"What would work? And why can't you?" Morgan shook her head and started pacing again. Allison watched the agitated woman pace, then stepped in front of her, putting a hand on her shoulder to stop her. Morgan looked down at her inquisitively.

"Yes, Allison?"

"Take me!" A dark eyebrow arched sharply and Allison felt her cheeks flush hotly. "I mean take me with you. I have plenty of suitable gowns in my trunk, it would certainly get to Carolyn." Morgan started to shake her head and Allison hurried to continue. "Morgan, you need to go, and you need to make sure that the Harbormaster knows that you aren't with her, right? Does he like her?" Morgan snorted and shook her head.

"No, he's..., well, he's a very faithful man. He's been married to his wife for 26 years, and has never looked elsewhere. Carolyn has always rubbed him the wrong way, even when James was still alive. She would try to flirt with him, and it seriously bothered him." Allison nodded.

"Then making it obvious that the situation between the two of you has changed is imperative." Morgan's lips quirked in an amused grin. "Alright. This is politics. I know politics, Morgan, I was raised in them. There's not a plantation owner in the South that doesn't try to sway the Governor, Senators, and the like towards his business and Daddy grows cotton, so you know he's trying to get into the right circles to have his cotton made into uniforms and so on." Morgan opened her mouth to say something and Allison jumped ahead of her as she saw the negative start to form on her lips. "Please, Morgan, let me help you with this. I won't embarrass you, and I'll make sure that I keep my temper with Carolyn." Morgan frowned and Allison looked up into her eyes and rested her fingers lightly on Morgan's wrist. "Please?" Morgan sighed softly and shook her head.

"Alright. Let's go." Allison's pout quickly turned into a delighted smile and she threw her arms around Morgan's neck and hugged her. Morgan laughed softly and returned the hug, then patted her on the hip and pulled away. "We'd better get dressed. If this is to work I need to be perfectly punctual like I was before getting involved with her." Allison nodded and hurried over to her trunks, throwing open one that had remained closed until now.

"What color will you be wearing?" Allison asked over her shoulder. Morgan went over to her trunk and dug through to the bottom. Turning around she lifted up a navy blue waistcoat.

"This isn't my best one, unfortunately that one is in Carolyn's room." Allison nodded and pulled a gown out of her trunk and walked over to compare it to the waistcoat. Cocking her head she eyed the combination. Morgan smiled. "Nice match. That should set us apart from Carolyn. She'll probably be in something red." Allison smiled and returned to the other side of the room. As she pulled on the various layers of undergarments she heard Morgan moving around behind her. Settling her corset around her she reached back and stretched to reach the laces. Allison jumped as her hands were brushed aside. She looked over her shoulder and received a grin from Morgan.

"Let me get those for you." Allison turned to look at herself in the mirror, resting her hand against her stomach to try and calm the butterflies that started to dance as Morgan's fingers worked at the laces. She watched Morgan's reflection, smiling slightly at the intent look on her face. Allison found herself standing up straighter as the corset was cinched and eyed herself critically in the mirror. The boning of the corset accentuated her waist and her breasts were lifted up and pressed together. Nodding in approval she glanced over her shoulder, catching an appreciative look on Morgan's face. Allison blushed and turned away from the mirror, reaching for her gown. Morgan stepped close and lifted the dress up for her, carefully slipping it down over Allison's head. Gratefully Allison slipped her arms into the sleeves as Morgan let the skirts fall to the floor. Turning around she presented Morgan with the multitude of buttons that would fasten her gown. The captain carefully worked at the back of her dress as Allison smoothed out the front of the gown.

"All done, Miss Allison. Now, I need to finish getting dressed myself." Allison smiled over her shoulder at the older woman.

"Thank you very much, Captain," she answered, turning back to the mirror. Allison worked a comb through her hair then tied it at the base of her neck with a dark blue silk ribbon. She pulled a couple of strands free from the ribbon and let them frame her face, twirling them around her finger until they fell in perfect curls. Turning around she watched as Morgan settled her waistcoat around her shoulders and buttoned it, them belted an intricately decorated knife around her waist. Allison's eyes widened in admiration at the figure Morgan cut in her tight breeches and coat and watched a similar look cross the captain's face as she looked across the room at her.

"Well?" Allison asked, twirling slowly.

"You look amazing, Allison." Morgan said softly. The older woman walked over to her and turned Allison towards the mirror. She felt Morgan rest her hand lightly against her lower back as she looked at their reflection. Allison found a smile curving her lips at the sight that they made. The colors they wore complimented each other perfectly, her gown a couple of shades lighter that the dark navy blue of Morgan's waistcoat. Her fawn-colored breeches fit closely and were tucked into a pair of high boots. Her dark hair flowed loose around her shoulders and her blue eyes sparkled. Morgan met her eyes in the mirror and nodded in approval. "This will definitely work, Allison. I'm glad I let you convince me." Morgan smiled.