Changing Tides

Changing Tides – Prologue

Audrey opened the letter that arrived from Barbados that morning and read it to herself.
"Audrey,

You have no idea how terrible things have gotten over here for me. Corey is completely unreachable, and I'm afraid that our marriage is about to break apart irreparably. I need you here with me more than anything right now. Besides, you haven't seen the twins since they were born, and they are both getting so big right now. They would love it more than anything if you would be here for their first birthday next month. Please consider this invitation seriously, we miss you.

Victoria."

Audrey put the letter down and thought to herself for a few moments. Could Corey and Victoria truly fall out of love? It sounded impossible. The last time she saw them they couldn't have been happier. She mentally pondered what could possibly have gone wrong. She couldn't think of a single thing, so she decided to give up before she wore herself out. However, she decided that she would book passage on the next ship out there. She was never one to abandon a friend in need. Victoria was definitely a friend in need at this moment.

Changing Tides - Part One

Audrey leaned over the rail of the ship, looking out at the endless expanse of ocean in front of her. The waters were so blue out here, she had forgotten just how blue. She inhaled deeply, reveling in the pure cleanness of it. She would never tire of coming out here, and she envied Victoria for being able to live in it.
"Don't fall in," a voice sounded from behind her. She turned to see who had broken into her private thoughts. "Sharks out here, wouldn't want to lose a girl as pretty as you." The stranger flashed a grin meant to disarm.
Audrey, however, was unaffected. The man was shabbily dressed, a sharp contrast to her. She was extremely friendly by nature, but she saw this man as one of the lowlifes only trying to better themselves by taking advantage of innocent noblewomen. She couldn't tolerate men like that, not for a second. "Excuse me," she said simply, and left the deck.
That night at dinner she sat down at her usual table and waited for her food to arrive. She was graced with something else, however. "Well, well. We meet again, My Lady. How fair you this evening?"
Audrey made a face to show her disgust, but she refused to be rude to the man, no matter how much of a bounder he was. "I'm quite fine, thank you. And yourself?"
"I'm fine." Again, he flashed his smile. Audrey was taken aback when she noticed his eyes. The most stunning shade of blue she had ever seen. They rivaled the blue of the sea they were sailing on. "What are you staring at?" he asked nonchalantly.
Audrey felt her cheeks flame, and knew that he had purposely caused it. Had she really been staring? It was hardly her fault, if she had been. He had the build of an English lord, yet the clothes of a common scoundrel, and manners to match the clothes. His shoulders were the widest she had ever seen. He towered over her in height. All in all, he was the perfect example of a male specimen.
"You're staring again," he commented. He laughed when she turned from him in response. "What is your name?" he asked when the laughter had subsided.
"That is none of your business," she shot back at him.
"Ah, well, my name is Percieval, in case you were wondering."
Audrey stood up, "No, I wasn't wondering what your name was. I was wondering, however, how much longer I was going to be able to stand your impertinence. I believe that you have stretched that limit about as far as it can go. Good day." She proceeded to leave the table and retreat into her cabin for the night.
Just then a waiter came up to the table. "Can I interest you in anything, My Lord?"
"Yes," Percieval answered. "Your finest wine." He handed more than enough money for a dozen bottles of wine to the waiter and told him to keep the change. He was inheriting an entire new estate; he could afford to spend money so frivolously. He smiled to himself, mentally calculating how long it would take him to win over the mysterious lady. He was truly intrigued by her, and wasn't about to let her go without a fight.

Changing Tides - Part Two

Audrey stepped off of the ship, and was immediately embraced by Victoria. "I'm so glad you could come," Victoria greeted her. "Corey had to take care of some things back at the plantation, but he told me to give you his best. He'll be at dinner this evening, I'm sure."
"Victoria," Audrey said in shock, "You're getting so...big!"
Victoria smiled, "And I should be. I'm about 8 months into my term." Just then, her other two came toddling over to where they were.
Audrey bent to pick them up, one in each arm. "And how are my two favorite kids?" The twins grinned up at her. "Would you like to see what I've brought you from London?" The grins became even wider.
"Audrey, really. Those two are spoiled enough as it is. You shouldn't have brought them anything."
"Hush, Victoria, they are my Godchildren and I will spoil them all I like." Victoria rolled her eyes and didn't attempt to fight, she knew that she would never win.
It was only a few short miles, so they decided to send Audrey's luggage ahead in the carriage and walk back to the plantation. The walk was quiet at first. No one said anything for a long time; even the twins seemed to stop making noise. Finally Victoria broke the silence.
"I just don't know what to do, Audrey. This," she pointed to her bulging stomach," happened because we both came home from a party a little bit in the tipsy side. He hasn't even looked at me since the twins were born. He's become so distant now. I used to always know what he was thinking, now..." She sighed. "I can't seem to reach him. He's been so preoccupied with the plantation, and I'm always tending to Jessica and Joshua for one reason or another. Sometimes I wonder if I made to wrong choice in coming back."
"Don't ever say that," Audrey chastised. "You love him, and I'm sure he loves you. He's given you two wonderful children and another on the way. Maybe he is a little preoccupied, and you are busy with twins in the house, but it's a sacrifice that a year ago you were both willing to make. He was so happy when he found out your were pregnant,"
"And that changed the minute they were born," Victoria interrupted. "He never plays with them. He barely even acknowledges them. You know, Joshua said 'Daddy' for the first time last month. You think Corey would care, or at least give him some attention. Do you know what he did?"
"What?"
"He picked up Joshua, carried him to where I was sitting and told me to keep 'that baby' away from his desk while he was trying to work. I don't know what to do."
Audrey hugged her friend, mentally noting that she was going to burn Corey's ears when she saw him next. In an effort to cheer up Victoria at least a little bit, Audrey told her about the boat trip over.
"I met the most interesting man," Audrey commented.
"Did you? Is he English?"
"He appeared to be, but the sort you don't want to get tangled up with. It was very strange. He had the build of a nobleman, yet the clothes and manners of an outlaw."
Victoria's eyes widened, "You don't think that,"
"Oh of course not," she laughed. "He was very forward, and had no respect for the nobility. He struck me as the type who are trying to better themselves in life by tricking young girls into thinking they have fallen in love with them and then marrying and taking all of the innocent girls' money. Quite scandalous if you ask me. I tried being nice to him, truly I did. But finally, I couldn't stand his forwardness any longer, so I left the table and didn't see him again for the rest of the trip." Audrey caught Victoria laughing, "What, might I ask, is so funny?"
"You," Victoria answered. "That's exactly the way I saw Corey when he first arrived. You're hooked."
"I am not," Audrey vehemently protested.
"Oh yes you are. You just wait, Audrey, you'll see." Now it was Victoria who had an all too knowing grin on her face.
The two didn't talk for the rest of the walk home, but it was a comfortable silence. They were on the beach, Victoria holding Joshua on her shoulders, and Audrey holding Jessica in the same fashion. They made quite a scene, with Audrey in her gown straight from Paris and Victoria in a dress that barely covered her knees, and none of her shoulder, both of them juggling a one-year-old.

Canging Tides - Part Three

Audrey, Victoria, Jessica, Joshua, and Corey sat down to dinner that night outside. The stars were already out and Audrey was stunned by their magnificence. "I can't get used to seeing them," she said breathlessly. "The sky is so clear out here."
"Yes, it is," Victoria smiled. "I'm just glad that I'm here to see it every night. London just can't compete with Barbados as far as I'm concerned. And now that slavery has been legally abolished here, I can't imagine a more perfect place. Don't you agree, Corey?"
"Yeah," he said absently. He wasn't paying attention to the conversation, and both girls knew it. They could have asked him to agree to almost anything, and he would have. "I'm going to go out and take one last ride around the plantation."
"Corey, you just got back from riding around."
"Well, I want to ride one more time, is that OK with you?" He looked at Victoria as if daring her to tell him it wasn't. At her silence, he got up from the table and started toward the stables.
"Excuse me for a moment," she said to Audrey, and started after her husband.
Audrey looked back and forth between the twins. They seemed like very happy children. She realized just how meaningful the saying "Ignorance is Bliss" was. She wished for a moment to be back in an earlier time in her life, back when...food-fights between her and her siblings were common things when their parents left the table. She began to relive one of those fights in particular. In the middle of her reverie, she realized something. This memory was much too vivid. She opened her eyes, and her jaw dropped, at the sight of food being thrown between the twins. Neither of them was strong enough to get the food more than a foot or two, but it was definitely being thrown across the table at each other.
"Stop it you two," Audrey demanded. They looked at her and laughed as they began throwing with much more gusto. "Jessica Lynne, Joshua James, you stop throwing food this instant." It was at that moment that Joshua decided to turn his attack from his sister to Audrey, who was hit squarely with a fistful of some tropical fruit.
Audrey didn't know how to react. She gave Victoria a great deal of respect for being able to deal with these two on a daily basis. Her missing them had muddled the memories she had. They quickly came back however, and she remembered just how much trouble they caused together, and they were only six months old the last time she had seen them. "Ok, Joshua, you want to play like that? I can play this little game too." Audrey then picked up a handful of the same thing Joshua had thrown at her, and threw it right back at him. Jessica started laughing and Audrey did the same to her. "You want some too, Miss Jessica?" The three threw food back and forth until there was nothing edible left on the table. As in on cue, that was wen Victoria and Corey walked back to the table.
Victoria gasped and looked at Corey, praying he wouldn't be angry. She could clearly see that he was. She moved her vision from Corey to Audrey who was completely covered in everything that had been on the table; her dress was completely ruined. Jessica and Joshua were also covered in a mixture of everything on the table. The table itself was covered in that same mixture.
Audrey looked at Victoria and meekly stated, "You don't have to worry about finishing any leftovers."
Victoria got the most insane urge to laugh. Audrey looking as guilty as the twins, Corey looking as though he wanted to murder, and the pure innocence of it all was just too much for her. She started laughing.
The twins then took suit after their mother. They didn't know what they were laughing at, but if their mother laughed at it, it was worthy of laughter.
Corey then started laughing. Victoria looked at him in shock, which only made him laugh harder. The only one who wasn't laughing was Audrey. "My dress is ruined, I've acted no better than a one year old. I see nothing funny about this, Victoria. Stop it. It's not funny."
Corey picked up a handful of the mess and launched it at Audrey. Audrey, who was now very upset, picked up a handful and threw it at him. He immediately stopped laughing, but now Audrey had joined. Victoria was nearly doubled over in laughter. Corey then picked her up and sat her on the table. Her laughter immediately ceased. Corey's however, joined Audrey's. Before long, the three adults were throwing food back and forth. Mostly Audrey and Victoria joining forces against Corey.
After an hour or so, Victoria put the twins to bed and went to bed herself. Audrey followed soon after. Corey, however, stayed up until after Victoria was asleep, as he did almost every night.

