gabriel, I love you, too ... I have for so long now! Oh, please, tell me again!" She was laughing, she was crying, and nothing had ever been so right.

"I love you," he said against her lips.

"Again." She begged shamelessly.

His arms tightened. "I love you ... God, how I love you!" he whispered, and then it was a very long time before either of them was able to speak again.

It was much later, as the moon brightened the night sky, that Cassie recalled what Gabriel had said only a few short days ago.

"Sometimes," he had whispered, "there comes a time to forget -- a time to start anew."

Cassie smiled That time was already here.

end.