Jarrod had hauled Gene off to his room without loss of time and demanded to know what devilment he had been up to. "Oh, you know, nothing much, just a few pranks really," Eugene had answered airily. Jarrod did indeed know, he had himself been at college and had a pretty shrewd idea what kind of tricks Gene had been playing. He had smiled and said lightly, "look I won't play the heavy father but try to remember to do a little work from time to time will you?" Gene had promised he would and Jarrod had let the matter drop there.

Audra passed the ravenous Nick another plate full of ham and eggs and spoke to her Mother, "what are you going to wear to Minnie's party tonight Mother?"

The three male heads were raised from their plates as one, "what party?" they asked in unison.

Victoria smiled at the note of apprehension in all three voices, "Minnie Perlman has a niece staying with her and she is giving a welcome party for her tonight."

Eugene's brow cleared, "Oh I don't mind going to Minnie's parties, the buffet will be great!"

"What's the niece like, is she pretty?" asked Nick through a mouthful of breakfast.

"I expect so," answered his Mother calmly.

"I bet she has beautiful dresses from St Louis!" Audra sounded wistful.

"Well you have a new gown yourself so I wouldn't worry about that," said Victoria firmly.

Audra turned innocently to Jarrod "will you be taking Sarah to the party?"

He frowned, but his voice was carefully neutral, "I'm not sure Honey."

Victoria succeeded in catching Audra's eye, and sent an unspoken message to her daughter to drop the subject. Gene was less discerning however, "Oh yeah, Audra wrote me about you and the lady reporter Jarrod, am I gonna get to meet her tonight?"

Without ceremony Nick kicked his younger brother sharply on the shin and Gene subsided. Jarrod stood up and with a quiet "excuse me Mother," he left the table without answering Gene's question.

"Oh Mother, they surely haven't quarrelled again!" said Audra.

"I don't know dear, but I think so. Jarrod hasn't mentioned Sarah for a week now and he's been very quiet."

Audra was distressed, "I just thought he was really busy with a case or something, I didn't realise."

"Don't worry Darling, keeping track of Jarrod and Sarah's quarrels is no easy matter," sighed Victoria.

"What's she like, is she a bluestocking?" laughed Eugene.

Nick frowned at him, "she's a very clever girl but no bluestocking, she's also a friend of mine, so watch what you say!"

"Everyone around here is pretty testy today!" complained Gene.

Nick relented, "alright, but leave Pappy alone will ya?" he slapped the boy's back, "wanna go fishing?"

"You bet!" Gene went happily off to gather tackle for them both.

Victoria poured Nick more coffee, "are you going to come to the party?"

"Sure, why not, maybe the niece is worth the trouble."

When Nick and Gene had left and Audra had gone upstairs to finish putting the final touches to her new gown Victoria sought out Jarrod. He was in the library sitting at his father's big desk, he had papers open in front of him, but it didn't look as if he was working on them. Victoria had brought the coffee tray with her and Jarrod came and sat with her on the sofa. His Mother poured coffee for them both and waited for Jarrod to speak first.

"We quarrelled, bitterly last week," he hesitated, then said quietly "I think it's all over."

"I'm sorry, in so many ways I felt that Sarah was just the woman for you, But you do rather seem to have a gift for antagonising one another."

Jarrod smiled rather sadly, " Nick passed a remark to me the other day, he said Sarah and I didn't seem able to get from one end of a conversation to the other without falling out," he shook his head, "I'm afraid he's right!"

Victoria shook her head, "I can't understand why the two of you find it so difficult to get along, I thought the first time I met her that here at last was a woman intelligent enough to be a true companion for you. Not just of the heart but of the mind as well." Victoria looked intently at her son but he said nothing. "Is that the problem Jarrod, is she too clever? Would you rather have a less independent more deferential person as a wife?"

For a long moment Jarrod considered then he shook his head, "no I honestly don't believe that is the problem between us." He smiled faintly and raised his mother's hand to his lips, "after all, I have grown up with a woman noted for her own strength of character and independence, haven't I?"

"Thank you darling, then....you do still care for Sarah?"

At first he did not answer and Victoria wondered if she should have posed the question at all.

