My husband knocked on my door most of the night asking to be allowed back in our quarters, but I ignored him the best I could. I didn't attend dinner last night, because I'm not ready to face that woman and my husbands daughter. I wasn't hungry anyhow, because of everything that occurred.

I heard a knock on my door. "I'm not ready to speak to you Oliver."

"Sweatheart, it's Anna." The sweet voice of my mother-in-law came through. So I opened the door, and she stood with a tray of food. "You need nourishment, and we need to chat." She walked past me without hesitation.

I shut the door and once again locked it. "I'm not sure what there is to speak about, Mrs. Westlake. You've been made aware of my indiscretion."

She patted the bed next to her, and of course, I sat.

"I'm Anna to you, since I do hope you see me as more than a mother-in-law?"

I nodded.

"Neither you or I are the most conventional mothers and wives. I too have a liberal streak that attracted my husband. I believe this is your husbands attraction to you." She layed her hand on mine. "I was never blessed with a daughter, but I do feel as if you are my consolation." She smiled at me.

"Dear, men are driven by a larger and more intense sexual drive than women. For centuries, women have manipulated men, and it's not difficult. They sometimes think with the wrong part of their anatomy. Women can also be manipulated sexually when they are vulnerable. My son told me the the circumstances of your infidelity. Although, I do not approve of your actions, I also did not face the hardships you faced. Oliver's father would be disappointed in his behavior. A brothel is a hotbed of disease and you must have been scared, and also you were betrayed."

I started to cry.

"I met Oliver and his father nearly 26 years ago.."

"Oliver is not your son?" My pulse raced.

"He is my son in every way it matters. My parents know, but Oliver and his brothers are not aware. Anyways, I met them in New York. I married for love, but not just the love I had for his father, but the love I had for that scared, shy, little boy. He was born out of wedlock when my husband was only 18 years of age. His mother passed during childbirth. We told his family that I birthed Oliver, and that we met and married two years prior. We lied to everyone we loved. It is possible to make room for that innocent child. I love Oliver so much, Naomi. Please give that child a chance."

"That may be difficult." I said.

"You feel as if you never gave Oliver any first, or anything he's never shared with another woman, but that is so very untrue. You gave him your love, and that is the most precious gift a wife could give a husband. I myself did not give my husband my virtue, and he was not my first true love. Like I said, I do have a wild streak."

Wow! Too much information in two days.

"Why not tell Oliver?" I asked.

"Well, because we just didn't, and my husbands family is extremely traditional. Oliver wouldn't be accepted if he was born out of wedlock. There's just no good reason, it will only hurt him. Please don't hold this against him, Naomi. He didn't know, and he's no different than any other man. Poor Norman is down there worrying enough about his own past. We don't need Oliver worrying about his future. That son of mine is so in love with you. I just wish all my sons' had what Oliver has with you."

There was a knock on the door and she winked at me. "Eat your breakfast and talk to him. I know you're really not angry, just hurt. There's only one way to heal."

She got up and went to the door and opened it. There stood my poor husband in the same dirty clothes as yesterday, and obviously hasn't slep.

"Mother." He nodded, and she layed her hand on his chest. "Remember what I said last night." She said, and gave him a pat before walking away. He shut the door behind him and sat next to me on our bed.

"You really should eat." He said like I didn't already know.

"I am aware of the benefits of nutrition. Is this why you're here?"

He shook his head. "No."

"If you're here to say the same as yesterday, I believe there's no reason to repeat it." I said.

"I'm here because yesterday I spoke out of turn when I made it sound like you had no choice when it comes to Roseland. That was wrong of me, and I should talk with you before I make decisions. I already was wrong about that when I made Armstrong your guardian without speaking to you first." He said.

"How do I even get a choice? She's your firstborn, unlike Ollie as I thought him to be, Oliver. I'm not angry, I'm just hurt, because I thought I was your first something. You've been my first everything. My first kiss, my first love, the only father to my children, and the first man I ever trusted."

"You are my first at so many things, Naomi. Before you, I never loved a woman, never made love to a woman, never truly been loved by a woman, and the only woman I ever wanted to bare my children. Ollie and Elizabeth are the first children I've ever loved. You're the first woman, and only woman, I've killed for, and the only woman I ever actually wanted to marry. I wanted to marry you from the first moment I saw your image. I will be haunted by nightmares for the rest of my life for all the pain you've suffered."

I wiped a tear from my eye. "Why do I have to see that woman every single day? This is so painful, Oliver."

"I told Armstrong if this was too much on you, they would have to live somewhere else until Westlake Manor was complete." He said. "Let's talk to him and make a decision."

I nodded. "Please."