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Chapter 9

Eve

The Thompson-Rosenberg romance ended as suddenly as it began. Once Eve had given herself to Pierre he had no more use for her, she was soiled property. The fact that it was he that soiled her made no difference; she had proven herself unworthy to become a member of the Rosenberg family. In his eyes she was no more than a common whore. One of many women he had shamed and walked away from.

Eve had come home heartbroken and filled with hate, regret, and worst of all shame, shame for what she had done, and hurt from what Pierre had called her after they made love; his eyes were filled with disgust and rage at what she had let him take from her so easily. How could she have been so stupid?

Most of all she felt a deep sadness for what she had done to Peter, how could she have walked away from the man who loved her. She never looked back, never gave him a second thought. Even after he gave her his blessing and wished her happiness, her only real feeling was relief that she was free of him.

Emerson was deeply hurt by his daughter's indiscretion, but accepted her back into his home, she was his child and he loved her with all of his being. When he learned that she was pregnant with Pierre's child he would have done anything to protect her. His sister treated Eve as if she hated her until Emerson said it had to stop or she would have to leave. The thought of being forced out of the house she loved was enough to cool Mildred's anger, but only temporarily.

When Eve's baby boy arrived she fell in love all over again, this time it was with her son. Eve regained her perspective on life knowing there was something to live for. Emerson was relieved to see Eve smiling and happy once again, she named her son Ian Michael Thompson. Her only request was that the Rosenberg family never be told of the child's birth. A request Aunt Mildred would never honor.

It was a year later when Emerson had received the invitation to Peter's Christmas party that he decided to take that opportunity to speak with Peter. He had held onto the scant hope that Peter still loved Eve and perhaps would forgive her and reconcile. He hadn't told anyone that he had received Peter's invitation so when he arrived back home from the party Eve and his sister believed he had been on an overnight business trip.

Emerson was thankful telephone lines had been extended out to the ranches, he needed to call Ian and explain that Eve must never know that he had visited Peter; he would explain when he and Michael arrived.

He wondered how Ian would react when he realized he had a nephew that was close to a year old. The news of the baby's birth had not been relayed to the Helmsley family or anyone they knew in England out of fear that the Rosenberg's would try to interfere or make a claim on Eve's child.

It was later that afternoon when Ian and Michael arrived that Ian's father said that Eve was home, there was no mention of Pierre. The real surprise came when Ian and Michael met Ian's nephew, the next surprise came when they learned of the circumstances surrounding Eve's returning home pregnant with Pierre's child.

They understood why the news of the birth of Eve's baby hadn't been passed on to them in England. Ian and Michael were relieved to see Eve looking well and filled with such happiness and love for her son. Michael asked Emerson privately if Pierre was still in Sydney and was told that he left for Europe a week earlier on the Rosenberg's yacht.

Michael's response was, "It's good that he's gone and hopefully Pierre will never learn that he has a son." Michael knew that the powerful Rosenberg family would stop at nothing to get Eve's child away from her if they ever learned Pierre was the father.

It was just two weeks later that headlines from papers around the world announced wreckage from the yacht belonging to Pierre Rosenberg was found floating in the Indian Ocean not far from the entrance to the Suez Canal. Ships were searching for possible survivors.

The captain of the black submarine hidden beneath the sea silently moving south away from the area was well aware that there were no survivors.

As Michael read the news he wondered what the odds of that happening by chance were. What Michael didn't know was that his father was sitting in his breakfast room at Dove's Lake, smiling as he read the same article.

The Old Royal Houses of Europe didn't take kindly to interference of any kind with members of their families especially their daughters. Count Pierre Rosenberg had been warned that he wasn't to go near young women from any of the Royal Houses. The Rosenberg's could only surmise that Pierre had crossed that line. They knew that the Royal Families had both the power and the will to have Pierre removed from the face of the earth and apparently had not hesitated to do so.

They also knew that they would have to suffer their loss quietly; any accusations on their part would be a dangerous mistake. Retaliation was unthinkable. There wasn't much that the powerful Rosenberg's feared, but they knew better than to challenge the old European Royal Houses, knowing those families dealt swiftly and deadly with their advisories.

Michael and Ian decided to stay in Australia for now. They wanted to get to know Peter, Martin, and Quinn better and Ian wanted to spend time with Eve and little Ian. Michael and Ian were continuing to stay with Peter and Martin and were able to rent a car in the village which made traveling more convenient.

Eve had been made aware of the relationship that had formed between Peter and Martin and had expressed a hope that they would come and visit. She was hopeful a friendship could develop among all of them. Michael and passed this on to Peter and Martin but did not push for a meeting, leaving that decision entirely in Peter and Martin's hands.

Nearly a month had passed when Peter received an invitation asking Martin, Quinn, and him to come on a Saturday afternoon for a picnic style brunch.

