BANG! BANG! BANG!

Baldwin lowered the gun as the breeze swept the smoke away over the lake. Opening the chamber he put another round in and closing it he took aim at the glass lake. A crackle in the grass startled him and he spun around.

"Holy!"

Baldwin lowered the gun at the sudden appearance of his cousin.

"You know," Dick said as he lowered his hands. "Most people count sheep to sleep."

Baldwin aimed the gun at the lake again. "The reason for my wake stands before me," he said cocking the gun.

"Me?" Dick questioned. "What did I do?"

Baldwin tilted his head back and turned the gun toward his cousin. "You tell me."

"Easy, Baldwin," Dick said. "You don't want my soul on your conscious as well do you? And here of all places."

Baldwin lowered the gun. "Tell me you weren't the one who attacked the cottage."

"Is that what is keeping you up?" Dick asked. Stuffing his hands in his pockets he laughed. "It's the teacher, isn't it?" When Baldwin didn't answer he laughed. "I knew it would come to this. It's a shame..."

"Be out with it!"

Dick looked into his cousin's eyes and saw not a calm collected man but a terrible white hot fire that dared to catch. "I heard her gossiping about certain families; slandering them. I told her it was wrong but she insisted it was fact. When I threatened to tell of her lose tongue she threatened to tell on you about me."

"Go on."

"Well," Dick shrugged. "Did she happen by recently and accuse me of anything dreadful?"

Baldwin faltered.

"Ah," Dick said waving his finger. "You didn't believe her did you?"

Baldwin looked back at the lake. "Espen says you wanted to court her."

"I only meant that in jest," Dick said. "You can't truly think I would fancy a negro woman could you?"

Baldwin looked at his cousin and shook his head. "Why would she make something like that up?"

"Easy," Dick said. "After all, Baldwin the whole town knows you are partial to the schoolmarm. Perhaps she wanted to have a laugh and see how much sway she held over you."

Baldwin nodded slowly. "Is that what people think?"

"It's what she herself boasts," Dick said and he watched the change wax over his cousin. His cousin, obsessed with doing right, being right, and making things right. The combination mixed and blended together and came out in a perverted sense of justice. "She mocks me?"

"Yes."

"She mocks my compassion and my...care for her..."

"Yes."

"She's taking advantage of me." He looked down at the spent shells around his feet.

"She's a liar," Dick said. "A slanderer, a Jezebel, a Delilah...and she is breaking your heart."

"I've done nothing but right by those girls," Baldwin said.

"And see how she repays you?" Dick said. "You saved me so many times, Baldwin. And I've buried our secret so deep not even the dead could dig it up."

Baldwin nodded his head. "You didn't write it down anywhere?" there was still a flicker of hope he could be wrong about Pleasant.

Dick frowned. "Why would I do a stupid thing like that?"

Bowing his head Baldwin gripped his gun and took aim at the lake. BANG, he reloaded, BANG. Each shot cursed her name and his foolish, blind kindness.

"Good night," Dick said as the gun went off again. Turning his back he left the lake and walked back to Greene's Estate. "Fear no more the lightning flash, nor the all dread thunder-stone. Fear not slander, censure, rash; thou has finished joy and moan. All lovers young, all lovers must, consign to thee and come to dust."

/

Upon hearing his wife's hurried feet on the stairs Henry looked up from his coffee and journal and smiled at May across the table from him. The young woman smiled back then they both looked to the door as Margaret came in wearing a stripped day dress and matching hat.

"Going to town, my dear?" Henry asked.

"No," Margaret said as she pulled on her gloves. "I'm going to have a word with Baldwin Monhollen."

Henry took a calm sip of his coffee. "I thought you already had a word with him," he said. "Several in fact."

Margaret glared at him as he winked at May. "Don't tease me," she said. "I held my tongue because Pleasant was there but I tend to increase my vocabulary."

Henry shook his head. "My dear you are letting this eat at you far too much," he said. "Instead of fighting with the man why not go see your cousin; take May with you. I'm sure Pleasant could use the comfort."

"She'll be busy getting ready for the term," May said. "Henry dear, I've had enough of entitled men winning their way through the world. I have a big mouth and a sharp tongue and I intend to use both." She looked to her cousin. "May, you are welcome to come along but I suggest you stay in the surrey. You wouldn't want to hear what I have to say."

May nodded her head and got up to follow her cousin.

"And what am I to do?" Henry asked.

"You just stay there and look pretty, dear and not worry that smart little head of yours," Margaret said and turned away in her sweeping skirts.

When they arrived at Baldwin Monhollen's home they were forced to wait as he had gone on call. May sat atop the surrey humming while Margaret paced at the bottom of the steps. About two hours into their wait Baldwin came trotting up the lane on his horse. Upon seeing Margaret he jumped down quickly and began leading the animal around back.