Changing Tides - Part Four

Victoria sat back sipping her ice cold drink and watching the twins play at the edge of the water. She turned to Audrey. "Did I mention we're having a dinner guest tonight? Someone has finally taken possession of that plantation about five miles away and Corey is going to help him run it. He's coming to dinner tonight to discuss the most important things." She rolled her eyes. "It's going to be very dull. You have never truly heard dull until you have heard two men talk about their plantations. It's the most boring thing you have ever in your lifetime experienced.
Audrey rolled her eyes. "If it's anything like when Papa would talk about assets, there's no need to explain.
That's exactly what it's like," Victoria stated. "And a whole lot more too. You get to hear all about the planting seasons, and the production of sugar and rum, and lots of other things you don't want to know. I've heard the speeches so many times, I believe I have them memorized."
"Victoria," Audrey laughed, "Surely you haven't heard them that many times."
Victoria looked at Audrey and smiled, "The most important thing to remember when planting crops is what you're planting, what time of year you are planting it, and where in your plantation you have made room for it. In planning what to plant, you need to keep in mind what you are going to do with it, whether you sell it raw or make something out of it. If you are planning to do something with it, you need to keep in mind what other materials you are going to need, whether they are more crops, machinery or labor. There are many other factors than the obvious ones when it comes to running a plantation."
Audrey was near tears with laughter. "Victoria, you truly have memorized it. How many times has Corey put you through that speech?"
"More than I'd like to remember," she replied. "It seems that when he gets even half a chance, he just jumps into that lecture. I think it's the only thing he truly knows about this plantation," she said mock seriously.
"Don't be mean, Victoria, Corey is brilliant when it comes to this place. He lost over half of his work force and he's producing even more now than before. That takes more than just a little brain power."
She sighed, "I suppose. I just wish he would spend half as much time thinking about me."
"Can't get it off of your mind?" Audrey asked.
"No. I mean, I would really like to, but it's always there. Sometimes I'll not think about it, for just a little while, but that's all it lasts. There is always something or someone to remind me of the problem." Victoria desperately wanted to change the subject. "Look at how low the sun has gone."
Audrey stared out over the ocean at the setting sun. "What of it?"
"It's getting late," Victoria stated, "It looks to be around five o'clock. We had better start heading back. Jessica! Joshua! Come see Mommy. We need to go back now."
Audrey stared at her friend in amazement. "You mean to tell me you've learned to tell the time from the sun?"
Victoria smiled at her friend; "It's much more convenient this way." Both Victoria and Audrey stooped to pick up one of the twins. They headed back to the house so that they could ready themselves for the dinner they were to share with the stranger that was to become Victoria's neighbor.

Changing Tides - Part Five

Victoria walked into Audrey's room to see if she was ready to come down. "Oh Audrey, I simply love that dress. Where did you get it?"
Audrey looked at the ice-blue gown she was wearing and didn't think anything particularly special about it. "It's something I bought while I was in Paris last. It's nothing too special. The color is what drew me to it. It's the oddest shade of blue I have ever seen."
"I can agree with you on that account," Victoria stated. "But it's very lovely. Clothes like that just aren't practical out here. It gets so hot; I'd surely fry in something like that. I have one or two gowns still," she stated while looking her own dress up and down in the mirror, "but for the most part, I just have those scanty little things. At first I was horrified, I couldn't believe that women truly wore things like that on a regular basis, but they are really very comfortable. This dress seems very stifling at the moment," she commented," and it's very light by London's standards. I don't think I could ever go back there, just because of the clothes." The two friends laughed, and got up to go down stairs. They could hear Corey talking to someone. "I suppose our mystery guest is here," Victoria said.
"Ah, here is my lovely wife. Victoria, this is Percieval. Percieval, this is my Victoria."
Audrey stopped in the middle of the stairs. She couldn't yet see who the guest was, but she heard the name very clearly. It couldn't have been the same Percieval from the ship, could it? His voice cleared all doubt from her mind.
"A lovelier woman I have yet to see," Percieval stated.
"Thank you," came Corey's aggravated voice. "She is quite lovely, isn't she?"
"That's why he married me," Victoria laughed. There was an undertone, however, that implied that maybe she wasn't joking.
And such a charming creature she is too," Corey commented in a tone that Victoria recognized as his warning tone to her. "Where is Audrey, Darling?" He asked while smiling down at her
Victoria plastered a fake smile on her face as she replied, "I don't know, she was right behind me when I came down."
"Well then, I suggest you find her."
"Yes, I shall." Victoria swept away from the men and began ascending the stairs. She spotted Audrey right away. "What are you doing?" Victoria asked.
"That man," Audrey stammered, "he's…
He's Percieval, the man who owns the plantation next to ours."
"He's the man from the ship!"
Victoria's eyes widened. "He's the man from the ship? He can't be. There is no way you could mistake him for a bounder. He's every inch a London gentleman. He's dressed like one, he speaks like one, and he even carries himself like one. Audrey, how could you be so wrong about someone, it's not like you at all."
"I know," Audrey stated. "But the fact remains that I snubbed him, and very rudely. I can't possibly go out there and dine with him, I just can't."
You have to," Victoria insisted. "You don't want to see Corey angry, you truly don't. He's already upset about something, what I couldn't tell you, but it is something, and I don't want you to aggravate him anymore. Pretend you've never seen him before. It may work."
Yes, and he also may keel over right now and pass on to the hereafter, but it's not going to happen. Victoria I can't."
"Audrey you can, and you have to."
"What are you ladies talking about?"
Both women turned to the gentleman intruding on their conversation. Audrey looked at him and prayed he wouldn't recognize her. She had no such luck
"Well, if it isn't the vixen from the ship. And how fair you this evening?"
Audrey turned ten shades of red. "I'm quite fine, thank you, and yourself?" She meekly asked.
"I'm doing well myself. Except for this one thing. You see, I met this woman, who was supposedly of the nobility, who treated me as though I were a common criminal, when all I wanted was a dinner with her. What do you suppose she would say were she to find out that I wasn't such a common criminal after all?"
"Well," Audrey began, "I suppose she would humbly ask for your forgiveness, and then offer to sit next to you at dinner."
"Well, that sounds reasonable enough," Percieval agreed
"But I wasn't finished," Audrey stated. "You see, that would only be after she had scolded you for calling her a 'Vixen'." Audrey placed a sugary sweet smile on her face
Touché," Percieval said. He then offered his arm to her and they began to walk to the dining room together. Victoria began to follow, but it was at the moment that Jessica came down the stairs crying
What's wrong, Honey?" Victoria asked her daughter as she stooped to the ground.
"Nightmare." Jessica stated incoherently
Victoria looked over at Audrey and Percieval who had stopped to wait for her at told them, "I'll be in there in a few moments, I need to put her back to bed." Victoria then picked up Jessica and began to carry her back to her room.
Audrey and Percieval walked into the dining room and Corey asked, "Where's Victoria?" in a very gruff tone.
"Jessica came downstairs because she had a nightmare. Victoria went to calm her down and put her back to bed. She'll be in here in a few moments."
"She spoils those children," Corey stated disapprovingly
Audrey opened her mouth to say something to him, but felt Percieval tighten his grip on her arm, as if guessing what she was going to do and warning her not to do it. Audrey shut her mouth again, without saying a word