It has been more than three years since Peter has seen Eve, and although Martin and Quinn were aware of the situation involving Peter, Eve, and Pierre, they had never met Eve. Peter asked Martin and Quinn their thoughts on whether or not they would like to accept Emerson and Eve's invitation. Martin in his usual happy way gave Peter a kiss and said, "It would be nice to meet Eve and her son, Ian Michael, but as far as I'm concerned that decision is totally up to you.

That's a big help, "What about you Quinn?"

"Yes."

"What do you mean "Yes?"

"I mean "Yes" to whatever you decide."

Rolling his eyes Peter said, "Well aren't you two the helpful duo?"

Peter wrote an RSVP saying they would be there around two o'clock Saturday afternoon and were looking forward to sharing the afternoon with the Thompson family. He was wondering if Mildred would be there snarling at everyone, or if Emerson would have her locked in a cage somewhere.

Saturday arrived and Peter, Martin, and Quinn, dressed nice but casual in slacks and sport shirts. Martin drove his jeep and parked next to Michael and Ian's rental car. There was an awning set up over the buffet style lunch and a long table set for family style seating. Everyone waved as the others saw them, little Ian Michael ran straight to Quinn with arms out stretched. Quinn lifted him high and swung him around as the child laughed.

Quinn continued to hold the child with Ian Michael's arm around Quinn's neck giving the impression that Ian Michael was very familiar with Quinn as they walked up to the others.

Michael said, "Quinn I would like to introduce you to Eve and it appears you have already made friends with Ian's nephew."

"Quinn said, it was wonderful to met Eve and it appears Ian Michael and me have become fast friends."

Eve laughed, "At least you made friends fast." She reached to take Ian Michael and he quickly said, "No, no mommy, Quinn." Uncle Ian took the child but it was easy to see he wanted to be with Quinn.

Martin and Eve greeted each other cheerfully before she gave Peter a quick hug and said, "Peter, It's wonderful to see you again. You look great, and happy I should add." Peter replied that she looked lovely and also very happy before adding, "What a handsome and delightful son you have, you must be very proud of him."

The lunch was good, and the conversation light. It was all pleasant and relaxed; I believe everyone was glad they came. As soon as Uncle Ian put little Ian down he made straight for Quinn who took the child for a walk. Eve asked Quinn if he would mind if she walked with them for a bit, she said she hoped Ian Michael wasn't brothering him too much.

Quinn said, "Not at all, he reminds me of Martin when he was young, it's a rather pleasant feeling to have him hold my hand and walk with me." Eve smiled up at Quinn as she said, "You are a very kind man Quinn that's such a nice quality." Just then Ian Michael reached up with his other hand and took Eve's hand; they walked along together chatting about nothing in particular.

Michael put his arm around Peter's shoulder and said, "Now isn't that a sight to see?"

Peter's reply was, "I wonder?" Changing the topic he asked Michael if Emerson had locked Mildred in a closet or something.

Laughing Michael said, "I have no idea Peter, maybe she's in church giving confession to Father Luis."

Peter looked toward the sky and said, "I doubt that, there's no fire and brimstone hailing down from heaven. Besides knowing Mildred she would more than likely be taking Father Luis's confession."

Michael looked at Peter as he commented, "You have a wicked sense of humor Peter." They both laughed. Just then Emerson walked over and asked them if they were enjoying themselves. Michael said, "Yes, it been a relaxing afternoon, but Peter and I was wondering if your sister wasn't feeling well since we hadn't seen her.

Emerson looked glum and he explained, "My sister is in the hospital psychiatric ward receiving shock treatments."

Michael and Peter's jaws dropped about a foot as they stared at Emerson. Emerson couldn't maintain his sad look any longer and burst into laughter. "If you two could see the look on your faces, I'm kidding for heaven's sake. Mildred's fine she's in Sydney visiting friends."

When the color came back into their faces Michael asked Peter what he thought they should do with Emerson for scaring them out of their wits. Looking completely serious Peter said, "Let's form a lynch mob and string him up from the nearest hanging tree."

Martin heard the commotion and asked what was going on. Michael said, "Frankly I think Peter and Emerson both have very twisted senses of humor. Martin lets go have another glass of wine, it's not safe to be around these two. All four of them sat together and did enjoy another glass of wine while Michael repeated the conversation of the last few minutes to Martin.

Minutes later Eve and Quinn arrived with Quinn carrying Ian Michael who was sound asleep. Eve asked her brother if he would carry his nephew to his room. Ian returned shortly and suggested they should help with the clean up and then head for home. Looking at Peter he added, "I guess I should say your place instead of home, although you all have made it feel like home to Michael and me."

Peter said, "I can't think of a nicer compliment coming from you and Michael, and please do think of it as home."

Chapter 10 to follow: