The moment the door had closed Clara's eyes popped open. She slowly sat up in bed. Why did everything feel so strange? Why did she feel so out of place? She knew where she belonged. She knew it was by Benjamin's side but for some reason, it felt so difficult to talk to him.

Clara worried to discuss her hurt would only injure Benjamin more, and she did not want to cause him pain. He has never lied to her. She knew what she was getting into, taking him as her husband.

Clara began to panic. Could she do this? Could she go back to her old life as if nothing had changed? Could she become simply Mrs. Clara McAllister, knowing now she is capable of so much more? Would Benjamin still love her the same if she were different?

Clara stood up and rummaged through the trunk for her notebook. Her panic became full out fear. It was gone. She tore both cases apart but all her notes about the journey she took to get to India were lost. She sat on the edge of the bed in despair. How could this be? Was it a sign of what was meant to be? Was all that she learned, whom she has become just meant to disappear, never to be seen again?

There was a knock on the door. Clara stood on shaky legs and opened it. "Ah Clara, you are awake. Did you rest well, Dove?" Benjamin inquired taking her hand in his and kissing her cheek.

"Yes, thank you," Clara lied.

Benjamin looked around at the state of the room piles of items were strewn everywhere. "Looking for something?"

Clara looked around uncertain how to explain such a mess. "Um... yes I thought perhaps I would work on Lord Fitton's notes. I promised I would complete them and had trouble finding all the materials."

Benjamin smiled at her. "Surely, that can wait. We haven't even left the docks yet."

Embarrassed for giving such a lame lie to cover the truth, Clara easily conceded, "You are right, of course." And she turned to start putting the piles back in the trunks.

Benjamin frowned with concern. "Clara, are you certain you are well?"

"Yes, of course. Fit as a fiddle," Clara announced as she continued to pack items away making certain particular items were made more readily available.

Benjamin stilled her movements forcing her to look at him. "I thought it would be best if tonight we ate here in our cabin. Tomorrow we have been invited to breakfast with the Captain, Captain McCullen.

"That would be nice," Clara said with a forced smile not sure how she was expected to take this news. "Do you know this Captain?" Clara asked as she went back to packing the items in the trunk.

Benjamin tried to help but stopped after the third time she moved what he put into the trunk to another place. He took a seat and watched her buzz about the room. "Yes, I've known McCullen for quite some time."

Once again Clara was reminded of how much of her husband's life she was not privileged to, as this McCullen was never brought up, not even once in a conversation. "Where from?"

"My days with the Dragoons, but that doesn't matter much. He was honestly the first available to take me to find you. I already knew you were a month ahead of me. The Black Star is a fast ship and I thought it my best option to make up the time."

"It is beautiful ship," Clara said wistfully and then frowned when she'd seen that look on Benjamin's face again, the one that spoke of how she's acting out of character and it's confusing him.

She turned to get back to work hating that feeling of unfamiliarity between them. There was much she was not privileged to know about Benjamin's employment, but she never felt estranged from him before. Not like this.

Benjamin sat silent for a moment and then Clara had picked up a wrapped package. "What this?" Clara asked with the package in hand.

Benjamin knew exactly what it was. He had not made up his mind to give it to her, but he guessed he might as well now that she'd seen it. "Open it," he said to her.

Clara took a seat on the edge of the bed and took her time undoing the wrapping. The paper fell to the floor. She opened the box and gasped. "Oh, Benjamin! It's beautiful." She ran her hand lovingly across the embroidered material of the sari. Its color reminded her of the sea. She lifted it from the box with tear filled eyes.

"How did you know? Thank you!"

Benjamin lips pressed into a flat line, and he rubbed the back of his neck. "I fear, as much as I'd love too, I cannot take credit. It was Lord Fitton's last request that I purchase this for you. The shopkeeper said this was the one you were admiring."

Lord Fitton? Of course. He knew how much she loved the saris but couldn't wear them but now she'd be free to since there was no one around to offend. She couldn't believe she was the recipient of such a thoughtful gift.

"It is the exact one," Clara admitted with shining eyes. "I will have to write to thank him."

