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I opened my eyes slowly and my shoulders sunk in relief, Tuc. His hazel eyes were on fire and I squealed happily and tackled him in a hug. Tuc was knocked down by surprise and hugged me back. "I'm so happy you're alive!  You're ALIVEEE!" I screamed at him. He simply smiled and his eyes said the rest. Then I  looked around at my arms around his neck and his arms around my back. "Um,..I..Uh..." I stuttered as I stood, feeling my face turn red.  I calmly slipped out of his arms and took a step back.

"You look a bit battered don't you Therese?"

I backed away, flushing a new color, probably darker than the first. I could hear Tuc laughing at me, "Hey!" I cried indignantly, "You're messed up too! Don't make fun of my cuts and bruises! That's not a way for a gentleman to behave towards a lady!"

He chuckled softly.  Before I could say anything else, a rose was revealed to my eyes.  "A gift for all the troubles I may have caused you."  I gently took it from his hand and stared into its swirling center.  "I wouldn't have missed this for the world."  And as I looked up, his eyes appeared before me, and for a moment I was lost in them.  He took my hand and placed a gentle kiss on it.  I began to gently lead him out of the garden.  "Well I… think we should-" but I didn't finish before I felt a tug on my hand and I came spinning back to him, and I felt his lips press against mine.  I let my eyes flutter close as I wrapped my arms around his neck and I felt his arms wrap around me once again.  Our kiss probably only lasted a few moments, but it felt like an eternity had passed when we finally pulled away from each other, and I turned to hide my reddened cheeks.

"What were you saying? Because I think Parce might need us, bullet wound and all. You know," he said running off in the direction where I had left Parce. He started running and I ran after him crying "No! I'll beat you, you mangy tramp!"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Thank you, Constable, " Tuc said brightly as he hung up the phone. Parce was reclining on the sofa in James's room. James was knocked out and his unconcious body was hauled into the room and put into the chair that had previously held Therese. He turned cockily to his friend and the girl he'd kissed, out in the rose garden. It didn't seem proper-to kiss someone after knocking some adult man down, but knowing Therese she'd found the idea positively capital. He mustn't tell her. But they couldn't help smiling at each other. Caring for Parce was too much fun, with his catty remarks at their lack of medical skill. "Thank God some authority will be here, maybe I could go to a real doctor instead of being left with you ninnies." Parce smiled at his friends while keeping his bitter tone of voice. Maria walked into the room and put down fresh bandages. "It's a good thing I saw Therese run down the hall, I have a daughter of my own and I knew by the look on her face something was wrong. I then say Mister fighting with you lad, and I knew something was wrong. It was a good thing that I found you after that, and after you explained-we had this mess all sorted out." She smiled happily and went out the door for some food for 'the tired little souls'. They were intent on leaving after they ate and after they had finished the duke's lovely dinner they went out into the parlor and went to the doors. Tuc swung them open with vigor while Therese supported Parce. The doors filled the manor with sunshine and a completely wondrous sight.

"Lady Vivian?"

Lady Vivian stood on the terrace just outside of the parlor, basking in the sunshine.  She wore a frilly violet dress and a lacy white bonnet, with her dark, curly hair streaming out from under it.  She stood facing another woman, who wore a matching pink dress and the same lacy white bonnet.  Her hair women turned at the sound of our intruding.  Neither seemed to be very upset, though I had thought that the widow would be upset at discovering the truth about James Hunt.

"Hello there," Lady Vivian called cheerfully.  "I don't think we have all formally been introduced, though Maria has already informed me of your names, but I'm certain you wouldn't remember since you were but an infant when we last met, Tuc."

"How do you know me?" he inquired.

"There is quite a bit to explain, but first may I introduce you all to my sister, Adelaide Reed, formally Adelaide Hunt."

In an instant everything fell into place, I stood gawking at the unexpected truth.  Tuc and Parce wore similar expressions.  James Hunt's mistress and his wife were sisters. The thought had never occurred to me, but now it seemed to make perfect sense.  Before I could open my mouth to question them, Lady Adelaide raised a hand to stop me.

"Indeed, it is rather scandalous, for a duke to have an affair with his wife's elder sister.  But we'll have you know, the duke was our pawn," she began.