.Changing Tides – Part Six

Audrey looked at the stony faces around her. Corey was angry with Victoria for "spoiling the kids", and Victoria could sense Corey's anger and therefore didn't say anything to provoke him any farther. Audrey grew more and more angry with Corey. He had changed Victoria more than he would ever know; she hated him in that moment more than she had ever hated anyone. She moved her gaze over to Percieval who seemed completely oblivious to the tension around him. He went on eating as if nothing were going on around him. He couldn't truly be that blind, could he?
"What's the trouble with everyone tonight?" Corey demanded. His booming voice came so suddenly, that everyone visibly jumped.
"Nothing's troubling me. Is anything troubling you, Audrey?"
"Not a thing," Audrey replied. "Is anything troubling you, Percieval?"
"Nothing I can think of," he stated. "What about you, Corey? What's troubling you?"
Corey stood up. "I'll tell you what's troubling me. I have a wife who cares more about coddling her children needlessly than she does about her marriage that's falling apart. I have a plantation that no one seems to care about except for me, and therefore it's going under. And now I have to contend with all of these people asking what's wrong with my life. That is what's wrong with my life." He stormed from the room.
"I'm sorry," Percieval said to Victoria with utter remorse in his voice.
"It wasn't your fault," she whispered. "He's been tense all week, I've been waiting for him to explode like that. I'm just sorry any of you had to see it."
Audrey got up and wordlessly left the room. She went into Corey's study, without knocking, and shut and locked the door behind her. "Who do you think you are?" Corey demanded when he turned to see her in the room.
"I could ask you that same question," she said icily. "What was that just now? A temper tantrum? You say that your children are spoiled, well you're the most spoiled out of anyone under this roof. You acted like a child; worse than a child. I can't believe you are the same man that stole my best friend's heart. You've changed so that no one recognizes you, Corey, even Victoria is having a hard time seeing you as the man she married."
"I've changed?" He nearly screamed. "It's your friend who has changed, Audrey. Don't let her fool you. From the minute those children were born she hasn't given me the time of day. I would plan a day, just the two of us, but something with the children would always come up. I've just stopped trying. She is the one who strained this marriage this badly, not me. I tried to fix it, but I gave up when I realized that those brats would always win out when it came down to me or them."
Audrey stared open mouthed at him. "Those brats? Those brats happen to be your children. Your flesh and blood. Your heirs. It's no wonder Victoria won't give you the time of day. You don't deserve it. I've never see a man so jealous of his own two children," Corey opened his mouth to protest, but Audrey cut him off. "Yes, Corey, you are so jealous of your two kids that you aren't even seeing straight anymore. Did it ever occur to you that babies need their mother when they are small? Did it ever occur to you to take the children with you on one of your little daylong excursions? No," Audrey answered for him, "it didn't."
"I am not jealous of my twins," Corey protested.
"Yes you are. You know, and I know it. Why you're punishing Victoria for this, I really couldn't tell you. Maybe you can tell me. Do you know how many times she's come to me crying because of you? Even in just the past two days. Would you like to take a guess? The numbers are larger than you'd think. She loves you, Corey." Audrey then walked out of the room, and back into the dining room. She smiled reassuringly at Victoria, and took her seat again.
A few moments later Corey walked back into the room. He sat back down at his seat and apologized for his outburst. He then turned to Percieval. "You said you wanted my help, and that's why you are here for this dinner tonight. Well, for starters, this is what I believe you need to know. The most important thing to remember when planting crops is what you're planting, what time of year you are planting it, and where in your plantation you have made room for it. In planning what to plant, you need to keep in mind what you are going to do with it, whether you sell it raw or make something out of it. If you are planning to do something with it, you need to keep in mind what other materials you are going to need, whether they are more crops, machinery or labor. There are many other factors than the obvious ones when it comes to running a plantation…"
Victoria and Audrey looked at each other and struggled not to laugh.