"I am certain you have seen me, Baldwin," Margaret said going after him. It wasn't until they reached the side of the house that they stopped.

"You're trespassing," Baldwin said.

"I'm sorry," Margaret said putting a hand to her heart. "I thought your doors were open to all."

Baldwin scoffed and turned to his horse. "What do you want?"

"My," Margaret shook her head. "And no manners. You know good and well that I'm here about Pleasant."

"What about her?" Baldwin asked keeping his back to Margaret.

"You have treated her unjustly," Margaret said. "She buried her soul to you and you just stumped it down deeper. I won't go in to how much you owe her an apology because I still think you are a gentleman inside and a gentlemen should know. However I would like to say that she isn't lying. It is beyond Pleasant to tell such terrible tales. And if you would only listen and see the evidence—"

"Mrs. Blanche this whole conversation is ridiculous," Baldwin said turning to her. "I have heard from very reliable sources that Miss Day is a gossip. She's slandered not only my family but others such as the Purefoys and the Berrys... Now tell me if this were false how would these families be aware that someone has been spreading rumors about their morals?"

Margaret stood her ground. "That someone is not Pleasant."

"My sources say otherwise," Baldwin said as he started away with his horse.

Margaret turned as he passed her. "Espen agrees with me."

Baldwin paused and turned around. "The word of my brother doesn't mean very much," he said. "I have the final say in things."

Margaret laughed. "So it's come to that?" she said. "Your father always hated a tyrant."

Baldwin paused. "You'll condemn yourself with that tongue."

Margaret closed the gap between them. "Then we'll be condemned together." Turning her back she marched away back to the surrey where May waited. Climbing aboard she took up the reins. "The man is a mule," she shook her head. "Let's go see Pleasant and hope she's doing a lot better." She flipped the reins and turned the surrey away from the house.

Pleasant heard the whinny of the horse before it stopped outside. Still she couldn't be moved from the rocker in the corner of the cottage. Margaret knocked first and then entered.

"Pleasant?" Margaret said when her cousin did not greet them. "We thought we'd come by to see you." When Pleasant didn't respond she looked to May.

"Perhaps," May said stepping forward. "P-p-p perhaps we could help you get the classroom ready."

Pleasant raised her head with tear laden eyes. "That won't be necessary," she said.

"Have you finished?" May asked.

"No."

Margaret frowned. "Then—"

"Baldwin Monhollen stopped by," Pleasant said. She picked up a folded paper in her lap. "He left me this."

Margaret snatched the paper and read it.

"I won't be teaching anymore," Pleasant saved her the time. "Which means I won't be allowed to live in the cottage."

"This is madness!" Margaret declared. "You can come stay with us; Henry won't mind."

"Thank you, Margaret," Pleasant said. "But I don't think I can stand the sight of Natt Fristad anymore."

"No," Margaret said. "You can't be considering leaving. He'll win."

"What choice do I have?" Pleasant asked. "He doesn't believe me."

"No, Pleasant," Margaret said. "He refuses to believe you; there is a difference."

Pleasant shook her head. "I understand that I am not welcome here," she said. "Someone tried to kill Polaris. I will go. There are other places to teach. I just can't suffer the pain I have felt here any longer."

May knelt down next to her sister and rested her head in her lap. "I'm coming with you."

"No you must stay here," Pleasant said. "At least until I can find a place for us. No one is angry with you."

"But it isn't fair," May said. "I don't understand and you won't tell me."

"Please understand that it is better this way," Pleasant said. "I would never withhold something from you if I thought it would benefit you to know. Margaret will look after you and I hope we won't be apart long."

Margaret crossed her arms and shook her head. "I can't believe you're just going to give up...yield to him and let him win!"

"This isn't about winning and losing, Margaret," Pleasant said. "My leaving is for the best."

"But what about Mamie?" Margaret asked.

Pleasant closed her eyes. "I'm afraid there is nothing I can do for her," she said. "Margaret, May, I love you both dearly and the last thing the two of you need is to be attached to the outcast I have become. Polaris is recovered enough to travel and the two of us shall go together."

May hugged her sister tightly while Margaret grew tense.

"I'm not going to stop fighting," she swore.

"I appreciate you, Margaret," Pleasant said. "Perhaps if I had been just a little more like you I would have never let this go so long and everything would have turned out differently."

Margaret sniffled and went over to her cousin and hugged her.

"Give my love to Alice," Pleasant said. "Tell her not to worry and perhaps one day I will see her again." She hugged her sister and her cousin tighter and in her mind prepared for the journey to come.