Her sister continued.  "As you know, my dear husband died.  The cause of death had never been released publicly.  We didn't want the rumors of the pocket watch to be revealed."  She paused, appearing to be finding the strength to go on.  "The baron was murdered.  At first, they believed it to be caused by  heart attack.  But he had been quite a healthy man, and I knew in my heart that it couldn't be so.  Further examinations proved my feelings correct.  A bit of poison was found in the cup he had been drinking before he died.  That day, we had a guest over for dinner; James Hunt.  I knew the police would never be able to prove it.  They had already given up the investigation.  At the time, I had known that my poor sister was to be forced  into an arranged marriage to the fiend.  I had to warn her.  So, together we devised a plan.  I needed to protect my sister from that brute, and my dear husband deserved justice.  In order to protect my sister, I would have an affair with James."

"That still doesn't explain how you met Tuc as an infant," I interrupted.

Lady Vivian turned to me.  "Indeed, it doesn't.  You are aware that Tuc's father was my husband's assistant, are you not?"

We all nodded in reply.  She went on to say, "Naturally, my husband introduced me to your father since he was always in the house.  We came to be good acquaintances.  One night, my husband and I had been invited to dine with your family.  When we arrived, your mother couldn't keep you from screaming while we were there.  Since I have always been fond of children, I asked if we might see you.  Your mother had her doubts, but I insisted.  When she brought you to the room, you were silent immediately.  They tried to take you out of the room, but you would cry if they did, so you dined with us."

Tuc smirked.  "Indeed, I have never enjoyed being left out."

Lady Vivian laughed.  It was a very pleasant sound.

Lady Adelaide spoke again.  "Continuing with our plot.  With James having an affair with my sister, it was easy to see that he did not truly love her.  To give justice to the baron, we were going to ruin the duke forever.  If we could get the duke to make one mistake and show his true self, it would be easy to get him stripped of his title.  But now we have no need, for you three have already done so."

We stood speechless with shock.  Never had I encountered a more complex story than this.  Parce finally broke the silence.  "I say, you women must have the most complex minds in all of England."

This time we all laughed.  The widow then stepped  forward to Tuc.  "I believe this rightfully belongs to you."  She placed something into his hand.  When she lifted her hand away, the pocket watch was revealed.  Tuc stared at it with a sort of fierceness in his expression.  He slipped it into his pocket and faced Lady Vivian and Lady Adelaide.

"I thank you for all you have done."  The women only smiled.  Then he turned to me.  He gently took my hand.  "Therese, no matter what happens, I vow to protect you.  I will never let anyone hurt you again."

Before he could say more, I pulled him into a quick kiss.  When I pulled away, it was my turn to speak.  "And I will protect you.  And the pocket watch."

"And because the two of you are bound to get each other in trouble vow or no vow, I will protect the both of you," Parce interrupted.  I couldn't help but giggle.

From then on, I knew Tuc and Parce would always be with me.  Though many other scandals came upon us, none were as complex or dangerous as this first adventure.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I returned to the present at the sound of my name.  "Therese."

I jerked out of my daydream as I realized that Tuc was standing beside me.

"Now don't tell me my wife is daydreaming about some fictional character who is a better husband than me," he teased.

"And don't tell me my husband is starting to think that any fictional character could be a better husband than himself," I retorted.  "I'm surprised you came back this quickly from your duties."

He smiled and helped me off of my chair.  "What were you thinking about?"

"Just that foolish thirteen-year-old boy I fell in love with so many years ago."

"Ah, and I the silly thirteen-year-old girl who took me on the greatest adventure of my life all those years ago."

"It is nice to daydream when the children are visiting they're Uncle Parce and Aunt Marine."

He chuckled quietly.  "Do you ever find it odd that they used to always be at each others' throats before they fell madly in love?"

"Indeed, but love has quite unpredictable ways, it's hardly surprising now."

The rain had stopped.  We found ourselves out in the moonlit garden.  He quietly presented a rose to me, and I gently took it.  And there we were, just as we had been, so many years ago; two fools who fell in love in the midst of all this complicated clockwork.