Jarrod sighed and his mother felt it came from the depths of his soul. "I don't think I could ever care for any woman as I care for Sarah Faires," he said quietly. Victoria decided she had said enough, if these two young people were to resolve their differences, they would be best left to do it themselves, any attempt to assist them was likely to complicate an already tense situation further. She made a mental note to speak to Audra and Gene and put them on their guard. Nick didn't concern her, he and Jarrod had always been close brothers, perhaps surprisingly close considering they were so different in personality. Victoria suspected that Nick was already deep in Jarrod's confidence on this particular subject. Certainly he was not only protecting Jarrod from any teasing by the younger members of the family, he was also refraining from any banter of his own. Victoria laid a hand on Jarrod's arm, "there's no need for you to come tonight,if you'd rather not, Nick and Gene are going with us."

Jarrod shook his head, "no I need to settle this, one way or another, I want to come."

"Very well dear," Victoria kissed his cheek tenderly and left him alone.

Minnie Perlman observed the arrival of the Barkley party at her soiree that evening with interest. Her eagle eye had already noted the arrival a little earlier of Sarah Faires accompanying her brother and his wife, now here was Jarrod escorting Victoria. Since Nicholas and Eugene were also with their mother and sister, there had clearly been no need for Jarrod to have made one of their party. No doubt about it, Minnie thought, that pair have quarrelled again! She watched as Sarah and Jarrod saw each other across the dance floor, neither moved or smiled, they just regarded each other gravely. Minnie had the feeling each was hoping the other would make the first move. At that important moment, Sam Faires touched Sarah's arm and spoke to her. She turned to answer him and when she could again turn her eyes in Jarrod's direction he had turned away and was busying himself procuring champagne for his mother. Drat the wretched man! thought Minnie and wondered whether she meant Sam Faires or Jarrod Barkley. She suspected she probably meant both of them.

As soon as there was an opportunity to do so. Minnie approached Victoria and they sat down together. "They haven't fallen out again!" Minnie was blunt.

"I'm afraid so Minnie," sighed Victoria. "Jarrod says it may be a complete rift this time."

Minnie shook her head, "what is the matter with them Victoria? I don't think I ever saw a couple so made for one another, what in the world do they find to fall out about?"

"I don't know, I only know that they seem to have a knack for upsetting one another." Victoria smiled a little sadly at her friend, "I'm afraid there's nothing any one else can do, if there is a solution they have to find it by themselves."

"If it isn't already too late," replied Minnie.

"I hope not Minnie, I hope not."

Sensing Victoria's distress, Minnie made haste to change the subject, "I don't know what's keeping that niece of mine she should be here by now, it's frightfully bad manners not to be down before the arrival of my guests!"

"I expect she wants to look her best, is she pretty?"

Minnie considered, "yes, I suppose so, but she is a trifle sulky for my taste I'm afraid. My sister Blanche was just the same and like Mama like Daughter I suppose. Quite frankly when I consider that I may have her on my hands for the next six months I feel positively depressed."

Victoria was surprised, " why is she making such a long visit?"

"To tell you the truth Victoria, Blanche has sent Charlotte here to get rid of her for a while, I'm afraid her company manners leave a lot to be desired, I think Blanche wants me to knock a few of the rough edges off the girl."

"Does your niece know what she's in for?"

Minnie grinned, "no, Charlotte doesn't know me very well, but she will very soon find out, I assure you!"

Victoria didn't doubt it for a moment, Minnie could be a formidable woman when she chose to be.

Just then the subject of their conversation entered the salon and seeing her aunt she made her way towards Minnie and Victoria, both of whom rose to meet her.

"Well child, here you are at last, I was about to come in search of you. Victoria, I want you to meet my niece Charlotte Miles, Charlotte, this is Mrs. Victoria Barkley."

"How do you do Mrs Barkley?" Charlotte's voice was cool and cultured, she was a tall elegant girl with an attractive face and blonde hair, but Victoria found herself in agreement with Minnie, the girl's expression was sulky and discontented. Victoria didn't warm to her but she smiled and shook hands, murmuring a conventional greeting

Minnie bore Charlotte away then to introduce her to the other guests and presently Victoria saw Audra and Sarah Faires making conversation with Charlotte for a short time. The chat seemed to end abruptly, Sarah, returning to the side of her brother and Audra making her way to her mother. Victoria could see by Audra's flushed cheeks and stormy expression that she was put out and lost no time enquiring as to the reason. Audra was blunt, "that girl is the most stuck up, patronising snob I ever met!"

