"You'll still come and see me after you're done entertaining your little tart, won't you?" Allison's eyebrows climbed up her forehead and she watched Morgan nod and stride up the stairs and out of view. Carolyn stayed out on the steps, toying with her lacy shawl, a thoughtful smile curving her lips. Allison watched for a moment until Carolyn headed inside, then turned to wait for Morgan, her stomach tied in knots of jealousy.

Morgan paused briefly for a moment outside the door to her room, trying to calm the rush of blood through her veins. Damn you, Carolyn, why’d you have to do that do me, you wench! Morgan cursed her lover under her breath as she turned the doorknob, finding it locked.

"Allison?" Calling to the room’s occupant, she heard the sound of bare feet padding across the floor. The door swung open to reveal her prisoner still clad only in one of her shirts, causing Morgan to clamp her self-control down on her body’s reaction. Morgan sighed to herself as she glimpsed a pair of flashing green eyes before Allison turned and stalked back to one of the chairs in front of the fireplace. Shaking her head she closed the door behind her and dropped the satchel to the floor next to the chest Jacob had carried back for her.

Morgan leaned her hip against the footboard of the bed and crossed her arms over her chest. Allison stared moodily into the cold fireplace, her fingers tapping in irritation on the arm of her chair. Morgan closed her eyes in exasperation and reached up to shove her fingers through her hair. As she toyed with the idea of simply ignoring the redhead’s mood and losing herself in Carolyn’s arms Allison glanced back at her uncertainly.

"If you’re not too upset with me, Miss Allison, I would greatly enjoy the pleasure of your company for dinner." Morgan shot what she hoped was a somewhat entreating look up at Allison and gratefully watched the icy mask melt away. Her companion nodded and Morgan resisted letting out a sigh of relief. "Would you like to eat down in the dining room, or should I have dinner sent up here?" Allison cocked her head and nibbled absently at her full lower lip.

"I think I would like to eat up here, if that’s alright with you," she finally answered, a strange twinkle in her eye. Morgan nodded and pushed herself to her feet, then reached up to tug the bell pull next to the fireplace. Sitting down in the chair across from Allison she leaned down and impatiently freed her feet from the constriction of her boots. Sighing in relief she dropped them to the floor behind the chair and relaxed, waiting for one of the servants to answer her call. As she leaned her head against the back of the chair she peeked a look at Allison from under her lashes. She had curled up in the chair, her feet tucked under her, elbow propped on the arm of the chair, chin in her palm, and was toying with the hem of her shirt, a forlorn expression on her face. Morgan felt the look tug at her heart, and she searched for a way to chase the sadness away. Sitting up suddenly she drew Allison’s attention with a slight wave of her hand.

"What would you like to do, Allison?" Morgan smiled as green eyes widened in surprise. "I know you’ve been cooped up for days now, so is there anything you’d like to do?" She explained. A tentative smile tickled at the corners of Allison’s mouth.

"Actually, Captain, what I’d really like to do is go for a walk….if that’s possible?" The hopeful note in Allison voice chased away Morgan’s doubt. It wasn’t the best idea, but if they went before night fell, they would be okay. Morgan nodded and a delighted smile lit up Allison’s face

"Now, you’ll have to change out of that shirt though. I don’t know if anyone would be brave enough to try to scare away the number of men those legs would draw." Allison blushed furiously and turned quickly to her trunks while Morgan clamped her mouth shut, hardly able to believe what she’d said. As the redhead rustled through her clothes a soft knock pulled Morgan’s attention to the door. She stepped outside to talk to the waiter, instructing him to have dinner sent up just after sunset. Slipping back in she saw Allison slipping into a lacey chemise and quickly averted her eyes from the sight, setting to pulling her boots back onto her feet. Morgan laughed as Allison growled under her breath and walked across the room to stand right behind the redhead.

"Need some help, Miss Allison?" She said softly. Allison jumped and glanced over her shoulder and Morgan watched with fascination as the sound of her voice raised goose bumps across the soft skin of Allison’s back. Morgan found herself momentarily ensnared by Allison’s beautiful green eyes before she arched an eyebrow. The younger woman blushed again and nodded.

"I can’t..seem….to…reach.." Allison struggled briefly to reach the ties of her corset before Morgan brushed her fingers aside.

"I can handle these. Ready?" Allison nodded and Morgan slowly cinched up the corset, working from the bottom up until she finally tied the laces in a bow at the top. "Is that okay?" Allison nodded.

"It’s not as tight as I’m used to, but that feels fine." Morgan chuckled and brushed her hand against Allison’s side.

"I guess I’m lucky in that I don’t have to wear those, aren’t I?" Allison flashed a grin over her shoulder as she stepped into her dress and pulled it up. Morgan reached out and fastened the buttons up the back of the dress as Allison settled it more comfortably around herself. As Morgan finished slipping the last of the buttons through their loops Allison reached behind her head and tied her hair behind her neck with a ribbon. Stepping back Morgan watched in amazement as Allison turned round with a little flourish.

"How do I look?" Allison looked at her shyly from beneath her eyelashes. Allison had picked out a deep green dress that fit her like a glove to her waist, then flared out into a wide skirt. The sleeves were off the shoulder and the neckline plunged, revealing the shadowy cleavage created by her corset. Morgan swallowed hard and had to wet her lips with her tongue before she could answer.

"You are absolutely stunning, Miss Allison." She managed to get out. Allison smiled happily at her. "Shall we go?" She asked, motioning Allison before her. Morgan shook her head as she followed her captive out the door and down the hall, thinking to herself. Morgan, you are NOT going to be able to handle this gal if she dresses like that again. Allison glided down the stairs and into the foyer with Morgan right behind her, and the captain found herself receiving quite a few stares. Sighing, she pushed away the thought of Carolyn’s reaction later that evening and offered Allison her arm as they walked down the steps. Morgan steered them away from the docks and along the wooden walks that lined the streets, trying to ignore the looks that the two of them received as she guided her companion towards the wider streets of the merchant quarter.

As they strolled along Morgan found herself paying less attention to the people shooting them looks and more attention to the beautiful young woman at her side. She found herself enchanted as Allison regaled her with stories of her upbringing and the South, bringing back bittersweet memories of her childhood. Allison seemed to be in her element out among the people, swaying her skirts and shooting flirtatious smiles up at Morgan. The captain walked quietly along, content to let Allison’s soft, soothing voice wash over her, resisting Allison’s attempts to draw information out about herself. As they walked memories flooded over her…

Morgan heard her name and looked down to see Allison gazing at her expectantly. Realizing that she’d missed a question, she apologized. "I’m sorry, Miss Allison, what was that?" Allison’s eyebrows drew together in a slight frown.