Explain Each of the Terms Essay Example for Free

Explain Each of the Terms Essay Explain Each of the Terms: Speech, Language, Communication and Speech Language and Communication Needs. Explain each of the terms speech, language, communication, speech, language and communication needs. EYMP5 (1. 1) The dictionary explanation of speech is â€Å"The expression of or the ability to express thoughts and feelings by articulate sounds† or â€Å"A persons style of speaking† To speak is to physically be able to produce the individual sounds and sound patterns of our language, or articulate, to be able to produce speech with appropriate rhythm, and free of stuttering behaviour, and to produce speech with an appropriate vocal quality for age and sex. While speech involves the physical motor ability to talk, language is a symbolic, rule governed system used to convey a message. In English, the symbols can be words, either spoken or written. We also have gestural symbols, like shrugging our shoulders to indicate â€Å"I don’t know† or waving to indicate â€Å"Bye Bye† or the raising of our eye brows to show that we are surprised by something. Language can be defined as being made up of socially shared rules that include the following: †¢What words mean (e. g. , â€Å"star† can refer to a bright object in the night sky or a celebrity) †¢How to make new words (e. g. , friend, friendly, unfriendly) †¢How to put words together (e. g. , â€Å"Peg walked to the new store† rather than â€Å"Peg walk store new†) What word combinations are best in what situations (â€Å"Would you mind moving your foot? could quickly change to â€Å"Get off my foot, please! † if the first request did not produce results) You can have language without having speech. Though speech and language are related, you do not have to have speech to have a language. How? The best example of this is the use of Sign Language. Communication is the process of conveying a message or meaning to establish a shared understanding to others. You don’t need speech or a shared language to communicate. How? Let’s say you decide on a trip to Rome, but you don’t speak one word of Italian. You get off your plane, and you want to pick up your [continues]

Solvothermal Preparation of CaTiO3 Prism and CaTi2O4(OH)2

Solvothermal Preparation of CaTiO3 Prism and CaTi2O4(OH)2 Solvothermal preparation of CaTiO3 prism and CaTi2O4(OH)2 nanosheet by a facile surfactantfree method Weixia Dong, Gaoling Zhao, Bao Qifu, Gu Xingyong, Gaorong Han Abstract: Calcium titanate (CaTiO3) with prism-like-shaped morphology were synthesized by a simple solvorthermal process without any surfactants. It is found that NaOH concentration plays an important role in the formation of CaTiO3 prisms. A rational mechanism is proposed to illustrate the growth of CaTiO3 prisms. And the CaTi2O4(OH)2 interlaminar structure is illustrated. Keywords: solvorthermal preparation, surfactant-free, CaTiO3 prism, CaTi2O4(OH)2 interlaminar structure Introduction Due to its widespread potential applications in a lot fields, calcium titanium oxides have been considered as one of the most important inorganic materials. The most classic model for shape control is the Wulff facets argument or Gibbs-Curie-Wulff theorem, which suggests that the shape of a crystal depends on the relative specific surface energy of each face or facet of the crystal 1. However, our experiment results show that this pure thermodynamic can not explain well. It can be the concentration of existing monomers by tuning NaOH concentration plays a key role for the evolution of the shapes and phases of the calcium titanium oxide crystals 2. If the pH values can be well-controlled, the growth of crystals with different morphologies should be possible. As a result, the concentration of the remaining monomers after the nucleation process is dependent on the number of nuclei formed. To maintain the correct pH of the solvorthermal system, it is necessary to use alkaline or acidity mineralizers (i.e. pH adjusting agents). NaOH or HNO3 are most convenient for this purpose. However, intermediates are often observed during the preparation of CaTiO3. The presence of this impurity phase significantly affects the material’s properties and, thus, it should be avoided. Therefore, it is worthwhile to compare NaOH concentration that are necessary to obtain phase-pure caltium oxides 3. In the present work, calcium tantium oxides was prepared by a solvorthermal method by tuning NaOH concentration. A rational mechanism is proposed to illustrate the growth of CaTiO3 prisms. And the CaTi2O4(OH)2 interlaminar structure is analysised by XRD, SEM and FT-IR . Experimental procedure Synthesis The CaTiO3 crystals were synthesized in an aqueous medium by a solvothermal route. In a typical synthesis, 0.01mol Ti(OC4H9)4 (Sigma Aldrich, 99%) were mixed with molar ratio of water/enthonal=10/10. In particular, pH value of deionized water was adjusted 1 by adding HNO3. Then added to 10 ml of a 1 M CaCl2 ·5H2O solution under vigorous stirring at room temperature. After the solution was stirred for 5 min, various NaOH concentration (0.005 M, 0.01 M, 1 M, 3 M, 5 M, 7 M) was added to adjust the pH. Subsequently, the autoclave was sealed and maintained at180  °C for 36 h, followed by natural cooling to room temperature. Afterward, the final products were centrifuged, washed with deionized water and absolute ethanol several times, and then dried at 80  °C for 15 h in air. Characterization The morphologies of the powders were investigated by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM, Hitachi S-4800, Japan). The crystal phases of the products were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD, PANalytical X’Pert Pro, Holland), in a 2ÃŽ ¸ range from 100 to 800, using Cu-Ka radiation. UV–Vis absorption was measured by a TU-1901 spectrophotometer equipped with a reflectance attachment and BaSO4 was used as the reference material. Infrared spectra of the samples were obtained using a Nicolet Nexus 470 Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectrometer in the 400-4000 cm1 region by KBr pellet. Results and discussion We have systematically investigated the system in various NaOH concentrations while keeping the other reaction conditions unchanged, as shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. Fig. 1 XRD patterns of samples synthesized at different NaOH concentrations: (a) 0.005 M, (b) 0.01 M, (c) 1 M, (d) 3 M, (e) 5 M, (f) 7 M. Fig. 1 shows the XRD patterns of the samples synthesized in various NaOH concentrations. When NaOH concentrations is 0.005 M, the sample is CaTi2O5 (JCPDS card 25-1450) phase. When NaOH concentrations is 0.01 M, the sample is pure CaTi2O4(OH)2 (JCPDS card 39-0357) phase (Fig. 1(b)). When