Benjamin walked with Clara along the canal, flanked by an avenue of trees.

"It is so beautiful here," Clara stated, in awe of her surroundings.

"Yes, the garden is rather extensive. When Queen Charlotte took over this place, it was mostly flat. She's cultivated this land with the help of Major Price. Changed it into what it is now over the last twenty years. This is where she found her solace in dealing with her husband's illness."

"I cannot imagine her anguish. Queen Charlotte obviously loves the King. To see her hopes crushed, broke my heart. I could not imagine what that would feel like, to have you with me but your mind forsaken. The man I love lost to me, yet I could still see you, touch you. It seems like a fate worse than death."

Benjamin remained silent as they continued to walk back to the carriage that would bring them home. "Clara, we must discuss our living arrangements. Until I've had the chance to court you and show a proper effort to win your hand, I fear me must part."

"And so, it begins," Clara said, slowing her steps.

Benjamin stopped, causing Clara to stop with him. "What would you have me do, Clara? Admit to her Majesty that her most trusted man has been lying to her for years? Surely, after all we've endured, a few weeks shouldn't matter?"

"You're right, of course. I'm sorry Benjamin. Just the thought of being without you..."

Benjamin grabbed Clara by her shoulders. "I will enjoy this separation no more than you will, Clara, but I will get you a room at the hotel I mentioned. I've already inquired into a companion for you. You will wait to get the directive from the Queen with the details of when and where you are to attend. I'm certain I will also get an invitation. I believe Queen Charlotte is looking to make a match of us. So, if you play along, we get to distract our Queen from her woes and give her the pleasure of knowing she brought together two lovers that will last a lifetime."

"When you say it like that, our deceit sounds almost noble," Clara replied.

Benjamin grinned at her.

"Although I am not looking forward to our separation. I am looking forward to courting you properly. I will set up an account in your name that you may draw from to purchase some new gowns and whatever else you may need. I think I'm going to enjoy this," Benjamin admitted.

"Just promise me we won't drag this out, Benjamin."

"You have my word," Benjamin told her.

They were dropped off at Benjamin's flat. Benjamin made all the arrangements. By nightfall, Clara was ready to move on to the hotel.

There was a knock on the door. Benjamin opened it expecting it to be Clara's companion, however, he now stood face to face with Mr. Brummell.

"Beau? What are you...? Why are you here?"

"I came to check on young, Claremont. May I come in?"

"Now is not the best time," Benjamin told him, but Beau pushed past him, looking as if he was staring at a ghost.

"Clara?"

Benjamin sighed as he closed his eyes and the door. He had not realized Clara had come down the stairs and was standing in the hall.

"Hello, Beau," Clara said, smiling.

Beau looked back to Benjamin. "But I thought...?"

"You thought what you wanted you to think. What I needed you to think."

Beau stared at Clara so intently she felt uncomfortable. He took the few steps that separated them and lifted her chin to the only source of light in the hall. Now he appeared cross.

"Clever, Benjamin. Did you enjoy your little ruse? Your deception at my expense?"

With the damage to Clara's eye, it was easy for Beau to put the pieces together.

"I won't insult you to say I didn't mean to deceive you. I wished to do just that. I was testing Clara, trying to see where she will fit in my world," Benjamin told him.

"And what have you discovered," Beau asked.

"That she will fit in just fine," Benjamin informed him.

"I am your oldest and dearest friend, and you deceived me. To leave me in a state of worry and agitation over the loss of a friend, his loss of his wife, and Lord Avery's loss of his mind when he left poor Mr. Claremont alone in the Coffee Room. Have you no regard for me, for my nerves?"

"You're a survivor like me," Benjamin stated blandly, finding Beau's penchant for the dramatic a bit droll. "I knew if anyone could handle the situation, it would be you. I, however, never expected things to take the turn that they had."

Beau looked at Clara with a strange mixer of awe and contempt. He looked back at Benjamin. "So, what now? Will Claremont be making more appearances at White's?"