The End

Description
I opened my eyes slowly and my shoulders sunk in relief, Tuc. His hazel eyes were on fire and I squealed happily and tackled him in a hug. Tuc was knocked down by surprise and hugged me back. "I'm so happy you're alive!  You're ALIVEEE!" I screamed at him. He simply smiled and his eyes said the rest. Then I  looked around at my arms around his neck and his arms around my back. "Um,..I..Uh..." I stuttered as I stood, feeling my face turn red.  I calmly slipped out of his arms and took a step back.

"You look a bit battered don't you Therese?"

I backed away, flushing a new color, probably darker than the first. I could hear Tuc laughing at me, "Hey!" I cried indignantly, "You're messed up too! Don't make fun of my cuts and bruises! That's not a way for a gentleman to behave towards a lady!"

He chuckled softly.  Before I could say anything else, a rose was revealed to my eyes.  "A gift for all the troubles I may have caused you."  I gently took it from his hand and stared into its swirling center.  "I wouldn't have missed this for the world."  And as I looked up, his eyes appeared before me, and for a moment I was lost in them.  He took my hand and placed a gentle kiss on it.  I began to gently lead him out of the garden.  "Well I… think we should-" but I didn't finish before I felt a tug on my hand and I came spinning back to him, and I felt his lips press against mine.  I let my eyes flutter close as I wrapped my arms around his neck and I felt his arms wrap around me once again.  Our kiss probably only lasted a few moments, but it felt like an eternity had passed when we finally pulled away from each other, and I turned to hide my reddened cheeks.

"What were you saying? Because I think Parce might need us, bullet wound and all. You know," he said running off in the direction where I had left Parce. He started running and I ran after him crying "No! I'll beat you, you mangy tramp!"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Thank you, Constable, " Tuc said brightly as he hung up the phone. Parce was reclining on the sofa in James's room. James was knocked out and his unconcious body was hauled into the room and put into the chair that had previously held Therese. He turned cockily to his friend and the girl he'd kissed, out in the rose garden. It didn't seem proper-to kiss someone after knocking some adult man down, but knowing Therese she'd found the idea positively capital. He mustn't tell her. But they couldn't help smiling at each other. Caring for Parce was too much fun, with his catty remarks at their lack of medical skill. "Thank God some authority will be here, maybe I could go to a real doctor instead of being left with you ninnies." Parce smiled at his friends while keeping his bitter tone of voice. Maria walked into the room and put down fresh bandages. "It's a good thing I saw Therese run down the hall, I have a daughter of my own and I knew by the look on her face something was wrong. I then say Mister fighting with you lad, and I knew something was wrong. It was a good thing that I found you after that, and after you explained-we had this mess all sorted out." She smiled happily and went out the door for some food for 'the tired little souls'. They were intent on leaving after they ate and after they had finished the duke's lovely dinner they went out into the parlor and went to the doors. Tuc swung them open with vigor while Therese supported Parce. The doors filled the manor with sunshine and a completely wondrous sight.

"Lady Vivian?"

Lady Vivian stood on the terrace just outside of the parlor, basking in the sunshine.  She wore a frilly violet dress and a lacy white bonnet, with her dark, curly hair streaming out from under it.  She stood facing another woman, who wore a matching pink dress and the same lacy white bonnet.  Her hair women turned at the sound of our intruding.  Neither seemed to be very upset, though I had thought that the widow would be upset at discovering the truth about James Hunt.

"Hello there," Lady Vivian called cheerfully.  "I don't think we have all formally been introduced, though Maria has already informed me of your names, but I'm certain you wouldn't remember since you were but an infant when we last met, Tuc."

"How do you know me?" he inquired.

"There is quite a bit to explain, but first may I introduce you all to my sister, Adelaide Reed, formally Adelaide Hunt."

In an instant everything fell into place, I stood gawking at the unexpected truth.  Tuc and Parce wore similar expressions.  James Hunt's mistress and his wife were sisters. The thought had never occurred to me, but now it seemed to make perfect sense.  Before I could open my mouth to question them, Lady Adelaide raised a hand to stop me.

"Indeed, it is rather scandalous, for a duke to have an affair with his wife's elder sister.  But we'll have you know, the duke was our pawn," she began.