Changing Tides – Part Seven

Percieval showed up at Victoria's house very early the next morning. "Hi, Victoria, is Audrey here?"
"Of course she's here. Although she's probably still asleep. I'll go check on her for you." Victoria stepped away from the door to let him in, and disappeared up the stairs to Audrey's room. She gently knocked in the door.
"Come in," Audrey called.
Victoria walked into the room and sat down on Audrey's bed as she put the finishing touches on her hair. "I told you he would come. Now aren't you glad I woke you up so early this morning?" Victoria laughed.
"I suppose." Her face betrayed her nonchalance. Audrey was clearly more than just a little bit excited about him calling on her. She hastily got up from her chair and rushed down to the sitting room. She stopped just outside of the door, and smoothed her skirt down and calmed her breathing. She walked into the room, smiling. "Percieval, what on earth are you doing here at this hour? You're lucky I happened to wake up early this morning."
Percieval smiled back at her, a radiant smile, much different from the one he had given her on the ship. This one was much more sincere. "I came to see if you wanted to go on a picnic. I had a lunch packed for us. Please say you will."
Audrey smiled at him, "Of course I will. Just let me run and get my shawl." Audrey literally ran from the room, and knocked into Victoria. "He's taking me on a picnic," she stated excitedly.
Victoria smiled at her. "Good. You two need some time together. Although," Victoria said looking very thoughtful, "you will be unchaperoned, and that would be most scandalous. Perhaps I should-"
Audrey cut her off. "Perhaps you should mind your own business. And you're one to talk. Remind me again how your marriage came about?"
Victoria laughed, "OK, you win. Just have a good time, and don't let him bully you."
"Have I ever let anyone bully me?" Victoria laughed and shook her head as Audrey went to get her shawl. She came seconds later with the smile still radiating her immense happiness. "I'll see you later, Victoria."
"Good bye, Audrey." Victoria looked at Percieval and added, "And you don't do anything out of place," she leveled her finger at his nose.
Percieval bowed to her. "Of course not, My Lady. Until we meet again," he mockingly bowed out of the room. He then put his arm around Audrey and led her to where his horse and carriage were waiting.
They drove along the ocean until they came to the edge of a wooded area. "Corey told me about this place," he commented as he pulled the horses to a stop. He descended from the carriage, and wet around to her side to help her down. His hands lingered a little longer than was strictly necessary, and they both knew it. Audrey slipped out of his grasp, and took the basket.
"Where exactly are we going?" She asked.
"A glen that's about a quarter of a mile up that path," he said pointing to a narrow dirt lane that led into the woods. They walked in silence. It was a comfortable silence, however, and both were completely at ease. When they arrived at their destination, Audrey laid out the blanket and set the basket down. Percieval then began to take the food out and arrange it in front of them. They sat opposite each other. Still, neither of them spoke.
It wasn't until after they had eaten that Percieval started their conversation. "It's so peaceful out here. So different from London."
"Yes," Audrey agreed, "I like it better this way. The air is so much cleaner, the stars brighter, the water clearer. Everything is just so much better out here."
"Have you ever considered living out here permanently?" Percieval asked nonchalantly.
Audrey looked at him oddly, "Where would I stay? I surely couldn't impose on Victoria and Corey for the rest of our lives," she laughed.
"It was just a question," he stated, choosing not to join in her laughter. They were again silent for quite some time.
Audrey leaned back against the tree that was behind her and stared into the distance. She marveled at how truly different things were here than they were back home. She understood how Victoria had easily given up London for this.
"Read to me," Percieval asked. It was a request, although said as a statement.
Audrey obligingly took the book and began to read aloud. She had read the book before, and knew most of the content. She read it without complaint however, after all, it had been a good book. After a few minutes had gone by, Percieval laid his head down on Audrey's lap. It seemed natural to both of them. Neither thought anything of it. Eventually, Percieval drifted off to sleep. To be sure, Audrey began changing parts of the book to things much more outrageous. Once she was convinced that he was sleeping, she put the book down.
She studied his features closely. She ran her fingers through his hair, and noted how soft it was. She traced the contours of his face; she couldn't seem to get her fill of him. She believed him to be the male that broke the mold. He was perfect in every way. She soon began telling him this aloud.
"You are so perfect," she stated as she caressed his forehead.
"Thank you," he replied.
Audrey jumped up when she heard this reply. Her mouth hung open most unattractively.
Percieval sighed, "Why did you stop? I was so enjoying that."
Audrey didn't know what to say. She probably couldn't have said it, even if she did. "Take me home," she demanded.
"Audrey," he pleaded, "please don't let this spoil the day. I'll pretend I'm sleeping again, and I'll lay my head back in you lap, and we'll pretend that I never said a word, OK?"
Audrey didn't take very well to his lighthearted teasing. "Take me home, right now." She demanded even more strongly.
"All right," he agreed, laughing. He knew he had wounded her pride in some way, and he'd better not push her too far. He drove her home and walked her to the door. She stormed into the house, without even saying good bye to him. Victoria looked at Audrey and then at Percieval with a puzzled expression. Percieval shrugged his shoulder and said, "Women." As he walked out the door.
Victoria started up the stairs to see Audrey.
Corey stopped Percieval outside the door.

Changing Tides – Part Eight

Victoria knocked on the door, and entered the room without waiting for the OK. She sat down next to Audrey. "What happened?"
Audrey looked at her friend, "Oh, Victoria, I made the biggest fool out of myself. I thought he was sleeping, but he wasn't, but I thought he was, so I started playing with his hair, and caressing his face, and complimenting him, and that's when he talked and I knew he had been awake the whole time, and Oh Victoria, what am I going to do?"
Victoria laughed. "You are going to slow down when you tell that story next, and you are also not going to worry anymore about it. You did not make a fool out of yourself. You no doubt made him think you that much more intriguing. Audrey, any male in this universe will pretend anything if it gets them a compliment. It's best you learn that right now. Never trust a male when it comes to things like that. Never."
Audrey stood up. "He truly doesn't think I'm odd?"
Victoria laughed harder, "Of course not."
Audrey smiled, "Good."
Downstairs, things were on a much more serious level. Corey stopped Percieval just as he was about to leave. "What did you do to her?" He asked.
Percieval laughed, "I didn't do anything to her. Well, I did pretend I was sleeping," he conceded.
Corey shook his head. "I did that to Torie once," he laughed without humor at the memory, "she didn't talk to me for a week."
"Torie?" Percieval asked.
Corey looked at him oddly. "Yes, Torie." Suddenly, understanding crossed his features. "I call Victoria Torie. It's sort of my pet name for her."
"I've never heard you call her that," he noted.
Corey shrugged. "Let's take a walk," he suggested.
The two men left the house and started toward the stables. "Women are so complicated," Corey noted. "Watch out with Audrey. She may appear one way before the marriage, but God help you, they change after the vows are repeated."
"How so?"
"Well, for one thing, they expect you to bow to their every whim." Corey chuckled, "You wouldn't believe some of the things Torie has had me do."
"You love her."
"What?" Corey asked baffled.
"You love your wife."
Corey was becoming agitated now, "Of course I love my wife."
"You should show it more often," Percieval stated and walked away.
Corey easily caught up with him. "Why does everything revolve around Victoria and I whenever you or Audrey is involved? The way she stormed into the house I'd say you better work on your own problems before you tell me about mine."
"My 'problems' as you call them, are very trivial and will be forgotten before dawn tomorrow morning. You, however, are on the verge of losing what really means the most in your life. Think about it. Why don't you take her away from here for a month or so? Just the two of you. It may do more good than you think." Percieval then walked back toward the house, whistling.