NaOH concentrations increases to 1 M, intensity of CaTi2O4(OH)2 phase increases. Further increasing NaOH concentration to 3 M, CaTi2O4(OH)2 phase disappears and CaTiO3 (JCPDS card 42-0423) appears with a little trace of Ti3O5 and Ti4O7. When NaOH concentrations is above 5 M, pure CaTiO3 is obtained and peak intenisity of CaTiO3 further increases, which indicates well crystallized. Fig. 2 FESEM images of the samples synthesized at different NaOH concentrations: (a) 0.005M, (b) 0.01M, (c) 1M, (d) 3M, (e) 5 M, (f) 7 M. When NaOH concentrations is 0.005 M, CaTi2O5 aggregated particles are obtained (Fig. 2(a)). When NaOH concentrations is 0.01 M, CaTi2O4(OH)2 porous needlelike and floating irregular clouds-like particles are obtained (Fig. 2(b)). When the NaOH concentrations are 1 M, CaTi2O4(OH)2 morpholgy is mainly composed of overlap leaves (Fig. 2(c)). When the NaOH concentrations are 3 M, nanosheets disspeared, and a lot of aggregated particles with a little trace of prisms(Fig. 2(d)). Whereas above 5 M, CaTiO3 rectangular prisms were formed (Fig. 2 (e)-(f)). On the basis of all the above observations, it is indicated that the presence of NaOH concentrtion in the solution is necessary for the formation of calcium titanium oxides. From the viewpoint of the chemical composition effect, the NaOH concentration may influence the combination of free Ca2+ and release Ti4+ ions of TiO2 in the solvothermal process [4]. Due to forming a lower amounts of active OH ions and small amounts of TiO2 soluble species in low NaOH concentration (0.005M, 0.01M), reactive Ca2+ and TiO2 causes the reaction to be controlled by the transport of TiO2 soluble species from hydroxide crystals to an interface bearing reactive Ca species. A shortage of TiO2 soluble species near Ca2+ will halt the reaction to form CaTiO3. Instead, owing to the small solubility of titanium dioxide in the acid conditions, CaTi2O5 forms. Increasing NaOH to 0.01M, the solvothermal processing accelerate the TiO2 formation and promote TiO2 to transform small amounts of Ti4+ ions [4-5], which are involved in a reaction with Ca2+à ¯Ã‚ ¼Ã…’leading to the formation of CaTi2O4(OH)2 crystallites. However, a large amount of Ti(OH)4 was formed when NaOH concentration was increased to 1M, O-H group of TiO6 octahedron free end decreases, the probability of Ca2+ into the lattice of the increase, the formation of tetragonal CaTiO3 particles. With the increase of NaOH concentration to 5 M, i. e. in the high OH ion concentration, because of solvothermal synthesis of CaTiO3 crystal defects and grain size effect, CaTiO3 particles are formed. For the cubic phase CaTiO3, (110) and (100) surfaces can exist at the same time, gamma (110) is slightly larger than the gamma (100) crystal[3-4], which makes the tetragonal CaTiO3 nanocrystals along (110) plane and (100) surface growth, so CaTiO3 particles will give priority to the relatively low surface energy (100) surface growth, resulting in the formation of prism. Further increasing NaOH concentration, prism further Ostwald ripening, formi ng distinct edges and corners of CaTiO3 prisms [3-4]. A detailed time study is obvious for the growth process of the CaTiO3 prism in the case of 7 M NaOH. Unfortunately the experiments show the CaTiO3 prism are quickly fromed due to the fast growth rate, which prevents the direct observations of its detailed growth process. Howerver, based on the morphology evolution (Fig. 2(a)-(f)) , the growth process of CaTiO3 prism by the solvothermal process with 7 M NaOH is simply illustrated in Fig. 3. Fig. 3 Schematic representation of the growing process of CaTiO3 prism-like structures. In previous researches, our work found that CaTi2O4(OH)2 may have photocatalytic and electrochemical properties [5-6]. On view of the potential application, the structure of CaTi2O4(OH)2 is what we want. Fig. 4 shows FT-IR spectra in the range of 400-4000 cm–1 of CaTi2O4(OH)2 sample. The peaks at 3425 cm1 can be attributed to the O-H stretching. Compared with free –OH ( 3600 cm-1 )à ¯Ã‚ ¼Ã…’the absorption peak shifts to low wavelength, which is due to the coordinated water molecules via hydrogen bonding interaction to the CO32- of the interlamination [5]. The broad absorption band observed at 3200 cm-1 is originated from the presence of hydroxyl groups of water 7. The absorption peak at 1538 cm-1 attributes to H-O-H bending of the lattice water 8. The sharp absorption peak at 1357 cm-1 attributes to C-O-C bending of carbonate ion. A band centered at 750 cm-1, which is attributed to isolated tetrahedron TiO4 stretching vibration. The absorption bands below 500 cm-1, i . e. bands centered at 495 and 425 cm-1 can be ascribed to Ca-Ti-O bending vibrations 8. From XRD and FT-IR results, the interlamination contains CO32-, H2O, isolated tetrahedron TiO4 and –OH ions, Fig. 5 shows diagrammatic sketch of CaTi2O4(OH) 2 sample. Fig. 4 FT-IR spectra in the range of 400-4000 cm–1 of CaTi2O4(OH)2 sample. Fig. 5 Diagrammatic sketch of CaTi2O4(OH)2 sample. Conclusion In summary, we report here a simple solvothermal process for the formation of pure calcium tantium oxides without any surfactants. It is also found that the appropriate concentration of NaOH is vital for the formation of CaTiO3 prism. A possible mechanism has been proposed to explain the formation of CaTiO3 prism. And the CaTi2O4(OH) 2 interlaminar structure is illustrated. Acknowledgement The present work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation (Grant No. 51262014 and 51172201). References H. Hosono, Y. Mishima, H. Takezoe and K. J. D. MacKenzie. ‘Nanomaterials: From Research to Applications’ Elsevier Ltd., Oxford, 2006, pp. 206 W. Dong, B. Song, G. Zhao and G. Han. ‘Effects of pH on morphosynthesis and properties of calcium titanium oxides via a facile aqueous strategy’, Mater. Res. Bull., 2013,11, 4633-4640 Y. J. Huang, H. T. Chiu, C.Y. Lee, Growth of CaTiO3 dendrites and rectangular prisms through a wet chemical method, CrystEngComm, 11 (2009)1904–1909. W. Dong, G. Zhao, B. Song, G. Xu, J. Zhou and G. Han. ‘Surfactant-free fabrication of CaTiO3 butterfly-like dendrite via a simple one-step solvothermal route’, CrystEngComm, 2012, 14, 6990 6997. W. Dong, B. Song, G. Zhao, and G. Han. ‘Controllable synthesis of CaTi2O4(OH) 2 nanoflakes by a facile template-free process and its properties’, Ceram. Int., 2013, 39, 6795-6803. W. Dong, B. Song, G. Zhao, and G. Han. ‘Synthesis and Characterization of CaTi2O4(OH) 2 Nanosheets for Lithium-Ion Battery’. INT. J. ELECTR. SCI., 2013, 8, 4551-4559 G. M. Duffy, S. C. Pillai and D. E. McCormack, J. Mater. Chem. 2007, 17, 181-184. K. Nakamoto. ‘Infrared and Raman Spectra of Inorganic and Coordination Compounds’, Fifth edn, Wiley, Toronto, 1997, pp.67-78.