"Whatever did she say to you?"

"Sarah and I invited her to go shopping with us and she said she didn't think that would be necessary. It seems she isn't planning to ruralise, as she puts it, for very long. Besides she can't imagine what she could possibly find to buy in a backwater like Stockton!"

Victoria raised her eyebrows, "I see! Well, Miss Charlotte may find herself making a longer stay than she hopes to."

"What do you mean Mother?"

"Never mind Darling, I shouldn't try to be friendly if that is her attitude." She glanced across the room to where Charlotte was talking animatedly to Jarrod and Nick. Gene was there too, but Miss Charlotte was ignoring him, evidently anxious to impress the two older Barkley brothers, neither of whom showed any disposition to respond to her attempts to flirt. Jarrod was instead covertly watching Sarah across the room and Nick was watching Jarrod watching Sarah! Jarrod was much too preoccupied with his own troubles to gratify Charlotte with a flirtation and Victoria knew Charlotte was not the sort of girl to attract Nick.

At length, Jarrod, Nick and Gene came over to their Mother and she smiled at her sons. "Well, you all seem to have made a conquest of Charlotte," she teased.

"Not me!" Gene grinned ruefully, "she was making eyes at these two."

"Don't like her!" Nick confided to his Mother, "she's a pouter, can't stand pouters." Gene was inclined to be indignant, "I think she's really pretty, wish I could get her to notice me."

"Well don't just stand there, ask her to dance," ordered Nick.

"Well I would if I got the chance!" Gene retorted.

Jarrod was looking across the room and he grinned at Gene, "you are about to have your opportunity Child, the lady is bearing down upon us!"

Charlotte came up to the Barkleys, "I wondered where you had got to," she said archly to Jarrod and Nick.

Taking his courage in both hands, Eugene stepped forward and rather shyly asked her if she would care to dance.

"Oh, I really don't think so!" replied Charlotte loftily, "I AM out you know, I dance with men now, not schoolboys."

Minnie was standing nearby and turned, appalled at her niece's incivility. "Charlotte!" Her tone was shocked, but Charlotte was looking not at her aunt but at Nick and Jarrod Barkley.

"Now if either of these handsome men was to ask me," she fluttered her lashes and waited hopefully.

Poor Eugene was scarlet with embarrassment and stood rooted to the spot. Jarrod stared coldly at the spoiled debutante and bowed slightly, "I'm afraid you'll have to excuse me, I was about to dance with my Mother."

Nick followed his brother's lead instantly, "I myself have every intention of dancing with the best looking woman in the room." he said.

Charlotte believed he meant her and simpered at him. Then Nick stunned her by offering his arm to her Aunt, "I believe this dance is ours Minnie?"

Minnie laid her hand on Nick's arm, "Dear Nicholas, so like your dear Father." She prepared to depart with him, pausing only to glare at her pouting niece, "I'll speak to you presently Miss!"

Victoria was about to take the floor with Jarrod but she stopped and squeezed his arm, "Jarrod," she said warningly. Jarrod followed her gaze and saw Sarah Faires coming towards them. It was obvious that she had heard everything that had been said.

Sarah came right up to them and smiled at Jarrod without a hint of embarrassment.

"Jarrod Barkley, I have a bone to pick with you." Her tone was light and bantering. Jarrod didn't know where she was going with this, but he played to her lead and replied "oh yes?" in a friendly if slightly guarded voice.

Sarah continued smoothly, "yes! You promised me that when your youngest Brother got home you would introduce him to me." She turned to Eugene who was still pink with shame and acutely aware that some of his contemporaries had heard Charlotte's snub. Several of his friends were sniggering in the background.

Sarah smiled at the boy, "I take it this handsome young man is Eugene?"

Jarrod understood her purpose now and he felt a warm surge of gratitude for her kindly intervention.

"Yes indeed he is, I apologise Sarah, I was forgetting you and Gene hadn't met yet."