Changing Tides – Part Nine

A week later, Audrey deigned to speak to Percieval again. She invited him to dinner that night. The twins had been put to bed early, once again, and it was just the four adults at the table.
"Victoria, why don't you and I go on a second honeymoon together?"
Everyone at the table looked up at Corey. "Corey," Victoria began, "I'm due to have this baby at the end of the month. We have two other children. What are we to do with them?"
Audrey received a look of "I told you so" from Corey, and jumped to prove him wrong.
"I could stay and take care of the twins," Audrey supplied. "I love them dearly and I'd love an excuse to stay a little longer. You could also wait until after the baby is born, and I'm more than capable of handling infants. Besides, I'll have all of the women workers here to help me. It's not like I'll have to do it all by myself." Audrey smiled encouragingly at Victoria.
"All right," she reluctantly agreed. "But only after the baby is born, and I don't mean the day after."
Percieval had a self-satisfied grin on his face, that only he and Corey understood.
Audrey was delighted that Corey was taking some initiative toward the patching up of his marriage. She could now turn her focus to her own love life.
Next to Audrey, Victoria stiffened in her chair for a moment. After a few tense seconds she relaxed. She did this several times throughout the meal, and Audrey didn't know whether she was becoming more worried or annoyed. "Victoria, I'd like to speak with you in private, for a moment." She pulled up Victoria by the arm and dragged her outside. "What's going on with you?"
Victoria looked at her friend, an expression of sheer panic on her face. "Audrey, I'm having this baby, tonight."
Audrey stiffened. "But the baby's not due until-"
"I know," Victoria said. "Audrey, I'm scared. What if-"
"Don't start with the 'What ifs' Audrey demanded."
"Don't tell Corey," Victoria pleaded, "Not yet. We can wait until Percieval leaves."
"Fine," she said, although she didn't agree one bit.
They walked back into the dining room, both had fake smiles plastered on their faces. Victoria began feeling faint. Corey then stood up, "Victoria, what's wrong, you look-" he didn't get a chance to finish, Victoria had collapsed to the floor.

Changing Tides – Part Ten

Audrey screamed, Percieval just stared, and Corey went white as a sheet. "Audrey, go get Mama." Corey's voice was strained and Audrey didn't waste any time obeying. As Corey picked up his wife, Audrey ran from the house.
Audrey's mind was muddled, she had so many thoughts that she couldn't put any of them in any type of order that made any sense. She made it to the little village in record time. She slammed open the door to Mama's house and all heads turned toward her. She was so out of breath she could only manage a few words.
"Victoria…fainted…labor…"
Mama stood up quickly, "What do you mean, Audrey? Victoria is in labor?" Audrey nodded. "Good Lord, run back to the house and get some boiling water, I'll be there as soon as I can, you hear?" Audrey nodded and again took off running. She cursed her skirts for getting in the way.
She ran back into the house and Percieval was standing there waiting for her.
"Hot…water…boiling" She said and turned to run up the stairs to see Victoria. Percieval took hold of her arm.
"Audrey, Corey is up there with her. Give him some time. We'll boil some water and then you can take it up there and kick him out, but let him be with her for a few minutes."
Audrey nodded and followed him into the kitchen. He told the kitchen maids what happened and what they needed to do. They hurried to do whatever he asked of them. Audrey was trying to catch her breath. After what seemed like an eternity the water was brought. Audrey, who had at least calmed her breathing a little, ordered them to bring it upstairs. She followed them up.
"Corey," she said softly when she got into the room. "Corey, you have to leave now."
Corey turned from the window he was staring out of, and looked straight past Audrey. He left the room without a word.
Audrey sat down on the bed next to Victoria. "Victoria, wake up. Victoria, you have to wake up." Audrey patted her cheeks to get her to wake. Finally, her eyes fluttered open.
"Audrey, something is wrong. Something is terribly wrong."
"I know," Audrey said, while holding her friend's hand. "But it's going to be all right. Mama is on her way and we're going to get you through this." Victoria winced in pain, and Audrey calmly waited for the contraction to pass. "You're going to be OK, Victoria, I promise you that." It was then that Mama walked in.
"You ever deliver a baby?" She demanded of Audrey.
"No," came Audrey's horrified response.
"Well," Mama replied, "you're going to today."
Audrey went as pale as a ghost.
Downstairs, Percieval was pacing back and forth. They had been up there for hours, what could they possibly be doing? Did it truly take this long to deliver a baby? He looked over at Corey who hadn't moved, hadn't even blinked, since he had come downstairs. "She's going to be all right," Percieval offered.
"You think I don't know that?" Corey shot back at him. "She's a fighter, she's not going to give up. She'll make it out of this perfectly fine." His eyes betrayed his words, however, and Percieval could tell that he was scared out of his mind.
The two men spent the rest of the afternoon this way. Percieval pacing back and forth and Corey sitting in his chair just staring blankly ahead of him.

Changing Tides – Part Eleven

Audrey came down the stairs looking very worn out. Percieval met her at the bottom. "Is everything ok?" he asked worriedly. Audrey shook her head.
Corey ran up to her then and grabbed her by the shoulders, "What happened to Victoria?"
Audrey pulled away from him. "Victoria is fine. She gave birth to a boy. Mama doesn't think he's going to make it. She said he's so small, and his lungs haven't fully developed. We haven't told Victoria yet, she fell asleep almost immediately."
Corey sighed, "Wonderful, something else for her to give all of her attention to so that she can completely ignore me."
Audrey walked up to Corey and slapped him hard across the face. "You almost lost you wife. You are probably going to lose your son. This is going to kill Victoria, and all you can think about is how she's going to give extra attention to the baby she may only have for a few days. You make me sick, Corey. How I sincerely wish that Victoria had never lost her heart to you. She deserves better. Much better." She turned to walk back up the stairs and stopped half way. She turned back toward the men. "By the way Corey, she insisted on naming the child after you."