Nuclear Medicine Essay -- nuclear medicine medical

Nuclear Medicine is the use of radioisotopes for diagnosis, treatment, and research. Radioactive chemical tracers emit gamma rays which provides diagnostic information about a person's anatomy and the functioning of specific organs. Radioisotopes are also utilizes in treatments of diseases such as cancer. It is estimated that approximately one in two people in Western countries are likely to experience the benefits of nuclear medicine in their lifetime. To understand what a radioactive isotope is a basic understanding of the atom is necessary. Atoms are comprised of three subatomic particles : protons, neutrons and electrons. Protons and neutrons bind together to form the nucleus of the atom, while the electrons surround and orbit the nucleus. Protons and electrons have opposite charges and therefore attract one another (electrons are negative and protons are positive, and opposite charges attract), and in most cases the number of electrons and protons are the same for an atom (making the atom neutral in charge). The neutrons are neutral. Their purpose in the nucleus is to bind protons together. Because the protons all have the same charge and would naturally repel one another, the neutrons act as "glue" to hold the protons tightly together in the nucleus. While all atoms of the same element have the same number of protons, it is possible for atoms of one element to have different numbers of neutrons. Atoms of the same element with different numbers of neutrons are called isotopes . For example, all atoms of the element carbon have 6 protons, but while most carbon atoms have 6 neutrons, some have 7 or 8. Isotopes are named by giving the name of the element followed by the sum of the neutrons and protons in the isotope's nucl... ...why does the technologist step behind a shield to prevent exposure to themself?" The radiation dose for each exam is relatively small, but over time, the dose can add up. There are many state and federal regulations limiting the total radiation dose that may be received by people working with radiation. To comply with those regulations, the technologist must follow strict precautions to keep their cumulative exposure to a minimum. Although no adverse health effects have been directly linked to low-dose radiation exposure, the medical community is playing it safe with regards to radiation. Most physicians are very careful about ordering radiologic tests. They should not order a study unless it will improve patient care. If you have a question about the importance or the necessity of a radiologic test that has been ordered for you, be sure to ask your physician.

Maya Angelou: Hope into Art Essay -- Biography Biographies Essays

Maya Angelou: Hope into Art      Ã‚  Ã‚   Before delving into a discussion of celebrated writer Maya Angelou, a fuller understanding of the worldview that shapes her work can be gleaned from a brief review of a few lines from the 1962 Nobel Prize winning speech of another celebrated writer, John Steinbeck:    The writer is delegated to declare and to celebrate man's proven capacity for greatness of heart and spirit--for gallantry in defeat, for courage, compassion and love. In the endless war against weakness and despair, these are the bright rally flags of hope and of emulation. I hold that a writer who does not passionately believe in the perfectability of man has no dedication nor any membership in literature. (Steinbeck 1)    In Angelou's first novel, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, she examines how a bird (soul) that is caged (unfree) would still sing.   I was curious about this and my main question after reading the story is how Angelou came to such a hopeful worldview despite her many horrific life experiences (poverty, racism, assassinations, divorce, etc.).      The roller-coaster life of Maya Angelou has included many ups and downs that have become the stuff out of which she has written a six volume autobiography, beginning with I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings and ending recently with the last installment, A Song Flung up to Heaven.   Angelou was born Marguerite Johnson on April 4, 1928, in St. Louis, Missouri (Weaver G-10).   Angelou's life has been filled with chaos and despair as well as success and love.   She was raped by her mother's boyfriend at the age of 8 and at various times in her life she toiled in a variety of occupations including Creole cook, calypso dancer, actress, madam, civil-righ... ...ranscript).   WNET, Available: http://www.newsun.com/angelou.html, 2002: 1-3. Jones, H.   Maya fires a silver-tipped arrow right to the heart.   Western Main, Jun 5, 2002: 12. Kelley, K.   Visions: Maya Angelou.   Mother Jones, Available: http://www.motherjones.com/mother_jones/MJ95/kelley.html, 2002: 1-4. Kizis, S.   Two women: Maya Angelou's character sketches.   Writing, Apr/May 2002: 16-18. Steinbeck, J.   1962 Nobel Prize winning acceptance speech.   San Jose State University, Available: http://www.sjsu. edu/depts/steinbec/nobel.html, 1962: 1-2. Weaver, T. K. Hope is not naà ¯ve.   Pittsburgh Post, May 12, 2002: G-10. Wilson, S.   A Song Flung Up to Heaven: Lyricism, liberty and a lesson in hope.   Scotland on Sunday, Jun 16, 2002: 5.          6                                                 Maya Angelou: Hope into Art Essay -- Biography Biographies Essays Maya Angelou: Hope into Art      Ã‚  Ã‚   Before delving into a discussion of celebrated writer Maya Angelou, a fuller understanding of the worldview that shapes her work can be gleaned from a brief review of a few lines from the 1962 Nobel Prize winning speech of another celebrated writer, John Steinbeck:    The writer is delegated to declare and to celebrate man's proven capacity for greatness of heart and spirit--for gallantry in defeat, for courage, compassion and love. In the endless war against weakness and despair, these are the bright rally flags of hope and of emulation. I hold that a writer who does not passionately believe in the perfectability of man has no dedication nor any membership in literature. (Steinbeck 1)    In Angelou's first novel, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, she examines how a bird (soul) that is caged (unfree) would still sing.   I was curious about this and my main question after reading the story is how Angelou came to such a hopeful worldview despite her many horrific life experiences (poverty, racism, assassinations, divorce, etc.).      The roller-coaster life of Maya Angelou has included many ups and downs that have become the stuff out of which she has written a six volume autobiography, beginning with I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings and ending recently with the last installment, A Song Flung up to Heaven.   Angelou was born Marguerite Johnson on April 4, 1928, in St. Louis, Missouri (Weaver G-10).   Angelou's life has been filled with chaos and despair as well as success and love.   She was raped by her mother's boyfriend at the age of 8 and at various times in her life she toiled in a variety of occupations including Creole cook, calypso dancer, actress, madam, civil-righ... ...ranscript).   WNET, Available: http://www.newsun.com/angelou.html, 2002: 1-3. Jones, H.   Maya fires a silver-tipped arrow right to the heart.   Western Main, Jun 5, 2002: 12. Kelley, K.   Visions: Maya Angelou.   Mother Jones, Available: http://www.motherjones.com/mother_jones/MJ95/kelley.html, 2002: 1-4. Kizis, S.   Two women: Maya Angelou's character sketches.   Writing, Apr/May 2002: 16-18. Steinbeck, J.   1962 Nobel Prize winning acceptance speech.   San Jose State University, Available: http://www.sjsu. edu/depts/steinbec/nobel.html, 1962: 1-2. Weaver, T. K. Hope is not naà ¯ve.   Pittsburgh Post, May 12, 2002: G-10. Wilson, S.   A Song Flung Up to Heaven: Lyricism, liberty and a lesson in hope.   Scotland on Sunday, Jun 16, 2002: 5.          6                                                