Sarah smiled, "then please do introduce us," she said lightly. "I don't see how Gene can ask me to dance until you have!" She smiled dazzlingly at the admiring Eugene. Jarrod laid a hand on Eugene's shoulder, "Gene, I know you've been wanting to meet Audra's friend Sarah Faires." Eugene's painful blush was ebbing and his innate courtesy assisted him to pull himself together and rise to the occasion. He bowed very creditably over Sarah's hand saying "How do you do Miss Faires? I've heard a lot about you from my family, It's a pleasure to meet you."

Sarah thought him very like Jarrod, with his bright blue eyes and charming manner. She squeezed his hand, "do call me Sarah, the rest of the family do."

Gene thought she was entrancing, he shot a swift look of triumph at his hovering friends and smiled at Sarah. "Would you care to dance Sarah?"

She gathered up her silken train, "I should love to Gene."

They moved off to the dance floor and Jarrod and Victoria followed them. None of the young men near Charlotte Miles had the slightest intention of laying themselves open to the sort of snub she had delivered to Eugene Barkley and to a man they all moved away from her. Charlotte found herself quite deserted and her face was as red as Gene's had been moments earlier.

Victoria smiled up at Jarrod as they danced, "bless Sarah, that was a kind thing to do."

Jarrod smiled back, "yes wasn't it," he agreed. "Mother, if you don't mind, could we just dance this one waltz, I would like to thank Sarah personally."

Victoria felt a little thrill of joy, perhaps there was a chance of a reconciliation after all. "Of course Darling," she answered demurely.

Minnie was dancing with Nick and she had seen what had taken place. "What a fine girl Sarah is!" She glanced shrewdly up at her partner and got his most glinting grin in reply."Quit fishin Minnie!"

"Whatever do you mean Nicholas,"she asked innocently

"You want to know if Jarrod and I are rivals over Sarah."

This was exactly what Minnie did want to know, "well?" She waited expectantly.

There was a teasing sparkle in Nick's hazel eyes, "Minnie you know my heart belongs to you!"

Minnie gave it up and rapped Nick sharply with her fan. She would find out what she wanted to know by her own means!

When the dance ended, Jarrod escorted his Mother to a chair and was about to procure her another glass of champagne when Nick joined them with a bottle and several glasses. He smiled at his elder brother who was clearly anxious to make his way across the salon to where Sarah was standing talking to Eugene. Nick poured a drink for Victoria and spoke firmly to Jarrod.

"Well? Go on, git!"

Jarrod grinned at them and headed in Sarah's direction. Nick bent his head to murmur to his Mother, "if he messes this up, I wash my hands of him and that's a fact!"

Victoria nodded, "Sarah is a kind creature, poor Gene was mortified by that spoiled brat's rudeness."

Nick grinned, "I wouldn't like to be in Miss high and mighty Charlotte's shoes when Minnie get's a hold of her!"

"No indeed! I don't think Charlotte knows Minnie terribly well yet, but I suspect she is about to find out that Minnie Perlman is not a lady to trifle with!"

Mother and Son laughed amicably together and drank their champagne.

Eugene and Sarah were talking comfortably when Jarrod came over to them. Sarah was at her most sparkling and Jarrod could see that Gene was extremely taken with her. Jarrod smiled at his younger brother. "What have I told you about monopolising the best looking woman in the room young man?"

Eugene grinned, "Beat it Pappy! I have every intention of dancing with this lovely lady again in a moment."

"Age before beauty M'boy," said Jarrod lightly but looking seriously, even intently at Sarah. "Sarah, I wouldn't blame you if you never danced with me again but I want you to, more than anything in the world, will you?" There was an unmistakable note of sincerity in his voice and Sarah blushed rosily. She laid her suddenly trembling hand in Jarrod's and smiled lovingly up at him saying simply "of course I will Jarrod." She turned to Eugene bestowing a sweet smile upon him, "forgive me Gene, but we had better indulge him, you know how he is when he doesn't get his own way!"

"You bet I do!" said Eugene rolling his eyes.

He watched the pair take the floor and made his way over to his Mother and Nick. Nick handed him a drink, "what do you think of the Bluestocking now?"

Gene winced, "did I say that?" He paused, then said, "I think she's the loveliest girl I ever met!"

There was a certain rapt note in his voice and Nick spoke firmly, "yeah, well, don't you go falling for her now, can't trespass on big brother's territory ya know."

"Wouldn't matter even if I wanted to," Gene's voice was wistful, "she's crazy about him!"