Her sister continued.  "As you know, my dear husband died.  The cause of death had never been released publicly.  We didn't want the rumors of the pocket watch to be revealed."  She paused, appearing to be finding the strength to go on.  "The baron was murdered.  At first, they believed it to be caused by  heart attack.  But he had been quite a healthy man, and I knew in my heart that it couldn't be so.  Further examinations proved my feelings correct.  A bit of poison was found in the cup he had been drinking before he died.  That day, we had a guest over for dinner; James Hunt.  I knew the police would never be able to prove it.  They had already given up the investigation.  At the time, I had known that my poor sister was to be forced  into an arranged marriage to the fiend.  I had to warn her.  So, together we devised a plan.  I needed to protect my sister from that brute, and my dear husband deserved justice.  In order to protect my sister, I would have an affair with James."

"That still doesn't explain how you met Tuc as an infant," I interrupted.

Lady Vivian turned to me.  "Indeed, it doesn't.  You are aware that Tuc's father was my husband's assistant, are you not?"

We all nodded in reply.  She went on to say, "Naturally, my husband introduced me to your father since he was always in the house.  We came to be good acquaintances.  One night, my husband and I had been invited to dine with your family.  When we arrived, your mother couldn't keep you from screaming while we were there.  Since I have always been fond of children, I asked if we might see you.  Your mother had her doubts, but I insisted.  When she brought you to the room, you were silent immediately.  They tried to take you out of the room, but you would cry if they did, so you dined with us."

Tuc smirked.  "Indeed, I have never enjoyed being left out."

Lady Vivian laughed.  It was a very pleasant sound.

Lady Adelaide spoke again.  "Continuing with our plot.  With James having an affair with my sister, it was easy to see that he did not truly love her.  To give justice to the baron, we were going to ruin the duke forever.  If we could get the duke to make one mistake and show his true self, it would be easy to get him stripped of his title.  But now we have no need, for you three have already done so."

We stood speechless with shock.  Never had I encountered a more complex story than this.  Parce finally broke the silence.  "I say, you women must have the most complex minds in all of England."

This time we all laughed.  The widow then stepped  forward to Tuc.  "I believe this rightfully belongs to you."  She placed something into his hand.  When she lifted her hand away, the pocket watch was revealed.  Tuc stared at it with a sort of fierceness in his expression.  He slipped it into his pocket and faced Lady Vivian and Lady Adelaide.

"I thank you for all you have done."  The women only smiled.  Then he turned to me.  He gently took my hand.  "Therese, no matter what happens, I vow to protect you.  I will never let anyone hurt you again."

Before he could say more, I pulled him into a quick kiss.  When I pulled away, it was my turn to speak.  "And I will protect you.  And the pocket watch."

"And because the two of you are bound to get each other in trouble vow or no vow, I will protect the both of you," Parce interrupted.  I couldn't help but giggle.

From then on, I knew Tuc and Parce would always be with me.  Though many other scandals came upon us, none were as complex or dangerous as this first adventure.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I returned to the present at the sound of my name.  "Therese."

I jerked out of my daydream as I realized that Tuc was standing beside me.

"Now don't tell me my wife is daydreaming about some fictional character who is a better husband than me," he teased.

"And don't tell me my husband is starting to think that any fictional character could be a better husband than himself," I retorted.  "I'm surprised you came back this quickly from your duties."

He smiled and helped me off of my chair.  "What were you thinking about?"

"Just that foolish thirteen-year-old boy I fell in love with so many years ago."

"Ah, and I the silly thirteen-year-old girl who took me on the greatest adventure of my life all those years ago."

"It is nice to daydream when the children are visiting they're Uncle Parce and Aunt Marine."

He chuckled quietly.  "Do you ever find it odd that they used to always be at each others' throats before they fell madly in love?"

"Indeed, but love has quite unpredictable ways, it's hardly surprising now."

The rain had stopped.  We found ourselves out in the moonlit garden.  He quietly presented a rose to me, and I gently took it.  And there we were, just as we had been, so many years ago; two fools who fell in love in the midst of all this complicated clockwork.

The End