A Moral Basis for the Helping Professions Essay -- Employment Careers

Our consideration of moral issues in the helping professions should go beyond decision-making in particular cases. We need a more basic set of moral attitudes that can provide the context for making these decisions, and which describe the sort of person the helping professional needs to be. The helping professional needs to be able to perform a large number of supererogatory actions. We can compare helping professionals to both saints and good parents. The work of Sarah Ruddick on the virtues that inform maternal practice can be of great help to us here. She characterizes the kind of emotional and moral attitudes that exemplify good mothers as preservative love. The attitudes that make up preservative love-humility, attentive love, holding and humor-share some common ground with the qualities of saints. The helping professional is in an unusual position in the sense that who he/she is has a strong influence on the efficacy of treatment. Morality in the helping professions needs to ta ke this into account. To be a good helping professional involves a commitment to develop into the right sort of person. The issue of morality in the helping professions is much discussed at present. Most recently, it has come up in connection with issues involving the abuse of trust in relationships of unequal psychological and emotional power. It is a good thing to raise these issues. From the clergy accused of abusing young people to therapists taking advantage of their positions to sexually or emotionally abuse their clients, actions which were formerly concealed through the vulnerability of the client and the authority of the professional need no longer be kept secret. However, this, along with issues such as involuntary incarceration and the u... ...ehavior are not immediately accessible to the will. To become a person capable of preservative love requires a strong desire to do so and a willingness to do what is necessary to develop into the sort of person who can manifest preservative love. We cannot become unselfish, humble and attentive in the same way that we can decide to follow a moral rule. We require both education in virtue and transforming self-knowledge. Notes (1) Sarah Ruddick, "Maternal Thinking" in Mothering: Essays in Feminist Theory, ed. Joyce Trebilcot ( Rowan and Allanheld, Totowa, New Jersey, 1983) p. 240. (2) Ruddick, op.cit., p.213 (3) Ruddick, op.cit., p. 217 (4) Ruddick, op.cit., p. 223 (5) See Bonnelle Strickling, "Self-Abnegation" in Feminist Perspectives: Philosopohical Essays on Method and Morals, ed. L. Code, S. Mullet and C. Overall (University of Toronto, 1983).

Emily Bronte and Wuthering Heights – the authors personal experiences in the play

Critiques say that Emily Bronte overshadowed her sister, although when compared to her more outgoing sisters, Emily was a seemingly trapped young woman. She expressed her wildest dreams through her writing. Emily, born on July 30th, 1818 in Thorton, Yorkshire, had four sisters and one brother. (Encyclopedia Americana PG 596. ) The female authors of the family included Charlotte, Anne, and Emily. Charlotte's most famous novel The Professor, along with Jane Eyre were highly praised. Anne wrote Agnes Gray. The Bronte family lived in Haworth. Mrs. Bronte died during Emily's third year. She first attended Cowan Bridge School, where she received a fairly good education, although her time there broke of early, she returned home due to her sister's death. After returning home focused more on her writing. She focused on her poetry. The imaginary village of Gondal influenced her poems. Her sister Anne co wrote some of these poems with her. She later attended a school by the name of Roe Head, but became deeply home sick and returned home. (Stapleton, Michael PG 99. Her final attempt to go to school was at Law Hill, where her and Charlotte taught. Later their brother Branwell tried influencing them to begin publishing novels because it promised a lot of money. The three sisters formed a publishing company of their own. (Encyclopedia Americana PG 597. ) Then Emily began her work on the famous well-known novel of Wuthering Heights. At first, her novel received little praise compared to her sister's books. But its acknowledgment came later. Soon Emily no longer focused on her family, writing, or school. She withdrew herself from the world around her. Her brother Branwell died on October 1st 1848, after drunken rages, that same year Emily became diagnosed with inflammation of the lungs. She died that same year on December 19th. (Www. lang. nagoya-u. ac. jp. ) Although Emily is gone, her novel Wuthering Heights will always be a legend, with its twisted passion, and compelling opposites of Emily's own life. The story begins in 1801, with a man named Lockwood who comes to rent a room at Thrushcross Grange. Lockwood then meets the master of the Grange and of Wuthering Heights. On his journey to the heights he sees the haunting ghost of Catherine, Heathcliff's long lost love. While lying in bed, he hears branches tapping the window, to put them to a halt he reaches to grab them, but to his surprise he grabs the hand of a person instead! â€Å"†¦ Instead of which my fingers closed on the fingers of a little, ice cold hand! † (Emily Bronte PG 30. ) After this astonishment and returning to Thrushcross Grange, Lockwood asks the housekeeper, Nelly to tell him the tale of Heathcliff. The story begins when Mr. Earnshaw, Catherine and Hindley's father returns home with an orphan. The boys name is Heathcliff. Hindley hates him, but Catherine comes to love him. With the death of both Mr. nd Mrs. Earnshaw, Hindley inherits Wuthering Heights. On one evening Heathcliff and Catherine go to Thrushcross Grange to pick on Edgar and Isabella, the rich children that live there. Catherine is forced to stay there after a dog bites her. After a month or so she returns and has lost her love for Heathcliff. Hindley has a son named Hareton, who he calls upon Nelly to take care of since his wife, Frances, died giving the birth. Heathcliff over hears Catherine telling Nelly about her engagement to Edgar, and runs away. He returns some years later as a young man. He plans to seek revenge on Hindley and Edgar. He soon inherits Wuthering Heights after Hindley dies, and marries Isabella to insure his ownership of Thrushcross Grange. Catherine becomes unhappy with Edgar and her love for Heathcliff returns with his arrival, although her pride will not allow her to follow her heat. She dies giving birth to her daughter Cathy. The story with Cathy begins when Edgar takes Linton, Heathcliff and Isabella's son, into their home. Heathcliff soon claims him and forces a marriage between Cathy and Linton. Edgar and Linton soon die, one right after the other, and then Heathcliff takes control of Thrushcross Grange. Which is then rented to Lockwood. Shortly after Lockwood returns to London. On returning to Wuthering Heights he sees that