Clara joined Lord Fitton and Sturgis in the quaint dining area of the hotel. They were currently enjoying some tea and what appeared to be fried bananas. Sturgis looked like he was in heaven as he relished his sweet treat.

"I leave you two alone for a few minutes and I come to find you indulging in dessert before a sensible dinner."

Sturgis smiled mischievously without any remorse. Lord Fitton stood and pulled out a chair for Clara to be seated.

"We were just starting off with a little something before dinner was to arrive. I wanted to wait for you," Lord Fitton said, helping Clara slide in her chair.

"You did not need to wait. Now I feel bad. You both must be starving." Sturgis nodded his head, yes, but Lord Fitton disagreed. "We're fine. Would you like some tea?"

"Yes please," Clara said and he poured some for her. It has been some time since she's indulged in such a luxury. Onboard the Whispering Wind it was either water or some sort of grog. She never was much of a drinker and definitely did not want to chance her lips becoming loosened by imbibing too much rum so she drank mostly from the freshwater that was stored onboard.

"You must at least try the pazham pori. They are delicious!" Sturgis told her. Lord Fitton laughed and placed one on a small plate for her.

Clara cut into the golden fried fritter and savored the taste of it in her mouth.

"Good, right?" Sturgis asked, taking her silence as proof.

"Mmm-hmm," Clara replied as she hadn't time to swallow and did not wish to talk with her mouth full.

"I took the liberty of ordering for us. I hope you don't mind," Lord Fitton said, pouring some more tea into his cup.

"Why would I possibly mind? I would be lost without you as my Hindi is rough and these people speak a language I have not heard."

"They speak Malayalam. Although some speak Tamil, most business owners have learned English as more and more of us have migrated here."

"Migrated?" Sturgis scoffed. "More like invaded."

"Sturgis," Lord Fitton reprimanded but Clara thought he had a point. It was hard not to see how the different countries that have all come here for the trade, the spices, the silks, and wares have left their own stamp on this land. It does make one wonder what this place would be like if it were left alone to develop in its own time, in its own way.

The pazham pori was taken away to make room for the delectable and fragrant dishes that were now placed before them. Clara has never had a meal that appealed not just to the pallet but also to the very senses of her body.

The visual presentation of the sadhya a traditional vegetarian meal, with its stunning collection of curries spread in a specific order on a banana leaf, the aromatic smells of the coconut that came wafting from the theeyal, the savory taste of the ellum kappayum, and the velvety texture of the fish molee, all culminated into more than a meal it was a true cultural experience.

Clara could not remember when she enjoyed a meal more. They all did as they partook in the various dishes, commenting on each one about what they liked best about them.

Quite satisfied the three of them decided it was best to retire for the evening as they had an early day tomorrow if they were to reach the Center by mid-day. As they approached the lobby, the owner of the hotel stopped Lord Fitton.

"Lord Fitton, I have a letter for you, sir. Just arrived from a boy who said he came from a ship in port."

He handed the letter to Lord Fitton who immediately recognized the seal and so did Clara. It was the Royal Seal. "Thank you," Lord Fitton said and the three of them traveled to their room.

Clara helped Sturgis get settled for bed. Lord Fitton went to the balcony to read the letter. She couldn't help but be curious about its contents.

"So tomorrow is the big day," Sturgis said as Clara handed him a wet cloth that he might get some of the grim of traveling off of him.

"What?" Clara had missed what Sturgis had said being distracted by her own thoughts. "I'm sorry."

Sturgis frowned. "What's wrong?"

Clara sometimes marveled at Sturgis' perception for someone who cannot see. He's learned to pick on the nuances of a person's tone. So he did not need to see her face to know she was troubled.

"Nothing," she was quick to reply. "Turn around I'll get your back for you." Sturgis complied but didn't like that Clara was keeping something from him. "Is it the letter?"

"Don't be ridiculous," Clara stated. "What would Lord Fitton's personal letter have to do with me? I'm just thinking about tomorrow is all."

Sturgis looked back over his shoulder. "We will both have our answers soon."

Clara wondered if it were soon enough, or would their trip be cut short because of what was in that letter. She took a towel and dried his skin. "Yes, we will," she said. She caught Lord Fitton staring at her from the doorway to the balcony.

Sturgis put his shirt back on removed his pants and got into bed. Clara pulled the cover over him.

"I'm glad we are doing this together," Sturgis told her. "As am I," Clara said, placing a kiss on his forehead and he smiled. "Goodnight, Clara."

