"Why the knocking? You always just come in?" Arthur asked from behind his desk.

"I figure if we observe the rules things will be handled better," Blayne said bluntly.

Arthur said nothing for a moment then got up and walked around his desk. He pointed for her to sit down in a chair close to the one he had chosen for himself. She sat down and crossed her legs. He then sat down too.

"Blayne, I know that these last few days have been difficult."

"Yes."

"Your mother has pointed out to me that I have not handled things very well. And I must admit I agree. I should never have…." Arthur was progressively becoming more uncomfortable. "I should never had hit you. I'm sorry."

Blayne remained silent.

"At least you didn't bruise."

Blayne smiled a little and looked down. She had spent a good thirty minutes applying make up to cover up her bruised cheek.

"No, no bruise," she finally said.

"Good."

Arthur then got up and started walking about the room. "Did you and Gabriella have a good afternoon sightseeing?"

"Yes."

"How long will you be staying?"

"For as long as she decides to."

Arthur stopped pacing and looked at his daughter for a moment.

"Why is that exactly?"

"Because I promised to take her home if she needed protecting."

"From who?" Arthur asked indignantly.

"From you. From all of you." Blayne now stood up and faced him.

"I see, so you are her protector. And who protects her from you?"

Blayne's eyes became dark and menacing. "No one can protect her from me, not even you."

Arthur looked at his daughter as if for the first time.

"You don't forgive me for this indiscretion do you?"

"Indiscretion? Is that what she is?"

Arthur stared at Blayne with speculation.

"If I didn't know any better I would say that you are in…" he stopped himself suddenly.

Blayne saw the thought clearly written in his face and she paled. Suddenly they both found themselves with empty space between them.

Arthur looked at her not believing and not daring to utter a word.

Blayne sat back down and he continued looking at her profile.

"I want to hear you say it," Arthur said suddenly.

"Is there a need?"

"Yes, I think there is." He waited hoping beyond hope that the words would never leave her lips.

"There is nothing to tell. The lady is not interested," Blayne said coldly. She couldn't see his face but could almost feel the shock register in him at her words.

All she had to do was deny it but suddenly the words had just come out. Blayne then got up and walked to the window near her and looked out. "She doesn't want me," she then said softly not caring how her comment would be received.

Arthur looked at his daughter in horror. He just stared at her as a million things entered his mind. This must be the reason the subject of her private life was not open to speculation, he told himself. And if Blayne had to want women and not men, why Gabriella? Why his daughter?

The impact of those two questions hit him hard. He sat down because he thought his legs would give out on him. He suddenly noticed that she had not moved from where she stood. Blayne's face mirrored a sadness he had once known and now feared. He didn't understand this choice but he couldn't help but notice the pain he saw in his daughter's face. He loved her and something inside him hurt to see her this way. She was his daughter too. But this could not be. He could not and would not allow it to go any further.

"Blayne, have you?"

Blayne turned to face him and it surprised him to see the unshed tears in her eyes.

"Blayne, you must let this go."

Her head then looked down as she played with her fingers and then she turned around to look out the window again.

"Consider it done." He heard her say softly.



* * *

Blayne did not participate in any of the conversations during dinner. If asked a direct question she made her answers concise. Arthur kept looking towards Blayne expecting her to shake off her detachment and was disappointed when it never occurred.

"Blayne how about a game of chess?" Diana suggested. Blayne continued to play with her uneaten dessert, seemingly oblivious. "Blayne!"

"What?" Blayne then looked up testily.

All eyes turned towards her.

"I asked you if you wanted to play chess after dinner?" Diana repeated.

"No, I have papers to go over," Blayne said as she got up suddenly. "Please excuse me. Mother, dinner was splendid as always."

"You hardly ate, my dear. Are you feeling all right?"

"Yes, fine," she replied as she left the room without so much as a look towards Gabriella.

Gabriella on the other hand, much like Arthur, kept looking in Blayne's direction all throughout dinner. She was disappointed to see that Blayne had not even looked in her direction when leaving.

