S. Gardner - An Affair of Love

Abigail was a bit surprised at the earnest expression of the young woman in front of her.

"You're quite welcome my dear." Abigail gave her a smile in return.

Blayne then put her hand on the middle of Gabriella's back and guided her out of the room.

"You seemed upset when I walked in."

"Blayne sometimes just goes too far," Arthur said as he walked away from his wife and sat down in a chair facing her.

"Blayne is too much like you," Abigail said sadly as she sat in a chair opposite her husband.

"She bullied that girl to come."

"And what did you expect, Arthur?"

Arthur looked up suddenly.

"I didn't expect her to threaten my daughter!" He said as he got up suddenly.

"They seem to understand each other." Abigail pointed out exactly what confused him.

"Oddly enough."

"Has it occurred to you that Blayne, that all the children, may feel threatened by Gabriella?"

"Why?"

"Arthur, for a brilliant man you can be very dense sometimes." Abigail saw the negative reaction her words produced.

"Well, if I am disappointed it is their own fault!"

"I know Chaz and Diana have disappointed you. I know that Blayne in some ways has too by not settling down and having children. They love you Arthur; and your disappointment is quite obvious," Abigail said sadly.

"Meaning?"

"Meaning that coming up short is painful." Abigail's eyes filled with tears.

Arthur stared at her silently.

"Not being first choice is very painful Arthur." Tears now ran down the lovely face of Abigail Aston-Carlyle.

Arthur looked away. The truth was not always easy to take.

"Until recently Blayne was the apple of your eye and now not only is she dealing with the news of loosing you, her father, but not being a first choice."

Arthur turned to her.

"I love all my children," he stated with conviction.

"I know you do. Just remember to let them know it," Abigail said, and then walked out of the room

"Is she here?" Chaz asked as he walked into the sunroom.

"She's here," replied Diana staring out towards the gardens.

"What do you think?" He asked, sitting down next to her.

"What do I know!" Diana got up and stomped out of the room.

"Jesus! What is wrong with you!"

Chaz followed her and spoke to her as they walked.

"Diana, talk to me."

"Why?" She stopped suddenly and faced him. "Why do you care all of a sudden?"

Chaz seemed confused. "Stop acting like a lunatic for once and talk to me."

Diana searched his face.

"Were you ever glad I was born, Chaz?"

He blinked a few times, surprised by the question.

"Yes of course," he replied matter of factly.

"I don't think I have ever thought you were," Diana said as a tear ran down her face.

Chaz was suddenly seemed at a loss for words.

Diana walked away and this time he did not follow her.

"The view is lovely." Gabriella was looking out the window of her room.

"Yes it is," Blayne said softly looking at the woman standing only a few feet away.

"Have you always lived here?"

"I don't live here," Blayne clarified.

Gabriella turned around to face her.

"But your mother said…"

"I use the rooms in this wing when I stay here."

"Oh…"

Blayne smiled slightly. "I have a place I stay at in Boston but, home to me is my house in Cape Cod."

"But we were at a hotel in Boston…" Gabriella was confused.

"I didn't think you would like the idea of staying at my place," Blayne said as she raised her eyebrows comically.

Gabriella smiled and shook her head. "Why haven't you told your family?"

"Tell them what?" Blayne seemed confused.

"About you," Gabriella said as she sat on the bed now looking towards Blayne.

"What about me?"

"Your lifestyle, Blayne."

Blayne's face became somber. "There is nothing to tell. What about you?" Blayne shot back at her.

"Blayne I have never…" Gabriella looked nervously away.

"What makes you think I have?"

Gabriella looked at her in confusion.

"You are going to tell me I am the first woman you kissed?" Gabriella asked in sarcasm.

"Yes, you are," Blayne said soberly.

Gabriella stared, understanding even less now.

"How about you, little sister?" Blayne asked softly. "Have you ever kissed a woman before me?"

"I didn't kiss you," Gabriella objected.

"Didn't you?"

"No."

Both sets of eyes searched and clashed in denial. Blayne took a step forward and one of Gabriella's hand reached out for the bed post. Blayne half smiled.

"We have a deal," Gabriella said suddenly.

Blayne froze. "I admit I liked kissing you. I liked touching you. Why can't you? We can both enjoy it."

"Because I don't have affairs, Blayne. Because this type of relationship is not something that I want to explore. Because I am married. I can give you a million because's…" Gabriella got off the bed and walked towards the window again.

She didn't want to think about her reactions to Blayne's touch so she closed her eyes and tried to stop her senses from reacting and remembering.

Gabriella felt the heat emanating from Blayne's body before she felt it pressed against her. So it was no shock when suddenly Blayne's arms pulled her to her. Her head fell back almost the instant Blayne's mouth was on her neck.

"Blayne…we have a deal," Gabriella moaned.

Blayne pulled her tighter to her as her mouth moved towards her ear and Gabriella felt as if her body was on fire.

"Oh…" Gabriella moaned as her body began to turn around. Almost immediately Blayne's mouth was on hers hungrily begging to be allowed in. Blayne's hands pressed her harder against her. Gabriella felt her body melting into Blayne's

There was a knock on the door and they both pulled apart quickly, staring at each other will passion filled eyes. The knock came again.

"Come in," Gabriella said suddenly as she straitened her clothing.

Arthur walked in and looked form Blayne to Gabriella back to Blayne again. He noticed their apparent discomfort immediately. Blayne ran her fingers through her hair and looked everywhere but at him. And Gabriella seemed flushed and a bit nervous.

"The room…if you don't like it…" he said lamely.

"No, umm…it's beautiful." Gabriella looked around as she replied. Her eyes however looked away quickly as soon as they touched Blayne.

Arthur looked back from one to the other again. "Is everything all right? Has Blayne threatened you again?"

Blayne's eyes shot to him. "Absolutely, I had the best teacher!" Blayne unleashed all of her pent-up aggression.

"Don't go too far, Blayne," he threatened.

"Or you'll what?" She edged him on.

"She didn't do anything." Gabriella came to her defense as she took a step towards Blayne.

"When I walked in…" he paused and looked from Gabriella back to Blayne. "I'm sorry Blayne."

"Don't apologize, Arthur. You were quite right." She walked past him and left the room.

"Blayne…" he called after her but she didn't acknowledge him and did not turn back.

Arthur then turned back towards Gabriella. "I just wanted to make sure you were happy with your rooms." He was about to walk out when he was surprised by the question he was asked.

"Why didn't you ever try to see me?"

Arthur turned to face her. "I…I always thought there would be time later," he said lamely. "I don't have a good reason, Gabriella."

She stared at him accusingly.

"Did you love my mother?"

"Yes, yes I did," he answered softly. "I wish…" he looked away.

"You wish?"

"I wish things had been different."

"How different? Different that you hadn't seduced her and left her pregnant, or different that you had tried to be a father to me?" Gabriella was pulling no punches.