Having nothing else to wear Clara donned Sturgis' clothes once more feeling too exposed to sit in the room naked until Benjamin's return. A knock on the door brought her a welcome tray of tea and biscuits. Her stomach growled at the sight. She hadn't eaten anything since her lunch with Aaron the day before.

Almost as if her thoughts conjured him, Lord Fitton now stood at her door with an arm full of books. "May I?"

"Please," Clara waved for him to enter and he followed the woman in with the tray. She had put it down on the table and left.

"Would you like some tea?" Clara offered, Although dressed like a man Aaron already saw her slipping into her role as wife and hostess. It made him cringe inwardly. Clara was so much more than this demure creature that stood before him.

"Is something wrong?" Clara wondered at the scowl that appeared on Lord Fitton's face.

"Sorry, no, not at all," he replied taking hold of the pro-offered cup. "I've come to give you the botanical books that you must take back to the Queen and the journal I have written with all of my notes although they are not complete."

"I can complete them on my return trip if you like," Clara offered, wondering why things felt so stiff and formal between them all of sudden.

"Thank you. If you feel so compelled but it is not a necessity," Lord Fitton told her.

An awkward silence lapsed. Trying to make conversation Lord Fitton stuck to a topic he knew well. "This tea, it isn't like those I've tasted before here in India."

Clara took a sip of her own and smiled. "That is because it comes from home. Benjamin must have had the tea specially made for me."

Lord Fitton tasted it again there was something familiar about it, yet he couldn't place. "The gesture is rather sweet. Giving you a taste of home. What kind of tea is it? I don't quite recognize it."

Clara smiled with a slight shrug. "I really don't know. I never thought to ask," she replied while handing him a plate of biscuits. He took one and puzzled, it was on the tip of his tongue.

"I know I have tasted it's like before. No matter, how are doing? Are you feeling well?"

"Yes, much better thank you. I'm sorry I scared you," Clara said knowing her fainting spell must have been a great shock to him.

"Clara," Lord Fitton knew he would not get this opportunity again, and he must ask. "Are you happy? Are you doing what you want? If you are I wish you every happiness, but if you are not, it is not too late to disappear. Say the word and it will be done."

Clara could not believe what Lord Fitton was purposing. "No! Of course, I am happy. Benjamin is here. He came all this way for me. I never doubted his love, Aaron. Not once, I do wish we had more time. I feel so close to an answer to my prayers but alas..."

Lord Fitton reached across and took her hand. "You have all the time in the world, Clara. The King has been ill for an age. There is no cure for him. Even if I found something that could break through I fear he is too far gone. The Prince Regent has already stepped into his place and upon his father's death will assume the throne."

"I know," Clara said wondering why he was telling her all of this.

"Don't you see. There is no stopping that future and that future is a one where you and Benjamin can have a life together. His duty to the crown will die with the King."

Clara wished that were true but her husband was the Queen's Man and would serve her until she was through with him. She put on a brave face. "It does not matter. I realize that now. All that matters is that Benjamin and I have one another."

Lord Fitton's gaze narrowed on Clara and she squirmed a little under such scrutiny. "I don't believe that for a second. Clara, you are a woman of action. You are not meant to be cooped up in some stately home, serving tea." His hand waved over the tea set as if to point out how far she has fallen.

Her chin came up and she looked very dignified for a woman dressed as a cabin boy. "I will be wherever my husband needs me to be. I will not be further trouble. I have had my adventure. It is time I go home."

With a heavy sigh, Fitton realized she had already resigned herself to her fate. "I wish so much more for you Clara. So much more."

Clara could feel the prick of tears threatening to sting her eyes, but she would not allow it. Instead, she chose to change the topic. "Sturgis? How is he? Does he know?"

Lord Fitton nodded. "He does. I will be a poor substitute for you, but thank you for coming up with a way that I can remain with him."

"Of course," Clara stated shocked as if there could be any other way. She stood and grabbed a pen and a piece of notebook paper. She jotted down her address to the country manor house. "Please, write to me, Aaron? I wish to know how Sturgis fares.  If he fully heals? You must teach that boy to read and write now that his vision is returning. He wishes to become an officer someday. And I will wish to know how you are doing as well. Promise you'll write. I don't think I could bear it to think we will never speak again."

Lord Fitton took the folded paper from her hand and put it in his breast pocket. "I promise, Clara."

Clara smiled at him. "Thank you."