Minnie joined them, "Gene dear, I apologise for that wretched girl's bad manners!"

"Forget it Aunt Minnie, I have."

"Bless you dear!"

Minnie sat beside Victoria, "I will make Miss Charlotte thoroughly aware of the standards I expect from her in future, I assure you!"

Victoria spoke excusingly, "She's still very young Minnie, gatherings like this are still a new experience for her, she's had her head turned tonight."

Minnie spoke briskly, "well she'll be having several new experiences while she stays with me! For example, tonight she's going to have the backs of her bare legs switched just as soon as my last guest has left!"

Jarrod was waltzing Sarah round the dance floor, and steadily moving her nearer the open french windows. She realised what he was up to and her low, throaty chuckle sounded, but she didn't protest. Without a pause Jarrod waltzed her right through the window and onto the broad terrace. Once out of sight of the room, Jarrod led Sarah through the wrought iron gate into the dim scented garden. He led Sarah over to a rustic seat and having ensured that it was dry and clean held out an imperative hand to her, "will you sit down and talk Sarah?" Sarah took his outstretched hand and they sat side by side. It seemed only natural to lay her head on his shoulder and Sarah did so, Jarrod's arm slipped around her and his head leaned against hers. For a while neither moved nor spoke, content to be together in companionable silence.

Without moving Jarrod spoke in a voice so soft Sarah barely heard him, "I love you my lady."

Sarah didn't move either, reluctant to break the spell, she was conscious of the scented flowers and the gurgle of water in the nearby fountain. "I love you my darling Jarrod." His arm tightened around her and she snuggled against him. The silence that said so much descended upon them again.

Eventually Jarrod spoke quietly, "listen Sweetheart, I have an idea." Sarah sat up and regarded him gravely.

Jarrod's eyes gazed earnestly into hers, "I've made a lot of mistakes in my dealings with you since we met."

"We have made mistakes," Sarah corrected him.

Jarrod smiled, "alright then, we have made mistakes. So what do you say we start over?"

There was an arrested expression in Sarah's smoky blue eyes, "what do you mean Jarrod?"

He stood up and helped her to her feet. "I mean, instead of embarking on a round of explanations and apologies, we go back into the ballroom and find someone to introduce us and we start over."

Another of her low chuckles escaped Sarah, It was fast becoming Jarrod's favourite sound and he joined in readily. When she had gathered herself again, Sarah touched a hand to his cheek. "you mean it don't you Jarrod?"

He possessed himself of her hand and kissed it fervently, "we can do better Sarah, I know it."

Sarah felt a thrill in the depths of her being, she smiled mistily up at him, "I believe we can."

He took her in his arms and his mouth locked to hers, she responded eagerly, her mouth opening to his as he kissed her at length. At last she pulled away from him and smoothed her silk gown. "Well really, what kind of a way to behave is this when we haven't even been introduced?"

Jarrod's sparkling eyes laughed into hers, "you are absolutely right Ma'am, allow me to escort you back into the ballroom."

"Why thank you kind Sir."

They managed to rejoin the dancing without too many people noticing, although Jarrod's Mother and Brothers and their hostess spotted their return. When the dance came to an end they lingered, as they had once before, absorbed in each other. As on that previous occasion, Nick was the one to interrupt them. He laid a hand on Jarrod's shoulder and said "I seem to be saying this a lot lately, but people are staring at you two, come and have some champagne."

Jarrod and Sarah followed him to the table and Jarrod stopped him pouring out the wine. "Before you do that Nick, would you mind introducing me to this lovely young lady?"

"Will I what! What are you up to Pappy? Sassy? You know each other perfectly well, you don't need introducing!"

"No Nick," Sarah contradicted him. "We have never met each other before."

Poor Nick was totally at sea now, and Jarrod took pity on him. "That's right Nick, we've never met, never quarrelled, never hurt each other."

Nick laughed, "you two are crazy do you know that?"

He put down the bottle he held and said brightly "Jarrod Barkley, I would like you to meet Miss Sarah Faires."

Jarrod kissed her hand tenderly, "Sarah, I am delighted to meet you, I hope to get to know you better, very, very much better!"Sarah, curtseyed slightly, "Jarrod, I am delighted to meet you, I hope to get to know you better, very, very much better too."