"Hold on, Allison, we’re going to try to make this trip a little shorter." Morgan grinned as Allison slid closer to her and wrapped her arms tighter around her waist, then squeezed her thighs and nudged Mercury with her heel, laughing out loud as her horse tossed his head and picked up his feet. Soon Mercury’s hooves were flying in a ground-eating lope and Morgan looked over her shoulder at the woman moving easily behind her, red hair streaming in the wind as she laughed in delight. The captain smiled at Allison then turned back around and settled in for the ride, grateful once more for Mercury’s easy gait. As the redhead twined her fingers with hers she smiled sadly, fervently hoping that Allison’s father wasn’t in port yet and they could enjoy one last night together.

Morgan sighed softly as the edge of town came into view and pressed a tender kiss against Allison’s forehead as the young woman dozed in the curve of her arms, wishing she could avoid the port altogether. Morgan had let the redhead sit in front of her after they stopped to rest Mercury earlier and now her young companion sat completely relaxed against her chest, rocked to sleep by the horse’s steady gait.

"Allison," she said softly as she brushed another kiss against her cheek. Her lover smiled and blinked her eyes open. "Feeling better for your nap?" she teased. A slight blush colored Allison’s fair cheeks and she nodded.

"Yes, I do. I didn’t realize I was so tired," she said. Morgan chuckled softly and brushed her fingers along Allison’s side in a soft caress.

"Well, you did have an active morning, Miss Allison," Morgan’s smile deepened as her young companion met her eyes bravely, ignoring the blush turning even her ears pink.

"Are you complaining, Captain?" Allison asked, her voice warm and seductive. Morgan felt a jolt of sensation race through her as she smiled into Allison’s deep green eyes and she dipped her head to capture Allison’s lips in a passionate kiss. As they pulled apart, both a bit breathless, she grinned at her lover.

"Did that feel like I was complaining, gorgeous?" Morgan asked. Allison laughed softly then twisted to sit more comfortably astride the saddle as Mercury tossed his head and started to pick up his pace. Morgan wrapped her arms around Allison’s waist and pulled her back against her with one hand, the other holding the reins.

The road ahead widened and smoothed out in front of them as they approached the town, the fields on either side of the road bordered by low, stacked stone walls. Morgan saw the beginning of the cobblestone street that led through the town ahead, and tension started to build, her stomach twisting into knots of apprehension. Her jaw clenched and she rested her cheek against Allison’s hair, forcing the emotions threatening to surge to the surface back down. Morgan closed her eyes for a moment and tried to let the gentle motion of Mercury’s gait calm her.

"Morgan?" The captain leaned her chin on Allison’s shoulder and gazed quietly at the younger woman’s profile.

"Yes, Allison?" she answered. The redhead stiffened a little in her arms and Morgan frowned. "What’s wrong?"

"There’s someone waiting in the road ahead," Allison said softly, and Morgan sat up straighter, squinting against the setting sun as she studied the figure Allison had spied. The captain pushed down a momentary jolt of panic and reached behind her to loosen the strap on her saddlebag as their watcher kicked his horse into a gallop, sending up a cloud of dust in his wake as he sped towards them. Allison’s hand tightened painfully around Morgan’s forearm as she reached into the bag and pulled out her pistol, trying to remember if it was loaded or not.

As the rider bore down on them Morgan steadied Mercury with a firm touch on the reins as he tossed his head and smiled slightly to herself as Allison leaned forward and patted him soothingly on the shoulder, glancing back at her as she did. Morgan rubbed the redhead’s side reassuringly and kept the horse moving forward at a steady pace, still trying to figure out who the mysterious rider was. Allison straightened up and settled against her, her posture hiding the nervous tension that Morgan could feel. The setting sun cast the rider’s face into shadows and the captain readjusted her grip on the pistol as he slowed to a trot and approached them.

"Captain Morgan?" the man called out. Morgan nodded and waved him forward.

"Show me your hands please," she cautioned and let the breath she had been holding trickle out as he raised both of his hands and spread his fingers wide to show he was unarmed.

"Captain, it’s John, Mr. Stromwell sent me to wait for you." Morgan let out a slow laugh as she felt Allison slump against her and pressed a soft kiss against the younger woman’s temple. Smiling she waved at him to ride beside them.

