"Please have a carriage brought to the front," she instructed. He nodded and nearly stumbled as he turned around, hurrying down the curving staircase and out the front door. Allison looked up at Morgan as she chuckled. "That should start some rumors flying." Morgan led her down the stairs and out the front door, nodding in approval at the waiting carriage. She tossed a coin at the servant as he held the door open for them. Morgan helped Allison into the carriage then followed, settling back into the seat. The servant closed the door and stepped back as the driver leaned down and looked in the window.

"Where to?" he asked.

"The Harbormaster's." The man cocked an eyebrow then nodded, clicking to his pair of horses.

They spent most of the ride talking, Morgan explaining who was who in the port town's social scene. Allison found her upraising coming into full play as she listened to Morgan, trying to remember the names of the island's elite. Morgan stressed the importance of the Harbormaster and his family, that his was the favor that was garnered in the town, not that of the governor of the islands. The island was one of the smaller ones, and the rules and laws of the big island mattered little in the port. The Harbormaster maintained a careful balance between the pirates that called his port home, and the traders that frequented it, and a privateer captain had to petition to him for permission to dock there. The port on the other side of the island was a more dangerous place, where a rougher class of sailor made their home. Because of that, the Harbormaster had fortified his harbor after reaching his office, protecting it with cannons and a huge chain that could be drawn across the harbor mouth with the cranking of a huge pulley system. Any ship that tried to pass through without permission would find the hull of their ship seriously damaged if not breached entirely when the barrier was up.

Allison listened to Morgan with great interest, learning more about the Captain. Before she became involved with Carolyn, George Stromwell had treated Morgan as one of his own. He became Harbormaster a little over a year after she sailed into the port for the first time, and Morgan had helped him acquire the cannon that protected the harbor. The contact between the two of them had gradually lessened with her involvement with Carolyn, until the last time she was in port when she didn't see him at all.

As the carriage pulled up a long drive Allison felt the dance of butterflies start again in her stomach and tried to calm her nerves. Morgan took a deep breath and straightened her shoulders, eyes fixed on the grand house ahead of them. As the carriage moved behind a couple of others waiting to unload their occupants Allison frowned.

"Morgan?" The captain looked at her, hearing the question in her voice.

"Yes?"

"Are you going to tell him that you're holding me for ransom?" Morgan nodded.

"I'm sure he already knows." Allison looked thoughtful for a moment.

"Will he not approve?" Morgan shrugged.

"I didn't set out to kidnap you. I wanted the ship...you were, well, a fortunate find." Morgan grinned mischievously at Allison and she smiled back, resisting the urge to ask another question as the carriage pulled up in front of the stairs. The driver swung down and opened the door for them. Morgan stepped out and turned to help Allison down, then instructed the driver to wait, pressing a coin into his palm. He nodded and the carriage rolled away towards the others waiting on the far side of the lawn as Morgan led Allison up the steps.

Morgan felt the tension in her body build with each step they took. She watched the others walking up the stairs warily, waiting to spot Carolyn's familiar features among them. She glanced down at the beautiful woman on her arm and felt a moment of surprise as she watched Allison's chin take on a proud tilt. As they reached the top of the stairs Morgan watched as Allison drew stares, smothering a smile. They moved across the portico and into the foyer, joining the line waiting to greet their hosts. Morgan felt her nervousness abate a little as she received delighted smiles from George's wife, Isabelle, and his daughter, Anne. She smiled back at them as they moved along in the line. The woman at her side moved smoothly along the line with her, smiling charmingly at the stares she was receiving and seeming quite relaxed. Morgan ducked her head towards the redhead.

"How are you doing, Miss Allison?" she whispered. Allison looked up into her eyes and smiled.

"I am doing fine, Captain." Morgan chuckled softly.

"So would you loosen your grip on my arm a little then?" she said, glancing meaningfully at the white-knuckle hold. Allison blushed and immediately relaxed her clenched fingers.

"I'm sorry, Morgan, I didn't realize that I was doing that." Morgan cocked an eyebrow at her.

"Nervous?" Allison shook her head.

"Not at all, merely dreading seeing her." Morgan nodded then glanced up as they approached the Stromwell women. She quickly found herself pulled into excited embraces as Isabelle and Anne turned towards them.

"Morgan, dear, how have you been?" Isabelle exclaimed. Her eyes flickered to Allison quickly, an immaculate eyebrow arching expectantly.

"Good evening, Isabelle, I've been well, how are you?" Morgan answered. She looked back over her shoulder at Allison and touched her lightly on the back to bring her up next to her. "Isabelle, Anne, I would like you to meet Miss Allison. Allison, this is Isabelle Stromwell and her daughter, Anne." Allison curtsied to the two women.

"It's a pleasure to meet you," she said, her honeyed accent bringing a curious glint to Isabelle's eye. Morgan smiled and glanced past Isabelle at George. Seeing the look Isabelle patted Morgan's arm.

"Go see him, Morgan, he's been wondering how you are." The older woman stepped closer and lowered her voice, nodding her head towards Allison where she stood talking to Anne. "And that young lady is a much better choice for you. But we'll talk later." Morgan shot a sheepish look at Isabelle then stepped past her. Isabelle reached out and tugged on George's sleeve. Morgan straightened her shoulders as he turned around, the last of her nervousness dissolving as a happy smile creased his face.

"Morgan! You came!" George stepped forward and clasped Morgan's hand with both of his. Morgan smiled back at her friend.

"How are you, George?" she asked.

"Oh, I'm doing fairly well. How was your last trip out?" Morgan cocked an eyebrow at George in amusement.