Changing Tides – Part Twelve

Audrey looked up when the door to the room opened. Corey walked in and asked her to leave.
"I'm not going to leave, Corey. I care about the both of them, I'm not leaving them for a second."
"Audrey, don't make me throw you out of here, so help me God I will." Audrey saw the determination in his eyes and obeyed him without further question. He sat down on the bed next to Victoria. He pushed a strand of hair out of her face and bent to kiss her forehead.
The baby started crying.
Mama rushed to pick him up, but Corey walked over to her. "Let me hold him."
"Corey," Mama began.
"Damn it, let me hold my son." Mama gave up the little bundle, which was much too small.
Corey took his son in his hands and pulled down the blanket to look at him. Corey realized just how small he was, and how hard he was struggling to breathe. He felt something tug at his heartstrings and he just completely lost it. He cried for maybe the second time in his life.
His heavy sobs woke up Victoria. "Corey?" She asked faintly.
He gave the baby back to Mama and crawled into bed with his wife. He buried his head in her chest. "Victoria, I'm so sorry. I love you, I love the kids. Please don't hate me. I'm going to be a better husband and a better father, I swear it."
Victoria pulled him closer to her and told him, "It's ok, Corey. I love you too." She was so relieved that she had finally gotten her husband back that silent tears began to course down her cheeks. The pair fell asleep still holding onto each other. Mama just sat back watching the baby and wondering how Corey was going to tell Victoria about little Corey.
Audrey stormed down the stairs. "Can you believe him?" She asked Percieval. "He stormed in there and threatened to throw me out."
Percieval laughed, "Well, it is his bedroom."
"Yes, and it's also where my best-friend's son is lying, struggling to hold on to his life. Corey couldn't care less about that baby, why did he want to be alone with her so badly?"
"He does care about that baby, Audrey."
"How can you say that? You heard what he said about him." Audrey was growing angry with Percieval, how could he truly think that Corey cared about the baby?
"Men know these things about each other, Audrey. You're going to have to trust me on this; he does care about that baby. You'll see." He could tell he wasn't going to win this fight, and Audrey was just going to brood if he didn't keep her occupied. "Why don't you and I go for a ride? Corey offered me the use of his stables anytime, I'm sure they won't mind if we take a ride."
"I suppose so," Audrey reluctantly agreed.
"It'll get your mind off of everything here. That's probably a very good thing, you've had a very rough day." He put his arm around her shoulders and led her out to the stables.
They decided to ride on the beach. The ocean always had a calming affect, and that's what they needed. "I just don't understand what happened to him. When they got married he adored her. He would have sailed halfway around the world to get her a specific flower if she only asked him. Now it seems that he won't even go halfway across the room to get something that she needs." Audrey sighed. "I only feel bad for Victoria. She still loves him so dearly. She would do anything to make him happy."
"Let's not worry about them right now. They have their problems, but I'm sure they'll sort them out. Let's worry about us for the time being. You say you want to stay in Barbados, right?"
"Yes," Audrey tentatively replied.
"Well, what if I made you an offer that would make that possible?" His face hinted towards nothing that Audrey could see.
"What type of offer would this be?"
"Well," Percieval began, "it would include many things. Cooking at times. Cleaning up a bit. Eventually taking care of the children I plan on having. Just to pretty much be there at my every beck and call."
Audrey glared at him, "Get yourself a maid somewhere else."
He laughed, and stooped to pick up a flower that was growing at the edge of the woods. "Audrey, I'm asking you to marry me," he stated as he handed her the flower.
She stared at him blankly. "Marry you?"
"I know that we haven't exactly known each other for a very long time, but Audrey, I can feel it. We are perfect for each other. Please say yes."
She smiled at him, "Yes. I'll marry you."

Changing Tides – Part Thirteen

The next morning Audrey went in to visit Victoria. She knocked and Corey answered the door. Instead of letting her in right away, Corey stepped outside. "I just told her about Little Corey. She's really upset, Audrey, she probably isn't in the mood for visitors."
"Just let me talk to her for a little while. I won't stay with her long, I promise." Audrey didn't wait for an answer, instead she brushed past him into the room. "Victoria," Audrey called.
Victoria turned toward her but didn't say anything.
"How are you?"
"Will you get me the baby?" Victoria asked, completely ignoring Audrey's question. Audrey got the baby and handed him to Victoria. "He's going to make it, you know. He's a fighter, just like his Daddy."
"I know he is," Audrey said. She wanted to get Victoria's mind off of the baby. "Percieval proposed to me," she said absently.
Victoria smiled at her friend, "He did? That's wonderful Audrey. Congratulations. Tell me all about it."
"Well," Audrey smiled, "we went riding yesterday afternoon, and he took me out to the beach. We started riding toward the edge of the woods, and he started asking me funny questions, like if I would like to live here. Of course I knew what he was hinting at, but it's always fun to play the innocent. He was very good though, his face didn't betray a thing. Well anyway, I asked him what he meant by being able to give me an offer that would allow me to stay here indefinitely. He explained the duties of a housewife and I looked at him and told him to hire his own maid." Audrey and Victoria laughed. "He then told me he wanted to marry me, and I agreed. He was so romantic."
Victoria laughed harder, "It doesn't sound too romantic to me."
"It would have been if you had been the one being proposed to."
"I suppose you're right," Victoria conceded. There was a knock at the door. "Who is it?" Victoria called.
Instead of an answer the twins barged into the room. They jumped onto the bed crying "Baby, baby."
Calm down, you two," Victoria yelled at them. "You need to be very quiet around the baby. He's sick and needs rest, ok?"
They both looked at her and nodded. They very gently sat down, one on each side of her, and peered at their little brother. "Tiny," they stated.
"Yes," Victoria agreed, "very tiny."
Corey then walked in with Percieval. "There is my loving family," he commented. He then walked over and kissed Victoria on the top of the head.
Percieval sat down next to Audrey and peered at the little bundle. "So that's the little fighter. He'll make it. With the two of you for parents, the little guy can't help but fight. It's instinct."
Mama then walked in. "Where did all of these people come from. Corey, I told you that Victoria couldn't have any excitement, and especially not Little Corey. I leave you alone with her for thirty minutes and you turn her room into a circus. Get out, all of you." Mama shooed everyone out, and Victoria just laughed. When Corey tried to stay he was then thrown out, literally, which only made Victoria laugh harder. "I'm glad to see you smiling, Child."
"With family like all of you, how can I not?" Victoria asked.
Mama then peered at the little baby. "He seems to be getting stronger every day. He just might make it after all."
"He will, Mama. He's going to make it. He has to."