"So this it? This is really... goodbye?" Lord Fitton asked, finding it hard to believe. He really was a fool to think he could hold on to her and Sturgis forever, but this little taste of family filled a void he never thought he would ever fill in his life and if this is the only moment he would have he would just need to treasure it, for it will need to last him a lifetime.

Clara bit her bottom lip. She was never good with goodbyes. "Can we not say until we see one another again?" Her voice held a pleading note for Lord Fitton to agree.

"I think I manage that," he agreed with a weak smile.

"My door is always open. You may visit anytime that you wish," Clara offered.

"I doubt your husband would feel the same, Clara," Lord Fitton reasoned.

"Why? He has nothing to fear from you," Clara stated.

"A man, especially a man like Benjamin, is very protective of that which he knows belongs to him."

"I am a person, Aaron. Not some precious object. I am allowed friends and acquaintances," Clara argued.

"Even a man who has posed as your husband for a month in a foreign land? I think even Benjamin may have his limits, sweet Clara."

Lord Fitton's reasoning was hard to argue with, still she jutted out her chin in defiance. "You leave him to me. I say you are welcome and therefore you are welcome should you so choose to accept the invitation. I will leave it to you."

"Agreed," Lord Fitton conceded.

They spent the rest of their time going over his books. He showed her his research on what had been discovered and what still needed to be filled in. Clara could tell it was hard for him to turn over his life's work to her.

"I promise to treat these volumes with the utmost care," Clara told him.

"I know that you will Clara and I thank you for continuing my work. The voyage home I imagine will allow you nothing but time to complete them."

Once again, Lord Fitton referenced her returning to her womanly duties. Obviously, she would not be running around the ship as she had on the Whispering Wind. She was, however, eager to get back to the sea. Commander Redgrave was right when he said the sea gets into your veins and keeps a hold on you. Clara did not think she would ever be free from it, nor would she ever feel that free again.

"I must check that my letter has been received by the Center. I had to explain our absence and the absence of a couple of horses that you and Sturgis took."

Clara blushed slightly of the reminder of her rash decision that brought her here last night. "You don't think they would refuse to have you return do you?"

"No. The Master would understand the stress you were under and that Sturgis of course would wish to accompany you to keep you under his protection. I'm am certain we will be fine."

Clara was relieved to hear it. "Will I see you before we set off to port?"

"Yes, of course," Lord Fitton stood and Clara stood with him and in a moment of panic, she grabbed him around the waist and hugged him.

Aaron's arms wrapped around her protectively. "Shhh, Clara. It is not goodbye, remember? It is simply until we meet again."

Clara sniffled slightly and pulled away. "I will miss you, Aaron."

"And I you, Clara." His smile was both sad and sweet. He bowed to her and left the room.

Clara sat on the edge of the bed, and that is where Benjamin found her lost in thought, sipping her tea.

"Clara? Is everything alright?"

Clara looked at him as if she were in a daze for a moment, until... "Yes, everything is as it should be."

He thought her answer strange but could not comment on it further as there was a knock on the bedroom door and the doormen had arrived carrying in packages. It looked like Christmas.

"Did you purchase the entire store?" Clara asked looking around at the hat boxes, glove boxes, dress boxes, and various other boxes holding all sorts of clothing and trinkets, all for her.

"I may have overcompensated, just a little," Benjamin said with a slight grin.

"A little?" Clara said, the corner of her mouth turning up ever so slightly.

Benjamin looked downright sheepish. "Alright, a lot, but I never had the chance to spoil you the way I wished Clara. I couldn't pass up the opportunity to do so now."

Clara smiled at him. 

"So are you going to open them? There must be at least one thing you may find suitable enough to replace those dreadful clothes you are wearing now."

Clara sighed at all the extravagance. Her voyage here taught her how little she really needed. It all seemed a bit much, but she'd do anything to indulge Benjamin and began opening boxes and was certain to show the right amount of enthusiasm for each item uncovered.

Her favorite was a dress made in a pale blue material. She remembered Aaron saying he wished he could have a gown made for her in this color. The gown looked to be a perfect fit. Clara half wondered if the dressmaker didn't make it to her measurements in the hope that she and Lord Fitton would not one day return to town to do more shopping.

"May I?" Benjamin asked standing before her and pulling her to her feet. He began to unbutton the shirt that she wore before she even replied. His eyes never left her as he made short work of it and slid the garment from her shoulders. This time her breasts were not bound but free of any confinement and his eyes were drawn to them.