Heathcliff has become obsessed with the ghost of Catherine and soon dies. Cathy and Hareton, Hindley's son, are in love and plan a wedding. The story ends with Lockwood at Heathcliff and Catherine's graves. Emily's life and experiences had much to do with the writing of Wuthering Heights. Emily used her own life to fuel the writing of Wuthering Heights. Her family, her experiences, her religion, and her bottled up, neglected personality all contributed to her writing of Wuthering Heights. First of all, Emily's religion played a huge part in the story of Wuthering Heights. Emily did not limit her religion to one particular form, but when asked how she worshiped, she replied, â€Å"That is between me and god. † (Critical Essays on Emily Bronte PG 8. ) Emily beheld three main beliefs. One; that Hell exists only on earth, and no souls suffer torments after death, two; A soul that has suffered sufficiently on earth attains its heaven, Three; A soul that has not suffered is in limbo for a time, but is redeemed by others' sufferings if not by its own, after enduring the poena damni, deprivation of the desired heaven. Critical Essays on Emily Bronte PG 9. ) These â€Å"rules† are often reflected in Wuthering Heights. With Catherine, she does not go to either Heaven nor Hell, but remains on earth by the wish of Heathcliff, and states herself in the novel she deserves no Heaven. The only time she achieves heaven is when Heathcliff dies and they are once again united, even if it may not be in actual heaven. Emily also refers to Heathcliff as the devil. (Critical Essays on Emily Bronte pg13. ) When Mr. Earnshaw returns home from a trip, he brings with him a boy, â€Å"†¦ you must e'en take it as a gift from God, though it's as dark almost as if it came from the devil. (Pg 40 of Wuthering Heights) Referring to him, as a devil, but yet a gift from God is actually quite complex. It utters Heathcliff's two personalities, as God, his undying love for Catherine and his ability to control people. With his ability to manipulate a situation, he also portrays devil like qualities. Also, in the book, there is a part where Cathy and Linton are comparing their perfect ideas of a hot summer day in July. Linton's idea was a more peaceful one, while Catherine only wanted to dance and sparkle. † I said his heaven would only be half alive, and he said mine would be drunk. (Pg 237 of Wuthering Heights) Emily immediately relates the differences in their ideas of summer evenings to Heaven. Which implies that Cathy and Linton are not meant for each other. Like every one of us, family holds very important quality. Emily's family played an important role in Wuthering Heights. Influences for character mainly included her family. Emily was brought up in a large family, which was not uncommon for that day and age. As in the story, all the children were close in age. But, in Wuthering Heights, there were only two or three children in each family. Maybe this distinguishes an idea that Emily wished she had so she put it into her novel. Emily's brother Branwell fell victim to drugs, alcohol, and sex. This notes a direct portrayal to Catherine's brother Hindley. Hindley has more evil to him than Branwell, but takes on drinking and gambling. He soon blows all of his money and dies when he has no place in the world. Exactly like Branwell. Patrick Branwell, Emily's father, and an Irish man, took care of his family and loved his children. He also died early on in Emily's life, as did Mr. Earnshaw. Mr. Earnshaw devoted himself to his children. I am going to Liverpool today, what shall I bring you? You may choose what you like† (Wuthering Heights pg 40. ) With the death of Mr. Earnshaw turmoil boils among the family; it brings Hindley's hatred toward Heathcliff to the surface, similar to the Mrs. Earnshaw in Wuthering Heights. At the age of two, Emily's mom died. Mrs. Earnshaw is also not noted in the book for more than one or two pages before her death. Emily gave both the Earnshaw's and the Linton's lives with out parents. Probably because she would not of known how to write parents into there lives not knowing hers very well at all. Other factors that have affected Wuthering Heights are her family history, the novel Bridegroom and Barna, and her experiences at Law Hill School. One even her father was telling his children about their ancestors. One of the stories must have connected with Emily because she used it as an outline for her novel. The story goes that his uncle Welsh abused Patrick's father Hugh Branty, who happened to be adopted. Welsh, a representative of Heathcliff, was found on a boat and adopted by Hugh's Grandpa. Welsh later took over the household, and married the daughter of the house. Pyckett, Lyn PG 3-9. ) The Bridegroom and Barna is a story of Emily's time about two star-crossed lovers from rivaled families. Who are only united in death. Just like the Earnshaw's and the Linton's, their children fell in love and only found peace after death. While Emily attended Law Hill School, the owner of the school had two sons, one adopted and one by birth. The son by birth constantly argued and was jealous of the adopted son. This relates directly to Hindley and Heathcliff, two sons arguing for the love of their own father. (Pyckett, Lyn pg10-15. ) The last found influences towards Wuthering Heights are the traits of Emily herself. She was the only child out of six to be given a middle name. It seems as if her parents knew she would be different. She was a very quiet person who kept to her self. And when her own sister came upon her poems she was furious. (Pyckett, Lyn PG 8. ) During her life she experienced a lot of death. Death is also a main factor dealt with in Wuthering Heights. The amount of characters was cut in half by the end of the book. It also reflects the time period where people all died much earlier than they do today. Wuthering Heights was written towards the end of Emily's life. Which may be the reason the story has no theme of hope. Emily knew she was going to die, and did not want a doctor to be called in her last hours. (Critical Essays on Emily Bronte PG 51. ) She was also in a state of delusion. Probably living out the lives of her characters in her dreams. Wuthering Heights only has two main settings, Wuthering Heights and Thrushcross Grange. This portrays an example of how Emily felt trapped in her own home. She wrote to venture out. She had no love of her life yet wrote one the most passionate stories ever. In conclusion Emily's experiences, her feelings of being alone, the characteristics of her family members, and her relationship with God, all affected the outcome of Wuthering Heights. Using her religion in her novel allows you to connect with her. It could not have been written the same by any other person; because only she beheld these imaginative believes. The story is extremely personal, using references to her family member, not caring if it affected them, which may exemplify why it was written in the last stage of her life. Instead of writing about a tremendous love she had experienced, this way she has no boundaries, she may write whatever her mind will let her. Being an outsider, she enabled herself to express how she really felt, how she wished she could be. All in all, Emily Bronte and Wuthering Heights will always be remembered for their originality, and their unique qualities, not for their popular, common traits. Emily's legend lives on just like Catherine's. Lingering on Earth even after death.