Changing Tides – Part Fourteen

Victoria left her room for the first time at the end of that week. She was sitting in Corey's chair in the sitting room with Little Corey on her lap. He was doing much better, and Mama assured them all that he was going to make it. Audrey sat down to play the harp.
"I haven't played in so long. I can't guarantee that it's going to sound anything like it's supposed to."
"Go ahead, Audrey," Victoria demanded. "You play beautifully, I highly doubt you've lost your talent. It'll be like when we were young again. Back before men ruined our lives."
"Hey now," Both Corey and Percieval said in unison. The girls just laughed.
Audrey began to play and the twins quickly became restless. In an effort to calm them Corey picked up Jessica and began to dance with her. The rest of the room looked on in shock. Joshua walked up to his mother and said "Dance, dance, Mommy."
Victoria looked apologetically at him. "I'm sorry, sweetheart, Mommy can't dance."
Percieval sat down at the piano, and told Audrey that she could dance with Joshua for a little while he played. Audrey smiled her thanks, as she picked up Joshua.
Victoria couldn't remember a time when she had been happier. Everything seemed so perfect, and it was going to stay that way. Especially now that Audrey would always be next door.

Changing Tides – Part Fifteen

Audrey and Percieval got married two months later. Audrey had a white gown sent from Paris, and Percieval wore Corey's old suit. Victoria found that incredibly funny, but Audrey found it less than amusing.
The couple said their vows, and left immediately for their Honeymoon in London. Audrey wanted to be able to say goodbye to all of her friends, and to see everything there one last time.
It was in London, at Almacks, that she got her most interesting piece of information.
"Is that Katherine down there?" Audrey asked an old friend.
"Yes, that's Victoria's sister. On her way to jilt another groom I suppose."
"Jilt another groom? How many has she gone through?" Audrey asked horrified.
The old lady counted for a few moments. "Well, this year it's been three so far."
"Three?" Audrey shrieked. "Surely you are jesting."
"No," the lady replied, sadly shaking her head. "It's been three. Her poor mother has completely given up on her. How is Victoria?"
"Victoria is perfectly happy," Audrey replied. "She and I are going to be neighbors now. Percieval owns the plantation adjacent to theirs. It's going to be wonderful."
"Well, give Victoria my best. And you enjoy the rest of your honeymoon, Audrey."
"Thank you, I will." Just then Percieval walked up and handed her a drink.
"What was that all about?" He asked.
"Katherine has jilted three grooms this year."
"Katherine? That Katherine down there?"
"Yes," Audrey replied.
"Why should she trouble you?" He asked, thoroughly confused.
"She is Victoria's sister."
Percieval nearly choked on his drink. "What? Victoria is related to that…that wanton down there?" Audrey nodded. "How could two sisters come out so differently?"
"I don't know, but I'm surely glad they did. I didn't know she had begun actually jilting grooms. Victoria will be livid when she hears this."
"Let's not worry about Victoria," Percieval suggested. "Let's worry about you and I. The only two people in the world who matter right now."
Audrey smiled up at him. "All right."

Changing Tides – Part Sixteen

"Oh Percieval, look. You can see the shore already."
Percieval laughed at his wife. "Yes, we can see the shore. You truly have missed it here, haven't you?"
"I haven't been back in nearly a year," she stated. "I miss everything. I miss the water, I miss the clean air, and I miss Victoria and Corey and the kids. I'm just so glad to be home."
Percieval looked at and her smiled, "And besides, you've brought so many things back from London, it'll be like we've never truly left."
"Percieval," Audrey chastised as she hit him on the shoulder.
When the ship docked Audrey rushed off. Percieval just shook his head and found where his coach was waiting for him. He ordered the footmen to bring their luggage back. They would apparently be walking home. He then caught up with Audrey and they walked home together. It was the beginning of their new life, and they couldn't wait to begin it.

Changing Tides – Epilogue

Corey, Percieval, Audrey, Victoria, the twins, and Little Corey were all sitting outside on the beach. The twins were splashing each other in the water. Little Corey was standing on unsteady legs as the adults cheered him on. Each of the men had a protective arm around their wife. Life was perfect.
Audrey then told Victoria about Katherine jilting the three grooms, with the twins fighting, again, as a background.
"Mommy, Joshua splashed water in my face." Jessica whined.
"Only after she pushed me down into the water," Joshua defended.
Little Corey then fell down and began to cry.
Corey nuzzled Victoria's hair and said, "Do you want to beat them this time, or should I do it again?"
Percieval laughed at his joke, and received glares from both Audrey and Victoria. "They never do stop fighting," Victoria commented. "I suppose that's the joy of having two three-year-olds, and a one-year-old to take care of."
"Maybe you and Corey should take that vacation," Percieval suggested. "Little Corey is well enough now, and the twins just need constant supervision. Besides, Audrey and I need the practice."
Victoria looked at him oddly, and then her eyes grew wide with understanding. She looked at Audrey who was smiling, "Congratulations!" She yelled, as she pulled from Corey's arms to hug her friend.

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