"Wake up, Benjamin. We've arrived," Banks told him as the carriage pulled up to a rather stately home, Lady Cantrell's residence.

"I hope your company will be more stimulating then on the ride here," he admonished.

"Sorry Banks, hazard of my profession. I do not keep normal hours and find catching sleep where I can the best way to keep my mind fresh for whatever lies ahead."

Banks frowned at him. "It is a party, McAllister. Not an inquisition."

Benjamin laughed, "Point taken. Let us go meet this Venus of yours."

Banks knocked on the door and a servant answered asking for their names. Banks handed him his calling card and a second servant took their coats, gloves and hats.

"Gentlemen," they followed the first servant into a drawing room.

"Mr. Banks, it is a pleasure."

"Thank you, Lady Cantrell for the invite to your party. I hope it is not too much of an imposition that I have brought a friend. He just arrived in London and I thought it bad manners to leave him so soon after his arrival, and I most certainly could not disappoint you by not attending."

Lady Cantrell smiled but Benjamin took note that it did not reach her eyes. "No imposition at all. I am happy to have him."

Banks turned to Benjamin. "Lady Cantrell may I introduce you to Mr. Benjamin McAllister."

Benjamin bowed deeply in front of her. "Lady Cantrell." As his eyes rose he had seen her smile deepen. She was a woman not to be trifled with. Someone who knew her position deserved respect, but that kind of vanity is easily manipulated.

"You are just in time, as the last two guests of the evening, you arrive just before I have the pleasure of introducing my niece."

She nodded towards the drawing room door that the servants opened. In stepped through an apparition, a mirage, dressed in a white chiffon dress, the picture of demure innocence.

"I would like to introduce my niece, Lady Clara Bentley."

Clara curtsied performing as her Aunt had instructed. Trying to keep her balance hoping not to falter, keeping her eyes lowered until she stood to her full height. She was rather tall for a woman.

Her eyes raised and that's when she saw him. Her step became a stumble but Benjamin's reflexes were lightening quick and he caught her in his arms.

"There, there," he said, setting her right again.

"Thank you, Mister..."

"McAllister," Benjamin said, releasing his hold and taking a step back from her.

She saw no recognition on his face. She wondered. Perhaps he does not know. It was rather dark in that corridor of the club. Or he does not wish to make a scene, either way, she was happy to play along. 

"Such reflexes, Mr. McAllister. My niece and I owe you a debt of gratitude." Lady Cantrell glared just briefly at Clara but it did not go unnoticed by Clara or Benjamin.

He watched as her opalescent skin became splashed with rose, flooding her cheeks. She had to be the one, but how can that be possible?

"A Gentleman's duty, nothing more, Lady Cantrell." 

Again, she gave him a knowing smile. She may be vain but also cunning, he must keep that in mind.

The conversation went as dull as most dinner parties. Keeping to all the polite social norms. Benjamin wanted to laugh as he had caught, on more the one occasion, poor Clara discretely stifling a yawn.

Could this be the reasoning behind her foray into Boodles? Could she simply be a bored debutante? But then why the notebook? There are much easier ways for a young woman to get herself into trouble, without the danger.

Her eyes briefly locked with his. Those eyes he could get lost in them. Again color graced her fair skin and she looked away.

Steady Benjamin, you are not one made for such entanglements.

The dinner party rejoined in the drawing room. The men were served some liquor and the woman some tea.

"She is... for once in my life I am at a loss for words. Benji I must have her."

Benjamin felt a fire in his belly as Banks spoke of Clara, a fierce desire to protect crept into every fiber of his being. Oh, hell.

"A little out of your league don't you think?" Benjamin asked.

"You mean because she is a Lady and I just a Gentleman of Fortune? Nonsense. I have enough to keep her sitting pretty for quite some time."

"I could not help but notice that your attachment has an expiration date."

Banks laughed. "You expect me to make an offer?" He shrugged. "Who knows, she may be just the beauty to tame this beast."

Benjamin seriously wished to damage Banks but it would not do to come to blows in the middle of a dinner party. Besides he had his own agenda to press with the Lady.

He was determined before he left for the evening he would discover more about her.

Banks however, beat him to it. Dominating her attention for most of the evening. Much, Benjamin noticed, to her Aunt's delight. She too obviously had set her sights on Banks fortune for her niece.

He stood by the fireplace mantle and watched as Banks used his charms on the young woman. She smiled politely, laughed when appropriate but nothing reached those eyes. She was playing the game, and she knew it well.

Several times he had seen her eyes drift to the mantle. He would be flattered except he knew it was the clock that had her interest not him.

The evening was drawing quickly to a close and the guests bid their hostess and her niece a good night. Banks took Clara's hand in his bestowing on it a quick kiss so not to be deemed inappropriate, and petitioned to take them both out on his carriage for a ride through the park, to which Lady Cantrell readily agreed.