The Lost Duke of Wyndham Chapter Five

Lovely house,† Jack said, as he was led – hands still bound – through the grand entrance of Belgrave. He turned to the old lady. â€Å"Did you decorate? It has that woman's touch.† Miss Eversleigh was trailing behind, but he could hear her choke back a bubble of laughter. â€Å"Oh, let it out, Miss Eversleigh,† he called over his shoulder. â€Å"Much better for your constitution.† â€Å"This way,† the dowager ordered, motioning for him to follow her down the hall. â€Å"Should I obey, Miss Eversleigh?† She did not reply, smart girl that she was. But he was far too furious for circumspect sympathy, so he took his insolence one step further. â€Å"Yoo-hoo! Miss Eversleigh! Did you hear me?† â€Å"Of course she heard you,† the dowager snapped angrily. Jack paused, cocking his head as he regarded the dowager. â€Å"I thought you were overjoyed to make my acquaintance.† â€Å"I am,† she bit off. â€Å"Hmmm.† He turned to Miss Eversleigh, who had caught up to them during the exchange. â€Å"I don't think she sounds overjoyed, Miss Eversleigh. Do you?† Miss Eversleigh's eyes darted from him to her employer and back before she said, â€Å"The dowager duchess is most eager to accept you into her family.† â€Å"Well said, Miss Eversleigh,† he applauded. â€Å"Insightful and yet circumspect.† He turned back to the dowager. â€Å"I hope you pay her well.† Two red spots appeared on the dowager's cheeks, in such stark relief to the white of her skin that he would have sworn she'd used rouge if he hadn't seen the angry marks appear with his own eyes. â€Å"You are dismissed,† she ordered, not even looking at Miss Eversleigh. â€Å"I am?† he feigned. â€Å"Lovely.† He held out his bound wrists. â€Å"Would you mind?† â€Å"Not you, her.† His grandmother's jaw clenched. â€Å"As you well know.† But Jack was not in the mood to be accommodating, and in that moment he did not even care to maintain his usual jocular facade. And so he looked her in the eye, his green meeting her icy, icy blue, and as he spoke, he felt a shiver of deja vu. It was almost as if he were back on the Continent, back in battle, his shoulders straight and his eyes narrowed as he faced down the enemy. â€Å"She stays.† They froze, all three of them, and Jack's eyes did not waver from the dowager's as he continued. â€Å"You brought her into this. She will remain through to the end.† He half expected Miss Eversleigh to protest. Hell, any sane person would have run as far as possible from the upcoming confrontation. But she stood utterly still, her arms stick-straight at her sides, her only movement her throat as she swallowed. â€Å"If you want me,† he said quietly, â€Å"you will take her as well.† The dowager sucked a long, angry breath through her nose and jerked her head to the side. â€Å"Grace,† she barked, â€Å"the crimson drawing room. Now.† Her name was Grace. He turned and looked at her. Her skin was pale and her eyes were wide and assessing. Grace. He liked it. It fit her. â€Å"Don't you want to know my name?† he called out to the dowager, who was already stalking down the hall. She stopped and turned, as he knew she would. â€Å"It's John,† he announced, enjoying the way the blood drained from her face. â€Å"Jack to friends† – he looked at Grace with heavy-lidded seduction in his eyes – â€Å"and friends.† He could have sworn he felt her shiver, which delighted him. â€Å"Are we?† he murmured. Her lips parted a full second before she managed to make a sound. â€Å"Are we what?† â€Å"Friends, of course.† â€Å"I – I – â€Å" â€Å"Will you leave my companion alone!† the dowager barked. He sighed and shook his head toward Miss Eversleigh. â€Å"She's so domineering, don't you think?† Miss Eversleigh blushed. Truly, it was the prettiest pink he'd ever seen. â€Å"Pity about these bindings,† he continued. â€Å"We do seem to be caught in a romantic moment, your employer's acidic presence aside, and it would be far easier to drop one exquisite kiss on the back of your hand were I able to lift it with one of mine.† This time he was certain she shivered. â€Å"Or your mouth,† he whispered. â€Å"I might kiss your mouth.† There was a lovely silence, broken rather rudely by: â€Å"What the devil?† Miss Eversleigh jumped back a foot or three, and Jack turned to see an extremely angry man striding his way. â€Å"Is this man bothering you, Grace?† he demanded. She shook her head quickly. â€Å"No, no, he's not. But – â€Å" The newcomer turned to Jack with furious blue eyes. Furious blue eyes that rather closely resembled those of the dowager, save for the bags and wrinkles. â€Å"Who are you?† â€Å"Who are you?† Jack countered, instantly disliking him. â€Å"I am Wyndham,† he shot back. â€Å"And you are in my home.† Jack blinked. A cousin. His new family was growing more charming by the second. â€Å"Ah. Well, in that case, I am Jack Audley. Formerly of His Majesty's esteemed army, more recently of the dusty road.† â€Å"Who are these Audleys?† the dowager demanded, crossing back over. â€Å"You are no Audley. It is there in your face. In your nose and chin and in every bloody feature save your eyes, which are quite the wrong color.† â€Å"The wrong color?† Jack responded, acting hurt. â€Å"Really?† He turned to Miss Eversleigh. â€Å"I was always told the ladies like green eyes. Was I misinformed?† â€Å"You are a Cavendish!† the dowager roared. â€Å"You are a Cavendish, and I demand to know why I was not informed of your existence.† â€Å"What the devil is going on?† Wyndham demanded. Jack thought it wasn't his duty to answer, so he happily kept quiet. â€Å"Grace?† Wyndham asked, turning to Miss Eversleigh. Jack watched the exchange with interest. They were friends, but were they friendly? He could not be sure. Miss Eversleigh swallowed with noticeable discomfort. â€Å"Your grace,† she said, â€Å"perhaps a word in private?† â€Å"And spoil it for the rest of us?† Jack chimed in, because after what he'd been subjected to, he didn't much feel that anyone deserved a moment of privacy. And then, to achieve maximum irritation, he added, â€Å"After all I've been through†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"He is your cousin,† the dowager announced sharply. â€Å"He is the highwayman,† Miss Eversleigh said. â€Å"Not,† Jack added, turning to display his bound hands, â€Å"here of my own volition, I assure you.† â€Å"Your grandmother thought she recognized him last night,† Miss Eversleigh told the duke. â€Å"I knew I recognized him,† the dowager snapped. Jack resisted the urge to duck as she flicked her hand at him. â€Å"Just look at him.† Jack turned to the duke. â€Å"I was wearing a mask.† Because really, he shouldn't have to take the blame for this. He smiled cheerfully, watching the duke with interest as he brought his hand to his forehead and pressed his temples with enough force to crush his skull. And then, just like that, his hand fell away and he yelled, â€Å"Cecil!† Jack was about to make a quip about another lost cousin, but at that moment a footman – presumably named Cecil – came skidding down the hall. â€Å"The portrait,† Wyndham bit off. â€Å"Of my uncle.† â€Å"The one we just brought up to – â€Å" â€Å"Yes. In the drawing room. Now! â€Å" Even Jack's eyes widened at the furious energy in his voice. And then – it was like acid in his belly – he saw Miss Eversleigh lay a hand on the duke's arm. â€Å"Thomas,† she said softly, surprising him with her use of his given name, â€Å"please allow me to explain.† â€Å"Did you know about this?† Wyndham demanded. â€Å"Yes, but – â€Å" â€Å"Last night,† he said icily. â€Å"Did you know last night?† Last night? â€Å"I did, but Thomas – â€Å" What happened last night? â€Å"Enough,† he spat. â€Å"Into the drawing room. All of you.† Jack followed the duke, and then, once the door was shut behind them, held up his hands. â€Å"D'you think you might†¦?