"No, Claremont will not. I must spend the next few weeks courting my wife."

Beau's eyes widen. "You will what?"

"It was my intention to announce our wedding in the papers and throw a party with your help to introduce Clara into society, but as it turns out, Queen Charlotte has beaten me to it."

"Queen Charlotte?"

"We had a meeting with her. I had to bring Lord Fitton's research to her. Beau, I am sorry for the deceit but to stay by Benjamin's side I'd go through hell and back again," Clara said, moving to stand beside Benjamin.

"You have a funny way of showing it. Do you have any idea what your little adventure cost him? The months of torment you put him through? If you wished to be by his side, then you should have stayed put."

"Enough, Beau! Clara did what she thought she had to, but what she had done, she did out of love for me." Benjamin looked down at Clara, who was grateful for his support.

"Fine. What now?"

"Now Clara will stay, but not here. I will publicly court her, marry her, all with the Queen's blessing, and none need be the wiser."

"You are playing a very dangerous game, Benjamin. To lose the Queen's favor, could bring a number of untold troubles upon your head."

"I'm aware, but as it is, I have little choice."

"Fine then. Let me be Clara's guardian. I will protect her when you cannot. You know you have enemies, Benjamin. Enemies who will take a great interest in a woman who's turned your head."

Benjamin thought this through and could not deny the sense of Beau's words. "It is done. I have made arrangements for a chaperone. Between you and  her companion, and I see no reason why Clara should ever be left alone."

It sounded more like a prison sentence than a plan to Clara, but she knew this is what she must endure if she was to get through this and back to her life with Benjamin.

"Cheer up, Dove. Once we make a public display of our love for all to see at the Queen's ball we will be together again with nothing to separate us."

"Yes, of course," Clara complied, although she did not feel as confident in this plan as Benjamin.

There was a new knock on the door, and the chaperone had arrived. Benjamin opened the door to a welcome sight.

"Rosalyn!!!" Clara shouted and ran to the girl, embracing her in a hug before she even entered the room.

The girl giggled. "It is a pleasure to see you too, Miss. You gave us all quite a fright. We are so happy to know you are back with us again."

"But how did you get news so quickly?"

Benjamin smiled at Clara. "You insisted we send a post to the family to let them know of your return the day we came back. I instructed Mr. Fenton to send Rosalyn here for I knew you could use the help."

"Thank you, Benjamin!" Clara said, brightening for the first time since she had learned of their impending separation. Still clasping Rosalyn's hand, having this little piece of home to stay with her somehow made everything alright.

"You two should be off. It's getting late," Benjamin informed them.

"Aren't you coming?" Clara asked.

"I cannot, Dove. It would not be proper."

"I will escort them both to the hotel. I will report back to you how they found things over a drink at White's. You owe me,"  Beau said.

"Of course, I shall be there waiting," Benjamin told him. He took Clara away from Rosalyn and placed a not too chaste kiss upon her lips, her arms wound around his neck. The two lovers were lost in the moment until Beau gave a discrete cough.

Benjamin reluctantly broke away and smiled at his friend over Clara's shoulder.

"You may wish to be more chaste in the future. We wouldn't want to start a scandal. The last thing you would want is me to have to make a display of safeguarding Clara's virtue from you," Beau said, grinning back. "Keep in mind, to the public, you are not wed."

Benjamin sighed. "I needed something to sustain me for these next few lonely nights."

"Indeed. So is it safe to say you've been satiated and I can escort these two lovely women to the hotel?"

Rosalyn blushed at receiving such praise from the infamous Mr. Beau Brummell.

"Never! Alas, we must part." Benjamin stroked the side of Clara's face and she kissed the palm of his hand.

"We will survive this, Dove."

"Until we meet again, my love," Clara said, and Rosalyn linked arms with her mistress to give her emotional support.

With a heavy heart, Benjamin watched Clara walk away, but reassured himself they will be together again, soon.