Arthur turned and noticed the sullen look in Gabriella's face. "Shall we all have our coffee in the Chinese Parlor?"

"Yes of course Arthur, if you like." Abigail smiled.

"Shall we then?" Arthur stood up and the rest followed.

The conversation was general enough so the possibility of discord was eliminated. Gabriella suddenly realized that Blayne's presence was something that she had taken for granted previously. Blayne's absence, of course, also made Diana reach out to Gabriella.

"When is your exhibition scheduled for?" Diana asked as she sat down next to Gabriella.

"In the spring. We are looking at mid April right now."

"How many pieces will be on display?"

"Between fifteen to twenty pieces."

"Why the uncertainty?" Diana seemed genuinely interested, which pleased Gabriella.

"Well, I have ten completed and I am working on two more right now. I am borrowing three to just show. It kind of depends on inspiration." Gabriella smiled at Diana.

"Hmmm…" Diana nodded and smiled back. "I would like to go if you don't have any objections?"

Gabriella was surprised but pleased. "Yes, I would like that. I'll make sure you get an invite."

"Lovely."

"Yes, do send it my dear. I'm sure we would all like to try to attend." Abigail nodded.

"Yes," Arthur said as well. He then noticed Gabriella's pensive expression. "Is that all right with you?"

"I'll have to think about it. I don't want my mother upset." Gabriella directed her comment to Arthur.

Abigail looked away obviously upset.

"I understand, your mother will be there," Arthur said then looked down at his coffee cup.

"My mother has always been there," Gabriella replied and Arthur's head shot up, meeting her gaze.

She was accusing him, he realized, and he had no defense. The room had suddenly become uncomfortable for all of them.

"The lady that fragile?" Chaz asked sarcastically.

"Chaz!" Arthur reprimanded.

"Well father, it does take two you know."

"We can always count on your crassness, Chaz," Diana said in disgust looking towards her mother.

"Well it's true! She didn't get made by only one of them. Her mother is responsible too!" Chaz blurted out with his usual thoughtlessness.

Abigail closed her eyes and looked away.

Gabriella stood up suddenly. "You're quite right, Chaz, it does take two. But, my mother didn't abandon me. She faced it. And yes, she lied. She lied to a lot of people but she did what she had to to keep me."

"Yes, of course that excuses her." Chaz had sunk his teeth in and was not about to let go.

"Chaz be quiet!" Arthur stood up as well.

Abigail covered her face with one hand as her elbow leaned on the arm of the chair she sat in.

"No, it doesn't excuse her lying to me. It doesn't excuse her lying to my father." Tears began to fall down Gabriella's face. "She went against everything that she is and she believes in for me. She loved me enough to do anything it took to keep me."

"Chaz don't be such an ass," Diana said suddenly.

"Please Chaz," Abigail implored looking at her son.

Arthur was fuming but said nothing. Chaz sat down and said nothing else. The room was silent for only a moment.

"If you will all excuse me," Gabriella said as she left the room.

"Chaz, you can be a real ass hole!" Diana spat out.

Abigail got up and left the room too. Arthur looked censoriously towards both Chaz and Diana then left after Abigail.



* * *

Blayne looked up at the knocking on the door.

"Come in."

She was surprised to see Gabriella. Blayne stood up as she noticed the tears still present in her face.

"I want to leave now."

"What happened?"

"You promised to be there and you weren't. I don't want to know them. I just want to go home. You can't stop me! Please Blayne, take me home."

Blayne walked around the desk and towards Gabriella.

"If you aren't taking me than I'll leave on my own!"

"Gabriella wait." Blayne grabbed her arm.

"Let go!" She tried pulling out of Blayne's grip but Blayne held on tighter.

"Calm down. What happened?" Blayne pulled her closer.

"I just want to leave," Gabriella sobbed.

Blayne pulled her into her arms. Gabriella tried pulling away only for a moment then her arms went around Blayne and held her tightly as she cried.

"You weren't there," Gabriella said as she cried.

"I'm sorry," Blayne said as she kissed her hair holding her tighter. "It's all right now. I won't leave you alone again."