"Why did he do that, John?" she asked curiously. John’s horse fell into step alongside Mercury and Morgan saw a quick smile flit across the man's face before he answered.

"Mr. and Mrs. Stromwell have asked for the pleasure of both your and Miss Allison’s company for dinner, Captain, and wish for you to come directly there." Morgan frowned and cocked her head at John.

"We’re hardly dressed for dinner, John," she said. Allison shot a questioning look over her shoulder at her then looked at John. John looked down at his reins uncomfortably them glanced back up at them.

"Miss, your father’s ship is in the harbor," John said reluctantly, continuing quietly as Allison hung her head, hiding her face behind her hair. Morgan softly rubbed her thumb against the smooth skin of Allison’s arm and struggled to keep her emotions from showing too strongly on her face. "The Stromwells were hoping you would join them in a very casual meal this evening." John looked directly into Morgan’s eyes and smiled a little bit. "The Harbormaster has found out from the Dockmaster that the ship will not be docking until morning." John’s smile deepened meaningfully and Morgan smiled slightly in return as she realized that George had made sure that the ship would not dock until morning.

"Lead the way, John," she said finally, "we shouldn’t keep our friends waiting, right, Allison?" The redhead turned to look over her shoulder as John nudged his horse into the lead and Morgan leaned forward and teased her lips with a soft, lingering kiss. As she drew back the redhead’s eyelids fluttered open and Morgan smiled deeply into the green eyes staring back at her. "Our friends are giving us a gift of this evening, Allison, let us enjoy it together," she said softly so her voice wouldn’t carry. Allison nodded slowly and a sad smile curved her lips as she turned around and nestled back into Morgan’s arms for the ride through town.

Allison waited patiently as Morgan swung down off the horse, landed lightly on the ground, and stretched her legs out before turning back towards her. She found herself smiling down into Morgan’s sparkling blue eyes as the captain reached up to help her down and out of the saddle, the older woman easing her to the ground and into her arms. Oblivious to their guide who waited patiently on the other side of his horse Morgan pulled Allison closer and captured her lips in a long, leisurely thorough kiss that left her breathless. The redhead found herself wishing fervently that they were at the inn instead of the Stromwell’s as her blood rushed through her veins in reaction to her lover. The captain smiled devilishly at her as she offered Allison her arm and led her up to the house, leaving Mercury to be led away to the stable as they followed John up the steps.

John led them quietly through the house, Morgan following in his wake with Allison on her arm. The redhead glanced up at her companion and found a small smile tugging at the corner of the captain’s lips as they went. Morgan glanced down at her and Allison cocked her head inquisitively, wondering what the woman was thinking. John paused outside a door and rapped softly on it, waving at them to stay as he slipped inside. Morgan leaned against the wall and pulled Allison against her, her smile deepening as the younger woman wrapped her arms around her waist.

"How are you doing?" the captain asked quietly, reaching up to brush an errant strand of hair away from her face. Allison leaned into the motion and pressed a soft kiss against Morgan’s palm and smiled up at her.

"I’m doing alright. I feel rather awkward knowing that we’re going to have dinner with the Stromwells and here I am in breeches." Her cheeks warmed slightly as a blush crept across her face and she stared absently at the laces on Morgan’s shirt. A finger reached out and tilted her chin up and she found herself drowning in Morgan’s vibrant blue eyes.

"You look gorgeous," Morgan said softly as she cupped the back of her head and kissed her deeply. Allison felt her body melt willingly into Morgan’s and she wrapped her arms more firmly around her lover’s body, losing herself in the kiss until she heard John clear his throat from the doorway. Allison blushed furiously and started to pull away from Morgan only to have the older woman keep her arm wrapped around her waist as she pushed away from the wall, pulling the redhead with her as she followed John. He led them into a small dining room that looked like it was in the servants’ area, a large well-worn table dominating the space, laden with various steaming dishes. John motioned them to sit and disappeared back through the doorway, leaving them standing next to the table, alone in the room.

Morgan cocked an eyebrow at the door as he closed it then turned to look at Allison. Reaching she tugged a chair away from the table and waved at the redhead to take a seat then pulled out the chair next to her and settled into it.