Benjamin too bid them farewell. He bowed and Clara curtsied when their eyes met again Benjamin felt the power of them hit his gut.

What is your story Clara? He was determined to know.

Banks was beside himself with the results of evening. He jumped into his carriage still boasting over his skills and stopped only to inquire if Benjamin was coming.

Benjamin shook his head in denial. "It is a beautiful evening, the night is still young, I wish to see what fun is still to be had."

"Suit yourself," Banks replied. "I need my rest as I am to entertain... early tomorrow, one of the most beautiful creatures in all of London. Farewell, my friend," he said with a tip of his hat.

Benjamin returned the gesture and walked away in the opposite direction of the carriage traffic. He rounded the corner and then the block, crossing the street finding the best spot to keep watch.

An hour or two later and she did not disappoint. He was amazed at her agility as he watched her navigate her way down the rose trellis to the garden below. She took her time to before proceeding to the hedge and found her freedom on the city street.

She walked at a quick pace. He wondered at where she was going. He followed at a discreet distance. She headed for a path through St. James Park. No doubt as a short cut to St. James Street, the same street that housed many of the Gentleman clubs.

Once or twice she looked behind her, but Benjamin was too practiced to be caught tailing so easily evaded her gaze. He thought it smart that she was cautious, proved her intelligence although the very act of her sneaking out, wearing men's clothing, was a level of recklessness that was frightening.

St. James Park was a bit dodgy at this hour. No doubt dressed as a boy she figured she was safe. Suddenly Benjamin heard a woman crying out for help. Clara halted her steps. Her head swiveled left and then right. The woman cried out again and Clara went running in that direction.

Fool! What did she think she was doing!

Benjamin took off after her.

A man had grabbed a woman, by her dress, not a lady, but one of the poorer classes. She was down on the ground and he was bent over her. Benjamin watched in both fear and awe as Clara jumped on the man's back. Taking him quite by surprise as she pummeled him about the head.

The man much larger then Clara flailed his arms about as if he were being attacked by a swarm of bees. Suddenly he lost his balance and they both came tumbling to the ground.

The man was quick to take advantage of this turn of events. The damsel in distress did not even remain to see the results of the tussle. She instead, scrambled to her feet, grabbed hold of her torn dress and ran as fast as her feet would carry her.

She nearly rammed into Benjamin but managed to dodge him at the last second and kept on running. Benjamin had seen the man wrestling with Clara and quite easily over powering her.

His arm drew back and he was about to deal Clara a damaging blow. Clara's arms came up in defense, guarding her face. The blow however never came. Benjamin watched as she slowly lowered her arms. He held a gun to the larger man's head.

"Back away if you do not wish a whole the size of your mouth to be blown through?"

The man lowered his arm. Benjamin took a step back to allow him space to stand.

Then he heard Clara cry out, "Watch out!" 

Benjamin jumped back just missing the knife that grazed his shirt but did not touch his skin. That was too close. He flipped his gun in his hand with one fluid movement and clocked the man in the head. He fell to his knees and then face first into dirt and grass.

The man was out cold. Benjamin held out his hand to help Clara to her feet. Her hand felt so small in his. He could not believe her bravery, but it irked him that she was so irresponsible at the same time.

"What were you thinking?" he said to her.

She pulled her hand from his. Swiping at some dirt that was on her behind from her tussle.

She stared up at him defiantly. "What's it to you?"

Benjamin's temper rose. He knocked the cap from her head, she must have pinned it this time as it stayed on this entire time but showed evidence of being loosened. 

Her hair fell in a cascade about her shoulder. She gasped.

"You knew?"

"Knew what, Clara? That you are the same boy from earlier today? That you have a penchant for getting yourself into trouble? That you lack common sense?"

He saw the tears stinging her eyes but she refused to blink, refused to let them fall.

"Again I ask you, what is it to you what I do with my time? Why do you care?"

Benjamin grabbed her arms and pulled her towards him.

"Do you not understand you could have died?"

He could tell by her expression, she had not. Thrashed maybe but death never entered her mind. She just blinked at him slowly.

"My God, woman! What goes on in that brain of yours? Why in heaven's name would you take such risks?"

Clara looked away not wanting to answer. Then she looked at the man unconscious on the ground. She nodded her head as if she decided something. 

"I wanted to know what living a life was like before it was decided for me what life I would have to live," she answered quietly.

"So you thought the best way to do this was to dress as a man, peaking through door ways and attacking random thugs?"

Clara broke out in nervous laughter. "Well when you put it that way?"

He arched a brow at her, "And how should I put it?"

"My whole life I have spent writing stories. Stories of adventures I will never have, of places I will never see, and moments I will never experience. For once I wanted the freedom to see what really goes on behind closed doors. I wanted to experience some of those things that once I am married I will never know, or see, for one moment I just... wanted to feel...."

She trailed off...

He was captivated by her speech. "What Clara? What did you want to feel?"

"Alive," she said without hesitation.