† he asked. Rather conversationally, if he did say so himself. â€Å"For the love of Christ,† Wyndham muttered. He grabbed something from a writing table near the wall and then returned. With one angry swipe, he cut through the bindings with a gold letter opener. Jack looked down to make sure he wasn't bleeding. â€Å"Well done,† he murmured. Not even a scratch. â€Å"Thomas,† Miss Eversleigh was saying, â€Å"I really think you ought to let me speak with you for a moment before – â€Å" â€Å"Before what?† Wyndham snapped, turning on her with what Jack deemed rather unbecoming fury. â€Å"Before I am informed of another long-lost cousin whose head may or may not be wanted by the Crown?† â€Å"Not by the Crown, I think,† Jack said mildly. He had his reputation to think of, after all. â€Å"But surely a few magistrates. And a vicar or two.† He turned to the dowager. â€Å"Highway robbery is not generally considered the most secure of all possible occupations.† His levity was appreciated by no one, not even poor Miss Eversleigh, who had managed to incur the fury of both Wyndhams. Rather undeservedly, too, in his opinion. He hated bullies. â€Å"Thomas,† Miss Eversleigh implored, her tone once again causing Jack to wonder just what, precisely, existed between those two. â€Å"Your grace,† she corrected, with a nervous glance over at the dowager, â€Å"there is something you need to know.† â€Å"Indeed,† Wyndham bit off. â€Å"The identities of my true friends and confidantes, for one thing.† Miss Eversleigh flinched as if struck, and at that moment Jack decided that he'd had quite enough. â€Å"I suggest,† he said, his voice light but steady, â€Å"that you speak to Miss Eversleigh with greater respect.† The duke turned to him, his eyes as stunned as the silence that descended over the room. â€Å"I beg your pardon.† Jack hated him in that moment, every prideful little aristocratic speck of him. â€Å"Not used to being spoken to like a man, are we?† he taunted. The air went electric, and Jack knew he probably should have foreseen what would come next, but the duke's face had positively twisted into fury, and Jack somehow could not seem to move as Wyndham launched himself forward, his hands wrapping themselves around his throat as the both of them went crashing down to the carpet. Cursing himself for a fool, Jack tried to get traction as the duke's fist slammed into his jaw. Pure animalistic survival set in, and he tensed his belly into a hard knot. With one lightning-quick movement he threw his torso forward, using his head as a weapon. There was a satisfying crack as he struck Wyndham's jaw, and Jack took advantage of his stunned state to roll them over and reverse their positions. â€Å"Don't†¦you†¦. ever strike me again,† Jack growled. He'd fought in gutters, on battlefields, for his country and for his life, and he'd never had patience for men who threw the first punch. He took an elbow in the belly and was about to return the favor with a knee to the groin when Miss Eversleigh leapt into the fray, wedging herself between the two men with nary a thought to propriety or her own safety. â€Å"Stop it! Both of you!† Jack managed to nudge Wyndham's upper arm just in time to stop his fist from reaching her cheek. It would have been an accident, of course, but then he'd have had to kill him, and that would have been a hanging offense. â€Å"You should be ashamed of yourself,† Miss Eversleigh scolded, looking straight at the duke. He merely raised a brow and said, â€Å"You might want to remove yourself from my, er†¦Ã¢â‚¬  He looked down at his midsection, upon which she was now seated. â€Å"Oh!† She jumped up, and Jack would have defended her honor except that he had to admit he'd have said the same thing were he seated under her. Not to mention that she was still holding his arm. â€Å"Tend to my wounds?† he asked, making his eyes big and green and brimming with the world's most effective expression of seduction. Which was, of course, I need you. I need you and if you would only care for me I will forswear all other women and melt at your feet and quite possibly become filthy rich and if you'd like even royal all in one dreamy swoop. It never failed. Except, apparently, now. â€Å"You have no wounds,† she snapped, thrusting him away. She looked over at Wyndham, who had risen to his feet beside her. â€Å"And neither do you.† Jack was about to make a comment about the milk of human kindness, but just then the dowager stepped forward and smacked her grandson – that would be the grandson of whose lineage they were quite certain – in the shoulder. â€Å"Apologize at once!† she snapped. â€Å"He is a guest in our house.† A guest. Jack was touched. â€Å"My house,† the duke snapped back. Jack watched the old lady with interest. She wouldn't take well to that. â€Å"He is your first cousin,† she said tightly. â€Å"One would think, given the lack of close relations in our family, that you would be eager to welcome him into the fold.† Oh, right. The duke was just brimming with joy. â€Å"Would someone,† Wyndham bit off, â€Å"do me the service of explaining just how this man has come to be in my drawing room?† Jack waited for someone to offer an explanation, and then, when none was forthcoming, offered his own version. â€Å"She kidnapped me,† he said with shrug, motioning toward the dowager. Wyndham turned slowly to his grandmother. â€Å"You kidnapped him,† he said, his voice flat and strangely devoid of disbelief. â€Å"Indeed,† she replied, her chin butting up in the air. â€Å"And I would do it again.† â€Å"It's true,† Miss Eversleigh said. And then she delighted him by turning in his direction and saying, â€Å"I'm sorry.† â€Å"Accepted, of course,† Jack said graciously. The duke, however, was not amused. To the extent that poor Miss Eversleigh felt the need to defend her actions with, â€Å"She kidnapped him!† Wyndham ignored her. Jack was really starting to dislike him. â€Å"And forced me to take part,† Miss Eversleigh muttered. She, on the other hand, was quickly becoming one of his favorite people. â€Å"I recognized him last night,† the dowager announced. Wyndham looked at her disbelievingly. â€Å"In the dark?† â€Å"Under his mask,† she answered with pride. â€Å"He is the very image of his father. His voice, his laugh, every bit of it.† Jack hadn't thought this a particularly convincing argument himself, so he was curious to see how the duke responded. â€Å"Grandmother,† he said, with what Jack had to allow was remarkable patience, â€Å"I understand that you still mourn your son – â€Å" â€Å"Your uncle,† she cut in. â€Å"My uncle.† He cleared his throat. â€Å"But it has been thirty years since his death.† â€Å"Twenty-nine,† she corrected sharply. â€Å"It has been a long time,† Wyndham said. â€Å"Memories fade.† â€Å"Not mine,† she replied haughtily, â€Å"and certainly not the ones I have of John. Your father I have been more than pleased to forget entirely – â€Å" â€Å"In that we are agreed,† Wyndham interrupted, leaving Jack to wonder at that story. And then, looking as if he very much still wished to strangle someone (Jack would have put his money on the dowager, since he'd already had the pleasure), Wyndham turned and bellowed, â€Å"Cecil!† â€Å"Your grace!† came a voice from the hall. Jack watched as two footmen struggled to bring a massive painting around the corner and into the room. â€Å"Set it down anywhere,† the duke ordered. With a bit of grunting and one precarious moment during which it seemed the painting would topple what was, to Jack's eye, an extremely expensive Chinese vase, the footmen managed to find a clear spot and set the painting down on the floor, leaning it gently against the wall. Jack stepped forward. They all stepped forward. And Miss Eversleigh was the first to say it. â€Å"Oh my God.