"George, I would like to introduce you to Miss Allison." George took her hand and bowed over it, bringing a delighted smile to Allison's face.

"Good evening, sir, you have a beautiful home," Allison said smoothly.

"Thank you, Miss Allison, thank you. I will make sure my wife knows you think so." George looked at Morgan. "You will stay a little after dinner and let us catch up, won't you, Morgan?" She nodded at him, catching the meaningful look in his eye. Glancing at the people behind them waiting to greet the Stromwells, she started to move them away.

"We shall see you at dinner," she said. George and Isabelle both nodded at her before turning to their other guests. Morgan escorted Allison out of the foyer and into the parlor, again watching in amusement as Allison drew appreciative looks from the men and envious ones from the women. Guiding her over to a settee in the corner she motioned for Allison to sit.

"I’m going to go get us some wine," she said as Allison’s deep green eyes swung up to meet hers. The redhead smiled and nodded. Morgan moved across the room, stopping occasionally to bid someone hello. A servant finally appeared with a tray of wine glasses and she retrieved two. Turning around, her eyes sought out Allison’s and she found her lips curving into an unconscious smile. The redhead was perched on the edge of the seat her fan spread wide, fanning a breeze that gently stirred the curls framing her face.

One of the older women in the room had her pinned in the corner, making Allison shoot pleading looks at her from behind her fan. Morgan walked across the parlor exchanging more greetings as she went, arriving at the older woman’s side just in time to hear her exclaim, "Oh, young lady, you simply must let me introduce you to my nephew!" Morgan chuckled and the woman turned to look at her in surprise. "Why, hello, Captain Morgan, I didn’t know you were here this evening," she said coolly.

"Good evening, Mrs. Humpfrey, how are you this fine evening?" Morgan asked, trying to hide a smile as Allison shot her a look of relief.

"I’m quite fine, Captain. Was there something you needed?" Morgan cocked an eyebrow at the blunt dismissal.

"Needed? Why, no, I don’t think so. I was just bringing my lovely companion here some wine." Morgan moved around the older woman to stand next to the settee, handing Allison her wine. The redhead smiled deeply at her.

"Why thank you, Morgan, you are ever so attentive." Morgan cocked an eyebrow at Allison, watching Mrs. Humpfrey’s cheeks flush as she picked up on the intimate tone Allison addressed her with. Morgan smiled down at Allison and brushed a curl of her hair gently away from her chin. Morgan tore her eyes away from Allison’s captivating green ones as the older woman stammered an excuse and scurried away. She shot an amused look at the woman’s back before returning her gaze to her companion.

"Thank you, Morgan. That woman was positively unbearable! I think she was going to try to drag me to the alter to marry her nephew!!" Morgan laughed softly.

"Well, at least she has good taste," Morgan said softly. Allison blushed and dropped her eyes to her wineglass. Morgan heard a familiar voice echo in the foyer and winced. She turned towards the door and looked out, seeing Carolyn’s familiar figure greeting the Stromwells. Her jaw clenched and she felt the anger welling up again and fought to keep it from overcoming her. She jumped and looked down at Allison as the redhead reached out and wrapped her fingers around Morgan’s arm, softly rubbing the sensitive skin on the inside of her wrist. She stood up and tucked herself closer to Morgan, the touch and smell of the young woman effectively distracting her. The captain found herself looking down into a pair of very green eyes and knew that their posture would look very intimate to anyone who glanced their way. She smiled at Allison.

"You are a clever young woman, Miss Allison," she said softly. Allison’s eyes twinkled in response.

"Why thank you, Captain, that’s quite the compliment coming from you. I do know a little bit about making people jealous…at least, I’ve watched the women of South Carolina manipulate their men often enough." Morgan chuckled and let her hand rest against Allison’s lower back. Green eyes casually glanced across the room and swung back up to meet hers. A grin tugged at Allison’s full lips. "Well, Captain, I do believe that my idea has worked wonderfully. Standing in the doorway is one very angry looking Carolyn, and she looks like she’s thinking of coming this way." Morgan laughed softly and leaned down to whisper in Allison’s ear.

"My dear, I am glad you were so adamant. And, because of how she is, she will think that I’m whispering sweet nothings in your ear." Morgan pulled back and looked down at Allison to see the young woman’s cheeks slightly flushed. "Especially since you blush so readily." Allison laughed and patted Morgan on the arm with her fan, then spread it and held it up in front of her face.

"So I believe we ought to flirt even more then, shouldn’t we." Morgan nodded. "I think we’ll be the victors here, Captain." Morgan laughed and nodded.

"I do too, and please, call me Morgan." Morgan let her voice dip into a more intimate register and watched as Allison noticed it and smiled back at her.

"Then, Morgan, if we are to be seen as lovers, you should call me Allison." Morgan felt her heartbeat jump at the look in Allison’s eyes, and swallowed. Allison’s eyes flickered across the room again and Morgan cocked an eyebrow. "She’s been caught by a group of people and is glaring our way whenever she gets the opportunity." Morgan smiled.

"I would say this is going to be a very interesting evening, Allison, don’t you agree?" Allison smiled, then nudged Morgan towards the room. Morgan turned around and saw Anne headed their way.

"Morgan, Daddy wants to know if you will sit with the family this evening?" she asked as she reached the corner. Anne shot a smile at Allison then turned her attention back to Morgan.

"I would be delighted. I didn’t think I was accepted there any more." Anne shook her head fervently.

"Oh no, Morgan! You were always welcome…it was just that woman that wasn’t. Daddy said to tell you that he would be honored if you and Miss Allison would join us at the big table." Morgan chuckled and nodded.

"Ahh…that would explain it then. We would be happy to join you." Anne gifted them with a brilliant smile.