His had enveloped them with his fingers. Lightly he caressed and teased them, sending a wave of sensation to course through Clara's body. "Nothing in this room compares to your beauty, Clara. You are perfection, in every sense of the word."

His mouth came down to claim her and her hands wound around his neck and in his hair. His lips traveled to her jawline, to behind her ear and slid ever so gently down her neck. She shivered in his arms. "So beautiful," he whispered in her ear once he trailed kisses back up her neck. She moaned with pleasure.

In seconds, the door was locked, the bed swept clean and he was picking her up and laying her upon it. He did not undress to join her. He only took a moment to remove his boots. "This morning was torture, Clara. Simply torture to be away from you so long. I never wish to be parted from you again. I know it's a fool's wish but I wish it all the same."

Clara understood his wish for she wished the same with all her heart. She pulled him towards her and gently caressed his lips. She took her time, it was sweet torture, and she smiled when Benjamin nearly growled with impatience, slipping his tongue between her lips, forcing them to part so he could devour her.

Her hands pushed his cravat aside and went to undo his buttons but he pulled them away and held them above her head. She wondered why he had stopped her but soon she could not think at all has his lips had traveled from one breast then to the other. She squirmed under him but he easily pinned her in place with the weight of his body.

"Benjamin," she sighed his name and she could feel him smile against the taut muscles of her stomach.

His hands replaced his lips in teasing and taunting her. She could feel him ready, through his clothes as he throbbed against the sensitive juncture between her thighs. She wanted him so badly. "Please, Benjamin."

"Not yet, Dove," he told her. He wanted her aching with need, a need for him. A need, a desire so great that no other could possibly fulfill it but him.

He never removed a stitch of clothing but what he had done to her body left her breathless and panting. Never, in all the years they had been married had he taken such command of her. He played her like a violin, taking his time to fine-tune her before sending her soaring. A love song, created from body and soul.

He sat up slowly and straightened his cravat, tucking it into his vest. He leaned over and grabbed his boots, pulling on one and then the other. That was probably one of the hardest things he had ever done. She was so responsive under his touch; several times he thought he'd lose his control. His body now ached, begging for a release he would not give it, not until they were alone again aboard the Black Star.

It took him a moment before he felt composed enough to stand and face her. Her hair was tousled, her lips red and swollen slightly from their kisses, her breast rose and fell at a rapid rate as she struggled to catch her breath. Just that one glance had aroused him all over again. He knew he would never tire of her, never could he be satisfied, never could he have enough.

He held a hand out to her to help her sit up in bed. "Come, Dove. I'll help you dress." She stood though she knew not how. Her legs felt like jelly. He dressed her with the utmost care from chemise to corset, from stocking to shoes. Finally, he slipped the blue dress over her head. Clara was correct in her assumption. The gown fit her perfectly. Benjamin turned her around, she stood before him a vision. Aphrodite herself would be envious to be in the presence of such beauty.

"Shall we?" Benjamin said offering his arm.

"My hair?" Clara said touching her unruly waves. It was in such an awkward stage. Too long to be considered short, too short to be considered long, but just long enough that nothing could be done with it.

"You look lovely, Clara," Benjamin told her pulling her hand down and keeping it in his own. "Lord Fitton and Sturgis are most likely waiting for us."

"But the owner? He believes I am Lord Fitton's wife."

Benjamin sighed. He could not wait for this rouse to end. "You will sit between us at dinner. No one will be the wiser."

She toyed with her hair again. She looked so unsure, so uncertain. What happened to the woman that was in his bed moments ago? The woman that lit up from within, with a fire, that burned so bright, he could feel its heat?

Her eyes darted around the room and landed upon a silk scarf. She pulled away to grabbed it and wound it in the way that she had learned from the dress shop owner to conceal her hair.  

Benjamin thought the added touch unnecessary but did not voice his opinion, instead, he asked, "Are you ready?" And offered her again his arm.

"Yes," Clara responded, but she did not feel it. Once she walked out that door, everything changes. Everything ends. She will have to say good-bye. To Lord Fitton it was hard enough but how to face Sturgis? God, she prayed silently, give me the strength to get through this night.

Her hand shook a little as it rested on his arm. Benjamin wondered at the change in her. What was she so afraid of? Soon they would be off and together again with nothing left to separate them for the entire journey home. It was a voyage he planned to relish every moment of, but when he looked at Clara and lead her from the room her face, her eyes were downcast. Instead of escorting his wife to dinner, he felt like he was leading a prisoner to their doom.