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I am, and since I had that horrible head injury, they can claim that I don't know who I am. We both know that isn't so, but if the law made me go with those two… Well, it doesn't bear thinking about. I'd rather marry Robert, even though I don't think this is a bit fair to him."
    "Robert wouldn't offer if he wasn't sure of himself," she shocked me by stating. "I think he is fascinated by you, Gillian. You do not wish to marry him simply because he is very wealthy, like most of the other girls around here. In fact, he is probably quite stung because you told him 'no' when he asked the first time."
    "I would think that marrying for money a good way to be bored and unhappy for the rest of your life," I commented. 
    Nellie giggled. "Tell that to Connie Eastwood and to Wilma Nixon! Why, they will hate you on sight… mostly because you are so beautiful, but also because my brother wouldn't give either of them a second glance in spite of their attempts to land him for their own ."
    "Your brother is a good man, and he really does wish to help me, but I worry that he will meet someone else someday and then wish he was free to offer marriage."
    "I don't think that will happen. Robert has been all over this country and all over Europe. He looks at you with a certain light in his eyes that is missing when he looks at others. He will be a good husband to you, Gillian, I promise."
    "I do not doubt you, but…"
    "… You would rather have the romantic proposal in the moonlit garden with Robert on bent knee offering his undying love…?"
    "Is it so wrong to desire love?"
     
    * * *
     
    When I glanced in the mirror some time later I was most surprised by my appearance. I looked truly happy… and pretty! Still, I did not want Robert to have second thoughts; that would hurt me, too. But, when he sent for us and stated that Judge Hendricks was waiting, I went down to the parlor, repeated the words that would make me Robert's legal wife, and I signed the document that was our wedding certificate. Robert placed a pretty ring on my finger during the ceremony and I recognized it from my sister's photo.
    Judge Hendricks stayed and celebrated with us and since David had returned from his trip to Chicago, it was a rather festive gathering. I enjoyed David's company and could see that he was as enamored of Nellie as she was of him. We were settling in the parlor with our coffee when there was a loud pounding on the front door. Ursula answered, and it was exactly the people we were expecting.
    "I hope this matter is important, Sheriff?" Judge Hendricks asked. "We are celebrating Robert and Gillian's wedding."
    "What?" Miss Griffin screeched, looking at me angrily.
    "Give it a rest, lady. You know that you are not related to me, and neither is he. We proved that earlier when you didn't even know who I was when I was in the same room with you."
    "Judge, these people claim that Mr. Stanhope is keeping their relative from them." The Sheriff didn't appear to have much of a sense of humor.
    "Are you related to them in any way, Mrs. Stanhope?" the good Judge asked. "No, your honor."
    "That is a lie! You are my wife, Shirley! We've been married for three years now." 
    The man's gray eyes were full of rage. It was the same look I'd seen in the eyes of the man who attacked me years before, and in the eyes of my student… the one that Jason warned me about. I gathered my courage and looked at him. "I am married to Robert, and you, sir, are a liar."
    "It is that head injury that is making you talk all crazy!" he accused, his hands balled into fists at his side.
    Another knock at the door, and Ursula announced the Doctor. "I didn't know you would have guests, Robert. I was out this way and thought I should check on Miss Gillian."
    "I am doing well, Doctor," I announced. "You are just in time. This man claims I was married to him, and that my injury keeps me from knowing who he is. Have I, even once, acted one bit confused about who I am?" I demanded.
    "No, you