"You have his address?" Benjamin did not know why he should be surprised and knew he had nothing to fear from Fitton. If he were honest however it irked him because he preferred she'd cut ties with this life she chose to leave behind.

"Yes, we exchanged before we left," Clara admitted now wondering by the look on Benjamin's face if she had done something wrong.

"I'm sure he'll appreciate knowing you received it," Benjamin said blandly. There was a knock on the door and Benjamin rose to answer it. Andrew stood on the other side with two trays in each hand, two glasses under one arm, and a bottle of wine under the other. Obviously, dinner had arrived.

"Thank you," Benjamin said taking the trays from him. Clara put the box aside to help Benjamin with the trays. Benjamin took the glasses and wine from Andrew who nodded and left.

Clara placed the trays on the bunk. There were no tables in this room except a small washstand. Clara looked about and then grabbed a blanket from the other bunk. She spread it out on the floor.

Benjamin smiled. Clara had created an impromptu picnic. He placed the bottle and glasses down on the blanket. Taking as seat cross-legged as he had done so. Clara joined him with the trays. They opened them together to find cheese, bread, some fruit and roasted bird. Benjamin guessed, some sort of quail by the size of it.

Clara looked around and noticed there were no utensils provided at the same time Benjamin realized the same. McCullen. He had arranged a meal they could eat with their fingers or perhaps feed one another, that Sea Devil.

Benjamin pulled out a pocketknife and cut into the roasted quail and held the piece out to Clara, who laughed, saying, "How clever you are."

She reached out for it, but Benjamin shook his head pulling it away and then held it to her lips. Clara smiled and let him feed it to her. It felt so intimate as his finger lightly brushed her lips.

Clara grabbed a grape and done the same back for him. Benjamin laughed heartily. Then giving her a downright rakish grin, took the grape and her fingers into his mouth, flicking the grape from her fingers with his tongue. Clara flushed at the feeling of the gentle sweep of his tongue through her fingertips.

The couple enjoyed taking their time feeding one another each a part of the meal until both were quite satisfied with their food but a hunger of a completely different kind began to develop.

Benjamin's look had become intense, and he reached out and pulled Clara closer. He held her in place by the nape of her neck. Clara did not move a muscle. He gazed deeply into her eyes; those beautiful orbs held his steady gaze, her pupils grew larger. He could feel himself drown in those pools of blue.

Benjamin stroked the side of her cheek and watched hypnotized as Clara's tongue nervously moistened her lips, drawing him in. He ran his thumb over them, they were so soft like velvet. Clara closed her eyes and his mouth replaced his thumb in caressing her lips.

She sighed, her lips parting ever so slightly, giving him access that he took full advantage of. Benjamin whispered against them, "I don't know how I survived without you. It was torture. Now you are here. Yet, it still feels like a dream."

Clara took his free hand and placed it on her heart. "Is this real enough for you?"

Benjamin could feel the erratic rhyme of her heart pounding it's beat against his palm. It did wild things to his mind that he could affect her in such a way. He closed his eyes and sighed. He felt her fingers run though his hair, pulling him towards her. Her mouth claimed his, kissing, caressing, teasing, almost taunting. A low guttural growl escaped his lips.

His eyes opened, and they were filled with longing and desire. Clara lifted her chin exposing her neck and his lips sought out the sensitive hollow above her breastbone. Clara's body instinctively arched back, but he pulled her closer to him not wanting to allow her to put any distance between them. His need grew frantic, but he reined in his emotions, refusing to rush. He would take his time making love to her.

Soon clothes were discarded, the remnants of their meal pushed aside. They clung to one another both desperate to fulfill that need, the need to feel close to one another, to erase any all distance between them, to reassure one another of each other love. For in no other moment could they possibly feel closer than joined together in this way. They found the solace they were looking for in each other's arms.

So satiated by their lovemaking Clara did not believe she could move another muscle but Benjamin had picked her up and laid her upon her bed before joining her. The bunk was small but Benjamin made them fit like a spoon. Having her all cuddled up, he fell sound asleep. Clara took comfort in his embrace, and soon joined him in a peaceful sleep.