/

Baldwin narrowed his eyes at his cousin as he entered the church late and squeezed by him in the pew. Taking out his pocket watch he checked the time then put it away. "Twenty minutes late."

Dick removed his hat as he sat down. "I couldn't find my sleeve garters," he mumbled. "Besides I'm here now."

"Now?" Baldwin hissed. "Your mother made it on time. You promised, Dick that you would do better but it seems to me you have other priorities."

"Shhh," Havelock said from behind them.

Baldwin lowered his voice. "I'm telling you this day in the house of God: don't let me regret what I have done."

Dick smirked and turned away from his angry cousin pretending to pay attention.

Baldwin took himself in hand and let out a hot angry breath. Looking across the aisle he noticed May sitting with her cousin but Pleasant was not among them. He shrugged and reasoned that she was simply overreacting to her termination.

After the service let out he waited outside for Dick who had everyone's interest. Henry and Margaret exited the church with May quick behind them. Henry paused to greet Baldwin but Margaret spurred him on, whispering in his ear.

"Afternoon, Mr. Blanche," Baldwin said prompting Henry to stop.

"Afternoon," Henry said politely.

"Lovely day."

"I suppose," Henry said.

Baldwin looked to Margaret right behind her cousin. "I hope I haven't offended you in some way, sir."

Henry was about to speak when Margaret spoke up.

"How dare you?" she demanded ignoring her husband's warning. "How dare you smile in our faces with what you have done to Pleasant?"

Baldwin adjusted his cuff links. "I did what was necessary."

"Margaret, please..."

"He can't even look me in the eye, Henry!" Margaret said. "He knows what he has done is wrong. Pleasant is innocent!" she raised her voice. "Your cousin is a lying, scheming monster and everyone ought to know it. The Berrys say that Mamie is gone, so where is she? What have you done with her? Is this another way to hide what your cousin really is and by extension what you are?"

Baldwin felt something snap inside him. "You will learn to keep quiet, woman!" he shouted. "Mr. Blanche, control your wife!"

"She doesn't mean what she says," Henry said. "Come on, Margaret."

Margaret pushed him away. "I mean everything, I say!" she said. "I would not lie in the courtyard of God. If something happens to Pleasant out there you will have yourself to blame."

Baldwin's face softened. "Pleasant is gone?" he looked to Henry who nodded.

"Well you didn't expect her to stay around here after you spun her a gossip and a slanderer did you?" Margaret challenged. "I have my own sources."

Baldwin scoffed. "And who could that be?" he asked. "My brother? Are you getting all of this from Espen? Where is he?"

"Mock him all you please," Margaret said. "You see Espen Monhollen is a real man. He has nothing to fear so he doesn't destroy other people to keep his secrets."

Baldwin's face grew dark. "What are you talking about?" As the Blanches turned away he followed them. "What are you talking about?" he demanded grabbing Margaret roughly by the arm. He was suddenly knocked off his feet by a blow to the face leaving his nose bloody and him on the ground.

"Do not touch my wife!" Henry boomed over him.

The residence in the churchyard stood in shock as the Monhollen brothers came running followed by Dick Crowninshield who had his hand in his pocket.

Henry stepped back, pushing Margaret behind him as the five men surrounded them and their alpha wolf on the ground.

Baldwin removed his hands from his face and gasped at the amount of blood then looked up at Henry whose fist was still clenched.

"I guess no one has ever had to do that before," Henry said.

Havelock and Minas helped Baldwin to his feet and turned him away from the Blanches. Espen gave them a weak smile while Asmund looked around at all the puzzled faces.

As the last two brothers walked away with their cousin Henry looked around. "Did you see that?"

"What?" asked Margaret.

"That."

"What, Henry? The suspense is killing me."

Henry pointed to the brothers. "They're divided; the brothers."'

"I know Espen will be on our side," Margaret assured.

"Asmund is a lawyer he will be for justice," Henry said.

"But what sort of justice," Margaret asked as they walked to their carriage. "Anyone can pervert justice."

"He will do what is right," Henry assured.

"But what about Havelock?" Margaret asked as they reached the carriage. "He has always been fond of Pleasant. Both of them like animals. The only issue with that is he is Baldwin's favorite."

"What matters is that we have allies," Henry said. "Havelock may love his brother but he is also not the one who wronged Pleasant. He may not be for her but he won't be against her; guarantee."

They climbed into the carriage where May was waiting. "I'm sorry you had to see me get violent," Henry said.

"I just want my sister back," May said.

Margaret patted her hand. "We will get her back," she said. "And we will get to the bottom of all of this."

May smiled as the carriage got going. She would pray every night for Pleasant's safe passage to wherever she was going and she would pray that Polaris protected her.