"Goodnight."

Clara slowly made her way to Lord Fitton her feet felt like two lead weights she had to drag to get there. "What if the queen demands his return home? What if they must leave before she gets her answers? Would she leave? Or would she stay? How could she negotiate this foreign place without him?"

There were so many misconceptions she had about India, for example thinking they all spoke Hindi. She had no idea the number of dialects and languages that spread across this nation. How will she be able to tell the doctors what's wrong with her if she cannot speak their language? What of Sturgis? she thought, looking briefly back at him. She could not afford his care and hers. She immediately thought if it came to that she'd put him first.

As she approached Lord Fitton turned his back to her and leaned on the balcony wondering just how much he should reveal. Clara was soon at his side.

"Bad news?" Clara worried.

"Not exactly. The Queen is losing hope of us finding a cure for the King. She is fearful of my not returning to England, she is sending an ambassador to make certain I complete my mission and return back to her."

"Oh," Clara said that didn't sound so bad.

"The truth is Clara. I have been on several of these missions for the Queen and I have yet to find a cure. She believes there must be one in nature but if there is..."

"You haven't found it yet. Perhaps the Masters may have a suggestion of where you might look."

"I must admit I've thought the same. It was one of the reasons I agreed when you first approached me about Sturgis. However, this will mean no matter the outcome for you, for Sturgis, for me, I will not be able to just disappear with you as I had offered should things not go as you wish. If the timing of this letter is correct, the ambassador can't be far behind."

Clara put her hand on Lord Fitton arm. "Aaron, no matter the outcome. I cannot express how much you've come to mean to me, or how thankful I am for everything you have sacrificed to help Sturgis and I. I am determined to see this through to it whatever inevitable end there may be. I will find a way to keep going. I must for Sturgis and myself."

Lord Fitton covered her hand with his. "I know it's selfish of me not to want this to end. I've grown so accustomed to you both being a part of my life. It will seem rather desolate without you."

"Oh," Clara said, her eyes stung with unshed tears. She wished there was a way to make them all happy, Redgrave, Fitton, Sturgis, herself but no matter how she viewed the problem there just did not seem to be a solution. Once again another good man will be hurt by her actions.

Lord Fitton patted her hand as she stared at him with those beautiful expressive eyes of hers. "Go on to bed. It's a big day tomorrow. For all of us."

"I'll take the chair, you may have the bed," Clara offered.

"Don't be absurd," Lord Fitton rebuked the idea at once.

"I'm not being absurd. There is no possible way you could fit your tall frame in that chair and get a decent night's sleep. I'm a much better fit," Clara reasoned but Lord Fitton was already shaking his head no.

"Fine then," Clara said annoyed yet, determined. Her head raised, her chin jutted out. "We'll share the bed."

Lord Fitton's eyes widened. "I know you have nothing to fear from me, but Clara are you certain?"

Clara did not answer. Before she lost her nerve she walked into the room pulled back the covers, kicked off her shoes but otherwise stayed fully dressed and laid down on the bed.

Lord Fitton shook his head at her, sighed and followed her into the room and sat down on the bed to pull off his boots, he removed his jacket laying it over the chair and his cravat but left the rest of his clothes intact.

He glanced at her. She lay on the bed, on her back, with her hands folded primly across her stomach. He joined her and stared at the ceiling.

"Goodnight, Aaron," Clara said turning on her side to snuff out the bedside lantern.

"Goodnight, Clara," Lord Fitton said still staring at the ceiling.

Several minutes had passed and Clara heard her name spoken. She half thought to ignore him and pretend to be asleep but thought what was the point really.

"Clara, are you awake?"

Clara rolls over from her side onto her back again. "Yes."

A few moments had passed, and he looked over at her. He was just able to make out her silhouette by the moon's light that came pouring in the window. "Are you as uncomfortable as I am?"

Clara turned her head to look at him. "Good God yes." And they both laughed.

"This really isn't going to work is it?"

Lord Fitton shook his head no. Clara sighed. "We both need our sleep. We can be adults about this don't you think?"

"Absolutely," Lord Fitton agreed. They both got up and removed their garments where they had nothing left but Clara in her chemise and Lord Fitton in his undergarment and shirt. They faced one another on either side of the bed and smiled at one another.

Clara got under the covers and Lord Fitton joined her. "Better?" she asked.

"Much? You?" he asked.

"Yes."

"Sweet dreams, Clara."

"Sweet dreams, Aaron."

And within moments the exhaustion of the day had claimed them both.