† It was him. Of course it wasn't him, because it was John Cavendish, who had perished nearly three decades earlier, but by God, it looked exactly like the man standing next to her. Grace's eyes grew so wide they hurt, and she looked back and forth and back and forth and – â€Å"I see no one is disagreeing with me now,† the dowager said smugly. Thomas turned to Mr. Audley as if he'd seen a ghost. â€Å"Who are you?† he whispered. But even Mr. Audley was without words. He was just staring at the portrait, staring and staring and staring, his face white, his lips parted, his entire body slack. Grace held her breath. Eventually he'd find his voice, and when he did, surely he'd tell them all what he'd told her the night before. My name isn't Cavendish. But it once was. â€Å"My name,† Mr. Audley stammered, â€Å"my given name†¦Ã¢â‚¬  He paused, swallowed convulsively, and his voice shook as he said, â€Å"My full name is John Rollo Cavendish-Audley.† â€Å"Who were your parents?† Thomas whispered. Mr. Audley – Mr. Cavendish-Audley – didn't answer. â€Å"Who was your father?† Thomas's voice was louder this time, more insistent. â€Å"Who the bloody hell do you think he was?† Mr. Audley snapped. Grace's heart pounded. She looked at Thomas. He was pale and his hands were shaking, and she felt like such a traitor. She could have told him. She could have warned him. She had been a coward. â€Å"Your parents,† Thomas said, his voice low. â€Å"Were they married?† â€Å"What is your implication?† Mr. Audley demanded, and for a moment Grace feared that they would come to blows again. Mr. Audley brought to mind a caged beast, poked and prodded until he could stand it no more. â€Å"Please,† she pleaded, jumping between them yet again. â€Å"He doesn't know,† she said. Mr. Audley couldn't know what it meant if he was indeed legitimate. But Thomas did, and he'd gone so still that Grace thought he might shatter. She looked at him, and at his grandmother. â€Å"Someone needs to explain to Mr. Audley – â€Å" â€Å"Cavendish,† the dowager snapped. â€Å"Mr. Cavendish-Audley,† Grace said quickly, because she did not know how to style him without offending someone in the room. â€Å"Someone needs to tell him that†¦that†¦Ã¢â‚¬  She looked to the others for help, for guidance, for something, because surely this was not her duty. She was the only one of them there not of Cavendish blood. Why did she have to make all of the explanations? She looked at Mr. Audley, trying not to see the portrait in his face, and said, â€Å"Your father – the man in the painting, that is – assuming he is your father – he was his grace's father's†¦ elder brother.† No one said anything. Grace cleared her throat. â€Å"So, if†¦if your parents were indeed lawfully married – â€Å" â€Å"They were,† Mr. Audley all but snapped. â€Å"Yes, of course. I mean, not of course, but – â€Å" â€Å"What she means,† Thomas cut in sharply, â€Å"is that if you are indeed the legitimate offspring of John Cavendish, then you are the Duke of Wyndham.† And there it was. The truth. Or if not the truth, then the possibility of the truth, and no one, not even the dowager, knew what to say. The two men – the two dukes, Grace thought with a hysterical bubble of laughter – simply stared at each other, taking each other's measure, and then finally Mr. Audley's hand seemed to reach out. It shook, quivered like the dowager's when she was attempting to find purchase, and then finally, when it settled on the back of a chair, his fingers grasped tightly. With legs that were clearly unsteady, Mr. Audley sat down. â€Å"No,† he said. â€Å"No.† â€Å"You will remain here,† the dowager directed, â€Å"until this matter can be settled to my satisfaction.† â€Å"No,† Mr. Audley said with considerably more conviction. â€Å"I will not.† â€Å"Oh, yes, you will,† she responded. â€Å"If you do not, I will turn you in to the authorities as the thief you are.† â€Å"You wouldn't do that,† Grace blurted out. She turned to Mr. Audley. â€Å"She would never do that. Not if she believes that you are her grandson.† â€Å"Shut up!† the dowager growled. â€Å"I don't know what you think you are doing, Miss Eversleigh, but you are not family, and you have no place in this room.† Mr. Audley stood. His bearing was sharp, and proud, and for the first time Grace saw within him the military man he'd said he once was. When he spoke, his words were measured and clipped, completely unlike the lazy drawl she had come to expect from him. â€Å"Do not speak to her in that manner ever again.† Something inside of her melted. Thomas had defended her against his grandmother before; indeed, he'd long been her champion. But not like this. He valued her friendship, she knew that he did. But this†¦this was different. She didn't hear the words. She felt them. And as she watched Mr. Audley's face, her eyes slid to his mouth. It came back to her†¦the touch of his lips, his kiss, his breath, and the bittersweet shock when he was through, because she hadn't wanted it†¦and then she hadn't wanted it to end. There was perfect silence, stillness even, save for the widening of the dowager's eyes. And then, just when Grace realized that her hands had begun to tremble, the dowager bit off, â€Å"I am your grandmother.† â€Å"That,† Mr. Audley replied, â€Å"remains to be determined.† Grace's lips parted with surprise, because no one could doubt his parentage, not with the proof propped up against the drawing room wall. â€Å"What?† Thomas burst out. â€Å"Are you now trying to tell me that you don't think you are the son of John Cavendish?† Mr. Audley shrugged, and in an instant the steely determination in his eyes was gone. He was a highwayman rogue again, devil-may-care and completely without responsibility. â€Å"Frankly,† he said, â€Å"I'm not so certain I wish to gain entry into this charming little club of yours.† â€Å"You don't have a choice,† the dowager said. â€Å"So loving,† Mr. Audley said with sigh. â€Å"So thoughtful. Truly, a grandmother for the ages.† Grace clamped a hand over her mouth, but her choked laughter came through nonetheless. It was so inappropriate†¦in so many ways†¦but it was impossible to keep it in. The dowager's face had gone purple, her lips pinched until the lines of anger drew up to her nose. Not even Thomas had ever provoked such a reaction, and heaven knew, he had tried. She looked over at him. Of everyone in the room, surely he was the one with the most at stake. He looked exhausted. And bewildered. And furious, and amazingly, about to laugh. â€Å"Your grace,† she said hesitantly. She didn't know what she wanted to say to him. There probably wasn't anything to say, but the silence was just awful. He ignored her, but she knew he'd heard, because his body stiffened even more, then shuddered when he let out a breath. And then the dowager – oh why would she never learn to leave well enough alone? – bit off his name as if she were summoning a dog. â€Å"Shut up,† he snapped back. Grace wanted to reach out to him. Thomas was her friend, but he was – and he always had been – so far above her. And now she was standing here, hating herself because she could not stop thinking about the other man in the room, the one who might very well steal Thomas's very identity. And so she did nothing. And hated herself even more for it. â€Å"You should remain,† Thomas said to Mr. Audley. â€Å"We will need – â€Å" Grace held her breath as Thomas cleared his throat. â€Å"We will need to get this sorted out.† They all waited for Mr. Audley's response. He seemed to be assessing Thomas, taking his measure. Grace prayed he would realize just how difficult it must have been for Thomas to speak to him with such civility. Surely he would respond in kind. She wanted him so badly to be a good person. He'd kissed her. He'd defended her. Was it too much to hope that he was, underneath it all, a white knight?