Chapter Five

Judy Adams

 

Vincent took Diana’s hand and guided her through the entrance, turned to close the iron gate, then pulled the lever to shut and lock the heavy outer door.  He turned again to Diana and lifted her hand so he could see the wound on her arm.

 

"Does it hurt more now?" he asked, looking into her eyes to see if he could find any sign of pain there.

 

"It looks much worse than it really is," she assured him.  "I’ll be just fine, but thanks for being concerned."  After a moment’s pause, she added, "Anyway, Father didn’t think it was bad enough to cover it with a bandage.  I think the ointment’s already working a little."

 

Vincent nodded acceptance and was relieved that Jacob hadn’t caused her too much pain.  Tilting his head, he asked, "Shall we join the others?"

 

Diana smiled and was glad that Vincent didn’t ask her again about what was troubling her.  She didn’t know – not really.  She would have to sort through her feelings and figure it all out later. 

 As they strolled along toward the Great Hall, they chit-chatted about nothing of importance, but it made their journey seem shorter.  The closer they got to their destination, the more they quickened their pace.  Right now, Diana just wanted to enjoy the rest of the evening in the company of Vincent, Jacob, and all the wonderful friends she had made over the past five years.

 Several of the Tunnel Residents and Helpers rushed over to greet her on her return.  Vincent excused himself for a moment and Peter offered to escort her to a long table in the center of the Hall.  While talking with a few of the ladies about all the lovely and imaginative decorations made by some of the children, Diana couldn’t help but notice the goings-on taking place all around them.

 In one area, Michael and Jamie had just finished acting out a scene for an audience of younger children and a few adults.  Michael was announcing that now they would do a scene from Shakespeare, and several more adults and young women walked over to join the audience there.  In the far right corner, Mouse was demonstrating one of his new gadgets to Kanin and a couple of Helpers.  Mary was serving cake to a small child who had just stopped crying as the plate was placed in front of her, and Father was looking on with interest.  Elizabeth was explaining the significance of one of the tapestries to a couple of Winterfest Virgins.  Jamie said that’s what some of the younger women called Helpers who were attending their very first Winterfest.  Diana laughed out loud at the thought!

 "Diana?"

 She looked up to see Devin holding out a plate with several assorted sweet and savory treats. 

 "Oh, thank you, Devin!  You look handsome tonight."  He set the plate down on the table, and she took a bite of a particularly interesting-looking tidbit with the fork he handed her.  "Mmm…  Delicious!"

"Vincent’ll be here in a few minutes.  Wanna hit the floor ‘till he gets here?"

Diana smiled, put down her fork, and took the arm Devin offered.  He guided her to a spot near the center of the floor, and as they danced, he slowly made his way to a corner of the dancing floor.  She didn’t realize that he only wanted to get her alone for a few minutes to talk.

"You’ve been patient enough," he said in a reproving tone.

 "What?  Excuse me?"

 "For Vincent," Devin said.  "You’ve been patient, and you’ve waited long enough."

 Diana opened her mouth to deny it, but then let out a deep sigh instead.  Had she really been that transparent?  She was certain that she had convinced him at last year’s Winterfest that she considered Vincent a friend, and nothing more.  After all, he’d pine away for Catherine for the rest of his life.  She knew that.  Why bother throwing more hints?  He didn’t know what they meant, anyway, or didn’t want to know, and she wasn’t about to beg for his attention. 

Devin continued, "Well, what’re ya gonna do about it?" 

Devin had seen Vincent grieve for a long time, and he didn’t want to see him grieve any longer.  He should have realized before now that Catherine would have wanted him to get on with his life.  She would want Jacob to have a mother.  Not that the many women of the Tunnels didn’t love taking care of him, or didn’t love him and cuddle him any chance they got.  But he needed one special person he could claim as his own.  Vincent told him stories about his mother all the time, but she wasn’t here.  Diana was.  And she loved Vincent.  Devin could see it on her face every time he looked at her.  And one thing she didn’t know – he saw the same look on Vincent’s face when Diana wasn’t looking.  It's true that Vincent would never stop loving Catherine, but Devin knew that in Vincent's heart there was enough love to share with another...

 "I don’t know," was the only reply she could muster.

 Devin couldn't leave it at that.  "I've got an idea!" he shouted, and the two of them looked at each other, eyes opened wide, then looked around the Great Hall to see if anyone had overheard.

~